Fighting to Survive (As the World Dies #2)(50)

Katie gave him a soft smile as she moved into his arms and laid her hands on the sides of his neck. His hands were warm against her skin as he slid them under her top to rest on her waist. “Well, you’re doing a great job so far keeping us all safe. I know a lot of us are very, very grateful to you.”

Travis looked almost sheepish as he looked up at her. “Yeah, well, just trying…”

“And doing a good job,” she answered. She stroked the curls on the nape of his neck. She could see the stress lines around his eyes and brow fade as he smiled up at her.

“I look at you and I want to save the world. I can’t help it,” he answered.

“Are you sweet talking me again?” she lightly kidded.

He laughed and shook his head. “No, no. I mean it. But I always had grandiose dreams.” His gaze grew more intense as he looked up at her. “Sometimes I get lucky and they come true.”

Katie smiled softly at him and kissed him. He immediately responded and the kiss deepened as the passion rose quickly between them. Katie relished the feel of his lips and tongue against hers. As his hands slid up to unfasten her bra, she drew back long enough to whisper, “What about lunch?”

“Later,” Travis whispered huskily, and kissed her again.

It was hard to resist his touch and harder to resist her own desire for him. She felt absolutely intoxicated with him. As their kisses grew more fevered, they struggled to free each other from their clothes. The hunger for each other was so intense, they never made it close to Travis’ sofa bed or fully managed to undress.





Chapter 10





1. Past, Present, Future





Jenni was annoyed. Up three stories from street level on the fire escape of the hotel, she was on sentry duty overlooking where Main St. intersected Morris Avenue. It was way too hot and windy and the chair she had dragged out to sit on wasn’t very comfortable. This, on top of the insinuation that Juan was behind Jimmy joining the ranks of the undead, was really annoying.

Slouching down in her chair, holding her rifle across her lap, and hooking her foot up on railing, she looked over the street as the wind blew her dark hair around her face. She wished a f*cking zombie would show up so she could blow its head off. It would make her feel so much better.

When the window opened and Katie slipped out, Jenni was surprised, but relieved.

“Hey girlfriend!”

“Hey,” Katie answered. She kissed Jenni’s forehead, then sat down on the windowsill and looked over the street. “Quiet, huh?”

“I find myself craving zombies. Isn’t that twisted?”

“It’s been a weird day,” Katie decided.

“But lunch was good.”

“Yeah, it was, wasn’t it?” Katie grinned, but her expression was odd.

Jenni reached out and tapped her knee. “What’s up?”

“Well,” Katie started slowly, as if measuring her thoughts before making them into words. “Travis and I just had some really intense, throw you up against the wall, earth-shattering sex.”

“All right!” Jenni held out her hand for a high five.

Katie looked at her hand, and added, “Without any protection.”

“Oh, shit.” Jenni dropped her hand.

“Yeah. We both really spaced it. Completely. I’m not sure he even realizes what happened.” Katie sighed softly.

“Um…shit?”

“Yeah. Shit.” Katie ran her hands over her face, then looked at Jenni. “Lesbian sex is not this complicated!”

Jenni laughed and shook her head. “Nope, it's not. I mean your girlfriend can’t knock you up. It’s not like dildos come fully loaded with that baby making stuff.”

Katie burst out laughing and covered her face with one hand. “Oh, gawd.”

Jenni smiled, but then her expression grew as serious as her thoughts. “You okay?”

With a nod, Katie sighed. “Yeah. I am. Weirdly. I don’t really feel panicked at all. I mean, honestly, I had not even thought about it. You know. Babies. But, I guess I have to. Travis….” She smiled at the sound of his name on her lips. “Travis is like Lydia. The one you keep until death parts you. He’s in my heart now and I guess I need to think like…uh….”

“A straight woman,” Jenni offered.

“A woman who can now have babies biologically with her mate and doesn’t have to worry about in vitro-fertilization and the proper donor.” Katie smiled at the memories of her and Lydia's discussion about making a family or not. They had opted not to in the end. “Now, right now, this could be it. Babyville.”

“I’m sure we could find a pill down in the pharmacy stash,” Jenni offered.

“No, no.” Katie shook her head. “No. If something happens then it happens. I’ll deal with it. We both will.”

“You know, I have a feeling that Travis would love a baby with you,” Jenni said.

“Me, too. Me, too. But what about you? You and Juan. Being careful?”

“Tubes tied,” Jenni said sadly. “Stupid Lloyd didn’t want anymore kids. Of course, I had to be the one to face the knife, the bastard.”

“Oh, Jenni, I'm so sorry.”