Page 20 of Princess for the Space Cowboy

She hurries out. Alisha studies me for a moment, and I try not to get too anxious as I twist my hands together under the table. “You are pregnant. I have no doubt,” she announces.

“You think so?” I squeak.

She nods. “How do you feel, and when is your cycle due?”

“I feel fine. My cycle is due in two weeks. We couldn’t have known it, but the timing was very good for, um, well…” My cheeks get hot. “Our wedding.”

Asher’s mother nods along.

“What leads you to think I’m pregnant?”

“It’s more of a feeling.”

I place my hand over my belly, and it feels flat. “I won’t know until I’m showing.”

“You’ll know sooner. Fertility is powerful for women from Earth here. We discovered that when travel among planets began happening.”

“I want to be pregnant. I know it’s important.”

“It is, of course, but more than anything, I’m happy Asher found you. You are meant to be his princess.”

The mere thought of Asher creates a sense of warmth in my chest around my heart. If you had told me I was going to move to another planet and fall in love with a space cowboy two weeks ago, I would’ve laughed so hard it hurt. Now, I can’t imagine my life without Asher.

Alisha is called away just as Helena returns to her office. Helena and I continue planning and craft a new ad. She wants to do the royalty-in-space thing again. “How many princesses can there be?” I ask.

“Oh, just one. But we can focus on marrying into the leadership of the royal family. I’ve seen the news on Earth. Those old celebrity magazines are filled with news about the royals.”

I ponder this, realizing that I probably wouldn’t have clicked on the ad if it hadn’t mentioned royalty. “Makes sense,” I finally say. “How often will I be going to Earth?”

“We’ll have to see how it goes. We’re going to bring women here. The only reason Asher was there was because we had to start with him. He needed a mate, and he found you.”

Again, warmth curls around my heart. “I feel so lucky,” I say.

Helena studies me for a minute. “Asher is a good man. I knew the minute you walked in that you were the princess for him. I suppose with the situation on Earth that you do feel lucky. But you have a big responsibility now. It’s important. I hope you’re up for the challenge.”

Anxiety churns inside, but I manage to nod. “I am. Maybe I’ve never done anything like this, but I’m ready.”

Helena and I create several ads to spread far and wide on Earth. There are only a few online channels available. We review travel plans. She assures me I will never be going to Earth alone, that we’ll always be on a ship. Once we get this coordinated and organized, it may even be possible for me to stay here and meet women as they arrive on this end.

We’re just finishing up when there’s a light knock on her door. “Yes?” she calls out.

Before the door even opens, I sense that it’s Asher. This vibration happens when he’s nearby, and I can’t ignore it.

He steps into the room. Electricity sizzles through me with that now familiar heat spinning like fire in my veins.

His eyes meet mine. “I heard you were here and thought I’d stop by. Walk with me. I want to show you something if you’re done here.”

Helena stands and smiles at us. “She’s all yours. We have a plan, and we’re going to start next week. Are you going to come with us on the trips to Earth?” she asks.

“Whenever I can.” He glances back at me. “Do not worry. It’s completely safe. You will always go on our fastest ship.”

“Okay,” I say, feeling a little breathless. He has the craziest effect on me.

We depart, and Asher’s hand clasps mine as we leave. He has told me that we will have protection throughout my pregnancy. Like his mother, he’s convinced I’m already pregnant. He tells me so every night. Merely thinking about it makes me wet.

“What do you want to show me?” I ask, trying to stay focused.

He smiles down at me. I’m aware of the guards trailing us. I’m still getting accustomed to them constantly being nearby now that we’re out of the protected realm of our home.

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