As long as everything went right, he'd be a father in about nine months' time.
With a whoop, he rolled Gaby to her back and kissed her, slipping his tongue into her mouth and stroking hers slowly, possessively, letting her know he wanted all of this. The baby, them being parents, and him with her.
Well, maybe the last part wasn't settled yet, but he was going to work on it.
He finally let them both up for air and Gaby searched his eyes. "So you're still happy about this, huh?"
"Happy? Baby, that doesn't even begin to describe what I'm feeling. This will be our adventure, one that's going to last a long, long time."
She moved a hand to his hair and lightly played with it. He wanted to lean into her touch but didn't dare break his gaze with the mother of his child.
The woman he wanted to be his wife, if she'd let him.
Wait, wife? Ryan expected panic to set in at the word, but only a sense of rightness settled over him. He had a feeling that if fate had said she was his mate, then he'd have a good chance with her, better than he'd had before.
So now his plan included wooing and wedding his dragon lady.
Gaby kissed his cheek and then tried to roll away. However, Ryan held her close, asking, "Do we really have to leave this bed yet?"
She snorted. "After being in this bed nonstop for about ten days, you want to stay some more?"
He brushed hair away from her cheek. "I just want some time with you, Gabriela Santos. As much as I've come to like your dragon, I want some time alone with your human side."
"Well, I could wait an hour or two before calling ADDA and my clan." She raised her brows. "Although fair warning—I want food above sex right now."
He grinned. "Well, it's a good thing I can make a mean bacon and eggs. If there's any downstairs, that is. It's not like we've had a lot of time to check out the fridge."
She laughed, and his good mood went even higher. She said, "I'm not sure, but let's go find out? I hope there's more than ketchup and moldy cheese, though."
She slipped out from under him, grabbed a robe, and raced out of the room.
Oh, she wanted to play chase, did she? Ryan ran after her, snagging his boxers and tugging them on along the way. He caught up with her at the bottom of the stairs and hauled her back against his front. As he nuzzled her cheek, he murmured, "Gotcha."
She giggled, and the sound made him grin. Gaby said, "I let you catch me."
"Did you now?"
She looked over her shoulder, to meet his gaze. "Dragon-shifters can run faster than most humans, and I'm not just any dragon-shifter. Part of my job requires lots of drills and training. You don't stand a chance against me, human."
He hugged her tighter against his chest. "Once we're both rested, we may need to put that statement of yours to the test. Being a programmer may not require as much physical training as your job, but I've spent a lot of time in my home gym over the last two years. I may beat you yet."
She tilted her head and tapped her chin. "Hm, if you're nice
to me, I might even give you a head start and then maybe you'll have a chance to best me."
He twirled her around and placed one hand on her ass and the other on the nape of her neck. "We'll see, Gaby. I may surprise you."
She sucked in a breath, her pupils flashing, right before she wiggled out of his hold—making his cock more than ready again—and dashed toward the kitchen.
Chuckling, he went after her, hoping he'd get more than an hour alone with his dragon lady. He wanted more, so much more.
Gaby rushed into the kitchen and dashed to the far side of the island in the center. Seconds later, Ryan entered and headed toward her.
She could probably evade him indefinitely if she really wanted, but both woman and beast craved the will-he-or-won't-he chase.
Her human may never be able to follow her into the air, but as he circled and mirrored her actions around the kitchen island, she didn't care.
This, right here, was what she'd always wanted. A male who was sexy as hell in bed but also playful out of it.