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Finn leans forward, offering, “My sister is worried that something will happen during development or after. As far as we know, it’s new territory—clones and originals mating."
“Areyouworried?” Lilly asks, her curiosity piqued.
Brook gives Finn a loving kiss on the cheek. “Nah, we’ll have super babies!” She giggles, pulling her beanie down and blushing.
Finn stands and scoops her up with his thick, corded arms. “Let’s get to trying.”
Brook lets out a yelp and buries her head in his shoulder, waving goodbye as he carries her out of the bar.
Gage raises his glass. “To Finn and Brook. May your nets be full and your efforts be fruitful.”
Lennon clinks his and winks. “Better than your nuts being full and your efforts be wasted.”
These men are incorrigible. Lilly shakes her head.
Lennon grins at her. “So, Finn and Brook, Jax and Beth, those are the only two clone-Homani hybrid mate pairings, correct? How do you all find your mates? Do you travel for them or…?”
“Hybrid… I guess that’s one way of putting it,” she says thoughtfully.But aren’t we all?“When we came of age, most discovered our mates among ourselves. We’ve ventured out to Hope, the nearest town, in search of possibly meeting a mate, but we’ve always been careful to guard our secret.” She raises a shoulder. “Other than the few humans who originally escaped with us, Matt and Calli are the first Homani-human mating in years. You? Do you guys have mates?”
“Nah, we have an annual ceremony that shifts location from year to year. We meet up with other clones in secret and a few trusted humans to see if we’re a match, but so far we haven’t been lucky, right Gage?”
Gage shifts in his chair. “Yeah, uh, I haven’t met my mate at a ceremony,” he says before downing his drink. “You guys want another?” He gestures to their empty glasses.
He’s single?A rush of arousal courses through her and a warm flush heats her cheeks. “Uh, no. I’m good.”
Gage squats down beside her chair and puts his hand on her forehead, brows drawn together above his forest-green eyes. “Are you sure you’re okay? You feel a bit warm.”
Lilly takes his hand in hers, intending to pull it away. Instead, she lingers, an electric shock tingling up her arm. His eyes widen, and she swears a flash of lust appears on his handsome face before he stands, drawing her up with him.
“Let’s get you home,” he says as he two-finger waves goodnight to Lennon. She shivers at the light touch of his hand on the small of her back as he leads her out of the bar.
Out in the cool of the evening, Lilly steps back from Gage. “Thank you. I can see myself home. I’m fine, really.” Her sudden attack of nerves at being alone with him is confusing, but she wants to analyse this turn of events in regards to this practical, albeit sexy as fuck, stranger.
Gage cocks his head to the side and stares at her for a minute. “If that's what you need. Goodnight, Lilly,” he says before he turns and walks back toward the bar.
She glances over her shoulder. Gage has stopped and is watching her walk away.
What the fuck?
Chapter thirteen
Thefollowingday,Lillylifts the steaming cup of coffee to her lips. Just as she’s about to take a sip of the heavenly brew, there is a light knock on her door. Raising a brow, she pauses before setting down her cup and going to answer it.
Swinging it open, she’s delighted to see Dawn standing there, a shit-eating grin on her face.
“Oh, boy. I know that look,” Lilly says, rolling her eyes.
Dawn places her hand on her chest, her teal eyes round in mock shock. “Whatever do you mean?”
Lilly steps back from the doorway and laughs. “Get your ass in here and tell me what’s going on.”
Dawn breezes by and heads straight to the coffee pot, pouring herself a cup before she takes a seat at the table where Lilly is now waiting.
“Well?”
Dawn leans forward, her elbows resting on the table. “So you know the new guy that you were drooling over last night? Gage?”
“I was not drooling,” she protests, laughing as Dawn gives her abitch, pleaselook.
