Page 32 of Escape Clause

Love. How easily she used that word. She had loved talking to people, had loved the decorations, loved the prospect of attending more social events. But could she ever love him?

He was not easy to love. His own mother had left him, and he’d grown into a cold, emotionless man who shielded himself with ambition. Now, when he would discard the shield, life-or-death responsibilities demanded a total commitment leaving little time for nurturing a marriage. He knew little about how a husband should behave but assumed he should be present some of the time.

“Good,” he said, his throat thick. “I’m glad.”

“Good night, Krogan,” she said and turned to leave.

He couldn’t let her go yet. He needed… He caught her hand. “Hope?”

She turned, a question in her eyes.

He lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers.

She melted against him, her arms going around his neck, kissing him back without hesitation. A groan of satisfaction and relief vibrated in his chest. Her avid response had to mean something, didn’t it? Could she be developing feelings for him? He tightened his armsaround her, holding her closer to his thudding, hopeful heart.

He had never envisioned his life could offer more than ambition, duty, and work. Never desired anything more—until now.

The citizens depended on him, respected him, counted on him to be the hero who would save them. He longed to be Hope’s hero.

What can I do so you’ll desire to stay with me?

He rubbed his lips over hers in a gentle caress. Their breaths mingled. She peered at him through her lashes with a soft, bemused expression. Words didn’t exist to express the intensity of the feeling blooming in his chest. He swallowed. Could he become the man she deserved? “I want to be a good husband to you.”

She cupped his cheek. “You already are.”

He shook his head. Not yet. But he vowed to try. He would do everything in his power to make her wish to stay when the year was up.

He clasped her hand, pressed his lips to the inside of her wrist. “I’ll come home earlier tomorrow. Maybe you’d like to go somewhere? I can show you some of the sights you haven’t seen.”

Her face lit up. “I would love that.”

He felt himself grinning. “Then that’s what we’ll do.” He kissed the inside of her wrist, again. “Good night.”

She stood on tiptoe and brushed her lips against his. “Good night, Krogan.”

Chapter Fifteen

“You will never guess what happened!” A grin stretching from ear to ear, Prudence vibrated with excitement over the vid-comm.

“You and William didn’t elope, did you? I mean, that’s wonderful if you did, but I wanted to go to your wedding!” Hope said with a pang of envy. She didn’t begrudge her friend’s happiness, but she longed for a loving relationship, too.

“No. Wedding plans haven’t changed. Guess again.”

“Just tell me.” She loved Pru, but she wasn’t in the mood for guessing games.

Krogan had canceled their date. Midday, she’d received a brief hologram. “I’m sorry. I can’t come home early after all. I have to deal with something. Don’t wait up.” In holographic form, he’d appeared drawn and tired, almost defeated. His message had left her disappointed but also worried. What could have happened? After the lovely evening, the kiss, the offerto take her out, she’d been so optimistic about the future, thinking maybe their marriage could become real after all.

But now the relationship had reverted to the way it had been. She’d eaten dinner alone. She didn’t doubt an important matter required his attention, but she couldn’t help feeling neglected, like she had dropped to the bottom of the priority list.

“Gleezer the geezer got arrested,” Prudence announced.

“What!” Disappointment at the canceled date was forgotten.

“Remember I said he’d been meeting with Regional?”

“Yeah…”

Prudence shook her head. “Hedidn’t call in Regional.Theysought him out to interrogate him. He’s been under scrutiny for a while. They arrested him on charges of misappropriation of public funds, influence-peddling, graft, and nepotism. I’ve heard the evidence is overwhelming, and they got him dead to rights. He’ll go away for a long time. He’ll never serve in public office again.” She paused. “They arrested about a half dozen of his cronies, too.”

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