Advancing ((Advance Industries #2))
Page 7
Well, fuck me sideways. I actually believe this guy. What he’s asking is what I was planning anyway so no hardship for me. I never thought someone that shared genes with Fraser would be capable of being so decent. I still have a niggling doubt though because Fraser was an expert at convincing people he was good and only wanted the best, has this man learnt that trait? I look at him again trying to get a read on him. All I see is sincerity.
“How long have you been President?”
His lips quirk and I notice he doesn’t want to say.
“A long time. Don’t let the face throw you. I pay well to achieve this deception, my only vice is vanity and while I won’t disclose my age I will tell you I’m older than I appear.”
He certainly talks like he’s older but his face is flawless. I wonder what kind of invention they’ve made to reverse age so well.
“I can see you’re struggling with the decision and that is understandable. I just wanted to meet you, explain and hope you’d agree. Of course, you need time to think it over so please take my Comm details. If you need any help this is my personal line, I’m a call away.”
I activate my Comm and swipe it over his ensuring I have his details, as I stand up to leave, the door opens and a trolley full of food is pushed into the room.
“Ahh finally!” He says, “Please won’t you stay and join me. It would be nice to not eat alone for once. I would enjoy talking with you some more.”
I look at my Comm. It’s been hours since I told Gran I was on my way home. She hasn’t messaged again. What could it hurt to stay for a while longer? I nod and tell him I need to message Faith and explain I’ll be late. I message the men too and tell them it’s a negative on travelling tonight and we’ll reschedule.
Chapter 6
Faith
I’ve been pacing in the bedroom for hours. I’ve actually been willing my period to start. I can’t be pregnant. We’ve never discussed having kids. Kye will be a great dad but me? I’d be useless as a mum. Fact. I never had a mother figure to show me what to do. I can barely look after myself let alone a baby. And now? Why the hell would this happen now? Why when everything is so up in the air? I have to travel back to my time and if I know Kye it’ll be sooner rather than later. I’m hardly in a stable environment to be bringing a child up. I don’t even have a home! How, on earth, do I break this to him? Shall I keep quiet? I mean I don’t even think I want a baby. No, I don’t, especially not now. Could I live with the guilt of lying to him and depriving him of this? Yeah, I think I could because it’s my body that will be affected, my sanity. That’s a lie, I don’t think I could lie to his face every day without shrivelling up in guilt. Why would anyone have a baby they have no idea of how to look after? If I kept it just to please him eventually I’d end up resenting him.
Crap! Could I be right? I mean in this time, really I’m dead. I don’t exist. I’m only here because I travelled. In my time, Kye wouldn’t have even been born yet. Hopefully, I’m still overreacting and I’m not carrying anyway. That can happen, right? A thought popping into your head and then your mind just runs with it. Yeah, that’s what’s going on. I’m getting carried away. Thinking up problems that don’t exist.
So I’ve worried myself around in circles and now I’m starving. I leave the bedroom and spy Lizzie sitting in a chair staring out of the window. I can smell food and it makes me salivate, I look at Lizzie again and notice she’s wringing her hands in her lap but the rest of her is perfectly still, almost statue like.
“Lizzie?” She doesn’t even blink, it’s as if she can’t hear me.
I walk closer. “Lizzie?”
She turns her head slowly and stares through me so I crouch down at her side. I place my hand on her frail arm and she jumps like I’ve electrocuted her.
“Lizzie, are you okay?” She stares at me as though trying to read me then pats my hand and nods.
“I’m fine, Lovey. Just reminiscing,” she says devoid of all emotion, she’s almost robotic. She’s scaring me.
“Lizzie, talk to me, please. It’s obvious you’re not fine. Can I help?”
She smiles warmly at me so I take the seat across from her and hope she’ll spill.
“There’s nothing you can do to help Dear. It’s my burden to bear. I just had a moment of Deja-vu and it took me back to a memory I have no wish to revisit.”
“About your son?” I push.
She nods. “He was a good man, Faith, I know I probably seem biased because he was mine but it’s the truth. I struggled to conceive for years and after him, I never conceived again. He was my world, the greatest thing I’d ever done. It was my love for him that saw him in an early grave.”
She looks out the window again and continues, “He was at work building some new development or other, just an intern. I Commed him to see what time he’d be home so I could prepare dinner. He stopped concentrating on reading the message and reply to me and was killed. I sent the same message hours ago to a man that is his double. He replied saying he was on his way and he hasn’t arrived.” She turns back and looks at me “Why wouldn’t he have arrived?” She asks, almost childlike.
“You’re worried about Kye?” She nods and frowns at me over the fact that I’m not losing the plot.
“Lizzie he’s fine. Kye does this, he gets side-tracked by an idea or meeting and before he knows it hours have passed. I’m sorry about your son but the same thing hasn’t happened here. You have nothing to worry about I promise you.”
She nods again and turns back to the window. I realise it’s so she can see him coming. I’m glad he’s not back yet truth be told, I’m not ready to hear how the meeting went and definitely not ready for him to see I’m hiding something. Pain shoots through me once more and I gasp through it. Jeez, these keep appearing from nowhere and sucking the air from me. I’ve never had period pain like this. At the same time, my mind is put at ease because if I was pregnant I wouldn’t be having pains yet, that would be months away at the time of labour. I try to remember what they taught us in the education room. Periods, labour, pregnancy was barely touched on. They knew we’d be their prisoners for life so we had no need to know about such things. My caregivers explained a little but it’s at times like this I realise how unknowledgeable I really am. Definitely period pain! I start panting to help me through whatever the hell this is and grip onto the arm of the chair. Lizzie whips her head at me, at least I’m snapping her out of the vacant expression she was wearing. I smile and ask what she’s cooked – distraction, but also I really want to know. It smells divine and I can’t wait to tuck in.
“There’s no point in waiting for the men I suppose. Come on Lovey, let’s feed you up,” she says and walks to the kitchen. I wait until the pain subsides and becomes slightly bearable before joining her. She plates up a roast dinner and I could kiss her except I have too much saliva threatening to escape. I’m that hungry I could dig in with just my fingers. I won’t of course, that would be rude but I’m itching to get started. I plop myself down in the seat, wait for her to sit as well and tuck in heartily. So good! Oh, my, God, it’s like a foodgasm. I’m trying not to shovel it into the hole in my face but by Lizzie’s look of amusement, I’m failing.
The door opens and in he walks, the God himself. I wonder if I’ll always react to him like this, every time I see him shivers run through my body and I feel like my mouth has gone dry. My heart kicks up several notches and I just stare at him. Do all women react like that to their boyfriends? I love seeing him in his jumpsuit, all kitted out and oh so manly but the sight of him in dark jeans and a t-shirt makes my insides quiver. He’s been running his hands through his hair again. His eyes latch on to mine and his mouth lifts at the corners. So hot! He moves towards me as graceful as a panther and I swallow down my mouthful as ladylike as I can. He swipes my face with the pad of his thumb, then brings it to his mouth and sucks the gravy off. So embarrassing, I’m being such a pig I’m smearing gravy over my face? How sexy!
He crouches befor
e me. “You look better. How are you feeling, Sweetheart?”
Like I want to jump your bones. My gaze dips to take in his body. His arms are tanned, muscles on full display. His eyes are all knowledgeable as though he can see my inner most thoughts. He licks his lips and I blush realising he is way too observant and is probably reading my mind.
“I’m fine, just hungry!” I tell him batting my lashes. Hungry for food, hungry for Kye. What a tossup that would be. Food and Kye together? Hmmm, that might work.
“Mmm, I can tell,” he says smooth as silk. My pulse flutters away and longing overwhelms me. He stands and smiles at his Gran, right on cue she swoons just like I always do. How does he do that? He’s so effortlessly sexy and a teeny tiny bit of jealousy overtakes me. I want him to myself. Get a grip Faith!
“You nearly finished?” He asks.
“Nearly,” I tell him trying to ram it in quicker. I’ve missed him today, just being around him has calmed my earlier panic. How can it not? One look at his flawless face and all other thoughts scatter.
“Want to take a walk?” His brows lift suggestively. I’m so glad he’s stood behind his Gran who is beaming by the way. Her relief so apparent over his return. He could probably strip me down and bend me over the table and she wouldn’t bat an eyelid. She’s smitten, he’s worked his charm, drawn her in and she loves him. I need to get out of here, have him completely to myself.
“Love to,” I tell him. “Let me just wash up first.”
“Oh no, you don’t. You go Lovey, I’ll take care of this.”
“But you cooked, that’s hardly fair.”
“Life isn’t, Dear. I enjoy it, it keeps me occupied so not another word, off you go.” She demands.
I give her a hug and kiss her cheek, thanking her for the glorious meal she made. Then I follow Kye outside, a definite spring in my step.
“The beach?” He asks.
Ooh, definitely. The fact that we’re forbidden from it is even more delicious. We walk to the top of the mound and just before we walk down the other side I double over again. Not now! I reach out for Kye and grab hold of his thigh. Bloody hell I’m sure it hurts more each bout. I scrunch my eyes closed and try to block it out. All that exists right now is me and the pain. Pain. Pain. Pain! Arghhh!
“Baby?” Kye says gently. I ignore him, I just need to breathe through this then I can have me some sexy time with my man. I’m breathing, I’m breathing and... Failing. Shit, why won’t it stop?
“BABE!” He shouts desperately, “Look at me, baby. Now!” On his command my eyes flick open, he’s bent over scanning me trying to see my face which is obscured by my too long chestnut hair hanging in front of it.
I realise I’m still digging my nails in his leg and rip my hand away. It’s gone. No pain. Thank God for that. He’s waiting for an explanation but I can’t give him one. I’m just as perplexed by my body right now. Let’s go with avoidance tactics.
“Indigestion?” I suggest and drop my gaze back to the ground. That sounded much less lame in my head.
In a split second, he swoops me up and carries me down the hill and across the beach. He has no need to but I’m not going to argue. Being in his arms is one of my favourite places to be. He’s silent, though, jaw clenching. I can feel his concern vibrating off him. I snuggle against his chest inhaling him until my lungs are full.
All too soon I’m being placed on my feet, I feel like pouting.
From now on I should fake being in pain whenever I want to be held close to him.
He still doesn’t speak, just surveys me so I kiss him. It’s fleeting as he turns me around and I see a blanket on the sand with a basket, some glasses and champagne?
“I wanted to cheer you up.” He says, “It’s a dessert picnic.”
I squeal, “A picnic! Wow.” I look up at him again and bite my lip. “What is a picnic, Kye?”
He grins at me and pulls me over to the blanket. “Still so innocent baby.”
I give him a puzzled look. “You really have no idea what one is, do you?” He asks chuckling.
I shake my head. “It looks great, though. How come you’ve never done a picnic before?” I ask.
“I don’t know. You’ve come so far, sometimes I forget how deprived you’ve been.” His face falls so I reach out and stroke his stubble. “You were ill, you’re still ill. I just wanted to do something nice for you. Another memory for the vault,” he explains quietly.
Oh, now I see. He has something he needs to tell me, something I won’t like and he’s buttering me up. Crafty!
“Okay, so what do we do?” I ask innocently.
He barks out a laugh. “We sit, eat, drink and be together. That’s it, baby. No hidden agenda, this is a treat, something for us to enjoy.”
“Oh! I can do that.” I grin at him.
Kye
How am I going to let her go? She makes me smile without even trying to. Watching her like this, carefree and giggling it’s easy to forget where she came from, where she’s going back to. Her appetite is back and I’m entranced watching her lips, she’s trying fruit she’s never heard of, never tasted before. Most of it, she’s hummed in appreciation over but not kiwi’s. They made her screw that beautiful face up and made me belly laugh. She’s so cute when she’s at ease. She thrives on one to one and I can’t believe I haven’t been making more time for her, for us. Especially as I know it’ll all be over too soon.
We lie down flat on our backs, heads turned so we’re looking at each other. She’s smiling at me and I commit this moment to memory. My innocent, beautiful and fiery girl. My heart swells.
She grips the blanket in both hands and starts fisting it. At first, I think I’ve missed her eating something she doesn’t like once more but then I realise she’s in pain, again! What the fuck is going on with her? She lies down on her side, gasping and brings her knees up to her chest. I lie behind her so we’re spooning on the beach and rub my hand across her stomach. I kiss her neck, her hair, the sensitive part behind her ear. Shushing her and whispering to her through the pain. I don’t know what else to do. This isn’t right surely? Has she been like this all day? I knew I shouldn’t have left this morning but once again I put the team first. I chose the mission over my reason for breathing. I knew she wouldn’t comm me but let myself be placated by it. I used that as my excuse to go and be guilt free.
Why is she so Goddamn stubborn? Trying to cope with things by herself. She knows she has no need to anymore. I’m here. That’s what I’m for, to take care of her and her needs. Unless... she’s retreating? Preparing herself for when I’m no longer around, for after we go back. Is she protecting herself the best way she knows how? Falling back into self-preservation mode because the deprivation will tear us both apart. The craving I have for her when she’s near is almost unbearable but when we’re apart? That craving will become my destruction... Our destruction.
She’s stopped writhing and clenching so I smooth her hair from her face, she’s clammy and fast asleep. The pain must really be taking it out of her. Fuck this shit. I Comm Saunders, he can check her over. Find out what’s up and fix the fucking problem. I can’t watch her in pain. I just can’t. He replies he’s on his way but for me to send him a list of her symptoms as she’ll likely protest to being examined when he arrives. Will she fuck! I’ll pin her down myself if needs be. I’m amused by how well he knows her, though.
I don’t know the symptoms as she’s told me nothing so I tell him about her pain, her being sick and her exhaustion. He’ll know what to do, he always does. He’s the best medic I know and if he’s stumped then I’ll fire him. I mould myself against her again, careful to not move her now she’s comfortable and apparently pain-free.
I must’ve fallen asleep because one minute I’m watching her chest rise and fall and the next I’m being shaken awake. I look up to see the beach is now pitch black and someone is shining a light on my face. I squint and swat it away. The light turns until it’s shining in the face of Saunders. Illumina
ting his features like a circus clown. How did he manage to locate us with just a Comm light? Faith also sits up being woken by my movement.
“Come on, let’s go to the bungalow,” I say and she takes my outstretched hand and allows me to pull her up.
Faith looks at me quizzically. I can see her cogs turning, wondering why Saunders is here. Her face drops the moment she’s cottoned on and she rounds on me.
“Tell me I’m wrong Kye!” She says as she drops my hand and crosses her arms over her chest.
I fake innocence. “About what Sweetheart?”
“Don’t Sweetheart me! Why exactly is Saunders here?” She turns to him and her voice softens. “No offence, Saun.”
He holds his hands up “None taken.” He grins as he looks at me, he’s just waiting for her explosion and my discomfort. Why are they always so amused by her busting my balls? What happened to the guy code? He should have my back, all my team know only too well what she’s like when she gets fired up. I need an ally. No, I need something stronger – a lion tamer? A tranquiliser?
“Let’s just get home and then we’ll talk it through!” I tell her.
“Nuh-uh!” She stops walking, plants her hands firmly on her hips and snarls at me, “I’m going nowhere ‘til you talk.”
So fucking frustrating, usually I’d just throw her over my shoulder and make her do as I say but she’s hurting, I don’t want to cause her further pain by hoisting her. I run my hands through my hair in sheer agitation. I’m trying to help her. She’s acting like I’ve just signed her death sentence.
“You’re being checked over, that’s why he’s here!”
“I don’t need a doctor Kye. As usual, you’re overreacting. It’s my body and I refuse.”
I chuckle but without any humour behind it, a chuckle of disbelief. “It’s my body actually, baby. You broke your promise so now we’re doing things my way.”