Page 12 of Jhon
But the little box she swore should be the shower had no plumbing at all, just a button with the word chemical in Universal above it. She figured that had to be for industrial cleaning of the refresher between guests.
There was a vial of soap powder and a small jug of clear water by the faucet-less sink. After a long day of travel, she was desperate enough to put them to use.
After giving herself a quick sink bath, she felt much better.
She pulled on a fresh dress and wondered if the dragon warrior would even recognize her in a simple shift instead of a gown.
Dragon warrior.
She had known the baby would have to be delivered to her somehow, but why was he accompanied by an Invicta soldier? It was like needing a drop of salt water and getting an ocean - an overkill of the most epic proportions.
Not that she was complaining.
The memory of his touch shivered through her senses again.
She studied her own face in the mirror, wondering what he saw when he looked at her.
He sees a bedraggled street rat, of course, she told herself sternly. Focus on the baby. He’s your family now.
Eager to get back to her son, she turned away from the mirror and grabbed the empty water container before heading back into the tiny room.
She tried not to think about the fact that there was only one bed. It was big enough that she wouldn’t have to be anywhere near him, and that was probably a good thing.
“I guess we should ask for more water,” she said, holding up the container. “There isn’t a faucet in there.”
“Rings of Odysseron,” the warrior said furiously. “You used it all?”
“It was only a small container,” she said, feeling completely confused. “And like I said, there was no water to bathe with.”
“There’s a perfectly good chemical shower,” he told her. “Now we’ll have no water to drink tonight, or clean our teeth.”
“Chemical shower,” she breathed, realizing her mistake.
“Yes, I know it’s not the same as indulging in a massive bubble bath,” he said. “But it’s the only responsible thing to do on a dry moon. You’re part of something bigger than yourself here, princess.”
“Stop calling me that,” she said.
“What should I call you?” he retorted.
Taken aback, she realized she hadn’t even introduced herself.
“I’m Ella,” she said holding out her hand. “Ella Lawrence.”
After a moment, he clasped her arm at the elbow.
“Jhon,” he said, his deep voice rough.
Waves of need moved through her, worse than the last time he had touched her. She let go as soon as they had shaken once, eager to break the contact, but somehow also sad at its loss.
“So, you’re really an Invicta warrior?” she asked, looking away and trying to catch her breath.
“I am,” he said.
“Why is an Invicta warrior accompanying this little baby?” she asked, indicating Bo, who was sleeping soundly in Jhon’s arms. “Is he in some sort of trouble?”
“What kind of trouble could he be in?” Jhon scoffed. “He can’t even feed himself.”
“That’s not what I meant,” she told him. “I mean is he in some kind of danger? Why would they send a dragon warrior instead of an adoption counselor?”