The Space Colonel's Woman (Dragonus Chronicles Book 1) (25 page)

~*~

Sunshine woke Julia with its brilliance through the large expanse of her fourteenth floor window.  She felt gluggy, though not as bad as she felt she should have.  The burger had helped, and a shower followed by bottles and bottles of chilled water from the mini fridge would complete the restoration.  Having fun was too much like hard work.  She imagined Mark’s laughing face and groaned, pulling a pillow over her face for a moment before hauling herself out of bed and into the bathroom. 

A persistent knocking filtered its way through the towel she was using to dry her hair.  She tugged it free and went to answer the door; leaving tangled snarls of bourbon standing out from her head as if she’d stuck her finger in a power socket.

“You appear refreshed.” Anora grinned as Julia clutched at the towel stretched over her ample breasts.

“And you look…virtuous.”

Anora nodded her thanks for the compliment – however grumpily delivered – and sat down on the edge of the bed.  The shower had worked miracles but Julia still didn’t feel anywhere near up to Anora’s regal splendor. 

“We have accomplished much since arriving yesterday.”

“I’m glad.” She said from inside the
Rolling Stones
tee she was tugging down over her head. “I’ve been looking forward to visiting Ange’s family ranch, since she first suggested it.”

“It is an experience I have been savoring as well.”

Valentina and Ange arrived just as Julia was shrugging into her jacket, looking fragile but ready to go.

“Shall we eat first?” Ange suggested like it was the last thing she wanted to do.

“Yes.” Anora agreed, standing in one smooth elegant movement that revealed her royal heritage.

The pristine tablecloths, sparkling crystal glasses, and gleaming silverware of
The Jupiter’s
four star restaurant
Aurora
whispered of an elegance more suited to pearls and sweater sets, than rock tees and leather jackets.  Julia ignored the glances she felt from the other patrons and chose the fruit salad, hoping the antioxidants hidden in the colorful confusion of blueberries, oranges, and strawberries, would finish the recuperation process the shower and bottled water had started.  Half an hour later, little sparks of fructose waking up her mind as she followed the others out to the rental car.

It was a five hour drive to the horse ranch Ange’s parents owned.  The idea a day spent on horseback touring the property followed by a farmhouse picnic, was one all the women had been looking forward to since the invitation had been received. 

Ange’s parents rushed from the front door of a picturesque two-storied farmhouse complete with lemon cello siding, a deeply-shaded veranda, and swing seat, the moment they pulled to a stop.  Only to be enveloped in welcoming hugs as they emerged from the car, and swept along for refreshments at a table on the porch.

“Have you girls been having a good time?” Tom Green asked.

“Fabulous!” Julia grinned, remembering the previous night as she sipped from a glass of homemade lemonade and ignored the stifled giggles of her partners in crime.

“Well, if you girls are ready, we’ll go and meet some friends of mine.” Ange’s mum, June, suggested when everyone’s glasses were empty and the pile of chocolate chip cookies had been reduced to crumbs.

June led them around the side of the house where six horses stood ready and waiting.  “Any of you girls not ridden before?”

“I have not had the opportunity.” Anora offered; her delicate fingers twisted tight together in front of her when one of the horses snorted and grazed a hoof on the gravel.

“Not to worry, love.  Mabel will look after you.” 

Tom led Anora to a loveable looking chestnut mare with a wide blaze down her nose and dark brown forelock caught in her lashes.  He boosted her into the saddle with such vigor Anora’s slender frame nearly toppled off the other side.

“Now hold these, squeeze with your knees, and move to her gait.”

“You’ll be fine.” Ange gave Anora’s thigh a reassuring pat. “There’s nothing you can’t do.”

“Thank you, Ange.” Anora exhaled a deep breath in slow increments until everyone could see she had found her center. “You are most generous in your compliments.”

June led the way up a well-worn path and into the stirrup-high grasses of the northern pastures.  The air felt different that it did back on Julia’s Earth.  It seemed softer, lighter, and didn’t require as much effort to breathe.  She loved the way it eased her mind and relaxed her body.  Did this Earth have lower statistics of stress-related?  It wouldn’t surprise her; the subtle fragrance that lingered was preferable to the tired heavy oxygen of alternate Earth. 

Julia was riding a more spirited mount by the name of Titus, who she had to keep holding in check.  His eagerness to run across the wide open spaces under the brilliant cornflower sky was palpable in every snort and swish of tail.  Due to a shortage of horses on Phoenix, it’d been a long while since she’d ridden.  But the muscle memory was still there.

“Once we reach this crest ahead there’s a plateau.” June explained over her shoulder as she ducked a low-hanging branch. “If you want to gallop across before we head down to the ford.”

“That’ll be our chance, Titus.” Julia whispered, leaning forward to miss the branch and patting Titus’s neck.  He snorted as if he’d understood and she chuckled. 

The slope yielded to a panoramic view of the farmland as it stretched out before them.  Julia kicked her heels into Titus’s flanks and he lurched forward like he’d been stung by a wasp.

“YEE HAAH!”

She sat Titus’s gait with ease, the long grasses swishing as they forged a path through a vast ocean of pale yellow and deep bronze; hair and mane streaming out behind them as Julia leaned forward over Titus’s neck.

“Go Julia!” Ange shouted from just behind her left shoulder, keeping pace on her own exuberant mount.

The fence came into view, cutting a sharp black line across the horizon, and Julia gradually reined Titus in as the gap between them and it closed.  She patted Titus’s neck, chuckling as the horse snorted; the bit jingling as he tossed his head in annoyance.  Julia’s blood was still singing with adrenalin when the others caught them up. 

“Great riding.” Ange came to a halt beside Julia and Titus.  Her own mount yanked against her hold so she could drop her head to the new grass at her hooves. “Do you ride much?”

“I’ve been doing a lot more riding since I came to Phoenix.  Even with the lack of horses.”

Ange grinned. “So, Colonel Holden’s an avid rider too, then?”

She was saved from answering when June joined them.  Her and her mount having ambled behind the more energetic horses and riders to keep Anora and Mabel company.

They crossed the north ford without incident and ambled their way to a copse of white-trunked trees and dappled shade where Tom was laying out bright colored picnic rugs and unbuckling the two large wicker baskets from over his horse’s flanks.

“Wow, what a spread!” Valentina exclaimed as swung her leg over, jumped to the ground, and looped her reins around the rope line Tom had rigged between two trees.

June smiled. “Thank you Lenti, I hope you’re all hungry.” 

Julia had no doubt they’d do justice to the meal before them.  Smoked ham, home-baked bread with a crunchy crust and fluffy-white inside served with churned butter, salad, tomatoes, pickles, cheese, and a platter of fresh fruit took up the middle blanket.  She couldn’t think of a more perfect way to spend a day.

It took several hours to amble their way through the southern pastures where the Green’s brood mares grazed with their foals; overlong limbs and bottlebrush tails making Julia smile.  They crossed the river twice more, disturbing a cloud of purple butterflies at the last with their passage. The farmhouse came into view just as the shadows were lengthening and the light began to turn a rich gold. 

Though Julia returned covered in sweat and the dust of the trail, she’d had a great time and was sorry they would be unable to stay longer.  Being the first
Designated Portal Establishment
on the Air Force’s schedule in the morning, she and her friends had to leave as soon as they’d freshened up.  They were treated to good wishes for safe travelling and more hugs for the road, and Ange honked the horn at the end of the dusty drive before turning right back onto the highway.  Julia sighed; having roots, a place to come home to, was a blessing that should be treasured.

~*~

The following morning she was up bright and early, eager to return to Phoenix City, and Mark.  She was finishing her packing when there was a jaunty knock at the door. 

“Just about done.” Julia zipped up her backpack and handed it to the bell hop. “Oh don’t worry about that, I’ll bring it down.”

“She’s rather protective of that one.” Valentina said from the doorway when the young guy in white bellhop blazer and black pants attempted to lift the dress box from the couch.

“And rightly so.  Shall we get moving?”

“Where’s Anora?”

“Down paying the bill with the credit chip Colonel Holden gave her.” Valentina nudged Julia’s shoulder and grinned. “Good man you’ve got there.  Does he have a brother, do you know?”

Julia chuckled, tossing her hair over her shoulder and picked up the large pale pink box.  “You mean in all the time you’ve been in Phoenix City, Lenti, you’ve never asked?”

Valentina’s reply, if she made one, was lost in the bustle of fitting all three women, and the wedding dress box into the elevator.

~*~

Hayden met the incoming party and without a word, relieved Ange of her extra parcels; leaving her staring up into his face, speechless.

“Hayden, can you please take those to Anora’s quarters?” Julia asked, giving her friend a chance to catch her breath by drawing Hayden’s attention to herself instead. “Thank you.”

He nodded, and followed Anora and Valentina down the corridor, Phoenix City’s version of a bell hop; tight blue leather and cream linen having replaced the white blazer and pillbox hat.

“Thanks.” Ange whispered, hot blush flooding both her chest and face. “I never know what to say when he looks at me like that.”

“You two’ll figure it out.” Julia shoulder tapped her friend.  The only gesture of comfort she could make with the dress box still in her arms. “Hopefully, sooner rather than later.”

“So, where is he?”

Hayden wasn’t fooled by Julia’s poor attempt at casual, and grinned a mouth full of perfect white teeth at her.

“He’s taken Garrett and some other scientists to the research camp inland.  Should be back before dark.”

“Thanks, I think.” Julia called to hiss retreating back.  At least this way she’d have more time to get everything squared away before Mark returned.

It didn’t take long to help Anora organize and store the purchases, and she wasn’t on the roster again until the following day, so she headed back to their quarters; planning to stretch out and read one of the new books she’d picked up on Earth.  After unzipping her boots and wriggling her toes, she snuggled up with the blanket over her legs and flicked through the crisp unread pages.

The delicious scent of Mark’s skin and the heat of his lips on her neck woke her from a nap she wasn’t aware she’d taken.  The new book had proved to be a real page turner.

“Hello.” He drawled, hot and lazy and full of everything she yearned for.

“Did you miss me?” She wriggled back into the embrace he offered.  His knees tucked close into the back of hers, arms wrapped around her middle, and breath hot behind her ear.

“Like you wouldn’t believe.”

She squirmed, shoving her ass into his hips and arching her neck in invitation.

“Have fun?”

“Yes.”

“Love coming home and finding you in my bed.”

“I love being in
our
bed.” Mark’s nimble fingers unzipped her jeans and slid both them and panties down her thighs. “Especially when you’re here too.”

She rolled in his arms, tilted her face up to meet his.  Their kiss was a soft graze of welcome; chaste, and full of promise.  She freed her ankles, flapping her jeans to the floor while he yanked his BDUs open, gave himself a rough stroke and spread her wide before sliding in.  He groaned, the sound buried in the voluptuous curve of her breast as calloused palms held her open with the need to be deeper.

“Missed…you…too.” She panted, running her fingers through his hair and tugging him as close as she could get him; kissing him until they were both gasping.  She hungered for the taste of him.  Her cup runneth over.  And yet, she would die still craving all that he was.

He stretched over her, his strength obvious in each flex of bicep and torso as he thrust harder; quicker.  Each drive and roll of his hips took them toward the edge.  She clung to his shoulders, tore at the black cotton bunched under his arms until Mark ducked his head; lifted one arm so she could pull him free.  He groaned her name, a tangle of sounds that made her preen in her power.  Teeth bared, he locked eyes with her as he came.  His body rigid within hers before he collapsed in her arms; hand trapped between them, working her until she screamed.  Mark’s kisses robbing her of breath as he cradled her close.