Page 74 of Twilight Longings

“If you don’t have anything intelligent to say on the subject, I’ve got a lot of work to do,” Saintcrow said, rattling the papers on his desk.

“Okay, Daddy, I’ll leave you to it.”

“Wait a minute. How are you feeling? Any ill effects from Luca’s magic or the Medallion?”

“None I’m aware of.” Kincaid rubbed his wrist. “I feel kind of naked without Izabela’s talisman. I still can’t believe that Luca found a way around it.”

“I guess nothing lasts forever.”

With a shrug, Jake headed for the door, then paused. “I think I’ll buy you some baby diapers next time I’m in town. I hear some men practice changing diapers on a doll. Oh! Guess I’d better buy a doll, too.”

Scowling at Jake, Saintcrow said, “I should have let Luca finish you off.”

Jake grinned at him. “You’d miss me if I was gone,” he said, and vanished from sight.

Saintcrow, muttered an oath. Changing diapers, indeed. It would be a cold day in hell when that happened.

Saintcrow knew something was up as soon as he walked into the house that evening. His senses told him Kadie was in the kitchen making spaghetti sauce and she was bubbling with excitement. The strong scents of garlic and oregano assaulted his nostrils.

Coming up behind her, he slid his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck. “Trying a new recipe?”

Turning in his arms, she said, “Oh! You startled me. How was your day?”

“All right. You’re looking mighty happy about something. Did you win the lottery?”

“Better.”

He lifted on brow. “Want to tell me about it?”

“I had this idea … I was thinking, what if the Methuselah Stone could make you human again? Think about it! We could have a baby of our own.”

“You want me to be human again?”

The excitement faded from her eyes. “Well, why not? I was a vampire for you for a long time.”

He nodded slowly. He couldn’t argue with that. But to be human again was the last thing he wanted.

“I guess it wasn’t such a great idea, after all.” Turning away from him, she picked up a wooden spoon and stirred the spaghetti sauce

“Kadie …”

Blinking rapidly to keep from crying, she said, “It’s all right. Forget I suggested it.”

At a complete loss for words, Saintcrow stared at her back. He didn’t want to be human again. Even if it was possible, which was doubtful after so many centuries, there was no guarantee he would be able to father a child after such a long time, just as there was no guarantee that Kadie was still able to get pregnant. Possible or not, it wasn’t something he wanted. He liked being a vampire, enjoyed the power it gave him, the ability to do a hundred things humans couldn’t do. He had forgotten how real food tasted, forgotten what it was like to be weak, vulnerable, sick, afraid.

He clenched his hands at his sides. The only thing he feared now was losing Kadie, something he realized might very well happen. What if she loved being human again more than she loved him? What if she decided that having a baby of her own was more important than their relationship?

He swore under his breath, felt a sudden, gut-wrenching rage as he imagined her in the arms of another man, bearing his child.Dammit! He would kill any man who dared lay his hands on his woman. His wife.

Kadie felt his rage like a palpable presence in the kitchen. For the first time in years, she was afraid of him again. She told herself he loved her, that he would never hurt her, but at the moment, she couldn’t make herself believe it. She knew about his past, knew what he was capable of when he was angry.

“Kadie, look at me.”

Slowly, she turned to face him, the wooden spoon clutched tightly in her fist.

“I can’t do it, Kadie. I can’t be human again, not even for you. I’ve been a vampire too long.”

Two sparkling tears slid down her cheeks. “I shouldn’t have asked. I’m sorry.” She turned off the stove, dropped the spoon in the sink, and removed her apron. “I’d like to be alone,” she said, and left the kitchen.

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