Page 33 of Healing the Leonid Doctor's Heart
“Yes, but the biggest part of me right now—” they shared a smirk, “I meant most of my thoughts, Abigail, you minx—are focused on making you happy. I want to make you as happy as you make me.”
“Oh, God, you do,” she admitted, giving into his embrace, mouth finding his. “These last few weeks began as the worst of my life and are now the best.”
“Mine, as well. Not the worst weeks, but some of the best. Having you here has been like finding an old friend I never knew I had. And by Bastet, the things I want to do with that friend... That’s new.”
“For me, too. You—”
“Awaken something in you?”
“Something passionate and selfish.”
“You, selfish? Never in your life, Abigail.”
“Then maybe my desire to help you have cubs is a mix of selfishness and altruism, but I still want to try. I want the injections, I want to be a mother. For your cubs—no one else’s.” She realized that in a heartbeat, too, because maybe there would be other Felids, Felids desperate enough not to care about herage or her inexperience—but she didn’t want them. She wanted Marcus.
“Good. I’m about to make you happier still,” he whispered, hurrying back to the bed.
“Wait, wait,” she whispered between kisses. “The booster? Is today the day I should have it?”
“Don’t know. Don’t care. Don’t want to wait.” Marcus shook his head.
Abigail thought about protesting. She didn’t want to wait, either, but she felt like something rare and precious had been given to her—a chance for happiness, success, and a family, all wrapped up in one, and despite her lover’s reassurances, she felt like all of her chances would be improved by the compatibility booster. “But I want your baby,” she said aloud, not caring if it sounded needy or clichéd. “We can’t have one without the shots, so...”
Marcus let out a low growl that sent flutters flying through her, making her toes curl. “You shouldn’t say things like that to me.”
“What? Why? Don’t you—”
“You have to remember that there’s still something of our ancient genetic code in us, no matter how many thousands of years since the first human/feline splice. When you say things like that... I don’t want to be gentle. Don’t want to be civilized.” His paw dug suddenly into her back where her spine met her hips, and she could feel the prickle of claws through the thin fabric of the lightweight dress she was wearing.
“How long does it take to get the shot?” she asked.
“I would do a quick blood draw as well to make sure the right hormone levels have risen, signalling that you’re ready to start. But then... Abi, the heat cycle will make you want me, even if you really don’t feel it in your heart. That’s not to say it turns you intosome lustful beast without reason, it just... It might push your inclinations south.” Marcus stared pointedly at her hips.
“How often will it make me want you?”
“Daily. Multiple times a day. For a month.”
She bit her lip, thinking.
Take a risk, whispered a little voice.Every risk you’ve taken with Marcus has paid off. He saved your life. Can’t you trust him about what he said about his motives? Be selfishly unselfish. Take the pleasure. If something beautiful comes of it, all the better.
Maybe it wasn’t very mature, but it was very honest.
And isn’t honesty some kind of maturity, her inner smartass argued.
“How long until it takes effect?”
“I’m not sure. With Layla, I think it was only a few hours, maybe the next day.”
“Then if you wait long enough to do the test and give me the booster, I promise I’ll make your reward a good one,” Abi purred.
Marcus licked his lips and reluctantly put her down. “What reward might that be?”
Her stomach tensed as adrenaline and want soared through her veins and landed with a shiver between her thighs. She didn’t answer at first, mouth suddenly dry. She took his wrist and guided his paw to the hollow between her legs.
Marcus sniffed in and let out a low, throbbing purr that made her body jump in response. “This?”
She nodded.
