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He swung her up easily, then climbed in after her.
Of course, the seat was not really wide enough for the both of them. She giggled and got up, allowing him to sit before snuggling herself back in beside him.
As soon as they were settled, the horses began to move, as if they knew the way. And Gage wondered again just how real they were.
Beside them, Athena trotted alongside the carriage, looking the happiest Gage had seen her in a while, other than during the training session.
“Did you enjoy your time at the spa?” he asked Naomi.
“It was nice,” she told him. “But this is way more fun.”
For a moment, he let himself relax. This was what he was supposed to be doing now, getting to know her, with both of them enjoying themselves.
A short while later, the horses stopped in front of what looked like an old-fashioned Terran house. It was a massive structure with a slate roof, ornate woodwork, and banks of tall windows. Additions jaunted off the main house at odd angles, like an illustration out of a children’s book.
Lampposts led down the drive to the sweeping front porch. The horses followed it, their harnesses jingling merrily in time with their hoofbeats.
Gage jumped down from the carriage when it stopped in front of the house, then walked over to Naomi’s side and held out his arms.
His heart thundered as she took his hands and jumped, allowing him to catch her and hold her close before lowering her slowly to the ground, her dress sliding against him seductively.
She was standing so close, her sweet scent overwhelming his senses.
He gazed down at her, trying to memorize her dark eyes and lush, pink lips.
The sound of the doors opening pulled him out of her spell and he glanced up to see a butler droid standing in the threshold.
“Welcome,” the droid said, with an annoying fancy accent that had obviously been programmed. “Your dinner awaits.”
Naomi’s hand slid into the crook of Gage’s arm as naturally as if it had always been there and they climbed the steps of the ancient-looking building together, with Athena taking her usual position at his heel.
The inside was lit with old fashioned lamps and chandeliers. The scent of something delicious floated down the massive entry hall, making his stomach grumble.
“The dining room is just this way,” the droid said, rolling forward on his old-style rubber slide treads.
“They really went the extra mile to make it authentic,” Gage said, impressed.
“To be honest, they mixed the time periods a little,” Naomi said with a wink. “But I only know because I minored in ancient design. A home from this era was not automated in any way.”
“Then it wouldn’t have been worth living in,” Gage decided.
Naomi laughed, her head tilted back exposing her neck, which he instantly wanted to nibble and kiss.
They followed the droid into a massive dining room with dark-stained wood on the walls and a thick carpet on the floor. The walls were hung with beautiful landscapes all seeming to show the same mountain with a castle on it during different seasons.
A massive chandelier cast light over a sumptuous feast. Bowls and trays of bright vegetables competed for space with platters of glistening meats, baskets of fragrant bread, and bottles of wine. There was even an area near the wall for Athena, with a tray of treats and a soft-looking bed.
“Amazing,” Naomi breathed.
“Please enjoy,” the butler droid announced, his fake accent decidedly less annoying to Gage now that he had seen this spread. “Ring the bell if you need anything at all.”
“Thank you,” Naomi said.
Gage moved to her and pulled out her chair, inhaling her sweet scent once again. He nodded to Athena, who took her cue and wandered over to inspect her setup.
When he was seated, a helper drone darted out to fill their glasses.
“Sweet, mulled wine,” it announced quietly before darting out of the way again.
