Loved by the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons 4.50)

Bloody dragonman and his super senses. “I already experienced a fake labor earlier this week. The second I know it’s for real, believe me, I’ll be asking for all the help I can get.”

Bram’s voice was gravelly as he answered, “Good. Now hurry up and use the toilet so you can come back to me and I can keep tabs on you.”

Too tired to argue, Evie merely shook her head and released Bram’s hand. “Fine. May I go now?”

Bram released his hold. “I’m giving you five minutes and then I’m coming after you.”

Hefting herself off the bed, Evie muttered, “Overprotective dragonman,” and rushed into the bathroom. She flipped the light on and blinked for her eyes to adjust to the brightness. If the painful contraction, real or otherwise, wasn’t enough, a headache throbbed right behind her eyes.

Placing a hand on either side of the counter, she glared at her protruding belly. This is it, baby. You’d better be trying to come out for real.

Silence was her answer.

Evie did her business and washed her hands. Her fingers were even more swollen than earlier in the day. They may as well have been sausages.

Looking up at the mirror, her puffy face greeted her. In fact, it was puffier than before Bram had come home. Evie frowned at her reflection. She teased Bram for being overprotective, but between the puffiness, sudden headache, and the pain in her abdomen, Evie’s gut told her something was off. As much as she hated to do it, she was going to have to worry Bram.

As if on cue, Bram knocked on the bathroom door and opened it. His gaze moved to where she was standing at the counter. In the next second, he walked over to stand next to her. Caressing her forehead, he asked, “What’s wrong? And don’t try to brush it off this time, Evie Marie. I see it in your eyes.”

Her heart thudded in her chest. “I don’t know, Bram. It may be nothing, but between the swelling and sudden headache, something seems off. I think you should call Dr. Sid.”

Bram nodded and rushed into the bedroom for his mobile phone. Evie started to follow him, but another pain rippled across her belly and she cried out. She’d barely had time to lean against the wall for support when Bram had his hands on her shoulders. She heard the dominance in his voice as he growled out, “We’re going to call Dr. Sid the second this pain passes and tell her to come over.”

Evie breathed through the contraction. The second it stopped, she took a deep breath and murmured, “You won’t get any complaints from me.”

Bram’s pupils flashed to slits and back. “I hear the pain in your voice, love.” He rubbed her lower back and supported her to the bed. He nodded toward the mattress. “Lay down while I call the doctor.”

With a pounding head, she slowly lowered herself onto the bed, turned onto her side, and hugged her stomach. If this was the beginning of labor, then Evie started to wonder if wishing for it had been the best thing after all.

~~~

Five minutes later, Bram ran a hand through his hair while Evie clutched his other hand and screamed. Sid was on her way, but every time Evie cried out, his fear of losing her only increased.

His beast snarled and spoke up. We won’t lose her. She is our true mate. She will live.

It’s not guaranteed. Dragon-shifter hormones can kill a human in labor, and you know it.

Shoving his beast aside, he focused on Evie. When her shouts died down, he squeezed her hand and brushed back a few strands of hair from her damp forehead. “It looks like you got your wish, Evie Marie. I think you’re in real labor.”

“And you’re a doctor now?”

The corner of his mouth ticked up. “Maybe. I’m always on the lookout to expand my skills.”

Evie shook her head. “I’m too tired to argue. You’re not a doctor, end of story. I’ll take my medical advice from Sid.”

Bram cupped Evie’s cheek. “I suppose I can live with that.”

“Bram.”

He didn’t like the worry in her voice. “Don’t even think about saying you could be dying. You won’t die. I won’t let you.”

A knock on the front door caused his dragon to shout. Answer it. Evie needs relief.

Bram debated leaving his mate alone, but Evie rolled her eyes and said, “Go answer the door. Nothing is going to happen to me in the sixty seconds you’re away.”

“Promise? If you give me your word, then I trust your stubbornness to see it through.”

She snorted. “Not sure if that’s exactly true, but I promise.”