by Cara Bristol
Supposedly, no relationship was stronger than the unbreakable, everlasting genmate bond; yet, he couldn’t imagine a deeper emotion than what he felt for Mandy. What would happen when he met his genmate? Was Tigre right? Would his feelings for her evaporate like his sublimating body—or would he forever be torn between her and another? To live on Earth so close to her and be unable to go to her would be unbearable.
And the alternative? Boarding the Star Crossed. Leaving her forever.
They had a lot of living to do in a week. With a gentle hand, he brushed the hair away from her temples, the better to gaze upon her face.
She opened her eyes. “Good morning.”
“I love you.” He hadn’t planned to reveal his emotions but didn’t regret it. He meant every word.
Her eyes filled with tears. “I love you, too. Falling in love happened fast but—”
He wiped away the trickles of moisture. “Not fast for me. I waited my entire life for you.” If his genetics hadn’t demanded a match for survival, he’d say to herian finding one. Mandy was all he needed.
“I want to spend as much time as I can with you.”
“Yes,” she said. “I was supposed to work today, but I’ll close the shop.”
“Won’t you lose business?”
She shrugged. “I don’t care. I’ll reopen…later.” After he was gone, she meant.
He wouldn’t refuse the offer. Every second with her was precious. “Maybe you’d like to ride the hover scooter today? Have you seen Lake Argent yet?”
“I would love that! I’ve only glimpsed the lake through the trees.”
“We’ll do that, then.” His stomach chose that moment to growl.
Her eyes widened, and she pressed a hand to her own stomach. “Did you have dinner last night?”
“No.” Once he’d seen her, he’d forgotten all about eating.
“Neither did I. Why don’t we have breakfast at Millie’s Diner before we go?”
“Let’s do that.” He felt terrible he’d never considered if she might be hungry. He’d caught her as the store had closed for the day. He needed to take better care of her.
“It’s a date!” She grinned and kissed him. “Do you want to shower first? The bathroom is across the foyer.”
“You go. I’ll call my brothers so they don’t worry.” He’d told them he intended to visit Mandy, but they’d probably expected him home last night. If he didn’t check in, they might fear he’d sublimated.
“Okay.” She slid out of bed, and he ogled her. In the light of day, he could better admire her curves, her womanliness, her nice ass.
She turned, giving him a profile of her breasts and the sexy pooch of her tummy. “Are you watching me?”
“Yep.” He smiled and faked a leer.
Blushing, she grabbed her robe from the floor and tugged it on.
He laughed, flung back the covers, and got out of bed. He suffered no shyness. Why shouldn’t she see what her hands and mouth had already discovered? He snagged his chronometer from the bedside table and slipped it on.
Her expression clouded. “I still intend to meditate. I haven’t given up.”
He clasped her shoulders and gazed into her eyes. He’d awakened with a decision firmly set. “Don’t try anymore. I don’t want you to find my genmate.”
“You’ll die if I don’t!”
He smoothed his hands down her arms. “I doubt she exists on Earth. I’ve witnessed your abilities. You found Inferno’s female right away. If mine was here, you would have seen her by now.”
“Geneva lives in Argent. Yours could be in another town or state or country! I’ve been getting more and more insights in general.”
“But none of them were about me, were they?”
“Well, no, but…”
“Let’s forget the search and focus on us and enjoy our time together.”
“Are you sure?” Her expression uncertain, she brushed back her hair.
“I’m as sure as I’ll ever be.” After last night, no way he would leave Mandy’s arms and go to another woman. He wouldn’t put her through that. He couldn’t do it. Better to fly away and dissipate into nothingness. By some remote chance, if he did meet his genmate on a faraway planet, at least Mandy’s feelings would be spared.
She went to shower, and he phoned Tigre, explaining he would be spending as much time as he could with Mandy and wouldn’t be home. Tigre put him on speaker, and he talked to all his brothers and their mates, who had gathered for Saturday morning breakfast.
The weekly ritual kept them connected now that Chameleon, Wingman, and Psy had paired off with mates.
If his life had been normal—what a fantasy that was—the two of them would have joined in the boisterous gathering, but with his departure date looming, he was unwilling to share his waning time with Mandy with others. But, oh, he would miss his fellow castaways when he left. They were his surrogate brothers.
His call ended as Mandy reentered the bedroom. “Your turn,” she said. “I tried to be quick so you’d have hot water. I’m not sure how much the tank holds. I put a clean towel for you on the sink.”
“I’m sure it will be fine.” He collected his clothes from the floor then pressed a quick kiss to her mouth.
Steam fogged the tiny bathroom, the chugging fan unable to keep up. Besides the towel, she’d left him a toothbrush still in the wrapper. He used the toilet, lowered the seat, set his clothes and chronometer on top, and jumped into the shower. The water temp seemed fine, but he washed quickly anyway, anxious to return to Mandy.
When he emerged, he found her dressed in a warm sweater, jeans, and boots. She held two mugs and handed him one. “I made tea,” she said. “I ran downstairs and got some of the kind you like. I added agave syrup and honey. Let me know if it’s not sweet enough.”
“Thank you.” He took the mug then pulled her close for a taste of her lips. “Plenty sweet,” he said.
She laughed. “You!”
They sat on the sofa and drank their tea, talking of everything and of nothing. “You should bring a coat in case we leave the hover scooter, but you’ll be warm while you’re riding it,” he told her.
“Because of the force field.”
“Yes.”
She deposited their used cups in the dishwasher and started it. The machine was full, loaded with the dishes that had been in the sink, he noticed. She’d been busy while he’d showered. “Ready?” she asked.
“Ready,” he replied.
All the tables and the counter seats were occupied when they arrived at the diner.
“Oh no! I should have expected a crowd on Saturday morning,” Mandy said. “Let’s go to my apartment. I have eggs. I’ll throw together an omelet.” She took his arm.
“Whoa, whoa, hold on there, honey. I’ll getcha a table.” Gray-haired Millie shot from around the counter and marched to a table occupied by two men. “Are you two deadbeats gonna hang out here all day? You’re done eatin’. Get out.”
They scowled at Millie but pushed back their chairs.
“No, it’s okay!” Mandy gasped, but Shadow had eaten at Millie’s often enough to not be shocked by the owner’s behavior.
Millie waved. “Don’t worry yourself. These two lazy bums aren’t real customers, they’re my brothers.”
“Still—”
“I’d say her bark is worse than her bite, ’cept it ain’t true.” One of the men grinned.
Actually, it was true. Millie’s outspoken, outrageous personality hid a heart of gold.
The men paid for their meal and left. Millie cleaned the table and motioned them to be seated. “All yours. Take your time.” She winked and slapped a couple of plastic-coated menus on the table. “Coffee?”
“Yes.” He nodded.
“Please,” Mandy said.
She returned with two steaming mugs. There was a container of sweetener packets on their table, but she set an extra one in front of him. “That gonna be enough for ya?”
“Th
at will be fine, Millie.”
Mandy peered over the menu. “You must come here often. She knows your preferences.”
“There’s only two places to eat in Argent—the Whitetail and here.” He emptied four sugar packets into his coffee and added two tiny containers of cream. Millie’s coffee wasn’t as good as Mandy’s special tea blend, but it was the next best thing.
“What do you recommend for breakfast?” Mandy asked.
“The omelets are delicious, but I’m rather partial to the waffles.” He set down his menu. “That’s what I’m going to have—Belgian waffles with strawberries, whipped cream, and maple syrup.”
Her mouth quirked. “You do have a sweet tooth.” She placed her menu atop his. “I’m going to get a veggie omelet.”
“You want regular eggs with your omelet or egg whites?” Millie said when she came to take their orders.
“Regular eggs,” Mandy said. “I’m all for eating healthy, but let’s not get crazy.”
Millie laughed. “I like you. You’re the new gal from across the street.”
“Yes. I opened the Inner Journey.”
“I guessed. Besides, I read the article in the church bulletin.” She winked. “So, what do you two have planned for today?”
“We’re going to ride around Lake Argent. Mandy hasn’t seen it,” Shadow answered.
“If you want to stop for a picnic, remember Gus’s place.”
“I’d forgotten about that,” he said.
“How about a box lunch to take along?”
He looked at Mandy.
She nodded. “Sounds perfect.”
“I’ll have it ready when you leave.”
“She finessed that. Sold us breakfast and lunch. She’s quite the saleswoman.” Mandy chuckled after Millie resumed her post behind the counter. “Who’s Gus?”
“The guy who owns the bait shop. He has several acres of beachfront, which he lets locals use.”
“You’re well connected in Argent. You know everybody.”
“Not quite everyone,” he said, remembering Geneva. His brother’s genmate had been so close, but somehow they hadn’t met her. Through Mandy, the situation had been rectified. The rest was in Inferno’s hands. “Almost though. It’s a small town, and the people here are friendly and welcoming.”
“They are,” she agreed.
Argent and its people would be among the many things he would miss. On the run from the Xenos, their world destroyed, the anxious castaways had arrived not knowing what to expect, if they would be accepted. The townspeople had received them as their own. There were good people here.
Mandy squeezed his hand.
Shadow raised his eyebrows. “What’s that for?”
“You looked sad.”
He shook his head to avoid dampening the mood. “Thinking about what a great place Argent is to live. You’ll be very happy here.”
“Without you? I don’t think so.” Her shoulders slumped.
“You have to be,” he said hoarsely, his gut clenching. He needed the reassurance she would prevail and find happiness, even if it had to be with somebody else. “Humans don’t need a genetic match to mate. After I’m gone, I hope you fall in love again”—he couldn’t bring himself to utter the words with another man—“and live a joyful life.” Her happiness mattered more than anything, but the idea of her with someone else tore him up inside—probably the same way she felt about him needing to find another woman. “It’s only fair,” he added despondently.
“Nothing about this situation is fair,” she said.
“No.” He couldn’t refute the statement. “But let’s not allow the bad to ruin the good.” Their time together was all the more precious because it was so limited.
She didn’t say anything for several seconds. “You’re right.”
Millie delivered their breakfast, inserting a needed diversion. “I brought you some extra syrup.” No longer hungry, he dug in anyway, pouring the contents of all three little pitchers over his waffles. Mandy’s eyes widened before she started to laugh, her genuine amusement soothing his ragged emotions. He wasn’t sure what she found so funny, but he was grateful for it.
She started to eat, as did he, and his appetite returned so that he finished off the waffle, and the leftover omelet she’d offered to him. “I can’t eat the whole thing,” she’d said.
As promised, Millie had box lunches ready, and Shadow paid for their meals.
“Thank you, for breakfast—and lunch,” she said as they left the diner. “It never occurred to me until now, but what do you and your brothers do? I mean, to earn a living.”
“For money?”
“Yes.”
He chuckled. “Well, we don’t counterfeit anymore.”
“What?” Her jaw dropped.
“When we first arrived, we discovered that humans used cards and paper to complete transactions. We copied your money in our replicator. We discovered printing currency was illegal when Psy got arrested.
“Chameleon helps Kevanne run the lavender farm. The rest of us consult with Mysk Industries, lending our respective expertise to Edwin’s projects. We’re on his payroll.”
“Your world must have been advanced compared to Earth.”
“It was. Edwin has had to be judicious in what he invents and releases on your planet.”
“Because we’re not ready for it?”
“Partly—but mainly because with advanced tech, humans could venture beyond this solar system into the other arms of the galaxy where they might encounter the Xeno Consortium. Xenos would recognize the tech as ’Topian.”
She grabbed his arm and halted their progress down the street. “What about when you leave here? Won’t you risk running into them?”
“The Star Crossed will have a cloaking shield,” he explained to allay her fears. In truth, once he ventured out of Orion’s Spur, he could encounter a Xeno ship, and if it ran a cloak detector…
He wrapped an arm across her shoulders and gave her a hug.
“Don’t let the bad ruin the good, right?” she asked, and then her brows arched. “Hey, isn’t that Kevanne Girardi?” She waved at the woman standing outside Inner Journey.
Chameleon’s mate waved back.
“I’m glad I caught you!” Kevanne said when they approached. “I was afraid I’d missed you.”
“Almost but not quite,” Mandy said. “What can I do for you?”
“I’m here to help.”
“Help?”
“Man the store.” She motioned to the CLOSED sign and made a rueful face. “I know why you’re closing for the week.”
“I told my brothers not to expect to see much of me, that I would be with you,” Shadow explained.
“You just opened and started to build momentum. I don’t want you to lose that. It’s March. There’s nothing going on at the lavender farm requiring my attention, so I have free time. I’ll staff the store while you take the week off.”
“That’s nice of you, but I can’t ask you to do that.”
“You’re not asking. I’m offering. Insisting. I remember being new in town and starting a business. Let me help you.” She winked. “Besides, I want my lavender products to sell.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely! Show me how your register works, tell me what not to do, and turn me loose.”
Mandy’s eyes looked bright with unshed tears. “I can’t believe you’d do this for me.” She grabbed Kevanne in a hug. “Thank you.”
“Thank you,” he added his own gratitude, aware of how much the business meant to her. He was also glad his brothers and their mates would be around to support her after he left.
Chapter Thirteen
Through the gaps in the trees, the deep blue of Lake Argent gleamed as smooth and still as glass. Morning clouds had burned off, brightening the day with rare sunshine. Still, the air temperature remained crisp, and with the wind chill, it would have been quite icy against the skin, except Mandy was toasty. Astride the hover s
cooter, she hugged Shadow’s waist as they zoomed over the curving lakeside road. The refracting shield protected them from wind, cold, and nosy eyes.
They’d decided to ride all the way around the lake, a trip of about three hours, and then picnic on Gus’s beach.
They passed an elderly man putting along in an aging Cadillac. Hunched behind the steering wheel, he remained oblivious to their presence, even after they swooped in front of him.
“I’m still amazed nobody can see us!” she exclaimed. She twisted on the seat and waved. The man didn’t respond.
She was most astonished by the scooter itself, and, upon seeing it for the first time, understood why he’d kept it hidden. She’d pictured a moped, maybe a motorcycle, not a rocket with wings and wheels, the latter superfluous because the vehicle never touched the road but skimmed over it. The gleaming silver wheels were deployed as a backup in the event of a lift fail, Shadow had explained.
Which made for a ride as smooth as the mirrored surface of the lake reflecting the surrounding evergreens like a picture on a bank calendar. How many days were left on Shadow’s calendar? Though he tried to present a positive face and an upbeat mood, she’d gotten the drift finding a genmate at all was one hell of a long shot no matter what he did or where he went.
Don’t think about that. Don’t let the bad ruin the good. Don’t rail against what you can’t change.
Of course, that’s what she should do, but every passing second stung with a reminder his time was running out. He’d taken the chronometer and told her to stop trying to locate his genmate, but she couldn’t quit.
She would rather send him to another woman than watch him fly away into the galaxy to die alone. Clutching his rock-hard abdomen tighter, she pressed her face to his shoulder, inhaled his exotic musk, and sent a prayer to the universe. Please help me help Shadow. Shed light on the darkness and open my eyes.
A quick burst, a mental image of Geneva standing between the pews of the Church of Argent throwing bibles at Inferno flashed in her mind’s eye. “No…not them.” She rubbed her eyes in frustration.
