Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 65094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
I raise a brow. “If I didn’t know any better, I would think you were jealous.”
“I’m not jealous,” she quickly retorts making it clear that she was indeed jealous.
“It’s true I have companions, but I haven’t visited either of them long before you arrived.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“I have no reason to lie to you Jamie. I’m not ashamed of my conduct.”
“Then why haven’t you visited them? Isn’t the point of having a companion to take care of your…er...needs?”
“That’s true but these past months, my sector has been in chaos. I’ve barely been at the fortress. Since you arrived, I’ve had to go to and handle emergencies that keep cropping up. Besides…”
I break off not wanting to admit that I had lose interest in visiting either of the two companions currently assigned to me. They were both beautiful women who were well mannered and satisfying in bed. But the thought of going to either of them after being with Jamie holds no appeal.
It leaves me to wonder what would happen when she does get pregnant and have my child. What then?
And I still have to figure out how to fix the flag on her record.
With so much going on in my sector and my fortress, my biggest dilemma was how could I keep Jamie safe?
Finished with my task of rubbing the cream in her back. I scoot off the bed. “You should probably get some rest. Tomorrow, your new maid will be here. She’ll be new to the fortress so Willa will be with her until she is comfortable with her duties.”
“Are you leaving?”
“I think I should. I have a busy day ahead of me. As will you. It’s my understanding that you haven’t had a proper tour of the fortress since you’ve been here. I’d like for you to familiarize yourself with the structure.”
I slide into my pants and pick up the rest of my clothes on the floor. “Goodnight Jamie.”
“Goodnight, Draken,” she replies softly.
I want to stay with her but I know if I do, I would end up putting her in danger. If people were aware that I’m getting closer to her beyond trying to impregnate her, she could be used against me.
For now I would keep her at a safe distance until I can figure out what’s happening in the fortress.
Chapter
Eighteen
JAMIE
Another day has passed and I’m hit with a new emotion.
Boredom.
Even now, as I stare out the window on the snowy estate, I find the need to get out of this room and do something, anything. At the manor, Noah had encouraged that I read. Willa had given me an e-device where I could access most forms of entertainment media but I wasn’t sure how to use it and I was too embarrassed to ask.
When I first arrived, I was perfectly fine staring at the walls and clinging to the numb, and sleeping most of the day away. But now that something had been awakened in me, I’m starting to feel human again. And I blame the Sector Leader.
Last night was so surreal. Did I really get into the shower with Draken and do lewd things to him without being told? Was I under some kind of spell? More than anything, I wished I could speak to my sister. Maybe she would understand what’s happening to me. And then I remember the last time I saw her. She probably thinks I’m some ungrateful brat.
Maybe I am. I was so wrapped up in my own pain, and resentment that I was unwilling to let anyone in, even my own family. I wish I hadn’t spent that time in the Sector 6 manor pushing everyone away.
I regret judging Noah so harshly now that I find myself in the same predicament. Is this love? It can’t be. We haven’t known each other long enough for such deep feelings to develop. And can I feel anything other than contempt toward a superious?
Then why do I feel so bereft when he’s not here? Why did I dream about him? Why can’t I stop thinking about how my body comes alive from a simple touch? His touch to be specific.
Draken is full of surprises. I’ve seen a side of him that I didn’t expect. But I also realize he’s holding something back. He’d hinted that something was going on at the fortress but he didn’t elaborate. When he said he wanted me to get to know the layout, it almost felt like a coded message.
I wondered if it had something to do with those awful maids I had to deal with that first week. His personal attendant Johra had been distant but he wasn’t as bad as those two.
Rhia and Sahra reminded me a lot of Lynsey in the way they treated other homo sapiens. There had been people on the commune whose personalities didn’t gel with mine but living under the authority of the Registry, I learned how anyone with just the tiniest sliver of power used it to subjugate others.