Chapter 203
Chapter 197
Tori’s POV:
77%
I stood at the window, watching the taillights fade into the haze, my hand resting unconsciously on the slight swell of my abdomen.
“Do you think I was foolish? The words slipped out before I could stop them.
I turned to find Lucas standing behind me, his ice-blue eyes soft with understanding.
“Refusing all those gifts… most people would think I’m insane for turning down what they offered p>
Lucas crossed the room in three long strides, his presence immediately steadying my racing thoughts.
He cupped my face gently, thumbs brushing across my cheekbones. “You did what felt right to you, my moon. That’s never foolish p>
“But the stocks alone- I started, but he pressed a finger to my lips.
“Would have come with strings attached,” he finished quietly. “Expectations. Obligations. Ways to pull you into their world whether you wanted
it or not p>
His expression grew fierce, protective. “You only need to do what feels right to you, Tori. Everything else, I’ll handle it all p>
His thumb brushed across my cheekbone with infinite tenderness. “Remember, I’m always behind you. Always p>
I leaned into his touch, he pulling me against his chest and wrapping himself around me like a shield.
“Come,” Lucas said now, taking my hand. “Let’s go upstairs. You need to rest p>
We climbed the grand staircase together, his hand warm and secure in mine.
As soon as the door closed, Lucas guided me to the bed.
I sank onto the edge gratefully-my feet had been aching more lately, another reminder of the changes happening in my body.
Lucas knelt before me, his large hands gentle as they removed my shoes.
“What do you think they’ll be like?” I whispered, covering his hand with mine. “Our children p>
Lucas’s expression softened in a way I’d never seen before. “Strong,” he said immediately. “Brilliant, like their mother. *
‘Or your leadership,” I countered. “Your ability to make others feel safe p>
A possessive gleam flickered in his ice-blue eyes. “Not others, he corrected, his voice dropping lower. “This is your exclusive privilege, Tori.
Only you get this side of me p>
The intensity in his gaze made my breath catch.
The air between us shifted, growing heavier, charged with something that made my pulse quicken. His eyes darkened from ice-blue to something deeper, more primal, and I felt an answering heat bloom low in my belly.
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Emboldened by the desire I could feel pulsing through our bond, I reached up and hooked my arms around his neck, pulling myself closer.
His breath hitched, becoming noticeably warmer against my skin.
Tori. he warned, his voice rough. “Don’t start something you-
“Dr. Howard said at my last checkup that moderate… activity… is perfectly safe, I interrupted, my cheeks warming even as i held his gaze. “As
long as we’re careful p>
Lucas stared at me for a long moment, something between amusement and hunger flickering across his features.
“Did he?” His hand slid from my stomach to my hip, grip tightening possessively. “And when exactly were you planning to share this medica!
advice with me p>
“I’m sharing it now,” I whispered, feeling bolder than I had in weeks.
A low rumble vibrated through his chest-half-laugh, half-growl. “You’ve gotten wicked, my moon.” But his lips were already descending toward
mine, and I could feel the restraint cracking in his carefully controlled demeanor.
“You’re a bad influence,” I managed to say before his mouth claimed mine
The kiss started gentle but quickly deepened, Lucas’s control slipping as I pressed closer.
His hands moved with deliberate care, mindful of my condition even as his touch grew more possessive. When he finally pulled back, his eyes
had gone fully wolf-bright, and his breathing was as ragged as mine.
“Are you sure?” he asked, even as his fingers traced patterns along my spine that made me shiver. “I don’t want to hurt-
I silenced him with another kiss, pouring every ounce of want and trust and love through our bond.
His answering surge of emotion nearly overwhelmed me-protective and possessive and desperately tender all at once.
What followed was a slow, careful exploration that left us both breathless. Lucas treated me like something infinitely precious, his touch reverent even in passion. And when we finally lay tangled together afterword, his hand once again resting protectively on my stomach, I felt more complete than I ever had before.
11
“I love you,” I whispered against his chest, feeling his heartbeat gradually slow beneath my cheek.
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