Night's Mistress (Children of The Night 5)

“Logan . . .”

“What is it, love?”

“Tasting your blood.” She gazed into his eyes, her own filled with wonder. “It made me feel . . . it was almost like being a vampire again! Did you know? Did you know it would make me feel like that?” Why hadn’t she known how vampire blood affected humans? And why had it never occurred to her before?

“I’ve heard rumors to that effect.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because it can be addicting.” He ran his thumb over her lower lip. “And in the long run, it’s dangerous.”

“I want more.”

“Maybe after the baby is born.”

The baby. Mara slid her hand between her body and Logan’s. Of course, concern for the baby had to come first. But after he was born . . . She smiled inwardly. If she couldn’t be a vampire again, tasting Logan’s blood would be the next best thing.

Chapter Twenty-two

Mara blew out a sigh as she smoothed her skirt over her hips. She was heartily tired of shapeless maternity clothes, swollen ankles, having to relieve herself every five minutes, and visits to the doctor, who now wanted to see her every week, and who had chided her, once again, for gaining too much weight.

Logan was waiting for her in the lobby of Ramsden’s office. He looked up and smiled when he saw her.

Running into him at this time of her life had truly been a blessing, Mara thought as she walked toward him. He had been the one thing she could count on these past months, the only thing in her life that didn’t change from day to day. At first, she hadn’t planned to stay with him after the baby was born, but more and more she found herself wondering what she would ever do without him. As a vampire, she had been fearless, indomitable. As a mortal woman who would soon be responsible for a baby, she wasn’t sure she could face the future alone. If not for Logan, she would now be dead by Rogen’s hand. As much as she hated to admit it, she needed someone to protect her and her unborn child from her enemies.

And Logan was willing. Not only that, but he loved her. And she loved him. But was she in love with him? Only time would tell. Time, she thought. It was measured to her now, no longer infinite.

“So, how’d it go?” he asked.

“Ramsden said everything’s fine. He’s still going to induce me on the eighteenth, as planned.”

“Is that a good idea? I don’t know much about childbirth, but shouldn’t he let the baby come when it’s ready?”

She shrugged. “He said first babies often come early and he doesn’t want to take a chance on my going into labor during the day, when he can’t be there.”

“I still think you should wait and see if you can’t have it on the thirty-first.”

Mara stuck her tongue out at him. “Sorry, you won’t be getting a Halloween baby.”

Logan made a clucking sound. “It would have been perfect.”

“I guess so,” Mara said.

“I can see the headlines now: EX-VAMPIRE GIVES BIRTH AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT ON ALL-HALLOWS’ EVE.”

“Well, I’m sorry, but I’m glad I don’t have to wait that extra two weeks.”

Logan punched the button for the elevator, held the door for her while she stepped inside. She loved it that he was so polite, so protective of her. She admired his profile as they rode down to the first floor, curled her hands into fists to keep from reaching up to run her fingers through the hair at his nape, to stroke the firm line of his jaw, to run her thumb over his sultry lower lip. Lordy, the man seemed to get better looking every day.

Logan glanced at her. Quirking one brow, he smiled that insufferable knowing smile. And then he winked at her. “We’ll be home soon.”

“Doesn’t matter. We’re not supposed to make love anymore until after the baby’s born.” She grinned at his look of mock horror. The doctor had told her that, normally, he wouldn’t have advised her to stop having sexual relations so soon, but, in this instance, he thought it would be a wise precaution, since her case was extremely unusual.

Logan grunted softly. “I guess it’s a good thing we went parking when we did,” he said with a wry grin.

The elevator doors slid open when they reached the main lobby. As Mara stepped outside, she said, “You know, the more I think about it, the more convinced I am that Ramsden is hiding something from me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not sure. He’s been asking me an awful lot of questions about my past and about the baby’s father . . .”

“What’s the matter with that? Makes sense to me that he’d want to know everything he can.”

“So, it doesn’t seem strange to you? I mean, what possible difference can my past make? He’s not asking about my health or my ancestors, but personal stuff, and . . .”

Her words trailed off as she reached the curb. Coming to an abrupt halt, she stared at the man standing a few feet away, unable to believe her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Logan glanced around, wondering what had put that stricken expression on her face.

“Kyle,” she whispered. “It’s Kyle.”

Logan quickly stepped in front of her, ready to defend her, if necessary.

She couldn’t stop staring at Kyle. He looked old and tired and endearingly familiar. She moved up beside Logan as Kyle closed the distance between them. “What are you doing here, Kyle?” she asked, keeping her tone deliberately cool.

He paid no attention to the man standing beside her. “Looking for you.”

She couldn’t stifle the rush of hope that filled her heart. “Why?”

“I should think that would be obvious. You’re having my baby.”

Mara lifted her chin, her heart pounding with trepidation. How had he found her? How did he know about the baby? She would have denied her pregnancy if it hadn’t been so blatantly obvious. “What makes you think it’s yours?”

Kyle glanced at Logan. “Are you going to tell me it’s his?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“It doesn’t matter what you believe.”

“Dammit, Mara, I know it’s mine. Can we talk for a few minutes?” Kyle glanced at Logan again. “Alone.”

A muscle throbbed in Logan’s jaw. “She’s not going anywhere with you, alone or otherwise.”

“It’s all right, Logan,” Mara said, laying her hand on his arm. “I’ll meet you at the house.”