Accidental Surrogate

Ella

“Come in.” Sinclair’s voice sounds even deeper than usual, and I’m wondering if I’m imagining it. I waited as long as I could bear before coming to his rooms after finding some relief for all the pent up sexual tension he’s created in me. Still, I don’t feel nearly satisfied. My sex is still swollen and pulsing with need, and I’m terrified that he’ll somehow be able to tell how erotically charged I am.

The larger problem, however, is that I’m exhausted. I’m desperate for some rest, especially after missing my usual afternoon nap amidst the preparations for the festival. As the pregnancy progresses I can’t help but think how ironic it is that the closer I come to bringing a baby into the world, the more childlike I seem to become: overly sensitive, constantly exhausted, picky about food, sick half the time and struggling with bladder control. Last week I cried because I ate all of my snack and didn’t have any left! And now this… I can’t sleep by myself. I’m grumpy because I didn’t get tucked in by Sinclair, and couldn’t fall asleep without him next to me. So I’ve abandoned my pride and now I’m actually going to him so I can beg to crawl into his huge, comfy bed with him.

I poke my head inside, and fight back a whimper. His bedside lamp is on, and he’s propped up on his elbows, looking expectantly in my direction with the same dark intensity he always reserves for me. He’s shirtless, his chiseled abs glowing in the lamplight, and his dark hair is tousled effortlessly. There’s a swath of scruff over his powerful jaw, and his green eyes are almost glowing in the dim light. It’s not fair for anyone to look that good, especially not when I’m already squeezing my legs together just to relieve the ache he planted with his kiss.

“Are you still up?” I ask inanely, apparently forgetting that he’s clearly awake and staring right at me.

“I am.” The corner of Sinclair’s mouth curves up, and I’m reminded of how soft and firm his lips had been on mine. “Is everything okay?”

I slip the rest of the way inside, leaning back against the door until it clicks shut and staring at the ground. “I can’t sleep.” I confess, wrapping my arms protectively around my body.

Sinclair sits up a little straighter, frowning with apparent concern. “I can give you a supplement.” He offers. “The doctor left some herbal remedies in case you needed them.”

My heart sinks. “No, I don’t want to take something that’s going to leave me groggy all day tomorrow.” I reason, actually impressed with my ability to improvise an excuse so quickly.

they wouldn’t have that effect.” Sinclair states simply, rising from the mattress and coming forward,

like that. I might have

us. “Why can’t you sleep? Are you stressed? You look a bit flushed.” He’s stroking my cheek now, and for the first time I have the sense that he might be

I just couldn’t fall asleep.” I shrug, feeling more frustrated by the second. Why doesn’t he just scoop me

his affection. The little voice in my head snipes, sounding even more bitter than I feel. You

I swear my conscience has gotten more and

or some ambient sounds.” Sinclair

pitifully, realizing a few things at once. First, Sinclair knows exactly what I want. Second, he’s taking no small amount of pleasure in suggesting all the wrong solutions. Third, if I want to sleep with him, I’m going

“Just tell me what I can do to help,

back because I remember how much it hurt the first time. My next thought is to turn my lips toward his palm and take a chomp out of him. It’s incredibly tempting, but I have no idea where the

my cheek. “Don’t even think about it.” He warns, his rich voice full of foreboding – but also amusement, as if he

more than ever, but I’m afraid that if I do he won’t let me sleep with him – and I need rest more than I need revenge. “Can I sleep with you?” I finally

arms bridal style. I snuggle in

make an excuse for myself as he transfers me to the king-sized bed.

moving his big palm to my belly before I can even think about moving out of reach – not that running away would do me any good. His brow arches a moment later, and I suddenly feel very vulnerable with him standing over me this way. “The pup is sleeping,