“He sounds like a great baby.”
“He was.” The gush of feeling, long suppressed, swelled in her chest. “He hardly ever cried. Or, only when he wanted something. He was so good.”
Kaolin grinned.
The rush of feeling transferred to him. She allowed herself a laugh, a sound that hadn’t emerged from her since, well, ever. He laughed with her, and the night expanded to the gentle swell of the surf glistening on the moonlit rails.
He was so easy to talk to. No wonder Domingo kept him near. She wanted to keep him too.
She let it all go with a sigh. “I—well, I completed my genetic heir contract. But if it were allowed, I would have wanted a much longer contract.”
“How long’s it been?”
“I haven’t seen him since he was a year.”
Per their birth contract, she had placed Aris in the wellness center of his father’s choosing, turned away, and picked up the mantle of her life once more.
“Well, then, here’s an idea.” Kaolin canted his body to her and rested his elbow on his knee. “Why don’t you go see him?”
“I can’t.”
“Oh. His father would mind?”
“No.”
“Then why not?”
“It’s not in the contract. There’s no benefit.”
His brows furrowed. “Huh?”
“Our birth contract is fulfilled,” she explained. “Seeing Aris won’t get me any new benefits from his father.”
“If it makes you happy, so what?”
The words struck a chord deep in her soul, plucked like a shimmering harp, and a shaft of light burned from the smallest opening of a box in her heart.
Couldn’t she go and see her son? Couldn’t she see him because it would make her happy?
No.
The reality of her situation slammed the box shut and cut off the music.
She needed to focus on what would elevate her family. What increased their wealth so they no longer had to suffer attacks from petty “outside” families like the Corleons. Money and power, trade contracts and business mergers. Those were the only activities she was allowed.
“I’m in the middle of complex marriage negotiations,” she said. “If I leave now, it could cost my family our shipping empire.”
“Dom visits his genetic heir every few months.”
“Leaving with the negotiations unsettled risks putting me in the hands of my enemies.”
“Later, then.”
“My family’s rivals would kill to stop this marriage. Several have followed me here, and they will undoubtedly attempt to end our negotiations by any possible means.”
“Nothing will happen to you on this planet.”
She smiled. Here they were, stranded on a buoy because someone on this planet had sabotaged their cruiser. “Domingo has a loyal friend.”
“I’ll keep you safe.”
His bold promise curled around her heart like the sheltering warmth of his arm around her shoulders. He had already provided her with an escape route from her enemies’ plots. First, by allowing her entrance to Domingo’s planet and protection, and second, by fighting the crash and protecting her from injury.
She stroked the smooth slacks. “As I said, I am in your hands.”
His arm tightened. “Same as Dom.”
What if Kaolin really were the same as Domingo? And what if she could marry the husband of her choosing, rather than the one most likely to elevate her family?
Her thoughts turned traitorous this evening.
She removed her hand from the attractive pilot and curled it into a fist. Sacrifices had to be risked for future gain.
“There are many complications,” she said.
“I’ll think about the problem.” Kaolin patted his shoulder. “Want to sleep?”
She took his suggestion and settled against him once more. His warm leather was comfortingly male. Aris’s father had been older and correct, a competent and caring lover. Usually men she enjoyed for swift pleasure. Fleet men like her father; men who were used to a night in a port and moving on.
Kaolin was somewhere in between. Respectable and rough, honest and likeable. His word was his bond.
That was why she hadn’t kissed him with the silly lipstick. Her lips parted. He enthralled her, promising a slow, hard ride in the back seat of a cruiser. If anything happened, he’d shoulder the responsibility. That mix of wildness and maturity made her quiver.
If she allowed herself to taste him, she might never give him up again.
Chapter Four
In the morning, Kaolin flew the rest of the journey without incident.
His passenger squinted in the sunlight, clearly tired by her night outside, and yet, she still looked amazingly fresh and beautiful, sparkling as the sea.
Dom’s private island rose like a golden conch shell, a naturally formed spiral moving ever upwards from his boat docks, through golden trees, to a shining glass point. The glass grew into a shimmering residence, a fantastic castle, emerging naturally from the highest point of the island.
They landed on the launch pad in his private hangar, within the lowest levels of the building. A sleepy house guard waved at him, blinked on her, and straightened.
“No one seems surprised to see you coming in at this hour,” she commented, adjusting her imperial gown and headdress.
“I stay out sometimes.”
She raised a brow.
“It’s my first night out on the buoy,” he rushed to assure her, but she seemed to have a different amusing question on her lips. Once again, she refused to ask it.
He helped her out of the vehicle, had the staff contact the port to transport her luggage, and led the way to her rooms, pointing out the features of the house as if it were his own.
“The ballrooms are down there; the dayrooms are up here.” He guided her through the dazzling castle.
She made a noise and walked out onto the clear balcony. “Rubilum.”
Beneath their feet, the castle dropped away to reveal the island far below. A shimmer showed it as a solid surface. It cost about half the price of the whole castle.
“So much,” she breathed.
“He wanted the whole castle like that, but due to the embargoes, we could only ship in a floor’s worth.”
She approved it, taking in all the view and smiling at him with a flush of beauty as breathtaking as the scenery. “And your bromeliads?”
He led her to the pillars of the castle. Living, breathing columns of the infinitely strong, infinitely durable vines grew up through the center. Around them, the heady floral scent and refreshing oxygen set her chest rising and falling beneath her silken robe.
“They blossom three times a year,” he said, as she fondled the slender tendrils. “Peach, lavender, and crimson.”
She frowned. “Do you know my cousin, Valorious Chen Antiata?”
He shook his head.
“She’s the mother of Domingo’s genetic heir. These are her signature colors.”
“She’s never been here to see them,” he said. “Dom hasn’t had anyone here outside the family before you.”
Emprezia ran one delicate finger along the thick wood. “Can you grow my colors? Midnight black, nebula blue, and crimson.”
“Yeah,” he said. “Crimson was complicated. We had to grow fifteen varietals before we got a satisfactory shade. The others are easier.”
Emprezia strolled along the castle floor. “Would you say Domingo is over Valorious? I don’t want to entertain a husband who is still in love with another.”
The question hooked into him with painful temptation. He could say yes, Dom was still in love with the other woman, and Emprezia would become available with his betrayal. Or he could say no, Dom was a perpetual bachelor, and she would go on to charm and marry the worthy man.
The fact that he was even considering the wrong answer pissed him off.
“I don’t know,” he said, settling on the truth. “You’ll have to ask him.”
She fixed knowing eyes on him.
He withstood her scrutiny.
“Emprezia!” Dom’s elegantly dressed risk assessor hurried down the grand staircase. She’d okayed his journey and had probably been sweating bullets when they hadn’t appeared. “On behalf of our absent host, allow me to welcome you to the island of Domingo Chen. I am Robeson, Domingo Chen’s contracts lawyer and risk assessor.”
The arrival of the new person blew a chill across Emprezia. Her skin seemed to freeze, blanking her expression, and her animated eyes turned opaque as ice.
She bowed to the woman. “Pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“I hope you weren’t too inconvenienced by the, ah, delay on your journey.”
“Not at all. Kaolin’s expert piloting overcame the unexpected engine malfunction. I was lucky to have been with such a caring protector.”
His heart stuttered in his chest. His face heated.
Robeson’s gaze flicked to Kaolin and away. “How wonderful. I have spoken with Domingo and we agree that you would be most comfortable on the mainland while he is away. Allow us to summon a—”
“Not until you have identified the saboteur. I believe it is an employee of the port, either in the employ of my enemies, or who enjoyed pranking a future race pilot.”
Her brows furrowed. “Pranking? I’m sorry—”
“He’s injured.” Emprezia pointed to his shin, which he had forgotten; it didn’t hurt much. “You will heal him. I will remain here, in my rooms, until I receive assurance from Domingo himself that there is no more threat.”
Robeson hardened. “That is quite impossible. We are very sorry for the unfortunate accident—”
“Yes, especially since you promised I would arrive safely.”
The risk assessor glared at Kaolin.
Yeah. He shifted on his heels. He’d already gotten hell for using that phrase; what was tossed off between normally people could be twisted into “oral contracts” between rich ones. Emprezia was threatening to bring up his words as a breach of contract to enforcers of family law, who ruled over all of them.
Emprezia had the contracts lawyer by her icy balls. She arched a brow. “Shall we proceed to my rooms?”
Robeson gave a tight smile. “Kaolin will see you there.” She left them in awkward silence.
It was supposed to be a punishment, Emprezia guessed. To be forced to wait while Kaolin disrobed for the med tech, baring his broad back and smooth rippling muscles. She had won worse arguments.
Then he took her to her rooms. His lingering smile left her warm and toasty. Even Robeson’s pinched face informing her Domingo would arrive the following day, early, did not dampen her pleasant buzz.
The argument played over and over in her head.
Kaolin’s surprise, then dawning realization of the compliment, and then blush as it affected him, made her stomach flip over and her own cheeks heat.
She wanted to discombobulate him in other ways too. Tease her fingers under his flight suit and see the blush all the way down to his masculine pieces.
But no.
Instead, she was changing her dress. Her observations of the castle suggested her imperial outfit was not the best approach.
Domingo was powerful. She had to dress to match his power. But now, in the natural setting, she guessed subtle silks and demure hairpieces created from understated, expensive elements would impress Domingo. They were lighter and more comfortable as well.
Emprezia smoothed the long pants and flowing cheongsam gown.
What would Kaolin’s hands feel covering over hers? His rough fingers sculpting her curves. Stroking the softness, until, naughty, a sexy teasing version of Kaolin found the edge of her waistband and dipped his broad hand under….
She shivered.
Her personal comm blinked. Her spies announced Domingo’s arrival.
Straightening, she shoved her forbidden desires into the far reaches of her soul and slammed the door shut on them.
She finished touching up her appearance, grabbed the heavy gold box, and moved swiftly for the garden launch pad. Emprezia had arrived via the private entrance, but Domingo would arrive via the public pad in the center of the castle gardens, where everyone important in the household gathered.
Emprezia hurried through the beautiful house and outside.
Kaolin sauntered down the garden path ahead of her.
Her heart quickened with her steps.
He wore a sleeveless black shirt with a silver design and slacks that hugged his butt. She wanted to run up and squeeze. His dark hair slicked back and he moved easily. Healed from his injury.
He oozed sexuality. She wanted to take her place beside him and breathe in his freshly showered scent.
A large personal shuttle flew overhead and eased into its landing position between artful sculptures and plants.
Her heart quickened again. For her fiancé, surely, and not for Kaolin’s form, standing with the household staff. It definitely did not thump extra hard from the welcoming smile he tossed at her, nor from his friendly wave.
Certainly not.
The shuttle landed, the ramp lowered, and Domingo descended from the opening.
He was not a difficult man to look at. A fine nose and firm chin, a narrower face topped by sensitive dark brows and hair any woman would enjoy ruffling. He clothed himself casually, in a gray silk flight suit of subdued patterns, and he moved with the lithe grace of a man in his prime.
He met his staff, stopping with a genuine smile and handshake for Kaolin as befitting a close guest, and then he stopped at her. His smile froze.
She stepped forward. “Welcome home.”
“Yes, Emprezia.” The smile returned, forced. “I understand you’ve just arrived. How nice of you to honor my own arrival.”
“I thought it fitting to start as I will continue. As your wife.”
“I see.” He recovered well. “Give me a chance to set down my things, and we’ll meet in my study in, say, half an hour. Kaolin, if you don’t mind entertaining Emprezia?”
Kaolin looked deeply unhappy. “Ah, sure, that’s fine.”
Her traitorous heart skipped a beat.
Dom squeezed Kaolin’s shoulder. “I knew I could rely on you.”
Her future husband disappeared through the garden. The shuttle closed up and took off, and the household staff dispersed.
Leaving her with the man who made her heart skip beats.
Chapter Five
Kaolin didn’t know what to say.
He knew she was marrying Domingo. He knew it. And yet, the painful twist when they greeted each other, as if they were already husband and wife, lanced through him with such sharpness he could barely answer his friend’s request.
How the hell had this happened? He only met her a few days ago, and yet, she slid under his skin like a drug, setting up a craving that he couldn’t control.
She smiled up at him.
It hit him between the eyes like a bromeliad branch.
He blinked hard, forcing the dazzling image from his head, and indicated for her to precede him from the launch pad.
“Thank you for guiding me. Again.”
“I’m a poor substitute for Dom.”
She smiled. Yes, it was obvious in both senses of the word.
It sliced into his heart.
They passed a quiet half hour waiting in the lounge outside Dom’s study. She commented on the beauty of the house and gardens. Kaolin could barely reply.
“Is your leg better?” she asked.
He shook himself out of his stupor. “Yeah.”
“I’m glad.”
The silence fell heavily. Her sadness from the buoy returned. She rubbed her palms on her dress.
“I’m boring,” he said.
She blinked, and grew animated. “Oh, no. You’re dangerous, actually.”
That had him sitting upright. “Me?”
She nodded. The sparkle returned to her blue eyes. “You’re far t
oo easy to talk to.”
Huh. The warm thump of his heart had him tapping his palm against the offending organ. “I’ll talk to anybody.”
“It shows. You don’t judge people. It makes you dangerous.”
Now she was the dangerous one. He tugged at his collar. Her giggle sounded like innocence and sweetness. He had half a mind to join her on the bench and give her an idea of just how dangerous his mouth could be.
Dom opened the study door, and they both straightened.
“Come in,” he said.
Emprezia wrapped her hands around the gold box in her lap and stood. Between one motion and the next, she frosted over like being doused in liquid nitrogen. Her footsteps seemed to snap with cold.
He rose more slowly. “You want me to— ”
“You too.” Dom jerked his chin over his shoulder. He wanted Kaolin to observe and take notes.
Well. Shit.
At his friend’s request, Kaolin entered the dominating study and retreated to a window overlooking a peaceful pond. He took a deep breath and prepared to hear things he didn’t want to hear.
If they rehearsed wedding vows, it didn’t matter what Dom wanted. Kaolin was going out the window.
Emprezia seated herself before the massive bromeliad desk. It smelled like money and power.
She must have both to save her family.
Domingo poured himself a drink from the in-desk reprocessor. Another mark of his vast wealth. The desk wood was both soothing and kindly scented. Domingo rested his elbows on it and stared at her for a long moment.
She stared right back at him.
He got down to business.
“You have my attention.” Dom opened his hands to her, leaned back in his seat, and rested one ankle on his knee. He was the picture of careless power. “To what do I owe this, shall I call it, premature pleasure?”
“I apologize for my lateness,” she responded, attempting a voice sweet-sounding and naïve. “Usually, the affianced meet to finalize negotiations. I should have done so weeks ago.”
Liberation Origins: SciFi Romance (Robotics Faction - Origins Series Book 1) Page 3