Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 88235 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88235 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“That’s where you’re making a mistake,” Chain told her. “Feelings don’t have to make sense—that’s why they’re feelings. And right now, what I’m feeling for you is that I don’t want to let you go.”
Vicky felt very strongly that she didn’t want to let him go, either. But she didn’t want to rush into anything dangerous.
“I don’t want to make any promises, but let’s find out some more about the mission,” she told Chain. “If it’s safe, I might be open to going. But I have to be sure I get back home to my two daughters. My girls might be all grown up and out on their own, but they still need their mom from time to time.”
It was the first time she’d mentioned her kids to him and she waited to see if it would put him off. But Chain didn’t bat an eyelash.
“Of course your safety and getting home to your family has to be the first consideration,” he acknowledged. “I would never want to bring you into danger. Let’s speak to this Alien Culture Coordinator Commander Sylvan talked about and see what he or she has to say. Then you can make up your mind.”
Vicky nodded.
“Sounds good to me.”
She kept her voice calm but inside she was so excited she could barely sit still. Finally—the adventure she’d been waiting for all her life had arrived! After all those years of teaching French and Spanish and then never going even once to either France or Spain, now she might have the chance to go to a whole new alien planet! She wouldn’t do anything rash, she promised herself, but she really hoped it was safe to go.
Not only would it be the adventure of a lifetime, you’d also get to spend more time with Chain, whispered a little voice in her head. And isn’t that what you really want, Vicky?
Yes, she had to admit, that was exactly what she wanted.
She had no idea she was going to get way more than she had bargained for.
Chapter Eleven
“Hi, I’m Kat and this is Liv and Sophie and Lauren,” a girl with generous curves, like Vicky’s own and long auburn hair greeted her as soon as she stepped out of Chain’s ship into the vast, echoing Docking Bay. She nodded at the other women with her—two had identical features, though one had blonde hair and gray eyes while the other had brown hair and green eyes. The third woman had creamy light brown skin and lovely amber eyes—she was also holding a tray of delicious smelling muffins.
“We’re the welcome committee,” she said, smiling at Vicky. “Want a muffin? They’re fresh—just came out of the oven.”
“Oh, uh, thanks.” Vicky selected a small blueberry studded one and smiled. “I’m trying to watch my carbs but I can’t resist—they smell so good!”
“Well, thank you.” The woman called Lauren nodded and her smile got even wider. “I’m always happy to know my baked goods are so yummy they can make someone fall off the diet train.”
“And why are you on that train in the first place, doll?” the girl called Kat demanded, putting one hand to her full hip. “You’re an Elite, like me—you ought to be flaunting your curves, not trying to lose them!”
“That’s what I keep telling her,” Chain said, coming around from the other side of the ship with a grin on his face. He put an arm around Vicky as though they were a real couple and gave her an affectionate squeeze. “Elites are meant to have full curves—it’s a blessing from the Goddess. But Victoria here, keeps telling me to ‘watch my back’ every time I pick her up.” He chuckled—a warm sound that Vicky couldn’t help liking. “I think she’s too used to the puny human males down on Earth,” he finished, grinning at Kat.
Kat laughed. “Well, I can understand that—we’ve all been there. Let down by a human guy and then we find a Kindred, right?” She winked at Vicky. “So are you excited for your trip to Priima Belle?”
“Oh, um…” Vicky shifted uncertainly, not quite sure what to say.
“You know,” the girl Kat had introduced as Liv said, “Priima Belle sounds way more like an upscale Italian restaurant than a planet full of wise women and scholars.”
“Wise women and scholars?” Vicky echoed doubtfully. Well, that didn’t sound too dangerous, but would she really fit in?
“Yup, so I hope you’re prepared to play the part of a teacher or a sage,” Kat said practically.
“Victoria will be perfect for such a part,” Chain said before she could answer. “She is already an instructor down on Earth—she teaches languages and dramatics.”
“Oh my God, that’s perfect!” the girl called Sophie clapped her hands. “It’s like you were born to go there.”
“So…it’s not dangerous at all?” Vicky asked.
Kat snorted.
“Hardly. Unless you’re worried about being bored to death by the really long discussions and dinner parties they have there.”