Vampire Mine - Kerrelyn Sparks [68]
Olivia reached over to take her husband’s hand. “Shall we break the news?”
Robby grinned. “Sure. Go ahead.”
She grinned back. “We’re expecting.”
“What?” Angus jumped to his feet.
Emma leaped to her feet with a squeal. “You’re pregnant?”
After Olivia nodded, Emma squealed again and lunged toward her for a big hug.
“Hot damn!” Phineas gave Robby a high five, then slapped him on the back. “You da man!”
Emma bounced over to Angus and threw her arms around him. “We’re going to have a grand-baby!”
Angus patted her on the back with a stunned expression. “I’m going to be a great-great grandfather?”
Connor suspected he was missing a few greats. “Congratulations.” He shook hands with Angus and Robby, then sat down and waited for the celebration to end.
The laughter and hugging went on for a good five minutes, then the questioning began. How was Olivia feeling? When was the baby due?
Connor shifted in his seat. First all the Vamp men were getting married. Now they were having children. It was damned depressing.
“Can we get back to business?” he grumbled. “We were discussing the upcoming battle and Sean Whelan’s foolish desire to fight. Do ye think he’ll try to make the mortals on his team fight, too?”
Emma gave him a wry look. “Funny you should ask. Sean has been especially pissed with you lately. Turns out Alyssa has a crush on you.”
Connor blinked. “Who?”
“The woman on the Stake-Out team,” Emma explained. “Apparently, you told her she was pretty.”
Connor thought back, trying to remember, then became aware that everyone in the room was watching him with expressions of amusement.
“Whoa, Connor.” Phineas waggled his eyebrows. “I didn’t know you were such a ladies’ man.”
“I doona remember her,” he muttered.
“It was a few years ago,” Emma said. “Austin told me about it. He and Alyssa were holding Shanna prisoner in a hotel room when you teleported in to rescue her. That’s when you told Alyssa she was pretty.”
Connor shrugged. “Then it was merely a strategic maneuver aimed to distract them while I escaped with Shanna.” His face grew warm. Had such an offhand remark really caused a woman to develop a crush on him?
“Hot damn, bro.” Phineas gave him a thumbs-up. “You’ve got a fan club.”
Connor stood. “ ’Twas no’ my intent.” He headed to the door. “I need to take Marielle home—I mean, back to the cabin.” His face grew hotter, and he exited quickly.
Bugger. He needed to be more careful. If one silly remark had caused a woman to develop a crush, what would happen to Marielle if he kept touching her? And kissing her? The poor lass wanted to go back to heaven. That was her home. Not the cabin. If he somehow made her feel too much affection for him, it would only be harder for her to leave.
The problem was he wanted her affection. Hell, he wanted her, period. What kind of fool was he to think he could compete with heaven? He was setting himself up for severe heartache. And worse, he could end up causing Marielle heartache, too.
He had to back off, put distance between them. And yet, he had to keep training her and slipping into her mind to know where to teleport.
Damn. What a tangled mess.
He found Marielle in the cafeteria discussing theology with Roman and Father Andrew. Shanna had gone outside to play with the children.
As he approached, Marielle glanced up and smiled. His heart constricted as usual. “I’m ready to take you back to the cabin, whenever ye wish.”
“I’m ready.” She stood and gathered up her dishes. “I enjoyed talking to you again, Father. And meeting you, Roman.”
He stood. “Thank you . . . for saving my life.”
Father Andrew moved out of her way. “I look forward to seeing you again, my dear.”
Connor picked up her glass and salad bowl. “I’ll help you.”
“Connor.” Roman paused with an uncomfortable look. “I judged you too harshly.”
“ ’Tis my job to protect you and yer family. Ye had every right to be angry.”
“I’m convinced