Page 154 of Prodigal Son

A minute passed. She studied him while he stared at the test strip. Her belly tightened, her pulse fluttering wildly. Her mind may not have recognized him right away, but her body had a very long memory. Not only could she remember their time together, she could feel his hands on her and recall how perfectly he fit inside of her.

His gaze snapped to hers. “You’re aroused.”

She gaped at him. “What? How did you…?”

He grinned. “I know your scent. I can tell.”

“You can smell me?”

His grin widened. “Don’t look so terrified. Your pheromones are sweet, like jasmine. When you’re aroused, the scent intensifies.”

“Oh.” Well, at least it was a nice scent. “Can you smell other women?”

“Yes, but their pheromones don’t appeal to me. I like your scent best.”

“Aw,” she blushed. Proud of her sweat glands for the first time ever.

The memories became more precise and sharp. Fresh in her mind. “I feel like I just left you.”

“I feel like an eternity has passed.”

Shaking her head, she confessed. “All this time, I knew something was missing. It’s the weirdest feeling, missing something so profoundly and not knowing what it is.”

He once again took her hand and looked into her eyes. “I’m sorry you had to go through that. I was only trying to protect you.”

“And now?”

“Protecting you is still my goal, but it was killing me to be apart. I want a life with you, Destiny. One where I can watch over you and wake up beside you for however long we have together.”

His words were more than anyone had ever offered her, and she feared how much she wanted them to be true.

She didn’t condone his deception but understood he didn’t have another choice at the time. Now her memories came with perspective. The terrible ache in her heart was gone, and Cain was here. She didn’t want to let him go, but she feared no man could love her so unconditionally.

She once again looked at the test, torn by what outcome she desired. Deep down, she believed his love was conditional, and he would only want her if she was like him. She didn’t trust others, so assuming this incredibly beautiful, caring man—who belonged to some superhuman species—might actually choose a life with boring her over his entire superhuman family, well it just seemed unlikely.

She covered the test with her hand. “No matter what happens, promise you’ll never lie to me again. I can’t be with you if I don’t trust you.”

“When you’re like us, you are taught to lie first and make exceptions later. It’s how we managed to survive for so long.”

“But there’s a chance I’m just a normal person, Cain.” She was certain that would be the case. “Even if I’m not like you, we have to be honest with each other.”

He took her hand. “I promise. And for the record, I don’t care what the results are. I just want to be with you. I want you exactly as you are.”

A kaleidoscope of butterflies took flight in her stomach, each one propelled by hope. The cynic inside of her stood as still as a sniper wondering if she should shoot each little flutter of hope to the ground.

She anxiously glanced at the text and then checked her phone. It had been four minutes. The waiting was torture.

Her heart wanted a life with him, but her mind had questions. She didn’t want to live a life of seclusion without her family, but she wanted him. How selfish was she, being that he was basically offering to give up everyone he knew to be with her?

“Do I have to choose between you and my family?”

“Assuming we find a genetic link, no one can know you have immortality in your bloodline. But I see no reason for you to cut them out so long as you practice self-control.”

He only spoke of an outcome where she was like him, which she interpreted as his preference. And why wouldn’t he prefer her that way? If she was like him, he wouldn’t need to make any sacrifices.

“When you say fed, you mean—right.” Her brow tightened. “Would I have to do that?”

“If you’re immortal, even slightly, your body will crave it.”

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