Numbers (New Species #14-15)(31)

“I don’t need her approval, and neither do you. You once told me that human rules don’t apply to New Species. You do things your own way. I want to be more like you, Mourn. I don’t want to overanalyze everything. I am following my heart.”
“You are Species. You’re my mate.”
She smiled. “You’re my mate,” she repeated. “I like the way that sounds.”
“We can have a human marriage.”
She hesitated, seeming to ponder it. “You know what? We don’t need that. You said it yourself. I’m Species. I did the marriage thing with Tommy, but I want something new and better with you.”
He understood. “I never signed mate papers with 139. We will do that together for the first time.”
“Really? Why didn’t you do that?”
“It’s a legal way to prove to your world that we are bonded for life. 139 wasn’t human. You are.”
“I understand. I like that.”
“Do you want a ring? I know the males bought their human mates one.”
She shook her head. “Do you know what I would like instead?” 
“Tell me. I will get it for you.”
She grinned. “It could be something crazy or silly.”
“It won’t matter. I will find a way to get you anything you want or need.”
“I’ve been thinking about babies.”
“So have I.” His heart rate accelerated.
“I’d like to throw out those condoms. No pressure, but it will be nice if it does happen, won’t it?”
“Yes.”
He loved her. She was offering him everything he had never dared dream of.
“Are you sure, Mourn?”
“I want everything with you.”
“There are some things I’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t. I’m sure you have some fantasies too. We could write out lists and compare them.”
“Is sharing sex involved?”
She blushed, but nodded. “I’d like to take a bath with you. I’ve never had sex in water.”
“We can do that. Didn’t you bathe with Tommy?”
“No. I told you that he had germ phobias. He’d shower with me, but he hated bathtubs and pools. He said it was like dipping in a vat of viruses. Have you ever had sex that way?”
“No, but I’d like to.”
“Is there something you’ve always wanted to try, but haven’t?”
He considered it. “I’d like for you to teach me how to dance.”
Her eyebrows arched, but she seemed pleased. “Really?”
“Yes. I’ve seen Species do that, and it looks fun. I want to be able to take you there for dates.”
“You’re a romantic.”
“You inspire me.”
“I’d love to teach you anything I know. Just name it. Any time. Anything.”
“I don’t want my being Species, and you being human, to ever come between us.”
“It won’t. We talk.”
“Yes, we do. We have total honesty. I never want that to change.”
“The great thing about us is that we are determined to make this work.”
“Yes.” He paused, something on his mind. “Dana, would you like me to change my name?”
Her eyebrows shot upward and she looked surprised. “What?”
“I took the name Mourn after losing my mate. I grieved her loss. I could change my name to something to reflect us if you want.”
She stroked his hair. “Why do you think I’d want that?”
“I’m worried that my name will cause you pain or it will be a constant reminder that I was mated before.”
“It doesn’t. You’re Mourn. I don’t want you to change. I was Dana when I was married to Tommy. Should I change my name to something new?” She smiled.
He grinned. “No. You’re Dana.”
“You’re Mourn. I don’t associate it with your past. The only reason you should change your name is if you hate it. Do you?”
“I’m used to it now.”
“I’m kind of fond of it myself. I love you, Mourn.”
“I love you, Dana.”
He slowly eased his semi-hard dick out of her and turned them over so she ended up sprawled across his body. She settled onto him, stroking his chest and arms.
“Dana?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you for talking to me and taking my hand that day.”
“We’re kindred spirits. How could I not?”
“I don’t know what that means.”
She smiled. “We’re very much alike.”
He chuckled. “Yes, we are.”
Chapter TwelveThree months later
“Dana? Open the bathroom door.” Mourn gripped the locked handle and growled.
“Go away,” she muttered. “I’m going to be sick.”
“I know you dread your mother’s visit but she’s isn’t staying with us. We feel bad for Paul, remember?”
“It’s not that.” She groaned.
Mourn snapped the lock as he viciously twisted the handle, opening the door. He rushed forward the moment he spotted Dana crouched on the floor. He just dropped to his knees next to her, wrapping an arm around her.
“I’ve got you.”
“This is so embarrassing. It’s why I locked the door. You’re supposed to stay out there.”
“You’re my mate.” He cradled her closer. “We hide nothing from each other.”
“You don’t need to see my lunch come up. Why do they call this morning sickness? It’s afternoon.”
He brushed a kiss on the top of her head. “You’re carrying my son. I wish I could suffer this instead of you.”
“Trisha said it should pass soon, because of the increased gestation thing while carrying a New Species baby. Morning sickness can hit fast and hard but it hopefully won’t last more than a week or two.”
“I hope that is fact. I worry so much about you.”
“Don’t. It’s normal. I’m healthy. You know that since you have Trisha check on me every day.”
“I can’t let anything happen to you.”
She clutched his hand and lifted her head, staring into his eyes. “I’m going to be fine. We’re lucky. I mean, we got pregnant the first month. Some couples try for years.”
He grinned. “My seed knows it belongs inside you.”
“You did promise that you wouldn’t let me feel empty after sex.” Dana took a few deep breaths. “The nausea is passing. It helps, having you stroke my back like that.”
“Good.” He kept doing it, staying at her side. “I’m going to take a few weeks off to be with you.”
“You don’t need to do that.”
“I want to. I already asked, and they are assigning my duties to another male until you’re feeling better.”
“You’re the best.”
“I try to be.”
“You are.”
He rubbed her back for a good five minutes. “How are you feeling?”
“Better.”
He took his hand off her back, lifted her in his arms and carried her into their bedroom. He set her on the bed, removed her shoes, and started undressing her.
“We have to meet my mom.” 
“We will after you take a nap. You look tired.”
“I am.”
“I am going to hold you while you sleep.”
“She’ll be pissed if we don’t show up for dinner on her first night here.”
“She’s already pissed because you moved here and mated me.” He shrugged. “We will cheer her with news of our son.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“She wanted a grandbaby. Species young are cute. He will capture her heart.”
Dana curled onto her side and smiled as Mourn got naked and spooned behind her, molding their bodies together. “I know you captured mine.”
He chuckled. “Felines are irresistible. We purr.”
“You don’t have to tell me that. I know.”
Mourn slid his hand forward to tenderly cup her belly. “We made a baby with our love. Do you feel amazement over that? I do every day.”
She nodded. “We’re really blessed.”
He held her a little tighter. “Yes, we are, and this is just the start of our life together. It is only going to keep getting better.”
927
Prologue
Twenty-three years ago
Christopher had one of the techs open the door and he carried the unconscious girl into the room. He glanced down, guilt making his steps hesitant. She’d seen too much. It was either kill her too, or put her in a place where she could never tell the police what he’d done. His plan would put her in danger, but she had a chance of survival if he made her part of one of his experiments. None of his supervisors would complain or refute his decision. They’d welcome having a human child at their disposal.
The male pup backed up into a corner. It sniffed the air, looking unsure, and its big, dark eyes narrowed. Christopher glared back. “Her name is Candace.” It helped to say her formal name, not the one he’d called her since her birth. “She’s your new roommate. You hurt her and I’ll kill you myself. Am I clear?”
The pup growled as Christopher lowered the girl to a sleeping mat and left her there. He backed up quickly. The pups were strong and fast, despite their young age. He’d never turn his back on the little bastard. Many of the staff had already learned to be wary. No deaths had occurred yet, but the test subjects were growing more dangerous as they developed. He felt a little safer knowing Tad would shoot 927 with a tranquilizer dart if he lunged for his throat.