Chapter 5
Chapter Five
D es looked… angry.
That was an emotion, at least. He would take it. Then again, Alistair had no idea whether Des was mad at him or just furious that he’d been stolen.
He just hadn’t been able to resist himself with the jab at Des. He’d needed to know that Des cared. About him, not just the clan.
He still wasn’t sure where he stood.
They were back in their own living room now, their high rise so much more… homey than the hotel. Hamish was gone, so it was just them, and Des was sitting in his big leather easy chair, legs out in front of him, a glass of bourbon in hand.
He sipped a cup of peppermint tea to settle his stomach and waited.
“So.” Des raised a brow, but his expression unchanging otherwise. “All of that time we spent together. All that love we made. It meant nothing?”
“Not when you stopped coming home.” He held his own, also holding that laser stare.
“I was protecting you.” That came out so quietly he almost missed it. “I couldn’t let the Galandels know how important you are to me.”
“You could have told me.”
“No.” Des shook his head, then tossed back his bourbon. “If they captured you, it would go easier for you if you were angry at me.”
“Well, I was. And I worried you wouldn’t come.”
“Did you?”
Guilt assailed him. “No. I never worried about that. I just knew you needed to know where I was.”
“I would have killed anyone who hurt you, Starry. I died a little while you were gone.” The stark despair in Des’s gaze made him tear up.
“Love.” He hoisted his ass off the couch and went to Des, holding out his arms.
Des opened his and let Alistair sink down on his lap. “God, Starry. I was so fucking scared.”
“It didn’t show.” He nuzzled Des’s neck. There was no denying the real emotion that pressed against him, Des’s love for him like a beacon.
“And you did an amazing job getting that collar off. I’m so proud.”
“I am too.” He laughed, then hiccupped as he started crying.
“Shhh. I have you, love. You’re safe. I’m sorry. I thought if— I thought they would leave you alone if I did.”
“Well, now you know better.” He poked Des right in the chest. “Don’t desert me again, damn you. I need you. And I miss our time together. I didn’t marry you for political shit and alone time.”
Des took his finger in hand and pulled it up to his lips to kiss it. “I didn’t marry for those reasons either, my love. I married to have you with me the rest of my life.”
“Then act like it.” He turned, careful of his belly, and straddled Des’s lap. “Don’t shut me out. I know you don’t want me in on negotiations while I’m pregnant, but I’m smart. You can bounce shit off me.”
Des studied him for a long moment, then smiled. “Deal. I love you, Starry.”
“I love you too.”
Des bent just enough to kiss him, lips warm and soft on his. Then the kiss deepened, Des’s tongue invading his mouth, and he moaned, wrapping his arms around Des’s neck.
Des stood, lifting him easily, carrying him back to their bedroom. “I need you, Starry. I need to?—”
“To prove that I’m alive. That we both are? I know. I want you too.”
“Good.” Des set him on his feet, kissing him again, then stripped him out of his clothes. “Do you want a shower first?”
“Do I smell like stress? No, I just want you. Then we can shower and eat.”
“Mmm. Just know that I will knot you, baby. Then we might be stuck a while.”
“Oh, the horror.” He chuckled, wiggling out of his pants and kicking them off his feet. He’d taken off his shoes at the front door.
“I know.” Des tugged off his own shirt, baring that muscled chest to his view, then took off his pants before helping Alistair up on the bed. That hard, thick cock made his mouth dry. He needed that knot.
Des came down beside him, then rolled to his back, pulling Alistair on top of him, which was easier with his distended stomach.
“Mmmm.” Des ran his hands up and down Alistair’s body, noting every change, he thought. “I love your skin. So soft.”
“And I love other parts of you.” Alistair rubbed up and down on Des’s cock, letting his ass, which was already wet, feel that wide, long heat.
“You used to love me for my mind,” Des teased.
“I used to not be a hormonal pregnant dragon who just got back from being kidnapped. I need you to knot me.” He stared down at Des, getting his point across.
Des chuckled, rolling those lean hips under him. “I hear and obey, baby.”
“Good.” He rubbed and moaned, his cock slapping Des’s belly. “Please.”
“I have you.” Des lifted him, spreading his ass, then pulled him down so gravity brought him down on that glorious cock. It filled him, making him feel whole for the first time in ages.
“Des. Oh. Goddess. I love you.”
“I love you too, baby. So much.” Hands bracketing his hips, Des lifted him, then lowered him. They rocked together, faster and faster, his hands on Des’s chest to brace him.
He groaned, working his way up and down, clamping down on Des with everything in him. He was so hot, so wet, and he could feel Des’s knot rising.
“Going to—knot you. So well.” Des panted the words, his cheeks flushed, his dragon scales starting to show along the edges of his cheekbones.
“Good.” He bore down, taking in as much as he could, until his ass was on Des’s thighs. “I want it all.”
“Uhn.” Des arched up, nearly tossing him off, but they managed to stay fused together, moving until that knot wouldn’t allow it, until all he could do was growl and try to get the friction he needed. Des grabbed his cock, stroking, and that was all it took to send him over the edge, his breath coming in great gasps, his body on fire as he shot.
Des moved within him for a few more moments, knot fully engaged, and then he came, wet and hot and perfect inside him.
“Oh. Love.” He plopped down on Des’s chest, panting.
“Yes. You’re so perfect.” Des grimaced. “I was so damn scared.”
“I was too.” He hugged his mate tight. “I was worried about the baby.”
“I want Doc to check you out.” Des gave him a stern look.
“Okay.” He wouldn’t complain. He’d been drugged. Dragons responded poorly to that in general, and he wanted to make sure the baby was fine.
They felt fine, him and his sprog, but it was better to be safe.
“You’re not arguing?” Des asked, his tone a little awed.
“Not this time. Also, I’m hungry.”
Des laughed. “Let me call down for some food.”
“Thank you.” They still had a lot to work out, but he was home now, and so was Des.
And if he had to kidnap Des and hold him hostage, well, now he knew how to do it, didn’t he?