“Yes, my lady. I did get that impression on the initial trip to Earth. And if I might speak out of turn, Mr. FitzOsbern was not very kind to you.”
“Thank you, Prudence. I wish my mother understood what manner of man he is.”
“He doesn’t let her see it,” Prudence said.
“What?”
“He only shows your mother his good side, which in my opinion makes it hard for her to understand why you don’t want to have anything to do with him.”
“Do you think it would matter?”
“Yes, I do. I don’t think she wants you to be unhappy. She believes Mr. FitzOsbern is nicer than he is. He makes sure she sees only his best behavior.” Prudence’s cheeks flushed again. Cam wondered why, but didn’t want to upset her more by pointing it out.
Gage came back in to shoo Cam and Ria out. “She needs to rest.”
“Will she be able to get back on the ship and return to Alpha-Prime in two days?” Cam asked.
“I should think so. Her stomach will hurt for several more days, but with the antidote, she shouldn’t have any permanent damage. I’ll give her some medication for the pain. She’ll be fine. They will all be fine, don’t worry. We caught it very early.”
Cam grabbed Ria’s hand and pulled her toward the door.
“Where are you going?” Gage asked.
“If the current danger and drama have been resolved, I’d like to spend the next two days alone with Ria. Tell Axel, Diesel, Jack and anyone else asking about me that I don’t want to be disturbed. We’ll be on the platform when the ship docks.”
Gage smiled. “Will do. Have fun.”
Cam didn’t respond, but that was exactly what he intended to do. Have fun with Ria until the moment she had to leave. Maybe she could convince her mother to end the arranged marriage, but Cam didn’t want to count on that.
He could only count on the next two days to prove that no matter what happened, he loved her and would do anything for her.
Chapter Eighteen
Ria and Cam went back to his house after discovering that the crust-fish fever scare was just that, a scare. Cam texted each of his brothers to repeat what he’d told Prudence and Gage about wanting privacy for the next two days.
They spent the rest of the day and night wrapped in each other’s arms, talking about anything that came to mind as their time together brutally ticked down. They ate dinner holding hands and, with the exception of bathroom breaks, didn’t stray farther than a few inches from each other over the next twenty-four hours.
Cam kissed her anytime he wanted and she enjoyed every lip-licking moment. They hadn’t slept together since the morning after he discovered she was about to be engaged to another guy and that hadn’t changed since they left Prudence in the medical area in the basement at the Big Bang Truck Stop.
“Tomorrow around noon, the ship will return,” she said, noting they had one last day together. And one last night.
“Yep.”
“I’m going to talk to my mother before she even gets off the ship.”
He nodded and smiled, but his eyes didn’t look happy.
“I really will.”
“And I believe you. I just don’t think it will make any difference.” He smoothed a palm over her hair, tucking a loose strand behind her ear. “She doesn’t like me. Even if the wedding arrangement with Dirt Bag falls through, I’m not the next choice on her list of potential mates for you.”
“I only have one name onmylist.”
“Oh?” He acted nonchalant, but she couldn’t resist playing.
“That sheriff that looks like an Alpha, what’s his name?”
