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  “Mr. Oberto,” Brawn stated casually. “It is very nice to see you again.”

  Tim stopped four feet from Brawn with a grim expression. “I was informed of everything.”

  Brawn tensed. “I know.”

  “Dad…” Becca tried to draw his attention.

  Tim ignored her to keep his gaze locked on her mate. “I didn’t like you from the moment I met you and I’ll tell you why. You took one look at my daughter, she took one look at you, and I saw the attraction spark between you both. I was worried about my baby getting hurt. She’s all I have.”

  Brawn nodded. “I understand.”

  “I also know how tough all of you are, how protective you are of each other and how strongly bonded New Species are. I worried that if you got together with my baby that she’d always be an outsider.”

  “She is one of us.” Brawn’s tone deepened. “She is not an outsider. She is family to all my people now. She is not all that you have, Mr. Oberto. Not anymore. Now you have a grandson about to be born and New Species are your family as well.”

  Tim’s eyes became a little watery suddenly. “I like looking at it that way more than losing my only baby. And call me Dad or Tim. Your choice. I just have one demand since you’re having a baby with my daughter.”

  Brawn studied him. “What would that be?”

  “I want you to marry her legally. I’m old-fashioned that way and I’d like you to do it before the baby is born.”

  Brawn relaxed. “We have already gotten the license.”

  Becca looked up at Brawn. “We have?”

  He turned, grinning down at her. “You said you would agree to be my mate. What is your marriage compared to that? You can divorce from marriage but you’re stuck with me for good as your mate, Becca. I want to give everything to you.”

  Becca leaned against his side. “Good point.” She stared at her father. “How are you doing, Dad? I mean, about everything?”

  He glanced at her face before studying her belly. “I’m going to be a grandpa.”

  “Yes. Would you like to feel him kick? He always moves around a lot after I eat.”

  Shocked, Tim gawked at her. “You can feel the baby moving already?”

  Jessie stepped closer. “New Species babies develop faster, Tim. Becca’s going to have the baby full term at twenty weeks. It’s half the time of a normal pregnancy.”

  Becca grinned. “Pretty cool, huh?”

  Tim regarded his daughter. “Your mother hated being pregnant for nine months.” He suddenly smiled. “That is pretty cool. I’d love to feel the baby kick. Have you picked out a name for him yet?”

  Becca moved closer so her father could put his hands on her stomach. She adjusted his hands with her own until the baby moved. Tim laughed, an expression of pure joy on his face.

  “We’re thinking about naming him Cage,” Becca snickered.

  Brawn growled. “We are not.”

  Becca laughed harder. “I’m teasing. Relax, Brawn.”

  Tim frowned. “What am I missing?”

  Jessie laughed. “The only other New Species baby was named for where he was conceived. His name is Forest. Your daughter keeps teasing Brawn that she’s going to name their son Cage because of where he was conceived.”

  Becca laughed. “Get it?”

  Tim didn’t laugh as he glanced at Brawn. “See what I put up with all of her life? She was always a smartass.”

  Brawn nodded. “Do you have any tips for me?”

  Tim nodded. “When she isn’t pregnant just put her over your knee and give her a good swat to the behind.”

  “Dad!”

  Brawn laughed. “Really? That works?”

  “Sometimes.” Tim winked.

  “Don’t even think about it, Brawn.” Becca frowned up at him.

  “I would never hit you, Becca. You know this.”

  She hugged his waist. “I know this.”

  “But it gives me ideas.” Brawn suddenly laughed. “You say you can’t think when I kiss you so when you say something smart, I’ll just kiss you.”

  Becca grinned. “That works for me.”

  Tim laughed. “You’re supposed to punish her, Brawn. That doesn’t sound like it would work.”

  Brawn chuckled. “I will only kiss her.”

  “Brawn!” Becca grinned at him.

  Tim laughed. “That would work.”

  Brawn nodded.

  Becca glanced at them both. “I’m so glad you both get along now though I think I might have liked it better when I was afraid one of you would kill the other.”

  Brawn wrapped his arms around Becca as he lowered his mouth to kiss her. Becca forgot what she’d been saying or thinking. Her arms wrapped around his neck until he ended the kiss and grinned at her.

  “What was that you were saying, beautiful?”

  She laughed. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  “I’m impressed.” Tim laughed. “That’s the first time I’ve ever seen someone handle my daughter that well.”

  Becca turned in Brawn’s arms, grinning at her father. “You have no idea how well he can handle me.”

  Tim laughed. “On that note, I’m going to have lunch.” He glanced at Justice and Jessie. “Are you staying here to eat? We still need to discuss that new joint project with some of your men and mine. I’m a little worried about who you pick.”

  “Yes, I am staying and I know you have concerns. They are good males and are perfect for this assignment. It will help them heal to be a part of the task force.” Justice smiled as he took Jessie’s hand.

  “Work?” Becca made a face at Brawn and lowered her voice. “Great. This will be a fun meal.”

  Brawn changed his hold on his mate and lifted her off her feet. He winked as he carried her out of the room.

  Becca chuckled. “We didn’t say goodbye.”

  “I have no intention of just kissing you,” Brawn breathed. “I want to do so much more. You’ve eaten, seen your father and no one wants to kill me. Justice will distract him for hours and I doubt they will notice we’ve left.” He grinned. “Now I’m going to make love to my mate.”

  He walked toward the elevator.

  Becca wrapped her arms around his neck. “So…you know how to dance, right? Do you think you can strip to music? I have a fantasy.”

  He purred. “I love to dance and live to fulfill your every fantasy.”

  She brushed a kiss against his neck. “I’ve got a bunch of them.”

  “Good.”

  About the Author

  I’m a full-time “in-house supervisor” (sounds much better than plain ol’ housewife), mother and writer. I’m addicted to caramel iced coffee, the occasional candy bar (or two) and trying to get at least five hours of sleep at night.

  I love to write all kinds of stories. I think the best part about writing is the fact that real life is always uncertain, always tossing things at us that we have no control over, but when you write, you can make sure there’s always a happy ending. I love that about writing. I love to sit down at my computer desk, put on my headphones and listen to loud music to block out the world around me, so I can create worlds in front of me.

  Laurann welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

  Tell Us What You Think

  We appreciate hearing reader opinions about our books. You can email us at [email protected]

  Also by Laurann Dohner

  Cyborg Seduction 1: Burning Up Flint

  Cyborg Seduction 2: Kissing Steel

  Cyborg Seduction 3: Melting Iron

  Cyborg Seduction 4: Touching Ice

  Cyborg Seduction 5: Stealing Coal

  Cyborg Seduction 6: Redeeming Zorus

  Cyborg Seduction 7: Taunting Krell

  Mating Heat 1: Mate Set

  Mating Heat 2: His Purrfect Mate

  New Species 1: Fury

  New Species 2: Slade

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