Read Online The Power of Persuasion by Kate Pearce - Free Book Online Page B

three days for the next two months and allow me to monitor any changes in your abilities after each event.”
    “You don’t get to monitor us during the ‘event’. Only me, afterward.”
    She nodded. “Agreed. Now strip and lie down on the gurney.”
    “Dr. Neeve?”
    Neeve looked up from her work and found Commander Kaiden looming in the doorway.
    “Commander.”
    He stepped inside her office and shut the door. “May I have a word with you?”
    “Sure.” She tried to smile. “Is it about my mating cycle? Has Captain McNeil left?”
    “He’s still here.” He met her gaze. “ There’s been a problem. The military authorities have decided he must remain as your primary contact during your remaining two mating cycles.”
    “He decided not to go?” She fiddled with her microscope. “ What’s going on? He doesn’t want to be with me. It’s not a good situation for either of us.”
    Kaiden took his time sauntering over to her desk and pulling out a chair. “I suspect he had no choice. The scientific director of the super soldier program is here and she is determined to add new data to her existing profile of Mac.”
    “I think I talked him out of it.” Kaiden smiled. “I’ll be here, too, as back up.”
    “That’s good to know. Can’t he get out of it ?”
    “ He says not .”
    “ Damn, this is bad.” She forced herself to pat Kaiden on the arm. “I really appreciate your willingness to help me out here. Can you go first? Can we lessen the impact on Mac? ”
    “You’re more than welcome, Dr. Neeve.” Kaiden stood up and held out his hand. “Just let me know when you need me. And I’ll try and make sure Mac is the one kept as back up.”
    Commander Kaiden brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it lingeringly, but she knew it was just an act. He wasn’t as attached to her as Mac had been after one mating session, and she wasn’t feeling more than pleasurable sexual anticipation about him. For whatever reason, Mac was different and she had to protect him.
    “Mac.”
    He woke up from a troubled sleep to find Kaiden at his door.
    “Neeve’s ready for us.”
    He rolled out of bed and rubbed his eyes. Whatever stuff Professor Dean had forced into him was still making him feel like crap.
    “ What’s wrong?” Kaiden had his shields so high that the question barely squeaked through.
    “I’m not sure.” Mac attempted to run a diagnostic on his own systems. “ She’s messed with something. I feel all…wrong.”
    “The prof? I’ll see if I can pick up anything.”
    “Yeah, do that.”
    “Then we’d better keep this convo to the minimum. Tell Neeve.”
    Mac nodded. Kaiden was the only person who’d noticed that his telepathic link with Neeve was more complex than his link with anyone else. He only hoped to God that Kaiden hadn’t told Professor Dean or that the witch hadn’t worked it out for herself. She’d always taken special pleasure in making Mac’s life hell probably because he’d been the first one to question her methods-the first one to realize the enormity of what she’d done to them and fight to get free.
    “Come on.”
    Kaiden walked ahead of Mac down the white hallway and turned toward the guest suites. “They’ve put us in here. I guess the beds are bigger.”
    “Great.”
    Kaiden entered a code and they both went through the door into the executive suite, which was usually reserved for visiting dignitaries. It was fitted out in sleek modern furniture in shades of white and beige. Neeve was sitting in one of the chairs, her arms wrapped around herself and her head lowered. She looked up as the men entered, but she didn’t smile.
    “Dr. Neeve.” Mac nodded at her and took the seat furthest away. “How are you?”
    “Would either of you like a drink?” Kaiden asked as he headed into the small kitchen that adjoined the living area. “I’m parched.” He made a lot of noise rattling around in the refrigerator and banging cupboard doors looking for