Page 85 of The Baron's Bride
“Oh my God,really?So that’s how the two of you did it the first time? As a kind of demonstration?”
I nodded.
“Yeah, pretty much.”
“Maybethat’swhy you didn’t Bond,” Rylee said, frowning speculatively. “I know when Drace and Lucian and I Bonded, we were all really focused on being together. It sounds like you and Vik’tor were just…I don’t know, putting on a sex show.”
“Well, it’s not like we had a choice!” I pointed out. “I mean she pretty muchorderedus to show her how to do it in several different positions.”
“Wow, doing it in front of a royal audience.” Rylee shook her head and grinned at me. “I never would have guessed you’d be up for that, Natalie! My baby cousin, gettingnasty.”
“Says the woman withtwohusbands,” I said dryly.
“Oh, you know I’m just kidding you.” She nudged my arm with her elbow. “Lighten up!”
“I’ll feel better when I get to see Vik’tor again,” I told her. “You know, it’s funny—we haven’t even known each other a whole week yet, but I feel such a strong connection to him. I…Rylee, I really think Ilovehim. Being dragged away from him like this has made me realize it.”
“Then you should stay with him,” Rylee said simply. “Bond or no Bond—you ought to stay with the man you love.”
“But what about my family?” I pleaded. “I miss my Moma and Daddy so much!”
“Of course you do.” She nodded. “I remember always being so jealous of you after my own mom and dad died. I mean, I loved Aunt Celia and Uncle Carl, but you still had your real parents and I could tell how much they cared about you. But you know…you can always go back for visits.”
“You can?” I asked uncertainly.
She nodded.
“Sure, you can. I was planning to go for a visit after my guys and I finished this last diplomatic mission we were assigned. I haven’t been back since just before Lucian and Drace and I Bonded. It’s going to be good to see everyone again.”
“But…what will you tell them?” I demanded.
Rylee sighed.
“I’ve been thinking about that. Last time I told them I was going on a trip to Europe with some clients who wanted me for a long time but I hate to lie.”
“Yeah, well in this case, a lie might be less scary than the truth,” I pointed out.
Rylee nodded thoughtfully.
“Maybe… But Leah toldhermom about her Braxian hubby, you know, and how she’s living on a different planet now and her mom rolled with it.” She frowned. “But I’m not sure how wellourfamily would take it.”
“Well…I know my dad loves Star Trek,” I ventured. “And Aunt Celia is his big sister—they used to watch it together sometimes, I think.”
“Yeah, but loving a sci-fi show is different fromlivingone,” Rylee pointed out. She sighed. “I’ll have to think about it some more. Either I introduce my guys to them or else I’ll have to tell everyone I’ve taken another job somewhere really distant with bad cell reception.” She smiled at me. “Of course, if you and Vik’tor decide to stay together, you can tell them you got a job at the same company.”
“What am I going to tell them about the past six months, though?” I asked. “I mean, I’ve been missing now for a lot longer than you were before you left again.”
“Honestly, I don’t know,” Rylee admitted. She pressed my hand. “But I’m sure we can think ofsomething.And then you and Vik’tor can stay together.”
“What about my PhD, though?” I asked, still thinking of spending my life with Vik’tor. “I was getting so close to finishing it!”
“Look, hon, a PhD is nice, but don’t you think exploring the galaxy is nicer?” Rylee asked. “I mean, think about it—your wholeworldis bigger now. You don’t have to settle for someplace on Earth—you can go anywhere youwant.”
“But that’s the thing—Vik’tor’s business is on O’nagga Nine and I already told you what a frozen hellhole that world is,” I pointed out. “I just don’t know if I can stand to live there the rest of my life, never going outside because I’ll freeze to death if I stay out longer than a few minutes. And there’s hardly any sunlight—it’s gray and cold and miserableallthe time. I’ll miss Florida too much—all the sun and the beaches…”
“Well, you have a point,” Rylee admitted. She sighed. “In the end, I think you’re just going to have to decide for yourself. But let me know what you’re going to do before too long, okay? Like I said, I’m taking a trip back home and you and I need to be on the same page before I go.”
“All right,” I promised. “I’ll tell you. Though to be honest, it’s not all up to me. I mean, Vik’tor hasn’t said that he loves me or he wants us to stay together forever or anything like that. Like I said, we only met a few days ago.”