The next twelve days with Avery blended into a peaceful blur. He still helped at the art studio twice a week, and with all my staff back at work, I only needed to spend a couple of hours in the evenings managing paperwork, inventory, and payroll.
Our routine was simple—quiet meals together, relaxing baths, and waking up to each other's warmth. It wasn't particularly exciting, but it felt like a sanctuary. Every moment was steeped in an intimacy that made my chest tighten. Even the mundane felt like a gift.
The only oddity was Avery's sudden obsession with pineapple—and other fruits. His creativity in the kitchen was… unconventional. At least he hadn't ordered the monstrosity of a pineapple pizza from my dream. I'd chalked his cravings up to relief; maybe he'd always loved pineapple and now felt free to indulge without the weight of his previous stresses.
I didn't question it further. I had other things to focus on, like learning the subtleties of his moods and what made his cheeks flush that beautiful shade of pink. My pheromones were under control, and with Avery being the catalyst that awakened my dominance, I was optimistic that our cycles would eventually align.
"Watcha thinking about, handsome?"
His voice was soft and melodic, the kind of sound that could pull me from any thought. I cracked one eye open as his footsteps padded closer, the faint shuffle of his socks against the floor somehow endearing.
"Just how good life's been lately. How happy you make me."
A sly smile spread across his lips, and without a word, he peeled off the oversized shirt he'd borrowed from me, letting his underwear slide down his legs. The soft splash of water signaled his entrance into the bath, and I couldn't look away.
The glow of his skin, the way the soft light of the bathroom kissed his damp hair—it was mesmerizing. He looked like something divine, as if serenity itself had taken form in front of me. He eased into the water, leaning back against my chest, his head settling on my shoulder as though he belonged there.
The past few days, Avery had smelled different. His usual scent, a comforting mix of lotion and shampoo, was now intertwined with something deeper—richer. It radiated from his skin, sweet and heady, overshadowing everything else. It wasn't just the way he smelled; his whole presence seemed to glow. His hair caught the light differently, and his skin felt warmer, softer.
Was this happiness? Contentment? If so, I would gladly take the credit for the way he seemed to radiate joy.
I wrapped my arms around his waist, pulling him closer as the faint hum of his pheromones began to reach me. My body reacted instinctively, and I cursed how easily he unraveled me. He turned his head, his lips ghosting over my jawline, and I felt the soft vibration of his laughter.
"You're so easy to read, Kai."
"And you're a tease," I murmured, but the words came out more affectionate than accusatory.
Avery's laughter deepened as he adjusted his position, his legs spreading to drape over mine. The heat of his body pressed against me in all the right ways, and I was helpless to the pull of him. His pheromones grew stronger, weaving around me and coaxing my desire to the surface.
I kissed the side of his neck, my hand trailing down his chest to rest on his thigh. His soft gasp made my heart race.
"You smell so good," I murmured against his skin.
Avery leaned his head back further, his body pliant as he turned his face to meet mine. His lips found mine, and the kiss deepened almost instantly, both of us lost in the sensation. His hands traveled down, brushing against my hips before gripping me firmly.
"Let me," he whispered, his voice a mix of shyness and intent.
His touch sent jolts of electricity through me, but I didn't stop my hands from wandering either. I reached behind him, letting my fingers explore, drawing soft whimpers from his lips as he began to grind against my hand. The water splashed with every subtle movement, but neither of us cared.
"Ahh… Kai," he moaned, his head falling back against my chest as his body responded to every teasing motion. His breathing quickened, and I could feel his excitement in the way his pheromones spiked around us, filling the small bathroom with their intoxicating sweetness.
"Keep going," I coaxed, my voice rough as I pressed my lips against his ear. "Let yourself feel it."
His movements became more frantic, his hips rocking against me as if chasing something only I could give him. The sound of his pleasure, breathy and uninhibited, echoed off the tiled walls, pushing me closer to my limit.
"Kai—I'm going to—"
"Me too," I breathed, tightening my hold on him. "Let's do it together."
The crescendo hit us both at once, and for a moment, the world around us disappeared. All that remained was the sensation of him in my arms, his body trembling against mine as we rode the wave of our shared release.
When the tension finally ebbed, Avery collapsed against me, his breathing heavy but content. I held him close, pressing a kiss to his damp hair.
"I think you're ready for more," I teased, my lips brushing his temple.
His flushed face turned toward me, wide eyes blinking up as he tried to catch his breath.
"W-what? Let me catch my breath first!"
But his body betrayed him, his hips subtly grinding against me even as he protested. His pheromones flared again, stirring my instincts into overdrive.
"Hmmm, really?" I murmured, a playful smirk tugging at my lips. "Because your body seems to disagree."
I lifted him slightly, positioning him to face me, his legs straddling my waist. My hands rested on his hips, fingers tracing slow circles as I teased him.
"You want me to fill you up, don't you?" I said, my voice low and rough. "All the way to here." I let my fingers trail up his stomach, stopping just above his navel.
Avery's breath hitched, his pupils blown wide with desire as he whispered, "Yes… please, Kai. I want you inside me."
Fulfilling his request, I thrust myself inside him, as deep as I could go. I felt something warm on my stomach and glanced away from Avery's flushed face to find evidence of his release, already streaked across my skin. He had come just from me putting it in.
A teasing grin spread across my lips. "I know we've only had sex a few times, but this is a first. You came the second I entered you. At this rate—" I paused, trailing my finger through the mess and bringing it to my lips, savoring the taste. "—you might pass out before I even finish."
Avery squirmed, his body trembling against mine. "Agh… Nhh… ahhh. I don't know why I'm so sensitive this morning."
His breath hitched with every small motion I made. I hadn't even moved yet, but his body was already moaning and twitching, clinging to the fading waves of his orgasm. When his breathing evened out, and he finally relaxed, I couldn't hold back any longer. I gripped his hips and began thrusting into him, slow but steady.
"Fuck, Avery, you feel so good," I groaned, every nerve in my body alight with pleasure.
"Mmm… Kai," he whimpered, his hands clutching at my shoulders. "Harder. Please, fuck me harder."
"Your wish is my command."
The space between us disappeared, drowned in the haze of our mingling pheromones and shared desire. The connection I felt with Avery was unlike anything I'd ever experienced. At first, I thought it was unique to my rut—the primal, overwhelming need to claim him, to make him mine. But it wasn't. Every time we were together, that same urge roared back to life. It wasn't born from fear or desperation but a raw, unfiltered love that seemed to grow stronger every day.
I pulled him closer, burying my face against his neck, and my lips found his mark. The scar was still fresh, faintly raised against his smooth, porcelain skin. I traced it with my tongue, inhaling the intoxicating scent that radiated from this sacred spot.
"Ahhh, Kai… wait… that's too—ngh, hah—sensitive!"
Avery's protests were weak, breathless, and overshadowed by the way his body betrayed him. He came again, his nails digging into my shoulders, and his soft cries of pleasure bounced off the tiled walls. I didn't stop. I couldn't. I needed him to feel every ounce of the love and desire coursing through me. My hands roamed his body, mapping every curve, every sensitive spot. I wanted to leave no inch of him untouched.
The rhythm between us grew frenzied. His body trembled beneath mine, overwhelmed but eager, until the pleasure crested, and I felt him tightening around me, pulling me deeper.
"Ah—Kai! I—I'm cumming again!"
His confession drove me over the edge. With one final thrust, I buried myself inside him, and we fell apart together. My vision blurred as a wave of euphoria overtook me, his cries mingling with my groan as we both rode out the storm.
The water around us had cooled by the time we caught our breath. I kissed his forehead softly before draining the tub and refilling it with warm water. Avery sagged against the porcelain, utterly spent, while I rinsed myself off quickly. Then, I knelt beside the tub to wash his body.
"That felt so… so… soooo good," Avery mumbled, his voice heavy with exhaustion.
I couldn't help but chuckle. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."
His flushed cheeks, the dreamy look in his eyes, the way his body twitched under my touch as I cleaned him—it was enough to reignite my desire, but I reined it in. He needed a break, and I was happy to take care of him in this quiet, intimate way.
"Kai… I'm hungry."
The rumble of his stomach echoed the sentiment, and I smiled. "Alright. Let me finish cleaning you up, and I'll make us something light."
We ended up at the kitchen table a short while later, sharing a modest breakfast of fruit and bacon. Avery sighed dramatically between bites, his fork hovering mid-air.
"This doctor's appointment is a waste of time, you know. We don't even need to go. I feel fine."
I raised an eyebrow at him. "Avery, you're the one who said mated pairs can experience abnormalities. It's better to get checked out, just in case."
"I know, I know…" He rolled his eyes, biting into a piece of pineapple. He froze mid-chew, his face paling instantly, and bolted to the bathroom.
"Avery!" I leaped from my chair and hurried after him, finding him hunched over the toilet, retching.
He waved me off weakly between bouts of nausea. "I don't… ngh… know what's happening."
When the sickness finally passed, he slumped back, wiping his mouth with a shaky hand. "I feel fine now. Like it never happened."
I frowned, worry gnawing at me. "Good thing we're seeing the doctor today. Let's mention this too, just in case."
Avery nodded, his expression dazed. He was quiet for the rest of the drive, his head resting against the window as he stared out at the passing scenery.
At the clinic, we sat through the usual questions and examinations. When the doctor returned, Avery's nerves were palpable, and I found myself holding my breath.
"Well," the doctor began, glancing at his clipboard, "I don't have bad news, exactly. It depends on how you look at it. Your vitals are normal, and your pheromone levels are stable. As for the nausea…" He paused, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Congratulations, Avery. You're pregnant."
Avery froze. "What?"
The word came out barely above a whisper, his wide eyes filling with tears. I reached for his hand, but he didn't seem to notice.
"Are you sure?" he asked, his voice trembling.
"Yes. You're still early, but the symptoms you described match perfectly. I'll refer you to an OBGYN—"
"No need. I already have one," Avery cut in, his tone flat. "Thank you."
We left the clinic in silence. Avery stared out the window the entire drive home, his face unreadable. I parked the car but didn't move, my chest tightening with the weight of unspoken words.
"I'm happy," I finally said, my voice breaking the silence. "The second he said those words, I wanted to shout it to the world. But… I don't know how you feel."
"It's not… bad," he murmured, his gaze meeting mine at last. "I just need some time to process this. Can you go pick up the ice cream while I head inside?"
"Yeah, of course," I replied softly.
As I watched him walk away, my chest ached with uncertainty. Everything's going to be fine… Right?