Kerry pulled on her sweater. “I can’t do it.” She shook her head, her eyes on the door.

“We can’t stay here indefinitely.”

“Want to bet?” She widened her eyes at him, her cheeks heating at the mere thought of heading downstairs.

Cadon chuckled. “I’d be happy if we stayed.” He reached out, putting his arm around her, nuzzling into her neck. Kissing her just below her ear.

Despite her apprehension, Kerry giggled, breaking out in what felt like hundreds of goosebumps. When he kissed her a second time, she felt a zing of need move through her, settling in her lower belly.

No! These darned hormones. It wasn’t enough that he’d just made her come twice. The second one had blown her mind. She felt her cheeks heat to ‘who turned on the furnace’ status. She’d screamed. Loudly. Very bloody loudly. Her throat still felt a little scratchy. Other parts of her felt tender. A good kind of tender.

But oh, good lord, she’d screamed.

Everyone would know. Everyone would have heard.

Cadon let her go, he leaned up against the jamb, smiling so hard he was all dimples and glinting eyes. “Everyone knew we were going up to fuck.”

“Don’t say it like that, just makes me feel worse. We went at it like rabbits. Please don’t tell me the bed was thudding. I don’t remember the bed thudding but…”

Cadon turned his gaze to the bed in question. To the wrought iron headboard.

“Oh shit!” She put her hand over her mouth and laughed, feeling mortified.

“In hindsight, choosing those particular headboards in this house was not the best idea.”

“Every room has them?”

Cadon nodded. “We can go shopping today for a couple of new ones. You can choose whatever you would like for our room.”

“I’m thinking something fabric and very sturdy.” She smiled. “And I wonder where we could find ourselves a gag as well. I don’t like the idea of everyone knowing every time we have sex.”

“Yeah.” His eyes seemed to darken, his body visibly tightened. “Because it’s going to be often. The healer said it’s good for the baby.”

“Good for his mommy too.” Just talking about sex made her feel achy between her legs.

Cadon’s eyes crinkled around the edges. “We’ll have to go to bed early.” He pretended to yawn. “I don’t know about you but I’m pretty tired.”

She laughed. “I think you’re full of good ideas today.”

“As much as I’d love to stay right here and talk and,” he closed the space between them and brushed his lips against hers, “do other things, I have a feeling Magnar wouldn’t be too happy. I’m sure you know that saying, ‘it’s best to just pull out the quill in one go’.”

“Quill?”

“Yep.” Then he smiled. “Um, I guess humans don’t get stuck with porcupine quills very often.”

“You guys do?”

“It’s a game we played as children. Try to touch the porcupine’s head without getting stuck.”

A laugh was torn from her. “Poor thing.”

Cadon smiled, looking sheepish. “I know. It’s not something you think about as a kid though. My brothers and I would often come home in a sorry state.”

She couldn’t imagine Cadon being young. It was very difficult.

“It was always best just to pull out the quills quickly. To get it over with.” He took her hand. “Let’s get this over with.”

Kerry sucked in a deep breath. “How many brothers do you have?”

“Two. Both younger”

That was it. He wasn’t going to tell her anything else. She nodded. So, no sister. Who had he lost? His mother maybe? A friend? His partner? She wanted to ask, but she knew she’d get the same reply. It was best she didn’t know. They might be sleeping together but this wasn’t a relationship. Not like that anyways. She needed to remind herself of that, especially since she wasn’t one to mess around. This was the first time she’d had casual sex. Her mind wandered to Jeff, to how he was in the early days. Sweet and considerate. To how he had changed. No thanks, she didn’t want to be controlled and manipulated. Kerry looked back up at Cadon, realizing that her gaze had moved to the floor. His eyes were filled with concern. It was genuine. “You good?”

“I’m fine.” She smiled back, a warm feeling unfurling inside her. Cadon wasn’t anything like Jeff. More of a reason to keep things very straight inside her head.

Cadon nodded once, he turned and opened the door, gesturing for her to go through first.

“Time to pull out the quill?”

He nodded. “Very much so.”

He followed her out, taking her hand. Her heart went nuts in her chest. Her cheeks must look like two beetroots attached to her face. Would they see the mortification in her eyes?

One of Magnar’s guys was making a snack in the kitchen. There were a couple of men lazing on the couches in the second living room area they’d set up after having the wall repaired. They were watching a romantic comedy. Completely riveted. Hagan looked up, looking back at the screen when he saw it was them.

The guys were playing video games. It was their new thing. Playing these stupid shooting games.

Zaire leapt to his feet. “You’re dead,” he screamed. “Dead!”

“It’s my turn,” Andy announced, holding his hand out to Worth, who grudgingly handed over the gaming console.

“Where’s Orrick?” Cadon asked.

“He went to whack off,” Andy smirked. “I thought four times a day was bad. He goes every couple of hours like clockwork.”

Kerry bit back a laugh. Why had she been worried? No-one seemed to care.

“Can I make you that steak now?” Worth asked as he stood up. Kerry couldn’t help but notice that he still looked mad.

“Um…that would be great. I like my steak medium please.”

Worth shook his head. “You’re going to make me decimate a perfectly good piece of meat?” The one side of his mouth quirked up.

“I’m afraid so, or I won’t be able to eat it and that would be an even bigger waste.”

Worth nodded. “Okay then.” He headed for the kitchen.

“I’ll take mine rare,” Cadon said to Worth’s retreating back.

“You can make your own,” Worth growled, heading for the kitchen.

“Do you want me to talk to him?” Kerry asked.

Cadon shook his head. “Give him time to cool off. I’ll talk with him again once he is level-headed.” He looked around the room. “Where is Magnar?”

“He went out.” Maximus answered. “About an hour ago. Said he would be back later.” He shrugged.

It was the first time Magnar had left them alone. It felt like something of a victory.

They may have ultimately done it for their own selfish reasons, but it looked like having sex had been a good move. Kerry pushed out a breath, realizing it was the first time since the Fallen had arrived that she felt even marginally safe.