Caitlyn and the Alien Protector (Intergalactic Brides 7) (15 page)

“That’s all I need, Caitlyn. Hope.”

She kissed him with a hungry urgency that left her breathless, and for the first time in a long time, her heart felt whole. The cracks that had formed when Ryan died were now healed and she knew she had her hunky alien to thank for it.

“Let’s dry off and eat… and then maybe I’ll let you have your way with me again.” He grinned. “You’re rather good at it.”

Caitlyn laughed and got out of the hot tub. She felt lighter than she had in a year, and she was anxious to see what Cosmir would do or say next. And with any luck, in the not-so-distant future, she would be his wife and Katy would call her Mom. Yes, the future was looking bright indeed.

One Year Later

Caitlyn panted and groaned as she bore down. It felt like she’d been doing this all day, even though only two hours had passed. If someone had told her labor would last so damn long, she’d have suggested they adopt. Cosmir wiped her sweaty brow and encouraged her to keep going. She gave him a baleful glare as the baby’s head crowned, making her feel like she was being ripped in two down there.

“This is your fault,” she growled. “So help me, Cosmir, if you so much as touch me after this, I’m going to kill you.”

Jerick chuckled between her legs. “Let him have it, Caitlyn.”

“Shut up.”

Jerick looked up and smiled at her. “Almost there. One more big push?”

She ground her teeth together and pushed as hard as she could, her body shaking from the strain. A wail greeted her ears and she craned her neck to see what was happening between her legs. A moment later, Jerick stood with a lavender-skinned baby in his hands, jet black hair wet and curly.

“Congratulations, Caitlyn. You have another daughter.”

“Katy will be thrilled,” Caitlyn said. She looked up at Cosmir. “You aren’t disappointed are you? I know we said we wanted to be surprised when the baby was born, but I have no doubts that you were also hoping for a son.”

“How could I ever be disappointed with a child we created together? I love our daughter and think she’s perfect.”

Jerick placed the baby in Caitlyn’s arms and she brushed her finger over the baby’s downy cheek. She really was perfect. Her pansy colored eyes were unfocused, but when Cosmir spoke, she looked toward him.

“I think she recognizes your voice,” Caitlyn said. “I have a feeling we’re going to have another daddy’s girl on our hands.”

“Katy may not like that.”

Caitlyn smiled. “I think the two of them will get along just fine. What should we name her?”

“It seems only fitting that you name her. You did all the hard work.”

Caitlyn wasn’t going to argue that point with him. She was exhausted and sore, but the bundle in her arms made it worth it. She studied their daughter a moment, and knew what she wanted to call her.

“Can we call her Rylee? I know you never knew Ryan, but in a way, he brought us together. If he hadn’t died that day, I’d have been married when you came to town. And I’d like to think he’s smiling down at us, giving us his blessing.”

“Rylee is perfect.”

“So, now that we have a daughter together, I don’t suppose you’ll reconsider about becoming my mate?” he asked with an arched brow.

Caitlyn gave him a sly smile. “I did say after we’d had children together I’d consider it, didn’t I? But you know what?”

“I’m scared to ask, but what?”

“Rylee is just one baby… I think we need one more before I tie my life to yours permanently. Ask again after the next one.”

Cosmir narrowed his eyes at her. “Stubborn woman.”

“But you love me,” she sang.

He huffed.

“You know,” Jerick interrupted. “After six to eight weeks, she’ll be fine to have sex again.”

A gleam entered Cosmir’s eyes and Caitlyn waved a finger in his face.

“Don’t even think it. We’re not even going to discuss having another baby until this one is at least a year old. I mean it, Cosmir.”

He leaned in close, his lips a whisper away from hers. “You can protest all you want, but by the time you’re healed, you’ll be begging me for it.”

“Arrogant, insufferable male.”

“But you love me,” he sang back to her.

Caitlyn snorted but smiled just the same. He was right, she would probably be begging for it sooner or later. And if he wanted a baby before Rylee was a year old, she would more than likely give in to him. There wasn’t much she could deny him, but she’d be damned if she’d give in too easy. If she’d fallen into his arms that first day, he never would have appreciated her as much as he did now… and all because she made him work for it.

* * *

Read more about Bane and Ari and how they met in Entwined (Intergalactic Loyalties 1) by Jessica Coulter Smith.

http://changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=2195

Award-winning author Jessica Coulter Smith has been in love with the written word since she was a child writing her first stories in crayon. Today she’s a multi-published author of over seventy-five novellas and novels. Romance is an integral part of her world and spills over from her professional life into her personal one. When she went on that first date with her husband, she never expected to hear the words “marry me” pop out of his mouth -- and judging by the shocked look on his face, he hadn’t meant to say them either. But, being the hopeless romantic that she is, Jessica said yes and they’ve been married since 2000.

Jessica firmly believes that love will find you at the right time, even if Mr. Right is literally out of this world. She’s often gazed at the stars and wondered what, or who, else might be out there. Who’s to say that hunky model on the hottest romance bestseller isn’t really from some far off galaxy? Maybe that blue Martians you saw at Halloween wasn’t really in costume. After all, there’s an awful lot of space out there for us to be the only ones living in it.

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