“I’m here because I want Charlotte in my life.”
“And the baby?” Cosmir asked.
“I need to discuss the baby with her. The doctor told me it’s dangerous for her to carry this child, and I won’t risk her life.”
Cosmir nodded and motioned for him to follow. When they reached Charlotte’s room, Borgoz found that he was suddenly rather nervous. What if Charlotte didn’t want him here? What if he’d hurt her too much by pushing her away and she no longer wanted anything to do with him?
It was a little late to second guess himself.
Borgoz knocked and then entered the room, his gaze finding her on the bed. She looked good, if a little pale, and her eyes widened when she saw him. Charlotte pushed herself up against the headboard, and Borgoz closed the door behind him.
“You can’t be here,” she said. “Your position…”
“The council agreed it was important for me to be here. I’ll be speaking rather frequently with Larimar through the Vid-Comm, but it’s doable until I can return to my world.” He moved closer to her, wanting to reach for her. “How are you?”
“I guess the doctor called you.”
Borgoz nodded.
“I didn’t mean to lose the other two.” Tears gathered in her eyes.
He sat on the edge of the bed, pulling her into his arms. “Charlotte, I’m worried about you, not the baby. I want you to think about terminating this pregnancy. When you’re better, we can try again if you want. The doctor said there was a chance you wouldn’t carry this baby to term, and if you do, there could be complications during the delivery. I won’t risk your life.”
She took his hand and placed it over her belly. “There’s a life growing inside of me. One that we created together. I won’t terminate the pregnancy and give up on our child. I want him or her to know how much they were wanted, and that I was willing to do anything to bring them into this world. But I need your help, Borgoz. I can’t do this on my own. I thought I could, but… I’m not strong enough.”
“I won’t take a chance with your health. If you insist on having this child, I’ll remain here with you until it’s born. If the council can’t be without me for that long, then they can replace me”
Her eyes widened.
“You’re more important to me than my position, Charlotte. I can always take on a lesser role in our society, maybe something that would give me more time with you.”
“I won’t let you throw away all your hard work.”
“What do you say we call the council and speak with Larimar? I’m sure he’d like to see that you’re doing well.”
“All right.” She smiled softly.
Borgoz used the Vid-Comm to contact Larimar.
“I see you found Charlotte,” Larimar said as he smiled at them. “You’re looking well, Charlotte.”
“Thank you, Larimar. Now please tell Borgoz that he’s being ridiculous and he can’t remain here until the baby is born.” Charlotte gave Larimar a beseeching look. “I won’t let him lose the position of Chief Councilor just because he’s being stubborn.”
Larimar laughed. “Well, he can be stubborn, but in this case I can understand it. He’s worried about you, Charlotte, and he has every right to stay by your side. We’ll see how things go with us communicating every day to settle pending matters. If it runs as smoothly as I think, then there’s no reason he can’t remain with you.”
Borgoz squeezed her hand. “I told you everything would be fine.”
Larimar looked at Borgoz. “So you’re staying for the duration of the pregnancy?”
“Charlotte is insisting on carrying the baby to term, and I don’t want to leave her. Something could go wrong, and I’d blame myself for the rest of my life if I wasn’t here for her when she needs me most.”
“Keep me up to date on Charlotte, and I’ll keep you abreast of anything that pops up in your absence. We’ve addressed the people, and while they were surprised at your departure, they are also pleased that you’re taking a mate and starting a family. Your people love you, Borgoz, and they want to see you happy. I think they’re willing to give you the time you need right now, as long as you return to them ready to resume your duties.”
“Consider it done. We’ll call again tomorrow.”
Borgoz clicked off the Vid-Comm. Charlotte shifted on the bed beside him, and he realized that her current living quarters weren’t going to do at all. The place was small and cramped. The bed was made for Terrans, but the lodgings were meant to be temporary and not last for months.
“Will you be all right here for a little while? I need to see to a few things and then I’ll return and share a meal with you.”
“I’ll just find something to watch on TV while I wait for you. Is everything okay?”
He kissed her softly. “Everything is fine, Charlotte. But if we’re going to remain here for the next nine months, then we should be more comfortable. You need a room with sunshine and more space. I’ll find us better quarters.”
“I guess you’re going to need an office if you intend to work while you’re here.” She frowned. “Wait. Nine months? I’m already six weeks along.”
“I may need one, but I’m more concerned with getting you what you need.” He cleared his throat. “And Terran pregnancies run forty-three weeks.”
Her eyes widened and he kissed her again.
“Hurry back,” she said softly.
With one last kiss, Borgoz left and went in search of better lodgings. An inquiry at the front desk sent him in the right direction. When he met with the man in charge of the condos down the street, he stressed that he only needed temporary lodgings.
The man scratched the back of his neck. “These units are for sale, fully furnished, but I suppose I could rent one to you for that amount of time. Several of your people live here, and I’ve had no trouble from them. Are you sure you won’t be moving here permanently?”
Borgoz smiled. “I’m the Chief Councilor of my world. Their ruler. I’m afraid my absence from Terran can only be for a short time. My mate is expecting and it’s a difficult pregnancy. She needs somewhere quiet to relax until the baby comes.”
“I can rent the penthouse to you for two thousand a month. That’s American dollars.”
“That will be fine. And you said it’s fully furnished?”
“Absolutely.”
“How soon can we move in?” Borgoz asked.
“Normally I ask for paperwork to be signed first, but in your case I can make an exception. I’ll drop the papers off another day and you can pay the first month’s rent when you sign them.”
“I’ll pay for six months in advance, since you’re being so generous and letting us borrow the place for a short time.”
“I appreciate it. Just let me get the keys for you.”
Borgoz watched as the man rummaged in a cabinet, locating and then handing over the keys to the penthouse. Once Borgoz knew how to access his new home, he left to retrieve Charlotte. He only hoped she’d be happy in her new lodgings, until they could return to Zelthrane-3.
Whatever Charlotte wanted, Charlotte would get.
Epilogue
One year later
Charlotte nuzzled her face against her husband’s chest and her hand drifted lower, reaching for the rather stiff part of him tenting the sheets. She wrapped her fingers around his shaft and slowly stroked him up and down.
“What are you doing?” Borgoz asked in a voice thick with sleep.
“You haven’t touched me since our last time together before I left for Earth. It’s been months since Arabella was born. The doctor said I would be healed in a few weeks, and yet you haven’t reached for me once.”
“Charlotte, you had a difficult delivery and I damn near lost you. I’m not anxious to get you pregnant again.”
She licked her lips. “Remember when you said Arabella was enough, that you didn’t want more children?”
“Of course. As I recall, we had a rather nasty argument about it
.”
“I decided you were right. As much as I would love to fill your house with children, it’s too risky.” Her hand stroked him again. “Which is why I went to the doctor last week and asked him to sterilize me.”
Borgoz shot upright in bed and looked at her with wide eyes. “You did what?”
“I went to the clinic and told them I didn’t want to take a chance on having another baby when it was so dangerous for me. The doctor agreed and performed a small procedure. He told me I would be healed within a week and could resume normal activities.” She smiled. “It’s been a week.”
“Charlotte…”
“Just kiss me and tell me you’re pleased with my news? It means we can make love without being worried about future pregnancies. I’ve missed you, Borgoz, missed your touch. I ache for you.”
“Are you sure it’s been long enough since the procedure? What if you aren’t all the way healed?”
“I went to the doctor yesterday and he said I’m good as new. He said my weight is where it should be, he checked my blood levels, and he did a full body scan. There isn’t a thing wrong with me.”
He growled softly and flipped her onto her back. “In that case…”
Charlotte giggled and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Borgoz’s mouth was harsh and demanding as he kissed her, and Charlotte’s toes curled in ecstasy. It had been so long since he’d kissed her like this, so long since she’d felt more than a platonic touch from him. His hands skimmed her body, making her skin hum from the contact.
His lips closed over the tip of one breast, drawing her nipple into his mouth. Her fingers delved into his hair, holding him close as he sent her to heaven and back. He teased the other side, giving it just as much attention before trailing kisses down her body. As his breath fanned across her damp curls, she shivered in expectation.
Borgoz licked and sucked her tender flesh, making her body flush hot and then tighten as it prepared for release. His tongue dipped, swirled and then thrust inside again. Charlotte couldn’t help but move, lifting her hips in invitation of more. When he eased a finger inside her, she nearly came, crying out from the exquisite torture. He teased and tormented, pushing her to the brink, and just when she thought she would fly, he pulled away.
Charlotte panted and glared at him with narrowed eyes. “That was mean.”
Borgoz laughed, wiped her juices from his chin, and kissed her soundly. “That was only a taste of what’s to come. I wanted to make sure you were ready for me. It’s been a long time and I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Borgoz,” she said softly. “You could never hurt me.”
She welcomed his weight as he settled over her, his arms braced on either side. She felt his cock nudge against her and she wrapped her legs around his waist. As he sank into her, stretching her in the most delicious way, she couldn’t help digging her nails into his shoulders. His shaft slid along her nerves, igniting her body all over again. As he moved inside of her, his hips slapping against hers as he took her faster and harder with every stroke, she realized how very much she loved him. He completed her in every way possible, and had been the only man to ever take her to heaven.
“I love you,” she whispered.
Borgoz growled and took her with frantic thrusts, burying his face in her neck and gently nipping at her. As he came deep inside of her, she let go, crying out his name with her release. Borgoz slid from her body and rolled to his side, pulling her into his embrace.
“You can’t say something like that at such a crucial moment.”
She laughed silently as he panted for breath.
His lips found hers and he gave her the sweetest, most tender kiss she’d ever had. “I love you, too,” he said.
The sound of the baby crying broke their spell and Borgoz sighed, rolling out of bed. He quickly jerked on a pair of pants, kissed her once more, and hurried out of the room. Charlotte loved watching him with their daughter and didn’t want to miss it for anything. She pulled on a nightgown and hurried after him, pausing in the nursery doorway.
He held their daughter against his chest and murmured to her. About a week after Arabella was born, they had discovered their wee daughter couldn’t hear. Some of the bones in her inner ear had never developed, so even a hearing aid wouldn’t help her. Borgoz had immediately started learning sign language and had demanded his people learn it as well, so that his daughter would never be alone in a silent world.
The vibrations of his voice soothed the squalling infant, and she hiccupped and settled. Charlotte smiled as Borgoz eased into the rocking chair Charlotte had brought from Earth. The motion of the chair always put their daughter in a better mood.
While her husband quieted the fussing infant, Charlotte made her way to the kitchen to prepare a bottle. Because of her pregnancy complications, her milk had never come in. She was saddened she’d never get to breastfeed her daughter, but she supposed a bottle was better. That way Borgoz could bond with Arabella as well.
When she was back in the nursery, her heart wrenched in her chest at the picture before her. Borgoz had pulled a soft pink blanket around their daughter and held her in his strong arms. The baby had wrapped his hair around her fist and was holding it against her face as she blinked up at her daddy.
If anyone had told Charlotte how perfect her life would be on Terran, she never would have believed them. She’d set out last year, determined to make the best of a horrible situation, and instead had found love. The hardened politician who had greeted her at the shuttle had softened over the past year, and now he was even more loved by his people.
Chief Councilor and Ambassador to Earth… and beloved husband and father, surprised her every day in new ways. She knew she would spend the rest of her life loving him. She’d set out to find happiness in an unlikely place and instead had been given the world by the man who ruled it.
Jessica Coulter Smith
Jessica lives in a world where warlocks, shapeshifters and fairies exist, and everyone deserves a happy ending -- from tragic vampires finally finding love after centuries of being alone, to super hunky womanizing werewolves finding their destined mate -- it’s all in a day’s work.
Unable to find a werewolf of her very own, she decided to marry someone who thinks he’s one -- minus howling at the full moon, fleas, and a rousing game of chase-the-mailman. Okay, so he sometimes howls at the full moon.
When she isn’t writing, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family, reading (mostly romance), or going to the beach. She’s especially fond of bookstores and Starbucks!
Jessica loves to hear from her fans! You may email her at [email protected] or visit her at her website: http://www.jessicacoultersmith.com. You can also find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicacoultersmith. Would you like to be kept up to date on new releases, offers of free books, and more? Be sure to sign up for Jessica’s newsletter. Find more of Jessica’s Sci-Fi and Paranormal Romances at http://changelingpress.com/author.php?uid=144
Charlotte and the Alien Ambassador Page 9
