Galactic domination.
If only it were that simple. But no, that was too petty for someone like General Narron. No, his plans would be rooted deeper than that.
Setting his drink back down on the table, Lee let himself sink back into Kat as the hazy stupor took over.
CHAPTER 13: KAT
KAT HAD never seen so much orange in her life.
She had to blink against the full force of the burnt sienna, terracotta, and tangerine as she followed Lee and Tonya out of the ferry-shuttle.
The small resort-planet was a collection of airy, humid walkways and painted balconies. Tiled archways and breezy palms and low-ceiling rooms stacked several high around her.
“Overwhelmed?” Lee guessed, sliding his lazr-pods into the pocket of his dark jeans.
“Overstimulated.” Kat tugged at Lee’s hoodie, pulling it tighter and more snug around her as she stared up at the painted wall behind him that read, “Welcome to Bala!” All the color and vibrance were as alien to her as any humanoid or creature out there roaming the universe.
“We’re all checked in,” Tonya beamed, strolling back towards them. “I used some of my friend Bri’s points and was able to get us a really good deal.”
Lee’s mom looked fresh off vacation, with her perfectly bleached waves and tanned face. She wore a pair of woven sandals and coordinating linen dress that she’d likely purchased for this very occasion.
Kat crossed her dark legging-clad legs and boots over each other, tugging at Lee’s hoodie once more.
“Oh, I almost forgot!” Tonya reached into her oversized tote, pulling out a couple pairs of tinted glasses and handing one to each of them. “Sunnies!” She slipped a third pair with oversized lenses over her own eyes, before reaching back into her bag.
Kat fingered the delicate frames, eyes bulging out of her head when she saw the little price tag. Outside of her raider gear, she’d never owned anything so nice—nor so fragile.
“What do you think?” Lee asked, drawing her attention up from the glasses in her hands to the fresh haircut tousled over his brow. The dark frames perched against his prominent cheekbones like they were made for him.
“Very hot,” she said, her mouth going dry even as she remembered Tonya standing there with them.
Lee’s lips pulled up in the corners.
“Shall we go find our rooms?” Tonya asked, closing her bag once more.
Still wearing his glasses, Lee adjusted the straps of the duffles on his shoulders before reaching a hand back for her. They followed Tonya out past a pool, where twenty-somethings kicked their feet in the water and tossed back broad-rimmed glasses of iced drinks, and up a flight of stairs to a painted wooden sign labeled “Mezzanine.”
It was more laid-back and relaxed up here, some of the music and echoes from the pool were muffled by the covered hallway, creating a warm, ambient feel. Kat loosened her cradle grip on her new sunnies as they reached a set of beach-blue painted doors that had been left propped open.
“I got us adjoining rooms for the week,” Tonya informed them, face positively gleeful as she let Lee and Kat go past her. The first room had a little dining service kitchenette and a queen bed, with a set of hanging bamboo blinds that opened onto a broad patio. A small glass table and a set of woven armchairssat around it, perfect for enjoying a quiet morning while sipping something cool.
The second was a little smaller, with a double-wide hemp sofa in place of the kitchenette, and its own tiny bathing room. A huge pile of orange and aqua throw pillows lined the bed. It too opened to the patio through its own entrance. Kat drew up the blinds and slid the door open.
A synthetic breeze brushed across her face as she stepped outside. She sighed as she inhaled the sticky, salty-sweet air. She closed her eyes as she let the warm rays of the solar satellite kiss her nose and cheeks.
“Now that’s hot,” Lee said.
Eyes still closed, Kat smiled as he came up behind her, his sturdy chest brushing up against her back. Her pulse did a little jive as they tangled their fingers together. She’d forgotten what sun felt like.
“I hope everything looks okay with the rooms,” Tonya said apologetically from the doorway.
“This is more than enough,” Kat grinned shyly as she turned, fingers still laced with Lee’s. “I’m sorry Mr. Waters couldn’t come.”
“Oh, thank you, honey. Thea rarely takes vacation time. Luckily, he was home all of last week.” Tonya waved her hand in dismissal. But she was beaming again as she pushed off from the doorway, a knowing sparkle in her eye. “Anyway, I’ll leave you kids to get settled. I heard they have a really fun grille down by the pool—come find me later, when you’re ready.”
“Thank you so much, Mrs. Waters.” The emotion warming behind her eyes surprised her as she blinked down at the patio tiles.
“Thanks mom,” Lee called over his shoulder.
