The Breeding Experiment - Laurann Dohner Page 0,66
that’s one of those Veslors.”
“Fuck, he’s huge.”
“Did you see his ears?”
“I think I just peed myself a little. He’s terrifying.”
“Whoa, did you see the muscles on that guy? He’d be a workout.”
“I can’t believe you said that!”
“Should we call security? I don’t think he’s supposed to be on this level.”
Gnaw tried to ignore them and checked the numbers on doors as he passed. The one he had memorized appeared, and he pushed the chime, his heart pounding.
Darla was on the other side of that door.
He adjusted his gift for her in his arm and straightened his shoulders. “Don’t lose control,” he mouthed in Veslor. “Don’t frighten her. Take things slow.”
The door opened—and his lungs froze.
Darla stood there wearing a pale blue dress that nearly matched her eyes, and complemented her white hair and pale, soft-looking skin. She stared up at him.
“Hello. May I enter?”
Her eyes widened. “Oh, yes. Please, come in.” She backed up.
He stepped inside and the door sealed at his back. He glanced at the small living space of her cabin. They appeared to be alone. He had half expected her sister to be there. Then he looked back at Darla. He wanted to touch her, but the weight in his arm reminded him of the gift.
“I was told it is customary to bring a female something on a date.” He offered her the plant. “I didn’t want to bring you flowers that would die. You enjoy growing things. Here.” He started to offer it her to but then realized it was a bit large and possibly heavy.
She reached out to take it but he quickly jerked it back and turned, bent, and placed it on her floor. He quickly stood and faced her again. “You shouldn’t be lifting anything.” His gaze dropped to her belly. His cubs were nestled in there.
At that moment, a sense of awe and love hit, and he slowly dropped to his knees in front of his female.
Darla gasped. “Gnaw?”
He reached out and gently curled his fingers around her hips. “You are a blessing to me.” They were almost the same height now that he stood on his knees. “No gift I could ever give you would compare to what you have given me.” Tears filled his eyes.
Darla stepped closer and lifted her hands, gently cupping each side of his face. “Don’t cry. Then I’ll cry.”
He rapidly blinked and tried to smile. “I never want to see you do that. It would hurt my heart.”
She inched closer. “Be honest. Are you upset at all that I got pregnant?”
“No,” he vehemently denied. “I am grateful. I didn’t want to be parted from you when my grouping came for us on the Elth ship. I wanted to take you to my home and keep holding you while we sleep. I couldn’t stop wishing you were still with me.”
She smiled and pressed up against him, putting their faces close together. “I missed you, too.”
“I will be a good mate. My word. I will protect you and our cubs with my life. My priority will be your happiness.”
She stroked the sides of his face. “Is that really what you want? I don’t want you to grow to resent me because you feel trapped.”
He slid his hands to her back and pulled her even tighter against him. “The Elth made me feel trapped when they locked me inside a cell. You are everything good, Darla. Do you understand? I am not good with words, but our bond has already formed, and I hope you feel the same for me. I don’t want to have a future without you.”
She smiled. “I feel the same.”
He grinned. “I want to strip you bare and give you pleasure.”
Her eyes widened. She also began breathing faster. “I’d like that.”
He adjusted his hold on her and carefully rose to his feet, before lifting her and walking toward the other door that should be her bedroom. The door opened as he approached—but he halted, a snarl tearing from his throat.
Dr. Brick stood between him and the bed, inside Darla’s bedroom. Her arms were crossed over her chest and she shook her head. “Date. Then bed. Come on! We went over this plan. You two need to be seen together, holding hands and stuff!”
“I dislike you,” Gnaw admitted.
“No one likes a cock-blocker. Got it. But remember what we talked about. Now put her down and take her out to dinner. Do you remember where the restaurant is? I hacked into their system and added you to