I fly up in bed, my throat raw as I scream. Merick flies up and tries to grab me, but I slap at him, crying. “Nooo!”
He’s strong enough that he gets his arms around me. “Shhh….” My eyes go to his lips and I see his lips aren’t moving, “Let me soothe you. Marissa showed me how.” Merick hugs me tight, but he makes that soft soothing sound. I concentrate on the noise letting it slow my racing heart, making me feel slightly loopy. In no time at all my eyes begin to feel heavy, I welcome it.
Merick
Today is the day that Lily, Taryn’s best friend, arrives. It is a step in the right direction, I guess. It’s not her parents, but someone that is close to her, and that’s a start. This is us testing the waters, seeing how someone from her previous life accepts her new one.
I think Taryn has a fear that somehow they will know by looking at me that I’m not a regular guy. If she would take a moment, sit and think of the first and even the second time she saw me—she looked at me as nothing more than a man. She didn’t instantly know I was a shifter, she didn't sense that I lived a life most believed was only that of fantasy. But I also understand that the desire to have them all love me was the one thing responsible for her unsettled feelings.
Taryn and Rowan went into town, gathering a few things for dinner at our place. I call it ours because it is no longer my home. I’d built it years ago with Taryn in mind, with the life I wanted to build with her responsible for all the designs. It is our home.
Lily would be here in a few hours and tonight we’d celebrate her arrival. I will be charming and welcome her. I will win her over and give Taryn one less thing to worry about. It would only be the three of us, and maybe tomorrow we’d show her the town, introduce her to the people. I want Lily to see this as a place she too could love. That alone would make it so much easier, because having her here makes Taryn happy.
The sound of the front door opening followed by laughter echoes through the entryway.
Wasting no time I exit my office and meet them, taking what bags I can and placing a kiss on Taryn’s cheek. Rowan makes a kissing sound followed by an awe, but I ignore her. I turn around, walking toward the kitchen and placing the bags on the countertop. Just then the two of them enter and Taryn rounds the island to join me.
“How was your trip?”
“Milicent, the grocery clerk, thinks I am after you for your money and Kate the lady from the bank thinks it must be the sex. She has classified you as a god-like creature that has more skills and tricks than any woman would know what to do with.” I arch a brow and look at Rowan only to find her smiling as she places the cold items into the fridge.
“I wanted to tell her she was dead on with the sex, the tricks and the skills, but I thought that would be weird considering she never actually said the words out loud.” Taryn shrugs as if her hearing people's thoughts was no longer a big deal. I don’t even have to speak my own words out loud, she knows what I am thinking too. “I’ve accepted it. I’ve been given a gift and why not use it to my benefit? Granted my gift did inflict a certain range of fierceness within me. I mean I kind of wanted to punch Kate in the lip when she very clearly insisted that all she needed was two minutes with you and you’d leave me for her. Apparently, she has her own skills involving her tongue.”
Taryn looks very irritated, but Rowan laughs and I can’t help but smile. “No amount of time with any woman would make me leave you.” Taryn’s eyes narrowed. “But just so we’re clear, the only woman I am spending time with is you.” I reach out and wrap my arms around her, pulling her body close to mine. Kissing along her jaw I pause near her ear. Whispering words that I only want her to hear. “And I’m overwhelmed by your skillful tongue,” I whisper, making her giggle when I bite her earlobe.
“Word of advice? The two of you will need to tame this down a bit tonight.” Rowan closes the fridge. “You are both light speed ahead of her friend. She’s only heard about a guy you met, not one you’ve committed your life to and are already carrying his child.”
“I’m not hiding my love for her.” I will never do that.
“I’m not saying hide it,” Rowan steps up to our side and leans over, resting her elbows on the counter. “All I’m suggesting is that you break it to her slowly. You need to ease her and even Taryn’s parents into this relationship. I wouldn’t wait too much longer with the parental introduction. You won’t be able to hide the pregnancy forever. Before long you are going to start showing.”
Pushing off the counter she walks toward the doorway and pauses. “Just imagine what the ladies in town will be thinking once they see your baby bump. It will give them an entirely new round of ideas as to why Merick is with you.”
“No it actually confirms Kate’s thoughts.” Taryn’s smile spreads out over her lips, a mischievous look in her eyes.
Almost simultaneously Rowan and Taryn respond with one word. “Sex,” which triggers laughter to bubble up from each
