Chapter Nine
Goliath
Time passed, and I had little concept of it. My mate had ways to make me forget my name. I couldn’t be happier. I liked my own company, or I had until I’d caught sight of Drew. Now that he was in my— our home , I realized how lonely I had become.
I like that, but…
My heart tripped with the worry of what he was going to say. Would he leave me alone again?
My place had been quiet, my sanctuary. With Drew, the place was still that, but it felt brighter. Lively. Lived in and not in the messy way. Drew had mentioned the mess when he’d finally gotten hungry for more than me after a very long time. Not that I was complaining about the number of times he’d bitten my stalk and drank my custard. My body had scattered teeth marks everywhere. Mine were on both his ass cheeks, so whenever he bent over in front of me, I could see my claim on him. Once more distracted by thoughts of Drew naked, my cock stirred, twitching against the front of my jeans, and I worked to keep my thoughts to myself.
“Are you paying attention?” Drew questioned, his brows arching as he grinned at me, and I realized I’d lost track of the conversation.
“Erm…”
I glanced about the kitchen, blushing. Only that didn’t help me when I could envision how we had used each piece of furniture and not for what its original purpose was. I waved a hand in front of my face as I felt sweat gather on my top lip.
He sauntered over toward me, all sexy swinging hips, a light in his eyes that did not help my cause. He stopped in front of me and plucked the cloth I’d been using to scrub at the custard stains on the floor by the kitchen sink. I did my best to not look at the gorgeous llama directly. That was never good because then I couldn’t remember what I was supposed to be doing and, in between the amazing bouts of hot, mind-blowing sex, Drew had definite ideas about leaving things messy. Which was why I was scrubbing off the custard.
He placed the cloth into the sink and took my hand. Each time he touched me, I got a reminder of just how small he was next to me. “We need to replenish your kitchen cupboards, and I think it’s time I introduced you to my pride. There’s something going on at the house. I can feel it. Initially, I blocked them”—his eyes glittered with amusement—“to keep what’s happening here between us. I, unlike them, am more discreet.”
Was that a good thing?
“It is if you don’t want the whole pride getting up in your sexy business.”
I shook my head, grateful that he’d blocked them. I always kept my distance from the parcel. Too many thoughts in my head made me a little crazy.
“Wise choice.” He glanced about. “Now, let’s empty the sink, then I think we can finish tidying later.”
I swallowed the groan when it looked tidy to me after everything we’d already done. Minutes later, we were on our way to town.
By the time I parked outside of Crimson’s, I was giddy with excitement, wanting to show the town just how lucky I was. I took hold of Drew’s hand, letting everyone know the llama was mine.
“Why, look at this, another stalk bites the dust,” Crimson said the moment she set eyes on us. “Goliath, you sly ole rhubarb, did you stalk out your mate?” She laughed as I blushed red to my roots and didn’t know whether to nod or shake my head.
Drew had already heard the facts, the basics. He didn’t know I’d been watching him before Tim arrived at their house. No, I’d kept that little parcel of rhubarb to myself.
“He most certainly did.” Drew answered for me, squeezing my fingers.
He had a way about him that we were in and out of the store and on our way to the pride house before Crimson could pump me for any more information.
When we parked outside the pride house, I noticed how it could do with some repairs.
Drew stopped, his hand on the door. “You’re right, it could do with some repairs. The place is bulging at the seams with everyone. And when the babies come, it’ll get worse.”
Was he wanting us to live here? That thought I kept to myself along with the worry. I’d never cope with so many folks crowding me.
He got out, and I followed at a slower pace. He waited on me, and I worked to keep my anxiety to myself as we walked up the front porch and straight into the house.
Noise. It assailed me from everywhere.
I got a feeling something was wrong when Drew marched off in the direction where I could hear excited voices. I gave everyone a sheepish smile, recalling how I had left with Drew.
Drew’s brain shut down. I jerked at the total radio silence having gotten so used to his presence inside my mind.
“I. Missed. It!” Drew stamped his foot, hard enough that the floorboards under his sneakers creaked, not that he noticed. Because he whirled around and glared at me.
I dropped my gaze, feeling terrible when all I got was how hurt he was to have let his pride down.
I missed the babies being born!
I missed it, dammit.
“I’m sorry for that,” I mumbled, not looking at anyone with how my cheeks were heating as I tried to mollify my mate. “We were busy… you know…”
“Yes,” Drew snapped, looking none too pleased as he swung back to where Twirlie sat grinning at me.
What can I do to make it better?
He sniffed and stomped over to Tim on the couch, where he sat holding the crown of babies, Ricky sat beside him holding what I could sense was a lion cub.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t here.” He was genuinely upset, and I struggled to rein in my own emotions because he wasn’t really cross with me, but more with himself. I came up behind him and laid a hand on his shoulder, managing one rub before Drew threw me a look that suggested I’d lose a leaf or two if I didn’t stop.
I’m too upset right now. I need a minute.
I choked back a moan of distress, doing my best to keep it together.
The dark-haired lion I’d followed from town marched into the room and stopped to stare at me and Drew. “Whatsup? I can feel your anger, and so will the babies.”
Drew’s eyes glistened with tears, and I had to restrain myself from punching the alpha for upsetting my mate further. “I missed the birth. I missed seeing the babies being born.”
“I’m sorry,” I mumbled once more, choking back the urge to cry. “If I could make time go back, I would for you.”
I know. Even as he said it, he moved away from me and crouched down in front of Tim, snuffling. “Can I hold the babies?”