Love Me to Death (Underveil, #1)(99)

Part of her hoped this ability would fade soon. Another knew that as Uniter, it would serve her well to see all sides. It was like mind reading, actually… just after the fact.

“Your thoughts are far away,” he said, standing to place the tray on the floor next to the bed.

“Right here with you.” He needed rest to heal completely. “You should sleep.”

The look that crossed his face made her toes curl. Obviously, sleeping was not on the agenda, which suited her just fine.

“Lose the towel before I lose my mind,” he said, completely naked, staring down at her from the other side of the bed. She pulled it off and pitched it on the floor, marveling at his beautiful, chiseled body. Even after extreme abuse in that cell, it had bounced back to its original, powerful, drool-worthy form. Wide shoulders, narrow hips. Mmm…

He scanned her body, stopping on the markings on her ribs and belly. “What do they say?”

She wanted tell him, but the timing was wrong. There were too many variables, and seeing backward had given her clear insight into his motives. She now knew that all those times he’d acted like an overbearing ass, he’d only been trying to protect her. Keeping her safe had been his top priority, and would continue to be. If he knew about the baby, he’d be so distracted by protecting her and his child that he’d be less effective. In order to defeat Fydor, he needed to be in top form. So did she. Telling him about the baby would have to wait. She needed his blood, so she needed him rested and strong.

“I’ll tell you only after you’re a good boy and get some sleep.”

Like a powerful predator, he climbed onto the bed and loomed over her. “I’ll show you good.” He grabbed her and pulled her to the center of the bed, pushing her to her back. She giggled. “I’ll show you great,” he said, pinning her arms over her head.

She didn’t fight him, but simply watched in amazement as he took total control. No snow, no cord, no fear—other than a tiny tinge of anxiety over his reception to her news. But that could wait. Right now, she needed this and so did he.

“In fact, I’ll show you stars, Elena Arcos.” Arms still pinned above her head, he shoved her legs apart with his knees and settled his body over hers. His weight felt amazing as it pushed her into the soft mattress. She was completely pinned and possessed, and she loved it. She loved him.

“Nik, I—”

He cut her off with a searing kiss that took her breath away. No gentle lead in. He angled his mouth over hers and was relentless, coaxing, stroking her tongue with his, nipping her bottom lip, all the while his body rocked in a rhythm letting her know exactly what he planned. But not yet.

“I’m going to kiss you all over your incredible body, and after you come at least twice, I’m going to f*ck you so hard we both have to sleep in order to recuperate.”

“Using only your mouth or your hand this time?”

A cocky smile caused his dimple to show. “Baby, this time, I’m going to use my whole body.”

Her mind and her newly immortal body rejoiced, anticipation zinging through her, as he moved down, kissing a hot trail from her breasts to her navel to the place where she needed him most. And after she’d come twice, as prescribed, he finally covered her body with his and pushed his hard, hot length inside her, filling her completely, but only making the longing stronger.

“Yes,” she murmured. “Nik, please.”

He lowered onto his elbows and took her earlobe between his teeth. “Tell me what the markings say.”

No. Not this. Not now. She wrapped her legs around his waist and angled up to take him deeper and fill the ache. He reacted with a gratifying thrust. She groaned, and he did it again. Soon, he was pumping into her in a rhythm that was sure to put her over the edge, their sweat slicked bodies sliding against each other as he twined his fingers into her hair. She unwound her legs from around his body and dug her heels into the bed, meeting his thrusts, and right as she reached that edge, he stopped.

What the hell? She thrust up and he didn’t react. Opening her eyes, she found him staring down at her. Sweat beading on his forehead, expression grim.

“Tell me,” he said, voice strained.

“After you sleep.”

“Now.”

“After we finish.”

“Now.”

An involuntary tear trailed from the corner of her eye down her temple. He brushed it away with his thumb. He deserved to know. Maybe they could take up where they left off later, depending on how he took the news. “I’m pregnant.” She straightened her legs, half expecting him to pull out. Instead, he remained perfectly still, hard and hot inside her.

His brow furrowed. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.” When he didn’t respond, she added, “You don’t look happy.”

“I’m confused. This is physically impossible. How do you know?”

“Stefan read the glyphs…and I’m late.”

When he still didn’t react, her heart ached like it had shattered. She didn’t know what she had expected, but this wasn’t it. She felt helpless pinned beneath him, his body still inside hers. She needed to get away.

And then he moved: a long, slow withdrawal, followed by a strong push back to bury himself deep inside her. A beautiful, brilliant smile lit his face. “You have just made me the happiest man on this planet. Or any other, for that matter.”