She moved slowly. He clenched his jaw.
“It’s torture, isn’t it?” she asked with a cocky smile.
He narrowed his eyes. “Are you doing this to punish me?”
“Absolutely.”
He groaned. “What did I do wrong?”
“You made me wait so long.”
“Wasn’t it worth the wait?”
She pretended to think. “I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?” He gave her a mock-incredulous look. “That hurts my pride.” He slipped a hand between their bodies. “Let me remind you.”
She gasped when he softly pinched her clit. He turned the tables on her easily. He rocked slowly, and soon it was she who begged again.
“Please, Lann.”
“Yes. Come for me.” To accentuate the order, he pulled almost all the way out before sliding deep again.
It only took a few strokes before she clenched around him. He continued to thrust, prolonging the aftershocks of her climax until he, too, found his release. He held her in the safety of his arms as she came down, almost making her believe in happy endings. But even this ended too soon.
Lann pulled away and lifted her chin with a finger to catch her attention. “We better have a quick shower. Eve will be knocking on our door soon.” Setting her free, he got out of bed. “We’ll buy you some clothes after breakfast.”
“Clothes?” she asked, staring at his beautifully sculpted body. She’d always enjoyed looking at him, and she loved that he wasn’t shy about her inspection.
“Maternity clothes.” Bending over her, he cupped her stomach. “You’re going to need some soon.”
“You don’t need to do that. I can buy my own clothes.”
“I want to.” He kissed her forehead, took her hand, and pulled her to her feet. “What would you like for breakfast, krasavitsa?”
“Tomato soup.” She burrowed her face against his chest when he opened his arms, pretending the glow of her body was nothing more than after-sex endorphins doing their magic.
After Eve had taken more blood, urine, and saliva samples, Kat, Lann, and Eve went downstairs for breakfast. Lann held Kat’s hand in a possessive grasp when they entered the kitchen. Clelia sat at the table with a steaming bowl in front of her, while Joss leaned against the counter, a mug in his hand. With the fire burning in the hearth, it was warm and cozy in the room. A three-legged dog lay in front of the fireplace, while the four wolves sat around Clelia’s feet.
“Morning.” Clelia patted the white canine next to her. “This is Snow. They’re wolf hybrids, all from the same litter.” She pointed at the other three. “Rainbow, Cloud, and Thunder. Let him sniff your hand like this.” She held her palm for Snow to lick.
Kat extended her hand, letting the big dog sniff at it. She got a lick too, and then he went back to lying with his head on his paws.
“Sleep well?” Joss asked.
“Yes, thank you.”
Joss gave Lann an approving nod.
Kat couldn’t help the heat that burned on her cheeks.
Lann pulled out a chair at the table and seated her.
“Do you like tea, Kat?” Clelia asked. “Knowing how much Lann loves tea, I got a selection.” She got up, walked to the pantry, and opened the door.
“Actually, I prefer coffee,” Kat said, sniffing the rich aroma that filled the kitchen.
Eve took a seat and shook her head. “Not good for the baby.”
“Decaf?” Kat asked hopefully.
“Nope,” Eve said. “Even decaf contains traces of caffeine. Caffeine, even a minute quantity, makes gifted babies too excited. Their heartbeats are already fast. You don’t want to speed it up more.”
“I’ll make us some herbal tea,” Lann said.
Joss considerately placed his mug on the counter.
“You don’t have to abandon your coffee for me,” Kat teased.
Lann bent over her, planting a kiss on her neck and resting a hand over her stomach. When he straightened to switch on the kettle, Joss pulled Clelia into the crook of his arm. Kat didn’t miss the look that passed between them or the sadness that flashed in Clelia’s eyes before Joss planted a tender peck on her lips.
Joss addressed Lann. “Cain called. He’s flying in tomorrow.”
“Who’s Cain?” Kat asked.
“A business associate,” Lann said.
Clelia frowned and Joss lifted an eyebrow.
Lann placed a cup of herbal tea in front of Kat, and massaged her shoulders. “After I’ve heated up your soup, we’re going shopping.” His grip tightened when he asked, “Joss, how’s security?”
“Fine. I checked it out this morning. Just don’t wander off too far.”
“Vannes will do,” Lann said. “Katherine needs clothes.” He twisted a lock of her hair around his finger. “Can I prepare you something to eat? Toast? Cereal? Eggs?”
Her stomach churned at the mention of food. “Just the soup, thank you, but I can heat it. You don’t have to serve me.”
Lann’s brow creased. “You can’t live on soup alone. You have to eat solids.”
“Don’t worry,” Eve said, “her weight is fine. In time, her appetite will return.”