Chapter Thirty-One

 

Medora paced while Jerik walked through her penthouse. She wrung her hands. “What if…”

“Stop,” Jerik commanded from behind her. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders from behind. “All will be well. Caterina will heal. She will be as good as new.”

Medora turned in his arms. “I’m sorry about the wedding.”

“We’re still getting married,” Jerik murmured into her hair. “I haven’t told you how fetching you look. I can’t wait to lick the entire length of your glorious dancer’s legs.”

She blushed furiously but squeezed him tighter. She had started imagining what she would do to him. She could never compete with his history, but she could be creative. At the very least, everything she tried would be a first for her.

“Caterina will be at our wedding,” Jerik continued speaking into her hair. “We’ll buy her a beautiful gown.”

Medora pulled away and looked into his face. “You’re—a more caring person than you let on.”

Jerik looked down at her and frowned. “I have had a lot of time to build walls around my emotions. When I began feeling things for you, I tried to burn the emotions all down. I was unsuccessful.”

Medora smiled, eyes twinkling. “You met a formidable opponent in me, Mighty Jerik of the Sex Clubs?”

He returned her smile. “I never saw it coming.”

Medora wiped an eye and walked to her kitchen counter. “I made something for you,” she said. “I hope you like it.”

She presented him with the item and tucked her hands behind her back, feeling girlish and unsure.

Jerik held the box with questions in his eyes. He turned it over and over, and finally opened it. With a deep frown on his face, he lifted the small canvas and held it out for his inspection.

Medora held her breath. Her heart raced a million miles a minute. She might pass out. Inhale through the nose, out through the mouth, she chanted to herself.

“The help you received from Sharkur,” he finally said. “I’m touched, Medora.” He looked up from the canvas to her face.

Did he like it? Did he know what it was? “I’m sorry it’s not much. Do you—like it?”

Jerik nodded slowly, eyes returning to the artwork. “I had no idea Sharkur could find this representation of my mate and child. I thought I had destroyed everything.”

“He said he had to ask many Krinar to get a hold of it. I used some artistic license to embellish it,” she explained and walked closer. She gestured to the mixed media. “I asked Sharkur if he could duplicate any items from those days with his nano-thingie. He reproduced this necklace and the kind of fabric used in your baby’s blanket.” Medora peeked at his face. He still wasn’t smiling. “I’m sorry if I overstepped. I know I feel closer to my clients when I,” she said and swallowed. Waved her hand at the memorabilia scattered around her living room. “You know, when I look at or hold these things. I thought maybe…” She blinked tears away.

Jerik grabbed her with one arm, crushing her to his side. He said not a word, but held her to him, and she could see out of the corner of her eye that he still held the canvas with his other hand and stared at it with ferocity.

“Forgive me,” Jerik uttered. “I cannot speak.”

Medora closed her eyes, relief and compassion flowing from her heart to his. She understood only too well.

A loud pop erupted in her suite, and they looked at Sharkur and her father and Rosela. Rosela’s expression was one of fury mixed with awe. Daddy was unflappable.

Reluctantly, Medora withdrew from Jerik’s arms, and Jerik turned away, fussing with the canvas and box it came in. Probably composing himself.

“Sharkur, thank you for bringing them here,” Medora said holding out her hand. Sharkur took it and pulled her into him. She was swallowed up in his size. She noted his glance toward his friend. “Daddy, Rosela, I’m sorry for messing up everything.”

“Nonsense, Medora. Sharkur tells me you’re going to be a mother,” Daddy said. “I’m sure all will be well in a matter of days.”

“We will need to do much shopping,” Rosela said with folded arms and a special glare reserved for Sharkur. “No more trash in this house.” She looked at Medora. “Little children do not need sugary drinks to rot their teeth. We’ll keep the fridge stocked with fruits and vegetables. Plenty of water. Fresh herbs,” she listed tapping her fingers. “We’ll need boots, coats, hats, scarves, extra shoes…”

Medora giggled and Rosela shot her a look. Medora spoke. “Caterina will be in wonderful hands.” She turned to Jerik who stood aloof with hands in pockets. All better now. “We don’t have to live here, Jerik. We could live with you or wherever you like?”

Jerik allowed a smile. “Maybe we’ll ask Caterina.”

Medora laughed. “No fair! She’ll want to live with you, with or without me.” She pretended to pout. Worry nibbled at the back of her mind. “She’ll be okay?”

Sharkur and Jerik both snapped “Yes!”

She took a deep breath. “Okay. I’m changing. Rosela?” She looked at her housekeeper/quasi parent. “Let’s go shopping!”