Page 130 of Eclipse Sector
I could hear the lightheartedness underlining that question, causing my smile to grow as I replied, “No. You’re going to have to learn to love Benz.”
His head fell back on a groan. “Love? That’s too far, Omega. The only one I love is you. No one else.”
My smile faltered. “No one else?” I repeated. “Not even Kieran or Lorcan?”
He considered it for a moment before saying, “I respect and care about Kieran and Lorcan. They’re my brothers. But the way I love you is different from them. It’s more intense. More consuming. Just…more.”
My heart constricted in my chest, his words ones I’d never thought I’d hear from him. I’d hoped for a mating, maybe the opportunity to raise his pup.
But this?
Cillian admitting his love for me? Not just lust?
I…
“I love you, too,” I breathed, clasping his face between my hands. “Gods, Cillian. I really love you, too.”
His palm on my nape flexed, his gaze holding mine.
And then he was kissing me.
No, not just kissing me,owningme.
There was nothing tentative or restricting about this embrace. It was freeing. A new level of existence. A cataclysmic event.
“Gods, I want to bite you, Vana, but you need to eat first.” He kissed me again before I could reply.
But fuck food.
I want you to claim me,I thought at him.Please, Cillian.
“I want to, macushla. Fuck, Ineedto. But you just passed out from my inherited power, and you haven’t had anything since waking earlier. You have to eat, love. You need the energy. Because once I bite you, I’m going to rut you.Hard.”
I shivered at the mental image his words evoked inside my mind.Yes, yes.
He growled, his forehead meeting mine. “I asked Benz to bring your favorite—pizza with pepperoni and green olives. At least eat a slice, okay? If not for me or for yourself, then for our baby.” His hand left my nape to palm my stomach over my sweater.
I stilled, the meaningful motion causing my heart to skip a beat.
Our baby.
I placed my hand on his, our fingers locking together as I glanced down.
Our baby,I thought again.
“Our baby,” Cillian echoed out loud, pride underlining the words. “You’re going to be an amazing mother, Ivana.”
Tears pricked my eyes. “I don’t feel very amazing.”
His opposite hand reached up to cup my cheek. “You’re an inspiration, macushla. You’re just a little tired at the moment, and rightly so. Let’s eat and see how you feel after, okay?”
I bit my lower lip, my insides seeming to spiral in twenty different directions at once.
Probably because I’d woken up with half a mate bond and a baby, and thought my Alpha didn’t want either of us.
Then I…
I can read minds, I marveled, wincing.Sort of, anyway?
