Bonus Chapter Ultrasound
Lucie let out a happy sigh and Derrick jumped, turning to her.
“Do you need anything? Are you feeling alright?” Derrick asked nervously, making Lucie roll her eyes and laugh. The couple had stolen a second away from the rest of the family to have a quiet, intimate moment to themselves under the pretense of checking if Lita had arrived yet.
“Derrick, how many times are you going to do this? You’re my soulmate, which means you already know how I’m feeling.” Lucie watched a crooked grin reach his lips.
“I can’t help it.” He wrapped his arms around her, pressing his lips against hers. Sweet, delicious sparks greeted them both, a feeling that would never get old between them. “I just want to take care of you.”
“You are. I’m fine.” Lucie smiled at him. The sounds of distant arguing echoed down the hall, and she giggled. They were at it again.
“I can’t believe you did that!” Sabrina growled as she stormed down the hall.
“Ha, you can’t? Well, let me make things more clear for you.
Until one of us finds their mate, you are mine.
And if we never find our mates, you are mine.
I’m not going to tolerate you flirting with other men like that.
And I’ll continue to threaten the life of every man who looks at you like that.
” Ryan growled, backing her against the wall.
“Isn’t this problematic, leader?” Sabrina said the last word sarcastically. “I mean, if you are hooking up with me, it’ll look like favoritism.”
Ryan’s lips curled upward. His hand shot out, grabbing her waist possessively while his other cupped her chin.
“You’ll be getting favoritism, but only when it comes to the bedroom.
I’ll be just as hard on you, maybe even harder.
” His amber eyes darkened as his usually fun demeanor vanished.
He growled lowly and pressed himself against her, leaving no gap between them.
“I will not tolerate you touching or flirting with other men. You are my exclusive partner from now on. No more catting around.”
Sabrina’s breath hitched as he growled, his hot breath hitting her lips. She glared back at him. “Don’t I have a say in this?”
Ryan let out a dangerous, low chuckle. “You had a choice all the way until you started involving my bed in your games. Now you don’t.
” He crashed his lips against hers greedily, tugging on her bottom lip with his teeth, punishing her and drawing droplets of blood.
The warm liquid oozed out and onto her lips, and he continued to devour her.
He pulled and suckled on her lip before thrusting his tongue inside her mouth.
He listened to her moans as her body responded to his demands.
He pulled back, panting against her mouth, still holding her face captive.
His eyes returned to his amber color and a faint smile reached his lips.
“I know you like your fight, Rina. I know you keep a strong exterior and keep everyone at arm’s length.
But I know what you really want. You want someone who will take charge of the situation and protect you.
You want someone who will pleasure and punish you.
” His eyes wandered to her lips as his thumb brushed over them.
“And you want a man to be so possessive over your body that he will kill to keep you to himself. Well, I’m right here.
I’m all of that. You want to fight with me, then fight with me.
Look at me and only me. And move in with me, even if it means we fight every night until we reach the sheets …
and even fighting in the bed can be fun.
” His voice was low and husky as he listened to her staggered breath.
“Rina …” He watched her eyes lift up to him as her chest continued to rise and fall.
“Why? Why me?” Sabrina asked quietly.
“You know why. You feel this between us too. This chemistry. And I’ll be damned if I let it go.
I want your fire. And fighting with you, mmmm …
I always end up thinking of all the ways I will punish and pleasure you.
I want you only ever screaming my name.” His eyes began to fill with lust as his grip on her tightened.
Sabrina swallowed hard as she blinked, looking into his eyes. “I thought this was something we were just doing for fun, just to pass the time. Not to become replacement mates. I don’t know if I want to get into something that deep when it isn’t going to last.”
“Then it should last,” Ryan said confidently.
Her eyes widened, and she looked back into his smiling eyes.
He shrugged slightly, keeping his gaze on her.
“Rina, I’m serious about you. Why not? We can decide our own destiny, and we’re perfect for each other.
” He could see her hesitation. She wasn’t on the same page he was.
He cleared his throat and nodded. “I understand if you don’t want to commit …
if you want to continue to wait for your fated mate. ”
Ryan released his grip on her and took a step back.
He rubbed the back of his neck and looked at her.
“Think about it, okay? I know we can be good together. And you know it too.” When she didn’t say anything, he nodded slowly and walked away from her.
This wasn’t something he would pressure her about, but it hurt to walk away.
She didn’t reject him, but it certainly felt like it.
Maybe he came on too strong, but it was how he was.
He walked aimlessly down the hall and stopped when he saw two sets of feet in front of him.
He glanced up to see Lucie and Derrick standing there.
“Did you guys hear all that?” He frowned slightly and watched them both nod their heads.
“Give her some time. That was a big thing to spring on her. Let her think about it and what it means.” Lucie smiled and he nodded slowly.
“I know.” Ryan cleared his throat. “So, when are your grandparents coming? Isn’t the big ultrasound today?” he said, trying to change the topic.
“Justice and Jasper are waiting for them in the garden now.” Derrick looked down and smiled at Lucie. “We’re going to project the ultrasound on the screen in our room. You’re welcome to come and join us if you want.”
Ryan shook his head and chuckled. “I appreciate it, but I think I’m going to go for a walk to clear my head. If I’m not needed here for anything, that is.”
“No, go ahead.” Derrick watched Ryan nod his head and walk away.
He let out a sigh, thinking how problematic this situation might be.
If this went sour, they both wouldn’t be able to stay on as elite soldiers.
He would have to let Sabrina go. He could feel Lucie pouting in protest over it and he turned to give her a reassuring smile.
“We will only act if we need to. Don’t worry about it. This one isn’t our problem to deal with, my love.”
“Luce!” Justice grinned widely, walking with Abe, Jasper, Lita, Asher, and Grayson. “The cavalry has arrived.”
“Are your little legs getting tired buddy? You want a piggyback ride?” Jasper teased, brushing against Abe.
“Quite the court jester your father hired.” Abe looked up at Derrick in annoyance.
“Now now… call them Momma and Dada. Come on fella, you can do it … Mmmmoooommmmaaaa, say it.” Jasper held back his laughter.
“Jasper, will you quit?” Lucie scolded.
“Uh oh. Can’t go picking on momma’s baby boy.”
Lita cleared her throat and pulled Lucie into her arms. “How have you been feeling? How is your energy level?”
“I feel good. Derrick is never away from me for that long, so I don’t know what my tolerance is before I start feeling drained.” Lucie gave Derrick a side glance, and he gave her a sheepish smile.
Lita frowned. “Well, I would have liked to know what your tolerance of being away from each other is. It was two hours for me in the beginning, and that rapidly declined. Of course, I had twin energy suckers inside of me. But this can also show us how powerful your little one is.” She looked over at Asher, who was carrying her medical bag. That bag had seen a lot of years.
“Where are Destiny and Harley? Are they already here?” Grayson asked.
“They’re in the room with my parents.” Justice turned to see Asher wave the bag gently in the air.
“So where do you want to set up at?” Asher asked Lucie and Derrick.
“This way, follow me,” Derrick said as he led them down the restricted hall to his room. He opened the door, where Harley, Destiny, Chasen, Jin, Freja, Hunter, Alaric, and Willa were sitting and chatting, waiting patiently for Lita to arrive.
“You ready to hear your grandbabies’ heartbeats? It’s just as wonderful as hearing your own baby’s heartbeat,” Asher said, slapping Chasen on the back and grinning at Hunter.
“Lucie! This is so exciting!” Destiny said, running up grabbing her hands. “We’re going to hear our baby’s heartbeats together.”
“Destiny let’s do you first. Come and sit on the couch over here. And Lucie let’s get you situated on the bed and get this stuff hooked up to the monitors.” Lita handed some things to Grayson and Asher, who were well versed on how to use the equipment.
Everyone gathered in front of the monitors, all eyes on the screen except for Derrick, who sat beside Lucie and gently rubbed her shoulders. Harley sat down on the couch, Destiny resting against his chest while he held her.
Lita put some gel on Destiny and moved the wand, gliding it over her stomach. The gentle humming of a heartbeat echoed over the speakers. She grinned widely and turned to look at Destiny. “That is your little one right there. Congratulations!”
Harley pulled Destiny into his chest and pressed a slow kiss to the side of her head, his arms tightening around her like he was afraid she might dissolve if he let go.
“I thought I was already the luckiest man in the world.” His voice became rough, catching on the words.
“Gods, Destiny. You just keep making me happier. Every time I think my heart’s full, you find a way to stretch it bigger. ”