by Lily Thomas
It was a massive white home, with too many windows to count, and an impressive yard behind the gate. He hoped this wasn’t yet another dead end.
Looking around, he spotted a call button and pressed it, but there was no answer. Was no one there?
Great.
Well, he’d head into town and see if there was any other way to find out exactly which Meeks lived here.
It didn’t take him long to make it to the town, although it was larger than he’d expected, more like a small city.
Kruhn pulled up a search directive and searched for any Meeks on Gorian. An article pulled up about an art show featuring a… Jade Meeks.
A smile spread across his face. He’d found her.
Jade was happy with the turnout to her first art show. There was champagne flowing freely and yummy finger foods that waiters carried around on elegant trays. It was lovely, and everything she could have dreamed about.
“Everything appears to be going well.” Her newest friend and fellow artist came up beside her.
“Hey, Lila.” Jade smiled. “It is going well.”
“I think you may have just sold a larger piece.” Lila pointed over to where a small sticker marked the sale of her art.
“Wow!”
“Don’t be too surprised. You’re fantastic at what you do. There’s so much emotion and passion in each piece you create. I wish I had half your skill.”
“Thank you.” She wrapped an arm around Lila’s waist. “I wouldn’t have gotten this space for the art show if it hadn’t been for you, and you know you’re a fantastic artist as well.”
“Pfft… what are friends for?” Suddenly Lila’s green eyes widened. “What is a Vrak’rir doing at an art show?”
“A Vrak’rir?” Jade’s ears perked up, and she looked in the same direction as her friend. “Oh my god. It’s him.”
“It’s him? Who him? Lover him?” Lila’s interested was piqued. “The Vrak’rir you told me about?”
“Hide me!” Jade wasn’t sure she was ready to meet him outside of the safety of her prison ship. He was here to make her his mate for real.
“HEY!” Lila yelled at the top of her lungs, one of her arms hooked around Jade’s waist so she couldn’t escape and the other hand waving wildly in the air.
Kruhn’s onyx eyes locked onto them.
Her breath left her chest when their eyes met. A grin spread across his face, dimples forming in his blue skin. Her heart stopped for a second. He’d actually come back for her.
Kruhn marched over to them. Lila let her go so he could wrap Jade in his arms.
“Found you, my mate.”
“You did.”
“Are you ready for a life with a Vrak’rir?”
“Depends.”
“On what?”
“I’ll leave you two alone.” Lila sent her a wink as she left them to chat in private.
Jade looked up at him. “I want to be an artist.”
A smile spread across his face. “And I would love to support you.” He looked around. “It looks as though people like what you have to offer.”
Jade smiled back at him. “Thanks. I hope you aren't disappointed that I'm not trying to get my job back as a prison guard."
Kruhn laughed. "I think it is brave of you to try something new. Besides Captain Drew will get what he deserves."
"I hope you haven't done anything." Jade folded her arms in front of her chest.
Kruhn raised his hands in the air. "Me? I may have…let slip a few rumors about him that will prevent him from having a good time in space."
"You bad man." Jade smiled. She was kind of glad Captain Drew was going to get a taste of his own medicine. Let him see how easy it was to work with everyone against him.
“There’ll be some things we will need to work out, like where we’ll live, but for now I’d like to enjoy this day with you and celebrate your success.”
Jade reached out and grabbed his hand. Those claws might scare some, but they only made her feel lust. “I know how we can celebrate tonight.”
Kruhn sent her a wink and a small laugh. “Naughty mate.”