Page 62 of Pulled By the Tail
If he could go back in time and take back those damaging words, he would. “I spoke before my brain had a chance to process,” he explained.
“It was very hurtful.” She clutched the lapel of the robe, drawing it closed over her throat. “I’ve only ever been with two people. I told you this.”
“I know the kit is mine. I think I wanted to know if the kit had my ears and tail and it came out the most horrid way possible.”
“The dumbest way possible,” she clarified.
“Without a doubt. Now, will you take a bath before the water gets cold?”
She gave him a dubious look but climbed into the tub. He took the bar of soap and worked a lather on her back. Her muscles relaxed with the heat and his gentle touch.
Four months ago, he had been content to be alone and overworked. All that changed in a heartbeat, but he also knew it had been changing slowly. He only realized it as he tried to discern the features of his kit on a blurry screen. Now he wanted more than anything to watch his mate swell with his kit. He positively itched with anticipation to hold his kit in his arms.
“I am sorry,” he said.
“It takes two to tango. This is as much my doing as it is yours.”
“About themeyenberries. I asked Bright to decorate the house. I thought it would please you.”
“It did.” Her wet hand gave his a squeeze. “I sincerely had fun yesterday and I can’t wait to have one of those cakes with a charm in it. Next year, I’ll leave the wreath-making to the Tal in the house.”
Hearing her speak of plans for next year gave him a sense of inordinate pleasure. Next year they would have a kit, barely more than a newborn.
While she bathed, Bright arrived with a tray groaning under the weight of a meal, just as he knew she would. “Well?” she asked sharply, setting the tray down on the bureau.
“Contact dermatitis from themeyenberries. We must clean any surface the berries encountered and anything she touched.”
“The cleaners come in tomorrow. I’ll strip her bed now, but the rest can wait until the morning,” Bright said with a nod. “I assume she will stay with you tonight?”
Talen tucked his tail close to his body. How much did Bright suspect? What other secrets would she drag from him without even trying?
Bright shook her head. “Silly kit. I know you’ve been courting Georgia. Everyone knows. You’ve hardly been discreet with the way you’ve been carrying on. And I also know she finds you agreeable.”
“Stop gossiping about me,” Georgia called from the tub, followed by a splash of water.
“Do you need anything?” Bright asked.
“A nap.”
“Well, I’ll leave you to it then,” Bright said, a smile ghosting across her lips.
As Bright left, Justice dashed through the door. Immediately thewuappatrolled the room and gave little humming calls. Once satisfied, she jumped onto the bed and curled up to sleep.
Georgia emerged, her head wrapped in a towel and holding a bottle of lotion. A green paste covered the front of her, fading as it dried. “Can you get my back, please?”
“How are your eyes?” he asked, taking the bottle. She knelt in front of the fire, presenting her back to him.
“Better. Good enough to see that my bathroom is much nicer than yours.”
“I had to replace damaged tiles in mine,” he said. He rubbed the lotion between his hands to warm it. She sighed with relief as he applied it across her shoulders. “Finding tiles that matched took too much time. It was only for me and I do not mind if it is not aesthetically appealing.”
“The color on the original tile is lovely, though. It’s like a summer twilight sky.” The tension in her back eased as he applied the lotion. “I don’t want to talk about bath tiles.”
He capped the bottle. “All finished. Sleep. Anything you want to say can wait ’til the morning.” And he’d appreciate the time to gather his thoughts. He knew what he felt—wild excitement. He knew what he wanted—Georgia. Always.
“No.” She twisted in her spot on the carpet to face him. “I’ll never be able to sleep until I get this out of my head.” She took a deep breath. “I want the baby. I really, really do. Like so much it scares me.”
“Yes,” he agreed, ears perked.
