Page 80 of Buckle Up, Buttercup

I look between the adults. “Are you absolutely sure?”

The younglings look at us for just a moment before Iggy grabs Petra’s hand and yanks her up into the sky. “C’mon! Mir will hang with us and she’s so cool, she’s my mom now!”

The younglings dart off and Mir sighs. She reaches up and pecks Alo on the cheek, then turns toward the alleyway, lumbering after them with one hand on her lower back. Once they disappear down the alleyway between the Welcome Inn and Whiskey Business, I turn to the other male. “How long you in town for?”

“Couple of days,” the big gargoyle says with a smile. “My mate wanted Iggy to experience everything Pine Gulch has to offer, but we’ll head home after that.”

I watch her walk slowly down the alleyway. “You sure we shouldn’t follow her? I feel bad that she’s watching the kiddos.”

Alo blows out a breath. “Oh I learned not to correct my pregnant mate about the first day or two after we found out. She would be highly miffed if we followed her now. And you don’t wanna be on the bad side of a pregnant pixie, I can promise you that.”

My mouth dries as I think about how fucking fun it would be to see Bluebell like that, her stomach all huge and rounded with our child. We haven’t even discussed children since we started dating, although I know it’s something she wants eventually.

The need to sink my fangs into her, to claim her, to have us belong to one another the way these two do? I’m salivating at the idea of it.

He watches her go, a soft look in his eyes. It’s so striking to see such an obviously predatory monster so…taken. So sweet. I want that so badly I can taste it. Once his mate is gone from view, he glances at me again. “I’m gonna head up the street and find my uncle but it was good seeing you, man. Hope we kick your ass next time we play, but I’m not holding my breath.”

Chuckling, I shake his hand.

Now all I want to do is find Bluebell. I hope she’s done with her meeting because, like always, I can’t wait to see her.

After saying goodbye to him, I head down Main Street. Lemon and Furyon are standing with Sheriff Rygold, meads in hand. Oz has his back to Lemon as he flirts with two male pixies, one of whom has his hands all over Oz’s chest. Maybe he’ll finally get laid, since it seems to be his chief complaint lately.

My gaze drifts back and forth as locals and visitors alike partake in the beauty of downtown PG. The town herself is in a great mood, waggling shutters and flapping window sashes at passersby. Even the Bodice is ready for the day, my flowers brightening up her front window. Her door is thrown wide open, and even from the street, I can see she’s full inside.

“Fancy seeing you here.”

Warmth and desire curl through me as I turn to find Bluebell standing there with two meads in hand. She hands one to me as she takes a sip of hers.

“Long-ass day, but I am finally done with my to-do list,” she mutters.

Bite. Claim. Cherish. Protect.

The need to wrap her in my wings, sit her on my cock, and bite my way up that slim neck overwhelms me. My focus narrows, tail swishing as I lift my wings just slightly. My chest heaves as my body tightens.

Bluebell cocks her head to the side, giving me a quick once-over as a blush trails over her high cheekbones. “Hay, you alright? You look…tense.”

“I am,” I whisper as I take a step closer to her. Can’t touch her in public. Don’t want to hide her. I’m so fucking done with this. “Come upstairs with me for a minute? I need to talk to you.”

“Of course.” She sets the mead down on a tall round table. “Everything okay?”

Grabbing her hand, I pull her toward the alleyway between our building and the next. I open the door, flaring my nostrils as she slips through. Her footsteps disappear up the stairs as I grip the doorframe and try not to lose absolute control.

Gargoyles aren’t meant to love in hiding. Our love is loud and public and centered on snacks and extreme affection. We practically make falling in love a sport. Loving Bluebell behind the scenes feels like I’m not doing my job, not doing our love justice.

After rushing up the stairs, I follow her down the hall. Yanking my door open, I pull her through and lock it behind us.

“What’s going on?” She plants a hand on her hips and waves at my body. “You look like you’re freaking out.” Her beautiful eyes spring wide as she scans my face. “Oh my gods, did something happen?”

I shake my head. “Baby, I just…I saw you there, and all I wanted to do was shout about how fucking much I love you.”

She gasps, but a smile quickly overtakes it. “You do? You love me?”

I wrap both wings around her and pull her until she hits my chest. Reaching down, I lift her into my arms, tucking her legs around my core. Forehead pressed to hers, I brush my lips against her soft mouth. “I love you, Bluebell Tucker. I will always love you until the gods take me from this earth. And even then, among the stars, I’ll still love you.”

I part from her long enough to fist her long braid around my hand. “And I want to claim you, feel you in my chest, feel my heartbeat sync to yours. I want you inside me so deeply, nobody can tear us apart.”

Her lips pull upward into a sensual smile as she stares into my eyes. “I want that too, Hadrian. I’ve thought about it for literal decades, wondered what it would feel like to have that bond with you, something even deeper than the friendship we already shared.”