Page 24 of Princess for the Space Cowboy

A few minutes later, after he has explained the process to me, Asher has his hands on my waist to lift me into the saddle. Once again, I’m distracted. He has this wildly inconvenient effect on me where I can’t think straight if he touches me. My pulse riots, and my belly does a little shimmy. Meanwhile, he’s all helpful.

“I’m going to lift you,” he says.

“Okay,” I chirp.

He lifts me easily, reminding me how strong he is. Next thing I know, I’m sitting atop this land seahorse-dragon. “He sure is pretty,” I say, admiring his shimmering coat. “Now what?” I ask.

I glance over my shoulder to see Asher walking over to his horse and quickly climbing on it. “Stay with me,” he says, appearing to talk to my horse.

“You forgot to tell me his name,” I call as Asher begins moving with my horse following.

“Lazuli,” he calls over his shoulder.

It feels like I’m sitting in a rocking chair at first, but then Lazuli starts moving much faster than I want. There’s nothing for me to hold on to, not even any reins. “What the hell?” I mutter to myself. Lazuli comes to a quick stop, and I steady myself as the horse turns to glance at me. I could swear this horse-alien-dragon understands what I’m saying.

“I’ve never ridden anything like this,” I say apologetically.

Lazuli looks away, actually sighing. This is my life—an alien horse sighs at me.

He begins walking at a sedate pace. Asher circles, looking kind of hot and sexy as he approaches. “That’s all there is to it. How do you feel?”

Lazuli simply keeps walking as I shrug. “Fine? I think. I’m not ready to go any faster.”

“No need,” Asher returns with a grin.

“Is it like the wave?” I ask a few minutes later after we have returned the horses to their field.

“The wave?” Asher looks genuinely confused and puzzled.

“On Earth, they call it the beauty queen wave where you practice your hand thing?” I demonstrate. “For when they’re in parades,” I clarify. “Not that there’s been a parade in my entire life on Earth, but I read about them in school.”

Asher chuckles. “Sure. We don’t have any parades, but I understand what you mean. Are you ready for tomorrow?” he asks.

“I think that’ll be easier than this,” I offer with a saucy grin. We’re walking back to our house, and I can’t wait to get home.

I know there are plenty of other things to do with my life here, but I wouldn’t mind spending all my time with Asher alone.

Chapter Eighteen

JANE

I didn’t realize how nervous I was on my trip from Earth to here until we got back on the same ship to return to Earth. I’d been too anxious to absorb much on my initial journey. Now, I have a gazillion questions about the spaceship and all kinds of things. Asher answers every question I have, and his friend Kayden is bemused by us.

Meanwhile, Helena is busy checking applications for the job. We have hundreds of applicants, which doesn’t surprise me one bit.

I tell her to go ahead and approve them all. I shrug. “We’ll see who shows up. It’ll be like a job fair.”

Her eyes go wide. “We need women. I’ve looked around, and there are legit not many women on your planet,” I point out.

“Ourplanet,” Asher interjects with a wink.

“Kayden is our test case,” I say with a wave toward him.

He chuckles while Asher adds, “I’m the test case.”

“Not anymore. We’re married.”

His return grin is sly, and my belly shimmies. I keep thinking this wild, rampaging desire for him will calm the hell down. But my hormones are just out of control when it comes to Asher.Which I suppose is handy. I think I’m pregnant because my body feels subtly different.

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