Free A Mate for Kai (The Program Book 6) by Charlene Hartnady Page B

same to him. “It might mess things up between us.” It would fuck up what they had. No damned way would he allow that to happen.
    She rolled her eyes. “Our friendship runs too deep for that to ever happen. We’ve known each other since we were kids. Who better than me to help you with this?”
    His gaze dropped to her breasts. Perky with pink tipped nipples. He was ashamed to admit that, on occasion, he had thought about rutting his best friend. He was a male after all. He’d thought about what she would feel like. What she would taste like. It had been a very long time since he’d harbored such thoughts though. He didn’t see Jordy like that. Not at all.
    She made a noise of frustration. “Don’t second-guess this. You need to rut. Don’t be an idiot about it.” She narrowed her eyes on him and then stepped out of the scrap of lace that covered her sex. He could scent her arousal.
    “What the fuck is that?” He growled, sniffing the air.
    She laughed. A rich throaty noise. Her laugh had always been catching. Only, he didn’t feel like laughing right now. “We’re best friends but I’m still a female and you’re still a male. I get turned on every time you drink from me but it doesn’t mean anything either. Let me touch you.”
    “Fuck,” he growled. It had been too long. Way too long. They were friends. The best of friends. Both Jenson and Jordy were right. He did need to get over her. The dragon shifter. He grit his teeth for a half a second. Thank fuck his body didn’t react. His cock could have its own damn mind at times. At least for once, they were on the same page. The only time the bastard seemed to get hard anymore was when he thought of a ravishing creature with an amethyst stare.
    Jordy smiled at him. “We would go back to being straight up friends afterwards.” She let her thong fall from her grip. “I swear.”
    “I don’t know about this.” He shook his head. It was all kinds of fucked up.
    “Well it’s a good thing that I am sure enough for the both of us.” She undid his belt buckle.
    ****
    The living room which was large and welcoming, it was also a gilded cage complete with a stunning view. Stars twinkled in the night sky. Mountains loomed in the backdrop, just as beautiful by night as what they were by day. “You can’t make me stay.” Her voice shook but she fought to control it. Her emotions were running high. It was the hormones. Her very rampant hormones.
    Coal ran a hand over the dark buzz on his scalp. It was shorter than what was considered fashionable. Gave him a dangerous look. It suited him straight down the line. “Our brother tasked me with ensuring your safety. That means you are staying right here where I can see you.” His eyes were black. Pitch black. Their mother had named him well. He was the second born and therefore second in line to the throne. He was even more arrogant than Blaze and that was saying something.
    He took a long, elegant stride towards her, putting a hand on the back of one of the couches. “Blaze has made up his mind. You, attending the meeting won’t change anything.” Coal pulled himself upright and took another step towards her. His eyes locked with hers. “He’s worried about you. We all are.” He glanced down at her belly.
    Ruby allowed her hand to trace its curve. Her eyes fell shut as she said a silent prayer. Everything would be okay. She had to believe that. To believe anything else was not an option. Her stomach churned with worry. Bile burned in her throat so she swallowed it down. What would her vampire say?
    She squeezed her eyes even tighter. Not hers. He was the father of this baby and that’s where it ended. Blaze was crazy. Her brother was on a mission but there was no way he could succeed. Or could he? Hope unfurled inside her. No! It would cause her more heartache to even allow herself to think it. Her place was here with her own kind.
    “I have to go. Please, Coal.” She grabbed ahold of his hand, feeling