Aeromancist, The Beginning (SECOND EDITION) - Charmaine Pauls Page 0,66
planting a kiss on the shell of her ear.
“Thoroughly.” She blew out a contented sigh. “However, I may need constant reminding.”
“I’ll happily oblige.” He brushed her hair over her shoulder. “I will not let Richardson get away with what he did to you, Katherine.”
She turned her face sideways to look at him. “Are you going to hurt him?”
He cupped a breast and squeezed gently. “Yes.”
“Please, don’t.”
He stilled. “Do you care if he gets hurt?”
“No, but he’s FBI. I don’t want you in trouble.”
He straightened and pulled out of her, making her regret the loss of their physical contact.
Turning her in his arms, he kissed the top of her head. “I can never deny you. You know that.”
Brioche with chocolate chips.
Kat woke up ravenous. She sat up in bed.
Lann opened his eyes, immediately awake and alert. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m dying for brioche.”
A smile tugged at his lips. The muscles of his hard abdomen rippled as he reached for his glasses on the nightstand.
“It’s not a craving,” she said as his silly smile grew and he puffed out his chest.
“Absolutely not.” He laid his palm over her bump. “Your body’s changing.” He kissed her nose and her lips, and moved down to plant soft kisses on her nipples and belly button. “You’re a miracle, Katherine.” Regretfully, he added, “We have to get ready. Eve will be waiting.”
She groaned. “I’m starving. I can’t lose three vials of blood without eating, and the gallon of sugar water Eve forces down my throat makes me want to vomit.”
He threw the covers open. “She needs to monitor your sugar levels. I’ll make you breakfast after.”
She pouted. “Tea?”
He got up, flashing her with his morning wood. “Brioche.”
Her gaze slipped to his erection.
He groaned. “As much as I’d love to, we’re already late. The way I know Eve, she’ll soon barge in here.”
She chewed her lip, considering arm-wrestling him into agreement, but he was right. Duty first. “Brioche with chocolate chips?”
“Anything you want.”
“Fine.” She sighed. “But no tea.”
He grinned. “No tea. I promise. Orange juice.”
She got out of bed and walked past him to the bathroom, swaying her hips. She grinned when he uttered a curse behind her, but her grin was quickly wiped away when he grabbed her around the waist and spun her around.
“You’re a tease, woman, and I’m going to show you what I do with teasers.”
Chapter 13
They arrived twenty minutes late at the room Eve used as a consultation room and a lab, and the doctor was irritated.
“You’re late,” she said, showing them in.
Lann lifted a brow. “Someone had a bad night.”
Eve propped her hands on her hips. “The timing is important. The tests have to be done at exactly the same time every day or it’s pointless. And yes, I didn’t sleep much.”
Lann laid his hand on her arm. “Sorry. I know you’re working hard.”
She bit her lip. “It’s nothing. I’m just suffering from cabin fever.”
Kat regarded the dark rings under Eve’s eyes. “Why don’t you take a bit of time off and get out of here?”
“Do you think I can afford a second off?” Eve asked in a harsh tone.
Lann stepped in front of Kat. “Eve, Katherine’s right. You’re working too hard.”
“Let’s just get this over and done with,” she said.
Lann didn’t budge. “No.”
“Excuse me?” Eve asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.
“You’re not touching Katherine in the state you’re in. You’re angry and tired.”
Her eyes grew large. “Are you saying I’ll hurt her?”
“I’m saying you might, unintentionally, be too rough with a needle today.”
Eve wiped her hands over her face. “All right. I’m sorry. It’s just…” She looked away.
Kat stepped around Lann. “Eve, it’s okay. You’re doing your best.”
Eve sighed. “My best isn’t fast enough.”
“Did Joss tell you about Richardson?” Lann asked.
“Yes,” Eve snapped, “and you’re grasping at straws.”
Lann narrowed his eyes. “How can you be so sure? What if the person who got Katherine and I together knows something that could help? If that person knew I’d be fertile with her, isn’t there a chance that he may also have other knowledge?”
“I can’t rely on if, Lann,” Eve said. “Besides, shouldn’t you be tracking that person right now?”
Lann’s eyes turned a pale shade of gold. “Katherine is my first priority. The rest of the team is tracking Richardson as we speak.” He took Kat’s hand. “Get a grip, Eve. Your attitude isn’t helping. My advice to you is to get out of the castle today. Get some air. We’ll start tests again tomorrow.”
Without waiting for Eve’s reply, he led Kat from the