Merry & Seduced Read online

  “I’m not a squirt,” Autumn informed him.

  A ripple of laughter came from behind them, and Marcus’s lips quivered.

  “I’ll remember that,” he said. “You can talk now. Can you remember what to say?”

  “Yes. I promise to be good and pick up my toys when you tell me. Daddy said I should promise to eat Brussel sprouts, but I don’t know what they are. Mostly, I’m gonna be good. Is that all right?”

  Marcus’s grin widened when he noticed Amme’s misty smile and the roll of a tear down her cheek. He reached over and smoothed it away. “Perfect, Autumn. Well done!”

  “Amme, would you like to say something before I pronounce you officially engaged?” the celebrant asked.

  Everyone turned to Amme in quiet expectation. Her mind raced, and a tremor sped to her knees. Thankful she had practiced her English since her arrival and soaked up the language, she began, “I-I l-love you, Marcus, and I love your daughter. I love Autumn, as if she were my own child.” Her nerves settled and her thoughts cleared to perfect clarity. “I’m grateful for your acceptance and the way you’ve welcomed me and my friends into your life. While I’ll miss my friends when they leave, I’m excited to start this new journey with you at my side. I wake up each morning with such happy anticipation, and my life is full of joy. I can’t wait to be your wife, Marcus. And, Autumn, I can’t wait to be part of your family. I promise to be the best wife and mother I can be.” She squeezed Marcus’s hand then stooped to kiss Autumn on the cheek.

  “Are we married now?” Autumn asked.

  “Soon,” Marcus said, his face aglow with anticipation.

  “I now pronounce you officially engaged,” the man said.

  “Good,” Marcus said and promptly kissed her.

  She kissed him in return, her mind full of love and the sound of cheers and ribald laughter when the kiss took such a long time. Finally, they parted and turned to their audience.

  Marcus lifted their joined hands into the air. “Time to party.”

  He stayed to talk to the celebrant while everyone else trooped into the house. The house phone started ringing almost as soon as they walked inside.

  “I’ll get it,” Olivia called.

  “Time for champagne,” Max called. “Sparkling water for you, my dear,” he said to his wife.

  “Daddy said we have special drinks for us,” Autumn said.

  “That’s right,” Max said. “W. A. T. E. R. with bubbles and fruit garnishes.”

  Marcus walked into the large conservatory where they’d decided to hold Ry and Camryn’s wedding breakfast. “The celebrant couldn’t stay. He has another wedding in an hour.”

  Gweneth and Mogens appeared carrying trays of drinks.

  “A toast,” Max said when everyone had a drink.

  “Wait, where’s Olivia?” Amme asked. “Is she still on the phone? I’ll go and get her.” She hurried into the kitchen and found Olivia hunched over with tears streaming down her cheeks.

  “Liv, what is it? What’s wrong?”

  Olivia swiped the tears away and only succeeded in smearing her makeup. “That was my mother. They heard from my friend’s mother about my terrible behavior. Since they can’t trust me to behave, they’ve arranged a job for me as a nanny with one of their friends. My mother said if I didn’t turn up in Switzerland, dressed in a conservative manner with normal-colored hair, they’d disown me. I tried to tell them I didn’t want that but she wouldn’t listen. What am I going to do?”

  Amme gave Olivia a swift hug then pulled away. “You’re going to fix your face and come out to join us in our celebration. Then, once everyone leaves, we’ll have a family conference and decide how to handle your parents. I thought you were staying with us? Both Marcus and I would like to have you here.”

  “Oh, Amme. You’re the coolest sister-in-law a girl could have. Marcus is so lucky to have you.”

  “He is,” Gweneth said, appearing from behind them. “We’re all going to miss Amme when we leave. Let me help you with your makeup. You don’t want to scare Ellen into having her babies too early.”

  Olivia gave a watery chuckle. “I’m gonna miss you guys as much as Amme.”

  “We’ll be back,” Gweneth said in a gruff voice designed to imitate a male star from a movie she’d recently watched.

  “I’ll leave you two alone,” Amme said. “Two minutes, okay? Otherwise you’ll have Marcus out here. We’ll work this out, Olivia. I promise.”

  * * * * *

  “That was so much fun,” Amme said as she climbed into bed beside Marcus.

  Marcus wrapped his arms around her and drew her against his chest. “I’m going to miss your friends.”

  “Me too. At least Olivia seemed more cheerful. Your mother upset her. You’re not going to let her go to Switzerland, are you?”

  “No, not if she wants to stay with us. She said she wants to get a job, but I’m happy to support her until she’s financially secure. She asked if we could talk tomorrow.”

  “Good. That’s good.”

  Marcus rolled them, so he was looking down at her startled face. “We’ll sort out Olivia tomorrow. Tonight is for us.”

  Amme grinned up at her fiancé. “I don’t have any argument.”

  Their kiss was unhurried and thorough—a meeting of souls as well as lips. Hands caressed and bodies rocked together, propelling them both into a sea of need. A long time later, Marcus slipped inside her, joining them in the most elemental way.

  “I love you,” she whispered.

  He paused his luscious strokes into her warm depths to smile at her with love and longing. “You have made me the happiest man alive, Amme. I know how much you’re giving up to stay here with me, and I intend to spend my days making you happy in return.”

  Their lips met, the slow plunge into her body and retreat commencing again. Her climax began like the twirl of a ribbon, unfurling and reaching, reaching to frisk her pleasure receptors. She gasped and tumbled into freefall, glorying in this man, her happiness and her renewed sense of purpose.

  “Marcus,” she gasped, holding tight to his shoulders.

  His big frame shuddered, and he stilled, gulping for breath. He kissed her then pressed his forehead to hers. “Thank you for everything.”

  She felt the hard pull of her lips and the formation of something Camryn said was a dimple. An anomaly for sure, but according to Marcus, cute. “My pleasure, Marcus. I live to make you happy.”

  “And I live for your happiness, sweetheart.”

  Amme kissed him, relaxed and happy and fulfilled. A cyborg and a human. A strange mix to be sure, but it felt right, and that was all that mattered.

  Their bodies parted and realigned for comfort, and Amme let her system go into rest, her last thoughts of Marcus and Autumn and happiness.

  A childcare cyborg didn’t get any luckier.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Where’s Olivia?” Marcus demanded for the fifth time, glancing around myriad bags and milling friends. “She’ll miss the takeoff.”

  “I don’t know.” Amme frowned as she tried to remember. Now that she thought about it, she hadn’t seen Olivia since their shared early morning cup of coffee. In the madness of helping Gweneth and the others pack the last of their Earth souvenirs, she hadn’t noticed Olivia.

  “Has anyone seen Olivia?” Amme asked.

  “Not since earlier,” Jannike said. “I’m sorry but we can’t wait any longer. Ry wants us to leave on schedule.”

  Marcus sighed. “Okay. We’ll go. Autumn, are you ready?”

  “Yes, Daddy.” The little girl jumped into the rear of Marcus’s vehicle and waited for Amme to strap her into her car seat. The others piled into the black hire van.

  Seconds later, they were following the van and on their way to Max’s training stables. Marcus pulled up by Max’s SUV, and everyone jumped out.

  “I want to come with you,” Autumn said.

  Amme crouched beside the little girl. “Not today. Just grownups today. You’re going to play with Luke. I think Luke’s mother said you’re going to make ANZAC biscuits—the cookies the mothers made for their soldier sons a long time ago—and bacon and egg pie.”

  Autumn’s brow furrowed then cleared. She gave a quick nod and trotted over to where Ellen waited with Luke.

  One by one, Amme’s friends strode over to Ellen and said their goodbyes. One by one, they shook Luke’s small hand and patted Autumn on the head.

  Camryn joined Amme. “I’m going to miss you. I’m so glad you’re happy with Marcus. He’s a good man, but part of me still wishes you were coming with us.”

  Amme turned to her friend. “We’ll see each other again.”

  “Not for hundreds of rotations.” Camryn brightened. “But we will return. Ry promised, and he keeps his promises. I can’t wait to hear about the changes that will occur in your life. Besides, we can contact you before we leave the solar system in about three days. Why don’t I call you each day?” Camryn shot a glance at Marcus, saw he was chatting to Max and Ry. “Have you changed your mind?”

  “No.” Amme’s reply was instant, and some of the angst dancing in the pit of her gut dispersed at the realization. She would miss her friends, but she did want to stay with Marcus. “I love Marcus.”

  Camryn squeezed her hand. “He loves you too. Don’t worry. You have Max and Ellen for backup.”

  “I do. Don’t worry about me. You’re the one who’s flying into the unknown.”

  “No guts, no glory,” Camryn muttered, and they both laughed.

  “Time to go,” Ry said.

  Like the rest of the crew, Amme picked up a couple of bags and followed Ry as he trekked through the paddocks toward the spot where the Indy waited for their departure.

  “Holy Hannah,” Am
me said after a while. “Who belongs to this bag?”

  “Um, that’s mine,” Kaya said, her bright blue hair flashing in the sunlight. None of them had bothered with disguises this morning since they were leaving.

  “It feels as if you have bricks in here,” Amme said.

  “No, white chocolate,” Kaya said. “I wanted enough to last for most of the voyage. It’s like the food of gods.”

  “You couldn’t have taken it to the ship yesterday?” Amme asked and resettled the bag over her other shoulder.

  “She did,” Jannike said. “During the small hours of this morning she dragged me down to the twenty-four hour supermarket to purchase more.”

  “You won’t be so smartass when I share my bounty,” Kaya said.

  Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at the Indy.

  “Great camouflage,” Marcus said. “I could walk past and not notice a thing.”

  “Job done,” Nanu said and nudged Camryn. “Told ya we wouldn’t have any trouble.”

  “We haven’t left yet,” Camryn said. “Someone could still knock us out of the sky.”

  Nanu’s braids clicked when he shifted position. “The shields are fully active. Not one of Earth’s security forces will see us on their instruments. I’m damn good at my job.”

  Camryn gave one of his braids a sharp tug. “Big-headed too.”

  “I wish Olivia was here to see. It’s probably not safe to take a photo,” Marcus said.

  “No, not of the Indy.” Ry opened the door and stood aside. “Stow the luggage and then we’re off.”

  Amme caught Mogens peering at the clouds on the horizon. A swirl of black swept across his face like a network of veins.

  “What’s wrong?” she demanded.

  “I don’t like the look of the clouds. We should go now.”

  Ry exchanged a glance with Camryn. “Move it.”

  Camryn clasped her twin in a tight hug. “Look after Amme for us.”

  “Will do,” he said. “Come back soon.”

  Camryn bit her lip, nodded briefly and sought her husband’s arms.

  “Bye!” Amme said. “Stay safe.” She turned and tromped off the Indy.

  Marcus joined her and slipped his arm around her waist. Max trotted from the ship and came to a standstill beside them.

  “Are we far enough away here?” he asked.

  “No, we should stand by the trees,” Amme said. “With the shields on we won’t see much.”

  Once in position under the trees, they turned to watch the ramp pull up and blink from sight. A roar had Amme clapping her hands over her ears and Marcus and Max followed suit.

  Wind snatched their clothing and hair but gradually the noise and commotion retreated.

  “Whoa,” Max said. “Look at the crater and the toppled trees.”

  “We had a bad landing,” Amme said.

  Marcus’s brows rose as he stared at the carnage. “A bad landing? It’s a wonder you walked off the ship.”

  “Jannike struck her skull. She suffered the sole injury,” Amme said. “She bounced back quickly enough.”

  “Hell,” Marcus muttered. “Just how dangerous is it flying through space?”

  Amme shrugged. “No worse than crossing a street in the middle of Auckland. Besides, Jannike, Kaya and Ry are highly trained. Camryn is a shapeshifter. She’s as dangerous as the other crew members.”

  “Camryn, dangerous?” Max laughed then sobered when Amme didn’t return the sentiment.

  “I saw her when Amme was hurt. Her and Ry,” Marcus said. “I’m with Amme. Your twin can hold her own.”

  “What about you, Amme?” Max asked with a sidelong glance.

  “If someone attacks Autumn or Luke or any other child in my care, I’d turn into a dangerous weapon.”

  Marcus’s brows rose. “I don’t know whether to believe you or not, but you did save Autumn.”

  “Believe,” Amme said, then spoiled her announcement by laughing.

  “Huh,” Marcus said and checked his watch. “Might as well wander back. I still thought Olivia would turn up. Mum must have upset her worse than she let on to me. Have you tried the house, Amme?”

  “Not since we arrived at Max’s farm.”

  “You worried about her?” Max asked.

  “Trouble with the parents.” Marcus heaved a heavy sigh. “She’s an adult. Guess I need to remember that too.”

  “But you’re not trying to bully her,” Amme said. “Your mother and father are treating her like a child.”

  “Families,” Max said. “There’s no one better at pushing buttons than family.”

  “True,” Marcus said. “I guess she’ll turn up when she’s ready.”

  “Are you guys coming in for a cup of tea?” Max asked.

  “Yes please,” Amme said. “I want to see the ANZAC biscuits. Ellen said she’d show me how to make them and lend us a book so I can read the story about the history of the cookies and their place in the history of my new country. It sounds like something I need to know.”

  Amme spent two hours with Ellen and the children while Marcus went out with Max to help with farm chores.

  “Any luck with Olivia?” she asked Marcus when he returned and they were driving home.

  “No, but she still has a few friends in the Auckland area. She’s probably gone to visit one of them. I know she hates goodbyes. Always has since she was a kid, so that might have been the reason she left.”

  “The house seems so quiet. It’s going to take a while to get used to not having everyone around.”

  “What are you doing for the rest of the day?” Marcus asked.

  “I don’t know. Some housework. Maybe I’ll clean out the cottage, although Gweneth promised me she’d checked everything was clean.”

  “Plenty of time to do that tomorrow or later in the week. Why don’t you and Autumn come and help me shift the alpacas to a new paddock?”

  “Yes.” Amme clapped her hands together. “I like that idea.”

  Marcus kept her and Autumn busy for the entire afternoon.

  Later that night when Autumn was in bed and she and Marcus were watching a movie, Amme’s ear com had her straightening from Marcus’s arms. “Camryn?”

  “It’s me,” her friend said. “No problems this end. We’ve made good time since we found a flight gate. Ry says we’ll exit the solar system tomorrow.”

  Marcus wrapped his arm around her shoulders and drew her close.

  “So just one more call,” Amme said.

  “Yes. Nanu said he can wire our coms so we can all say goodbye. We’ll call around the same time tomorrow.”

  “I’ll ask Max and Ellen over for dinner,” Amme said. “You’ll want to say goodbye to them too.”

  “Thanks.” Tears wobbled within Camryn’s speech. She coughed and changed the subject. “We were looking at our photos on our tablets. Nanu has worked out a way for us to charge them. I think we’ll be talking about this holiday for years. Oh, Kaya wants to know if Olivia turned up.”

  “She’s staying with a friend for a few days. There was a message on the answer phone when we returned from shifting the alpacas. Marcus said she’s never liked goodbyes and probably freaked at the idea of so many at once.”

  “Glad to hear it,” Camryn said. “Kaya has locked up her chocolate and threatened Nanu with her blaster when he tried to steal a bar. Mogens is hoarding sweets too. He had some hidden in his medicine satchel. I know chocolate when I smell it.”

  Amme chuckled, imagining the scene. “I’m going to ask your brother to teach me to ride. Autumn too, if she wants. The one quick lesson we had before Christmas made me want to learn more. What do you think?”

  “That’s a great idea. What does Marcus think?”

  “I don’t know. I just thought of it. No, it’s all right. He’s smiling and nodding. Marcus suggested I attend a school to get a formal childcare qualification. Sort of prepare for when Autumn is grown.”

  “Another good idea. You know you can try lots of things. New hobbies and interests,” Camryn said, her enthusiasm transmitting through the com. “That should be fun. What are you going to do tomorrow?”

  “We’re going to take down the Christmas tree in the morning and we’re going to visit Rangitoto Island. Marcus said it’s a boat ride and we can walk to the top of the dormant volcano crater. We’re taking a picnic.”

  “Sounds like fun. We’re all in fitness training and practicing with weapons. Ry wants us prepared for anything when we arrive on Viros. Oh, and we’re definitely stopping to visit Kaya’s brother. Ry is muttering something about adding more guns so we might be there a few days. We’re going to lose contact. Nanu said we’re going to pass through some meteor fragments. I’ll call you tomorrow before we’re out of range.”