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“Thatbolt will seal solid once installed,Lacie.So, make sure it’s completely flush to the front housing before placing the back on it.”

“Gotit … no pressure at all.”

Ittakes me several tries, butIfinally get it right.Gatheringall my stuff,Islide over toward the edge. “Ok, how does it look from down there?Isit straight now?”

Hiseyes haven’t left me asIsit above him on the rounded part of the panel.Iwave my hand. “Hey, anyone in there?LacietoMeK, are you receiving me?”Heactually closes his eyes and shakes his head, his lips twitching. “Areyou laughing internally?Youknow that if you let it out, it would be a lot more enjoyable.”

Whenhe looks up at me with a genuine smile on his face, my heart hits my chest.Itshould be illegal for a man to be that pretty, andIthink because they are so rare, his smile shows me a completely different side of him thatIbelieve few have ever witnessed.

“Areyou ready to get down?”

“Areyou going to catch me?”

Hissmile fades, but not beforeIhear him say, “Always.”

Double-checking my pockets,Ihold my arms out when he motions for me, andIbegin to slide down the rounded side of the dwelling quicker thanIwould have thought.BeforeIhave the chance to worry, large hands grasp my hips, lifting me away from the panel as ifIweigh nothing.Instantly,Iplace my hands on his shoulders as he slowly lowers me down his body.

Andwow,Ifeel every curve, and every muscle, as my body rubs along his.MeK’srunes pulse brightly, but it is his eyes that completely capture mine.Leaningforward playfully,Ikiss him on the cheek. “Myhero, … thank you for catching me because that would have hurt the baby, andI’mallergic to pain.”

Hisfingers flex on my hips, andIswear he pulls me closer, his head lowering toward mine until we hear someone clear their throat.MeKslowly sets me the rest of the way down but doesn’t let go of me entirely, asIcan feel his large hand against my back.Standingin the clearing are theCommander,Ricky, andJames.

Jamesis immediately by my side, wringing his hands in worry. “Laciegirl, you had me andCarlaworried when you didn’t show up at lunch.Then, whenBriarsaid she hadn’t seen you all day,Iwent straight to theCommander, and we went on the search.”

“SorryJames,Ihonestly didn’t think about it.MeKneeded some help, and we were just finishing.Hewas lifting me off the top of your future house.”

TheCommandersmirks, his own runes pulsing across his chest. “Isthat what that was?Hmm! …Ricky, you are free to return to your patrol.Itseems all is well here.”

“Surething,Commander.Lacie,I’mglad you’re alright.Youhad us worried there for a little bit.”

Iglance back atMeK, who is now standing with his hands clasped behind his back, his runes dancing agitatedly all over his body. “Father, her welfare was never in danger.”

“Wesimply did not know where she was,MeK.Severalof the comm units have weak signals, so actually, this was a good thing.Weshould have time to recalibrate them before a real emergency occurs.James, what do you think of your new dwelling?Itis the closest one to the planting fields and the pavilion.”

“Neverlived in a bubble,Commander, but as long asIhave myCarlato snuggle up to after a hard day, it doesn’t really matter.”

MeKwalks off for a moment only to come back with what looks like a game controller in his hand.Suddenly, odd noises start coming from the pod, and he motions for all of us to step back.Iwatch in amazement as it turns from pieces of metal that made zero sense to me into this beautiful structure covered in large, rounded windows.

“MeK, how in the world?”

“Itold you it would expand.”

“Wellyeah, butIdidn’t think it would be like a cocoon that turned into a lovely butterfly.Itwas just pieces of metal a moment ago.”

“Mostthings are until you make them into something more.Thisis just one of many designsIhave worked on for this particular area.”

“Wow, you really are the real deal, aren’t ya?Notonly are you stunning, but you’re smart, too.Howhave you managed to stay single for this long?You’rea real catch, well if you can get past the growling.”

“Yourwords make no sense,Lacie.”

Jameswalks up closer once it stops shifting. “Isit alive,MeK?”

“No, but it can be altered if need be.”

“Whenwill we be able to go in, or stay here?MyCarlahates those dropships.”

“Afew more risings,Ithink.Itstill needs to be cleaned and stocked.Normally, we would have bots to handle those issues, but until we get the charging cells and electrical grids working, they must be done manually.”

“Theappearance of the dwelling pod is pleasing in these surroundings,MeK.Youdid well with the final designs, and most will appreciate the end results.Ibelieve the late meal is being served in the pavilion, and the workday is over.Ithink it is time we all made our way there.Kirawill be happy that all is well with you,Lacie.Sheseems to have become quite attached to several of you girls.