Page 5 of Mate for the Space Cowboy (Match Made in Space #3)
Chapter Five
MELODY
I return to work, feeling almost weak-kneed from the pleasure Hunter wrought on my body. I honestly don’t even know how to feel about how good it feels to be with him.
My life on Earth was one of fear with an abusive father and later a brother who also became abusive. Women had next to nothing there. We could work and access online things, mostly because there was no way for the government to cut that off. Kidnappings were common. I’d grown up simply hoping I could keep my head down and no one would notice me. I didn’t want to marry, much less ever have children. In fact, I had prayed to be barren.
Now, I crave carrying a baby, quite specifically Hunter’s baby. I love it here. The planet is so beautiful. It’s a little startling for me to realize that when you have what you need and you’re not starving and fighting over resources, so much fear and conflict dissipates.
I glance over at my boss. “Thank you for my lunch break.”
She smiles, her eyes twinkling. “Your Hunter is a handsome man. I can feel the burn of the infinity pulse between you.”
“Really?” I prompt.
She approaches and places her large hands on my shoulders. Her skin is beautiful. It’s shimmery green and always warm. “My dear, you deserve to feel safe and loved.” She waggles her brows. “Hunter is one of the royal family’s protectors. You will be safe.”
A little anxiety spins in my chest. “I just hope I can”—I let out a little sigh—“satisfy him and be good to him in the way that he needs.”
“I see the way he looks at you. You needn’t worry. That man is on fire for you, and it will stay that way because of the infinity pulse.” She squeezes my shoulders firmly before dropping her hands. “Now, go home. I will see you tomorrow.”
As I walk down the street to home, a sense of lightness gusts through me. It’s crazy, but this new-to-me planet, where I have no family or anyone I’ve known until recently, feels more like home than Earth ever did. My mother had been the one bright light in my life. After she died, life felt darker and bleaker.
Here, the air is soft. There’s sunshine, rain, trees, flowers, and wildlife. A bright blue bird flies by, flitting about in a tree as I walk past it. I pause to marvel. Someone rides by on one of those horses with sharp tails. Nadine tells me I’ll be able to ride one, and I’m so excited.
I turn onto the street leading me to where I’m staying with the other women who came here from Earth. Since I arrived on the first trip, another group has landed. We’re still getting to know them. We stay in a house in the royal compound. Princess Jane stops and visits us every day.
Maybe once I feel completely safe, I’ll be able to relax. I’ve been worried that I won’t find a mate. I’m more than happy to simply marry a man who won’t abuse me. Abuse is all but unheard of here, from what I’ve been told, because they worship women on this planet. The annual festival they hold here to honor women is what led to the death of so many during a space storm.
When I turn into the gate, I’m aware there’s security nearby. Jane assures us we’ll be safe, but she was kidnapped by a group on the other side of the planet recently. I try not to think about that much.
A few minutes later, I’m sitting on a comfortable couch holding a glass of lemonade, my new favorite beverage. They cultivate lemons from Earth here. This planet is a hub in the galaxy due to its safety and abundance. Lots of beings travel here from other planets. Before Earth’s environment was devastated, they sent seeds here in large quantities, and the people here began cultivating them.
“How was work?” Romi asks as she plunks down across from me, adjusting her dress.
Jane has given us a selection of clothing to choose from. So far, we all favor the soft dresses. It was hard to find pretty clothes on Earth.
I feel myself beginning to blush, and Romi’s brows arch. “Did Hunter come to see you?”
I can’t help my smile. “He did. He took me to lunch.”
“What did you have?” she asks. It’s a simple question, but my face burns.
Romi’s smile is sly. “I’m guessing you didn’t actually eat.”
I clear my throat as she laughs softly. “From what I understand, if you have the infinity pulse with someone, they want you all the time.” She pauses and shakes her head. “I can’t even imagine that. Even the best relationships on Earth were just not abusive.”
I nod. “It’s hard to feel good about much when you’re hungry and poor all the time.”
Romi sighs. “There’s the green zone and the fake stuff online about fake happiness. As much as I doubt it, I see how the prince is with Jane and now Nadine and Kayden. They’re all besotted with each other.” Romi falls quiet and studies me for a few beats. “I’m glad you and Hunter have the pulse, but I don’t care if I do. I’m happy to mate with someone, have a baby, and be safe.” She takes a swallow from her glass. “We have lemonade here. We’re safe and clean and dry. I love my job.”
“What’s your job?” One of the new women walks in. She looks from me to Romi. “I know you work at the flower shop, and Nadine works at the café. Of course, Jane is a princess. But what do you do?”
“I work at the stables. When I was on Earth, I worked at one of the farms, and I’m used to working with animals. Jane told me I didn’t have to, but I like it,” Romi explains.
One of the new women, Risa, looks concerned, her brow furrowing as she glances between us. “But are there that many options?”
“This isn’t like Earth, where there are only a few factories for office work. They have thriving businesses here. When Jane heard I loved flowers, she immediately brought me down there. I heard they have openings at one of the local bookstores and even the intergalactic library,” I offer.
Risa’s eyes widen. “I would love that. There’s hardly anything to read on Earth, but I love to read. Before she passed, my mama had smuggled a batch of books that her mother kept for her. They were passed down through our family. Jane even told me that if I tell her where they are, she’ll send someone to try to find them on one of the trips back to Earth.”
“Oh, wow,” I breathe. “That would be so amazing. I’d love to see them.”
“Well, I’ve already told her where they are. Meanwhile, will we all be attending your wedding?” she asks.
“Of course!” I enthuse. “I’m nervous, though. I need to be ready, and I feel like there’s something I should do.”
Romi starts to speak just as there’s a light knock on the door, and Nadine enters. “Hi, ladies!” She’s holding her adorable little baby. “I just thought I’d stop by,” she says as she walks into the room. She’s so pretty with her honey-blond hair and blue eyes. It’s no wonder she met her mate the day she left Earth.
She sits down, and Romi immediately gestures to hold the baby. Nadine happily hands her over. “We were just wondering about the wedding,” Romi says as she presses a gentle kiss on the baby’s forehead. “Melody is worried about what she should be doing.”
“I’m just excited that we actually get to have weddings.” Nadine smiles over at me. “You don’t have to worry about anything. Helena and her team will plan the whole thing. You and I can meet beforehand for your wedding dress. It will be fitted for you.” As she leans back into the couch cushions, I look closely, wondering if her belly already has a curve again.
“Are you pregnant?” I can’t help but ask.
Nadine flushes, her hand curving over her belly. “I don’t think so.”
“How could you be pregnant so quickly?” Jenny, another new arrival from Earth, asks.
“When human women come to this planet, we become very fertile,” Nadine says.
Jenny nods, fiddling with the hem of her dress. “Do you want to—” She clears her throat, looking uncomfortable. “Mate?”
My mind flashes to Hunter and the way I feel with him. I cannot wait to grow his baby inside me.
Nadine’s cheeks turn a little pink, but she nods. “I promise you, whether you experience the infinity pulse or not, men here are good to women. No one will hurt you. If you experience infinity pulse…” Her eyes slide to mine, and my cheeks burn. “You will want to be with your man as often as you can.”