Chapter 29: Chapter 29

Erin was still shocked at what Lily had just told her. “Wait, did he tell you why I’m here?”

“No, but I can guess. Did you almost get eaten by a rogue? A monster looking kind of vampire?”

“God yes, but It was a mistake. I’ve never for once seen something like that in my entire life. I would have been eaten if Julian hadn’t been there that day. And he helped turn my friend into a vamp.”

“Good for you.”

“He wants me to have his baby, though. I hope that’s not weird for you.”

“It would’ve been weird for me if you were just a breeder like my mother had been. My ex husband is still working on payroll, but I cut out early just to meet the woman who has him in such a mood.”

“What kind of mood?”

“He’s smiled and laughed more than I’ve ever seen him do in the span of a few hours. And he’s got his jacket draped over the chair with his shirt sleeves rolled up like a total slouch.”

“Ha!” Erin clapped her hand over her mouth to soften her laughter. “You just wait, Lily. I’ll have him looking like a right proper slob in no time.”

“I heard a rumor,” Lily said low, her words dotted with giggles. “You got him to shotgun a beer? Please tell me that’s true.”

“I totally did!”

“What’s shotgunning a beer?” Harpe asked from behind a sandwich she’d stacked a wobbly foot high.

“It’s the game Uncy Denison is always making the boys play when anyone uses the word ‘pivot.’”

“Oh, when they drink out of the bottom?”

“Yeeep,” Lily drawled. She turned to Erin with a wink and murmured, “We’re raising her up real classy.”

“I can see that, and I approve.” Erin studied Harpe for a moment, then let her curiosity get the best of her. “Julian told me you’re a hybrid dragon. But he said dragon females…you know…”

“Don’t survive childbirth? We don’t. It’s not like with the bears who stop Changing into their animals during pregnancy. We have to force ourselves not to shift and grow weaker and weaker. I wouldn’t survive carrying a baby to term.”

“I grew in Riley’s tummy,” Harpe said matter-of-factly. “I use ta be this big.” She squished her finger and thumb together.

“Oh. Maybe I should ask you about all of this some other time, in private.”

“No, don’t worry about it. We’re very open with Harpe. Riley was our surrogate. She is human and had Harpe without any problems, and through all of that, she became my best friend and Drew’s mate. She kind of just came in and fit right in with the rest of the Other crews, and now life is unimaginable without her.”

“I get to spend the night with Riley and Drew and their new baby on Friday nights so daddy can take mommy to the movies. I give baby Lola bottles and help Riley change her diapers.” The mayonnaise she was squirting on top of her towering sandwich made a farting sound. “She has big, smeary poops sometimes.”

“Nice,” Erin said.

“Uuum, So maybe we could get to talk some other time? If your guardian allows?.”

“Oh, God, I don’t doubt it. My mama’s a hoot.”

Erin recited her number for Diem and helped Harper hold her sandwich steady as the little girl balanced the plate and strode unsteadily toward a round dining table off the kitchen.

“So, I was kind of nervous about meeting you, and now I super like you,” Lily admitted. She pulled a cell phone from her back pocket. “What’s your number? The crews hang out, sometimes for barbecues, sometimes down at Sammy’s Bar in Saratoga. We celebrate birthdays and holidays and all that. Usually, Father declines invitations, but I have a feeling you’ll be shaking things up around here. I’m going to call you with the invites from here on out if that’s okay.”

“Uuum, I would love that. Please do. I had so much fun meeting the Gray Backs the other night.”

When the little girl was settled, Erin finished arranging the tray of lunch for her and Julian and said her goodbyes to Diem and Harper. But just as she was about to leave the kitchen, Diem said, “Erin?”

“Hmm?” she asked, turning with the tray balanced in her hands.

“Whatever you’re doing with my father?” Diem smiled emotionally. “Keep it up. I haven’t ever seen him this happy.”

Erin's throat clogged with emotion, and her eyes prickled and blurred. “I will. He makes me happy, too.”

She had to gather her wits and settle her emotions as she walked down the halls toward Julian's office. If she was being honest, she’d been nervous about meeting Julian's family, too, but that had gone better than she could’ve imagined. Diem was easy to talk to and already felt like a friend. And little Harper was sharp as a tack. No doubt in her mind, she would grow up to be a strong dragon female like her mother and definitely not mousey like Chlorine had been.

In a daze, she meandered in through the office door and nearly melted under Julian's greeting smile. His sleeves were rolled up to reveal his muscular, sexy, burn-scarred forearms, and his top button was undone at his throat. And there were those dimples she adored.

“There she is,” he rumbled as he set his pen down and leaned back in his leather office chair, hands linked behind his head.

“I brought you lunch,” she said unnecessarily, as if he couldn’t see the sandwiches stacked to her chin.

“Good, I’m starving.”

“You’re always starving.”

“I have a big machine to feed.”

“Yeah, about that. I heard from the Estaters you’ve eaten their enemies.”

Julian's smile lingered as he shrugged unapologetically. “No one messes with my Estates and kingdom.”

“And the crews are a part of these mountains now, aren’t they?”

The smile dipped from his lips. “They feel like a part of me.”

“Cold dragon warlock,” she murmured, lifting her chin high. “Warmed to the core by a bunch of rowdy lumberjack werebears. Out of curiosity,” she asked, setting one of the giant sandwiches onto the space he was clearing on his desk. “Does it bother you that Scarlett and Harpe are being raised in trailer parks?”

“Not at all. Their lives are richer for their living situations. They have crews that have linked up like bonded families. They live at the center of the most lethal predator shifters in the world, who would die protecting them, and they are being raised by crews who love them unconditionally. I’m proud of Lily and of Creed for building a life like that for their children. I’d rather them live in the Asheland Mobile Park and the Estate Mobile Park than here. I raised Lily here, and her life lacked…warmth. It’s something I regret.”

Pride filled her that Julian wasn’t just some rich billionaire vampire dragon pulling the strings of his family like they were his puppets. This man wanted full lives for the people he loved. She respected him more for his answer.

“I met Lily’s and Harpe in the kitchen.”

“I knew they weren’t cutting out early on payroll day without a reason. I figured they were off to track you down. Lily was very curious about you.”

“I like them indescribably much. Lily got my number.” She lifted her shoulders to her ears happily. “I’m making friends.”

Julian looked genuinely happy as he gestured her to him. She sidled around the desk and sank into his lap. A giggle escaped her lips as he nipped at her neck, just under her ear.

“I knew you would fit in here. You have a warm personality. You weren’t meant to be alone, Erin.”

“I don’t feel alone anymore.”

“Mmm,” he said, more rumble than word. “Stay with me.” His words came out rushed, and when she tried to ease away from his affection to look him in the eyes, he held her tighter in a hug against him. “Stay with me,” he repeated slower and lower.

“Of course, I will. We’re going to try for a baby, remember?”

“No, I mean after that. I had this awful thought yesterday in the shower. I know it’s wrong, but for a split second, I thought, I hope it takes us a long time to get pregnant.”

“Julian, don’t put that into the universe.”

“I know. I know it’s bad. But I know you’ll move to Saratoga with the baby, and I don’t want you to go. I know this is fast, but I don’t want you to leave me. I want to co-parent with you here.”

“Wait, are you asking me to move in?” she asked, shocked to her bones.

“No. Yes. I don’t know. I haven’t done this before. I just get this…” Another rattling growl vibrated against her skin, and he crushed her to him harder. “I just get this awful feeling when I think about you living in Saranginmm away from me.”

“Who is possessive now?” she teased.

“Me.”

With a frown, she whispered, “Hey.” Cupping his cheeks, she lifted his gaze to hers as she eased back. His eyes were silver where they’d been dark just moments ago. “I’m okay. Nothing’s going to hurt me or take me away. It’s not like with Chlorine, okay?”

Julian searched her eyes, and after a few seconds, the worry that had pooled in his began to fade. He huffed a laugh and rested his forehead against her cheek. “Sorry.”

“Well, don’t apologize, Dangerous Julian. I like my man a little growly and possessive. And if the offer still stands…”

“If it still stands, what?” he asked, his deep timbre hopeful.

“Then yes,” she whispered through a smile. Your mountains already feel like home somehow, anyway. I still don’t want your money, though,” she said, trying her best to look severe and likely failing. “I don’t want to be some kept woman.”

“Does my wealth make you uncomfortable?”

“Hell yes. I’ve never had two dimes to rub together. I bet there isn’t even cheap pesticides on that lettuce on my sandwich. It’ll probably taste weird.”

Julian chuckled against her throat and pressed his lips there, right where her pulse was pounding.

“Also, I’m never going to wear fancy clothes, so don’t even buy them for me. I won’t change. I’m always going to stick out in this fancy mansion like a sore thumb.”

“Mmm, that’s not true, and I don’t want to change you, anyway. I like these cheap, threadbare shorts you wear.” He ran his hand up her thigh. “You look sexy as hell walking around my lair looking comfortable. Besides, you’re much easier to access in these.”

“Our lair now, lover, and I am comfortable. You should try it. I could go to the grocery store in these duds, or I could take a nap in them. The sky’s the limit.”

***