in a breath to release it as a moan, which is muffled by the furs pressed against my face. The sex between us last time was intense, but this is pure fucking. Jaxar is pounding into me like he’ll die if he doesn’t.
And then he stops.
I look at him over my shoulder as he withdraws from me, and then he’s lifting me, adjusting my position so that I’m facing him with his cock inside me. I stare up at him, unsure of what brought this change.
He must see the question in my gaze because he palms my face. “Before I needed to feel you, to find freedom and relief inside your body. But now I need you and only you.”
I part my lips to respond, and he steals a kiss, his tongue mating with mine and dissolving all thought. He begins to move, his thrusts no longer frenzied and punishing. Now he’s worshipping me, being with me. The entire time he makes love to me, he keeps his gaze fastened to mine as though tattooing me onto his mind or his heart. He watches me as I come, his name a whisper on my lips, and all the while he murmurs words of affection and adoration. His orgasm follows shortly after, and he growls low in his throat.
As soon as our hearts have slowed and our breathing is less erratic, he cuts through my restraints and then massages my wrists. I take it all in with a lazy smile and my eyes closed, not wanting to leave the peacefulness of the moment.
Eventually Jaxar puts me in bed, tucking me into his side with his tail wrapped around my ankle.
“Do you feel better now?” I ask.
He exhales deep before responding. “Truthfully, I don’t know if I will ever accept this feeling of vulnerability, but what I have come to realize is that you are not my weakness. You, my silana, are my greatest source of strength. Because of you I would do anything, be anything. I may never overcome the fear of losing you, but I will not let that come between us again.”
I kiss his chest as tears stream down my face. My husband has finally communicated, baring the deepest parts of his soul, and that is worth more to me than riches or status.
“And I will always trust you, giving you the benefit of the doubt,” I say, wiping my cheeks. “You have not only earned my trust, but you deserve it.”
As I drift to sleep, nestled in his embrace, I can only be so grateful that we are still alive and have the chance to make things right between us.
Because Jaxar is my forever, yet it still doesn’t seem like enough time.
Chapter 19
I gape at Braxton, not fully comprehending the bomb he just dropped on me.
“So you’re basically saying that we’re pregnant for too long?”
The physician nods once. “Based on the age and development of Vivian’s infant, she gave birth far beyond the ideal gestation period. By then the baby was too large to be delivered naturally. This typically brings about complications that can be life-threatening.”
Can be? How about “sure as shit.”
“And what about me?” I ask. “I thought I was early and my son premature.”
“No, he was full-term, if a couple days past the due date.”
I look at Anwa and Brannick with my eyes wide, gesturing to Braxton. “What did I tell you, huh? This guy knows what’s up.”
“Yes, Massela,” Anwa says, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “The Dravian healer is very knowledgeable, and he has passed that knowledge onto us. It relieves me greatly to be able to care for my people more effectively, preventing the loss of life by simple methods such as tracking and inducing labor.”
Brannick nods and remains silent, his expression thoughtful.
“I’m not ready to be pregnant again, but at least I don’t have to worry about dying when I do.” I shudder as memories surface, bringing about images that I quickly push aside. “On behalf of all the Boraq, thank you so much, Braxton.”
He dips his head in acknowledgment. “It is my pleasure.” Then he fixes his gaze on the other healers. “I would like to discuss the cesarean you performed on Vivian. I am leaving behind a device that will allow you to contact me for a consultation, and if necessary I can guide you through the procedure.”
“Well, that’s my cue to leave,” I say, getting to my feet. “Take care.”
The trio all nod at me and then become engrossed in