Page 69 of Blood

I just wanted one more night of this before it all fell away.

“Maybe he’s right?” I whisper into his chest, not daring to look up.

“There are many things between you and me, Samantha, but blood isn’t one of them.” Kaleb shakes his head. “That fucker . . .” He takes a deep breath. “Will get what’s coming to him. And not everyone is as closed-minded as him.”

“What if they are?”

“So fucking what.” He shrugs, wrapping his arms tighter around me. If he pulls me any closer, we’re going to merge into one being. “We have each other, and you have your family. It’s enough,” he vows, kissing the top of my head.

Our family,I silently correct. There’s no way they will send him away.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Samantha

Cuddled on one of the sofas, we face each other, ignoring the film playing in the background. The room is bright and light.

Our morning has been spent exchanging sweet touches and soft kisses.

“There’s something we should talk about.”

I frown at his serious tone.

“Okay.” I nod, waiting for him to continue.

His large chest expands, rubbing against mine.

“I can’t have children, Sam.”

“Oh.” I frown. “Did you have an accident?”

“No.” He smiles gently. “I’m sorry, I should have been clearer. I meant to say I won’t have children. Biologically. I had a vasectomy.”

I shift, throwing a leg over his right hip.

“I will give you everything you want. So if children are in the cards for you, then we’ll find another way,” he offers.

“Because of our relationship?” I ask, tearing up.

“No, no.” He rushes, his hands soothing over my back. “No, baby. My line, my genes . . . her genes, they end with me.”

Oh.Kaleb doesn’t elaborate on who he means; he doesn’t have to. I know his past life wasn’t a good one. Not that any of my brothers talk about their pasts with me.

His right hand drops down to pat my ass. I’m not sure if it’s to comfort himself or me.

I shrug at his words. “I always envisioned being the fun aunt anyway.” I give a small smile and trace his lips with my finger. “But for what it’s worth, I think you’d make a great dad.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” I nod. “Stern but fair.” I kiss where my finger has traced, peppering his lips with small kisses. “There are many ways to have a child, Kaleb.”

“True.” He nods. “We’ll see what the future brings. But you’d be happy if children didn’t happen for us?” he asks, watching my face for a reaction.

I trace the bridge of his nose down and back up between his beautiful gray eyes. My words are whispered into the small space between us. “I just want you.”

A look settles onto Kaleb’s face, the one from the kitchen a few nights ago.

Slowly, he rolls his large body onto mine, forcing me onto my back. His forearms bracket my head.