B Clones (Clones #1) - Laurann Dohner Page 0,13
they’re programed for their purpose right before being awoken. JDJ Cryo Corp is willing to break that law. The company has sold illegal clones before.”
She refused to consider any of that. “I’m me. I don’t care what you say. I remember my parents. I still ache over their loss. I’m replaying my life inside my head and there are no gaps. I can even remember how furious and hurt I felt when my ex-husband came home from work one day and informed me that he’d been having an affair with his law partner, and she’d gotten pregnant. Our boys were ten and thirteen. I had to go through pure hell trying to piece my life back together after he walked out, and struggled to make certain our sons were okay. Then the bastard tried to fuck me blind in the divorce settlement. That happened to me, not someone else.”
“The source mind’s memories have been copied precisely, Gemma. You saw your new body. It’s much younger than the one you remember, and it’s been enhanced.”
“That’s because I’m drugged up in a hospital and having this dream! I’m as high as a kite.”
He sighed. “You just woke inside a shipping container. How do you feel? A trained clone medic should be attending to you and checking you over. Are you tired or hungry? Dizzy?”
“No. I’m just frustrated.” She pressed her finger to the glass. “I want to be there, on that beach instead, of out here. No offense.”
He tapped on the wall and the keypad returned. Big punched in something. She startled when the faint sound of waves came from all directions. They crashed onto the beach as balmy air blew across her skin. The temperature inside the room even seemed to grow warmer.
“This is the best I can do. Welcome to the comforts of modern technology.”
She inhaled and swore the smell of the ocean filled her nose. “That’s cool. Finally, something awesome.”
Chapter Four
Big dropped his hand and the control pad disappeared, merging with the ocean view. “I’m not leaving you alone at any time, until I make certain you adjust to your new life in a positive way.”
Gemma was amazed by the things happening in her dream. “How is that your problem?” She faced him.
He put his hands on his hips. “I don’t want to lose you, Gemma. I’ve been alone for far too long, and…I need you. I’m going to change my clothing. Just look at your beach while I get into something more comfortable to wear.”
She glanced down at his black outfit. It hugged every muscled, big-bodied inch of him. “It does look a little tight.”
“It’s protective gear.” He spread his hand on his broad chest. “Grade ten. It can withstand laser blasts without them penetrating, but the material feels scratchy. Some of those transports have automated defenses that activate when they’re being boarded without a security code. I apologize for carrying a weapon when we first met, but it was possible that I’d run into a security android, trained to kill. They occasionally have one onboard. It’s rare but it happens.”
“Sherlock wasn’t a security android?”
“No. It was a repair model without weapons.”
He began to strip. Gemma didn’t turn her back on him, instead watching his every move.
He removed the shirt from his body, wiggling quite a bit since the material wanted to cling to every muscle. His taut, ripped stomach and firm skin looked spectacular. He was damn near perfect.
The shirt was momentarily stuck over his head as he struggled to pull it over his huge biceps. Gemma appreciated the sight of those, too, as his arms were exposed. He finally got it off and tossed it to the floor. He reached for his pants—then stilled, his gaze fixing on her.
“Go right ahead,” she urged. “I’m not missing out if you feel the need to get naked.”
He arched both of his black eyebrows.
“Are you shy?”
He hooked two fingers into the front seam, and it parted slightly. He walked to the end of the bed and sat, bending down to grip his boots. They came off quickly and he threw them toward the far wall. He stood again, then took a few steps closer to her.
“Not at all. You may watch me.” A wicked smile curved his lips, making him appear even more handsome.
Big was definitely hot, she decided. Her sons would be horrified if they knew where her dream had traveled. Then again, she’d told them before that she was old, not dead. Just because she was in