“Maternity is hot right now, lots of prego celebs. I’m out-sourcing looks for the blog. I don’t think I need to ask you why you’re in this store,” Kayla’s eyes settled accusingly on Siona’s small but obvious bump. Siona stroked a hand over her stomach before looking at Kayla.
Her friend’s eyes were a mixture of hurt and curiosity. “Kayla, I…” Siona tried to begin, but as Kayla’s expression morphed into painful confusion, Siona knew that this was not the place to do this. Taking her friend’s arm, Siona ushered Kayla toward the shop’s entrance. For a moment, Siona thought that Rafael was going to say something, but after making the girls pause with his intimidating bulk, he stepped aside and let them pass. Instead he followed them a few steps behind.
“Is Rambo going to hurt me?” Kayla muttered in Siona’s ear. “Have you taken on werewolves as well as vampires now?”
“He’s a bodyguard,” Siona spat back but then seriously considered the likelihood that Raphael was one hundred percent human. Was she dealing with another mythical creature? It could really go either way.
Siona tabled the thought when they reached a Starbucks. Sending Rafael to the counter with an order for one decaf and one double shot of Mocha Frappuccino, the girls sat at a cozy table in the front. Siona had to school herself not to turn around and watch how Rafael was going to manage to order without speaking. Instead she focused on her friend.
Kayla brushed her pink strands over her shoulder and gave Siona a piercing stare. “Talk.”
Siona looked at her hands. “To be honest, it was a surprise to everyone. The baby, I mean.”
Kayla covered Siona’s hands, and Siona looked back up into Kayla’s gaze. Her friend’s stare had softened, “Were they okay when they found out you were pregnant?”
A grin lit Siona’s face. “They were over the moon. Seriously, I’ve never seen two people happier. I was the one that was nervous. I wasn’t expecting it, you know?”
Kayla nodded sagely. “They’re okay with dealing with a child?”
“Oh, I think it was something they never really expected to have. They’re excited.” Siona paused. “Well, Valad is excited. Michael is a nervous wreck. He’s sending me out for all of these extra appointments and specialists. But everything is going really well. It’s all normal.”
Both Kayla and Siona smiled at Rafael as he handed them their sugary drinks. Somehow, he managed to fade his bulk into the background of the noisy coffee shop and Kayla continued, “What about the father?”
Siona smiled, confused, “He’s happy about it. Nowhere near as nervous as Michael.”
Kayla opened and shut her mouth. “Do you, uhm, do you know who the father is?”
Siona smiled. “Oh, only Valad can have children.”
Now it was Kayla’s turn to look confused, “Oh, but, I thought that they were both…” Kayla swept her gaze around the store, her eyes landing on Rafael’s menacing form, “different.” she finished slowly.
“Oh,” Siona said, understanding dawning. “They are both “different.” But Valad can still have children. Apparently it’s very rare, and we were just lucky.”
“Hmm. Lucky,” Kayla said stiffly as she took a sip of her beverage.
“Well, I think it’s lucky. Aren’t you happy for me? I’m happy.”
Kayla bit her lip before she broke into a small smile again. “I think if you’re happy then I’m happy for you. I just wish I hadn’t found out by stumbling upon you.”
Siona bit her lip. “I know, but it’s all so complicated. I guess I didn’t know where to start. Once I found out everything was healthy, I was pretty far into it all. It’s not the easiest subject to broach. Especially when I have to ask you to keep it a secret.”
Kayla tilted her head, considering. “I don’t know, Siona, I just thought we could tell each other anything.”
“We can! I promise, no more secrets from here on out.”
Kayla still looked skeptical, but with a deep breath, she seemed to decide to leave it at that. Standing, she motioned for Siona to follow her. “All right then, why don’t we take these drinks to go? You can help me with my fashion picks for the blog and I’ll style you so you look like a little MILF.”
Siona burst into giggles at that idea, “MILF? Why yes, I think the boys would love it if they had more MILF in their life.”
Kayla took her arm and directed her back to the boutique. “Then let’s get it on.”
Rafael patiently followed them back out into the crisp night and the girls walked back into the store just as the streetlights were flickering to life for the evening. Rafael gave his watch a pointed glance, but Siona knew that Michael usually slept till at least seven in the evening, and she still had about an hour or so before she would need to leave the city to get back for dinner.
Kayla led Siona around the store and plucked out designer duds and basic pieces. A few times Siona had to stop her; when would Siona ever need a fully-beaded gown during her pregnancy?
Kayla waved her concerns off. “You must always be prepared, my friend.”
“At least throw some normal stuff in there. I like these maxi skirts,” Siona contended stroking the soft cotton of the tiered prairie skirt. “I think they’ll grow with me too.” Siona pointed to the small sliver of skin exposed at the base of her t-shirt.
“Hmm,” Kayla said considering, “That’s good to note in the blog. You’ll need a strategy for stuff to grow with you.” Turning to an expert, Kayla called the store clerk over to conference on the newly discovered situation and yet more clothing piled up in the dressing room.
The Frappuccino worked wonders. When Siona had worked her way through the pile of clothing, beaded dress and all, she was ready for more.
Leaning around the soft purple curtain, Siona scanned the floor for her friend. She saw the bright pop of pink wandering around a rack of formal dresses. The beaded dress was great and all, but Siona’s head had turned to other articles of clothing. “Psst, Kayla. Can you come here a second?”
Kayla looked up and motioned to a grey dress made out of raw silk. Siona rolled her eyes. “Come here, I need something.”
Dropping the hem of the dress, Kayla strode over. “What’s up? Do you need any other sizes? I’m pretty sure you’ve tried on one of everything here in the store…” Kayla scanned the racks, her eyes lingering on a tent-like blue gingham number. “Well, everything worth trying on, that is.”
Clutching the green curtain to her body like a toga, Siona agreed. “Yeah, I think we’ve reached the end of the line for clothing—but I was wondering if they had any lingerie?”
“Oh, yeah. They’ve got some comfortable looking nursing bras and some cotton undies. Do you need to up the sizes already? The sales girl said you probably weren't there yet, but your ass does look good right now… Maybe you need a little more room for junk in the trunk?”
Her cheeks were going pink, Siona could feel it. “I, uh, thank you for the compliment but I was thinking that maybe there were some… prettier pieces to showcase the new body?”
Kayla’s eyes went wide. “Oh, I get it.” Biting on a fingernail, she considered. “I think there was some stuff in the back. Hold on.”
Minutes later, Kayla thrust some delicate silk and lace pieces behind the curtain. Siona started with a pretty purple teddy. The blue lace detail hung from thin satin straps and dipped into her growing cleavage. The purple satin that comprised most of the teddy stopped abruptly, skimming the very bottom of her butt, blue lace skimming her smooth skin. Looking in the mirror, Siona was pleased with the whole look. She was thinking that Michael especially would enjoy the moody colors of the ensemble when suddenly the green curtain was ripped back.
Siona spun, clutching desperately to the hem of the teddy, willing the scrap of fabric to gain a few more inches. Looking up she was confronted with the hulking form of an angry Michael. For a moment her head spun. Siona was thrown by the idea that she had conjured the man out of thin air. Michael, too, looked thrown by the situatio
n. His eyes were confused, running up and down her body—his pause so long Siona finally had to say something.
“Could you at least close the curtain? This isn’t exactly meant to be viewed by anyone but you or Valad.”
This seemed to break Michael’s trance. Reaching behind he snapped the curtain shut, never breaking eye contact with Siona. “What are you doing here?”
Raising an eyebrow, Siona stated the obvious, “Uhm, shopping.”
Michael took in a deep breath and his entire body tensed, he was reduced to grunting in response.
Siona waited, but Michael didn’t continue. Putting a hand on her hip, she tried again, “I assume Valad told you where I was? It must be how you located me.”
Michael grunted.
This was getting ridiculous. “What’s up Michael? You’ve kind of rushed in at the eleventh hour looking...” Siona paused to consider his tense expression, the hard lines of his jaw and brows, “...avenging. I’m just wondering why that is?”
“You left the manor,” Michael said bluntly, shoving his big hands into dark washed jeans.
“I took Rafael with me and Valad was the one who suggested the trip,” Siona stated logically and bent to pick up the small t-shirt that had caused all the fuss in the first place. “This thing doesn’t even fit anymore. I needed more clothing so I don’t end up waddling around naked in a month. Plus, it’s nice to get out.” Siona skewered Michael with a look. “I didn’t think I was on house arrest.”
When he stayed silent, she moved to put the t-shirt and skirt back on, but Michael stopped her.
“I’m sorry, I was just worried about you. I haven’t seen you in a few days and I didn’t like not knowing where you were or that you’d left.” Siona noted that his eyes were sincere and she reminded herself that Michael seemed to be carrying the weight of worry for the whole group.
Michael’s eyes grew hot as he continued, “That doesn’t mean I’m in any rush to see you take that outfit off, though.”
Siona dropped the hand holding her clothing to her side. “I thought you’d like this one.”
Watching Michael’s face in the mirror, Siona gave him a slow spin. She watched as his eyes flared, taking in the spill of her curves from all angles. The satin smoothed over the bust and hips and Siona gave a little shake to make the short hem bounce a little higher. When Michael’s eyes tore themselves away from her ass, Siona lifted one eyebrow in a dare.
Quicker than her eyes could track, Michael was on Siona. He tucked her into the corner of the dressing room, her elbows hitting the walls with a little bang. The impact had hurt a bit, but Michael’s mouth captured the sound of her distress in a kiss. When his lips finally left hers, the sound eventually left her as a soft feminine sigh. His head dipped back to her body, greedily shifting from her mouth to the rest of her sensitive skin. Warmth curled up from Siona’s center as Michael’s mouth worked its way down her jawline and over her neck.
Siona’s own hand wrapped around the back of Michael’s head, keeping him clamped to the delicate skin of her collarbone before nudging him lower to her newly packaged breasts. Valad’s foreplay earlier still had her aching for more. The feel of Michael’s tongue sweeping over her skin was driving her crazy. It had been awhile since she and Michael had been intimate alone. Taking a deep breath of his crisp, clean scent, Siona lifted a leg and hooked it around his hip. As soon as their bodies aligned, Michael lifted her up off the floor completely. Siona’s back landed more firmly against the dressing room’s thin wall and she let out a small groan as Michael ground against her. His erection strained against his jeans and the texture of the fabric rubbed roughly against Siona’s clit. The feeling made her damp and needy.
Grasping Michael’s head, she pulled him in for another searing kiss…
“Oh my god!”
Siona caught a flash of pink as the curtain snapped closed again. Biting Michael on the neck, she was breathing hard, trying to get things under control again. They were in the middle of a maternity store, for Pete’s sake.
“You guys are making a lot of noise. The sales girl is staring.” Kayla’s voice bit through the curtain and Siona had to stifle a laugh.
Michael leaned back from her, solemn faced, but with a twinkle in his eye. Whispering, he asked, “Does it make it worse that we’re in a maternity store versus a regular store?”
Nodding seriously, Siona confirmed Kayla’s words, “Vastly.”
Letting Siona slide down his body Michel fingered the thin straps of her lingerie, “Then they shouldn’t sell stuff like this.”
Her cheeks turning pink, Siona pushed him toward the curtain, “I don’t think they intend for anyone other than the buyer to see the lingerie on in the store.”
“Then they should have someone watch the rooms, just like in the Secret store.”
Siona raised an eyebrow, “And how would you know that Victoria’s Secret monitors their dressing rooms?”
Michael gave a wicked grin and ducked behind the curtain, “I’ll have to show you when we get home. I’m sure we can find a closet somewhere.”
Siona gave a sound of exasperation, but inside the thought had her dying to get home again. Inspired, Siona grabbed her clothing to dress quickly. She was mid-way through slipping her t-shirt on, when she heard the commotion. A male voice was raised in alarm and Michael’s voice answered it in low calm tones. When Kayla’s voice sounded out too, Siona realized what was going on.
Heading outside of the dressing room, Siona could see Marcus being held back from Kayla and Michael with one of Rafael’s meaty hands. Marcus’s eyes were crazy, though his voice had dropped to a low tone. Still, the sales girl was nervously looking at the small group. It was probably more action than the Pea in the Pod had ever seen.
As Siona approached the group, Michael reached out to gather her to him. His arm was like steel around her shoulders. Marcus reached out as if to draw Siona away from Michael and to him instead, but when he saw her condition, Marcus backed away, horrified.
“That is disgusting,” he spat.
Siona’s hands drifted down to protect her small bump while Michael’s arm tightened to the point of discomfort, but she took comfort in the action.
“What is disgusting is having you standing in this store right now. I think Rafael will be more than happy to escort you out while we pay for our purchases,” Michael said forcefully.
“God, what century are you even from? Wares. You know exactly why this is all wrong. How dare you play games like that with unsuspecting women?”
Siona’s spine snapped straight with that comment, “Well then it’s a good thing that no one asked you, isn’t it? You have no part in my life, now or in the past. If you don’t mind I think you should leave now, too.”
Rafael’s grip tightened and against his will, Marcus started to stumble backwards out of the store. Michael turned Siona toward the cashier, but she couldn’t resist throwing one last glance over her shoulder to watch the retreating form of Marcus. Instead of his back, Siona was greeted with a look so angry it chilled her to the bone. With a shiver, she turned back to the task at hand. Now more than ever, all Siona wanted to do was go home.
*
Quarto watched the lights glitter outside the town car as it slowly rolled through the traffic of 42nd Street. The streets were crowded with a mix of people. Crazy street performers mingled with tourists and theater goers. Apparently, the city that never sleeps was a crowded place.
“Are you sure this is a good idea? Why are we headed into the heart of the city if we believe that both the vampire’s home and the threshold is in the upper part of this region?”
Valermo gave a Gallic shrug, “You wanted truthful information—this is where the leads are sending us. We could spend our time hunting through the wilds of the upper region of the state instead. What do they call it?” Valermo’s dark eyebrows came together in thought. “Searching for a needle in a haystack?”
A grunt was all Quarto gave in response to that co
bbling together of human colloquialisms. Between the shrug and the idiom, Quarto had to wonder if Valermo was planning on staging a coup on the human side of the veil or joining their ranks.
Quarto picked a piece of lint from his pant leg. He didn’t like being this buried in humanity. The urge to spread his wings was stifled by the high rises. Looking up through the moon roof, Quarto felt like a rat in a maze; an animal stuck at the very bottom of a sky high structure. It was too much like his homeland’s jail to be comfortable. Valermo, on the other hand, seemed to be too absorbed to be bothered to explain more about this mystery lead.
Cracking his knuckles, Quarto tried again, “Have you met with the new lead already? Or are we going in on equal footing?”
“I have obeyed the contract if that’s what you’re trying to infer,” Valermo said with an eye-roll. “I sent one of my lieutenants out to vet the lead. He said that it would be worth our time to recruit the human immediately.”
Quarto’s eyes narrowed. “Is that all your lieutenant said?”
His eyes returning to the flickering city lights, Valermo responded, “More or less.”
Grinding his teeth, Quarto concentrated on counting the city streets they were slowly passing through – focusing on keeping his temper and planning his attack for questioning the lead. Quarto’s gut told him there was more going on here than appeared on the surface. What he was impatient to discover was if it was a threat, or a boon.
Once the town car passed through the crowded nexus of the city, the streets opened up somewhat. They wound their way into an older part of the city where there were red brick sidewalks and the streets were filled with parked cars and a few couples walking toward the busier parts of the city. The town car slowed to a stop as a woman with bright pink hair passed by. Quarto watched as her intelligent eyes seemed to cut through the dark tinted windows and into his own sharp gaze.
The woman unsettled him. It wasn’t her beauty, tall and fluid with the tight leather pants and spike heels. No, as her eyes sought him out in the dark cavern of the car, Quarto was struck with the impression that she was a predator, one more dangerous in this arena than he was. But the moment passed and with a flick of long pink locks she was off. When the car door finally opened, Quarto was only left with the fleeting impression of her laughter.
The Vampire's Shared Bride Page 9
