Page 35 of Trapped in the Christmas Cabin

“Youcan’tmakepeople fall in love,” she said.“Itdoesn’t matter how romantic a situation you put them in if there are barriers in the way—maybe something from their past that’s hurting them or stopping them from moving on…”SheshotKlausa meaningful look.“Thenthey’re not going to er, ‘mate’ with each other.”

“Sointernal stimuli plays a greater part in mating rituals than external stimuli for your species,” the voice said, sounding thoughtful.

“Exactly.”Kellinodded.“Nowcould you please let us out?Weneed to get home.”

“Certainly.Wethank you for coming to visit theChristmasVillage,” the voice said as the door opened with a click.“Andwe are sorry that your mating was a failure.”

Kelliwas sorry too and shestilldidn’t know what was going on withKlaus.

Butas they left the cabin behind, it seemed she wasn’t going to find out.

Shewaited as patiently as she could, walking through the emptyChristmasVillagein silence.Klauswas brooding and silent as they passed by the frozen pond where they had drunk hot chocolate the night before.Hekept quiet as they walked past the shops and the massage parlor where he had rescued her from the crazy massage robot too.

Kelliwaited as long as she could, but finally, when they were strapped into the long-range shuttle and he had taken off, leaving the planet behind, she turned to him.

“Allright—what happened?”she demanded.“Whydid you leave like that last night?Ideserve an explanation.”

“Youdo,”Klausagreed stonily.Hewas staring straight ahead at the viewscreen.“Butyou’re not going to get one.”

“Whynot?”Kelliasked.“Please,Klaus—just talk to me.Whateverit is,I’msure we can work it out.”

“There’snothing to talk about.”Hestill wouldn’t look at her.“AndIthink it’s best that we askCommanderSylvanto reassign us once we get back to theMotherShip.”

“What?Youdon’t even want toworktogether anymore?”Kellicouldn’t believe it.

“Sorry, sunshine.Ijust can’t.”Heshook his head.“Ican’t be around you anymore.Notwhen…”

“Whenwhat?”Kellidemanded, exasperated when he trailed off.

ButKlausonly shook his head.

“Can’ttalk about it.Sorry.”

Kelliwas so frustrated she wanted to cry.Andin fact, a few hot tears did slip down her cheeks as they flew through the fold in space to get back home to theMotherShip.Whatwas going on with herProtector?Andwhy wouldn’t he at least tell her what the problem was?

Therewere no answers and nothing to do but try and hide her tears.Theminute they landed, she unfastened herself and jumped up, ready to get away from the bigKindred.Butas she was rushing to get out of the long-distance shuttle,Klaus’sdeep voice stopped her.

“Kelli,” he said.“Wait.”

Heartpounding,Kelliturned to him.Hadhe changed his mind?Washe going to tell her he loved her after all?Orat least tell her that he had made a big mistake and he didn’t want to be reassigned as someone else’sProtector?

Butwhen she looked at him, all she saw was regret written on his strong features.

“Yes?”she asked.

“I’msorry,” he said simply.“Sofucking sorry.”

“And?”Kelliwaited.Wasthere more?Somekind of explanation for his hot and cold behavior?

Buthe only shook his head.

“Justthat.I’msorry.Iwish things were different.”

“Sothat’s it?”Kelliglared at him.Shewas normally a happy and forgiving person, but at this point, she’d had it.“Youcan shove your ‘sorry’ where the sun doesn’t shine!”she snapped.“Anddon’t ever talk to me again!”

Thenshe left the ship and didn’t look back, even though she felt like her heart was dying inside her body and she was already starting to cry.

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