Page 27 of Escape Clause

“I feel confident I can return to the penthouse, and as long as I can do that, I figure if I get lost, I can vap to home base and start over. The more practice Ihave, the better I’ll get.” She paused. “It’s safe, right? For me to travel alone?”

“It’s safe. I can give you suggestions of some interesting places,” he offered.

“That would be great!” Her smile kindled a curl of warmth in his chest. If she loved his laughter, he loved her smile, the way it lit up her whole face. He took a big gulp of the mai tai.

“How was your day?” She laid her hand on his forearm, her lingering touch delivering a surge of heated sensation.

“Typical. The usual crises,” he said. No joke. It was always something, but the day had brought a fresh new predicament to the fore.

After speaking to Vorgol that morning, he’d spent the rest of the day in tense negotiation—via holocall—with an off-planet medical equipment trade partner who’d informed him they were suspending deliveries of medical supplies due to safety concerns over the nano-viral contagion. Despite scientific evidence the nano-virus only affected Caradonians, the trade director expressed concerns his people could become infected. “Until you find a cure and eradicate the disease, we won’t be landing on Caradonia,” thedirector had stated, adding that Caradonia wouldn’t be permitted to pick up the supplies themselves.

Without the special growth medium the company manufactured, they couldn’t develop a cure.

Krogan had brought in his best virologists and epidemiologists who’d presented the data proving the nano-virus posed no danger to off-worlders. Finally, the director—“against his better judgment”—agreed to resume deliveries at triple the previous price, which Krogan realized had been the point of the suspension all along.

After the meeting, he ordered the virology team to begin research and development into a growth medium to eliminate their dependency on an outside supplier for such a critical commodity. He also instructed the Planetary Materiel and Resources Bureau to assess how many other critical items were imported rather than produced on planet. Their health and well-being should not depend on another nation planet’s goodwill.

But he had no intention of sharing the worries with Hope. His planet’s troubles were his burden to shoulder, not hers. “The vice governor-general who is the acting director of the Cosmic Mates programrequested our help,” he said instead. “I told him I’d ask you.”

“Me? What can I do?”

“Now that we have some brides, he wishes to change the marketing campaign to show couples rather than single men. He would like to include both of us. We’d be featured on the Cosmic Mates HyperSphere site.”

Brows drawing together, she took a sip. Then she nodded. “All right,” she agreed in a hesitant tone.

“You have reservations? You don’t have to do it.” Although pictures of the governor-general and his wife would be a great testimonial, they weren’t critical. Other men with their brides would suffice.

“No, it’s probably a good thing.”

“But? What is your concern?”

“If my image and hologram are in marketing materials, there’s a good chance I’ll be recognized on Terra Nova. The man who was trying to force me to marry him may learn where I am. But it doesn’t matter. He can’t touch me here.”

“No, he can’t.” Krogan patted her hand in reassurance, and she entwined her fingers with his. His heart fluttered. “Why are you so afraid of him?”

“He’s the mayor of Bloomhaven village where I lived. He’s been harassing my friends trying to find me. But…if he learns I’m on another planet, maybe he’ll stop bothering them. That’s a big positive.”

What would happen when she left in a year? Wouldn’t she have to face the mayor then?

“I’ll do it!” she said, with alacrity now. “It will be fun.” She drained her goblet.

His was already empty. He depressed a switch on the sofa back. When the table popped up, he set their glasses on it.

“I have another proposal. Vorgol wishes to host a reception for the first group of Cosmic Mates brides and grooms. I must attend. I would very much like you to accompany me. In the interest of full disclosure, you should be aware holograms will be recorded for use in program marketing.”

“I’d love to go with you.” Her lips parted on another blazing smile, and resistance to her charms collapsed.

He leaned over and kissed her.

For a split second, she stiffened, but then her lips softened and moved against his, and her hand curled around his neck. With a groan, he pulled her against his chest. He teased her lips with his tongue beforedelving inside. She tasted like the mai tai and something much sweeter, headier, addictive. One kiss stirred his appetite for more.

He was hyperconscious of the sensation of her lips and tongue, her scented breath, her hand stroking his nape. Heat surged into his groin, and his gliteri throbbed. The band across his chest ached.

He stroked her bare shoulder and kissed her again.

“Dinner is ready,” Don Juan announced.

Hope jumped, and they broke apart. Her eyes were wide, her lips pink and parted. She looked stunned.

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