Page 7 of Pleasure and Mane
"Well," Caius said, his tone shifting to something cooler and more businesslike. "You can stay here during your trial period while I review your background and assess your abilities to handle Lavinia's unique pregnancy needs."
Quinn's spine straightened. "Trial period?"
"Naturally." His blue eyes hardened to chips of ice. "You'll stick to designated areas—this suite, the medical wing, the dining room, and Lavinia's quarters when necessary. I don't want random people wandering through my house unsupervised."
Heat flashed through Quinn's chest, part indignation and part something far more dangerous. The authoritative edge in his voice should have annoyed her, but instead it sent shivers down her spine that she absolutely refused to acknowledge.
"Random people?" She crossed her arms, which unfortunately emphasized the curves he seemed determined tonotice. "I'm a licensed midwife with ten years of experience, not some vagrant you picked up off the street."
"You're an unknown person who appeared in my home with less than twenty-four hours' notice." His gaze raked over her with predatory intensity. "Forgive me if I don't immediately grant you free rein here."
The absolute nerve of this man.Quinn's temper sparked, but underneath the irritation lay something she didn't want to examine too closely—something that responded to his dominance in ways that made her pulse race.
"Caius, I can't believe you're saying such things. Especially to your ma—" Lavinia began.
"Your midwife?" Caius cut her off sharply, his jaw tensing.
Quinn caught the exchange, noting the way Lavinia's eyes widened and how Bertram suddenly found the ceiling fascinating. Whatever Lavinia had almost said hung in the air like smoke, adding another layer of mystery to an already bewildering situation.
Caius turned to Gerri, who'd been watching the entire exchange with barely contained amusement. "Gerri, thank you for your visit today and all of your efforts. But I truly do have things under control now."
"Oh, I can most certainly see that," Gerri murmured, her golden eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Well then, I really must get going. I have important work to handle this afternoon." Caius's gaze found Quinn's once more, and the intensity there made her breath catch. Something wild and primitive flickered in those blue depths before he shuttered his expression. "Excuse me."
He strode from the suite, leaving behind the scent of cedar and something uniquely masculine that made Quinn's head spin. The tension in the room eased immediately, as if a storm had passed.
"Quinn, I'm so sorry about my brother's behavior," Lavinia said, pressing her hands to her flushed cheeks. "He's not usually so... territorial."
"Don't worry about it." Quinn forced her voice to remain steady despite the way her pulse hammered against her throat. "You're my patient, not him. I have no problem staying out of his way."
Liar.The traitorous thought whispered through her mind. Staying away from Caius Haider was going to be harder than she cared to admit, even to herself.
Gerri placed a comforting hand on Lavinia's shoulder, her eyes twinkling with unmistakable mischief. "Don't fret about Caius, darling. The whole 'midwife-moving-in-for-six-months' situation may have been a shock to him. You know he's very protective of his space and family. But I have no doubt he'll come around eventually."
Her smile turned positively radiant. "Well, at least before his little niece or nephew is born. I'm absolutely certain of it."
Quinn shifted uncomfortably against the mahogany doorframe of her lavish suite. "I don't see why it matters that the baby's uncle comes around to the idea of having me around when it's Lavinia's choice." She smoothed an imaginary wrinkle from her charcoal dress. "Other than it would make things easier for everyone if there's peace and cooperation while I'm helping Lavinia."
"Oh, my dear," Gerri's laugh held notes of pure delight. "But Caius is the one you'll need to work with more closely if you want to understand lion shifter pregnancies better. Not to mention the recent rise in miscarriage rates in their small town."
She gestured toward the portrait-lined hallway beyond Quinn's suite. "He's the Alpha of this pride, you see. Knows all the details and history of these lions who've inhabited Leon forcenturies. Every bloodline, every pattern, and every risk factor—it's all stored here under lock and key."
Quinn nodded slowly, processing this revelation. When Gerri had first contacted her this morning, the briefing had been frustratingly sparse. Lion shifters, unique pregnancy complications, and a town she'd never heard of—but no real context or medical history to work with.
"When you mentioned the pregnancy loss situation earlier, you hoped I could help the pride figure it out," Quinn said carefully. "But I'll need to examine the patterns more closely before making any professional recommendations."
"Precisely why you'll need Caius," Gerri confirmed with a knowing smile. "He keeps meticulous records of everything affecting his people in his home."
Bertram cleared his throat from where he stood protectively near his wife. "The Alpha takes his responsibilities seriously. Sometimes too seriously."
Lavinia shot her husband a look that mixed affection with exasperation. "Bertram is being diplomatic. My brother is a control freak who thinks this town will collapse if he takes five minutes off work."
"Which is exactly why this arrangement will be perfect for everyone," Gerri declared, gathering her designer purse with flourish. "Well, I really must dash. Important business to attend to, you understand."
She paused at the threshold, her blue-gold gaze moving between Quinn and the hallway where Caius had disappeared. "Good luck with the pregnancy and living arrangement, dears. Something tells me everything will work out absolutely perfectly."
The sparkle in her eyes suggested she knew far more than she was revealing, but before Quinn could process that thoughtfurther, Gerri had swept from the room with Lavinia and Bertram trailing behind to escort her out.
