Wicked Burn (Realm Enforcers #3)(75)

Simone came slowly awake, and her stomach rumbled. She had to shove wild hair out of her face before sitting to find Nick cooking something that smelled delicious. “Nick?”

He turned. “Hungry?”

She swallowed. The demon stood in old sweats, his broad chest bare, muscles rippling with simple movements. “Yes.”

One eyebrow rose. “For food.”

“That, too.” She swung her legs over the bed and gathered the blanket around herself. “Tell me there’s a loo.”

He wrinkled his nose. “There’s an outhouse of sorts.”

“Wonderful.” She pushed off the bed and swayed as dizziness swamped her.

He was there in an instant, holding her elbows. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” She took several deep breaths. “Just a little off, that’s all.”

He picked her up, and the room whirled around. “I’ll take you outside.”

She planted a hand against his chest with a solid thump. “I am all right now, and I can certainly take myself to the loo.” They had to nip this nonsense in the bud and now.

He ignored her and stomped across the cottage to open the door.

“Oh,” she breathed at the enchanting view. The storm had fled, leaving sparkling water as far as the eye could see. The sun shone down, and the waves caressed the shore. “It’s beautiful.”

“Yes.” He walked across the porch and set her gently down on a stone walkway. “There’s the outhouse.”

She nodded and gingerly stepped from stone to stone to the outhouse, which had a bear carved into the door. “Funny.” After taking care of business, she returned to find Nick waiting on the porch for her. “We need to get this overprotectiveness taken care of and now—eek.” He swept her up, and her hair flew all around. “I can walk.”

Again, he didn’t answer. So he thought by just ignoring her that he’d get his way, did he? “Don’t make me burn you,” she muttered, snuggling into his neck just for a moment. She was so tired, and she’d just slept the entire night away. “What did you cook?”

“Dried eggs with a bunch of spices but nothing too hot.”

“I like hot.”

“Not when you’re pregnant.” He set her on the couch as if she were a porcelain doll, fetched her clothes, and helped her into them.

Her mouth dropped open as he gently zipped her jeans. “You have never tried to get me into clothes before.”

He chuckled and turned to the stove.

She grabbed his arm and jerked him toward her. His eyebrows rose and he leaned in, his eyes right above hers. “Yes?”

“Stop it.” There was absolutely no need to expand on the statement.

“No.” Apparently he saw no need, either.

The door burst open, and he spun around so quickly the momentum tossed her against the back of the couch.

“Howdy, all.” Bear stomped off his feet, his dick swaying. He gestured with a smoldering book that shook in his trembling hands. “Hey. Those are my sweats.”

Nick looked up at the ceiling. “There has to be another pair. Find some.”

Bear frowned, and blood leaked from his nose. He wiped it off. “Clothes don’t make the shift, you know. It’s not like I enjoy being naked all the time.”

“Are you all right? Please tell me you’re okay.” Simone tossed her discarded blanket his way, concern chilling through her.

“I will be. Just need rest and good food,” Bear said, snagging the blanket in his hand.

“What happened?” She scrutinized him. Pale, shaky, but standing all right.

“It looks like the soldiers who saw Nick kill Desmond are willing to back Flynn’s totally untrue version of events.” Bear threw the book to land next to Simone on the sofa.

“What’s this?” Simone carefully picked up the volume.

“It’s about Traxton, who was an evil dragon-demon hybrid way back when.” Bear wiggled his eyebrows, his gaze suddenly piercing.

Could he be any more obvious? Simone turned the book over in her hands. “I told Nick about the baby.”

“Whew.” Bear moved forward and clapped Nick on the back. “Congratulations and welcome to the family.”

“Get. Dressed. Bear.” Nick spoke through clenched teeth, his gaze remaining on the shifter’s face.

Bear guffawed. “Why? We’re family, or we will be. You two are getting mated, right?”

“Yes,” Nick said at the same time Simone said, “No.”

Nick turned around to face her fully. “Yes.”

Bear leaned around Nick and shook out his shaggy hair. “I’m with the demon. You gotta get mated.”

That was it. Simone stood and glared at her brother. “Would you cut the shit with the dumbass good-ol’-boy routine? I’m sick and tired of it.”

Bear blinked. Once and then twice. His face hardened, and his eyes sharpened. “All right. You and that baby boy need the protection of a mate, whether you like it or not. Add in the protection of an entire race of demons loyal to your mate, plus the entire Realm, which is allied to that demon nation, and you are going to mate him if I have to bring the proverbial shotgun to the ceremony.”

Nick grinned. “I knew I liked you.”