Page 12 of Stalker
“The shower was wonderful.” Neely smiled as he gestured for her to take the seat across from where he was about to sit.
“You don’t have to worry about how much water you use. We don’t have a shortage, and we recycle it.”
“Good to know. Is that coffee?”
“Yes. Is that okay? Do you want something else?” He started to get up.
“No, I want coffee. With a bit of sugar if you have it. Or I can drink it black.”
“I have sugar.” Stalker reached up on the counter that divided the dining area from the food processing region and retrieved a small canister with an opening in the top.
She took it and poured some on a spoon, stirred it into her coffee, and handed it back to him. Sticking a fingertip into the hot coffee, she jerked it back out. Too hot, so she picked up her fork and started eating the eggs on her plate.
“What do you plan for today?”
“I want to teach you how to activate your armor and set you up with some weapons so I can test your ability before we go out in the field.”
“Every time I go into the city, somebody shoots at me. So far, it’s been projectile weapons. This new armor will protect even from armor-piercing projectiles. Blasters can still stun you, but ion rifles could hurt you.”
Neely listened intently, watching his lips move as he spoke, remembering how they felt against hers when he kissed her. Then she mentally shook herself.
“It sure sounds like Farringay. I had a couple harrowing experiences the two times I ventured outside Starport city.”
“What did you do?”
“I ran. Hid and ran the other way after they ran past me. Another time two guys grabbed me, but Berke’s bodyguard ran them off.”
“From now on, I will protect you. I won’t hesitate to kill anyone who tries to hurt you,” Stalker vowed.
Neely didn’t doubt him, seeing the intensity in his eyes. He was a hot alpha male ready to take on any foe who threatened his mate. She could easily imagine he would bring that passion to their mating. It was a real turn-on that made her core clench.
“I would do the same for you,” she asserted, frowning as she realized what she said. She was fooling herself if she thought she could walk away from this man. Yet she still couldn’t let herself go all in.
“I believe you,” Stalker responded with a slight smile. “But I don’t want you putting yourself in danger for me. Even with armor, you are still more vulnerable than I am without it.”
Neely nodded and scooped another fork full of eggs into her mouth. She needed to distract herself from her attraction to him. She didn’t speak again until she had finished eating. “I will need that com-tablet you promised me. I need to let my mom know I am all right, tell Berke what happened… and maybe get in touch with some… Other people.”
“Sure, you can use the communications room. Come with me.” He stood, and she followed suit.
As she stood, she glanced around the living room.This is a really nice house.
The communications room was through a door off the living room that opened automatically when Stalker approached. There was a box on the shelf that contained the house AI system. A floor-to-ceiling door on the right slid open revealing shelves of brand-new com-tablets. He took one off the top shelf and handed it to Neely.
“It’s already synced with our communication satellites, so you can start using it immediately,” he said. “You can sit at the desk here, and I will let you have privacy to make your calls.”
The desk was shiny and black, apparently molded in one piece. The padded chair was cast from the same material with a roller system hidden under its base.
“It’s okay; I’m just calling Mom right now.”
“If you don’t mind, I will bring up the holographic map to see where we can start tomorrow.”
“That’s fine,” Neely said and touched the screen to bring up the menu. “Call Vanessa Albert in Farringay.” After pinging the requested code several times, Neeley’s mother appeared on the small screen.
“Omigod, Neely! Where have you been? It’s been three days.”
“Argh! You would not believe it, Mom. One of White’s damn cyborgs shot down my flyer for no reason. A nice cyborg ranger pulled me out before it exploded and burned. I don’t know what the fuck he was thinking.”
“A cyborg rescued you?” Vanessa questioned with interest.
