It wasn’t altogether because she dreaded the ‘talk’ he’d put off until they landed.
He looked—absolutely divine. He’d shed the uniform they’d worn during the trip. Now he wore nothing more than what amounted to a loin cloth to cover his privates. Around his waist, he’d fastened a leather belt that secured an ornately handled sword and scabbard at his side. He’d pulled his long, blond hair into a queue at the base of his skull and tied it with a twisted length of leather.
The uniform conformed to the shape of his body in loving detail, and she’d known he was built well, but their coupling before had been so frantic they hadn’t actually taken the time to undress and she hadn’t had the opportunity to admire his body.
Nor did she think she’d ever properly appreciated his classical features as she did now for although she’d always considered him heart-stoppingly handsome, she’d always been too overawed to do more than sneak peeks at him.
The scanty clothing that had been furnished for her own use made more sense to her now. Obviously, his clothing and the clothing they’d been given aboard ship were not only typical, but in common usage among the cyborgs because the planet’s climate required nothing more.
For many minutes, she simply stopped and stared at him. Finally, however, she realized that he was giving her an equally thorough examination. Discomfort settled over her as his gaze swept over her belly and she jolted forward once more.
Yet another thing to worry about, she thought wryly as she punched in her code at the key lock of her quarters. The climate might be balmy enough to make clothing unnecessary, but that it also left her with very little to hide her condition. She had no clue of when it would become obvious that she was breeding, but she doubted it would be long.
“Make yourself comfortable,” she offered a little stiltedly, gesturing in the general direction of the chair as she headed toward the bathroom. “I’m going to freshen up.”
She didn’t feel the need to wash up nearly as badly as she felt the need for just a few minutes to collect herself. On the other hand, she didn’t want him to know she was stalling for time. She didn’t linger.
Reese was pacing the floor when she returned to the living area.
Amaryllis studied him with a mixture of surprise and uneasiness. “You didn’t want to sit down?”
He glanced at the chair distractedly and finally shook his head.
“Refreshment?”
“No. I thank you.”
Amaryllis nodded, studied the chair a moment and finally decided to leave it in case he changed his mind and sit on the bunk that served as a couch during the day. She didn’t particularly want Reese towering over her, but he did even when she was standing. She figured she might as well get as comfortable as possible, particularly since her knees felt a little weak.
The moment she settled, Reese stopped pacing and knelt in front of her. “You have decided?”
Amaryllis frowned at the abruptness of the question. She hadn’t expected him to come straight to the point and she wasn’t particularly pleased that he had. “No.”
He looked confused. “The hunter—the one called Cain—he is here. You are here.”
“He’s here?” she echoed, surprised.
“You did not know?”
“I didn’t.”
He looked somewhat relieved, but also confused. “You have decided not to contract with him?”
Amaryllis felt blood flood her cheeks. “He hasn’t asked.”
“You are waiting for him to ask?”
Indignation added to the color in her cheeks. “I’m not holding my breath, if that’s what you mean,” she snapped.
He frowned. “I do not understand.”
“What don’t you understand?”
“Why would you hold your breath?” he asked curiously.
Amaryllis bit her lip to keep from smiling. “It means I’m not waiting for Cain to ask, OK?”
He still looked confused but finally he took her hand. “I have come to ask if you will not decide yet. I have made an appointment for reprogramming.”
