by Kunz, C. A.
“Well, Ms. Grayson, it’ll be my pleasure to be your escort for the evening. We’re civilians right now, and tonight we’ll pretend there’s no war. And we’ll just have fun.”
“Sounds like a plan, Mr. Shaw. By the way, do you know how to dance?”
“This may shock you, but I do dance. And even if I didn’t, I’d fake it so nobody would have the chance to take you away from me tonight.”
I’m thankful we’re walking down the corridor and not face-to-face because of the major blush I have going on. And what a time for my hair to be up. I guarantee it would hide my face perfectly right now if it were down.
When we reach the mess hall, both of us stop at the entrance. We’re in awe at the transformation our eating area has undergone. It looks so surreal. Our usual tables are missing, and instead, spread out around the outer edges of the room are intimate white stands which are topped with a solid surface of shimmering blue energy. They’re surrounded by highly polished white stools. But the most amazing sight in the room is the dance floor. The transparent floor has soft blue lights shining from below it, and when someone walks over the tiles the soft lights turn into a pulsating vivid blue.
“Kenley, look up,” Landon whispers in my ear. Following his lead I raise my eyes. My thought of the dance floor as being the most amazing thing quickly changes once I look up. The ceiling looks nonexistent. In its place, a beautiful starry night sky covers the span of the room as a huge bright moon shines in the opposite corner of where we’re standing.
“Wow, I wonder how they did that,” I say in total astonishment.
“I don’t know, but it’s pretty awesome.”
“Well, don’t just stand there blocking the entrance, move it, soldiers.” Sam’s quip is startling, and we quickly comply. “Where’s the grub?” she asks, looking around.
“Don’t you think this is amazing? Oh, Sam, you look so beautiful.” She pushes past us, ignoring my compliment.
“She cleans up well too,” Landon says, raising his voice and then chuckles as we see her back stiffen at his comment.
“Hey, this is cool. If I didn’t know better, I’d think this wasn’t the mess hall.” Joey’s teasing voice comes from behind us. “Is that Sam? Wow, that red dress and her dark hair, who knew she was such a hottie,” he adds.
“So, are you into girls now, Joey?” I ask jokingly, knowing very well the answer to my own question.
“No, but I can appreciate beauty, can’t I?” He pauses, turning to look at me. “Well, Landon’s quite the lucky guy, huh? Look at you, you’re stunning.” Joey’s grin is infectious as he takes my hand and spins me around to get a better look at my dress. “I only wish Dylan could be here to see his sister all grown up,” he says and kisses my cheek.
“Thanks, Joey. Me too,” I say with a slight smile.
“Treat her well, Landon. You’ve got precious cargo here,” Joey states, giving Landon a little slap to the side of his shoulder. He moves ahead and leaves us standing in the doorway.
“He’s g-?” Landon begins to ask as he turns to look at me.
“Yep. His parents practically disowned him when they found out he was gay. His father thought he could beat ‘the disease,’ as he called it, out of him. Joey came to our house late one night, beaten up pretty badly. We immediately took him in and let him stay with us for a while. His parents didn’t even seem to care that he didn’t come home for a week. Just like that he went from being a friend, to being a member of our family.”
“Huh.”
“You don’t have an issue with that do you?” I ask, looking at Landon questioningly.
“No, not at all. I actually thought… I mean, you and him were-”
“Oh, no. Joey’s like a brother to me. When we lost Dylan, Joey became a rock for my little brother and me,” I say, trying to keep the tears at bay, but one escapes, sliding down my cheek where Landon’s finger catches it. “Hey,” I say taking in a deep breath, “you said you can dance, right? Well, I want to see.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll dance. Just waiting for the right moment,” he says wiggling his eyebrows and making me giggle. “I’m really glad I don’t have to fight Joey for you. I would’ve, but I’m glad I don’t have too.”
“You would have, huh?”
“In a heartbeat,” he replies with his mouth close to mine. I can feel every syllable that leaves lips.
As if on cue a slow song begins to play and Landon grabs my hand, pulling me onto the dance floor. I feel like I’m in a dream that I definitely don’t want to wake up from. This evening is so perfect. Everyone seems to be having a good time and the only bad part is that tomorrow reality will set in again.
Looking around I notice Sam dancing with a tall hot guy from Russia. I think his name is Ivan. Geoffrey is smiling, sitting at one of the tables and eating the delicious food from the buffet with Mara, a fellow Tactical member. They seem to be having a deep conversation even though Geoffrey’s grinning constantly.
I scan the room and find Joey talking to Alex, a dark-haired Irish guy. Joey seems relaxed and laughs at something Alex is telling him. The one person I can’t find is Caleb, and wonder if he decided he’s too cool to be here.
Landon didn’t lie about being able to dance, and after about an hour, I’m dragging him off the floor toward the refreshments. My stomach is starting to protest at its lack of sustenance.
“I’m starved, Landon.”
“Me too,” he replies in a voice that makes me turn around and look at him. He licks his lips as he watches my mouth and I feel like he’s not talking about food.
“For food, silly,” I say poking his chest.
He grabs my hand and pulls me close, his eyes suddenly serious as his lips come close to mine. I shut my eyes anticipating the kiss and then nothing. I blink and open my eyes, realizing he’s let me go, and all I can see is his retreating back moving toward the buffet. Oh, Mr. Shaw, you’re going to get it now, I think to myself.
The tables are filled with such an array of mouthwatering food. I find it hard to choose. With my plate finally piled high, I make my way to a vacant table in the corner. I feel eyes staring at me and find Landon with two plates in his hands making his way toward me. I sit down and place my napkin on my lap and start to eat, not waiting for him.
“This food’s amazing. There’s stuff on those tables I haven’t eaten in years. Fresh tomatoes, oh how I’ve missed you.” Landon then bites into one, and I try not to look as he slowly savors the flavor. My heart starts to speed up a little as I sneak a peek after hearing his groan of satisfaction.
“Kenley, are you feeling all right?” Galileo’s voice startles me as he glows from my bangle.
“Yeah, she’s fine, Galileo,” Landon answers before I can even get my thoughts together to reply.
“But her heart rate is up, and that usually doesn’t happen when she eats,” Galileo responds. Could I possibly be any more embarrassed than I feel right now? I think not!
“I’m fine, Galileo. I just ate something that was a little too spicy for my taste,” I say before I take a long swig of water, trying to convince him, Landon, and myself of the obvious lie. The only spicy thing in this room is the guy sitting across from me, and right now he could be the death of me.
Landon sends me a lazy, sexy smile as he leans back in his chair, obviously not believing my lie. I savagely attack my chicken breast with a knife and fork while ignoring him. He finally gives up and starts to eat again. If the music wasn’t playing, the silence between us would be deafening.
“Hey, you two, what’s up?” Joey’s voice pierces through the music.
“Duh, we’re stuffing our faces,” I say before I think, and now I’m even more miffed at Landon for making me take it out on Joey.
“Hey, I just asked a question.” Joey looks at me puzzled, and then looks at Landon who is smiling while chewing something he just put in his mouth.
“Let’s dance,” I say grabbing Joey’s hand and drag him out onto the dance floo
r, feeling Landon’s eyes following us.
“Okay, spill. What’s got your panties all in a twist?” Joey asks pulling me close as a slow song starts.
“Insufferable men, that’s what,” I say, and then step on his toe when he chuckles.
“You have a crush on him, don’t you?”
“I do not. Okay, maybe I do. And the worst part is, I think he knows it. What’s happening to me? We’re at war! We’re soldiers, and here I am crushing on some guy from California. Am I nuts?”
“No, you’re just human. I like Landon. You know I have that sense about people, and he’s a good guy. Have a little fun, who knows what will happen soon.”
“I so love you, Joey! Now what about you and the eye candy you were with just a little while ago?”
“Oh, Alex? We were just chatting. I kind of dig his accent,” he replies with a slight laugh. “He’s really nice, though. Kind of reminds me of a boy I knew in high school. Anyway, back to you. Are you going to let yourself have a little fun, or what?”
“Or what, Kenley? Do you mind, Joey? I think this is our dance.” Landon takes my hand and pulls me in his arms. I hear Joey laugh and see him making goo-goo eyes at me as he walks away.
The music is slow and we move together as if we’re one person. The dance floor feels crowded, but I’m not paying attention to our surroundings. My only focus is on Landon’s arms around me.
“Let’s get out of here,” Landon whispers in my ear, and pulls me through a side doorway into a darkened corridor. My heartbeat speeds up as Landon gently pushes me against the wall and moves in close. His lips touch mine and his hands roam up and down my back sending shivers of delight where they touch. I clutch onto him as he pushes his way into my mouth and the kiss deepens. Everything disappears except for this delicious feeling of warmth and our dual heartbeats moving at warp speed.
“Kenley, you’re driving me crazy. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I feel like I’m losing my mind,” he says breathlessly, close to my ear.
“Kenley? Landon?” Both our AIs respond together.
“Not now,” Landon tells the two images, and after a few seconds they disappear back into our bands. “I’m sorry if this is all too much for you.”
My throat is dry, and my brain is trying to comprehend what Landon is saying. I want him to grab me again and kiss me forever, but I realize he’s looking at me waiting for me to say something.
“Landon, I’m not sure what to say. I feel something strong between us too, but can’t decide if it’s just because of what we’ve gone through together,” I reply and then pause. “I think this is real, but there’s just so much going on, it’s hard to know for sure. Did any of that make sense?”
“Perfect sense,” Landon’s says softly before his lips find mine again, and then nothing else seems to matter in this moment.
Outside of my door in the dimly lit hallway, Landon traps me between the wall and his body. I hear the door slide open as he proceeds to gently kiss me, and then pull away while resting his forehead on mine.
“Do you want to come in?” Kenley, what the heck are you saying? Are you nuts? You know what will happen and how much trouble you guys will get into. My inner voice speaks up.
“I want to so badly, but I can’t… because I think I’m in love with you,” Landon quietly whispers.
He swiftly kisses me, and then to my amazement leaves me standing at the door. I watch as he turns the corner and disappears.
Entering my room I walk over to the sink and look in the mirror. My eyes are glowing and my lips are slightly swollen. My perfect bun is now in disarray.
“He thinks he loves me,” I say out loud. I really like Landon, but I think I’m scared of getting close to him because I don’t want to lose him. I’ve already lost one person I care about to this war.
I jump as Galileo projects from my bangle. “What is love? And why might Shaw, Landon love you?” he asks, making me chuckle.
How do I explain love to a computer? I ask myself.
“Love is a feeling…an emotion that one feels for another…oh, Galileo, I don’t know how to describe love,” I respond still completely overwhelmed and at a loss for words. “All I know is that Landon told me he thinks he loves me.”
“I know, I heard. I realize now that it is normal for your heart to move faster when you are in the presence of Shaw, Landon. I will not interrupt you again. One more question?”
“Okay, let’s hear it?”
“Why did Shaw, Landon not want to come into your room?”
“Because…because he knew what would probably happen. He respects me enough to wait until it’s the right time.”
“What would have happened?” Galileo’s monotone voice asks.
“You said only one more question, so I can’t answer that,” I joke with him. “I’m going to take a shower.”
I open my top drawer, pull out the metal casing, and place it on over my bangle. I want no more interruptions to my thoughts for the rest of the night.
Chapter Twelve
The Fortification Division
I hear the song that wakes me up every morning and let out a little groan. “Kenley, it’s time to ‘rise and shine.’ Your shower is ready when you are,” Galileo’s voice interrupts the dream I’m trying to fight to stay in. This is definitely one of those I just want to spend a little extra time with.
“Two more minutes,” I grumble and turn over, stuffing my arm and the bangle under the pillow. I hear Galileo mumbling and try to return to my dream, but I’m awake now and it’s hopeless.
“Kenley, that was not necessary,” Galileo sounds indignant as I pull my arm out from beneath the pillow and he projects out.
“Galileo,” I whine, “you interrupted the best dream I’ve ever had.”
“And that was?”
I feel the blush creeping into my cheeks as I recall it. Instead of answering him, I jump out of bed and reach for the metal casing.
“Kenley, I am waiting for your answer,” he says just before I cover him up.
“Whoa, so not a convo intended for your ears,” I mumble as I undress and jump in the shower, still blushing.
Standing in the steamy hot shower, I begin to remember the best part of my dream. Landon and I were on an isolated tropical beach that was covered with blinding white sand. His perfectly chiseled body was wearing only a pair of trunks that left nothing to the imagination. I scrunch my nose as I remember that I was in the skimpiest bikini I’ve ever seen. We emerged hand in hand out of the sparkling blue ocean and I watched as beads of water ran down from Landon’s beautiful chestnut brown hair onto his chest. I followed the flowing water as it touched every inch of his body. My knees turned to rubber when he smirked at me after catching me staring at him. He swept me up in his arms and carried me the rest of the way toward a huge blue sand umbrella. He laid me gently on a fluffy soft blanket that was sprawled out underneath it. My mouth watered as he followed me down and his upper body covered mine. It was then that I realized I had somehow lost my bikini top. I become a mass of sensation as I think back to how I felt as my bare skin touched his. Then Galileo’s voice sounded in my ear, totally ruining it. I wonder how I can face Landon without blushing now, especially after vividly remembering that dream.
I hear the muffled voice of Galileo underneath the casing. Removing it, “Sorry, what did you say, Galileo?”
“I said that you have only five minutes to get down to the mess hall for breakfast.”
“Oh crap,” I reply and rush from the bathroom to get dressed, my skin still tingling from thinking about my dream.
I barely make it to the cafeteria in time to eat some fruit and an omelet. I try to act normal, but Joey and Sam seem to be fixated on me. I ignore their stares and shovel in my food.
“So did you enjoy the dance last night?” Sam asks, with a sly grin.
“Yeah, Kenley you just up and disappeared. What was up with that?” Joey gives me a playful nudge with his shoulder.
> I ignore their comments and continue eating, hoping to keep my embarrassment in check. I look down the table and meet Landon’s shocking blue eyes. He sends me a mouth-watering smile that makes me drop my forkful of food, and I feel my face heating up. Damn, fair skin! I yell to myself. I turn away, letting my hair fall over my face and then realize my hair is not in a braid. I was so distracted that I forgot to have an Ada do my hair.
“It is time for all cadets to report to their designated training areas.” A robotic voice fills the room through the intercoms. I quickly grab my tray and make my way to the exit, dumping my uneaten food and leaving the room before any more questions. I feel bad about Landon, but I need to get my composure before he sees how much he affects me. I make a quick stop at my room and have Galileo call for an Ada, and then hurry to my Fortification training room.
I’m the last one to step foot into Dr. Patel’s room and all eyes dart to me as I enter. I look around and it seems like everyone’s paired up except for Caleb. I smile and wave as I walk over to him, but he seems less enthusiastic about the pairing. At first he acts like he’s bored, but then an hour into the class he changes.
Caleb grabs a colorfully striped medicine ball with his telekinesis and makes it float in the air. It spins so fast that it begins to look less like a ball and more like a rainbow blur. A tap on his shoulder from Dr. Patel sends the ball flying across the room, sending people diving for the ground.
I hold back a giggle as Caleb walks over to me and whispers in my ear. “Top that, Grayson.” I open my mouth to give him a snarky reply and then see him grinning at me mischievously.
“Caleb, where did that come from? This playful side of you?”
“I’ve always been fun, I just chose when and if I let it out.”
“I like this Caleb,” I say and watch his face change, gone is the grin. Before I can say anything, two androids enter with trays of sandwiches and drinks. I regret that I won’t see my friends at lunch, but I feel a reprieve from having to see Landon before I can get my emotions under control.