Two days later…

Something woke her. She felt instantly wide awake. Her curtains were a grey shade, telling her that the sun had started rising but that it was still early. There it was again, that sound she’d heard earlier. She lifted her head.

“Shit, I’m sorry.” Bay held up a hand, looking sheepish. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

Ceri decided right then that she hated him. Bay had insisted on living with her so that he could drive her batshit crazy. His hair was wet. Droplets ran down his chest. The towel was fluffy and white. It was fastened around his hips. Low on his hips. Low enough that she could see every single one of his abs in all of their wet glory.

“Um,” she cleared her throat, “that’s okay.”

“I’m meeting Brant,” Bay mumbled. “Thought it best if I showered before meeting with one of the kings. I tried to be quiet, I swear I did. You go back to sleep.” He took another step.

“That’s okay. It’s almost time for me to get up anyways. Why the meeting?” she asked, sitting up.

His gaze dropped to her boobs, lingering there before returning to her eyes. Ceri wore a light purple sleeping shirt. The garment had become tight around her breasts and snug around her belly. “Ah…” He lifted his gaze, looking like he couldn’t remember what it was he wanted to say. Two small frown lines appeared between his eyes.

“The meeting.” She smiled, raising her brows. It was good to know that it wasn’t just her who was still affected by this attraction. Bay looked like he was still feeling it, even though her body was changing. They had never struggled in the chemistry department.

“Oh, yeah, um, I’m hoping he’ll allow me to work while I’m here. I want to be close to you, but I can’t sit around all day doing nothing.”

“You can come and help me at the clinic,” she blurted. “I could use an extra pair of hands.”

Bay laughed. “I’m not so sure about that. I think there might be an opening on the Elite team. I’m probably better suited as a warrior than a healer.”

“You won’t get a spot on the Elite team. No offense ‒ those types of positions are hard-won.”

He flexed his muscles. “Good thing I’m up for the challenge.”

“Good luck then!”

“What do you have planned today?” He ran a hand through his still dripping hair, trying to finger-comb it.

“Oh, I need to get to work. I have a ton of appointments today, but first, breakfast.” She rolled her eyes. “I don’t know how you do it. Vampires drink every couple of days. We do eat solid food, but we certainly don’t need three square meals, and then don’t forget the snacks in-between. It’s so time-consuming.”

“Oh, that’s interesting.” He folded his arms and took a step towards her bed. “So you don’t drink blood anymore?”

“I do but very little and not very often. I think my requirements have changed because I’m pregnant with a dragon shifter baby. Human females crave blood when they are pregnant by vampires.”

Bay made a sound of agreement and took another step, putting him right at the foot of her bed. His eyes were so blue. His shoulders broad. His— Enough, Ceri!

“It is similar when human females are pregnant with dragon whelps.” He thankfully hadn’t noticed her…discomfort. “They crave more meat and prefer it to be more on the rare side. They go off milk…dairy products in general.”

“That explains my cravings for steak. I can’t get enough of it. That and ham sandwiches, with plenty of ham.”

He gave her a half-smile. “How are you feeling otherwise?”

“I’m good.”

He scrutinized her. “Do you mean that?”

“No, I do. I’m great. My energy levels are back up. I had a few days of nausea a while back, but I put that to…” Missing you. Your blood. You. She couldn’t say any of that. “I wasn’t sure what was going on, but it was over before I thought anything of it.”

“What about how you’re feeling, on the inside?”

“My feelings?” Was he still talking about the baby? She assumed he was. “I’m still scared…for the little one,” she put a hand on her belly, “and for myself as well. I know how badly things can go. I’ve seen the worst-case scenario firsthand.”

“I know, and I wish that wasn’t the case. You won’t be pregnant nearly as long as a vampire female normally would be. It’s going to work out. We have to believe that.”

“We don’t know anything, at this stage, but I think you are right. Stressing about it isn’t going to solve anything.” Her mouth felt dry just thinking about it. Her stomach felt like a rock had lodged itself inside her.

“Okay, well, I’d better get dressed.” He looked down at himself. “I’m leaving in ten minutes. Have a good day.”

“Thank you.” She smiled. “Good luck with your meeting. I must warn you, Brant comes across like an asshole if you don’t know him. He was very upset about this pregnancy. He shouted and broke a table, but then he got over himself. Now he’s really worried about me.”

“My kings weren’t too thrilled either.”

“He will probably act like a complete jerk initially. Don’t take it personally. Don’t let that get to you, he’s actually quite a nice male deep down. He just doesn’t often show that side of himself.”

“Yep, my king is the same. They feel they need to come across as being in charge and in control. They act like they don’t have emotions.”

“Except for maybe anger.”

He grinned. “Yep! Like I said, I was in big shit for,” he widened his eyes, “for all of this.”

“Oh…sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. It takes two to…make a baby.” He got this strange look, but it was gone before she could place it. “See you later.”

She nodded. “Yep.”

He paused and turned back just before he got to the door. Bay glanced back at her. “I’ll make dinner tonight. I can barbecue a mean steak.”

“That would be great.” It’s not a date. It doesn’t mean anything, he’s just being nice.

Ceri pulled in a breath. “It really would be lovely, thanks.” Why was she being so polite? This was so awkward.

Bay left, closing her bedroom door behind him. She fell back onto the pillows. Ceri was thrilled about this pregnancy. The life growing inside her was truly a miracle. Hopefully the birth would be smooth and without incident. Not thinking about that! The situation with Bay was difficult though, to say the least. The next few months were going to feel long and drawn-out.