“It’s just that you’re bigger each time I see you.”
Um, wasn’t that how it was supposed to work?
“You look as though you’re gonna burst any second now.”
What a stroke to the ego that was. “Well, don’t worry; the baby’s not quite ready to make its debut yet.”
“I’ll bet your sex drive has gone through the roof. My sister’s did.”
“Really?” Please stop talking, Harper barely refrained from adding. She sensed Knox’s amusement and wanted to smack him.
“Oh yes. You know, my Raymond said he’d always fantasized about having sex with a pregnant woman. We all have our fantasies, but some of Raymond’s do surprise me. Personally, I don’t understand what the attraction could possibly be in having sex with a pregnant woman, but…” She cut off, as if just realizing she could be offending Harper.
At this point, Khloë, Raini, and Devon – who were all absolutely shitfaced after hours of drinking shots – were practically folded over with silent laughter.
Taking a deep breath, Harper said, “Right, well, I think it’s safe to say that we’ve officially arrived at the end of this conversation.”
“Yes,” said Polly with a shaky laugh. “Before I go, let me give you a little advice…”
Oh God, please don’t, Harper wanted to say. Instead, she chugged down her water like it was tequila. As she listened to Polly talk about her son’s wide shoulders, the use of forceps, and a consequential cone head, she gripped Knox’s arm. As much as I love unsolicited advice, you need to make her to stop.
Knox massaged Harper’s nape as he expertly redirected the conversation by involving Jolene, who soon managed to guide Polly away. Okay, you were right, he relented. People do see baby bumps as a green light to say inappropriate things.
Harper nodded, taking a calming breath. It worked, but that calm quickly left her when she saw none other than Thatcher, Jonas, and Alethea approaching. The dolphin was smiling, but her eyes were hard. That wasn’t what caught Harper’s attention, though; it was how close she was to Thatcher – they invaded each other’s space in a very intimate way. I think Thatcher’s banging the dolphin.
Knox blinked. That sounded wrong on several levels.
Levi reluctantly allowed the three demons to pass, giving each of them a warning glare that they didn’t fail to miss. Apparently, though, Alethea chose to ignore hers, because she pointed at Harper’s stomach and said, “So, that’s what happened to my beach ball!” The others all sucked in a shocked breath.
Total. Fucking. Bitch. Harper just stared at her blankly. She wants me to hit her, doesn’t she? I totally get that now. Her demon snarled, wanting to rise and deliver a warning of its own. Harper barely managed to keep it from surfacing.
Knox rubbed her thigh soothingly, but he didn’t say a word to Alethea. He didn’t need to – his icy glare was enough to make her pale.
The girls slid forward on their seats, looking ready to pounce. Khloë even shoved up imaginary sleeves, as if readying herself to deliver a solid punch.
“Alethea,” Jonas reprimanded under his breath. He then shot both Knox and Harper a wide yet awkward smile. “I apologize for my sister’s behavior.”
“I’ve noticed you do that a lot,” clipped Jolene.
Jonas’ mouth tightened. “We’re here in peace. I came to see how Harper was doing.”
“I’m good, thanks,” said Harper.
“I’d imagine that you’re eager to see the end of the pregnancy,” hedged Thatcher, the shadow of a smile on his face. He seemed to be genuinely trying to make conversation.
Harper nodded. “It’s hard to cart the beach ball everywhere,” she said dryly, taking Alethea’s joke and making it her own. The others laughed and, as Harper had hoped, Alethea flushed in anger. Awesome.
“I don’t think your stomach’s actually that big,” said Raini. “Not for someone who only has five weeks left before the baby comes.”
Devon nodded. “I was thinking the same thing.”
Knox lay his arm across Harper, resting a possessive hand on her thigh. The baby’s annoyed. Just a brief touch of its mind was enough for Knox to pick up a vibe of irritation.
I know, said Harper. I don’t know whether my emotions rub off on it or it just gets annoyed by me being annoyed.
Thatcher looked at Knox, his expression nostalgic. “Watching your child be born is an amazing thing. Becoming a father… it changes you. For some people, that’s a good thing. For others, it’s not. But I have a feeling it will affect you in a good way. You’re a man who has his priorities straight and takes care of what’s his.” He slid a meaningful look at Alethea and said to her, “There’s really only so many times your brother can save you. One day, you’ll push them too far. There’ll be no one who can help you.” He walked away.
Cheeks reddening, Jonas gave a courteous nod. “Enjoy your evening. Time to go, Alethea.”
“Thatcher’s right,” Knox told her before she had the chance to leave. “Your petty comments are designed to make Harper feel bad about herself. They don’t work, which is the only reason you breathe.” His eyes bled to black and his demon said, “If there ever comes a time when you do hurt her, there will be no one who can keep you safe from me.”
To Harper’s shock, Alethea’s own demon rose, but before it could say a single word, Jonas swiftly propelled it away. It was a few moments before Knox’s demon finally retreated.
“You okay?” Harper asked him.
“I should be asking you that. It was you who she tried to hurt.”
Jolene made a dismissive sound. “Ignore her. And ignore all this ‘advice’ you’ve been given – it’s just verbal junk mail. And to think that they’d risk upsetting a pregnant she-demon… there are lot of people who are simply, well, stupid. Don’t listen to any of the others either, sweetheart. Pregnancy is a personal, subjective experience. What people can forget is that everyone experiences it a little differently. It’s challenging and it can be scary, but it’s a gift and a privilege. Enjoy it.”
Harper smiled. “I will. Thanks, Grams.” Scooting to the edge of the sofa, she said, “Larkin, I gotta pee.” And the tension was broken.
The harpy chuckled. “Come on.”
Harper gave Knox a quick kiss and then allowed Larkin to help her stand.
“Ooh, I’ll come too.” Khloë rose. Swayed. Double-blinked. Larkin put a hand on the imp’s shoulder and sat her back down. Khloë didn’t even seem to notice.
“I’ll stay here,” slurred Raini. “You know I don’t like it when the room spins.”
Devon tossed back the rest of her Cosmo and stood. “I’ll go with you. I got your back.”
Harper didn’t bother pointing out that the hellcat could barely walk. It was an unspoken rule that none of them ever went to the restrooms alone. It wouldn’t matter to Devon that Larkin was coming along; Devon would feel the need to come too.
Larkin remained in front of Harper as they headed to the restrooms. There was no need to weave their way through the throngs of people – they easily moved aside at the “don’t fucking test me” expression on the sentinel’s pretty face.
Mere feet away from the door, Larkin came to a halt. “Motherfucker.”
“What is it?” Harper tracked her gaze. And winced. “Oh.”
“What?” asked Devon from behind.
“Carla’s heading to the restrooms, with one eye on Harper,” said Larkin. “Why this bitch seems to like waylaying you in restrooms, Harper, I don’t know.” Larkin pushed open the door for the ladies’ room and peeked inside. “Coast is clear. Go.”
Harper walked in, but Devon remained with Larkin.
“Go, Harper,” said the hellcat. “We got this.”
Larkin frowned at Devon. “I’m a sentinel, I will deal —”
“We got this.”
Harper sighed. “Whatever. Just keep Carla away from me.” Her demon would go ape-shit if the woman confronted Harper again.