Close Encounter (7 page)
Authors: Deanna Lee
“Consummated or not, it’s obvious to anyone exactly what our marriage is, Sean.”
“It doesn’t matter how we got here or how far we progress romantically before anyone gets out here to try to take you back to Earth,” Sean said bluntly. “You’re my wife, and there is no one in the USC that can change that. I might be a scientist, but I picked this fight, and I’m more than willing to see it through.”
She curled her fingers over the top of his hand where it rested on his hip. “I could… I could fall in love with you.”
He had to admit, at least to himself, that he was already halfway there, but he wasn’t foolish enough not to realize that part of it was her vulnerability and perhaps a smidgen of hero worship. Sean had been a huge fan of Eliza’s career and work since he’d first read about her. It would be so easy to just let himself love her. Though he wasn’t sure how to respond to her statement without it sounding like a copout.
“I believe we could make a family together,” he finally whispered. “If we let love happen and get to know each other properly. We have time.”
She snuggled into him and relaxed into sleep more quickly than he expected. Sean pulled a sheet over their cooling bodies and held her while he mentally ran through the possibilities.
“Sir, orbital blackout will end in twenty-two minutes.”
“Is her data packet ready for transmission?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Send it through as soon as we reestablish direct contact with Jupiter Station. My hibernation cycle is scheduled to begin shortly, so tell them that. If they communicate directly or attempt to speak with her while I’m unconscious, I expect you to interrupt my cycle.”
“Of course, sir.” Arti lowered the lights further in the room; a cover slid down over the observation window. “I’ve activated the full range of scanners, sir. There are no craft near the station.”
“Keep a weather eye out,” Sean said as he pulled his wife closer. “Don’t let anyone get close to us without letting me know well in advance.” He hesitated, conflicted but resolved in his course of action. “Activate equipment construction bay.”
“To what end, sir?” Arti asked.
“I’m going to need a weapon. You know my preferences.”
“Of course. Sleep well, sir.”
Sean closed his eyes and surrendered to hibernation.
To be continued in
The Trinity Accord
.
Author Bio
Deanna Lee is an erotic romance author living in the southern United States with two spoiled rotten dogs and her husband. When she isn’t plotting world domination, she splits her time between writing and the day-to-day operations of Cobblestone Press, which she co-founded with her sister from another mister, Sable Grey.