Accidental Surrogate

Between a Brother and a Mate Sinclair

I know it’s a little perverse, but, as I look down at my furious little spitfire mate, glaring angrily between my brother and I who outweigh her by three or four times…

God damn it, but I get a little hard.

She’s just so passionate, and when she’s all worked up like this all I want to do is grab her, carry her upstairs and redirect that anger to-

“Ella,” Roger sighs, looking down at his feet. “I’m – I don’t know what to say.”

“Damn right you don’t,” she growls, spinning on him and starting to advance on him again.

“Enough,” I groan, reaching for her arm – the one without the baby – and wrapping my hand firmly around it. She turns and looks up at me, a little snarl on her plump lips, but when she sees the coolness on my face and in my eyes Ella hesitates, just a little. And then she huffs, relenting against her will, her expression reflecting the words she sends directly to my mind:

Fine. But you’re going to pay for this later.

I smirk at her, letting her feel a little of my arousal down the bond. Oh baby, I say back, I’d better.

I see her lips twitch with amusement, but not enough to quell her anger totally. She turns back to Roger then and I let go of her arm, trusting her to contain herself.

“I’m sorry, Roger,” she says stiffly, making him look up at her in surprise. “I meant what I said but…I understand it’s complicated. And this wasn’t the time or the place.” Ella gives a little shrug then, clearly communicating that she’s sorry that she’s really not very sorry, but still ending the fight.

“Okay,” Roger says awkwardly. “Um,” my brother looks up at me, shame and regret in his eyes. “I think I’m going to go…”

meaning it, taking a step towards him. “Stay overnight, at least – we’ve got plenty of room –

right – I’m not far, and all I really want to do is be in my own bed.” He gives a fake

hands in my pockets and studying him. “Thank

a hug and then dipping down to give Ella an awkward kiss on the

clearly lost in his thoughts as he heads

and spend the next few minutes saying their goodbyes. I see the last few out the door as Ella takes the baby upstairs to

stand at the bottom of the staircase after everyone is gone, sighing and delaying going upstairs as long as possible. Because I know that the minute we get up

my head, I

ready for me when I come into the room.

me up on this, Dominic,” Ella says, standing next to the

covering my eyes

voice that she’s still furious. I sigh, tired, but I try not to let her see my frustration. She’s entitled to her emotions on this point, and I don’t want to invalidate how she feels. “You told

I just asked you to stop, because we had other guests, and I didn’t want to make Roger

again. She opens her mouth to say more, but I cross the room to her quickly. (1

evenly on her shoulders and looking into her face. “Please. I know you’re upset.

smile at her, loving the ferocity with which she protects the people that she loves. I open this feeling to her down the bond, letting her see how I

arms around my angry, hard–loving little mate, holding her close, curling my body around her protectively. As much as she loves and fights for those she loves, I’m there, right with her,

always got your back, Ella,” I murmur, tucking

just got…mad. I’m sorry I took it out on you.”