them."
"We're aware of that, Riley," Liander said, twining his fingers through my brother's. "We're willing to take the chance."
Yeah, but was I? Those drugs were still changing me, and no one had any idea where or if it would end. Did I have the right to put any child of mine through that sort of uncertainty?
And yet, the eggs couldn't remain on ice forever. The doctors had already warned me that there were no guarantees that they would remain viable after more than a few years. If I ever did want children of my own, this might be my one opportunity.
But was I ready for a child? Was I ready for the heartache that might just come with it? Because, right now, those eggs represented hope. What if we went through with the surrogacy, only to discover that the eggs weren't strong enough - or had been changed too much by the drugs that had been forced on me - to ever become a living entity?
Confusion and hope and fear swirled through me. I didn't know what to do. I really didn't. And I was clinging so hard to Quinn's hand I was probably on the verge of crushing his fingers, and yet it felt like a lifeline.
"We're not asking you to make a decision right here and now," Rhoan said softly. "We know this has probably hit you like a ton of bricks. We just want you to think about it, and let us know."
I took a deep breath and released it slowly. "Have you asked anyone else about donating eggs yet?"
"No, but we have several options. As I said, don't feel pressured into this if you're really not comfortable with it. We're okay if you say no."
Yeah, but would I be? "But another donor would make the child of your line, not yours and Rhoan's."
"In the end, the blood lines doesn't matter, only the child," Rhoan said. Then a grin split his lips. "Of course, we could imitate Talon and try the whole cloning issue, but setting up the lab and finding a willing scientist could get messy and expensive."
I smiled, as my brother had no doubt intended. "When do you need an answer?"
"My sister reckons she'll be good to go in a couple of months. Her own pups will be past the diaper stage by then, and she'll have more energy for the pregnancy."
"And you've sat her down and explained the dangers?" My gaze jumped between the two of them. "Does she really understand that this may not be a regular pregnancy in any way, shape or form, simply because no one knows what my eggs will do once they're fertilized?"
"She knows," Liander said, face somber. "I wouldn't risk my sister's life by not giving her all the facts, Riley. But she really wants to do this for us."
Then she was a sweetheart. But I guessed I would have done the same for my brother, had I actually been capable of carrying a child.
"Okay, I'll get back to you on it soon." I hesitated, then grinned. "You do realize, of course, that a week of roast dinners could influence the outcome."
Rhoan snorted. "Have belly, can be bribed."
"Totally." I shoved some lamb in my mouth and chewed happily. "I think breakfast should come into the equation as well."
Liander glanced at my brother. "I can see her stretching this out for as long as possible."
Rhoan gave me a warm smile, happiness in his eyes. "We can fix that easily enough. I'll just start doing the cooking."
I just about gagged at the thought. "God, no. Anything but that."
His smile gave way to an outright grin. "I cook as well as you do."
"Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of. Quinn will have to start paying for more dinners if that happens."
The vampire in question snorted softly. "Even I would struggle to support your appetite full time."
I met his gaze, a sensual smile playing about my lips. "Oh, I don't know," I said archly. "You're doing a pretty good job of it now."
He leaned forward and kissed me. His lips were so warm, so inviting and delicious, that the kiss quickly deepened, becoming a sensuous exploration that had me aching in an instant.
"Oh, get a room you two," Liander said dryly.
I grinned, twined my fingers through Quinn's, and stood up. "Good idea."
I dragged him to my bedroom, closed the door, and kissed him again, this time fiercely. His arms wrapped around me, dragging me closer, until my body was molded against his and