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“We have something similar to internships. An augmentation role that allows the recipient to foster skills as a political aide and adjutant… among other things. I leave next week for Halos. Come with me. It will take time to travel, of course, even with the wormholes in alignment and the convenience of stasis. But a year on Halos is equivalent to six months on Earth.” He rattled off his proposal as if it meant nothing for her to uproot and transport herself to the other side of the galaxy.
Wormholes? Hibernation? She’d no idea if she could withstand the pressure of any of these things, never mind working in a role for which she’d received no preparation.
She nearly choked on her disbelief. “You’re kidding, right?” she spluttered.
He pressed his lips tight together. Apparently, no, he wasn’t. He was deadly serious.
“Fuck,” she muttered and quickly swallowed a generous mouthful of wine.
“Yes. There is that, too,” he said softly.
“What?” She wondered if she’d misheard him; she’d been gulping down her drink. Perhaps she had. He couldn’t possibly think she would…
He cleared his throat and the image evaporated. He continued with a calmness she envied. “We should discuss the finer details of your specific internship. I do think it will help you. Imagine the prestige of being the first human to live and work on Halos, and in our government. Nillson will be very envious.” He grinned.
“This is revenge?” She crushed the napkin in her lap. She wouldn’t do it, not for him or anyone. She wouldn’t stoop that low and if Jamen thought she would be his tool, he was wrong. Spying for her side was one thing; being part of an alien’s vendetta was something else.
He lifted his hand. “No. Absolutely not. Please, this is not the place to discuss this. We can go to my suite.”
“Your room? Like alone with you?” She wanted to go with him. The invitation was tantalizing but also scary.
“You’re safe with me,” he said, dabbing his mouth with the napkin.
He reminded Paige of a nobleman—polite, bound by unwritten etiquette, and forthright in a way that implied he always got what he wanted, regardless. She kind of liked the idea of him being her straight-talking boss, unlike the councilors at the city hall, who danced around issues and fought for personal agendas. She was supposed to work with one of them, which one she didn’t know, but none of them appealed to her.
Jamen appealed to her in a crazy way; an inappropriate way. She had butterflies in her stomach still, but they weren’t the bad kind anymore because she wasn’t going to be Nillson’s stooge any longer. The new fluttering signaled a different sensation and with it came erect nipples that tented the fabric of her dress and tingling goosebumps, which was odd because she was hot.
She crossed her legs, not quite ready to move. “Safe? I’ve just admitted to a covert operation—”
He laughed. “Hardly successful.”
She scowled.
The laughter died away. “Unsuccessful doesn’t mean I approve of your actions. I invited you to eat with me because I like you. I want to get to know you. So, a little part of me is disappointed that you did not seek to explain your predicament and allow me to help you. What should you say about your behavior toward me?” He folded his arms across his chest.
Her jaw dropped. “You want me to… here?”
“As I said, we should adjourn to my room and we can discuss your future in private. That way you can speak freely, since you’re struggling to complete sentences.”
He constructed his sentences with admirable ease. She envied his ability to speak English, and the accent he used served only to reinforce the richness of his voice. She squished her thighs together.
The opportunity was a once in a lifetime kind and she should grab it. Her father always told her that things happened for a reason. She would be the first human on Halos and a female working for a Vendu senator. If she survived the posting, the most eminent leaders, perhaps even presidents and ministers might snatch her up. Maybe an attachment to the Earth Defense Council, the premier organization on the planet.
Of course, that was assuming she had what it took to work for an alien, on a strange planet, without friends to help her and no easy escape route. She stared at the man opposite her who was waiting patiently for her to process her inner thoughts. He was making a point—this was her decision, and probably the first of many.
“Okay,” she said, uncrossing her legs. “Let’s go to your room.”
The words came easier than movement. She walked alongside him as stiff as a board, unable to relax or calm her nervous energy.
They entered the elevator together and he punched the button for the pen
thouse. The mirrors offered her a brief moment to inspect herself. She deflated as she saw the mess of loose strands of hair, the crease lines in her skirt and the scuffmark on her shoes. She bent a fraction and tried to smooth the wrinkles out.
“You look fine,” he said, and reached out to touch the back of her hand. “Leave it.”
The calming touch stayed and slowly his fingers wrapped themselves around her hand.
“You’re still trembling,” he noted, holding her clammy palm against his cool one. “Don’t be afraid. I really feel we should be together,” he said softly.
