Page 69 of Tempting Jupiter
He nodded. “Ready.”
“Alfred, open the hatch and extend the ground ramp.”
The soft rumble of the mechanism hushed the children. Their faces filled with expectation and for a moment the anxiety that had plagued them all moments earlier vanished. Seneca’s heart beat faster as if their worries had landed on his shoulders. He now knew Feeona carried that burden all the time. He shut his eyes and imagined the weight of Jupiter’s hand on his shoulder and his pulse settled.
The humid planetary air filled his lungs and forced open his eyes. The scents were unfamiliar. He had no reference for most of them. Fee stepped onto the ramp. Sunlight painted threads of red in her hair and caressed her caramel skin. She disappeared down the ramp and the children filed out behind her. Seneca lingered, making sure all the children descended, then followed.
“Augie, you old fool!” Laughter filled Fee’s voice as the brawny colonist swung her in a circle.
It took all of Seneca’s control to approach them calmly and hold back the growl rumbling in his chest. She was Jupiter’s mate. No male that wasn’t pack should be touching her.
Augie set her on her feet and she patted his shoulder, speaking softly. “That’s enough of that.”
Seneca moved into position at her side, rubbing his arm against hers.
“Who’s this?” The male looked him over, open curiosity on his face.
Augie stood nearly as tall as Jupiter. A dozen shades of brown streaked his short hair. Sun darkened skin covered a fit but modest musculature. He couldn’t guess the man’s age or his intentions.
“This is Seneca.” Fee shifted her shoulder against his arm. “A friend.”
“Well met, friend,” said Augie. “Let’s get these kids back to the farm. The rest of the families are already there with the feast we have waiting.”
***
Feeona and Sen stood in Augie’s back yard watching the kids chase after one another in a game of tag they’d quickly learned from an older child. If there had been rules at the start, they’d quickly been forgotten. She’d never want to make a life on the farm, but she loved visiting. “The first time I came here, I was so sick Alfred’s emergency protocols kicked in and landed us right behind Augie’s house.” She leaned a centimeter closer to Sen until they touched. “I spent the first week in bed, completely out of it. Sometimes I still can’t believe I let strangers take care of me.”
Sen chuckled softly in a way that soothed her aching heart. He’d become increasingly more comfortable around the colonists when he’d seen they were exactly as advertised. Good hardworking farming families.
“By the time I was coherent enough to attempt to leave, it was too late to freak out about it. I stayed another week recuperating and one after that working on the farm to repay the time and expense of looking after me.”
While she let her gaze linger on Sen, his eyes followed the children in fascination. “It was good fortune finding this place.”
“Yes. Good fortune and Alfred’s excellent programming.”
“Yes,” Sen agreed. “How long will we stay?”
He’d done a good job of hiding his impatience until that moment. “I’ve already explained to Augie and the other families that we’ll be going after the evening meal. The kids are adjusting well, so we don’t even have to wait for that, if you don’t want to.” She lowered her voice. “I worry about him too.”
Sen took her hand in his and squeezed. “I know you do.”
The small acknowledgment made her heart thump harder, sending a wave of extra warmth through her. They’d been working together more easily, but that didn’t mean Seneca had forgiven her for her betrayal.
“I wanna go with you.” Determination colored young Toby’s voice.
Feeona’s muscles clenched at the sound, but Sen was relaxed. He’d known the boy was approaching.
Fee turned and squatted down to the boy’s level. “I like you kid. But this is your home now. Best you just forget about us and look after Sweet Pea.” It was the moniker Augie had landed on the young girl Toby seemed always to be looking after.
Toby crossed his arms over his chest the way Seneca sometimes did when he was trying to be stern with the kids. “She’s safe here. None of the men look at her in a bad way. I been watching them all day.”
“But she’d miss you.” She ruffled the boy’s thick brown hair.
“She’s young. She’ll get over it.” His voice was flat. His expression deadpan.
Feeona had to resist the urge to laugh. He was only a few years older than the girl.
“This place is nice, but it ain’t for me.” He jutted his chin out, unwavering.
