about this, Tanner. You say I’m on your mind all the time. Well, right back at you. You made yourself important to me a long time ago. Now you’re offering me something I never thought I’d have. I don’t mind admitting I’m scared to believe you won’t change your mind. If you ever stopped caring for me or wanted to end this, it would absolutely destroy me.”
“You don’t ever have to worry that I’ll stop caring about you, just as you don’t ever have to worry that I’ll leave you. I’m going nowhere. You’re mine. All rights reserved.”
“Even if I can’t give you kids?”
“Even if,” he replied without hesitation. “The female hellhound from my lair went to see a specialist, you know. He told her that the causes of these things can sometimes be psychological. Maybe that knot of guilt sitting heavy on your stomach for not saving that baby has had an influence of some kind over this. We’re demons, our minds are seriously powerful things.” He palmed one side of her face and swept his thumb over her cheekbone. “You’ve got to let that senseless guilt go, kitten.”
She swallowed. “It’s not that easy.”
“I know, but my guess is that you cling to it because you’d feel cruel for laying to rest what happened … as if that’s the same as saying it didn’t matter. It’s not the same. Just as it’s not bad to live and enjoy your life. You don’t need to cart these memories and that needless shame around with you. You’ve got to find a way to let it go. Especially because I won’t tolerate anything or anyone—that includes you—causing my girl pain.”
Devon took in a long breath through her nose. “I’ll work on it. I promise.”
“Good.” Wanting to lighten the mood, Tanner added, “Now that you’ve got regular access to superior sperm, I can’t see pregnancy being a problem.”
A laugh bubbled out of her. “Did you honestly just say that?”
“Well, you have.” He brushed his nose over hers. “So, what time are you moving your stuff in here tomorrow?”
She sighed. “Tanner, seriously, would it kill you to ask me to move in instead of making presumptions? I mean, if I tried telling you what—”
“Okay, okay, so that didn’t come out right. Look, I’m not always going to phrase things in a way you like. I’ve been a sentinel for centuries, I’m used to issuing orders and being direct about what I want. It doesn’t mean I see myself as in command of you. You’re my equal, my match, and I respect the hell out of your strength. I don’t want to control you. But it’s in my nature to take control of situations.”
That made Devon’s hackles lower, because she knew he was right. There was no sense in viewing his take-charge demeanor as a sign of disrespect.
“I want you to move in. I like starting my day with you right here. I like that the first words you’ll hear will be mine. So, will you please give me that?”
Quite frankly impressed he’d asked her so politely, she said, “Yes, I’d like that. Happy now?”
He hummed. “Ecstatic. And I’m positive you’re just as happy right now. I mean, we both know your heart has longed for this since the day you met me. Longed and pined and yearned. All that emotion you’ve been trying to hide—” He laughed when she hit him with a pillow. “I’m feeling the love, kitten. I’m seeing it right there in those pretty green—Shit! Do you always have to go for my eyes?”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Standing in the VIP glass box of the hellhound racing stadium a few evenings later, Devon put a hand to her fluttering stomach. Floodlights illuminated the large oval dirt track that had just been prepped for the next race—one in which Tanner’s hound would partake.
She turned to face the girls and Keenan, who were relaxing on the row of leather seats. “God, I’m so nervous.”
An announcement was made over the intercom only moments ago, informing the spectators that the race would soon begin. Lots of people milled about the tiered grandstands, private boxes, and spectator area overlooking the track. Gambling addicts often frequented the place, but they weren’t the only attendees. There were also couples on dates, clusters of women having a girls’ night out, and even groups of men casually discussing business ventures.
“Tanner’s hound will be fine,” Harper assured her, perched on the edge of the seat directly beneath the ceiling fan. “It always is.”