Page 112 of Peacock Me Like a Hurricane

“Yeah, it does. But if it doesn’t wane at all or I don’t get used to it, I’ll be soiling pants left and right anytime I’m near you.”

I laugh. “Isn’t that what you do, anyway?”

He grumbles, feeling my mirth, and nips my shoulder in reproach. I groan, straining towards him, whispering, “If it makes you feel better, it affects me, too.”

“Bugger.”

“Yeah,” I murmur, swaying a little as I feel his pleasure. “Like that.”

I see him struggling to shake it off. “As I’m too drained to do you up right, we will have to persevere.”

“Uh huh,” I nod, laying back and stretching in a feline manner, my purr kicking up. “Perseverance is good.”

Growling, he shakes his head. “I hate perseverance.”

Smiling, I say, “We have plenty of time tomorrow, too, baby.”

He rolls to his side. “We’re…” he pinches me, and then winces. “Ow.”

My nose wrinkles. “Ow is right.”

Arching a brow, he shakes his head. “Near as I can figure, it connected us. I’ve not one clue what to do about it.”

“Do we need to do anything? Maybe it’ll get less, or we’ll get used to it, like you said.”

He looks down and mumbles, “I don’t want it to get less or used to it.”

I smile. “I don’t either. You sounded like you wanted it to change.”

He looks surprised and horrified, shaking his head. “Bloody hell, no. It’s deep for me—very deep. I’ve never, nor can I conceive, of ever wanting anyone as I want you. Even falling asleep, I want you.”

“I know, baby. It’s like I feel you inside me and me inside you, all at once. Overwhelming.”

Nodding, he grins ruefully. “I have this urge to slay dragons for you, too. That’s new.”

“You want to protect me now, love?” I wrap my length against him as he nods. “Me, too. I’d kill someone if they hurt you.”

He whispers, “Never had that before. I like it.”

I flush a little, scrunching. “You’re that important to me.”

“I’m familiar with the feeling. I’m a little awed by what we did and the effects.” He shakes his head and yawns. “Sleep now. We’ll suss it all out later.”

Pulling me into his arms, he sets his chin on my chest and I grin. “I’m sure we’ll find new stuff all the time.”

“It will make sparring a blast. I can’t wait to get you in the field.”

I chuckle. “Oh, yeah. We’ll be dangerous when we do that blood/sex/death thing.” It occurs to me and I blink. “Um, unless someone has me terminated for fifteen unscheduled deaths from earlier.”

“You’re not an agent, so you don’t have to worry. But…” He doesn’t look at me for a moment, then mumbles, “Want a job with the Company? With me?”

I tilt my head, feeling shocked. I’ve been fighting the power with those people and the Cabal since the beginning of my time in the Rift and now, to make everything weird beyond weird, I’m mated to one and being offered a job at the other. “Would they take me? I mean, I’m not a clone. Or trained. Or docile. Or respectful. Or obedient.”

Pondering for a moment, he nods. “There’d be shouts and protests and irritation that I’m a bad clone who abuses his privilege. That’s a normal day for me.”

“Well, you don’t have to make a stink if it’s trouble. I guess I could give them a blood sample if I were feeling generous, and that’d make it better.”

“I’ll wear them down. It might help if you go out on some kills with me. Show them what you can do. Because you’re not a clone, but you’re not human, either.”

“You decide if you want to take that on. I’ll go wherever or do whatever. You know I’m always willing to come help you, baby.”

“I’d prefer you on the payroll as my partner, but we’ll think about it tomorrow.”

I smile and snuggle closer. “We’ll talk more later. You need sleep.”

“You, too,” he yawns, clinging to me. “I will see you after this coma, love of my heart.”

Drifting out of consciousness, I fall asleep knowing we’ll deal with the ramifications when the new day comes. We have plenty more where those came from.”

That is, as long as this doesn’t start another fire that will consume our fragile community.