"I'm not sick," she said, her voice hoarse. "From the operation or anything. Just ate too fast."
Maybe, he thought. But then, there was no harm in Doc Jane's checking her over. Besides, they needed clearance before they went out tonight, assuming that was even possible now.
"Xhex? John?"
John whistled at the sound of the doctor's voice, and a moment later Vishous's female put her head into the bathroom.
"A party? And I didn't get invited," she said, coming in.
"Well, technically, I think you were," Xhex muttered. "I'm okay."
Jane knelt down and though her smile was warm, her eyes were sharp as they went over Xhex's face. "What's going on here?"
"I got sick after I ate."
"Mind if I take your temperature?"
"I'd prefer not to have anything near the back of my throat right now, if you don't mind."
Jane took a white instrument out of her bag. "I can do it by your ear."
John was shocked when Xhex's hand found his and squeezed hard as if she needed some support. To let her know he was there for whatever she needed, he squeezed back, and the instant he did, her shoulders eased up and she relaxed again.
"Knock yourself out, Doc."
Xhex tilted her head and what do you know, it ended up right on his shoulder. So he really couldn't help but put his cheek on the downy soft curls and breathe in deep.
As far as he was concerned, the good doctor worked much too quickly. Just in, a beep, and she was pulling back--which meant Xhex put her head up again.
"No fever. Would you mind if I looked at your incision?"
Xhex pulled a reveal, parting the towel and exposing her belly and the stripe that ran across her lower abdomen.
"Looks good. What did you eat?"
"Too much."
"Fair enough. Any pain I should know about?"
Xhex shook her head. "I feel better. I really do. What I need is some clothes and shoes . . . and another shot at First Meal."
"I've got scrubs you can put on and then up at the house we'll take care of feeding you again."
"Good. Thanks." Xhex started to get to her feet and he helped her up, keeping the towel in place when it slipped. "Because we're going out."
"Not to fight, you aren't."
John nodded his head and signed at the doctor, We're just going to stretch our legs. Swear.
Doc Jane's eyes narrowed. "I can only render a medical opinion. Which is that I think you"--she glanced at Xhex--"should eat something and hang around here for the rest of tonight. But you're an adult, so you can make your own choices. Know this, though. You leave without Qhuinn and Wrath is going to have some serious issues with the pair of you."
That's fine, John signed. He wasn't psyched about the babysitter routine, but he wasn't taking chances with Xhex.
He was under no illusions about the female he loved. She could decide to bolt at any moment and if shit came down to that, he was going to appreciate the backup.
THIRTY-FOUR
Lash came awake in the same position he'd passed out in: sitting on the floor in the ranch's bathroom, arms linked on top of his knees, head down.
When he opened his eyes, he got a look-see at his hard-on.
He'd been dreaming of Xhex, the images so clear, the sensations so vivid it was a wonder he didn't come in his slacks. They'd been back in that room together, fighting, biting, and then he'd taken her, forcing her down on the bed, making her accept him even though she hated it.
He was so totally in love with her.
The sound of a wet gurgle brought his head up. Plastic Fantastic was coming around, her fingers twitching, her lids flickering like blinds that were broken.
As his eyes focused on her matted hair and her bloodstained basque, he felt a stinging pain at his temples, a hangover that sure as shit wasn't tied to a good time. The bitch disgusted him, lying all flopped around in her own filth.
She'd clearly been sick to her stomach, and thank God he'd slept through that commotion.
Pushing his hair out of his eyes, he felt his fangs elongate and knew it was time to put her to good use, but damn . . . she was about as appealing as spoiled meat.
More water. That's what this nightmare needed. More water and--
As he leaned up to crank the shower on again, her eyes drifted over to him.
Her scream pealed out of her bloody mouth and echoed around the tile until his ears rang like church bells.
Goddamn fangs scaring the shit out of her. As his hair fell into his eyes again, he shoved it back and debated ripping her neck open just to kill the noise. But there was no way he was biting into her before she had a bath--
She wasn't looking at his mouth. Her wide, crazy-ass eyes were locked on his forehead.
When his hair bugged him again, he swept it back--and something came off in his hand.