He held a lifeless animal in one hand, the creature frightening with gray-and-black-colored fur, serrated teeth, and six legs.
He stopped right inside the cave, glancing at me and down to where my hand rested on my belly. Judging by his expression, I could see he was confused, but then realization exploded out of him. His big body shuddered, and he tossed the carcass toward the fire, the creature landing with a thump on the ground.
“Emma?” he whispered, his voice so deep and filled with so much emotion.
I said nothing, just smiled and rubbed my belly as I nodded. I started making my way to him, but he held his hands out, stopping me. I felt my brows lower in confusion. And then I saw how dirty he was.
He came up to me, kissing me softly on the forehead before murmuring, “Give me one moment,” and then he was heading to the grotto.
He was only gone for a short while before he was back and wrapped his arms around my middle, pulling me toward him so my back was to his chest. For long moments we just stood there, Azar’s hand resting over mine, which was still placed over my belly.
“A young,” he said softly with clear awe in his voice. “Our young.”
He sounded so happy, which in turn made my happiness even greater. But I wanted to share my feelings too. “I’m afraid,” I said honestly, and he turned me around instantly so I was now facing him. His expression showed worry, and I lifted my hands to cup his face, marveling anew at how different our species were, yet with so many similarities.
“I’ll never let anything or anyone hurt you or our child,” he said fiercely.
I couldn’t help but smile again. “I know. But when I say I’m afraid, it’s because I’ve never done anything like this before. I’ve never been a mom, had somebody look at me as if I have all the answers.” I exhaled and rose on my toes at the same time Azar leaned down, our kiss gentle, whisper-soft. “I’m just worried I’m going to screw something up.”
He made a deep sound of protest in his throat. I knew in Azar’s eyes I could do no wrong. And that definitely had encouragement filling a girl; that was for sure.
I looked at the male I’d already fallen head over heels for, my dragon-shifting mate that I was madly in love with. I knew that no matter how afraid I was, he would always be by my side. He’d have my back, defend me, and forever protect me and our children. He’d always make sure I and our babies were taken care of. And in return I would try to be a supportive partner, a loving mate.
I’d try to be half as wonderful as he was.
My love for him grew until it took up every single inch of my body, until there was no me anymore.
There was now Emma and Azar.
Our lives were forever entwined, and I was so very thankful.
My body heated instantly from his close proximity, wetness gathering between my thighs, a heavy ache settling right at my core. I watched Azar’s nostrils flare as he inhaled, taking in the scent of my need for him, my desire that was always at the forefront, a flickering flame ready to be stoked.
Before he could take the lead—because he would always be the ultra-dominant male—I sank down to my knees. I kept my head tilted back so I could look into his face and reached out to grip his cock, which was already thick and very hard.
I watched as his abdomen flexed and threw off shadows from all his raw power and his defined muscles.
“My beautiful female,” he murmured, cupped the side of my face, and ran his thumb along my bottom lip before pulling the flesh gently down. His mouth parted as his gaze was latched to what he was doing, and when he let go of my flesh, letting it pop back into place, another groan was torn from him.
“I could come just by looking at you.”
A shiver went through my entire body, and I lowered my gaze so I was staring right at his cock. The slit at the tip was already glossy with beads of pre-cum, so much that it was dripping off the head and landing on the ground between us.
I exhaled at how much that sight turned me on.
I didn’t do this very often, mainly because Azar was a very generous lover and always wanted to pleasure me and not the other way around. And although I was hardly an expert by any means, I also knew it didn’t matter. Just touching Azar had made him come before. It was a very heady sensation to know I held that much power over him.