Page 27 of The Dragon's Flamebound Mate

Dinner was fine. The place was loud and had televisions everywhere, but the company was great, you couldn’t go wrong with a burger, and they had cake for dessert. It wasn’t someplace I’d long to come to out of the blue, but we had a nice time, but through all of it, my anticipation was building. This was only the first part of our date, and I was beyond curious as to what the second half would contain.

I had a lot of ideas floating through my head, but none of them were the two of us going glow bowling. In all my years, it was something I’d never done. It didn’t look too hard. The ball was big, and the pins were set up similar to dominos. Or so I thought.

“If you step over this line, it will automatically give you zero points no matter how many you knock down,” he explained. “The scoring is 100% automatic here.” He pointed to the screen above us. “Want me to show you how?”

“Nope. I got it.” I picked up the green ball I’d picked and attempted to put my fingers inside. They were too small. Instead, I cradled the ball in front of me and walked up to the line, rolling the ball down the lane in an attempt to prove I really did “got it.”

I very much did not. The ball inched down the alley and straight into the gutter.

“That’s okay. You get another turn.” He picked up his ball and his fingers went right inside. “And if you want pointers, I got you.”

It was time to concede. “I would love some. This is harder than it looks. Doesn’t help my fingers are too big for the balls.” That was when I learned that the balls were in all weights and hole sizes. Once I found the right one, it was game on.

My mate still kicked my ass, but at least my gutter balls were few and far between. We laughed and laughed the night away.

“That was wonderful.” We climbed into the car. “Thank you for taking me out. I didn’t realize I needed that.”

“I know something else you need.” He settled his hand on my thigh and started inching it up. “When we get home, I’ll show you exactly what it is.” He leaned in close, “It requires both of us being naked,” and nipped my earlobe.

Best. Mate. Ever.

Chapter 14

Ash

Nauseahitmethemoment that I woke up. Of course I knew what it was instantly. At least I hoped I was right. I’d been waiting for a sign, any sign that would tell me if I was expecting a clutch of eggs, and now I had it. I couldn’t wait to grow a family with my mate.

My joy was overshadowed by my inability to talk through the violent regurgitation that wracked my body. Every time I opened my mouth, my stomach seemed to revolt, and I threw up more. It was to be expected, and everything I knew about pregnancy told me it meant that the pregnancy was healthy. And as much as I hated it, that thought got me through.

I’d been in the bathroom for at least twenty minutes, every time I thought I was good to go, I was proven wrong. As gross as it was watching and hearing and smelling someone puke, my mate sat on the floor next to me, rubbing my back, offering what little comfort he could. Not once did I sense even a smidgeon of disgust rolling off of him. He left briefly to retrieve a glass of water and a warm towel for my head, but aside from that, he was glued to me.

“We have to get to work,” I finally managed to choke out. “The team has endurance training with Kellan today.”

“Our class isn’t until this afternoon,” Zayne said. “Kellan can handle it on his own.”

As much as I hated to leave him in the lurch, that was music to my ears.

“Oh, thank goodness.” I rested my head against the cool wall, taking deep, gulping breaths. Thank goodness we kept our bathroom clean and that it had tile everywhere. There was such comfort in the coolness they held.

“Are you all right, mate? Do you need anything? Let me take care of you.”

It was weird because I felt sick as a dog, while at the same time being better than all right. Knowing the cause of my stomach woes meant our dreams were coming true was everything.

“Fresh air, I think. Maybe something to settle my stomach.” I wasn’t quite so sure on the second part. We’d find out soon enough.

Zayne helped me to my feet. His eyes widened when he looked down at me. I followed his gaze, expecting to see nothing unusual, but my usually flat stomach bulged like I had eaten too much.

“Oh, wow,” I said. “That was unexpected.” And so very quick. No wonder my body was in such turmoil. Things were progressing very quickly.

“No kidding,” Zayne said. “You look great.”

I laughed. “I just spent the morning vomiting, and now I look like I indulged in too many tacos. I look far from great.”

“Shh. No one is allowed to talk about my sexy mate like that.”

I opened my mouth to argue, but he cut me off with a shake of his head. “I mean it. You’re amazing.” He placed a gentle hand over the roundness of my stomach. “Those are our eggs in there, yours and mine. You’re absolute perfection.”

“I appreciate your vote of confidence.” I also appreciated his steady legs, because mine were shaking uncontrollably. I wasn’t sure if it was being in that position on the floor for too long or if it was a symptom of my pregnancy. I really hoped it was the first.

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