Page 75 of Peacock Me Like a Hurricane

“None of that, woman. I’ll not have you telling every chit and their mate things that ruin my sterling reputation for being a conscienceless killer.”

“I suppose I get to see the silly because I’m letting you dip your wick, huh?” She rolls her hips, and I lose a moment of thought before I can reply.

“You think I let every chit I’ve slept with see this? Pffft. Plus, there’s a suspicious lack of dipping going on here to back up that claim.”

Sitting back on her haunches, she smirks. “I do, multiple times a day, give you dipping privileges. Once I’m preggo, you know that will increase, right? Especially in the last leg, women get rowdy all day, every day. It’s the hormones.”

My face clouds as I realize that I’m not here every day, all day, and it’s possible that her needs may get serviced by those who are. I’m not sure who’s left on the horizon that’s not a mate, but hell if I’m pulling out the bloody list to look. I stop moving as the brood settles in because fear and anger are gripping me inside.

Must. Stay. Calm.

“Taurus? Did I say something wrong?” Moving like lightning, she pulls off what little clothes she has on and positions herself on the bed as if she’s waiting for something. I don’t have time to explain what worried me before she pastes on a smile and crooks her finger at me. “Come now, love. It was a lovely gift. I’ve got plenty of ways to thank you in mind.”

I sit up, admiring her form as I try to muddle out what is happening. I’m not sure why she’s so complacent, but it’s unnecessary. I need to man up and ask her the question that’s pinching me.

“You look tasty as can be, my minx, but you need to give me a tick before we get playful. I’ve got a question, and I’m quiet because I’m not sure how to ask it.” She looks worried, tuggingthe shirt back on and watching me silently. Her gaze is wary and I’m not sure what’s wrong, but I’m going to forge ahead. “You said mums get all panting, and you’d need to up the dipping. Um, what about when I’m not here? What about the others?”

“I don’t want to be unfair to anyone,” she whispers. “But with everything that has gone on—no matter what that’s about—I would prefer that it only be you while I’m pregnant.”

I have to look like someone slammed me in the face with a sodding brick. I didn’t expect her to say that. I was trying to figure out how to live with her decision. I figured I could always take out a small colony of trailers or something to burn off my rage.

“That makes me ecstatic, love, but are you sure that will make you happy? It’s bound to make others unhappy, and I know how that weighs on you.” I’m being supportive, but cautious. I don’t want her making a promise that she can’t keep. That would cause a much bigger problem than if she’s honest with me right now.

“I feel like while I’m pregnant—if I get pregnant—it should be the father of the child handling my sexual needs. I don’t want to exclude people from interacting with me, but it doesn’t feel right to have anyone else intimate with me during pregnancy.”

She’s giving me a small, hopeful grin as if she wants me to agree with her and I take her hand. “It would honor me, minx. I’ll even go with you to tell people if it’ll make it easier on you.”

Her eyes go wide, and she shakes her head. “Oh, no. I think it will sting less if I impart that decision on my own.”

I sense that something is off, but not knowing how to resolve it, I nod. “Okay. If you have any trouble, though, you’ll let me know, right?”

She smiles and nods, crawling over and wrapping herself around me as if she’s trying to absorb into my skin.~I will. ~

I kiss the top of her head and chuckle. “Oi, woman. I meant to give you a present to show you what you mean to me. You show me up every sodding time. I don’t know how you do it.”

“If you can’t be good, be good at it. That’s what my grandpa used to say.”

I grin and nip her neck. “You, my minx, take that advice to heart every bloody time you draw breath.”

The Cat And The Goddess Meet Again

DELILAH

Popping into our home, I kick off my shoes and roll my shoulders. He’s not here yet; I sense when he is, even when I pretend not to. I’m hoping for some time to absorb what happened yesterday. I didn’t lie to him; I prefer him to be the one that I have sex with if I’m pregnant.

I’m unsure how I’m going to break that to my other liaisons.

Sari will get angry, but not because she wants to sleep with me. Constantine will be whiny and upset before he pretends that he understands when he doesn’t. I’m not worried about the ex-family, though I should send a letter because they are mates. I have no interest in re-opening that door, but I feel obligated. Maybe it won’t matter because reports from the boys show that their house in the Cabal quarter is closed up, as if they are living solely on the other side now.

Wilde is my biggest concern. He will get vengefully pissed, and he will take it out on Rafe. I can’t prove that now, but I’m certain that it will be a problem. He’ll pretend everything is fine to seem supportive, and act as if he’ll be the world’s grandest uncle. In the background, ripples will be felt.

That’s why I didn’t want Taurus to come with me when I speak to them. His temper would be hard to control if anyonegets fidgety. I have to think about this before I approach my mates and lovers. I need to figure out what to say to keep this from becoming a repeat of the stupid ‘peach situation’.

Speaking of parties, I glare at the phone buzzing nearby. Looking at the screen, I see that it’s Philomena letting me know that despite how funny I think it is, the flurry of texts and emails and flowers at my house following Beltane’s big reveal is unacceptable. According to her, Hex is ready to send glitter bombs to people’s houses as revenge for the bees all the flowers are drawing. He is no longer amused with popping balloons and recycling cards for paper crafts.

I know they sent out the party invitation yesterday, and I hoped it would be a distraction for them and the community. Hex and Leo will kick into overdrive working on the theme. They’ll drive Rafe insane with all their questions and swatches and fonts, which will give me some time to relax and keep him from hiding in the studio all day.

Honestly, the build-up and wind down from Beltane, the baby stuff, the family bickering, and the big secrets are wearing me out. I put the phone on my nightstand and strip down, tossing my clothes on the couch. Heading to the closet, I rummage until I find one of Taurus’ shirts and put it on. He likes when I wear them. They’re silky and even when they’re fresh from the cleaners, they smell like him.

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