Page 11 of Prospecting

“Who bought you,” Cade asked.

“It doesn’t matter,” Sheridan said hiding her face.

“The bastard did, didn’t he,” Cade asked. Slowly, she nodded, acknowledged what Cade suspected. “He was cruel.”

“I would have taken ten times more in order to save her,” Sheridan said. “The rules were he could do anything he wanted up until he penetrated. Once he penetrated, he got me for two hours. He took his time to get to the penetration.”

“Shit,” Cade said. “But you still needed more money, so you got a refund on your tuition and came to work as a sex companion.”

“Yes, the bonus gave us enough to get her out,” Sheridan said. “I didn’t think it would bother me. I thought I’d put it behind me.”

Cade rubbed her back. A rage rose in him, cold and determined. He understood now what his father said about the power a true mate inspired. “You never ever have to do anything you don’t want to,” he said.

“You like pushing my boundaries,” Sheridan said.

“Not that far,” he said. He tipped her head up to him, kissed her lips slowly, gently. “You say no. I stop.”

“All right,” she said. “Cade?”

“What,” he asked getting lost in her eyes, her mouth.

“Can we have the bed back,” she asked.

Chapter 3

“Where are we going,” Sheridan said tugging on the shirt she wore. Over the last two months, they spent long hours in each other’s arms, making love, laughing, and talking about anything.

“I’ve got to meet someone,” Cade said his arm around her shoulders. “I want you to meet them too.”

“I don’t want to be out here,” Sheridan said.

Instantly he stopped, pulled her tight into his chest. “Why not,” he asked.

“My clothes feel funny,” she said.

“Because you’ve been naked more than dressed,” Cade smiled into the top of her head. “Or you’ve been wearing my clothes.”

“I feel like everyone is staring at me,” Sheridan admitted. “I feel like they know what I do and they’re …”

He tipped her chin, waited for her to meet his eyes. “You work on my prospector ship,” Cade said. “You’re my mate and my partner. If anyone has a problem with you, they have a problem with me.”

“Oh,” she said looking around. “Why do you want me to meet these people?”

“Two reasons,” Cade said. “They’re bringing a surprise for you… “

“Cade!” A woman bellowed his name and ran across the station to him. She launched herself into his arms, hugging him.

Sheridan stiffened, wanted to rip the woman out of his arms. She didn’t understand why she felt so strongly. “Calli,” Cade said hugging her close, happy to see her. “I thought we were meeting at your dock.”

“You took too long,” Calli said.

Sheridan snorted, tried to walk away but Cade pulled her in. “Calli, this is Sheridan. Sheridan,” he said clearly. “This is my sister, Calli.”

“Sister,” Sheridan asked.

“Yeah,” Calli said. “I’m stuck with him. I tried to push him out the airlock, but mom and dad stopped me.”

“Older sister,” Cade said. “Everything all right with the delivery?”

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