Page 49 of Peacock Me Like a Hurricane

“You’re one step away, hussy—one step.”

I nip my mark on his neck, drawing blood. “That’s where I like to be.”

“Warning, Minx,” he growls as his arms tighten around me and his chest rumbles.

Chuckling throatily, I suck on the minor wound. “I’m all the warning you get.”

“I knew that was going to bite me on the ass.”

I smile. We’re going to be okay, and I need to find a flowery knitting basket—pronto.

The Cat And The Goddess Have A Chat

TALIA

Isuck in a nervous breath, feeling like I’m intruding as I knock on the door. The bird said that she was here avoiding the simpletons who seem to make her miserable. Hiking up the burden of the large cloisonné vase full of wildly colored tropical flowers, I press the doorbell again and wait.

Deli opens the door a crack, looking completely flummoxed. I wonder if she knew that there was a doorbell. “Um. Hi?”

My lips curve up as I take in her appearance. She’s much less decked out than she is in public. I can empathize with that as I’m not the type to be perfectly coiffed at home, either.

Messy suits her as well as fashionista; Taurus was right.

When the cat isn’t dressed to kill and vamping it up, she resembles an adorable college kid. She’s wearing one of his silks, tied at the waist with a pair of scandalously low-slung cutoffs. Sporting long, curly crimson pigtails and knee-high socks with Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’ on them, she looks approachable and comfy.

“Hi. So, um, Taurus said it would be okay if I stopped by. I realize you weren’t expecting a visitor, but...”

She blinks, studying the vase of flowers in my hands curiously. “It’s okay; come on in. I look terrible, but that’s because I wasn’t expecting anyone but the Big Bad.”

Opening the door, she reveals a staircase. I follow her up, looking around. The room she enters screams ‘Taurus’, but it also has an otherworldly aura that’s all her. The decor is elegant and expensive, yet there are traces of the fierce feline everywhere. Colorful, wild, eccentric, ethereal clothes, shoes, and items are strewn carelessly throughout the space. There’s a cabinet that exudes power I can’t identify, a bar with Taurus’ scotch but also a selection of wines, liquors and liqueurs that have to be hers, a large furry blanket that seems to be mov?—

What the fuck?!

A goddamned white tiger struts over to a crystal water bowl. Holy fucking shit biscuits, it’s walking around like it owns the place. Deli holds her hands out for the vase and I hand it to her, stunned mute as I continue watching the tiger trotting around. She doesn’t even pay the sedan sized animal a bit of attention as she looks at me with a warm smile.

“You’re welcome to visit.” She fusses with the vase as she settles it on the mantle and then flicks her hand in the air distractedly. The light classical music that was playing in the background shuts off and the candles strewn about the room suddenly snuff out.

Taurus also did not mention that she’s not just a feline shifter, but a witch or something.Isn’t that interesting? I love being unprepared.“I only stopped by for a moment, really. I don’t plan on intruding. I asked him to not be here so he’s probably out back, pacing a hole in your patio.”

Her laugh is soft and husky, her big blue eyes dancing with amusement. She practically melts into a huge armchair, gesturing for me to have a seat nearby. “That sounds about right.”

“Home warming gift,” I say, tilting my head at the flowers.

I’m not sure where to go with this, because all the surprises are throwing off my game. I touch the dagger strapped on my thigh nervously, unsure what I’ll do if she lobs any other additional information at me.

“Don’t be nervous. They’re beautiful because they feel like me.” The tiger pads over and sits by her legs, making Taurus’ new mate look like a new world version of an ancient queen.

Is she empathic, too? Jesus, Taurus, leave anything else out? Jackass.

“Well, we haven’t beenformallyintroduced, but I have met you once or twice.”

“Thank you, Talia—truly.” She studies me for a moment and frowns. “I’m not trying to make you uncomfortable. Did the bird leave out a few pertinent details?”

I nod, sighing. “A few would be putting it kindly. I should have come sooner, then I wouldn’t be so far behind.”

“No worries. Rafe hasn’t been here, either. He’s introspective lately.” Her brow furrows. I see the concern for her mate written on her face plain as day. She’s an open book, and I don’t know if that’s because she trusts me, Taurus, or a little of both.

“I understand. Bad blood going on.” My expression is stormy as I think about Rhea. “It’s been difficult for all of us. That’s not why I’m here, though.”

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