Chapter Seven #2
Sasha looked up at him, blinking in surprise.
“But I will go, of course. Naturally.” He held up placating paws, backing away.
“Do you know how many guys would take total advantage of what I just said?”
“Well, perhaps some might, if they have the money and prestige to woo a Queen. These days? I do not think any male would press his advantage. Queens have their pick of Knights, and if someone were pressing them, or manipulating them, they would simply leave.”
Sasha continued to stare at him, her flushed face slowly regaining normal color as the cool towel remained on her skin. “You realize that you have money now? You’ve already done the first part of the job, and you’ve got a contract from Farhet, right? A hefty one?”
“Enough to start a whole new life, a lavish one, depending on where I settle.”
“And prestige? You don’t need that with me. Not that you care what you need with me, per se, but to the right person, things like—”
“Oh, no. You are the only... You are the only Queen I have ever been with, or been close to in this way. Where we spend time together and might be intimate,” Gideon admitted his shameful secret, words escaping him in her dark cocoa and cream gaze.
“I care very much about what you want and need. Even if it is only for these few days, or few cycles. For now, you are my right person. Maybe for always.”
Sasha dropped the towel and set her personal computer, a small device she wore on her arm, to the side. “That’s not just a line?”
“A line of what?”
Sasha giggled, “Oh, Gideon. Like, a pick-up line?”
“Are you feeling faint? I can pick you up,” he surged forward, alarm in his eyes.
Just when you thought she was better, she is worse.
Humans are so small and delicate. Is it cruel to ask them to take such risks for us?
A mother would take such risks for her child...
But poor Sasha. She says she will not be able to raise a child, and that she is not maternal, but she would be the kindest, dearest mate and mother. She will not get to raise her cub.
Farhet will raise it.
No, he will send it to Imazi Hills Academy as soon as it is of age. He will hire nannies and nursemaids to keep the child quiet so he can work.
I won’t even be there to look out for the little one.
“A pick-up line is a term that’s been around for centuries. It comes from back in the old days on Earth, when men in bars would try to get women to go home with them. To have sex. Or just dinner, maybe. Usually sex.”
“Ohhh. No, I was just telling you the truth. You are very important to me—and you are also my only partner. This is very likely my only chance to even pretend to have a Queen, so... So I will do it well, and I will look after you just the way you want. Do you still want to get out of those clothes, Sasha? I can find something cooler?”
Sasha just stared at him, her mouth moving without sound. Then, she nodded. “Um. Yes. I... Would you get me some ice? I know there’s some in the kitchenette, but I forget how to work the dispenser.”
“Ah, yes. It’s all a matter of programming the en suite dispensers. You go and sit.”
SASHA SAT DOWN HARDER than she meant to on the too-tall, too-huge bed.
She stared at Gideon’s muscled back, speckled with a dozen white flecks and splotches, a unique pattern that she was now fantasizing about touching, about stroking softly, so that the Felid before her would know he was beautiful, inside and out.
How could he say he’s not adorable?
Because he could be a freaking Felid model. He’s unique, he’s striking, he’s sculpted... Gorgeous.
A wave of heat coursed through her again as she rolled to her side, watching the large Leonid, someone who could so easily tear her to shreds, fussing over making her a cold drink to soothe her feverishness.
“This is my first time, too,” she murmured aloud, mostly to herself.
Leonid hearing was excellent, far better than a human’s, she realized immediately.
There was a clatter of ice and a stifled yelp. Sasha had to smother a laugh when she watched Gideon’s broad back and graceful limbs suddenly contort in crazy ways as he tried to catch the falling ice, juggle a glass, and process her words.
“But did you not say earlier—”
“I’ve been with guys, yeah. It’s the first time I’ve had someone I care about very much, and the first time I’ve had someone attentive and good like you in my life. Even if it’s for a short time. You’re my important person, too.”
Gideon turned to her, drink in hand, golden eyes wide and almost glossy looking. “You don’t have to say such kind things,” he whispered, bringing the drink and a bundle of ice in a towel to her.
“I’m only telling the truth. This thing we’re doing is too important to mess up with lies,” she whispered back as the realization hit her afresh how important their roles were, not just in helping rebuild a population, but in building their own lives.
“I feel cooler already,” she whispered, putting the ice against her throat.
“Good. I will look for something for you to wear.” Gideon bustled away. “May I look in the closet?” he asked.
“You don’t have to. You’re not some servant.”
“You’re not feeling well. You’re my Queen. If I were ill, what would you do?”
The thought of Gideon not being well, like seriously sick, suddenly pummeled her, and she could only envision herself holding his paw, bending over him, being his ministering angel.
The scenes in her head were decidedly more than just friends.
“I’d be a mess. I’d be worried sick. But also, I’d take good care of you.”
“I know you would. Erm. The Lynxian System. With the credits you’ll earn from this program, you’ll have enough to live on while you finish your studies and become a nurse, or even a doctor. Probably a specialist. You could have your pick of places to work in.”
“That’s a thought. And you mentioned the Lynxian System being somewhere you’re interested in.” Sasha got up and retrieved her personal computer, typing a note to Marcus, telling him about the feverish feeling that was now dissipating. “What would you do there?”
“Honestly? I would invest and develop properties. I have been managing one of the finest households in Imazi Hills for years, even though that is never spoken of. I am in charge of most of Farhet’s communications.
I see all of his dealings. I know how to invest, and I know what things hold their value.
” Gideon pulled out a dress or two, studied them, and put them back.
“If I had been smarter, I would have considered investing in properties and land in other systems, but I was held back by my family being on Leonid-One, and the quarantines and the virus... My wages were never enough to invest in property on Leonid-One, the wealthiest planet in the entire Galaxy—although Leopardine-One challenges that claim every few years.”
“You’re so smart.”
“Would this work?” Gideon held out a pair of roomy synthetic cotton shorts and one of her lounging bras, something she’d brought with her in a size or two too big, presuming she’d need the room to grow if the surrogacy was successful.