A Kiss For a Cure Read online

  “Jor, that–”

  “Shh.” She leaned against him and he wrapped his arms around her. “This was not the way I’d pictured out first Christmas together.” She chuckled and snuggled closer. Hope burned him everywhere he touched her.

  He kissed her forehead. As much as he wanted to share her hope, he knew very well what he’d done. Despite who her parents were, he didn’t see a way out of returning home as a prisoner. There would be no trial for him, even though within his culture his actions would be excused. “It’s not over yet,” he said. “How are you feeling?”

  “Fine. A little sore, but that’s it. You?”

  “No lasting damage.”

  They lapsed into silence. With the room no doubt on an open channel, he didn’t want to talk, and if they were quiet, she couldn’t ask him questions he didn’t want to answer.

  * * * *

  Jordan pulled at the sleeves of her jacket and leaned back to watch Cai polish off the rest of their lunch. She’d thought throwing around her weight as a Richardson-Yondel would do the trick, but she’d lost that gamble. She didn’t know the laws that Cai and the guards referenced, but the lack of conversation about it told her that the outcome wasn’t going to be good.

  She’d gotten Cai back, and now she was going to lose him again.

  “Jor.” His hands wrapped around her shoulders and pulled her against his chest. “Don’t cry.”

  Her breath shuddered in her lungs. “I’m not,” she replied in a reed-thin voice that cracked. Tears threatened to spill down her cheeks, but she refused to shed them. Cai rubbed soothing circles on her back.

  She didn’t know what to do. Losing Cai, for even the little time she did, had been hard enough. She didn’t want to a second time. But if he was going to be shipped back home, could she give up her sharks to go with him? If it meant being happy, she was swayed. But she’d worked so hard to earn her new job as lead researcher. The truth was that no one could take that accomplishment away from her. If it came down to it, she could find work some other place, but there was only one Cai.

  The door to the cell depressurized without a warning and swung open. Jordan sat up and wiped her face before turning to gaze at the younger officer that spoke with them earlier.

  “Doctor Richardson? You and your husband are free to go. Sorry about the inconvenience.” He gestured to the door. “And thank you for your patience while we sorted this out. We hope there are no hard feelings.”

  Cai squeezed her hand and got to his feet first. “Thank you for being so reasonable. We’ll remember that.”

  “Thank you,” she said, and rose at his gentle tug on her arm. He steered her through the door ahead of the officer.

  All around them, the security staff glanced their way, for once not looking at her first. She looped her arm through Cai’s and decided to follow his lead.

  “Your shuttle’s been moved to this level. I hope you don’t mind.” The officer gestured for them to follow him back through the quarters she remembered, and through an alternate entrance that let out in a small shuttle bay where the Fuller Center ship sat ready.

  “Again.” Cai paused and offered the officer his hand. “We appreciate your assistance.”

  The officer glanced at the outstretched hand and then to Cai’s face. He waited a moment before surprising Jordan by taking it. “Any time, sir. Please feel free to visit us again.”

  Cai propelled her into the shuttle and sealed the door behind her. She glanced at the pad and then at him.

  “I didn’t know you knew the codes.”

  Cai put his hands on her shoulders. The zap of awareness that shot through her body jolted through her with more vivid sensation than before. She shivered as he brushed a quick kiss across her forehead.

  “I memorized them while you were playing with your sharks.”

  He moved past her into the cockpit. She either had to follow him or stand around twiddling her thumbs. While he took over the captain’s chair, she strapped into the co-pilot seat.

  “Are they really going to let us leave?” She didn’t completely believe it herself.

  “I think so. That guy was nervous, but he didn’t seem like he was trying to hide anything.” Cai flipped the switches and primed the engines. “Put us through to communications, would you?”

  “You read him didn’t you?” she asked as she brought up the panel in front of her and relayed their request for departure.

  Cai glanced at her. “Yes,” he admitted after a moment.

  “That was clever. It didn’t even occur to me.”

  The minutes stretched out as they waited for confirmation to depart.

  “I’m sorry about Angelique. I didn’t realize she was your wife.” She turned to watch Cai, who had stilled with his hands resting on the controls.

  “I never even spoke to her.” Cai faced her. “Jordan, I never told you this because I didn’t want to alarm you, but the people who killed her approached me about helping kidnap you. I thought I had it under control. That I could protect you, and my arrogance almost got you killed.”

  Shocked, she could only stare at him. His lips were two narrow ribbons, and his brow was furrowed. Where was the sweet man she’d grown to care for? She hadn’t known the dangerous side existed.

  He leaned over her and pressed the chirping comm pad that signaled permission to depart. She watched him engage the engines and maneuver the shuttle out of the bay and into the clogged lanes to leave the station. He engaged the autopilot and turned to face her again.

  “I’d never hurt you.” He took her hands in his and stared at them. “Please believe me. You’re precious. I’d never damage that.”

  Her skin prickled as he began rubbing little circles against the back of her hands. He’d always done that when they were together.

  “Have you ever made me feel something?” Her throat constricted around her words, making it hard to speak.

  Cai squeezed her hands. “No. I can’t alter your emotions. I can overpower them for a while, but only if we were touching.”

  “Were you ever going to tell me about that little trick?”

  “I wasn’t aware that you didn’t know.” He sighed and straightened, holding her gaze.

  “But you suspected?”

  He nodded. “I would never hurt you.”

  She swung her legs to the side so she faced him. “How do I know that? I don’t think you would, but how do I know for sure?”

  “Because you’re part of me.” He scooted toward her, sitting on the edge of his seat and pushing one knee between hers. “We’re right for each other, Jor. You know how I knew something was wrong with you? I was in another part of the station when I felt your fear. I wasn’t touching you, and I knew you were in trouble. Not all mates have that. Only the special ones.”

  It sounded too good to be true. “You said mates could grow apart.”

  “Some can, but we won’t.”

  “How can you say that?”

  “Because I believe it,” he said, sincerity reverberating off him.

  “I don’t know.” She shook her head. Relationships were complicated, and she’d never excelled at them.

  “I’m just asking for a chance. You love me, and you’re scared to admit it.”

  She froze.

  “I love you, as crazy as it sounds, but I’m willing to work at it. Will you let me?”

  Everything bubbled up inside of her. Pulling her hands out of his, she scrubbed at her face and smothered the laughter. “God, what’s wrong with me? You’re handsome, amazing and why am I so crazy?”

  “Do you want me to answer that? Or was that a rhetorical question?” Cai laughed and squeezed her knees.

  “Answer it, please. Tell me I’m being stupid.” Because while she could try to lie to herself, he could read how she really felt with a touch.

  He stood, pulling her up to her feet with him. The shuttle eased forward in the lanes, sending her stumbling into him, but Cai was braced for it and tugged her against his
chest. “You value your freedom, and mine. You have good reason to be suspicious of me, because I haven’t been completely honest with you and your parents are involved. Yet you still have feelings for me, and that confuses you.”

  “You get all that from feedback?” She shook her head.

  “No, part of it is intuition and getting to know you.”

  Tilting her head back, she gazed into his dark eyes. Looking at him inspired all sorts of mushy feelings in her that were heady and scary all at the same time. “Kiss me?”

  One side of his mouth kicked up in a half smile. “You don’t have to ask.”

  She lifted herself up onto her toes and met him halfway. He supported her as their lips connected. He kissed the same as he had, and the same emotions swept her away. Cai’s hands dropped to her waist, but no lower.

  Pushing away from him, she sucked in a deep breath of air. “I really did file for an annulment.”

  “Fine, that just means we can have a real wedding.” He reeled her back in with his arms around her waist.

  “How do you know I’ll marry you?”

  “You have to marry someone, and you already love me.”

  “Stop saying that.” She slapped his chest, scowling.

  “Fine. You like me.”

  “What if you don’t like me in a few weeks, or in a month when Christmas break is over, and I go back to being a crazy scientist?”

  “You’re making me bargain with you?” His muffled laughter was contagious.

  “Maybe?”

  “Fine. I give it six months before you give in and admit that you love me, during which I’ll remind you as often as I feel like it, since I am free to do so. And next year, we can have a Christmas wedding.”

  Burying her face in his chest, she smothered her laughter. Could she be happy with Cai? It was easier to say yes to that than she was ready for.

  “Fine.”

  He pulled her into the ship lounge and sank down into one of the big armchairs. She landed across his lap with little resistance, and allowed him to cuddle her against his chest.

  “Now, the real question is how are we going to celebrate our first Christmas together?” He tilted her face up.

  “What did you have in mind?” she asked, wary of the mischievous glint in his eye.

  “I thought we’d unwrap some presents.”

  She glanced away. “I didn’t get you much.”

  His lips pressed against her neck, in the perfect spot to make her shudder. “I wasn’t talking about unwrapping those presents.”

  A hot flush ignited on her cheeks, and her heart kicked in her chest. “Oh? I think I’d like that.”

  Cai’s brows rose as his grin spread. “Really?”

  “I think you’re wearing off on me,” she managed to get out without stuttering.

  “Oh, I think I like the sound of that, Dr. Richardson.”

  She dug her fingers into his hair and kissed him, because she wanted to, and she could. She’d never felt freer than when she was in Cai’s arms, and she never wanted to leave.

  Sidney Bristol

  http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=authors&authors_id=237

  The first book I ever wrote, at the age of twelve, was really bad Predator fan fiction. Sci-fi has always been my first love and Kiss for a Cure was a return to the genre which started my writing. As a kid I wanted to be an author and marine biologist because I loved sharks. Half of that dream has survived. When I realized I would have to get in the water, I gave up the idea of playing with sharks. That dream didn’t last long, but it did give me a thirst to know more.

  I often write about things I know about from first hand, or want to learn about. In a way, writing is how I explore the world around me, and invite readers to come along for the ride. This has taken me halfway across the world, and as far as Play on Netflix.

  Feed your curiosity, you never know where it will take you.

  Sidney’s Website: www.SidneyBristol.com

  Reader email: [email protected]

  Kiss for a Cure

  9781616504465

  Copyright © February 2013, Sidney Bristol

  Edited by Ann-Marie Smith

  Book design by Lyrical Press, Inc.

  Cover Art by Renee Rocco

  First Lyrical Press, Inc. electronic publication: February, 2013

  Lyrical Press, Incorporated

  http://www.lyricalpress.com

  eBooks are not transferable. All Rights Reserved. This book may not be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in whole or in part by any means, including graphic, electronic, or mechanical without the express written consent of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  PUBLISHER'S NOTE:

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.

  Published in the United States of America by Lyrical Press, Incorporated

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  Table of Contents

  Cover

  Cover Copy

  Highlight

  Kiss for a Cure

  Dedication

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  About Sidney Bristol

  Copyright

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