CHAPTER 22
Gentle kisses and caresses awakened Celise from slumber. She smiled when Wind nipped the shell of her ear. The heat from his body and the warm covers made her feel cozy and safe.
“Good morning, my dear,” Wind said. “Did you sleep well?”
“Mmm,” she murmured. “How about you?” She rolled over to face him.
His aluminum-looking eyes shone the way they always did, but now, they also sparkled with happiness. “I slept like a baby.”
She chuckled. “That’s good.” Celise moved a little bit. “My muscles ache.”
He grinned. “It’s from all the action last night.”
Heat traveled to her face. “It was amazing.”
Wind cupped her cheek and looked her deep into the eyes. “I can’t believe we’ve come this far. The bond has initiated, and I feel love for you now. My instincts to protect you are through the roof.”
Her heart started to beat faster as she swallowed. “And Diane?”
“My feelings for her haven’t changed. I don’t think they will. Does that bother you?”
Celise winced, couldn’t help it. “No, of course not. She’ll always be a part of you.”
He placed himself on top of her, stroking her face. “Have you thought about what we should do once I’m completely bound to you?”
“What do you mean?” His touch awakened goosebumps on her skin.
“Like where we shall live?” Wind kissed her cheek.
She closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation. “Um ... I honestly haven’t thought about it.”
He frowned, seemed surprised. “Really?”
“I guess I’ve been too focused on making the transfer, but now when you ask, I have an idea.”
Her cyborg leaned down and kissed her throat. “Tell me.”
“Let’s stay here.”
Wind stilled before he met her gaze. “Here?”
“Yes. Diane will be alone. I don’t want that. She’s my friend, and I think it will mean a lot to her to still have you around during her final time in life. Besides ... this is your home.”
Disbelief colored his eyes. “You’d give up your home to live here with me?”
Celise swallowed. “You don’t want that? My house is nothing special. This house is a masterpiece. Wherever I look, I see traces of you both. You’ve both put your touch and time into everything here. This house breathes you and Diane.”
His eyes watered as a wide smile spread on his lips. “You’d really do that for me?”
“Of course. I love you.”
He leaned down, kissing her gently. “I love you, too.” He parted her legs, and without much effort, found her entrance.
She closed her eyes again and moaned when he pushed inside. It was pure bliss, and each thrust was like a sensual stroke at her core.
He wrapped her in his arms, loved her slowly, building up her desire. His silent groans tickled her ear, blinding her with pleasure.
Despite their wild night, it didn’t take much for her to climax. She doubted it ever would with him. When her inner muscles tightened around him, Wind increased his speed. His breathing deepened, and seconds later, his groans mixed with her cry. His warm release filled her, and she loved it.
He remained still afterward, catching his breath.
Celise gasped. “We never used protection.”
Wind raised his head. “Don’t worry. If you get pregnant, I’ll love the child just as much as I love you and Diane.”
Relief filled her. “You and Diane never wanted children?”
“Diane said she considered herself too old for children when she created me, but she never put into my programming that I wouldn’t want any.”
She smiled. Having a child with him was a dream she’d never dared to imagine, but now when that future was possible, she allowed hope to fill her.
He rolled over to his side. “I’ll go and clean up, and then I’ll check up on Diane. She must’ve gone back to her room while we were sleeping.” Wind gave her one last kiss before he left the bed, walking naked toward the bathroom door.
Celise grinned as she watched him go. A firm behind and smooth skin greeted her sight, making her lick her lips. She’d never grow tired of looking at his amazing body. It made her happy to know he wasn’t ashamed of showing himself to her.
It only took him a few minutes to get ready, and once he left the bedroom, Celise got up and washed as fast as she could. She wanted to spend every possible moment with Wind and Diane.
She was just about to join them when someone knocked on the front door.
Wind and Diane didn’t seem to have heard it, so she approached the door, and opened it. Celise raised an eyebrow when Faye smiled at her. “Faye? What’re you doing here?”
She shrugged and entered the house. “I was bored. Phoebe and Shade have gone on their holiday, and I figured you guys could spend a few hours with me.”
“You know we’re in the middle of transferring Wind’s bond to me, right?”
“Of course, and I doubt a few hours with me will disrupt your scheme.”
Celise sighed. Faye was right. There was no reason for her to leave. It was just that she wanted to spend some time with Wind and Diane, just the three of them, now that the first flash had occurred.
“How are things going, by the way?” Faye asked.
“Fine.” She closed the front door. “The first flash has happened. So the worst should be behind us.”
A wide smile spread on Faye’s face, slowly turning into a wicked grin. “So how was it? The sex? It must’ve been one kind of ride.”
Heat traveled to Celise’s face, but she couldn’t help her smile. “I don’t think I have to spell it for you, do I?”
“That amazing, huh?” She chuckled.
Celise nodded. It sure had been amazing. The best day of her life. All her restrictions had gone through the door. She’d finally been allowed to love Wind the way she’d always wanted to.
Next time she’d wrap her arms around him, he wouldn’t feel pain, and wouldn’t turn away. Instead, he’d pull her to him, kiss her, and make her happy.
A loud thump came from the second floor, as if something had landed hard on the floor.
Celise and Faye tensed, looking at each other.
“What was that?” Faye asked.
“I don’t know.”
A roar of terror and agony filled the air.
A cold chill hit her chest. “Wind.” Without a second thought, she ran up the stairs.
Faye followed her.
A million thoughts traveled through Celise’s mind. Had furniture fallen over Wind? Had he broken something? Or had he just hit his foot against something? No, she doubted that. The thump hadn’t been loud, but his scream had filled her with fear.
What if ...?
Celise yanked the door open. The scene that greeted her tore her heart out.
It was worse than she’d dared to imagine.
Wind sat on the floor with Diane in his arms. The armchair had been knocked over. Diane wasn’t moving. Her eyes were closed, her skin pale as snow.
He looked up when they ran into the room. His eyes were filled with tears, and gut-wrenching pain was written all over his face. His chin trembled. “She’s dead.”
“Oh my God,” Faye gasped.
Celise crouched down next to Wind and Diane. She checked for her friend’s pulse, but there was none.
She really was gone.
The beautiful morning had turned into a surreal nightmare. Sorrow surged through her. She was unable to stop her tears.
Wind held her gaze. “Celise ... help me.” His voice was barely a whisper, and his body started to tremble even more.
She froze. The light in his shining eyes was fading. “What?”
“The bond ... I’m dying ...”
“But ... your eyes flashed.”
“Not ... enough ...” He fell to his side, his body going slack as he closed his eyes and exhaled. Then, he suddenly started to shake so violently Celise feared he’d bite his tongue off.
“Shit,” Faye gasped with wide eyes.
It didn’t take long before sweat broke out on his skin. His face and throat turned red as he struggled with clenched fists.
Terror grabbed Celise as she stared at the man she loved, but she couldn’t allow it to set. “Get my bag. It’s in the bedroom.”
Faye took off in an instance, and Celise grabbed Diane’s cold body, moving her away from Wind. There was nothing she could do for her, but she could try to save Wind.
She wasn’t going to lose him.
She was a doctor. She was the only one who could save him.
Celise scooted closer on her knees but knew it wasn’t wise to touch him. He could hurt her with his inhuman strength in this condition, but it didn’t seem like the shaking would stop anytime soon.
There was only one thing she could try until Faye returned.
With one swift move, she grabbed Wind by the neck and pressed one finger against his spine and another one just behind his right ear. Her pinky reached for that sensitive spot she was looking for, and when she found it, she pressed it.
He instantly stilled with closed eyes.
Faye stormed into the room and handed her the bag. “What did you do?”
Celise searched through the bag as fast as she could. “Cyborgs have a unique nerve in their necks. If you know how to activate it, you can make them lose consciousness for a short while.”
Her friend blinked. “I didn’t know that. Why do they have it?”
“They’re stronger, faster, and more intelligent than humans, so MedAct gave them a weak point.” She pulled out the device she was looking for. She threw the bag away, pulled Wind’s shirt up, and pressed it against his chest. Her heart was pounding as she scanned him. Her hands shook, and tears pushed from behind her eyes, but she kept them away. It was difficult to keep her emotions at bay, but she had to.
For Wind.
If she allowed panic and chaos rule her, he would die.
Celise couldn’t stop her chin from trembling when she saw the result from the scan. “His bond to Diane is going amok.” The words came out shaky. “That first flash with me is the only thing keeping him alive, but if his eyes don't flash two more times, he’ll die anyway within a few hours.”
“Then do something!”
She met Faye’s desperate gaze, hopelessness filling her. “I can’t force it, but I’ll do everything I can. Somehow, I’ll make his eyes flash again.” She reached for Wind’s face.
Without warning, he woke with a scream.
Faye jerked beside her.
The panic that radiated from him was impossible to miss. He scanned frantically around him before he flew to his feet, breathing heavily, and swaying as if he was drunk. He squeezed his eyes hard, trying to focus, but seemed unable to.
Celise climbed to her feet and grabbed his face. Seeing him in this state broke her heart. “Wind. I’m here. Look at me. Please, look at me ...”
He tried, but seconds later, his eyes glazed over. He pushed away and let out another agony filled scream. He wrapped his arms around his head, pulled his hair, and scratched his face as he curled up.
The sound devastated her from the inside out. It tore her apart, and she could barely imagine the pain he had to be in. She wasn’t going to be able to save him.
Wind darted for the balcony.
Celise gasped. “Wind, no!”
But he didn’t listen; he jumped.
Tears ran down her face as she and Faye ran up to the balcony. “Wind!” She looked down, feared she’d see him lying on the ground with broken limbs, but he was already on his feet, seemingly unhurt.
He darted off.
“Wind!”