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  “Ninety-nine point nine percent accurate.” Sylvan’s deep voice was hushed and Sophie couldn’t help biting her lip as she looked at the man she loved. What is he thinking? What is he hoping for?

  “And…here it is.” The machine emitted a few beeps and the lights on its front panel blinked. Sylvan reached into the small slot where he had put the vials of blood he’d drawn from her arm earlier. Sophie was no longer afraid of needles—though she still didn’t love being stuck. But this time she had barely felt the needle, she was so anxious to get the results of the test Sylvan was running.

  She held her breath as he closed his large hand over the contents of the slot and held it out to her. “What is it?” She was nearly dancing with impatience when he unfolded his fingers to reveal…a small white flower.

  “White.” Sylvan spoke gently, saying it aloud. “You’re not pregnant, Talana.”

  “Oh.” A strange combination of relief and sorrow rushed through Sophie. So I’m not going to be a mom after all. Not now, anyway. Then she looked up at Sylvan’s face. Though his features were impassive, she knew him well enough by now to see the disappointment in his ice blue eyes. She opened her mouth to speak…and a sob rose in her throat.

  “Sophia?” Sylvan leaned down, a worried look on his face. “Are you all right?”

  “I…I think so. I don’t know why I’m crying.” But she couldn’t seem to stop.

  “You don’t know why?” He took her by the shoulders and looked at her worriedly.

  “Yes, I do. I know,” she said through the sobs that shook her. “It’s because I know…know you wanted a son. One who could grow up and play with Liv and Baird’s little boy. I’m sorry, Sylvan. So sorry I disappointed you.”

  “You didn’t disappoint me!” He swept her into his arms and held her close, his face pressed to her neck. Pulling back, he looked into her eyes. “You could never disappoint me, Talana. I have you, and you’re all that I need.”

  “But I know you want a family too,” Sophie said, sniffing. “We can try again as soon as you want.”

  “We weren’t trying in the first place,” Sylvan pointed out, giving her his little one-sided grin.

  “No, I know.” Sophie blotted her eyes on her sleeve. “I guess I just got so used to the idea in the past few days. And Liv is so happy to be pregnant.”

  “Olivia is ready to be pregnant,” Sylvan said. “I get the feeling you’re not. Not quite.”

  “Maybe I’m not.” Sophie looked down at the little white flower which indicated a negative pregnancy test. “But I want to be ready. When I look in your eyes and see how much you want a son, I want so much to give you one. A little boy with blond hair and blue eyes, just like you.”

  “No, he should have green eyes and brown hair with red highlights—just like his mother.” Sylvan smiled again and swept a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Or, you never can tell—we might have a daughter. It’s extremely rare but it does happen from time to time.”

  Sophie shook her head. “I’d rather have a little boy. I think I would worry about a boy less than a girl.”

  “I doubt you’d worry less if you knew some of the things I got up to as a child.”

  “Yes, well you were killing abominable vrannas by the time you were nine. I hope you wouldn’t expect to let our son do anything like that.”

  “No.” Sylvan looked thoughtful. “There aren’t any vrannas aboard the ship. I suppose we could devise a different manhood ritual for him, though.”

  “Over my dead body!” Sophie pushed away from him. “Listen, Mister, if you think for one minute I would let you take any son of mine into that kind of dangerous situation—” She broke off because Sylvan was laughing softly. “What?” she demanded.

  “Nothing. I’m just thinking what a wonderful, protective mother you’re going to be when you’re ready to have children. When we’re both ready.” He pulled her close again and Sophie buried her face in his broad shoulder and breathed in his familiar, comforting scent.

  I love you, she sent through their link, because it was so much more intimate to use mind-to-mind communication. Love you so much. Thank you for understanding.

  Talana. Blood of my blood… He buried his hands in her hair and eased her head to one side, baring her throat for his teeth.

  Sophie offered her neck eagerly, wanting to feel the rush of pleasure as he bit her and injected her with his essence. Before they had gotten bonded, she had been under the impression that Blood Kindred only bit at the moment of climax. But it turned out, biting—at least the deep, intimate biting done between a warrior and his mate—was almost like deep kissing for them. And now that he knew she truly didn’t fear it anymore, Sylvan was prone to sinking his fangs into her any time they had a moment alone. The sharp little prick of his four sharp points penetrating her flesh was like foreplay for her now. In fact, just the feel of his double set of fangs tracing her sensitive skin was enough to make her shiver with desire.

  I want you, Sylvan said through their link, tracing his tongue over the delicate blue veins pulsing in her throat. I want to take you to bed and fill you all night. Want to pump you full of my essence and my cum over and over.

  I want that too. Sophie thought her mental voice sounded rather breathless but she couldn’t help it—Sylvan made her weak in the knees, literally. She could barely stand, she wanted him so badly.

  Obviously sensing her dilemma, Sylvan swung her up into his arms. Sophie gasped and then snuggled closer to his broad chest. She loved how strong he was—and how gentle he could be despite his immense strength.

  “You’re strong too, you know,” he whispered, apparently catching her thought. “Stronger than you know. You’re going to make a wonderful mother when the time is right.”

  “Maybe it’s right tonight,” Sophie suggested, kissing him eagerly. “We could try.”

  “We could,” he agreed. “I’m not adverse to ‘trying’ all night long, if you wish, Talana.”

  “Yes,” she murmured, kissing him again as he carried her from his office to the bedroom. “Yes, let’s try.”

  The only thing that bothered her as he laid her on the bed and began undressing her was the thought of Kat. I’m not pregnant. I should have gone with her. She’s all alone and it’s my fault.

  Then Sylvan’s hot mouth closed over one of her aching nipples and all coherent thought left her as he bonded her to him again…

  * * * * *

  “So you’re not preggers.” Liv looked down at the small, white flower, looking slightly disappointed.

  “Afraid not.” Sophie handed her twin a plate before sitting down beside her on the couch. Today Liv was craving pancakes and nobody made better blueberry buttermilk pancakes than Sophie—or so she had claimed over the Think-me when she begged Sophie to come make her some. “Anyway, I wasn’t when we did the test. After last night, all bets are off again.”

  Liv laughed. “You decided to try again?”

  “And try…and try…and try…” Sophie laughed and then suddenly sobered. “I feel bad about it, though.”

  “Why should you?” Olivia took a bite and closed her eyes to savor the delicious taste. “Mmm, you’ve outdone yourself, Sophie!”

  “I’m glad you like them. Wasn’t that what I was making the morning Baird first claimed you? Blueberry pancakes?”

  “Could be.” Liv took another bite. “Mmm. But I seem to remember that Kat wanted to make some kind of quiche. Something with way too many ingredients…ugh.”

  “Kat is always so crazy in the kitchen.” Sophie sighed. “Poor Kat… That’s what has me feeling so bad. I’m not pregnant, Liv—I should have gone with her.”

  “You couldn’t have known,” Liv said reasonably. “It was too early to take a test and we couldn’t wait to make the decision. It was send her to Twin Moons or lose her—personally, I still feel like we did the right thing.”

  “I’m worried about her, though. When will we ever get to talk to her?”

  “Soon.”