Accidental Surrogate

Ella

“Why does it feel like this is more for my benefit than yours?” I inquire archly, watching as Sinclair pours oils and salts into a large, steaming bath. The clever wolf knows how much I love a bubble bath, especially now that I’m pregnant. After years of constantly being dirty and even living on the street, there is nothing else that feels so luxurious to me – and I can’t think of anything more relaxing.

“Hey, I was going to get in with you – you’re the one who put your foot down.” Sinclair replies with a wolfish grin, skimming his fingers through the water to check the temperature.

“Because you have open wounds!” I exclaim, exasperated but also impatient for the preparation to be over so I can sink into the deep tub. “The doctors said you couldn’t submerge your injuries until the scabs are gone.”

Amazingly, the gashes on his back have already scabbed over. It seems that he truly wasn’t lying when he told me that shifters heal faster than humans, but I hadn’t expected him to heal quite so fast. At this rate his wounds will be mere scars in a couple of days.

“Which is why I’ll be supervising, not participating.” Dominic shrugs, I wonder if that hurts him? I ponder, watching the muscles rippling in his back. He certainly doesn’t show any signs of pain.

He’s so strong. My traitorous conscience moons, and for a moment I actually think I see stars in my eyes.

Rolling my eyes at my inner voice, I cross my arms over my chest. “The idea was to help us both relax.” I sigh, guilt gnawing at my insides.

“Believe it or not, Ella, but taking care of you does help me relax.” Sinclair declares coolly, pressing a button that triggers the whirlpool jets built into the tub. A steady thrumming sound whirs to life as the water begins to churn, foaming and bubbling even higher now.

“Oh sure, I’m sure your version of supervision will ensure neither of us get the least bit excited – as you and the doctor so elegantly put it.” I snark.

were worried about losing control with me.” He observes darkly, “but I can’t imagine why that would be, unless of course your feelings for me are stronger than you’re letting

at Sinclair, even as he prowls toward me across the tiled

incline towards his hairline. “Because I have no problem

spike of panic. “Seriously Dominic, whatever

we were past that, sweetheart.” He scolds, “didn’t you learn your lesson about actually hearing me out

different.” I insist, “it

a few paces away now, but the longer he observes me, the softer his ravenous expression

bringing a wolf pup into a world I don’t belong to or understand, while living a lie and dodging constant death threats.” I snap, before I can consider how the Alpha might take my words. “Can you really blame me for wanting to keep things simple in the face of all that? If we lose focus for even a moment,

stops dead in his tracks, and I can see a great wall of guilt slam into him. I know he’s not focusing on my logic, but on the blame I’ve basically just foisted upon him. “Wait… that came out wrong.”

gutturally, his face a full shade paler than it was a moment ago. “It is

me into this, Dominic. And there’s no way to know

so,” He interrupts sharply, “but our situation certainly isn’t making things any better.” Sinclair is pacing now, resembling a tiger in

this.” I beg, hiccupping on a sob. “Please don’t blame yourself for this. You’re trying to do the right thing for everyone here. Neither one of us planned this, neither one of us could have prepared for what the world would throw at us these last few months. I don’t blame you, I just don’t want things to get more complicated than they have

distance between us and pulling me into his arms. “I’m sorry.” He croons in my ear, stroking my

be. I begin clambering up the huge man like a monkey climbing a tree, until my arms and legs are wrapped around him and I’m weeping into his neck. “It’s not

coos, sitting down on the edge of the bath. “It’s okay, you’re not going to break me with a few tears, trouble.” He

release him. Instead he manages to pull off his slacks, shirt and boxers without dislodging me, before sinking into