Page 110 of Peacock Me Like a Hurricane

I give him a peeved look. “Oh, yes, and you’re known for your restraint. Pull on the other one, cause that one’s getting uneven.”

The clone wrapped around me growls a low warning. “I can’t explain it. We couldn’t stop. Sod that; we didn’t want to.”

My mate pushes his long hair back in aggravation. “Okay. Then you didn’t stop, and then what? I felt empty for a few minutes, like she was gone—poof. It’s why I said dead, because that’s what I felt like—a minute of screaming agony and then nothing.”

“Yeah,” Talia pipes up. “When I felt you guys come back, it was so incredible, such a huge feeling, that I thought my emotion sensors were on the fritz. It happens sometimes when I have PM… er, when I’m not feeling well.” Her eyes cut to Rafe before continuing, “Was that empathy or did you feel it, too, Rafe?”

Chuckling, he waves his hand at her. “Not a worry, pet. There are lots of women folk around our place, so feel free. Yeah, I felt it. She was gone and thenboom—almost fell off the bloody stool.”

Sighing, Taurus shakes his head. “That’s the part I can’t tell you. I figured we’d pass out, planned for that, but we ended up going a couple of deep darks past the level we should have. Then, near as I figure, something didn’t want us croaking.”

I shrug. “I don’t have a clue. One minute here, and the next time I know anything, it’s two hours later.” Looking down at myself, I furrow my brows. “I’m feeling remarkably unblemished at that.”

A rush of panic floods through our bond as he notices the scratches and bruises are missing. He’s trying to remember whether we called for a healing before we went out when his hand flies to his neck, looking worried.

Not looking at him, I sip my water, adding, “Nothing is out of place or anything.” I knew he’d worry about our marks—the outward signs of our mating—being erased or healed permanently. Those scars stand for much more than possession: they’re a promise and a commitment. Losing them foranyreason would be like decimating an integral part of our relationship. His freaking out is not only warranted, but a shared feeling.

I take a mental inventory, trying to find the truth of my words. He looks at me in concern, having figured out that our marks are still in place, though he waits for me to finish, ensuring that I’m okay.

The assertion of my well-being sends a flood of relief through the bond and his arm tightens around me as he murmurs to me in my mind, letting me know how relieved he is that all of our marks and scars are still in place. I smile, concurring, and snuggle into him more as we communicate mentally, not paying a bit of attention to the guests in front of us.

The lounging clone looks over at Talia with a grin as Taurus gazes at me. “Do you feel like parents who caught their kids doing the naughty in the back seat of the car yet? I’m pondering the ‘I can’t believe you’d do something so stupid’ speech.”

I glare at Rafe, then retort. “You are cruising for a bruising, buster.”

Talia laughs throatily, relaxing a bit. “If you did that, your image of laid back and easy going goes poof. Maybe I should? I’m more known for my not-so-blustery.”

He smirks at her. “I didn’t say I had to do it. You be the bad cop, pet. I’m thinking you’ve got it down better than I do, anyway.”

Tongue in cheek, she looks at herself. “Oh, yeah, what with the Blade look I’ve got going on,” she grins devilishly.

“It’s a sexy movie, and it’s not unattractive in the least. It’s right fetching, in fact. I like dangerous women.” He smirks and shrugs, every inch of him moving as he does so.

Looking over at Taurus, I whisper into his mind. ~Now do you feel like we’re interrupting something? ~I chuckle.

Talia rolls her eyes at Rafe and shakes her head. “Oh yeah, you’re a clone, alright. Great sexy banter.”

“I didn’t know my clone-ness was in question. I would have dressed nicer for sure.”

Taurus smiles at me, running his fingers down my arm, sending shivers down both our spines.~At least they stopped bellowing at us like a deranged Mum dearest. ~

She eyes him up and down, from his toes to his long hair, and drawls, “I wouldn’t worry about that, baby. You’re looking fine as you are. Besides, peacocks are…” she pauses, eyes dancing, “too bloody high maintenance.”

Taurus’ eyes slide from me to glare at his primary. “I canhear, you know.”

I giggle into his head.~Distract them with each other. It’s a perfect plan. We are devious. ~Leaning into his hand, I scoot closer, feeling like I need him to touch me.

Rafe laughs, all his attention on the other woman now. “Keep that up and I might blush—or he might blow a gasket—who knows which? Though, I can think ofmuchbetter ways to heat the skin.”

Her tinkling laugh is knowing. “I bet you do, you big hedonist. As for the blush, I’ll believe it when I see. No way, buddy.”

My mate grins more, his hair streaming over the arm of the chair, legs dangling over the side. “It happens, but it takes the right touch, you see.”

Taurus wraps his arm around my shoulder and seeps into me, calming us both as joy spreads through us.~It wasn’t my original plan, but then, I’m not one to pass up an opportunity to improvise. ~

I reply, smiling a bit as I know it’s been a while since my mate has been this playful. It’s good to see him get some of his spark back. I relax into Taurus with a pleasurable sigh.~It’s almost amusing to watch, anyway. ~

Taurus leans over and nuzzles my neck, whispering into my head. ~I’m going to boot the golden goddess in about two minutes as she’s feeling much better about our almost deaths and I want to be alone with you, so enjoy it while you can. ~

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