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  “You’re right about that,” Liv agreed. “But for whatever reason he’s staying, I wish he’d back off a little. He’s making the rest of the staff at the med station nervous.”

  “Maybe if she had family to look after her he’d leave,” Baird suggested. “Does she have anyone on Earth looking for her?”

  Liv frowned. “We didn’t think so at first but I got a call tonight from Detective Barnes tonight—he used to be Rast’s partner back when they were on the police force together. He told me he’d located her mother and step father living in Oregon. Apparently Elise hasn’t spoken to them in years but her mother was still upset to hear what had happened to her. She asked to be notified the moment Elise woke up.”

  “Hmm.” Baird frowned. “Most parents would have been rushing to get up to the Mother Ship, demanding to see their child right away.”

  “I thought it was weird too,” Liv admitted. “But I guess they’re estranged for some reason—why else would Elise have moved across the country and stopped talking to them?” She stroked her belly protectively. “You don’t think that could ever happen between us and our little guy, do you, Baird?”

  “Of course not, Lilenta.” He smiled and put his own hand over hers. “We’re going to love and protect our son and raise him to be a strong warrior. He’ll be the best of both of us.” He kissed her cheek. “But I hope he has your eyes.”

  “Why?” Liv smiled and kissed him back. “Yours are much more striking. I still remember how I felt back when we were dream sharing and I saw you watching me with those molten gold eyes. It scared me to death but it excited me too.”

  “All of you excites me,” Baird murmured. The sleepy look had left his eyes to be replaced by a glow of desire. Pulling her close, he kissed her gently but firmly on the mouth. “I wanna taste you,” he growled softly, looking her in the eyes. “What do you say, Lilenta?”

  “Baird!” Even though they’d been together for a good while now, his direct way of saying how much he desired her still made her blush a little.

  “Come on, Lilenta,” he murmured, still holding her eyes with his. “I want to lay you on the bed, spread your legs and lick your pussy until you come for me.”

  “You’re such a pervert,” she accused him, half laughing, half blushing. “Wanting to have sex with a pregnant lady.”

  “I can’t help it,” Baird protested. “That pregnant lady just happens to be my incredibly sexy mate. Besides…” He pulled her even closer. “How can I help wanting you now? You’re so beautiful like this—all rounded and glowing. I swear if I’d know how damn gorgeous you’d be carrying our son, I would have made you pregnant sooner.”

  “Well it wasn’t for lack of trying,” Liv murmured, smiling. “You’ve certainly done your duty in that regard.”

  “Not nearly as much as I should.” Baird kissed her cheek and stroked one hand over her full belly to cup her sensitive mound. “Let me taste you tonight, Lilenta. The book I was reading says a pregnant female should have lots of orgasms to be healthy.”

  “What?” Liv gave him a look. “You’re making that up.”

  “No, I’m not,” Baird promised. “I’ll show you the exact page—as soon as we finish.”

  “Well…” Liv drew it out, making him wait. It wasn’t likes she was going to turn him down and they both knew it. His mating scent and the warm, familiar way he caressed her body made her eager to spread her legs for him. It was fun to tease him, though. Fun to—

  “Excuse me, Commander Baird?” A voice from the holo-unit interrupted them, much to Liv’s surprise and annoyance.

  “Who can it be at this hour?” she demanded. But as soon as the words left her lips, she had a new thought. “Is it Sophia? Are she and Sylvan all right? Do you think they had trouble on First World?’

  “Only one way to find out.” Reaching down, Baird snapped on the holo and a tiny blue dot hovering above the base quickly expanded to show the head of a Blood Kindred Liv recognized. He was one of the other nurses who worked in the med station with her and Sylvan on a regular basis.

  “Glevan,” she said, surprised. “What’s going on? Is there a problem?”

  “I’m sorry, Olivia,” he said, nodding at her respectfully. “But Elise Darden is showing signs of waking up. The staff knows what to do, of course, but I thought you’d like to be informed. And…” He hesitated for a moment. “Commander Sylvan’s, er, friend is growing agitated. I thought maybe if you spoke to him…”

  “I’ll be right there,” Liv promised, glad she hadn’t taken off her clothes yet. “Tell him to take it easy—everything is going to be all right.”

  “I hope so.” Glevan looked worried. “Please hurry.” He nodded again and the blue holo of his head winked out of existence.

  Liv sighed and reached for her lab jacket. “Well, I guess your midnight snack will have to wait until later. Sorry, hon.”

  “Sorry, nothing.” Baird was already pulling on a shirt. “I’m coming with you.”

  * * * * *

  Hands clasped behind his back and a scowl on his face, Merrick paced beside the cot containing the stasis chamber. Not that there was much room to pace for legs as long as his—still he did his best. He had an idea that his restless movements, or possibly the look on his face was upsetting the med station staff, but he couldn’t help it. As strange as it seemed, he literally could not sit still.

  Will she be all right? Will she recognize me? he thought, staring down at the delicate features which were now contorted, as though in pain. Or will she forget our first meeting and scream when she sees me? Merrick pushed the thought away. After all, what did he care if the human girl didn’t remember him from their brief first encounter? Why should it matter to him if his appearance frightened her or not?

  It doesn’t matter, he told himself fiercely. Why should I care? I don’t even know her. I don’t give a damn what she thinks. Just need to be sure she’s okay for the sake of my honor. Once she was awake and ready to be claimed by her kin, his obligation was done. And then I’m out of here, he promised himself.

  The lights on the side of the stasis chamber were glowing fiercely, and inside it Elise Darden was thrashing as though in slow motion. The opaque top of the chamber had melted away again, revealing her frail beauty and Merrick thought it was like watching someone move underwater—the stasis field was letting her go but slowly, oh so slowly.

  He had an urge to touch her, to hold her again as he had when he first found her—but he had been forbidden from doing so. According to Sylvan and the rest of the med station staff, touching Elise while she came out of the enforced hibernation of stasis could be dangerous—both to her and to himself. He wished Sylvan would have explained why before he left, but his friend had been understandably distracted by other matters. All Merrick knew was that he must not touch her. So instead of taking action he watched, his huge hands curled into fists at his sides as she thrashed and moaned.

  “Merrick, is she all right? I got here as soon as I could.” Olivia was suddenly there behind him, a worried frown on her face. “What’s going on? How long as she been like this?”

  “Only the past quarter of an hour,” Merrick gritted out. “She was moaning some before that but nothing like this.”

  As if on cue, Elise moaned and moved her head from side to side. Her long, black hair swirled around her pale face like a dark cloud.

  “Oh dear.” Olivia frowned and checked the lights on the side of the stasis chamber. “I wish Sylvan was here but everything seems to be normal. He did say there might be some agitation when she came out of it.”

  “Agitation?” Merrick snapped. “Look at her—she’s fucking upset! Do something for her.”

  “She’s doing everything she can, buddy.” The low growl came from Baird, Olivia’s Beast Kindred mate. “So why don’t you calm down and—”

  “Her vitals are dropping.” Olivia sounded close to panic. “Baird, get Glevan and tell him I need a crash kit STAT.”

  The Beast Kindre