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Emilia
Emilia watched the kids pour in the front door and through the foyer to get to the family room, where Ra’as was sitting in his chair by the fire.
He looked incredible in a crisp, white button-down and trousers, his hair loose around his shoulders.
He wasn’t working, and he wasn’t standing in the kitchen wolfing down his dinner alone.
There was something almost relaxed about his posture. And his eyes danced as if in anticipation of a nice night.
Maybe their talk earlier had gotten through to him and he was planning to spend some quality time with the kids.
She smiled at the thought.
He glanced up at her and gave her back a smile that was slow, sexy and full of promise.
Blood rushed to her cheeks, and she wasn’t sure what to think or where to look, so she focused on the kids instead.
“Why don’t you thank your father for letting you get all those wonderful garden supplies?” she encouraged them.
“Thanks, Dad,” Dyrk said shyly.
“We got worms,” Mimi yelled, running right up to show him the little plastic cell.
“Wow, that’s wonderful,” Ra’as said, looking at the worms with Mimi. “Those go outside, right?”
Mimi’s face fell, as if she had been planning a sleepover with them.
“Thank you for the credits,” Emilia said quickly, not wanting to let the atmosphere be ruined. “That was very generous. I’ll give you back your change now.”
She held out her wrist, anticipating the pleasure of feeling his hand on her again.
But he shook his head. “Keep it for other projects,” he said. “Just let me know when you need more.”
She nodded, stupefied. They could build a garden every day for a year and not run out. She was pretty sure some Outer Ring economies ran on less.
“There was so much cool stuff, Dad,” Dyrk began. “You should have seen—”
But a loud set of chimes began to ring, cutting him off.
Ra’as’s face fell momentarily, but he rallied, getting to his feet.
“That’s for me,” he said. “I’m taking a private meeting tonight, so I’ll be in my rooms. You can tell me more tomorrow.”
A private meeting? Is he really planning to work all night?
Emilia watched in disbelief as he headed for the foyer.
The kids instinctively trailed after him and instead of scolding them, she followed.
Ra’as opened the door to reveal a tall, curvy woman with a lot of deep-blue skin showing. She wore a snug red dress and a little more lipstick than Emilia would have with that outfit.
“Hi, there,” the woman said in a light but seductive way. “The agency told me I could be here a few minutes early. I hope you don’t mind.”
A professional.
Ra’as Drayven had hired a professional consort. He was going to spend time with this painted woman instead of with his own children. They hadn’t even gotten to tell him about their adventure at the supply store or their plans for the garden.
Ra’as had probably figured they’d be home later, and not even see this woman appear at the door.
