He couldn’t stop thinking about it.
Atticus had experienced love only once—long ago when he was mortal. As he sat and reflected on his feelings for a woman long gone, he wondered if they were comparable to what he felt now. Soulmates were a whimsical fantasy made up by those whose lives revolved around family, but after his recent conversations with Joy, his feelings for her were never more certain.
Then again, his heart hadn’t beat for another in over three thousand years.
Chapter 14
Waking up in a strange home wasn’t half as disorienting as being enfolded in a large pregnancy pillow. I hadn’t slept that well in ages.
Now that I’d had a moment to luxuriate in my surroundings, I recognized how much effort Atticus had put into my accommodations. Only Superman could have done it any faster. There was even a full wardrobe in the closet! Not only were all the clothes my style, but they were maternity wear.
Maybe they belonged to all his victims.
Stop thinking such things. Tak would never send me anywhere dangerous.
I slipped into a pair of white pants and admired the fit. The elastic waistband was perfect, and I adored the wide legs. Since we shared laundry duty at the house, I always had to be careful not to buy maternity clothes, so everything I bought was two sizes too big and baggy.
Unlike these clothes.
The beige blouse fit loose across the shoulders but otherwise showed off my figure. It was liberating to no longer hide my pregnancy.
While padding barefoot down the curved staircase, I overheard voices in a distant room.
“You ordered all this by yourself?” I heard Milly say. She had a distinct voice due to her age and the sharp delivery of her words. “I’ve seen some crazy things in my day. Crazy things.”
“It would be impractical to transport your personal equipment,” Atticus replied.
“Huh.”
I rounded a corner and entered the dimly lit room. The brown leather couches were shoved out of the way, and I blinked in surprise at the exam table and medical equipment.
Milly put her hands on her hips, her complexion paler than usual. “Soyou’rewhat all the fuss is over.”
Atticus flicked his gaze down to my feet. “Where are your slippers?”
“I’m not cold.”
Milly shook her head and switched on the machine, which was plugged into the wall through extension cords. “Leave us alone, Vampire.”
“This is my home.”
“And this is my patient. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll move your ass. My stomach still isn’t right from the trip.”
He inclined his head. “Apologies. It was the only way to get you here quickly and safely.”
“Well, your pilot has a mess to clean up.” She reached for a plastic bottle and unscrewed the cap. “You can’t blindfold a person after they ate lunch and expect them to fly across the state. Now scoot. And turn your Mute button on. Client privacy isn’t for your entertainment.”
Atticus nodded in acquiescence. Before rounding the corner, he gave me a backward glance. “If you need me, call.”
“Did I say you could eavesdrop?” Milly retorted.
After he left, I removed my blouse and climbed onto the table. “This really isn’t necessary. You already checked me out.”
She squeezed gel onto my belly. “For what that Vampire is paying me, I’d stay the full day. But I have an important appointment with a client in one hour, so now I’ve got to get back on that death contraption of his.” After a breath, she moved the wand around. “How have you been feeling? Get any rest?”
“I slept so late this morning that I’m not even certain what day it is.”
“Good. Your body knows what it needs.” She moved the wand and took her time reviewing the imaging display. “Everything looks fine. No change.”
