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After the IV is in place, she administers the heavier anesthetics to keep it sedated while I signal the guards to come in and help.
One fastens a heavy-duty muzzle while the other chains the legs together. We don’t want to take any chances.
Her tongue’s lolling when they open the cage and drag out the unconscious creature. I can’t even think it used to be human. There’s zero sign left. Not a shred of humanity. From its long pointed nose and ears to the long flag of its tail.
Dani presses against my back as we wait for the guards to finish fastening it down to the table. As terrifying as it is, I’d still rather it take me first before getting to her.
Two more men flank us, weapons ready and watchful.
“It’s funny, I’m more nervous about working on an animal than all of the people I’ve treated the last few weeks,” she says quietly from behind me.
Angela appears along with Captain Russo. He’s shadowed by two nurses who will be in charge of the baby.
The guards give the nod that the beast is properly restrained, and I double check to make sure. Moving to the back of the table, I have a clear view of Dani and Angela. The captain and the nurses stand behind, and a shadow of movement at the door turns into Elly as she ducks in.
Dani gets quickly to work, shaving the bulging belly of the animal and then sterilizing it before she begins her incision.
“Dani, Sam tells me you want to marry him. Is that true?” Captain Russo interrupts.
Her startled eyes fly up to mine over the top of her mask. The scalpel is poised an inch above the skin of the resting beast.
“Well, yes, of course. But, Captain, really?” Her light brows draw together as she focuses again and begins a long slice down the belly.
“And, Sam, you want to marry Dani?” I’ve never seen the captain smile, but the small twist of his lips through his dark beard is the closest yet.
“I do,” I answer. Dani’s eyes are nearly violet in color, burning holes into me as she pauses again.
“Very good. I’ll have you sign the marriage certificate when you’re done. Congratulations.” He turns to the door, pausing just long enough to say something to Elly, but the heater masks the words.
“Sam.” Dani’s words are low, her eyes back on the patient before her. “What just happened?”
I lean over the slow breathing mass of an animal between us until my face is inches from hers. “You just made me the happiest man on earth.” I can’t resist giving her a little wink as I watch the blush grow up her cheeks from under her mask.
Elly moves up from the shadows of the door and rests her hands on Dani’s shoulder. “Congratulations, welcome to the family, sis.” She gives Dani a little peck on the cheek, and leaves the med tent with Angela who simply flashes me a thumbs up before disappearing.
In a burst of fluids the baby falls from the belly of the beast. The nurses move forward to help clean its nose and tie the umbilical cord.
Its first cry fills the room. Dani and I lock eyes. I can hear her breath catch and see the tears brim, so close to spilling.
Flailing arms are swaddled and the nurses take the baby through the door to find the waiting father.
She pulls down her mask, revealing her trembling smile. She’s fighting the tears but she continues her task, lifting the large syringe and injecting its solution into the IV of the giant dog.
The heavy breathing slows, and stops.
I reach for her hand and pull her to the house, leaving the guards to deal with the carcass of the creature.
Through the empty kitchen I take her straight to our room, kicking the door closed behind us.
“Sam, did we really—” My lips hungrily attack hers, cutting off her words. I want her so badly my hands are trembling untying the apron around her waist.
The heat of her mouth intensifies as she falls into the kiss, opening her soft lips to accept my tongue that I feverishly combat against hers, like it’s my own mouth I’m laying claim to.
Because it is. She is mine. Always and forever.
My hands work over her, stripping her methodically. It’s only in pushing her pants to the floor that my mouth finally leaves hers. Gasping, she stands while I reverently pull one shoe off at a time, licking and tasting the smooth skin of her belly that I want to pump full of my seed. My foot lodges on the crux of her pants so I can pull her up, shedding them like a skin, and her bare legs are exposed before I carry her to the bed.
She giggles at me wildly. Her eyes widen while watching me strip quickly before her.