giggle, feeling light-headed and drunk.
âYou just got me high!â She turned in his arms until her cheek rested against his massive chest.
âIâm a little drunk,â he admitted shyly, âso that just evens the odds.â
She pulled back, gazing up into his dark eyes. For a minute, she swore that his hair seemed a little darker too. âWhy did you get drunk?â
With a shake of his head, he stroked her hair, quiet for long moments. âI was terrified, Anna. Of you, of this change in me, of our lifematingâ¦but mostly of you.â
âI donât understand. Weâre fantastic together, so beautiful, so amazingââ
âBecause I have no control when it comes to you.â
Anna snorted. âItâs about damn time you lost control, NâVsai . Iâm just honored that it happened with me.â
His mouth tilted upward in a sideways smile. âDoes this mean that you forgive me? For being a stupid stratkai ?â
Anna leaned up onto her tiptoes, planting a full, wet kiss squarely on his cheek. âIf youâre planning to tell Jared our news.â
Nevinâs gorgeous smile widened. âIâve already done that. And then some, Iâm afraid.â
âI donât think I want to know what that means.â
He slid his arm about her shoulder, walking her toward the door that led to the lodge interior. âWell, sweet Anna, thereâs a little something I need to tell you about visiting the doctor earlier today.â
And then he tossed his head back and laughed more deeply than sheâd ever heard him do. A strange feeling began deep within her belly at the sound of it, almost like a quiet answer. A knowing answer.
She stopped in her tracks. âI was rightâwasnât I? About the way it felt the last time we made love?â
He slid a large palm over her belly. âThe doctor described my condition as âdynamically fertileâ. He also let me know that it was in reaction to you, Anna. You.â
She covered his hand against her stomach. âSo does this mean Iâm pregnant? Already?â
Her lifemate had the gall to look proud of himself, cocky even, as he thrust his chest out. âI believe you said of men my age that weâwhat was it now? âRut like fucking stallionsâ?â
â What did the doctor say ?â
Nevinâs dark eyes gleamed. âThat you are likely carrying our child.â
She thrust her arms about his neck, squealing. âI told you. I absolutely told you, didnât I?â
âAnd he also said that we canât make love without some kind of protection for a while, or there will be more and more babies.â
She pulled out of his arms, studying him. âYouâre afraid that Iâm already pregnant with multiples.â He bowed his head, but said nothing. âNevin, it only burned inside of me that one time. You donât need to worry.â
âCan you live with this? A man like me?â He cast a shy look up at her. âOne with these kinds of raging needs and desiresâ¦who might give you many babies, whether intentional or not?â
She gaped at him, then slugged him lightly in the chest. âYou, sir, are unbelievable. First you worried that you couldnât give me children, now you worry that youâll give me too many? I love you, Nevin. Do you hear that? Children or no children, age gap or not, I love you. Nothing can alter that.â
His arms closed about her, and he drew her into an almost-suffocating embrace. âI love you too. Gods, itâs insanity the way this has happened, but itâs right. Deeply right, and I know it.â
She closed her eyes and stood, just feeling the warmth of him, until a thought occurred to her. âSo,â she asked with a giggle, âdid you tell Commander Bennett about the rutting like a stallion part? Or did you leave that much out of our story?â
He swatted her