Page 20 of Escape Clause

But when he learned that the officiant was booked up the next day and couldn’t marry them, he used his name to secure another 4 p.m. appointment. They could have waited for the next available slot, but he felt an urgency to seal their union before Hope changed her mind. More laughable than tragic, yesterday’s mishap had been a comedy of errors, but he’d never forget the punch in the heart he’d experienced thinking she had decided against marrying him.

Determined to do right by her, this time he picked her up.

His staff gaped in surprise when he breezed out of the office at 3 p.m. and told them he wouldn’t be returning. Tied up with important work matters, Vorgol couldn’t accompany him, but Krogan didn’t need a buffer anymore. He rather preferred the intimacy of getting married alone—except for themuch-needed officiant, of course. That’s what a marriage was anyway—a partnership of two.

He vapped to the penthouse. Seated on the sofa, dressed and ready to leave, Hope sprang to her feet. “You’re early.”

Against the stark whiteness of his apartment, she stood like a work of art, but no blue sky or sunrise or sunset had ever been as pretty as she was. Attired in a dress that fit, she looked more stunning, elegant. Far too good for him. The stunning blue-green satin-and-lace dress reminded him of the deep, serene lakes in the countryside he rarely got a chance to visit anymore. Lace sleeves graced her slender arms, and the formfitting bodice accentuated delicate curves, while the satiny full skirt caressed her legs. However stunning the dress, it paled in comparison to her natural beauty.

Hints of pink tinted her flawless complexion and soft mouth. Needing no adornment, glossy dark tresses fell below her shoulders. Vulnerable brown eyes, flickering with uncertainty, looked up at him. “Too much? I know this is just a civil ceremony for a pretend marriage, but the clothes you helped me order came today—much faster than I expected—and I got a little carried away.”

She spoke the truth about their arrangement, but the words filled him with guilt. She deserved more than apretend marriage.She deserved the real thing with a man who loved her.

“Not too much. You’re perfect.” He remembered her reaction when the floor turned transparent beneath her feet. That was how he felt now—like he could fall and should grab something quick and hang on. “Let me change, and we can leave.”

After a quick fresh-up in the bath, he donned a formal tunic, the deep-navy fabric woven with silver strands. Silver braid ran down the outside legs of the accompanying navy slacks.

The gliteri at his hairline and across his chest tingled and sparkled. Fortunately, his clothing covered most of it. He was usually much better at controlling his emotions.

Back in the living room, he offered a suggestion. “We still have plenty of time, and I don’t anticipate any mishaps, so, maybe you’d like to stop at the flower market on the way and pick up a bouquet to go with your dress?” The other human brides had carried flowers. He couldn’t give her love or a lasting relationship, but he could at least give her flowers.

“I’d like that.” Her eyes lit up.

“Let’s go, then.”

Outside the vaporator, he stopped. “We’re going to the Cozi 2 Marketplace. I’m going to let you vap us over for practice. So you’ll learn.”

“I need the practice,” she agreed.

He explained how to release her targeted thoughts at the right moment.

They boarded. He signaled her. Two seconds later, the vaporator opened.

“Is this right? This is where I landed the last time!” She widened her eyes as he nudged her onto the walkway. “The big market around the corner to the right, that’s the Cozi 2 Marketplace?”

“Yes. This is the closest location to the flower market.”

“I did it! I got us to the right place!”

“You did.” He smiled at her delight. He pointed down the street at a sleek, mirrored cloudtopper disappearing into the clouds. The street-level floors were constructed of solid stone, but the rest of the building was reflective glass. “That’s our building.”

“I could have walked there from here,” she said.

“Yes, you were close. When we return, remind me to show you the ascension risers, in case you ever need to foot it to the apartment. But I can’t imagine youwill.” However, better safe than sorry. It hadn’t occurred to him she’d have trouble vapping to the officiant.

“I’d hate to have to climb two and a half kilometers of stairs.” She had a sweet laugh.

Strolling the walkway toward the market, it seemed natural to take her hand. The workday hadn’t closed for everyone yet, but quite a few men already ambled along. Once again, he was struck by the tragic scarcity of women. The only females to be seen were schoolchildren and elderly matrons.

“Stay close. I’d hate to lose you.” His heart gave a funny hitch.

“How can you lose the sole human female among all these big blue men?”

“One of these tall blue men might decide to claim you as his bride,” he teased.

“They would do that? They’d kidnap me?”

Warmth suffused him as she sought his protection, gripping his hand tighter and moving closer, but he would never deliberately scare her. “No! No. I was joking,” he reassured her. “You are safe here. No one will accost you.”

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