Page 51 of Tempting Her Grumpy Protector
“What do you mean? You make it sound like you’re leaving—like you’re going far away,” she whispered.
“I am.” His jaw clenched. “I’ve taken a new assignment. In the Seventh Quadrant. As far from here as it’s possible to go.”
Sunny’s throat tightened.
“Why? Is it because you’re a Pitch Blood Kindred? Because you need blood to survive?”
The flicker of shock in his eyes told her she was right.
“Who told you that?”
“Kat.” She lifted her chin. “Do you think I don’t want to be with you because I don’t want to give you my blood? Because I do, Greer. I want to give you anything you need.”
She held out her wrist, heart hammering.
But Greer caught her hand, gently pushing it down. His eyes burned with torment.
“You don’t mean that. I heard you on Thropp’ic Sigma. You told that woman how much you hated being bitten.”
For a moment she was baffled—then she laughed, though tears pressed behind her eyes.
“Oh, Greer… I was talking about that bat—the one that bit me on the thigh, remember? I hate getting bitten by bats. But you?” Her voice dropped to a whisper and she looked up at him shyly. “I wouldn’t mind with you.”
His throat worked. He shook his head.
“No. You don’t understand. I can’t give you pleasure when I bite you. Only pain.”
“I don’t mind a little pain,” she murmured, reaching for him again.
He parted his lips, about to answer.
Sunny was all set to refute whatever argument he was about to make…when a bolt of incredibly sharp need—rushed through her. With a gasp, she doubled over, clutching her middle.
Oh God, what was it? What was wrong with her? Why did she suddenly feel so achy and empty inside? It felt like the effects of the Mating Drink Chief Lowhung had given her but ten times worse!
“Sunny!” Greer caught her as she crumpled, his arms strong and steady even though his eyes were wide with fright. “What’s wrong?” he demanded, panic lacing his voice. “Goddess, tell me what’s happening to you!”
Sunny tried…but she couldn’t get the words out.
Her only answer was a groan of pain as he cradled her in his arms, holding her to his broad chest as though he could help her just by being close.
“It’s all right, baby,” he murmured as he began striding over the grass. “Everything is going to be okay. Going to take you to the Med Center and figure this out.”
39
GREER
“I’m afraid this looks like a Bonding Fruit overdose.”
Commander Sylvan’s deep voice was calm, but his eyes were grave as he bent over Sunny. In addition to being the Head of the Kindred High Council, he was also an excellent physician and he took regular shifts in the Med Center to keep his skills sharp.
“How much of the special cake did she eat?” he asked, looking at Greer.
“I don’t have a fucking clue.” Greer shook his head. “Why is that important?”
“When Bonding Fruit is used in baking, it’s in a very concentrated form. One bite could be equal to a whole piece of fruit, so the effects are multiplied,” Sylvan explained.
They knew about the cake because Sunny had managed a few words—enough to let them know what had happened. She’d been at the wedding she was helping Kat with and had eaten some of the cake made with Bonding Fruit icing. The only question was—how much?
