Page 83 of Fire Forged

There’d been so many moments Nerx could’ve told her he loved her.But he hadn’t.And sure, she’d accepted her role as wife and mom.Her life wouldn’t bethatbad.But no matter how many times she tried to convince herself she had enough love for them both, her arguments sounded weak, uncertain.

“What is too soon?What can you not do?”

She jerked at finding Nerx standing in the doorway.

Lily shot past him, disappearing into the bathroom.

“Britta?”

“Nerx?”Britt fluttered her eyelashes as if innocent.

He ventured deeper into the room.“Tell me,thamani.”He sat on the bed beside her.

She sucked in a shuddering breath.“Can you call, comm…whatever, a medic?”

“Youareunwell.”He leaped to his feet, then whisked her into his arms.

“Nerx,” she cried out when he carried her to the door.“Put me down.I just need to confirm whether I’m pregnant.”

Her feet hit the floor hard.He gaped at her, his cheeks darkened, and she’d swear those were tears in his eyes.

“Nerx, please, a medic.”She nudged him at the door.

He didn’t budge, a glower forming.“What can you not do without love?Bear mydamu?”

“I…” She offered him her back as the tears fell, unable to explain how much she yearned for him to love her.

“Britta,thamani, how can you be such an intelligent woman and so stupid at the same time?”He gripped her upper arms and spun her to face him.

“What?”She glared at him, despite the tears.“That’s a big insult, and you better have reasons—”

“I have loved you since Luchur,ensa ra ensa.” He cupped her face, rubbing her damp cheeks with the pads of his thumbs.

She hit him hard with no armor to protect his chest.He laughed, caught her fist, and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.

“Why the hell didn’t you tell me?I’ve been sick with not knowing.”She yanked on her hand, but he just tightened his hold.That silly smile she adored teased his lips.

“Ensameans ‘heart,’ensa ra ensais ‘heart of my heart,’ andthamani…” He stole a sweet kiss.“Is ‘beloved.’”

Like an overflowing container, emotions tumbled out, dragging a sob from her.“Hormones,” she croaked, despite not knowing whether shewaspregnant.A full-on crying session started when she realized she might not be.Until that thought, having a son terrified her.Not having one sent her into a deep, spiraling morass of sadness.

Nerx enveloped her in his arms, tucking her face into the curve of his neck.As she cried, he said nothing, just held her.Sniveling, she tried not to wipe her nose on the corner of his tropical button-up shirt.No matter how tempted she was.He’d known since Luchur.No, before, when he’d called her ‘thamani.’She should be furious with him.

“I’m sorry.I hate crying.”She huffed as she pulled away.“I love you too, in case you didn’t know.”

“Good,” he said, but his voice had roughened.

“What?”she asked, lunging for a nearby beach towel to dab her face.

“I did not know nor did I realize how hard your confession would hit me.”He lifted her and spun her, beaming at her.“I am…happy.”

She gripped his shoulders, peering at his upturned face.Gone was the asshole he’d been.Now this charming man remained, and one who handled her sass without flinching.

“So am I,” she said, smiling at him.

“My turn,” Lily called, skipping out of the bathroom.She raised her arms for a spin.

He lowered Britt, then knelt to scoop Lily up while pulling Britt close for a three-way hug.“My favorite females,” he said.

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