I walked in without knocking and moved into the kitchen. Sebastian didn’t seem fazed by my entry but both my parents were startled.

  “Grayson?” My mother grinned pulling me into her arms. “Gaby said you weren’t coming.”

  I returned her embrace. “She doesn’t know. It’s a surprise,” I smiled.

  She pulled back holding me at arms length. “I’ll go wake her and bring her down so you can surprise her then. Afterwards we can all have breakfast.”

  I rubbed the back of my head nervously, unsure how to go about what I was planning. “Nah, that’s okay. I’ve been up since four. I’m pretty beat,” I said scrunching my face trying to reiterate my point. “I think I’ll go join Gaby in bed for awhile.”

  My dad caught my eye with a humorous gleam. He was struggling to maintain a straight face. Luckily he was doing it behind my mom’s back. “You know what?” My dad broke in still struggling not to smile. “The farmer’s market is open today. Why don’t we all go check it out while we let these two sleep?”

  “We can wait until they wake and we can all go together,” mom stated.

  “No Josie,” dad pressed. “We’re going to go and let them be alone… to sleep.”

  “But, why—?” She turned and I glanced to the floor mimicking my father’s expression. She narrowed her gaze at me when she saw the grin tugging at my lips. “Oh, Grayson! In our house?” She sneered.

  I couldn’t help the smile that was threatening to break across my face. My dad wasn’t as considerate. He was busy having a nice chuckle while I took the blunt of my mother’s annoyance. “He tried to just say sleep, Josie, but you wouldn’t take the hint. I caught it. Did you?” he asked Sebastian who looked down at the table, but nodded.

  “But in our house?” she groaned.

  I rolled my eyes. “Mom, you act like I’ve never had sex in your house before and with Gaby.”

  “I don’t want to think about that. I don’t want to know that you’re having sex.”

  “He’s thirty-one, Josie. How’d you think that baby got in Gaby? He put it there.”

  “Ugh…” My mom shivered like she had the chills. “I’ll get my purse so we can go. I won’t be able to sit down here while I know they’re—” She got the chills again.

  My dad walked up and clasped my shoulder. “I got your back son.”

  I chuckled. “Thanks, dad.” He moved to follow my mother leaving me alone with Sebastian.

  He didn’t let the awkwardness grow before standing and acknowledging me. “I’ll have my phone on if you need me, but I’m going to go with your parents.”

  I nodded. Choosing to take his lead and not let it get awkward. “Thanks,” I muttered before heading upstairs.

  I cracked open the bedroom door slowly being careful not to disturb her. I had become a pro at sneaking out on her in the mornings for work without waking her, which was quite the feat since she had supernatural hearing. I wasn’t normally trying to sneak in on her though, but I figured it should work about the same.

  Closing the door gingerly until I heard it click, I turned shucking off my shoes and coat. Gaby was resting on her back with a pillow wedged under her trying to force her onto her side. Her hand was casually draped over her stomach that was visible from under her shirt, which was riding up. I stalked across the room and sat on the edge of the bed admiring my wife. I pulled back the blankets, but she barely moved. She had another pillow between her knees. I tugged on it until it was on the floor. She was sleeping like the dead.

  I could hear my parent’s downstairs preparing to leave, but I shut my mind off to them and focused on the woman I hadn’t seen in two weeks.

  I let my thumb trace the outline of her panties causing her to breathe sharply. Her thighs parted making me smirk. I eyed her but she was still asleep. I carefully stroked her over the lace. Her breathing increased. Figuring I was on the right track, I pulled her panties aside exposing her. I rubbed her with my fingers and a small moan escaped her.

  When I heard the car doors shut and the engine start, I leaned forward caressing her with my tongue. I groaned letting her flavor conquer my taste buds, savoring her. It had been too long since I had the pleasure of relishing her. I started off slow, but the more moaning she made the more aggressive I became.

  I sucked and swirled, pulling her between my lips. I flicked her with my tongue. When I felt her fingers in my hair I reached up under her shirt palming her breasts.

  “Oh, Grayson.” I didn’t know if she was awake or dreaming of me. Either way I kept at it until I felt her body quiver. Rolling her nipples between my fingers, she exploded against my mouth. I continued tasting the sweet flavor of her pleasure until her body settled.

  Gaby

  I laid on my back panting, my body continuing to spasm. I refused to open my eyes. This was a dream I didn’t want to wake from. I felt Grayson kiss my thighs before the mattress shifted under me and his body molded against mine.

  “Are you still asleep?” he asked, his hand rubbing my giant belly.

  “Yes,” I whispered.

  He chuckled. “You don’t want to see me? You have to wake up to see me?”

  “Lies,” I hissed. “If I wake up you’ll disappear.”

  He snuffed. “I promise you, I won’t. You have to trust me.”

  Sighing, my lashes fluttered open and there laid the man of my dreams. He looked better than he had in my head. “You’re really here?” I asked cupping his face. I could feel the early morning stubble against my palm.

  “I am. I told you I’d make up for not being here last night. Did this work?”

  “No,” I said quickly. “I think I need a little more persuading to forgive you.”

  “I’m up for the challenge,” he replied before kissing me.

  I groaned against his lips parting mine for him. His tongue slid against mine and I could taste myself on him. The only thing that was more erotic was when my blood was mixed with the flavor of my arousal too.

  I tugged at his t-shirt, which he helped me remove before I threw it on the floor. Grayson began tossing all the pillows that had overtaken the bed. Once he was finished my shirt joined his.

  It didn’t take long until we were both naked. Our hands wandered over each other exploring the other like it was the first time. Rolling me on my side, he sheathed himself in me.

  “Oh,” I groaned.

  He kissed and nipped at my neck while his fingers rolled my nipple. He sat up bringing me with him. I got on my hands and knees before feeling him grip my hips and pushing himself back inside of me. Tugging my shoulders, Grayson pulled me flush to his chest. It was one of my favorite positions before I was pregnant because it allowed his hands to roam. Now it was definitely my favorite. It allowed us to get close while not limiting the intensity. It wasn’t long until his powerful thrusts and skilled hands sent me soaring. His hips continued their efforts until I felt his heat spill into me.

  Grayson laid me out on the bed. Proving that he was nowhere near finished, he explored every inch of my body with his mouth. He took his time worshiping my breasts. When I was writhing out of control, he finally conceded to my begging and slid his body into mine. We were like two puzzle pieces that formed a perfect picture when we were connected.

  I heard car doors shut, but I ignored it as my husband worked my body with his. I clung to the sheets as I screamed his name into the pillow I was biting. I felt him thrust a few more times drawing out the euphoric haze I was under until he thrust one final time finishing with me.

  We laid wrapped in each other’s embrace breathing heavily. The sound of voices filtered up to us.

  “They’re back,” Grayson whispered kissing my cheek. “We should probably shower and get down there before my mother comes banging on the door. She wasn’t too thrilled with the idea of us having sex under her roof.”

  I turned to gawk at him over my shoulder. My eyes practically bugged out of head. “You told her?”

  He chuckled at my humiliation. “Of course not. I said I was going to come nap and my dad caught my innuendo.”

  “Your dad, knows?” I couldn’t bear the idea of going downstairs to face his parents now.

  “Gaby, it’s no surprise that we have sex.” He traced his fingers over the swell of my stomach. “There’s evidence of it under your shirt daily. They know. Now, shower?”

  I sighed. “You just want to have shower sex.”

  “You’re damn right.”

  I giggled as Grayson helped me from the bed and into the shower that connected to our room. There he showed me how correct my assumption was.

  Once we were dried and dressed we headed downstairs. “How long are you staying? I feel like I should have asked that before now, but we were—”

  “Busy?” He offered with a cocky grin. “We leave tomorrow.”

  “That soon? Wait. We?”

  He stopped at the base of the stairs. “Damien fixed the security issues. The Angelo Tower is better fortified than Fort Knox.”

  “We’ll be moving into the compound?”

  He nodded. “Actually, all our stuff is there.”

  “No more being apart?” I stifled the grin threatening to overtake me.

  “No more,” he breathed before kissing me.

  I awoke to searing pain igniting in my rib. I was lying naked in bed with Grayson when it hit. He jumped up and quickly turned on the lights. Yanking back the covers he groaned before covering me back up. He had pants on and was out the door in a second before reappearing with Sebastian by his side. I wanted to feel embarrassed. I’m sure he knew what Grayson and I had been up to before we fell asleep, but still having him see me in bed when I was obviously naked wasn’t high on my bucket list.

  “It’s only been three days,” Sebastian said as he stalked towards the bed.

  “Maybe she’s not taking enough. The marks are clearly there,” Grayson stated.

  “I believe you.” Tucking the covers around me, Sebastian cradled my head bringing me to his neck. I practically yanked him to me before I bit. Once the pain faded I began pulling away. “More, Gaby,” Sebastian hissed. I bit again, my fingers treading into his hair. I started to sit up, but something was stopping me. “Okay,” Sebastian gave the word and I fell against Grayson. I smiled briefly because he’d ensured my modesty. In a blood haze, I wouldn’t have cared, but Grayson knew the embarrassment would have struck me afterwards. “Get some rest. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  “Thanks,” Grayson called out to him. He nodded as he shut the door.

  Once we were alone Grayson crawled back in bed with me. I rolled over to face him.

  “Why haven’t you been taking what you need?” he asked. There was no hint of jealousy in his voice, only concern.

  I let out a heavy sigh. “It felt wrong. I mean it’s always felt a little wrong, like I’m cheating.”

  “You’re not…”

  “I know,” I cut him off. “But it feels like it because…I…I enjoy it, Grayson.”

  He gingerly cupped my face. “Of course you do. You’re a vampire, Gaby. I know that. But I think sometimes you try to play human so much that you forget that.” What he said was meant to be comforting but instead it rubbed me the wrong way. It reminded me that not so long ago I caught him feeding from humans. I instantly felt my resentment flare.

  “I’ll still never be okay with feeding from humans, Grayson.” I spat more hostilely than the situation required. Grayson seemed taken aback.

  “I know that. I’m not suggesting that what I was doing was the same. But I get it.”

  I wanted to roll my eyes but I decided against it. “And then your mother,” I groaned burying my head in his chest.

  “What about her?” He questioned. I had wondered if he had put her up to it, but he seemed genuinely curious.

  “She barges in any time Sebastian and I are alone. I never got to experience being a teenager the way normal kids would, but after two weeks here I feel like I can check it off my list.”

  He chuckled. “She doesn’t know that you need his blood, Gaby. We never told her. Her call makes sense now.” He spoke the last to himself.

  “What call?” He bit the inside of his lip debating on whether he should tell me. “Grayson? What call?”

  He exhaled a heavy breath. “She told me she was concerned about how close you two were. She told me about you feeding from him even though there’s blood in the fridge.”

  “Ohmygod! She thinks I’m cheating on you.”

  “No—”

  “Yes, she does. You have to tell her.” I began sitting up. I didn’t think about the time just the fact that I needed to explain. “I can’t have her thinking badly of me.”

  “Gaby,” he sighed halting me with a soft hand on my shoulder. “She doesn’t. But if it will make you feel better—”

  “It would,” I stated.

  “Okay. Get some sleep. I’ll talk to her in the morning.”

  Grayson

  I laid in bed holding Gaby while she slept. It had taken some time after our midnight wakeup for her to fall back asleep. She’d been upset over a few things, all of which seemed I was the cause of. I kept sticking my foot in my mouth. It took her lying on my arm until it went numb while my body pressed against her, for her to finally doze off.

  When I heard my mother fumbling around, I quickly climbed out of bed, careful not to disturb my slumbering wife and headed downstairs. Once Gaby woke we’d be heading back to New York so I wanted to speak to my mother before. I promised my wife and I’d do anything for her.

  “Hi sweetheart,” mom smiled as I walked into the kitchen. “Coffee? Or do you prefer blood?” It wasn’t a joke. She was genuinely asking. I liked that she was taking well to the news. Of course I wondered if Damien’s influence had more to do with it than her own acceptance.

  “Coffee’s fine,” I returned her smile.

  “Gaby’s the same.” She shrugged. “I figured with you being vampires you’d want blood instead.”

  “Gaby’s been drinking coffee?” I shouldn’t have been surprised. Of course I had tried to prevent her since she was pregnant. I even went so far as to remove the coffee maker from our kitchen. I’d had to get my caffeine fix at work.

  “One cup will hardly hurt her.” My mother stated when she noticed my displeasure.

  I sighed, refusing to argue my point, instead, I changed the subject. “You’re taking this extremely well. All this vampire stuff. Gaby said you even offered to feed her.”

  “I did, but it seems she prefers her friend.” She sounded cynical.

  “Mom,” I groaned rubbing my palm across my face. “I know about her feeding from him. In fact she fed from him last night with me there.”

  “Is it some vampire threesome?” She said with a hint of disgust.

  “What? No! Of course not. Gaby has to feed from him randomly or else she could lose the baby.” I spat more forcefully than I meant. I had wanted to ease her into it, but her threesome comment threw me off.

  “What?” she asked setting her coffee cup down like her grip slacked. I nodded letting her know she heard me correctly. She stood there with her brow pinched for a moment absorbing the weight of my statement. She’d been enthused to learn she was to be a grandmother. To learn there was a possibility that it would be taken away had to be hard to hear. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  I sighed rubbing the back of my head. It was the same thing Gaby had wondered. “Because we have it under control and I didn’t want you to worry. But with you barging in on them whenever she was trying to feed… Hindsight, it would have been better to tell you.” I didn’t want to tell her that her intrusion had done more harm than good.

  “Is it because of what you are?”

  I was baffled by her statement. I shook my head. Of course she didn’t know the reproduction process of vampires. Everything she learned was from us. “When we eloped she was attacked.” I didn’t want to tell her about demons. Damien had influenced her and was probably responsible for her easy acceptance of vampires. I didn’t want to add more than was necessary. “She was poisoned. There’s a cure, but she can’t take it until after the baby’s born. Sebastian’s blood prevents the poison from spreading.”

  “And yours?”

  I sighed remembering how we’d messed that up. “I drank from Gaby without thinking and was poisoned.” I quickly continued when I saw my mother’s face morph. “I’ve been cured so she can’t drink from me until after the baby comes, but my blood isn’t angelic like his, so even if my blood was clean she’d still need his.”

  “Angelic?” Her gray eyes widened.

  “Shit! You didn’t know?” I rolled my eyes feeling foolish for spilling those particular beans.

  “He’s an angel!” she exclaimed almost in awe of the realization.

  “Fallen, actually,” Sebastian replied, walking into the kitchen scratching his head. “Is there coffee?” he asked padding barefoot across the floor.

  I almost laughed at the way my mother was gaping at him. Sebastian didn’t seem to notice.

  “I’m going to go wake up Gaby. We should head out soon,” I announced to no one in particular before heading upstairs.

  Gaby and I walked into our room at the compound. It wasn’t what either of us wanted, but we were doing what we thought would keep us safe. I still worried that Ava’s plan was to use the Fae magic on herself. None of us quite understood how it worked, but I knew her desire was to avenge Anton. Damien had been in contact with Orion, but he hadn’t heard from any of his contacts. Until then we were at a standstill.

  “How long do you think we’ll be here?” Gaby asked taking in the room, rubbing her hand over her swollen belly. Damien’s vampires had done a great job unpacking us. He and I both agreed that the less there was for Gaby to do, the better. I knew her well enough that boxes lying around would have driven her nuts no matter how fast I could get them unpacked.