Page 113 of Love Bites Hard

“It’s not our fault. Clem was lonely. She had been thinking about taking a mate anyway. At least this way, we know Kai will mate her with someone who can keep her safe. He won’t want to piss us off,” I said, though worry for her had my stomach clenching too.

“And at least she didn’t offer herself up to Talon,” Porter said.

A sharp laugh escaped me. “No kidding.”

He stroked my arm lightly, and I leaned against him, resting my eyes. “I hope she has an adventure. She could have the time of her life over there, with the right person.”

“I hope so too,” Porter admitted, still tracing lines on my arms.

I tried to doze off, but couldn’t get my mind off of Clementine.

“Need a distraction?” he asked me.

“Yes, but I’m not horny.”

“Neither am I.” He hesitated a moment before asking, “Have you ever thought about kids? Having kids? With me?” The way he tripped over the words made my lips curve upward.

“Maybe. Have you?”

“Yes. I don’t think I’m ready yet, but I’d like to have a handful of them. I want to build a family. I don’t know if I’d be a good dad, but?—”

“You’d be an amazing dad,” I said quietly.

“Thank you.” He continued tracing on my arm. “All the kids here love you. Watching you play with them always makes me itch to knock you up.”

I laughed. “I didn’t know that was an itch.”

“For a guy? Oh, yeah. I already have big dreams about fucking you while you’re pregnant.”

A snort escaped me. “That doesnotsound sexy.”

“The sexy part is that you’ll be round with our daughter, baby.”

“Or our son.”

“Mmhm.” He let out a long breath. “Sounds too good to be true. I haven’t let myself think about having kids in a long, long time.”

“You wanted them before the attack?”

“Yeah. I was looking for a mate, but it was difficult.”

“Because of your dad’s rule about business and pleasure?”

He chuckled. “Partially. And I just didn’t find the right woman.”

“Well, I hope I’m the right one, because there’s no going back now.”

“You’re perfect, Izzy.” He leaned over and kissed my nose. “Isabella.”

“Do you want me to punch you?”

He grinned.

“You never told me if we’re business or pleasure,” I remarked.

“We’re both. I always knew I’d screw that rule when I found the right person.”

“Literally,” I drawled, earning a chuckle.

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