Page 18

18

KNOCKED UP

Even though he’d known this was a possibility, Nat still panicked a little. “I’m—”

He looked around and saw the kids dozing. They weren’t ready for news like that, especially if they thought Duke might abandon them in favor of his own flesh and blood.

But he also couldn’t keep it bottled up. The news was just too big.

Duke must’ve seen his dilemma, because he said, “Let’s put the kids to bed first. Then we’ll talk.”

Nat blew out a breath and nodded gratefully. “Thanks.”

Duke brushed a kiss against Nat’s forehead. He went around collecting everyone’s abandoned clothes, making sure Nat had Wanda secure in his arms. He pulled Nat to his feet and scooped up Teddy and Mallie, one child in each arm. “If my arms were empty, I would be carrying you. Just so you know.”

Nat spluttered. “But I can walk!”

“I want to prove to you that I can provide everything you need.”

Nat was not going to examine too closely, how his ovaries swelled at the sight of Duke carrying his children. “Is there anything you can’t provide?”

Duke snorted. “I’ll let you know.”

They walked through the mansion together, up the beautiful hardwood stairs and down the brightly lit hallways. Duke dropped off Teddy and Mallie in their shared bedroom, tucking them into their beds.

“They didn’t want separate bedrooms?” Nat asked. There were a number of empty guestrooms on this floor.

“They wanted to be close,” Duke said quietly. “They fought hard to stay together through the foster system. I imagine they were terrified of losing each other.”

Nat was an only child, but he knew too well the terror of being separated from Wanda.

“Maybe they’ll ask for their own rooms when they get older,” Duke said with a shrug.

Nat admired Duke’s soft expression as he watched the children. Then he looked at the siblings himself, and knew for a fact that—

“I’ll protect them with everything I have,” Nat said solemnly. “Not just the—our... our baby and Wanda, but Mallie and Teddy too.”

Duke turned, his eyes glowing faintly white.

For a few heartbeats, Nat thought Duke might pounce on him. But Duke stood still, just watching Nat with that intense gaze.

Nat blushed. “I should, uh, put Wanda to bed.”

Duke swept him off his feet. He carried Nat out of the room and paused in the hallway so Nat could shut the door. Then he brought them to his bedroom, setting Nat back on the floor so he could tuck Wanda into her crib.

Nat fidgeted. “You didn’t mention how long I should stay...”

“Nat.” Duke hauled Nat onto the bed with him. “If you’re carrying my child, my entire home is open to you.”

“Even your closet?” Nat couldn’t help asking.

Duke’s gaze darkened. “By all means, wear my clothes.”

“Does that mean I can also sneak food from the fridge and hide in your office to eat it?”

“You don’t have to hide,” Duke said, looking puzzled. “But do it if you must.”

“I can lie on the couch anytime I want?”

Duke shrugged.

“I can roll around on the hallway floor?”

Duke raised an eyebrow. “That’s strange, but sure.”

“I can raid your pantry and eat snacks in your bed?”

Duke winced. “No, no snacks in my bed.”

“Phew,” Nat exhaled. “For a minute there, I thought you had been possessed.”

At that, Duke looked him in the eye. “The only eating that happens in my bed, will be me eating your ass.”

Nat shivered. “Okay, we shouldn’t get distracted right now.”

“You don’t know how much you distract me.” Duke snorted. “Knowing you’re right outside my office, ready to sit on my lap if I so wish.”

“You can’t possibly expect me to sit on your cock while you work.”

Duke flashed a sharp smile. “I would like to make sure you’re properly impregnated. Having you sit in my lap seems to be the best use of my time, while I work on my other duties.”

“That’s one way to really increase my productivity,” Nat said dryly. “Three birds with one stone! Actual work, sex work, and baby-making, all in the same hour.”

Duke nodded solemnly. “Sounds about right.”

Nat laughed a little hysterically. “How is this my life?”

He looked at his belly, trying to imagine a second life there. I’m pregnant. Oh gods, I’m pregnant with my boss’ baby.

This was crazy. He’d only been Duke’s employee for two days.

“My belly suddenly feels really heavy,” Nat said, clutching it.

Duke frowned and leaned closer. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s the weight of your expectations.”

Duke froze. Then he gave a snort of laughter. “Fuck, Nat.” He covered his mouth with his fist, but he laughed for a long time, his eyes watering. Then he sobered. “I hope you don’t feel that way. I don’t wish to put pressure on you.”

“But you’re my boss! I’m the one having to meet your expectations.”

“Hubrie is preparing the additional contract for your pregnancy.” Duke reached down, trailing his fingers over Nat’s belly. At the look on Nat’s face, Duke’s gaze softened. “I’ll take care of you, Nat. We’ll go over the contract together to make sure you feel good about all of it. The last thing I want is for you to be stressed out. Would you like me to include massages in the contract, to help you relax?”

Nat gaped like a fish. “That’s a lot of money, isn’t it?”

Duke shrugged. “You’re carrying my baby. Money isn’t going to be an issue. We can include manicures, pedicures, new clothes, soaps, anything you want.”

“Holy...”

“And I’ll acquire all the materials for however many nests you need.”

At this rate, Nat’s mouth was going to hang open for all of eternity. That would probably give Duke some really questionable ideas.

Duke smiled, nudging Nat’s mouth shut.

“I don’t think I can take time off, though,” Nat said. “I need to work!”

“I’ll make sure your workload is manageable. Maybe hire another assistant.”

“Will you want to sex them up too?”

Duke growled. “No. Just you.”

Nat’s heart fluttered.

“I told you, you’ll need some pickup lines to convince Hell Consort,” Hubrie’s voice floated into the bedroom.

“Hell Consort?!” Nat spluttered.

Duke shot the door a venomous look. “Shut up and stop butting in.”

“I’m a butt -ler, Hell Master,” Hubrie said dryly. “Butting in is in the job description.”

Duke dragged his hand down his face.

“Wait,” Nat said when some of Duke’s earlier words sank in. “What did you mean by ‘however many nests’?”

“I’ll set up a nest for you at the office,” Duke said. “And a proper one for the backyard too. Maybe one in the living room?”

“At the office?” Nat squawked. “Why? That’s a lot of nests! I don’t actually need a nest!”

“Did you not have one when you were pregnant with Wanda?”

Nat thought back carefully, shaking his head. “I was living with Ivo, Killian, Pinks, and Walren. We didn’t have anything to make a nest with; we were so broke. Well, Pinks and Ivo have rich alphas now, so they’re no longer broke. I still am though.”

Duke growled. “I’ll get you a credit card. Use it to buy whatever you need.”

Nat gaped. “That’s crazy.”

“I’ve put a baby in your belly. It’s my responsibility to take care of you.” Duke pulled Nat closer so they were lying side by side, his chest so warm that Nat couldn’t help but snuggle into him.

“I’m not looking this gift horse in the mouth,” Nat said. Then he rapidly backtracked. “Not that you’re a horse. I mean, you have horns. A gift goat? Fuck, I shouldn’t call you a goat. That’s politically incorrect.” He stopped and stared, the words slowly filtering through his mind. “Oh, fuck! I just called my CEO a gift goat. ”

Duke gave another snort of laughter. He hauled Nat onto his broad, solid body, then kept laughing, his chest shaking. “Only you, sweetheart. I don’t think I’ve laughed this much in years.”

Nat couldn’t swallow his horror. I called him a GIFT GOAT.

“Gift goat,” he said incredulously. Then he clapped his hands over his mouth. “I didn’t mean to say that out loud!”

“Are you still calling me that in your mind?” Duke wiped his eyes, still laughing.

“Oh, gods.” Nat smushed himself against Duke’s chest and tried to rub his mouth off his face. It didn’t work that way. “You’re going to fire me.”

“I’m not,” Duke said dryly. “If anything, I’m extremely tempted to write you a contract for life.”

“For calling you a gift goat?” Nat blurted. Then he groaned and thumped his forehead against Duke’s chest. “You need to stuff my mouth with something so I can’t say crap like that!”

“Oh, I intend to stuff your mouth, but not right now. This is too good.” Duke grinned.

“Maybe Nat is the one who needs to learn the pickup lines,” came Hubrie’s disembodied voice.

“I’m going to fire you,” Duke said.

“No, you’re not!” But Hubrie didn’t bother them again after that.

Nat hid his face against Duke, trying to breathe through his humiliation. Duke rubbed his back for a long while. Then he moved Nat off his chest. “I should get ready for bed. Be right back.”

He disappeared into the bathroom. Nat told himself to stay still; he needed to prove to Duke that he could be a good employee.

Except... he remembered Mallie encouraging him to surprise the demon.

If Duke was surprised enough, maybe he might forget about Nat calling him a gift goat?

A little desperate now, Nat squirmed off the bed and grabbed his clothes off the floor, where Duke had dropped them. He dashed into Duke’s closet and stuffed them behind the nearest pile of folded clothes.

Nat had taken too long; Duke sounded as though he was about to leave the bathroom.

With a running leap, Nat landed on the bed and shifted into a raccoon, burrowing between the pillows seconds before Duke stepped out.

Through a gap in the pillows, he watched as Duke paused. “Nat?”

Duke’s forehead furrowed. He moved carefully toward the bed, looking around the room. His concern grew.

Then he turned to the crib, saw Wanda, and visibly relaxed.

Had he thought that Nat had left him? Guilt pricked at Nat’s conscience.

“I’m guessing that you’ll be back, since you left Wanda in her crib,” Duke murmured.

He got back into bed and almost squished Nat when he laid back against the pillows. Nat had to stuff his bushy tail over his snout to stop himself from making a sound.

Duke exhaled and grabbed his phone, scrolling through his apps. Nat watched him for a while.

Duke wouldn’t mind being surprised, right?

Ever so carefully, Nat clambered onto the pillows. He made sure to keep out of Duke’s sight, clutching his tail tightly to himself.

And now he was right behind Duke, staring at Duke’s deep red skin. Duke had dropped his glamour sometime in the bathroom. This close, he was warm like a furnace.

Nat held his tail ramrod straight and pushed it slowly out along Duke’s neck like a fishing rod, being very careful not to touch his skin.

He eased it under Duke’s jaw and chin. Before Duke could react, Nat angled his tail up, stuffing its tip against Duke’s nostrils.

Duke made a surprised sound and sneezed.

The movement jolted Nat off balance; he yelped as he toppled over Duke’s shoulder, bracing himself for a bad impact.

Large hands caught him and set him upright on his feet.

Nat carefully cracked his eyes open.

“Nat,” Duke said exasperatedly. He was smiling, though. “What the hell was that?”

“Surprise!” Nat threw his paws in the air. “Were you surprised? Was that funny?”

Duke snorted. “ You are funny. And yes, I was surprised.” He scooped Nat into his arms, cradling Nat against his muscular chest.

“Wow, pecs,” Nat said, releasing his tail to knead the lush muscle with his paws.

Duke smirked. “Surely you’ve seen and touched chests before.”

“They look like mountains when I’m this small.”

“Well, feel free to climb them, but don’t stick your paws in my mouth.” Duke laid back against the pillows, closing his eyes.

Nat stared openly at him. “You trust me?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“I could stick my tail in your nose again!”

Duke laughed. “If that’s the worst you intend to do... That’s really not bad at all, sweetheart.”

Nat’s heart fluttered. He shouldn’t push his luck. But he also wanted to make sure that Duke had forgotten about the goat thing.

So he scrambled up Duke’s chest and perched on his shoulder, stuffing his bushy tail under Duke’s nose.

Duke scrunched up his face, his mouth pulling into a grin. “Do that again, and you might get snot on your tail when I sneeze.”

“Ugh!” Nat snatched his tail back, only to glimpse Duke’s triumphant smile. “That’s... That’s devious. ”

“You’re talking to a demon, Nat.”

“I can’t win!” Nat made a face.

Duke grabbed him, suddenly. Nat squealed. And Duke rolled Nat under him, bracing his weight on either side of Nat so he wouldn’t squish him.

“Okay, you’re really huge like this,” Nat whispered.

Duke’s eyes glowed white, his teeth growing long and sharp. Nat’s heart stuttered.

He’d never been caged in by a demon, never felt so vulnerable—and yet so safe.

“Is this supposed to intimidate me?” he asked.

Duke grinned. “I would hope not.”

And he buried his face in Nat’s belly, rubbing his nose into Nat’s fur like he was trying to fill his lungs with Nat’s scent.

“Your nose is so big,” Nat squeaked.

Duke laughed. “No one has ever commented on the size of my nose.”

“I am because it’s poking my belly!”

“Sorry.” Duke turned his head, rubbing his cheek against Nat instead.

It was strangely intimate. Nothing like how a boss should treat his employee.

Were they... friends? Was this how demons acted around their friends?

Nat ached for something more, but he knew it wasn’t his place to ask.

“What’s your favorite animal?” he asked instead.

Duke grinned. “It used to be dogs, but right now, I think it might be raccoons.”

Nat blushed hotly under his fur. “You’re just buttering me up.”

“There are lots of other ways I could butter you up,” Duke murmured. He rolled smoothly onto his back, laying Nat on his chest.

Actually, his chest was really comfortable to lie on. Nat wriggled against him.

Duke cracked an eye open. “Time for sleep?”

“Yes.” Nat pulled his tail around himself. “You won’t forget that I’m here, right? What if you crush me in the middle of the night?”

Duke ran his fingers through Nat’s fur, his eyes drifting shut once more. “I won’t forget.”

He left his hand on Nat, a warm, protective weight that chased away the last bits of tension in Nat’s body.

When Duke turned off the light with his other hand, Nat tucked his nose under his tail, falling asleep before he knew it.

* * *

The next day, Duke made him a nest in the office.