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I laid a hand on Keir’s chest, stopping him. “Aidan, thank you for everything you did to help me.” I thought of the big dog I saw by the pier. I’m not sure what kind of monster lived in him, but I’m sure it was rooted in Irish folklore.
He smiled softly. “Of course.”
“When you get back. I’ll look at your leg and make sure it’s clean.”
“Thank you, Evie.”
“You don’t have to be nice to him,” Keir said as he climbed the stairs.
“And you don’t have to be jealous.”
He set me down on the large bed and went into the bathroom, turning the water on in the tub.
I took off the sweater and dress and held them in front of me, suddenly shy.
Keir came out and gave me a half smile. I could see the worry and concern on his face. “Come here,” he said, taking the clothes from me and helping me into the tub. “I won’t hurt you.”
The water was warm and stung my numb toes as they began to thaw out. I sat down, and he picked up a cloth and ran it over my back, gently washing it. It was then the tears came. Tears for myself and tears for Keir and the torment he lived with. We had been through so much in such a short amount of time.
“Evie,” he said softly. “It’s about the baby.”
I paused, listening.
“I’m not a normal man. You know this.”
“Keir, I’m not worried about the baby.” Though my mind had gone down the same avenues, he was going down now.
“Hear me out, darling,” he said. “I know we’ve been careful except for the first night. That was on me. But when we were back at my flat in LA. Do you remember that night?”
“Yes,” I said, feeling my cheeks grow warm.
“Dearil started to come out. He runs on high emotions, and lust is one of them. He wanted you as much as I did. I tried my best to stop him. But, well, that’s why I wanted you to close your eyes. I should have told you immediately, but I was ashamed and embarrassed.”
My face grew even hotter thinking about it. It was the night I felt like I was going to split in two, and I came hard and fast. I had sex with a monster. The Kelpie King. The thought alone was somehow a turn-on. Wicked and taboo. I shifted uncomfortably in the tub.
“Aye, you remember it,” he said, running his fingers over my cheeks. “Well, the condom tore that night.”
“Are you saying our baby might be a monster?” I asked, almost laughing.
“It’s not funny. I’m being serious. I don’t know how any of this works. I didn’t think I was capable of having children, considering my whole – um - situation. I’m broken.”
“You’re not broken, and what are you really trying to say?”
“It’s just if you’re scared and you don’t want the baby. I’ll understand.”
I looked up at him, hoping he could see the anger in my eyes. “I’m having our baby Keir. Monster or no monster. We’ll figure it out.”
He sighed and smiled. “Okay, enough said. Now get out of the bathtub because I want to take you to bed. I’m exhausted.”
I settled into the sheets. I, too, hadn’t realized how exhausted I was. Keir lay down next to me, spooning me into his arms. “Is it wrong if I tell you I want you?”
“No,” I said. I felt fragile and raw, and a tear ran down my cheek. “Keir, I should never have doubted you.”
“Shh, you had every right to doubt me. You have seen all of me. The worst of me. And I know it’s terrifying. But I promise I will never hurt you. No matter what state I’m in.”
“I know you won’t.”
“I want to make love to you, darling. I need to know you’re all right. I need to feel you beneath me and be inside you.” He pulled me to him as he took my mouth in his. His hand gently caressed the bruises on my neck. I felt a wetness on his cheek and realized what I thought was my tears belonged to him.
