Page 99 of Queen of Misfortune (Shadows of Redemption)
“Fuck, no!” he roars and stands up, his muscles flexing and bunching as he fists his hands. “I want to claim you.” His fingers thread through his hair as he lets out a breath. “I’m fucking this up.” He stops, takes a breath. “I love you, Lucy.”
The declaration crashes into me, shocking me into silence.
"I love you, and I know this isn’t the life you want?—"
I throw myself into his body, my arms wrapping around his neck. “I love you.”
He studies me like he thinks he heard me wrong.
“I love you, Donovan. I want to stay.”
His arms wrap around me, drawing me closer until there's no air between us. I bury my face in the crook of his neck, inhaling the scent that is undeniably Donovan.
“Thank fuck,” he murmurs.
A laugh bubbles up from deep within me, a sound of pure joy that I don’t know I’ve ever made. I’ve definitely never felt it.
His smile is wide as he watches me. “You’re fucking beautiful.” He lifts me and carries me to the bed, his lips alreadyconsuming mine before he sets me down again. I let go and open fully to him, amazed by how different things feel now.
He removes my robe and then undresses himself, lying over me. “I hope I don’t stink.”
“I like how you smell.” I rise up to kiss the scar on his chest.
“You smell sweet and spicy, just like you.” His nose rubs along my jaw, and then he kisses me again. His hands roam, and I close my eyes, taking in each touch and caress that makes my blood hum.
He settles his hips between my thighs. “Lucy.”
I open my eyes. “Donovan.”
“I want kids.” His cheeks blush. “You asked earlier, and well… that ship may have sailed.”
“Oh?” I don’t know what he means.
“Earlier when we were like this… well, I was inside you. I didn’t have a condom on.”
“I remember.” It had felt different. More intense. Like he was a part of me.
“I didn’t come in you, but there’s always a little bit there… you know… so I can fit.”
It takes me a moment to figure out what he’s saying. “You think I’m pregnant?”
“I don’t know. But… you could be.”
I’m still stuck on what he’s trying to tell me. “Are you okay with that?”
“Hell, yeah. I hope you are.”
To be honest, I haven’t thought much of marriage and family. But the idea of having it with Donovan fills me with a joy I’ve never felt.
“I’m okay with that.”
His lips twitch up. “Of course, maybe you aren’t. And if you want to wait, I need to get a condom.”
All of a sudden, I understand what he’s saying. “Are you asking whether you need a condom or not?”
“Yes.”
I run my fingers through his hair. “I’m okay with whatever you want.”