to see all the Earth things stored on Garden. She could make their home more Earthlike and comforting. He also planned to take her on an extended tour of the agriculture area. She did seem to love flowers and plants.

“I just want you to be happy,” he stated honestly.

“I am.”

Chapter Fourteen

A few days later

Nerves had Venice pacing between the kitchen and living room, her gaze darting to the door. Deviant said he’d be home at six but was running a little late. She glanced at the clock, seeing it had only been five minutes, but she worried. His mother hadn’t tried anything else since their wedding but she knew that could change.

The door finally opened and she grinned, taking in her handsome husband. He wore light blue that day, the snug uniform showing off every glorious detail of his fit, muscular body. She figured she’d never stop appreciating the sight.

He closed the door and met her gaze from five feet away, where he’d paused. Something was behind his back and the grin on his face told her he’d brought her another surprise. He loved to give her gifts. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” She rushed at him but he stepped back, bumping the door. She froze. “What is it?”

His grin widened. “Close your eyes.”

“You’re spoiling me.” She did it though, squeezing her eyelids together. “Not that I’m complaining.”

“You deserve it. You’re the best wife a male could possibly have.”

He always knew the right thing to say, too. She heard him move around her and one of his arms encircled her waist, drawing her up against him. He leaned in a little, his warm breath fanning against her ear.

“I so enjoy coming home to you.”

“I hate it when you leave,” she admitted. “I missed you, even though you were only gone a few hours. How is your father?”

“He’s well. He leaves on the Star tonight. You could have come with me to say goodbye to him.”

“I thought you two might need some quality time together alone. How is he doing since the divorce?”

“Dissolution of contract,” he corrected, brushing a kiss on the shell of her ear. “He seems relieved. They weren’t happy.”

“Can I open my eyes now?”

His other arm brushed hers. “Yes.”

She did, staring at his closed fist in front of her. He opened his palm, revealing a data disk. “What’s on it?”

“I spoke to Flint. He happened to have a lot of Earth entertainment vids and gave me copies of his wife’s favorite ones. She highly recommended these for us. They are supposed to be romantic, with humor in them. I thought we could curl up together and watch them over the next few weeks that I’ve taken off.”

She stared up at him. “Are you sure you don’t want us to go on this mission with your dad? I know you normally travel together.”

“A freighter was reported abandoned three sectors out and they are going to investigate, then haul it to Garden if any parts of it can be salvaged. They’ve estimated it will take two weeks. It should be easy for them, and I’d much rather spend this time with just you. It’s our honeymoon.”

“You really have brushed up on Earth traditions, haven’t you?”

“Yes. We are going to relax, watch vids, and enjoy being together.”

She turned in his embrace, wrapping her arms around his neck. “It sounds perfect.”

“It does.”

“I think we’re overdressed. Dinner is almost ready. I cooked.”

He inhaled, smelling something good. “You didn’t have to.”

“I wanted to. Have you ever eaten in bed?”

“We ate meals seated on my bunk on the Varnish.”

She laughed. “Not the same. You’re in for a treat. Go get naked, set up a vid in there, and I’ll bring in our food in a few minutes. We’ll have dinner and entertainment. I just have to take it out and put it on plates.”

“That sounds like fun.”

She let him go and backed away. “It does. I’m going to feed you.”

“You spoil me.”

“Just wait until after we’ve finished eating and the vid ends. I have an ulterior motive. I’m going to make you work off that meal.” She winked. “I really missed you. I was thinking about new sex positions we haven’t tried yet.”

“I can’t wait.” He clenched the data disk and headed toward the bedroom, but then paused, turning around. “I have one more surprise for you.”

“What is it?”

“My father is going to pass a lot of satellites on his assignment.”

“I don’t know what that means?”

He approached her, stopping feet away. “He can send a message to Earth that won’t be traceable. We discussed it. I know it bothers you that your sister doesn’t know where you are, but I thought you could send her a message to let her know you’re happy.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “I’d love to do that, but it’s too dangerous. I mean, if EG ever figured out she helped me escape from—”

He placed a finger on her lips, silencing her. “My father and I discussed this at length. Your sister and her husband own a business making shuttle parts. You could send a coded message that only she would understand. Something along the lines that the parts you received have worked out extremely well and you are happy. That way, she would know you’re alive and well.” He moved his finger off her mouth, cupping her cheek. “It would give you both peace.”

“I love you so much, Deviant. Thank you. I can think of something that would work.”

“I knew you could. I’ll transmit it to my father and he’ll send your message on once he finds a safe location to do so. I love you more than words can say, Venice. You saved me from a life of sorrow and loneliness. Thank you for coming into that room.”

“You saved me too.”

“We saved each other. You were so brave to approach me.”

“All I did was work up the nerve to seduce the sexiest man I’ve ever seen.”

“I will be eternally grateful.”

“Me too.”

He kissed her, a light brush of his lips over hers. “Get the food. I’ll set up the vid. I want to make love to you after we eat.”

She smiled.

He grinned back. Venice was the best thing that had ever happened to him. She made him happy…and he would spend the rest of his life making her happy, too.