Instantly, every emotion she’d felt for the past five months surfaced. Tears fell freely as she clenched her fists. “How dare you honey me? You vanish,” she tossed her arms in the air, “with no warning, no goodbye, nothing, and you think you can show up here and honey me?”
Kiwi punched Brad in the gut. Since Kiwi used the arm Aeron had rebuilt, giving it droid qualities, Brad actually doubled over. Seeing him in pain silenced her anger, making way for worry.
She rushed to his side and touched his arm gently. “Brad, you’re hurt.”
“Only…my…pride,” he bit out, his gaze going to Kiwi. The minute he looked at Aeron, it softened. He drew her into his arms and held her close.
“You left me,” she whispered, still in tears, but holding tight to him.
“Shhh, honey.” He kissed the top of her head and gave the braid she wore two quick tugs. “I never meant to be gone so long.”
“Why?” Aeron asked, unable to get out all of what she wanted to know. Why had he left her at all? Why had he been gone so long? Where had he been? Hadn’t he loved her enough to stay with her?
“Can we come in now, or are you still going to tear vital pieces of us off too?” a deep, familiar voice asked.
Kiwi grunted. “Maybe. It depends on what Aeron wants. I’ve been itching to hit you since we were planet side. Give me an excuse, big guy.”
“Big guy?” the voice echoed, a hint of suggestion in its tone.
“Conell?” Aeron drew back slightly, still holding Brad but looking around him now. When she spotted the tall blond wearing fatigues, she gasped. “Conell? What the hell happened to you? You look like a…a soldier.”
Brad chuckled. “Told you she’d be more surprised to see you donning military gear than to see you.”
“You’re laughing?” Aeron stared up at the man who had broken her heart. “Are you telling me that you’ve been with Conell this entire time?”
“He saved my life, Aeron,” Conell said, moving to stand near Kiwi. “He knew the Vanos had captured me. He even went and got himself captured to gain access to the prisoner camp.”
Aeron drew in a sharp breath before smacking Brad in the arm. “You did what? You’ve had training in every possible scenario and you get caught that quickly?”
A sheepish smile spread over his face. “I got caught. On purpose.”
“Bradshaw Fairbanks, I cannot believe you’d run off and—”
He swept her off her feet and pressed his mouth to hers, silencing her protest. The feel of his tongue dancing around hers was too much. Aeron gave in and kissed him back, savoring his sweet taste. Tiny moans escaped them and she heard Kiwi making slight gagging noises.
Conell’s laugh had her and Brad pulling back slightly. Brad didn’t put her down though, keeping her close to him. The baby picked then to kick, nailing his father in the process. Brad’s gaze snapped to hers. His eyes widened. “I never meant to be gone so long, Aeron. I love you and our child. Never did I think when I went to find Conell that I’d be gone from you for months.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to ask why it had taken so long to get back to her.
“He saved my life too,” a new voice said.
“And mine.”
“Mine too,” another called out.
“Same here.”
Kiwi sighed and looked as if she was trying not to laugh. “See a pattern here? I know I did when they told me the story.”
It continued, and Aeron patted Brad’s shoulders for him to put her down. He refused, but was kind enough to turn so she could see who was talking. When she spotted a group of men and women filing in from Kiwi’s cargo ship, she shook her head, the reality of it all sinking in. “They were all prisoners?”
“Most,” Brad said. “Some are Vanos defectors—men who don’t believe in what their government is trying to force them to do. I told them they’d be welcome here with us, Aeron.”
She nodded, stroking his cheek while she stared at everyone. “Of course.”
Conell winked. “Hey, Fairbanks, have your wife check you over. I think your wiring must be damaged. You don’t have her in your bedroom, making love to her like you swore you’d do the minute you got home to her.”
“Pig.” Kiwi snorted. She didn’t sound nearly as disgusted as Aeron guessed she wanted to.
Conell grinned from ear to ear. “Why, thank you, little lady.”
For a moment Aeron was sure Kiwi would lay into Conell as well. She didn’t.
“You were all Brad went on about for months,” another man said, laughing. “Ma’am, that man loves you more than life itself. Hell, if I could have figured out a way to shut him down, I would have, just long enough to get a day without him talking about how much he missed you and how much he wanted to get home to you and his baby.”
Aeron froze. They knew Brad was part droid?
Brad chuckled. “Calm down, honey. Most of them are too. They were in bad shape. It’s why it took me so long to make it back to you. I had to rebuild them, grow organs and care for them just as I watched you do for me all those years. We were locked up and couldn’t make our escape until everyone was well enough to travel.” He motioned towards the Vanos men in the group. “They were kind enough to smuggle supplies in for us and to help us hide what we were doing from the other guards. They hated seeing us used as slave labor almost as much as we hated being used.”
Conell turned in a slow circle, with his arms out. He appeared to be in the best physical shape of his life. “Half is me, half isn’t. Your husband,” he put emphasis on the word, “refused to leave my side until I was healed. He then told me everything, Aeron. We worked to heal the others and then overthrew the guards and left. The last month has been spent trying to locate you. When Kiwi showed up looking for a guide for a feisty, determined blonde doctor with a ‘bun in the oven’ we knew she meant you.”
“Yeah, you’re a regular Einstein,” Kiwi bit out. “People will flock from quadrants far, far away to catch a glimpse of your brilliance.”
“Yes.” Conell stepped closer to Kiwi. “But the question is, what would you like to catch a glimpse of?” It was certainly a loaded statement.
Aeron didn’t miss the way Conell’s gaze seemed to linger over Kiwi or the heat that flared on her friend’s face. Kiwi looked away and took an unnatural interest in her shoes. Conell boldly stared at her, not seeming to care who saw him. A little piece of Aeron hoped Conell would find happiness someday soon. He deserved it.
She tossed her arms around Brad’s neck, hugging him tight. “You have five seconds to get me to our room before I unleash Kiwi on you.”
Kiwi flexed her rebuilt arm and winked. “Say the word.”
Brad grinned and kissed the tip of her nose. “I only need two.” With that, he rushed with inhuman speed towards their quarters. Laughter echoed in the halls behind them. As the bay door slid shut, Brad captured her mouth with his once more, kissing her with a passion that left her breathless.
“Brad,” she whispered, kissing the edges of his mouth.
He wiped her cheek and came away with a tear. “I’m here now, honey, and I’m not leaving you again.” Sliding his hand down, his gaze locked with hers as he palmed her swollen stomach. “Either of you, Aeron.”
She knew better than that. “Brad, we both know you’ll fight for the cause.”
He nodded. “I will, but I won’t be gone for months again.” A waggle of his brows and a sly grin told her Brad was feeling cocky. “Thanks to you, I’m incredibly efficient in everything I do. I’ll kill them quicker so I can get home and love you.”
“Promise?” she asked, knowing he spoke the truth, but needing to hear him agree.
“I promise, honey.” He walked her towards their bed and kissed her forehead gently. “Now, what do you say we make up for lost time?”
Aeron giggled, relishing the feel of being held by him. “Mmm, ready to prove how efficient you truly are?”
“Always, Doctor. Always.” He smiled. “I l
ove you, Mrs. Fairbanks.”
“I love you too, Bradshaw.”
The End
About the Author
Reagan Hawk is a pen name of New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Mandy M. Roth.
www.mandyroth.com
His Velvet Touch
by Candice Gilmer
When Harper walks into Chris’s life on a hook-up dare from her friends, he wants nothing to do with her until he realizes he can use her to his benefit. She works for an investment firm, and Chris needs an investor for his company that’s about to get bought out by his biggest competitor.
However, he didn’t expect to need her.
Chapter One
Tuesday
Country music crackled through the background in the little coffee shop, something soft and romantic--some guy singing about how he loved his girl and thought she was his world.
Made me want to puke.
I picked up my cup of coffee and glanced at my companions. “All I’m saying is that men are nothing but boys. They want someone to pick out their clothes, make their food, and clean up after them. I’ve been there, done that. I’m finished with the dating world.”
Jennifer rolled her eyes at me. “Look, Harper, I get it. Men are a pain.” She blew on her steaming cup of joe. “But that doesn’t mean they aren’t great fun in bed once in a while.”
“You can have all that fun you want,” I said. “I’m quite happy with my battery operated devices.”
Lindsay snorted next to me. “You are just not right.”
I held my hand up. “You have no opinion; you’re the only one of us that’s still married. And from that glow you have, I’m pretty darn sure you’re getting regular sex.”
“Hey, I like being married. Unlike some people at this table.” Lindsay glanced around the room and gestured to a guy who was sitting alone across the way. “What about him? He looks cute.”
I followed her gaze and shook my head. “Oh no. He’s at the very least a momma’s boy, and I’m guessing he’s not swinging for our team.”
“He looks sweet and sensitive,” Lindsay said.
Jennifer and I rolled our eyes.
“Sweet and sensitive is not what I want in a boyfriend, ever,” Jennifer said. “My next husband will be a mechanic, contractor, plumber, HVAC guy, or something useful. I’m tired of having every service company in town on speed dial.”
I snorted, because I knew her pain. I had the same service companies on speed-dial, too. Both while I was married and after.
“Tell me about it. A man who’s handy is such a plus.” I took another drink of my iced coffee. Something I have yet to experience first-hand.
“Amen,” Lindsay said.
“Though a fireman would be good too,” Jennifer said. “Home for a couple days, then gone for a couple? I could live with that.”
“Not me,” I said. “I dated one when I was in college. And I use the word ‘dated’ very loosely.”
“How come I don’t know about this?” Lindsay asked.
“Because I didn’t want to ruin you all’s visions of heroic, monogamous firemen. It was one of the worst three months ever.”
Both women leaned in, and from the gleam in their eyes, I was going to have to confess.
I gave them the short version of my experience with a real “hero.” “Monogamy is more of a guideline than a requirement for firemen.”
“Eww,” Lindsay said. “Really?”
“Oh yeah,” I said. “They completely know women get their panties in a knot just because they’re firemen, and they take advantage of it.”
“You have ruined my vision of firemen forever,” Jennifer said.
“Sorry.” I waved my hand in the air. “That’s me, Captain Reality, here to crush your hopes and dreams.”
We all giggled.
“So, Captain Reality,” Lindsay said, glancing around the room again. “What are your chances, say, with that guy over there?” She pointed, and not very subtly, to a guy with ear phones that pressed down his afro and had a tablet in his hand.
“Okay, for one, he’s maybe twenty-three. And for two, he’s like a twig. I’d snap him in two.”
We all laughed and I went back to my coffee. I was not out looking for a man. Then Lindsay sat up. “Oh my.”
Jennifer turned her head. “Wha… oh wow.”
“What are you two staring at?” I spun in my seat none too subtly and saw what my friends were drooling over.
Normally, a dude in a white button down with the sleeves rolled up and slacks wouldn’t have done much for me. Nor the wide--and it had to be platinum--watch framing his thick forearms. Or the black hipster glasses that looked way too much like something my granddad wore way back in the day.
When taken individually, the blond guy really wasn’t that remarkable.
Put together, though…
Holy hell in a hand basket!
Broad shoulders, tight waist, perfect ass, clean-cut hair--
I had to cover my mouth to stop the drool.
Then he turned our way for just a second and pierced me with blue eyes that made me want to throw my girly parts against all his boyish parts.
“Whoa,” I whispered.
He turned back to the counter, his expression completely neutral, and ordered his coffee--naturally, it was tall and black. No frilly foam or creamer for him.
Even the barista behind the counter fanned herself after he turned his back to her.
He just radiated that charisma that woke up the sex-kitten part of myself that I thought had taken a permanent nap. .
He jerked a chair back at a table not that far from us. The legs ground against the floor, and the noise brought everyone’s attention his way.
He didn’t seem to care as he flopped in the seat and pulled out his phone.
I turned back to my girlfriends. “Now there’s a man.”
“Yes, he is,” Lindsay said.
“Oh my yes,” Jennifer added. “If I was five years younger…”
“Oh please,” I said. While Jennifer was the oldest at the table, she was maybe thirty-five. Not nearly old enough to make comments like that. I gestured to him over my shoulder. “He’s what, maybe thirty? Thirty-two. You’re totally in his league.”
Jennifer raised her eyebrow. “I don’t think so. Besides, I don’t do younger men.”
Lindsay snorted. “Age doesn’t matter when you’re over thirty.”
“Exactly,” I said as I took another sip on my iced coffee. “Just go over there and say hello. Not like it’s hard,” I muttered as I chewed on my straw.
“If it’s so easy, Harper, you do it,” Jennifer said, arms crossed.
I rolled my eyes. “Oh please. It’s not a big deal.”
“It is a big deal,” Jennifer said. “Asking a guy out, getting his number to maybe go out with him is a big deal. It’s huge. You don’t know what you’re getting into. He could be all sorts of unsavory. A crazy bastard who beats on women. A hoarder of… of…”
“Playboy magazines?” I asked, smirking.
“Worse. Toys or something. Holding onto his childhood.” She shivered.
“Just because your ex was an avid collector of--”
“Junk. My ex-husband collected junk.”
“Doesn’t mean that every guy has some dirty little secret.” I glanced back at the hot guy. He was oblivious to our conversation. “Does he really look like that type of guy? I mean, look at his shoes.”
They glanced at his feet, where his very nice dress shoes had a decent shine on them.
“He’s probably been in a tie all day,” I said, finishing off my drink.
“So he’s a business guy. Doesn’t make it any easier. I mean, do I look like the type that would date a business guy?” She ran her hands over her flowery, hippie-inspired dress.
I shrugged. “Never know. He may like the loose, flowery look.”
Jennifer shook her head. If she’d had a flower in her hair, she could have walked out
of Woodstock. She just had that look about her.
“You know, Harper, you talk a big game. Why don’t you go over there and get his number,” Lindsay said.
“No.”
“What’s the matter, Harp? Not interested?”
“I told you, men just want a caretaker. I’m not into that.” True as could be. As hot as this guy was, I didn’t want another man who needed a mother. I have my own stuff to do.
Jennifer glanced at him again. “I doubt he needs anyone to take care of him.”
Lindsay smirked. “I think you lost your game in the divorce, Harper, and you won’t admit it.”
Her comment hit a little too close to the mark. She was right--I hadn’t had a decent date since the divorce. And not because I hadn’t tried.
Couldn’t remember when the last time was I’d hooked up with a guy, either.
Pissed me off she knew me so well.
“I totally do. I could hook up with him, no questions asked.” I waved my hand for emphasis. In college I wasn’t intimidated by any guy. Probably why I didn’t want any of them now. Random dates were one thing, but I just didn’t want any kind of romance-thing between me and some guy.
They took too much work.
As evidenced by my first marriage. I went for--and got--my ex. Just didn’t realize what was involved in the package at the time.
Hence divorce and no desire to pursue.
“So go over there,” Lindsay said. “You get his number.”
“You hook up with him,” Jennifer added.
“Jennifer!” Lindsay said.
“Do you really think she’s gonna hook up with the guy?” Jennifer asked.
Lindsay looked back at the guy. Then at me. “You’re right, kinda out of her league.”
“Hey, right here!” I snapped.
“This will be fun to watch.” Jennifer waved me off.
How hard could it be? It’s not like I’m asking the guy to marry me or something.
I can do this.
I have condoms. I patted my purse, just to be sure.
Yep, they were there.
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