Page 18 of Jorhee

“Right? Though I kinda get why. So many people would want to come, and the vast majority of them would be young single dreamers. This way, you only get families or singles really wanting to commit.” He let out a soft, deprecating laugh, “And don’t I sound like a hypocrite?”

I smiled gently down at him. “Not to me. You haven’t tried to break the bargain you made.”

“But I sure as hell tried to make sure that you got a damned good sniff, certain that when you did, you’d realize it was all a cock up.”

“Cock up?”What did one’s dick being hard have to do with anything?

“It means a mistake, a screw up.”

“Well, I did get a really good, and quite pungent, whiff of you, and it confirmed the match is correct.”

“And I looked like an ass showing up all sweaty and gross after exercising all morning and not showering or changing clothes.”

I laughed. “It certainly made our first meeting memorable.”

“Um, we turn here,” he said, indicating we should bear left at a junction. “And this is me.”

A guard stood at attention, bowing deeply when he saw us.

“I wish they’d stop doing that,” Jesse muttered.

“You’ll get used to it.”

“I doubt it.” He pressed his hand to the doorplate, and it swished open, revealing a very happy four legged canine that yipped and began bouncing about, tail wagging so hard its entire back end moved along with it. “Okay, okay,” Jesse laughed, letting go of my hand now as he stepped inside and tried to wrangle his pet. “Yes, Daddy’s home!”

The animal noticed me now and began the same dance.

“Remain here. I am in no danger,” I told my guards as I went inside.

“Wow, he’s taken to you already. Usually the German shepherd side of him has him acting more cautious towards new people, but he’s all Team Prince Johree already.”

“He can no doubt scent that I am no threat. And you did scent mark me with your sweaty hand in mine, which he just sniffed.”

He blushed again, and I found myself endeared by it, wondering how else I might get his skin to flush so beautifully. Would he be this responsive under me as I took him apart?

“Did they tell you I definitely still want to have my ranch?” he asked, holding up a harness for Buster to see. Buster immediately sat down and stilled. “Good boy!” he crooned, kneeling to put it on. Then he attached a lead onto a metal ring on the back of it. “Okay, We’re ready. They can bring everything else.”

I palmed open the door, letting him leave first.

“They did,” I confirmed, “it was in the data packet they sent me yesterday. I do not see a problem with you doing so, butas governor, I will be extremely limited in time as to when I can assist you. Not to mention, I know very little about animal husbandry other than the economic and environmental sides of it. I had hoped you would aid me in my efforts to integrate the humans with the Dragonii population so they will feel truly at home, and help me understand their needs as the colony grows.”

“Oh! Yeah, I can see how I should take on that responsibility.”

We stopped in front of an elevator, and Kiprr pressed the plate to call it for us.

Jesse sighed. “I think…no, I know, part of me wants the ranch so much because of how things went down with my family. But mostly, I really like working with the animals, and I want to get my two horses back.”

“Bob brought the horses to my attention. When you say back, does this mean someone took them from you?” I had not missed the suggestion of familial dispute his earlier words had evoked.

The elevator doors slid open, and we went inside.”

“Destination?” Xeranos asked, the AI present asThe Taloned Wingwas officially attached to the Mylos Fleet and Earth.

“The landing bay,” I responded.

“Okie dokie! Have a great trip to your new home, Jesse. I’m sure Prince Johree and Bob will take excellent care of you.” The elevator began to move.

My guards looked bemused at this.