Page 50 of Peacock Me Like a Hurricane (Rise of the Resistance #2)

TAURUS

“ T he doc is here.”

Sandwich nods at me. Excitement and trepidation flashes over her face. I understand the emotions; I’d wager my expression is the same.

She sits up and tosses the licorice wrapper into the trash bin next to the bed. True to form, she fusses about for a moment. Straightening her shirt and sliding under the comforter, she nods when she feels prepared to receive our guest. Taking a deep breath, she nods again. “Okay, go let him in.”

I lean over to kiss her before I shove off the bed. Loping out of the room, I take the main staircase to the first floor to find the git. I can’t say that I give the doc more than a once over when I yank open the door. I notice the lab coat and the spectacles and not much else because he’s not worth the effort. Reaching out to grab his arm, I drag him inside with no ceremony and even less greeting.

My eyes clock him as we cross the foyer. He’s a small sort—like most of his ilk at the Company—and I’d throw him back for growing if I were hunting. As I’m not hunting, I tighten my grip on his arm and propel him down the hallway to the stairs. With a combination of pulling and pushing, I get him to the third floor and into the master bedroom.

As we approach, my mate unbuttons one sleeve of my shirt and rolls it up to her upper bicep, then looks up. She smiles at me—that same beaming smile that sets my pulse pounding—before giving the doc an expectant glance.

I reach out to her through our connection and give her heart a gentle caress, reminding her how much I love her. I know she has to be as nervous as I am.

“Love, this is Doctor...” I turn to look at the diminutive little sod and realize I do not know what his name is and I don’t care. “Actually, who cares what you’re called? This is my woman, doc. You hurt her; you die. You disappoint us; you die. You annoy me; you die. There’s a general death theme tonight that you should know.” I tower over the man and he looks up at me as if he’s ready to wet his pants. Pointing at my love, I glower at him. “You know what to do. Do it.”

He quivers.

I cross my arms over my chest, rather satisfied with myself. At least, I am right until she gives me a dirty look.

Chiding me, she murmurs, ~No need to be rude, love. ~

Rude? I’m not being rude.

I’m making sure the doc knows what’ll happen if he toes over the line, that’s all. I’m looking out for her. It’s not even like I’m fanged out. I sigh as she shakes her head at me and then holds her arm out for him.

“I’m ready,” she tells the wimpy little prat. “I guess I should let you collect it the normal way. It will be less messy.” Exposing the crook of her elbow for him to do a tourniquet, she watches the doc ready the needle and tube. He gets her all tied up with that rubber band of torture and she winces. It’s a good thing that I’m watching him like a lion watches a sodding zebra because I notice his hands right off. That twitchy little rodent is moving that needle closer and closer to her arm while his hands are shaking like he has a palsy.

Oh, bloody hell, no. She’s afraid of needles.

I can tell she’s being a brave soldier right now, but if he stabs her over and over, she’ll freak out. I’ve killed people for less than making a tear fall from her eye.

Moving fast, I grab his wrist and squeeze, grinding cartilage and tendon until he yelps in pain and drops the needle. I catch it by the tube with my free hand and snarl low in my throat as my fangs drop. Glaring at him with golden, demonic eyes, I growl low. “Get it together, you prat. I’ll forget my manners and gut you right here if you don’t. Don’t so much as breathe the same air as her until you’ve got it under control. Hear me?”

“I’m fine, baby,” she breathes.

I look at her in time to see the warning glare and the thread of green in her eyes before she gives that sniveling worm an encouraging smile. Huffing a bit, I hand the git his needle because her smile has calmed his jittery digits.

It figures. That doesn’t mean that I’m not eagle-eyed as he feels around for a vein. The problem inherent with a connection like ours is that she picks up on more than I’d like her to. She’s got that kitty radar for when I’m itching to do some damage. That makes it near bloody impossible to slip anything past her—like my yen for making the dear doctor all bloody and ouch-feeling.

~Quit, you’re making him more nervous. You’re not helping. ~

I’m not helping? Great. Just what I sodding wanted to hear. I’m about to comment, but she pales, and I hear a soft gasp as the needle penetrates her skin. The tube fills with crimson fluid and my gaze shoots to hers, heart skipping a beat. With a low warning snarl, I advance on the doc, intent on separating his head from his shoulders.”

~I’m okay. ~ Her quick, reassuring whisper in my mind gives me pause and I pull up to study the truth in her expression. Fortunately for the balding git, she’s being truthful.

It doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t kill him, though.

~I don’t like you in pain, baby. ~ Maybe I should have another go around on that whole ‘too small to eat’ thought I had earlier. Giving him a once over, I grin evilly, asking my mate, ~Are you still hungry? ~

~Leave him be. ~ She says in that same chiding voice. ~I’m a baby about needles and you know it. ~

~I know. That’s why I wanted the best, but this git isn’t good for spit. ~ With narrowed eyes, I watch every move he makes. I don’t have a clue how this nitwit got past the screenings at the Company because clones would eat him alive.

She sighs in relief as the needle slips out and the lab coat turns to set the tube on a small tray. I can tell she’s holding back a giggle when the pierced skin of her elbow closes before he can reach for a square of gauze. He blinks, but with the first and only glimmer of common sense I’ve witnessed, he remains silent.

Her eyes find mine and she winks, reassuring me she’s fine. “Where’s he going to test it?” she asks, her anticipation and excitement trickling through our connection. “Will he take it back to the Company? When will we know?”

Those are good questions that I have no answer for. Snarling low, I glare menacingly at the doc. “You heard her, didn’t you? Answer her. Now.”

~Be nice. Sheesh. He’s swallowing his tongue. ~

I grumble a little into her mind and she chuckles back, stroking a thought down my cheek. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that the prat’s struggling for composure. I can’t say that dims my mood a bit at all. He looks back and forth between us like he’s watching some poof tennis match at high speed.

“I-I was t-t-told to b-b-bring the sup-p-plies necessary for a p-pregnancy test here.”

Sighing and rolling my eyes, I cross my arms over my chest in disgust. Is this supposed to be one of the Company’s finest? I need to remember to have a word or ten with Mikhail about the hiring procedures over on the other side. As it is, it’ll be tomorrow before the good old doc here spits out whatever he’s trying to say.

“If you h-h-h-have a s-small room I c-c-could use? F-for a few minutes? The r-r-results t-take ap-p-p-p—about th-thirty minutes.”

Looking for all the world like the single most patient woman in it—stop and marvel at that one for a moment—the minx nods and smiles at him all encouraging-like. “We do, Mr. Uh—what’s your name again, dear?” she says.

He blinks owlishly, as if no one’s ever asked him that question—I’m willing to bet a sodding Ferrari that they haven’t—and pushes his glasses up his nose. “M-M-M-Marvin. I m-m-mean, D-D-Doctor...”

She smiles and shakes her head, looking like the picture of graciousness. This is the woman who just ate a passel of Mormons, mind you, but she’s acting like Princess Diana in the slums. “Marvin will do.” Meeting my eyes, she asks, “Find Marvin somewhere to work, please?”

~Do it without hurting him, please. ~

~Spoilsport. ~

I blow her a kiss behind the doc’s head as I grab his arm more gently than I’d done when he first arrived—and drag him out of the room and down the hall to a spare bedroom. I’ve yet to decide what to do with this one, but it’ll suffice for his purposes. Turning on the light, I shove, er, usher the git into the room and let him go. I can’t figure out why he stumbles and almost drops the tray and bag he’s carrying. With a low grunt, I ask, “Will this do?”

He opens his mouth to speak, but bugger all comes out. Finally, he nods.

That’s fine as I’ve neither the time nor the inclination to wait for him to stutter out some piddling response that’s bound to test my resolve to not off him. Snorting derisively, I turn on my heel, closing the door behind me as I head back to my woman.

Once back in the room, I toss myself down on the bed next to her and throw a leg and arm around her. As soon as she touches me, I feel a sense of contentment steal over me, calming me without warning. I lift my head and look into her eyes, seeing all her hopes and fears. “Thirty minutes, my love, and I didn’t harm a non-existent hair on his head.”

She nods and leans in, kissing my lips. “Mm-hmm. If you’d hurt him, it would have taken longer.”

I rest my forehead against hers as her eyes twinkle with teasing mischief. Focusing inward, I feel for her heart and soul and wrap them around me like a warm blanket, sinking into the bond between us. With a grin, I brush her lips with mine. ~It’s possible that you’ve got a bit of a point. I’m lucky that I’ve got you to keep me in line. ~

Chuckling, she nibbles at my lips. ~Heh. One of us has to be the brains of this outfit. ~

My low growl muffles my bark of laughter. ~Sassy minx. It's a good thing that I love you. ~

~Otherwise, who knows what you’d do with me? ~

I pull back a mite and meet her gaze, my lips curving into a grin. ~I’d fall in love with you all over again, sod it all. You’re as addictive as hell, love. ~

Her nose crinkles as she teases. ~Addictive, huh? I think you’re a hard habit to kick. ~

~Just try it, baby. I bet you can’t last the day. ~ I bend my head and nuzzle her neck as I slide a hand over her tummy, hoping hard that the news will be good. She purrs at the attention and nuzzles me right back.

~Oh, I have no illusions about that. I wouldn’t even want to. ~

She makes me moan with just her lips on my neck. Feeling the tendrils of arousal flickering across my skin like a flame, I lick a warm trail along her collarbone, cursing the guest in the house. ~If we were alone, baby. ~

Reinforcing my words, I send her a mental image that sizzles with heat and makes me hard and randy picturing it. She groans and presses against me, growling.

~Bad, bad boy. ~

Her eyes close and I have an image in my head in full Technicolor and bugger if I don’t almost spend myself on the spot. Out of the corner of my eye, I catch her licking her lips and smile, so at least I know I’m not the only one affected. ~Bloody hell. I clean more pants around you. ~

Leaning up to nip my lips, she says, ~Yeah, but you don’t mind. I can tell. ~

I can’t argue with that, so I wrap my hand around the back of her neck and deepen the kiss, my tongue stroking hers into a primal dance. Being with her is like sinking into a hot bath. First my skin heats, then the sensual warmth works through to my core, forcing my blood to run faster and pound harder in my veins. It’s odd as it pounds so loud it seems more than a feeling inside, but a sound I hear knocking in my head. Feels so good, though, that I don’t give the knocking a thought as my words slip from my mind to hers. ~My love, my mate, my everything. ~

~Forever, baby. ~

Her tongue duels with mine as her fingers clutch at my shirt. I groan low as the pounding gets louder, more insistent. I can’t believe how bloody hungry I always am when we’re together and when she touches me or kisses me bloody hell. Her breath catches a little as her hips rock against me. She whimpers and I’m undone. ~God, baby, I want you. ~

~Yes, ~ she says in a husky whisper, pressing closer as I caress her. The length of her long, bare leg caresses along my thigh as she slides it up to wrap around my hip and she sucks on my tongue. My hands clutch her almost bruisingly and a low keening sound vibrates through my chest.

I was told long ago I’d not be seeing heaven in this or any other lifetime. That one turned out to be not true. She’s my heaven.

She gets eerily still and says, ~Did you hear something? ~

Hear something? Over the race of my blood and the slam of my heart? Not bloo-

That’s when it hits me. The pieces fall into place. That odd pounding sound I pushed out of my mind. My senses go on alert, demon face sliding into place to defend and protect with my life if need be. It isn’t until I whip my head around with a low roar and see that insipid little sod that I remember.

Oh, bloody hell.

“You better be large with the info, git, or you’ll be bleeding before you take a step. Is the test done?”

The doctor—who has been trying to get our attention for at least a few minutes—doesn’t even need to nod because he’s shaking so badly. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that shade of pale on a person still breathing before. I’ve made cadavers with more color in their faces than this wretch.

“Y-yes, s-s-sir. Mr. T-T-Taurus, s-sir. I-I j-j-just...”

I roll my eyes and snarl. I’m sure as shit not in the bloody mood to wait until my woman’s in labor to find out if she’s pregnant.

The minx wriggles a bit to get out from underneath me and sits up, straightening her mussed clothes while mentally tsk-tsking me. ~Don’t be so bristly. Give him a chance to talk. ~

Sighing, I draw back the fangs and face, sending a stroke down her spine with a thought. ~Fine, baby, I’ll play nice for now. ~

~Good boy. ~ The chuckle she sends through my soul makes the grand sacrifice worth it.

I kiss her temple and turn back to the shivering man. “What, doc? Come in; don’t stand there like a small tree in the bloody breeze.” I can’t say that he hears me, as he stands there blinking like an owl for a few long moments before shuffling in. He stays as close to the door as possible, though, and I suppose that says at least something for his intelligence.

“W-W-Well…this is highly ir-r-regular, you s-see. It’s never h-happened b-b-before. N-no one t-told me...”

Bloody hell. This sodding prat will be the death of himself, I swear. Yet again, the woman’s keyed in all too well with my emotions and she sends me a mental stroke, caressing my heart with hers as she crosses her ankles and listens to what the stuttering fool’s saying.

I bite back a snarl and roll my eyes. “Told you?”

Clearing his throat, he straightens his bowtie with a nervous hand and continues. “Y-yes...well...no one t-t-told me…if th-this…if a p-p-potential for ch-child r-r-rearing is what you w-w-want.”

My gaze narrows, patience long since gone. “Tell us, speak true, and pray you give us the right answer, mate, because I’m not telling you jack.”

The minx scoots closer, angling so her back is resting against my chest. The fingers of one hand twine with mine, pulling it over her tummy and holding it there so my arm is around her. I have no idea if she means to, as she’s still caught on every bollixed syllable stuttering out of the man’s lips. The contact of her body on mine, our hands linked over her belly where she might carry our baby makes me calm.

Yeah, it calms me.

That doesn’t do a bloody thing for the doc, though, as he’s just one big twitch. “It’s j-j-just… I’d rather n-not be k-k-k-killed, and I w-was w-wondering if I w-w-would be if I t-tell you that your w-w-wi… mate is, in fact, pregnant.”

I tilt my head and stare at him, my voice quiet and controlled. “Are you saying that she is?”

The small man takes a gigantic step backward. It seems he plans on running if need be, no matter how pointless the attempt would be. After he backs himself all the way into the hall, he seems to find something resembling a spine. He takes a deep breath and squares his shoulders, mustering as much dignity as he’s capable of.

“Y-yes, sir. The young lady is, in fact, pregnant.”

Sometimes in life when you see or hear something that makes you still. The entire world grinds to a halt.

This is one of those times.

I blink, maybe more than once, and I’m certain I’m still breathing. I’m utterly frozen, almost as if, even with the words - or maybe because of them - I’m still breathing. I’m utterly frozen, almost as if, even with the words - or maybe because of them - I’m hesitant to believe it. I don’t want it snatched away or some such whimsical rot.

She’s pregnant.

It’s not until she gasps, her free hand flying to her mouth, that I realize she’s as stunned as I. Her other hand squeezes my fingers just shy of painful and she presses our joined hands to her tummy as if we could already feel the tiny life there growing by touch alone. She turns her head to look at me and I see her soul shining like a beacon in her eyes.

I think that’s when it sinks in. I think that instant—seeing something in those blue depths I’d not seen before—is what convinces me it’s real.

My face shifts and my eyes glow as a huge smile spreads across my face.

We’re pregnant.

The world jump-starts again, and each one of my senses seems on full overdrive. I feel, see, and smell everything. I know the second the doctor breathes again and relaxes. I guess his sudden relief has something to do with the expressions on our faces. I almost feel his muscles unclench one by one and hear the blood rush back into his colorless face.

“So it's good news. Yes, I assure you she’s very pregnant.”

I nod my head once, all the while grinning like a sap of the first order. “Thanks, Doc,” I say. “Now get out.”

She chides me, almost as if it’s automatic. “Thank you, Marvin. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again.”

Dismissing the sod, I tighten an arm around my woman, all the love I feel for her seeping through my pores. Her arms wrap around my neck and she squeezes hard, her body turning to crush into me. She’s laughing, and so am I as she dusts kisses all over my face.

~We’re. Having. A BABY! ~

There’s a suspicious knot in my throat and my eyes are stinging and damp. Not that I’m tearing up, it’s just that she’s cutting off my air.

Yeah. That’s it.

She rubs her cheek on mine and I feel her heart expand until it seems to want to break out of both her chest and mine.

~I know, baby, ~ she says in a soft, wispy voice. ~I know. ~ Pulling back a bit, she looks at me and her smile is soft and loving and gentle. ~You’re a daddy. ~

Something about those words. Don’t know what, but it does something inside me when I hear them. It’s like I feel—I’m not sure. I can’t say that I’ve ever felt this way before. It’s more than happiness; I know happiness. This is more. It's a sublime joy. I wrap tightly around her and kiss her all over her face. I know my grin’s bordering on sodding goofy. ~Christ, I love you. I’m a daddy. Or I will be. You’re the most beautiful, precious thing in my world and you’re carrying our child. ~

~I am.~ She beams a smile at me, tilting her head for my kisses with a giggle. ~I knew I was eating a lot.~ She pauses a little and eyebrows rise as it seems a thought hits her. ~He said very. Why didn’t we ask how much very was? ~

~Don’t know. Stopped on ‘she is’ , you know? Want I should call him back and pump him? ~

She smiles and rests her forehead on mine, shaking her head. ~Not now. We’ll find out tomorrow, I suppose. ~ Her eyes are alight with love and a glint of mischief when she adds, ~Not important now. ~

The magnitude of what we’ve done sort of sinks in. ~ Oh, God, we’re pregnant. We did it! We’re going to be having a wee one. ~ I pull back so I can look at her. That sodding mysterious sting in my eye and a lump in my throat is back. ~We’re a family. ~

Her face softens and she whimpers a little, her hand sliding up to stroke over my face. ~A family, ~ she says. ~The three of us together will be a family. ~

~Forever. ~

She nods, still stroking over my jaw. ~Forever. ~

I cup her face in my hands and kiss her. ~I love you so very much, love. I love what we’ve made. Know that I’ve never, never been more satisfied, felt more joy and love than I do right now. ~

Sniffling a bit, she kisses me back, her arms draping around my neck and fingers burying in my hair. ~I love you so much it hurts, ~ she says in a soft, emotion-filled voice. ~I can’t imagine being happier than I am right this second with you here with our baby growing inside me. ~

My heart aches in a bloody good way as emotions swirl between us through our connection. ~Inside. ~ I span her stomach with my hand, holding it there. ~Inside... She’s inside…~

~It could be a ‘he’, daddy. ~ Her eyes dance.

Grinning, I shrug. ~I can’t say that I care, mum. Whichever’s fine for me. ~ I kiss her, my tongue searching out its mate and sliding against it. ~Make love with me, baby. Let me love you. ~

~I always do. ~ Her body presses into mine, melting against me as the kiss inflames us both. ~In fact, I think that’s how she got inside. ~

I slide a hand between us and unbutton the shirt she’s wearing. ~ Is THAT what does it? I had no bloody idea. Good thing I’ve got you, baby. ~ Peeling off the shirt, my hands trace over her heated skin.

Before she can reply, she pulls back and gives a big, echoing yawn, covering her mouth with her hand.

Smiling, I hold her close and kiss the top of her head. ~It’s okay, baby. You can make love to me tomorrow. How about I hold you and watch you sleep for eternity? ~

She blinks her big, beautiful eyes at me as if she’s trying to clear her vision. ~Oh hell, baby, I’m exhausted. ~ Even her smile’s sleepy looking as she wraps around me. ~So long as you stay here with me, eternity is fine with me.~

I draw away from her long enough to get out of my clothes, then slip between the sheets and cuddle her close, curving around her. Brushing my hand through her hair in slow, soothing strokes, I keep feeding our bond with my love, joy, and pride in her.

~Sleep, baby. Sleep. I’ll be here for every tomorrow. I love you, my mate, my love, my heart. ~

~Love you so much baby, ~ she whispers, snuggling into my embrace. I feel her emotions. She gives that to me like the most precious gift and I feel her happiness, know that she’s feeling safe and warm and well- loved. Turning on her side, she pulls on me until I’m spooning her, twining our fingers over her stomach. ~Tomorrow. ~

As I feel her slip under, draw deeper into slumber, I watch her, listen to her heart. I figure it’s too soon, but I can’t help straining to listen for any sound of life under our hands. I’m not surprised I can’t, but I know that one day soon, I will.

Smiling, lying there, I listen, I watch, and I wait.