My Healer (Bewitched and Bewildered Book 3) (19 page)

"Well, if your daughter's anything like Meryn, she'll probably blow up the armory." Colton suggested.
 

Aiden paled. "No! Absolutely not! No girls."

Gavriel shook his head. "This may not be something you can control."

Aiden scowled at Gavriel. "Just you wait. It'll be your turn soon enough, and then I'll sit back and laugh and laugh and laugh. According to Beth, she wants to try and get pregnant next year. What if your daughter takes after Beth?" Aiden asked.

All of the men froze and shook their heads.

Colton looked over to the vampire. "We may need to start looking into those large plastic bubbles for children now, just in case your fathers-in-law need time to make modifications," he suggested.

Gavriel sat still as stone. Rheia couldn't even tell if the man was breathing. Without saying a word he pulled out his cell phone. He put it on speaker and they all listened as the phone rang.
 

"Hello?" A male voice answered.
 

"Good evening, Broderick. Listen, how difficult would it be to engineer a large protective plastic bubble for a small child?" Gavriel asked as a greeting.

Beth rolled her eyes.

Over the phone, they heard the man gasp. "Beth cannot be pregnant..."

"No, no, she's not. But she wants to start trying as early as next year. I want to be prepared," Gavriel informed them.

"She
would
want to start right away." Rheia heard another man say.

"True, Caspian. Gavriel, we'll put our heads together here and see what we can come up with," Broderick promised.

"Thanks," Gavriel said and ended the call. The men all breathed a sigh of relief.

Colton looked at the empty plates. "Everyone ready for movie night?"

Ryuu stuck his head into the dining room from the kitchen. "I have already delivered your movie snacks to Jaxon and Noah. If you leave the plates, I'll pick them up momentarily."

Everyone began to stand and head towards the family room.

Keelan stopped, frowning. "If the kid is in a bubble, what happens if they can't get fresh oxygen, won't they suffocate?"
 

Rheia covered her mouth with her hand.

Wrong thing to say.

Grinning she and Colton kept walking. Seconds later, she heard Gavriel on the phone with Broderick again.

Never a dull moment.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

They each kissed Penny goodnight twice before making their way up to their room. Rheia knew Colton would never truly hurt her, but she was still nervous about being claimed. She'd never had anyone bite her before. She didn't know whether her body's reaction was due to the unusual stimuli or because it was Colton. She got undressed on autopilot, as if she were getting ready for bed. She was so distracted by her thoughts she didn't even realize that Colton was naked and waiting for her. She jumped when she felt a warm thumb rub between her eyebrows.
 

Colton was standing in front of her, smiling. "You're frowning and thinking too hard. What has you so lost in thought?" She had to take a moment to remember what she'd been thinking. His body was wreaking havoc with her concentration. Her eyes wandered up and down, taking in every golden muscle and dark blonde hair. She had only seen bodies like this in magazine ads and on the internet, she had an overwhelming desire to run her hands over every square inch of him.

Shaking her head, she answered. "I was just wondering if my body was responding to your bites because of the pain or because it was you." Unable to resist, she lightly ran her hands down his chest and then down his sides. He jumped a little when she grazed his lower ribs.

"Are you ticklish?" she asked, reaching for him again.

He stepped back. "Nope, not even a little bit."

She took another step towards him. "Then why are you backing up?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," he scoffed.

Her hand darted out and squeezed his side making him laugh out loud and convulse. Colton turned and ran for the bed, diving under the covers. She gave chase and jumped on the large lump his body created under the comforter. Colton's head popped out at the top laughing. Delighted she laughed along with him. "You are ticklish! That is so adorable."

He propped his head up on one hand. "We need to banish the word adorable from your vocabulary."

"You are though and sweet and kind. You're only the big, bad, wolf in your mind." He lifted the covers and she snuggled down close to him. The feel of their naked bodies, skin to skin was lighting fires everywhere they touched.

"I am a big bad wolf to everyone but my family." He dragged his chin back and forth over her the top of her head.

"Does the claiming part hurt?" she asked. She knew that it involved something other than sex, but she had no idea what it was.

She felt Colton shake his head. "No, it won't hurt. Our souls will entwine, just as our bodies will be, as we're making love. Then they'll split back apart and return to us, carrying a small piece of the other's soul so we'll reside within each other forever."

"Will it change me? Will I sprout fur at the full moon?" she joked.

"No, you disrespectful wench, you won't change," he chuckled. "You'll still be you, but you'll gain my longevity."

"I'll be able to watch Penny really grow up." Rheia felt a deep sense of contentment. She had been so afraid of leaving Penny when she needed her most.

"She'll be driving us crazy for decades to come."

"What about other children? I always wanted a large family," she admitted. She loved her parents growing up, but always wished she had brothers and sisters to play with.

Colton pulled back, his face glowing with happiness. "I want as many children as you can have safely. I was an only child, which is how I ended up hanging out with Aiden so much. I was always jealous that he had so many brothers."

"So you won't mind having girls?" she teased, reminding him of the earlier conversation.

Colton shook his head. "I'm sure Broderick will be able to make as many plastic bubbles as we need."

"We're not putting our kids in bubbles," she laughed.

"Meryn said she ovulates every month, is that the same for you?" he asked, his voice huskier.

She looked up and saw that his eyes had shifted from their normal brilliant green to canine yellow. She nodded slowly.

"Could you become pregnant tonight?" He ran his hands over her lower stomach, caressing her reverently.

Rheia counted back the number of days since her last period and then nodded. "It might be close, but I'm fertile."

Colton growled and before she could blink, he was leaning over her, settling between her legs. She could already feel the throbbing in her clit. She arched her back to grind her body against his.

"I can feel how wet you already are." Colton moved down and took one nipple between his teeth. Lightly he bit down as his hand moved between her legs. The combination of the sharp pain and pleasure had her throwing her head back.

"I don't have to hold back tonight," he whispered.

"Oh God, please, Colton. I need you so badly." Her throat was already starting to get dry from panting to catch her breath.

"I'm going to fill you with my seed and make you mine forever." She felt the head of his cock slowly begin to stretch her. He was well endowed and knew exactly what to do to bring her the most pleasure. She thrashed her head from side to side as he gradually filled her completely.

He kept up his languid pace until she thought she would lose her mind. Each small thrust was deliberate, sliding his engorged head over that elusive spot deep inside her.

"I love you, Rheia, I'll love you until the day I pass from this world. Even as my body turns to dust, I will wait at the very veil of existence for you to join me, because heaven would be incomplete without you." He buried his face in her neck and her arms came up to hold him tight. Slowly he made love to her, showing her with his body exactly what he felt for her. She was changed forever by his words. He was not only making love to her body, but also to her soul.

"I love you so much, Colton. You're my rock. You don't try to do things for me with your strength, you add yours to my own. Together, we're more than when we're apart. You gave me the space to make my own decisions and you accepted Penny without question. I couldn't have asked for a better partner or father for my children." She buried both hands in his hair and held him to her, afraid to let go.

Colton pulled up and watched her face as he glided in and out of her body. The slow pace made his eyes on her the single most erotic experience of her life. There was no hiding, yet no need to hide. She let her walls come down completely and wasn't afraid to let him see the real her.

He must have seen the surrender in her eyes, because he started to snap his hips at a more frenzied pace, finally giving her what she was aching for. When he slammed inside her as deep as he could go, her orgasm detonated low inside her spreading out through her body. Before she could catch her breath, he was above her. Striking quickly he sunk his teeth deep into her shoulder. Just when she thought she couldn't take any more pleasure she felt as if she was lifting from her body. Without sight or sound she floated, moving instinctively towards the warmth just in front of her. When her soul merged with Colton's for a split second she was able to see deep into his heart and what she saw there left her breathless. He was beautiful; his complete selflessness made his soul shine like a beacon and she was drawn to it, seeking warmth and shelter. Together they swirled and then slowly broke apart. When she drifted back down into her body she carried a piece of him with her she knew she would never be lonely again.

"I'll love you forever," she whispered.

"Still not long enough." He collapsed to one side and pulled her close.

Before sleep claimed her, she realized that she had finally come home.

*****

Rheia and Colton were the last to arrive for breakfast. They'd just sat down when they heard a knock at the door. Rheia looked at Colton; no one coming to visit this early in the morning could be for anything good.

Her instincts proved correct when a tall, older version of Aiden appeared in the doorway. His eyes were sorrowful as he looked over to where she sat with Penny and Colton.

"Father?" Aiden asked, standing.

"Byron?" Colton also stood, moving his body between the newcomer and where she sat with their daughter.

"I'm so sorry, Colton, but the council has awarded Wilomina and Gerard Carmichael custody of Penny. I'm to escort her to their home first thing this morning."

Rheia's heart stuttered in her chest. Penny turned to her, fear in her eyes. Rheia had a seconds to make the decision that would best help Penny adjust to her new family. If she gave in to her feelings and wept as she wanted to, she knew that it would only traumatize Penny further. Drawing on strength she didn't know she had, she put on a brave face.

"Looks like you get to meet your Grandma and Grandpa sooner than we thought. I bet they can tell you all kinds of stories about your Mommy. Won't that be amazing?" She tried as hard as she could to put enthusiasm in her voice.

When she looked up, she could see the battle being fought behind Colton's eyes. After taking a deep breath, he smiled down at Penny, too. "I bet they even have pictures of your Mommy and will show you where she grew up." Even though his voice was even, his eyes glowed a bright yellow. Penny looked between the two of them, fear fading from her eyes a bit.

Rheia turned Penny around to face Byron. "Do you see that man? That is your Uncle Aiden's daddy. He's going to do us a favor and drop you off at your Grandma and Grandpa's so you can meet them. He's not too scary, right?" she asked.

Penny looked from Byron to Aiden and shook her head grinning. She pointed to Aiden and wrapped her arms around chest, giving herself a hug.
 

Rheia nodded. "That's right, he's probably a big ole softie just like your Uncle," she said, smiling. "You will be visiting your Grandma and Grandpa for a bit, while your Papa and I get this legal mumbo jumbo worked out. Run get your backpack, darling." Penny hopped down and ran for the family room. She looked over to Ryuu. "Could you get her suitcase from our room?"

Ryuu bowed. "Of course."
 

Rheia concentrated on breathing in and out. Colton's hand found hers and they clung to each other as they waited for Penny to return. They heard her quick footsteps as she ran back into the room. Rheia scooped her up and started walking towards the door.

Every step she took, every step that brought them closer to the door, she started to feel her control slip. Her soul was disintegrating within her chest. Before she was ready, they were at the door. Byron stood patiently; he made no move to take Penny from her arms.

Ryuu walked down the stairs and handed Byron Penny's suitcase. Rheia clung to her daughter, physically unable to let her go. She repeatedly kissed the top of her head, squeezing her tight. Over Penny's head, her eyes met Colton's. Silently she begged him to do what she couldn't. Without saying a word he reached out and took Penny from her. Immediately her body protested the loss.

"You be a good girl, and if you need anything, anything at all, you call us okay. Day or night, it doesn't matter?" Colton nuzzled her cheek with his nose and kissed her forehead.

"Have fun visiting. Felix says he wants to go with you. He needs a break from all the boring stuff here." Meryn said, her eyes moist.

"Your Uncles Sascha and Quinn and the Beta Unit will be watching out for you at your grandparent's house. You can go to them if you need anything, too." Aiden said reaching forward to ruffle her hair.

Colton turned and passed Penny to Byron. "We will be appealing this," he said his voice sounding deadly.

Byron nodded. "I expected no less and have already started the paperwork. But until then, Penny can get a good visit in, right princess?" Byron bounced Penny and the little girl grabbed on to his collar to stay upright, smiling.

"I love you, Penny. You be a good girl, my Pumpkin Dumpling. We'll see you very, very soon," Rheia promised.