Page 48 of The Marriage Bargain

I blinked a couple times against the sleepy stupor falling over me. “Not right now, that’s for darn sure,” I said. Then added, “Do I think the circumstances were fair that forced us into getting married? No. But do I regret marrying you?” I paused, weighing my answer. “No,” I said, surprising myself with how true it was. “No, I don’t. Right now, I feel like…maybe this was meant to be.”

“That is because you are my mate,” he said firmly. With conviction, like he’d known it all along.

“You haven’t even had sex with me with yet. How can you know that?”

“I know,” he said. “I assure you. I know.”

“Let’s hope that assurance lasts after we do have sex,” I teased, shifting, finding a more comfortable spot for my cheek on his muscled thigh. “I can’t wait to find out,” I added in a murmur, then closed my eyes and gave in.

The Overlords’ breeding program be damned. Caide’s father on a distant planet be damned. Maybe it hadn’t been right, how we’d been forced to get married for our individual protections, but at this moment…damn them all, I wasn’t exactly hating the fact that Caide and I were husband and wife.

CHAPTER 27

CAIDE

I had feared I would find sleep difficult, especially with my human wife so near. However, knowing there were children in the house, her nieces—now my nieces—dampened my stray thoughts.

Time for that later, I told myself, reaching for a blanket and drawing it up over Delle’s shoulder.

She was already asleep. I marveled at that. Generally, it took me some time to quiet my mind and find rest, but there she was, fast asleep. It seemed strange, considering everything the day had brought forth.

Was she always like this? I wondered idly, running my hand over her arm. Swift to fall asleep? Should she remain my wife, I would have the opportunity to find out. Earlier, I had thought how odd it was to be married and know so little about a woman. Now, I realized I had been wrong. True, there were many things I did not know. Little things, like how fast she generally fell asleep or how she might like her eggs cooked in the morning, but I knew many other more important things.

She was a dreamer, and was prepared to work hard for her dreams. She didn’t shy away from unpleasant jobs. She would do anything for her family, for those she loved. She would not be controlled by anyone. She was not a pushover, as the humans said. She was strong with a strength that defied belief, fiery and sometimes loud, but her heart was kind and her loyalties fierce. She would make a wonderful mother, judging by her role as an aunt, should she ever have children. She possessed many qualities anyone would find desirable in a wife.

And, by the divine stars, did I find her desirable.

Memories of the kisses in my bedroom earlier made me squirm with sudden longing. The woman in my lap shifted, readjusting her position, but did not awaken.

Plenty of time for that later, I reminded myself again, desperate to hold the desire at bay.

You are not an animal. You are not an undisciplined youth. You can control yourself and allow your wife to rest.

Accepting the role of a husband felt strangely natural, I reflected, leaning against the back of the couch, allowing my gaze to drift to the glowing television. Putting my wife’s needs ahead of my own. Even the needs of her family—our family. No, it was not easy, but it felt…right. No one had ever cared for me like this, but I knew with a certainty that filled my soul that Delle would do this for me just as I would do it for her.

Because she was my mate. And this was meant to be.

* * *

Hours went by in which I also finally slept, wakening to the buzzing of my phone. I reached for it, blinking to clear the sleep from my eyes, and saw my foreman’s name on the screen.

Pressing the button, I answered. “Zyn? All is well?”

“They had to take her in for a C-section, but, yes, everything’s good,” my worker confirmed. “The baby is here safe. It’s another girl. Tarra came through okay. She’s resting. Will you tell Delle?”

“I will,” I assured him quietly.

“Thank you. I thought she was probably asleep. She can be hard to wake up once she’s out.”

I smiled down at the human woman who was filling my heart. She had yet to stir, despite the quiet conversation. “I believe it. I will tell her as soon as she wakens. Congratulations on the new daughter, my friend. Get some rest.”

He signed off and I shut off my phone. Briefly, I considered trying to rouse Delle to inform her that her newest niece had arrived. She would likely want to know, but she needed to rest, too.

I will tell her when she wakens, I decided, leaning my head back and closing my own eyes. The muted murmurs from the television provided a not-unpleasant background drone, urging me to surrender and rest.

Another girl, I thought, before I drifted off. Had Delle not married me, this would have raised her even higher on the breeder’s list. What will Abidah think when he heard the news?

Some instinct warned me that the male was still bound to cause trouble. I knew little of the Flight Commander beyond his fierce reputation, but his reputation was that of a creature who did not surrender easily. Still…

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