Page 15 of Peacock Me Like a Hurricane

Nodding, I give him a satisfied expression. “With pillows and everything.”

Taurus walks into the room cautiously. “I see that—you know, now.” He winks and I wonder if he’s trying to hide how he feels. “You bought us an exquisite, gigantic bed with all the frills.”

“Yup.” I wriggle my toes, spreading out on the softness happily.

Tilting his head, he sends a caress through our bond. “I thought you didn’t do beds, love.”

“Don’t be silly—I’m not a heathen. I just have a hard time making it to them.” I squirm, not wanting to explain how beds tie to fear of commitment.

I didn’t used to be this way, but I am now and telling the tale will ruin the mood.

He takes another few steps and runs his hands over the wrought iron with a wide grin on his face. “I love it. Very manly—except for the dust ruffles.”

“I’m a sucker for old fashioned stuff. Besides, the sheets are blood colored. I thought that’d be handy—no stains!”

“Look at all those places to tie you down and have my wicked way with you.”

His eyes glow and I know he’s being playful, but I feel my chest tighten. My breathing gets thready as the images flood my brain. It was fine with Alistair. He’s gone now, but Taurus won’t do what Wilde does. He won’t take my power and make me small and afraid.

Shit. Shit. I can do this. It’s okay. Just breathe, Deli, and it’ll be okay.

I squirm, finally forcing husky words out of my dry mouth. “I knew you’d be all lecherous about it.”

“You’d be disappointed down to your cute little toes if I didn’t, so don’t even try it, Minx.”

“Maybe.” I give him a sly smile as I work to push the panic away before he notices.

“You bought your lover—yourmate—a bed. That sends a message.” Eyes bright with love and passion, he stares as he slowly unbuttons his shirt. “Mind if I try out the mattress?”

Flopping onto my side, I let my hair spill over my shoulders like a pose from the cover of a romance novel. His growl tells me that I made a perfect ‘come hither’ picture and satisfaction rumbles through me. “Help yourself.”

He tosses his burgundy silk over the foot rail and bunches his muscles, leaping onto the bed with delighted exuberance. Laughing happily, he pulls me towards him. “Oh no, minx. One cannot try out a bed properly without the person you intend to share it with as often as non-humanly possible.”

I kiss him lightly, my heart filled with sappy emotions. He’s taken this one little gesture and made it feel like I gave him the greatest gift he’s ever received. Christ, it’s nice to have someone who wants to share things with me that aren’t to make themselves feel better or to look good in front of others. I purr softly as he holds me close.

Taurus groans low in his throat, enjoying the purr. Drawing back, he looks at me. “I like this setup.”

“Oh, good. I hoped you would.”

His smile is tender. His arms spread out over the expanse of the comforter as he relaxes. “This is wonderful. What made you think of this, love? Last I heard, you scoffed at the ultra-breakable beds and only wanted a sofa in here.”

I wrinkle my nose, suddenly feeling exposed. “I might have been looking for the right time and place. I’m a softy about stuff like this.”

Tilting his head as he leans over me, caressing his feather. He leans down and kisses me gently, stroking the feather eye with his thumb, then whispers, “I hate to tell you this, love of mine, but you’re a softy about more than just ‘stuff like this’. In all seriousness, you humble me. This is perfect and I’m honored to be the right time and place.”

My eyelids flutter, a contented hum escaping into the kiss. I smooth my hands over his hair and down to rest on his shoulders. “Maybe I am soft, but you’d better not tell anyone.”

He arches an eyebrow. “Who would I tell? You keep me locked away in this room, hoarding me all to yourself.”

“I’m sure that disappoints yousomuch.” I shrug, pretending to be nonchalant. This is the first time he’s seriously talking about us going out in public as a couple and it terrifies me. “If you want to go strutting around together, I’m always game. I know how you love to spread your feathers.”

“That’s a conundrum. On one hand, I have a chance to sport you on my arm with a side order of proud and mighty; on the other, I have you all to myself for all manner of wicked naked fun on this new bed. What’s a proud, ornery, love-struck, arrogant peacock to do?”

“You know, Mr. Polar Extremes, you could split the difference. I’m not going anywhere, and neither is the bed.”

He eyes me oddly, a twinkle sparking in the sapphire depths. “My, my, kitty. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you’re interested in keeping me with you all the time.” He leans back into the soft mattress, sighing in pleasure. “Split the difference, eh?”

Sighing dramatically, I roll my eyes. “Every time I’m accommodating, you get difficult. It must be a reverse corollary or something.”

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