“Good.” She tried to shake off the arousal, but it was an impossible task. He aroused her just by being close to her, and when he touched her, she drowned in her own fire. Celise didn’t miss the grin on Diane’s lips.
“I must say it’s rather arousing watching you two,” her friend said.
Anticipation filled Wind’s shiny gaze, and when Celise saw pride in them as well, it hit her. He’d do anything to please Diane.
“You liked it? Do you want me to kiss her again?” he asked.
Celise held her breath. He definitely wanted to please Diane. Would he want to please her too once she was his bound one?
Diane chuckled. “I think Celise has had enough for now. She looks ready to fall apart.”
He gave her a once-over. “She’s aroused.” Wind glanced back at Diane, his gaze lingering on the bed inside the guestroom. “I could take care of her need if you want me to. My bond allows me to do that now.”
Shock rippled through Celise. They discussed her and sex so … casually.
Wind noticed. “Don’t worry. I won’t hurt you. I can ease your need the way I did last night. I’m sure you’re going to like it.”
Celise couldn’t avoid a look toward the bed. “In here?”
“Yes.”
“With Diane here?”
“Is that a problem?”
She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “You really don’t mind her seeing us together, do you?”
He frowned. “Should I? She’s still my bound one, and Diane doesn’t mind us being together. So if she doesn’t mind, then I’m fine with it, too.”
Celise sighed. “If Diane wasn’t … dying, would you agree to it as well?”
He winced. “Of course not! Only my bound one touches me, and I only touch my bound one. I’m touching you because you’re becoming my new bound one.”
Celise nodded and relaxed.
Diane rose from the armchair and wrapped the blanket around her shoulders. “You’ve nothing to worry about, Celise. If it turns out I have to be with you and Wind, I’ll treat it professionally.”
Celise swallowed hard. “I understand, but I never thought we’d have to go that far.”
“Who knows. Maybe we won’t.”
Something rang from the bedroom. Wind went inside and approached a small and flat screen attached to the wall. He pressed its right corner, and the signal stopped. Phoebe’s attractive face appeared on the screen.
“Hello, Phoebe,” he said with a smile.
“Hi, Wind. You don’t happen to know where Celise is, do you? I’ve tried to call her, but she isn’t answering.”
“She’s right here.”
Celise approached the screen. “I’m sorry you had to search for me, I’ve been here since yesterday.”
Surprise crossed Phoebe’s eyes before she glanced at Wind. “Is something wrong with you?” She gasped and placed a hand against her mouth. “Is Diane all right?”
“Don’t worry,” Wind said. “We’re both fine.”
Phoebe studied them. Obviously, she wasn’t convinced. “Very well,” she said after a moment. “We had an appointment today, Celise.”
Celise gasped. “I completely forgot.”
Her friend grinned. “I figured.”
“Give me a few minutes, and I’ll be there.”
Phoebe nodded. “See you soon.” She hung up.
Wind turned to her. “I’m going with you.” There was unexpected anger in his eyes.
She studied him. “Maybe you should stay with Diane.”
Diane entered the room. “It’s better if he goes with you. He’s supposed to be by your side from now on, not mine.”
He nodded. “No way I’m staying here when Shade will be near you.”
Celise’s jaw dropped.
Where had that come from all of a sudden?
CHAPTER 14
Diane watched them drive away from the balcony. She followed the disappearing car until she couldn’t see them anymore.
Joy and sadness mixed inside her heart.
She knew why Wind had been so eager to go with Celise. His protective instincts had awakened, and he didn’t want another cyborg near her.
It meant the transfer was working.
He was becoming Celise’s.
Maybe she wasn’t aware of it yet, but Diane didn’t doubt Wind would make her see it soon enough. A cyborg always felt overprotective of his bound one. It also meant he’d be safe once she was gone. It was a worry Diane had had ever since she’d found out she was sick.
Diane swallowed down tears. She had to stay strong. This was for the best. She was doing this for Wind. He had to live.
Diane took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and allowed a feeling of calmness fill her. Even if things were difficult, they were heading in the right direction, and Wind was so brave.
It was impossible to miss his pain, and that he didn’t want to do this. It had been so obvious yesterday, but today, it seemed easier for him. Diane was grateful for that.
A wave of pain hit her in the chest, making her moan and lean forward. Sweat broke out on her skin, and her body started to tremble. She sat still and tried to breathe through it. One minute passed, two more followed before the agony finally faded.
Diane exhaled and reclined in the chair, exhausted. She always felt so weak afterward, but she’d gotten used to this over the past year. Inflammation had broken out in her body, slowly killing her. Fever was a regular thing for her now. Luckily, today seemed to be a feverless day.
Diane didn’t know how long she sat like that, but she was glad Wind wasn’t there to see. She didn’t want him to see her at her weakest. She wanted him to remember her as she used to be, happy and full of energy.
A memory crossed her mind.
They’d been in Wind’s study, painting on canvases. Or at least, they’d been trying to. Before long, they’d started painting each other instead. It had ended with him taking her on the floor, both covered in paint.
Diane smiled.
She hoped Wind would create such memories with Celise. She prayed he’d be happy with her.
She liked the amazing and intelligent woman, even if Celise was rather shy, but Diane didn’t doubt Wind would make her relax and open up more. Once she got used to him, it shouldn’t be an issue. At least, Diane hoped for that.
The transfer was being made at the last minute.
Diane doubted she had many more months left. Her health had decreased rapidly the last two weeks, and that worried her, but she tried not to think about it. She’d wanted to wait and see if she’d improve, and that had been foolish of her.
Now, all she could do was hope the bond would be in Celise’s hands before she took her last breath.
Diane reached beneath the armchair and pulled out a thick photo album. She opened it, and browsed slowly, looking at each image for a few seconds.
The book was filled with photos of her and Wind. In the beginning, there were images of their time at MedAct, his first month as a newborn. The doctor, Alexander Fleming, who’d created Wind was in several of the images. He’d been in his early thirties back then, and he’d also been the owner of MedAct before Jade Silva.
Wind had been so innocent back then. The calmness he’d radiated had filled her with peace. He’d been just what she’d needed after living a stressful and hectic life for thirty years.
Her cyborg had brought her back to the present and given her a purpose. She’d created him to never feel lonely again, after being abandoned by both her parents and ex-husband.
It had been the best decision of her life.
When Celise had come into their lives a few years ago, Diane had instantly seen her fascination in Wind. It had bothered her at first, but as time had passed by, she’d realized Celise was harmless, and that her love for Wind was pure.
The girl had never tried to take Wind away from her, and today, Diane was thankful for Celise.
Diane remembered Alexander as a gentle soul with kind
eyes and a huge passion for his work. It had been amazing to work with him. He’d always been supportive and had answered any questions she’d had. He’d always made her feel safe, and when Wind had opened his eyes, she’d known the right doctor had created him.
When she remembered what had happened to Alexander, a string of sorrow washed over her.
She and Alexander had stayed in contact after she and Wind had gone home. They’d been supervised by him during the first two years of Wind’s life, and he’d also become a close friend, but during those two years, Alexander had changed. He’d gone from being joyful to always looking over his shoulder.
Diane had no idea what’d happened to him, but something had taken away his smile. He’d even stopped spending time with them, but she still remembered their last conversation.
“Are you happy, Diane?” Alexander asked. “Is Wind everything you dreamt of?”
Diane nodded. “He is. I’m so happy to have him in my life. I don’t know where I’d be without him.” She moved away from the front door. “Do you want to come inside for a cup of tea?”
He seemed restless. He licked his lips and wrung his hands as he shook his head. “Thank you, but I just came by to make sure everything is all right.” The doctor paused. “The bond, is it still functioning as it should?”
She blinked. “Of course. You checked it just a few weeks ago. Don’t you remember?”
He seemed taken aback, as if he’d forgotten. “Yes, yes, I remember.”
Diane studied him. “Are you all right? You seem stressed.”
“I’m just having a tough day.” Alexander peaked inside the hallway without moving away from the door. “Is Wind here?”
“He’s upstairs, painting. We’re preparing for a new exhibition in a few months. Our paintings are in high demand. We almost have to work around the clock.” She smiled, but her worry for Alexander didn’t go away.
He nodded, rubbing his hands against each other again. “That’s good. It sounds like you’re both safe.”
Diane frowned. “Shouldn’t we be?”
Alexander didn’t answer. Instead, he whirled toward his car. “I have to go. Take good care of him, Diane.”
She winced. “What is—?”
The doctor raised his hand to interrupt her. “Just take good care of him. And Diane … remember …” He stopped and looked her deep into the eyes. “Wind has a choice.”
She opened her mouth to ask what he’d meant, but Alexander hurried away. He got into his car, and before she even had the chance to grasp what’d just happened, he drove away.
Two days later, Alexander was gone.
He’d vanished. Just like that.
His car had been found abandoned along the highway in the middle of the night, but with no trace of the doctor.
Even now, no one knew what’d happened to him.
Diane browsed through the photo album again. She stopped on a picture of him.
A tall and well-built man looked up at her from the photo that’d been taken at his office the day she and Wind had left MedAct. She and Wind stood next to him. Happiness beamed from both of them. It’d been a really wonderful day.
Alexander’s shaggy black hair was combed backward. Strands of gray decorated his head and short beard despite his youth. He wore his white doctor coat and a wide smile on his face. He looked proud, and she knew he’d been that day.
Wind had been one of his finest cyborgs. Alexander had admitted that to her.
Diane closed the photo album and rested her head against the backrest. She closed her eyes. Fatigue swept through her once more. “Where ever you are, my friend, I hope you’re happy.”
CHAPTER 15
Wind got out of Celise’s car and looked at Shade’s and Phoebe’s big villa. It was a beautiful white one-story house with an appealing garden without too much vegetation. He’d always enjoyed coming here, but this time it was different.
Looking at the house didn’t make him want to go near it, and no way in hell he’d allow Celise to come here alone. Not anymore, at least. From now on, he’d always be with her.
There was another cyborg in there, and he didn’t like it. He knew Shade, and Shade was bound to Phoebe, but it didn’t matter. The thought of Shade being alone with Celise during his examination rubbed Wind the wrong way.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
“I’m fine.” His words left his mouth a little too fast, and he instantly regretted his harsh tone when Celise winced.
“Have I done something wrong?”
He frowned. “No, of course not. Why do you think that?”
“You seem so uptight since Phoebe called.”
Wind took her hands in his. “I promise, I’m fine. A lot of things are going on right now. That’s all.”
Her expression softened. “I understand.” Celise locked the car, and they approached the front door.
He couldn’t help but tense when Celise knocked.
Someone approached the door from the inside, and he tightened his grip on her hand.
He wasn’t hurting her, but surprise crossed her face when he pulled her against him.
A smiling Faye opened the door. Her long, blonde hair hung down her shoulders as curiosity lingered in her eyes as she looked them over.
“Faye?” Celise asked.
“Yep. Surprised to see me?” She grinned. “I thought I’d come by since it’s the last day before Shade and Phoebe go on their vacation.” Faye looked around. “Isn’t Diane with you?”
“No, she isn’t feeling the best today. She decided to stay at home.”
Faye made a fake-sounding gasp. “But Wind, how dare you leave your bound one behind? That’s not very thoughtful of you, especially when she isn’t feeling well.”
He’d never had any issues with Faye, but she could be a handful, and teasing him right now was not a good idea. “It’s a long story.”
Her grin darkened. “I’m sure it is.”
He didn’t answer, but his suspicion grew. Did Faye know?
They had to tell everyone eventually, but he couldn’t be the one to say it. Everything inside him still protested, even if his bond had started to accept Celise. She had to be the one to tell everyone.
It would be less painful that way, physically.
The tension he’d felt since Phoebe called only grew as they entered the house.
Shade stood with his bound one in the hallway, greeting them with wide smiles.
Wind tried to smile back, but it came out stiff. He pulled Celise even closer, just in case. The thought of the other cyborg touching her made his stomach turn.
Shade’s smile faded and his gaze narrowed as he studied them.
“We can’t stay long,” Celise said. “We must return to Diane soon.”
Phoebe studied them, too. “Why in such a hurry? I thought we could drink tea after the exam, and talk a little.”
Faye crossed her arms and grinned. “It’s a long story.”
Phoebe arched an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
Faye shrugged. “It’s not my story to tell.”
Wind nodded to himself. Faye did indeed know. Celise had probably told her. It didn’t bother him. It was no secret, but he still preferred his new bound one shared the news.
He had more important things to focus on, like keeping a watchful eye on Shade.
What if the cyborg all of a sudden touched Celise?
“What story?” Shade asked, and took a step closer.
Wind saw red, and slid in front of Celise, blocking the cyborg’s way to her.
A loud gasp went through the hallway.
Shade halted in the middle of a step. He stared at Wind with huge eyes and an open mouth.
Wind glared at him and bared his teeth, daring him to come closer. Shade probably just wanted to stand nearer as they spoke, he meant no harm, but Wind’s mind didn’t care. The cyborg was close enough as it was.
Faye laughed. “This is getting better and better.”
“What the hell’s going on?” Phoebe yelled. “Wind, what’s gotten into you? Why are you threatening Shade? You’re acting like a newborn cyborg all of a sudden!”
He winced and focused on Phoebe. “Newborn?”
“Yes! You look ready to attack Shade just the way a newborn would when he wants to defend his bound one. Don’t you remember how it was?” She grabbed Shade’s arm and tried to pull him back, but he wouldn’t budge.
Shade looked ready to defend himself. His glass-like eyes shone with an intense glow. His big muscles were tense and his hands fisted. His mouth was a straight line, and his gaze set on Wind.
The atmosphere in the house was filled with insecurity.
From the corner of his eye, Wind noticed worry in the women’s eyes, but he was unable to stop himself. He glared at Shade. Phoebe kept talking, but he was deaf to her words. His focus was on the other cyborg. The threat that could hurt his Celise.
If Shade dared to make just one move …
He wasn’t small, but not as large as Shade. It didn’t matter. Wind wouldn’t allow that to stop him. Taking Shade down wouldn’t be easy, but if it came down to it, he’d protect Celise.
No matter what.
“Wind!”
He jerked when Faye shouted his name.
“Snap out if it, damn it!” she yelled, anger radiating from her eyes.
Wind blinked. Realization hit him, and he gasped. He’d been seconds away from attacking Shade. He shook his head to try to clear his thoughts. “I’m sorry. I never expected to react like this.” He tried to relax, but the need to protect Celise from Shade was overwhelming. The cyborg still stood too close.
“What are you talking about?” Phoebe asked.
Wind took a deep breath. He had to be the one to say it, after all. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be too painful. “I’m transferring my bond to Celise. On paper, she’s already my bound one. It’s a process that’ll take some time. We’ve achieved more than expected in one day, but there’s still a long way to go.” He waited for the pain, but to his surprise, it never came.
Phoebe and Shade stared at him with wide eyes and dropped jaws.
Loved Cyborg (Bound by Her Book 2) Page 8
