up the note first. Bold script flowed across the page.
Darling Ada,
Not everything has to be left behind.
—L
I carefully unwrapped the tissue paper, revealing the red dress I’d desperately wanted but had talked myself out of buying. Loch had bought it for me while I shopped for practical clothes. Tears pricked my eyes and I blinked rapidly to clear them.
I touched the fabric reverently, almost afraid the dress would disappear. I looked up and caught Loch watching me from the doorway. I knew he must’ve seen the depth of my emotion, but I couldn’t hide it and didn’t want to. He’d touched me deeply.
“Marcus, it’s perfect. It’s the best possible thing you could’ve given me,” I said softly. “How did you know to send it here?”
“I sent it the morning before we left APD Zero to hunt for the Rockhurst planet. With the war looming, I knew you’d find your way home sooner or later. I wanted you to have something to remember me by.”
“I prefer having you to remember you by,” I said with a smile, “but I’m not going to turn down a gorgeous dress.”
“Try it on,” he said.
“You just want to see me naked,” I teased.
“Sweetheart, I never tire of seeing you naked,” he rumbled at me. He was so getting laid tonight.
I took the dress to the bedroom. I stripped off my practical clothes, then slid the dress over my head. It fit perfectly. I went to the full-length mirror in my closet to see how it looked. The snug bodice and V-neck enhanced my figure without making me look like a twig.
I twirled and the skirt fanned out around my legs. I could conquer the universe in this dress.
I met Loch’s eyes in the mirror. “I’m going to wear this dress to your pardon hearing,” I said. “And then, when we get home, I’m going to demand you remove the dress. Slowly. With your teeth,” I said with a saucy grin.
He stepped up behind me, wrapped his arms around my waist, and nuzzled my neck. “Maybe I should practice now,” he murmured against my skin.
I shivered. “I think that is an excellent plan.”
He proved just how talented his mouth could be.
After dragging myself out of bed, I’d showered and redressed in clothes I’d found in my closet. The silver and blue dress I’d chosen was a modest tea length, but I still felt almost naked without the sturdy pants and long-sleeved shirts I’d lived in for the last two years.
“Are you sure you won’t join us?” I asked for the tenth time.
Loch reclined on the bed, watching me get ready. He shook his head, as exasperated with me as I was with him.
“Why won’t you join us? You already met Bianca. I want Benedict to meet you.”
“The fewer people who know about me, the better,” he said. “I’ll meet him after the bounty is lifted.”
“My parents may not be the nicest people in the universe”—huge, huge understatement—“but my siblings would never do something to hurt me, and betraying you would hurt me.” Our parents had tried to drive us apart, to pit us against one another, but it had massively failed. Everything they tried just drove us closer together.
“What if he thinks it’s for your own good? Are you saying your brother wouldn’t opt for you to feel a little short-term pain in return for a long-term benefit? Tell me you absolutely believe that and I’ll join you for dinner.”
I hesitated and the argument was lost. I knew my sisters would stick with me no matter what, even if they had to threaten Loch’s balls to make their point, but my brothers were the wild cards. I couldn’t say with absolute confidence that Benedict wouldn’t think turning Loch in was for my own good.
“Fine,” I grumbled. “But I still don’t like it.”
“Ada, go, enjoy your family. Don’t worry about me.”
The doorbell rang before I could argue further. “Kitchen runners are at the door,” Didi said.
“Let them in and tell them to arrange dinner on the table. I will be there directly.” I crossed the room and kissed Loch. “Once they leave, I’ll bring you dinner. There’s also a synthesizer in my private sitting room if you need anything. Dinner will probably run late. If you change your mind at any time, you’re always welcome to join us.”
I reluctantly left Marcus in bed and closed the bedroom door behind me. The kitchen staff was nearly done. Each place setting was laid out with stemware and cutlery. The