Page 23 of Princess for the Space Cowboy

“You’re going with her?” he prompts.

“Yes. At first.”

“She will be safe without you, of course.”

I take a breath. “I know, but…” I shrug.

“You do not want to be without her. That is when you know it’s a true match,” my father says.

“Are you concerned about Honnell?” I ask.

My father nods as his gaze sobers. “This is an endless and pointless conflict. We have always been stronger as a species by mating with humans from Earth. It is, after all, our sister planet. Yet they don’t see that and refuse to learn from history. When I step down, you will continue to face this problem and just have to keep doing what you must do. The need is even more important now. Ever since the storm.”

“I know. Hopefully, once we start this process, it will help,” I say.

I depart the office a few minutes later to find Kayden waiting outside. He grins as he waggles his brows. He was present at my wedding, but today is the first day I’ve seen him since because he was traveling while I was enjoying my week with Jane. We haven’t had a chance to speak about anything but business yet.

“I see you survived your honeymoon,” he offers with a wink.

I chuckle. “I certainly did.”

“You must be exhausted,” he teases, cuffing me lightly on the shoulder.

I roll my eyes. “I am stronger than ever.”

He cocks his head to the side. “Jane is stunning. Just tell me when the matchmaking service starts. I’m going to offer myself up as the next test case.”

“You can come with us tomorrow. We’re going to Earth.”

“I’ll be there.”

“We will recruit women to bring them here. Here’s hoping it goes well.”

“Well, if you and Jane are any indication, it shall,” he says. “See you tomorrow.”

“Sunrise!” I call as I turn and continue walking out.

This afternoon, I will introduce Jane to her mount. We ride horse-like creatures here with sharp tails.

While I love the thrill of a ride, what I want now is Jane. My pulse quickens at the mere thought of her. I’m still adjusting to the intensity of my emotions for her. The feelings extend far beyond want and need.

She commands me on every level, and I will do anything to protect her and protect and cherish what we have.

Chapter Seventeen

JANE

“Um, you want me to what?” I squeak as I look up at Asher.

Until right this second, things have been going swimmingly. Sexy space cowboy alien sweeps me off my feet to a new planet where I can leave my craptastic life in the dust. Everything seems fabulous so far until Asher tells me it’s time to meet my horse. The closest earthly creature I can compare it to is maybe a seahorse combined with a dragon and a horse with a sharp tail that looks downright scary.

The horse stares at me, his dark coat shimmering with glints of deep blue. Asher looks down at me, and I see the glimmer of humor entering his gaze. “Have you ever ridden a horse on Earth?”

“No!” I exclaim and lift one of my feet. “I could get anywhere I needed to go walking. I didn’t have far to go. Plus, you know there aren’t many horses left there,” I point out. “Do I have to do this?” I’m hedging, and I know it, but my eyes land on the horse’s tail again. It’s not flowing and made of hair, but thin with a barbed tip, sort of like what I imagined a dragon would have. “Are you sure this isn’t a dragon?”

My husband shakes his head. “It’s a type of horse.” He studies me for a moment. “You are our princess and need to beable to ride. It’s not something you have to do often, but it will seem as though you’re not fully one of us if you don’t.”

I wrinkle my nose, resting my hands on my hips. “Fine. Let’s do it, then.”

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