And I was still angry.
“How far along are you?” Merrick asked, his hand drifting gently down to my stomach.
“Around thirteen weeks,” I said. “I probably would have realized sooner, but I chalked up all my symptoms to separation sickness, and I’ve been on birth control, so I really didn’t think I was pregnant.”
“The sickness probably made everything so much more difficult.” Merrick hummed, his brow creasing. “I hate that you had to experience that, especially alone. Hopefully, I can make it a little better.”
“You do. Thank you,” I whispered.
“What are you thankingmefor? You better not be thanking me for bonding you—that was my pleasure, Iassureyou.”
I snorted, rolling my eyes playfully. “Well, your pleasure is still currently… noticeable.” Between my legs was feeling rather slick, but I found I didn’t mind one bit.
Merrick’s laugh was warm and inviting. I wanted to hear it every day for the rest of my life.
And how about that. It looked like I was going to.
“How did I get so lucky?” he muttered as he ran his hands through my hair.
He had to pause occasionally whenever he hit a snag, because, thanks to our rigorous activities, it had become rather tangled.
“Maybe we should both just accept that we’re extremely lucky,” I said with a nod. “And I was thanking you because I feel settled for the first time in weeks, which is nice.”
I really did.
For once, there wasn’t an aching burn in my chest. My muscles weren’t screaming in pain, and I was finally able to think clearly.
Since the moment Preston had left me in that alleyway, nothing had felt right—at least, not until I was curled up in Merrick’s arms. His dark, oakwood scent surrounded me, the sheets soaked in it, wrapping me in a sense of comfort I hadn’t realized I’d been missing.
I reallycouldget used to it.
My stomach growled loudly.
“Well, I think that’s a sign that you need feeding.” Merrick laughed.
We were relaxing in the morning sun, the warmth creeping into the bedroom and making everything a pretty yellow-orange color. I knew that, in theory, I had responsibilities to get back to, but I couldn’t find it in me to care at the moment.
In the light of day, I could make out so much more of Merrick’s room. It was pretty basic: a bed, a dresser, and a TV stand, all made of dark wood. Cream carpeting and pale blue walls. There was a hockey jersey hanging in a frame, along with a few pictures I couldn’t make out. It was decidedly a bachelor pad.
“Or it could be gas; babies have been known to make people gassy.” I shrugged, only making him laugh harder.
“Well, I adore you and your gas, Hails,” he said, craning his neck to kiss the top of my head.
Knowing this alpha liked me, potential gas and all, made my insides feel all mushy. I hadn’t had that before, an alpha likingmethatdeeply. Sure, guys were attracted to me. I had a great set of boobs, and that tended to sway a lot of them in my favor…
Merrick was different, though. He sawme. Preston had seen me for all of forty minutes. As far as I was concerned, he was theleastof my priorities.
“Come on,” Merrick said, sitting up and taking me with him.
Moving to crawl off him, a yelp escaped my chest when his arms wrapped around me, and with no effort, he picked me up bridal style, standing and walking toward the connecting bathroom.
He didn’t stop until we were both in the shower.
“Oooh, shower time.” I beamed as he turned on the water and held his hand under the spray, testing the temperature before letting me get under it.
“Nothing likethatis going to happen. I have to feed you first,” he insisted, playfully narrowing his eyes at me.
I couldn’t help the pout that spread across my face as I crossed my arms under my boobs to make my point. “That’s not fair,” I whined, resisting the urge to stamp my foot like a toddler.