He kissed her again. Deep and sweet and full of promise.
Through the window, snow continued to fall. Blanketing the world in soft white.
But inside their home—their family—everything was warm.
Safe.
Loved.
Exactly as it should be.
Victor pulled back slightly. “You should rest. It’s been a long morning.”
“I’m not tired.”
“Liar.” He tapped her nose. “You’re exhausted. And you need to eat something.”
“I’m not hungry for food,” she whispered, trailing her hands down across his chest. His eyes immediately flared green.
“Hyde is still very close to the surface,” he warned her.
“Good. He needs to be part of this as well.”
“Are you sure?”
“Very. Let go,” she whispered against his lips, and he did.
Her breath caught as he began to transform, almost seamlessly this time, his size increasing and his features sharpening, although the shadow of Victor was still there on his face.
“There you are,” she whispered, reaching up to cradle his face in her hands.
“You have no idea.” His voice was a low growl with Hyde’s deep rumble beneath it. “How much I want you.”
“I have some idea.” Her eyes dropped to his mouth, then lower to the full, heavy length of his erection. “Show me.”
She gasped as he lifted her easily into his arms, her pregnant belly a perfect curve against him. She looped her arms around his neck, peppering small, urgent kisses to his neck and jaw as he carried her toward the bedroom.
The sunlight reflecting off the snow cast flickering lights across the wall as he placed her carefully on her feet, his huge hands moving with surprising delicacy as he undressed her. Piece by piece, he stripped away her clothes in the sunny bedroom, his gaze reverent. When she was finally bare, he took a moment to just look.
“Beautiful,” he rumbled, the word a low vibration in his chest. “So beautiful.”
He stretched out beside her, being careful of his weight, his huge body making the bed seem impossibly small. His hands roamed her body, exploring every curve, every dip. His fingers, tipped with claws that could tear through steel, were gentle as they traced the curve of her breasts, the swell of her stomach, but there was an undercurrent of wildness beneath the surface, a leashed power that made her skin tingle.
Her breath hitched as his mouth followed his hands, his lips and tongue worshiping her body.
“Victor,” she gasped as his mouth closed over her nipple, his teeth scraping gently.
“Hyde,” he rumbled against her skin, his voice deeper.
“Hyde,” she agreed, tangling her fingers in his hair and holding him to her.
He rumbled his approval, tugging harder on her nipple, and she arched against him with a soft cry. His hands grew larger still,but he was careful, so careful, as his mouth moved lower, tracing a path of fire across her skin. His shoulders were broader, his body more massive, but his touch was still gentle. When he pressed a line of soft kisses to her belly, the baby kicked hard against his cheek.
He stilled, his head lifting to meet her eyes. His face was fully transformed now—the sharp, angular features of his Hyde, the burning green eyes, the raw power that coiled in his massive frame. He looked like the monster he feared he was, but he looked at her with something close to awe, his hands spanning her belly as if protecting the life inside.
“Baby,” he rumbled, and the word, rough and deep, was the most beautiful thing she’d ever heard.
“Yes,” she breathed. “Our baby.”
