SPECIE OF LOVE

IN HIS ARMS

*CHAPTER 20*

*IN HIS ARMS*

_Ava's POV_

I went straight to the living room and let my body drop onto the couch. The movie was already playing, but I wasn’t watching.

“Ouch,” I squeaked, clutching my side.

“You are not even up to a month and you are already stressing the hell out of my body, huh?” I muttered, pointing at my belly like it could hear me.

“Hey, you.”

I startled. My neck snapped to the sound before my brain caught up. Pain shot through it.

“Ouchhh,” I groaned, freezing mid-turn.

“I can see you and your son have the same motive,” I said, bitter and breathless, forcing my head forward again.

A low laugh brushed the back of my neck. Then warm, careful hands were there, working the knot out with a touch that felt illegal. Heavenly. He was close. Too close. His chest was nearly at my back and my traitorous heart whispered, _Carry me. Please._

He moved to sit beside me, keeping his hands to himself. For now.

“Are you okay? You look anxious,” he said, eyes scanning me like I was about to shatter.

_Your shirtless body is in front of me and you want me to be okay?_

I swallowed that thought whole.

“Ouch.” Another cramp pulled low in my stomach.

“What’s wrong?” His hand covered mine instantly. His grip was steady. Too steady.

“It’s just a cramp,” I said, but my eyes were doing something I couldn’t control. They were feasting.

“Oh. So what should I do? Should I call the doctor? What do you need me to do?” His composure was slipping. I could hear it.

_If this man is an actor, he’s definitely killing his role. Acting out of script._

“Carry me,” slipped out before I could trap it. A whisper. A sin.

Before I could take it back, I was airborne. Safe. Surrounded.

“I didn’t ask you to carry me,” I said quickly, the lie tasting like pride.

“Should I put you down then?” He almost did. I grabbed his wrist without thinking.

“No,” I hurried. “Don’t.”

He smiled, and it undid me. “You don’t need to be cautious. It’s just me and you in our world.” He pressed a soft kiss to my temple.

“I do not trust you anymore, Damien,” I said against his chest, because honesty felt safer than pretending. “Your chest is broad enough… I could fall asleep.”

We stared. Seconds stretched into something that felt like hours. The room forgot to breathe.

“I know I’ve done a lot of stupid things that can make you not trust me,” he said, voice low, locked on mine. “But I promise to make it all up to you. I promise.”

“You said I shouldn’t be cautious. That I can do anything I like, right?” My voice came out small. Like a baby’s. Like _his_ baby’s.

“Yes.”

I kissed him. Thirty seconds of fire. My hands fisted in his chest like I could hold the moment still. When I pulled back, he was looking at me like I’d set him alight.

He shifted, sitting me on his lap, facing him. His mouth found my neck. I moaned before I could stop it, soft and traitorous. He didn’t stop. His hands learned me, slow and sure, until my breath was broken and my nails were in his skin.

He moaned when I found him, hard and hot in my palm. We tasted each other. Lips. Teeth. Five minutes that felt like drowning.

Then a knock.

I tried to scramble off him. He shook his head once. No. His hand stayed where it was, claiming, while the knocking grew louder.

“Damien… someone’s at the door. The housekeeper might come downstairs,” I whispered, trembling.

He sucked my breast once, hard, and the world went white. Then he was moving, carrying me to the guest room, kicking the door shut. He pinned me to the mattress and the next thirty minutes had no name. Only sounds. Only him.

After, I lay on his chest, his warmth still inside me, my hand still wrapped around him like I didn’t know how to let go.

Another knock.

“Hey, bro. It’s me, Josh.”

I bolted upright. He followed, unashamed and devastatingly bare. I couldn’t stand it. I had to run. He caught me before I made it to the bathroom and pressed me to the wall, his mouth at my neck.

“You told me once that your body disobeys you whenever I’m around,” he murmured against my skin. “Ava… even though I would do anything for you, my body fails to hear you say _stop_.”

He lifted me to the bed. Stood before me like a threat I wanted to chase.

“Come, Damien,” I begged.

We broke again. Ten minutes that stole my knees. Then we showered together, water chasing the evidence off our skin, and he rocked me to sleep like I was something precious.

_Damien’s POV_

I came out, pulled on sweats, and dropped onto the living room sofa across from Josh. Leg crossed. Face blank.

“When did you come in?”

“Not too long. But I’ve been knocking since,” he said. “Your housekeeper said she didn’t see you leave, and she couldn’t find you in any corner of the house.”

“Oh.” I reached for the controller. “Let’s play.”

I handed him the second *PS5* pad. We started. I lost. Again. Again.

Josh dropped his controller. “You’re not focused. What’s your problem?”

“I just had the sweetest meal in the world,” I said, licking my lips. “Of course I’ll lose focus.”

“No,” he said, eyes wide. “Don’t tell me a girl is in.”

“Ava.”

“Damien!” He hit me, hard. “I just hope your love is able to conquer Mrs. Cole and Isabella’s scheme.”

“Guy, let’s play. Leave the Empress out of this.”

He picked up the pad, jaw tight. “Your wedding is next week. Does she know that?”

“The more reason you should keep your mouth shut,” I said, standing. The chair scraped back. “Because she mustn’t. And no wedding is happening.”

“Use the door after eating.” I left him there.

“Tell the chefs to make you something,” I tossed over my shoulder, and went back to her.

The door opened to her still asleep. Curled. Peaceful. Mine.

_My baby._

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*AUTHOR'S NOTE*

As always, loviesss 😘 *RIDE DINE AND READ* ❤️