Page 41 of I Dated a Retired Hero

“I come here to live with you until I stabilize.”

She stared into his starry eyes. “Why would you want to do that?”

“I have a compulsion to be near you. Other women don’t register with me, but my urge to remain with you is intense. My activation is calling for yours.”

Litha was stunned. The elevator chimed, and they were on their floor. She moved out of his embrace and took his hand, leading him across the lobby and out to the street.

“Do you often haul males around?”

“No. Most folks don’t let me touch them. I am taking advantage of being allowed contact.”

“You are welcome to touch me any time you like or want.”

She stopped in her tracks, and he stopped himself with an arm around her waist. Litha looked at him. “Really?”

“Really. I have been informed of your lack of experience, but I don’t want to swarm you or overwhelm you, so when you approach me naked and smiling, I will take over. Acceptable?”

“Um, acceptable. And if you have nightmares or cry out, I will come to you. Acceptable?”

He smiled. “Thank you. They were unexpected.”

“I warned you.”

“And I will not disregard your opinions in the future. Wait, did you have them?”

“Opinions? Tons. Nightmares? For years.”

“Will you tell me about them?”

“Not on the street.” She smiled and patted his cheek. “Come on, the ice cream sells out fast.”

She got them moving, and soon, they were in line. When they got to the case, she took the limit of fresh strawberry and looked at him. “Chocolate or butter pecan?”

He grinned and took one of each.

They made it to the front of the line, and she set the containers out. The clerk grinned. “Back so soon?”

“The prefect stole Zera’s ice cream, so she needed a replacement.”

She paid and grabbed a handful of spoons, dumping them into the bags. A gasp sounded from the door to the back, and she looked up. The owner was looking past her and at Sergei. “Midnight?”

Sergei looked, and his eyes widened. “Sestrichka!”

The woman with black hair looked around and waved at him. “Come to the back, please.” Tears were in her eyes.

Litha said, “Go ahead. I can wait outside.”

“You knew?”

“You have the same features, and she’s Erradian. You were bound to be related. Go.”

“Come with me.” He grabbed their bags, and she followed him to the back.

She hung back as the siblings hugged, and they stood in silence as the fifty-ish woman held tight to him. “I thought you were dead.”

“I was imprisoned. This woman freed me, Lidiya.”

The woman looked at Litha and blinked. “Dr. Litha? You rescued my brother?”

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