Chapter 17
It’s been twenty-four hours since Oklahoma fucked me on the roof, and I can’t stop thinking about it.
“Oh, you’ve got it bad,” Jess teases, nudging me in the shoulder to snap me out of my trance.
I blush, knowing I can’t argue facts. I am completely head over heels in love with Oklahoma.
I haven’t told any of my friends that I’m pregnant.
One, they wouldn’t believe me. I wouldn’t believe me either.
It’s impossible to know so early, but since he isn’t exactly ‘normal’ and the only way to seal the bond is to fuck until I get pregnant, there wasn’t really a choice in the matter.
I wouldn’t change anything.
Everything feels right.
“I know. I know. I haven’t been around much, but he is so—”
“Hot,” Jess finishes my sentence. “The man is hot and the way he looks at you?” She fans her face with her hand. “Undeniable. I would be locked up in that house too if I liked men.”
I snicker, tossing a pillow at her. “You have your happily ever after.”
Jess watches Millie pick out a shirt from her suitcase. We’re all getting ready to go out tonight. No chasing. No studying weather patterns. Oklahoma is taking us to his favorite bar.
He’s worried he’s kept me away from my team for too long. He isn’t wrong. I haven’t been a great member since meeting Oklahoma. Now that the mating heat is over, and we’ve been able to be away from one another for a few hours, I’ll be able to get back to work.
Even if I already miss him. I hate when he isn’t near me. Is that what the bond is like? Constantly needing to be with him at all times? I feel like there’s a part of me missing while he, Westin, and Jazz make their rounds on the ranch.
“She’s pretty perfect,” Jess sighs, the completely in love kind of sigh.
“Is this too much?” Reina asks, walking down the hallway in a short black dress.
“Ow, owww,” I shout while Jess whistles, bringing two fingers into her mouth.
“You are wearing that for sure. There’s no way a cowboy won’t buy you a drink if you’re wearing that.”
She pops the top off her burgundy lipstick. “Perfect, then I’m not changing.”
Millie huffs. “I give up! I have nothing to wear.”
Jess gets up and squeezes my shoulder. “I’m going to go help her, but hey,” she leans down to whisper so Ruka can’t overhear.
“You deserve to be happy too, Nari. I know you and Ruka aren’t getting along right now, but he will get over it.
You deserve to feel whatever is making you smile this wide.
You deserve happiness, and if Oklahoma makes you happy, that’s all that matters.
Ruka isn’t used to having to share you. He probably feels like it’s just him now, you know?
Do you…plan on leaving The Dust Bunnies? ”
I gasp, my eyes going wide as saucers. “No! Never. This is my life. That hasn’t changed.”
“Then everything will work out.” Jess kisses my cheek, leaving me alone with my brother, who is reading weather systems on the laptop.
Completely ignoring me.
“Are you going out with us tonight? I’d like for you to,” I admit, holding an old, puke green pillow against my chest that must have belonged to Oklahoma’s grandma.
“I’m going. I need a night out.” He pinches the bridge of his nose, yawns, and rubs his eyes. He closes the laptop and sets it to the side. “You really like him, don’t you? I’m going to have to get used to him being around, aren’t I?”
I hold back the truth from Ruka. I want to say I don’t just like Oklahoma, I love him, but I’d get a lecture again since I haven’t known him for long enough.
Ruka doesn’t have all the details, and I’m not sure if he ever will.
I mean, he will need to eventually when he sees I’m not aging as fast as everyone else.
I’m not even going to bring up that I’m pregnant. Ruka will lose his mind. My parents will be happy. They have been wanting grandchildren for a few years now, but Ruka is protective.
And I love him for that.
I tuck my hair behind my ear and play with a frayed edge on the pillow.
“Yeah, Ruka. I do. I really like him. He isn’t a bad guy.
He treats me well. And he doesn’t want me to stop chasing.
I don’t want to stop chasing. This ranch could be our hub.
We love the wide-open space, and we could study so many tornadoes.
Just last night, I saw an amazing rope! We could finally move out of that house that’s falling apart.
We could be happy here, but you have to give it a chance. You have to give him a chance.”
I stop talking, not wanting to oversell the benefits of Oklahoma. Ruka will find that suspicious. He’s a very suspicious guy now that I think about it. He trusts no one. Except me.
Well.
He used to trust me. I don’t know if he still does.
He stares at me, his leg bouncing as thoughts swirl around in his head. I hold my breath, waiting for an answer before he smiles, showcasing two dimples on either side of his cheeks.
“Fine. But these cabins need some work before we can move in. Jess and Millie will need their own place. I guess I could room with Reina if there isn’t enough space for all of us to have our own, but you’re right.
His land is pretty perfect for tornadoes, but I swear, Nariko, if he hurts you, I’ll feed him to Marvin. ”
“The pig?”
“Pigs eat anything,” he states.
I snort, chuckling so hard, I fall over on the couch, clutching my stomach. “You won’t have to feed him to Marvin. Promise. As protective as you are of me, so is Oklahoma. Tonight, let’s just have fun. We can make videos for our followers and update them on everything.”
“I know it’s only been a few days, but they have been wondering where you are. Even though we have been chasing and updating them, they are getting worried about you.”
“I’ll give them an update when we are on our way to the bar.”
A knock at the cabin door has me stand so fast, I sway. I toss the pillow on the couch and double-check my outfit in the old, cracked mirror hanging on the wall.
I’m not wearing anything special.
I’m wearing jeans, boots, and a bandana-type shirt that ties around the back. The material is gold and shines when the light hits the threads. The top shows a lot of skin, but I wanted Oklahoma to see me in anything other than my typical outfit.
“You’d think you’ve never seen him before with how you’re acting,” Ruka teases, running his fingers through his own dark hair to make sure he looks good too.
I want Oklahoma’s jaw to hit the floor when he sees me. Taking a deep breath, I swing the door open to find him, Westin, and Jazz standing there. Westin and Jazz are arguing, but Oklahoma’s sights are on me.
His eyes shift to red, and his knuckles turn white as he tightens his hold around a bouquet. A soft growl makes Westin and Jazz stop arguing. They smile when they see me.
“Damn, Nari! You look beautiful.”
Oklahoma turns to them slowly, like a predator about to go in for the kill, giving them a dangerous glare.
Westin pretends to lock his mouth and throws the key into the pasture, a silent way of saying he won’t speak another word.
Oakley climbs up the steps, towering over me. He takes off his hat and presses it against his chest. “You are fucking breathtaking, Sugar. Give me a spin.” He takes my hand, lifting it above my head, and I twirl. “Gorgeous,” he says when our eyes meet. “I’m one lucky man.”
“And don’t you forget it,” Ruka threatens. He stares down at the flowers Oklahoma is holding, a lovely bundle of daisies. “I suppose you aren’t completely horrible since you brought her flowers. I’m watching you, though.” He points two fingers between them, the global signal of being watched.
“I’m horrified,” Oklahoma’s voice turns monotone. “Shaking in my boots.”
Ruka snatches the flowers. “As you should be. I’m going to go put these in water. Brighten up the place. When was the last time you cleaned in here?”
“Nineteen—” Oklahoma stops himself. “Nineteen or so weeks ago?” He tries to recover by clearing his throat.
“You did a horrible job.” Ruka marches into the small kitchen and grabs a mason jar, fills it with water, and cuts the stems at the bottom before placing them in the glass.
He sets them on the dining room table, and they really do brighten up the space.
My vampire mate tugs me forward by slipping his finger through the belt loop. He gives me a quick kiss, his fangs teasing my bottom lip.
“You look absolutely breathtaking, Nariko.” He bends down and whispers in my ear, “I’m going to feed from you tonight in front of everyone.
There’s no way I’ll be able to control myself with you in those tight fucking jeans and this”—he plays with the string tying my top—“tiny shirt. Do you know how many men I might have to kill tonight?”
“Oakley,” I lightly scold, my heart racing with excitement.
A little violence never hurt anybody.
“I mean it,” he growls. “You’re risking a lot of lives looking so damn good.” The rough pads of his fingers trace along my back where my shirt ties.
Goosebumps appear all over my body, my nerve endings awakening from his touch.
“I’ll take that chance,” I reply on a shaky breath, wishing we were by ourselves.
And it’s going to be hours before we’re alone again.
Is it too late to cancel plans?