Free The Man Within by Lora Leigh Page A

assured the public of it. Other than the longer canines, they were human. Weren’t they?
    Then she couldn’t think anymore. The next explosion that tore through her was nearly brutal in its intensity. She could only cry out, could only let it have her while Taber collapsed over her. His breathing was harsh, his body as damp as her own now.
    “Roni.” His voice sounded tormented, pained, as he fought to catch his breath.
    “What did you do, Taber?” she whispered, the blurring at the edge of her vision becoming darker. “What did you do…”

Chapter Nine
     
    “She’ll be fine.” Dr. Martin patted Roni’s slack hand as he gently settled it on the bed beside her unconscious body. He had finally finished his examination. On the table beside the bed were the vials of various samples he needed. “Remember, she’s only the second known mate, and her body’s been under the strain of it for over a year. Physically, it could be much different for her than it was for Merinus. I’ll run my tests and we’ll see how she does when she awakens.”
    Taber stared down at Roni from the other side of the bed, his conscience searing him with remorse. What had he done to her? For the first time since his childhood, the animalistic side had controlled him, rather than the human. When it had mattered most, he had forgotten he was a man.
    “Is she sleeping or unconscious?” Taber almost winced at the sound of his voice and the pain seeping into it.
    Doc shot him a worried glance. “She’s just sleeping, Taber. The day has been quite eventful for her. Let her body rest and her mind cope. Sometimes it’s all that saves a soul.” The haunted shadows that lingered in the scientist’s eyes gave testament to that fact. “Have her in the lab first thing in the morning. We’ll run a few more tests, make certain they are coinciding with the readings we had from Merinus, and then we’ll just wait and see.”
    Wait and see if she conceives. Taber’s fists clenched with an almost murderous fury. From the moment he had seen the attack on her on that damned television his only thought had been taking her. Marking her. Assuring himself that no other could ever touch her again. He pushed his fingers wearily through his hair as he stared down at her.
    She was pale. Dark circles lingered under her eyes, showing the scattering of freckles across her nose in stark relief. She looked so innocent… Hell, she had been innocent. A fucking virgin, and he had taken her like an animal.
    He turned to the window at his side, drawing back the dark curtains, staring out at the grounds of the estate. He had taken her from her home, brought her to a damned armed camp and molested her before even taking the time to explain the changes taking place in her body after his kiss.
    He had known when he kissed her what he was doing. Had known what would happen, but he had been helpless to stop. He had protected her since she was a child, until the moment she had truly needed his strength. Then he had failed her. He had allowed the animal to take control and now Roni would pay the price.
    “Taber, I’ll need samples from you as well,” Doc said softly from the end of the bed. “As soon as possible, if you don’t mind.”
    Taber pulled back from the window, allowing the drapes to fall back in place.
    “When she awakens,” he said softly. “I’ll come down then.”
    “Now, Taber. There may not be time when she awakens.” Merinus stepped forward then, her voice firm. “You go with Doc. I’ll sit here with Roni. Besides, she might need a more calming influence than you are at the moment when she awakens.”
    Taber wanted to deny it, but he knew she was right. Roni didn’t need to face him when she first awoke. Hell, he was terrified of facing her. Of seeing the hatred and disgust she must surely feel for him now. How would he ever convince her how much she filled his heart when he had taken her as little more than an animal?
    As he left the room he was