Atonement (Earth Evolution Series Book 3) Page 4

  The next day Lily walked into the docking bay to find Maggie already there with Liam. Maggie tried to run to her, but Liam pulled her back gently.

  “Easy honey, stop getting overly excited. The medikos told you to take it slow.”

  Maggie smiled up at him patting his arm. “I’ll be good, I promise. I can’t stand to be on bed rest again. That drove me crazy.” She turned to face Lily when she got about two feet from them. “I’m so glad you are coming with us.”

  “I’m glad to be able to come with you too.”

  “Where’s Thomas?” Liam asked.

  “He’s staying here with Mrs. Gordon.”

  “I hate that she doesn’t feel up to coming,” Maggie pouted.

  “The trip from Earth up to the command ship took a lot out of her. Plus, I think Thomas has only shown her about half of the ship.” Lily followed them into the small transport ship that would take them to the Earth dome.

  “I’m glad she’s here. I wish we could bring our whole tribe up, or at least get them to a dome.” Maggie let Liam help her get situated in her seat.

  “I know, me too. Our people are very distrustful and it’s going to take time. We just have to be patient and keep showing them that the Drastans are here to help.” Lily placed her large bag down on the floor next to her seat.

  “What’s in the bag?” Maggie asked with excitement.

  “You’ll have to find out at the shower.”

  Maggie sighed. “Fine.” She looked up and smiled at the person entering the ship. “I didn’t think you were going to make it.”

  “I had a training accident come into the med facility at the last minute that I had to needed my assistance.” A deep voice said from the ships doorway.

  Lily knew that voice. She didn’t look up right away when she felt him sit down in the seat next to her.

  “Hello Lily.”

  Oh my God. The way he said her name made her whole body tingle with desire. She felt the heat from his body wrapping around her. It was like that nature channel show she had seen years ago about the mating rituals of predators. The male would circle the female slowly and cozy up to her to get her guard down. Then he would pounce. When she finally looked up, their eyes locked and she felt like she’d been struck by lightning..

  “Jared.” Was that her voice sounding all breathy?

  He held up a bag. “I brought the baby gift. It’s a—”

  She quickly put her hand over his mouth and pointed at Maggie. “Don’t ruin the surprise.” His eyes looked surprised then they sparkled. Jared’s breath was warm and it felt like he was pressing his lips in a kiss on her palm. She felt eyes watching her, as she removed her hand still feeling the imprint against her skin.

  “You’re not supposed to say what the gift is.”

  “Thank you, I did not know that. Are there any other rules I should follow?” He asked with humor in his voice. It shocked her when he added a wink.

  “Are you making fun of me?” She could swear he was flirting with her.

  He reached over taking her hand and slowly bringing it up to his mouth. “I would never make fun of you.” He turned her hand and placed a kiss in the center, where he had done the last one. No mistaking that gesture.

  Lily was rendered speechless. The sparks that ran from her hand, up her arm, spreading through her whole body and settling low between her legs. He was more than flirting with her, he was downright seducing her right there in front of Maggie and Liam.

  Maggie cleared her throat getting her attention, and Jared released her hand. When she turned to look at Maggie, both her friend and Liam were looking at the two of them with questioning eyes.

  “So we’re meeting your sister at the dome?” She needed to change the subject quickly.

  “Yep. Rachel and Kyle left a few days ago to help mom get everything ready. I can’t wait to see them. I miss them.” Maggie fought back tears, and Liam pulled her close to him, whispering reassurances to her. It was such a touching moment that Lily had to wipe away a tear that came to her eye too.

  “I don’t like being so emotional. I can’t wait until this baby comes so I can go back to being normal again,” Maggie said with frustration.

  Lily laughed. “If you think that you won’t be emotional once the baby gets here, you are wrong.”

  “Will she cry more? I do not like the crying outbursts.” Liam sounded like he was panicking a little bit.

  Lily smiled. “I cried the first time I held Thomas in my arms. He was so small I was worried that I would hurt him. I cried when he would fall asleep in my arms, and when he took his first step, and when he said mama for the first time I broke down into a sob.”

  Liam ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know if I can handle more tears.”

  Maggie patted his chest. “I bet I won’t be the only one with tears.”

  Liam snorted. “I don’t cry.”

  “Of course not, baby. You’re a big strong guy who never cries.” Maggie placated him but gave Lily a knowing look.

  Lily glanced at Jared and found him watching her intently. There was something in his eyes, an emotion she couldn’t name. For some reason, he just seemed different somehow, like a light went off in him or something. It made him seem even sexier, if that was possible.

  *****

  Jared listened to Lily give reassurances to Maggie. The two women had become close living together in the subway over these past years fighting for survival. Something like that forged a strong, close bond. Maggie often said that she felt that Lily was like her sister. It was easy to see that Lily felt the same way about the younger woman.

  Lily. It was a soft, light, beautiful name and it fit the woman next to him perfectly. He could look into those eyes of hers all night and day and never tire of her. She was strikingly beautiful, but she was just as beautiful on the inside. She was also caring and nurturing. Look at how she easily took in the elderly woman that was likely to die in a year. Lily didn’t hesitate in offering her own living space to someone who wasn’t a blood relation.

  “What was the training accident?” Lily asked.

  “Just a last minute broken arm. It was reset and the healing injection administered. The Lieutenant should be able to go back to full duty in a couple of days.”

  “That recovery rate is so amazing. I am awed by your healing technology and I have learned so much. I can’t wait to learn more.”

  Lily once modeled to help pay her way through nursing school. Once she got married she had dropped out but took part time classes while pregnant with Thomas. She worked less and less as a model so that she could work as a part time nursing student on Earth before the nuclear disaster. She used her knowledge to help care for those in her tribe.

  Now, she was studying Drastan medical technology. Jared allowed her certain days during the week to come into the medico during procedures to get hands on training. She also volunteered to go down to the subway every chance she could and help treat the tribes.

  Jared didn’t like her going back to the subway tunnels, but he understood her need to help those around her. He admired that about her. He may disagree with it but he also understood why his father and brothers insisted on her going. They felt that having Lily, a former member of their tribe, would help put a positive light on the Drastans and why they were there. Both Maggie and Rachel were pregnant and couldn’t do it so Lily was the perfect representative.

  He also harbored the fear that Lily’s former boyfriend, Taylor Kent, would try to convince her to come back to him. Jared didn’t know the male, but from what Maggie told him the guy treated Lily like property and couldn’t stand Thomas. Jared had to fight the growl that he wanted to release at the thought that anyone could dislike a child as curious and smart and kind as little Thomas.

  Thomas was such a huge part of Lily; anyone who would expect her to give him up was a complete fool. One of the things that appealed the most to Jared was how loving Lily was to her son and how protective she was. It appealed to him on
such a basic level, and he felt protective of both of them. If he wanted to have Lily in his life, he would have to win both her and Thomas over.

  “I’m more than happy to teach you anything you want to know.” Jared’s double meaning didn’t get past her. Her cheeks tinted a lovely shade of pink.

  “Perhaps when we return you could come by the med facility and I could show you some of the different species physiologies we’ve come across on our travels.” He offered.

  “I would love that.” She gave him a brilliant smile and his heart sped up. He was filled with excitement and anxiousness. Slow down, don’t scare her away.

  Chapter 8

  Earth Dome

  “The next present is from the president. He asked me to relay his regrets for not being able to attend personally, but he was tied up in meetings all day.” Wesley Tate, presidential advisor, said handing a box wrapped in silver paper to Maggie.

  Maggie tore the paper and unwrapped a breast pump. “Wow, I didn’t know any of these survived.”

  “We’ve had a limited supply stored away. Many of our scientists are creating more of the products that we are running low on.”

  “Tell the president that we are very grateful.” Maggie showed Liam the item but he seemed confused.

  “What is it?”

  “A breast pump. It goes over my...” She motioned to her breasts turning bright red.

  “For what purpose?”

  “To help pump milk out for the baby.”

  “Will it hurt you?” He grabbed the item and turned it over inspecting it.

  Maggie shook her head. “No honey, it doesn’t hurt me. I’ll show you later.” She glanced up and Lily couldn’t help but wink at her. That was going to be an interesting tutorial.

  Lily followed Maggie’s mother, Melissa, to the kitchen and helped her bring out more hor dourves.

  “Thank you dear. I didn’t realize all the Estro men would be here. They certainly can pack the food away.” Melissa commented with a smile.

  “They wanted to come and show their support for Maggie and the baby.”

  “I’m very glad that they feel that way about my Maggie. It gives me a peace of mind that she and Rachel both will be taken care of.”

  Lily nodded. “They are both adored and are treated as if they are very precious to them.”

  “I’ve noticed that the Drastans have a very strong sense of family. All three Estro boys followed their father on his mission, on his command ship, even though they don’t all get along.”

  “Getting along with each other is not one of their strong suits. If they were wolves, they would all be alphas because they each think they are right and everyone else is wrong.”

  Melissa laughed. “I’ve not thought of it that way before, but you’re right. They are alphas to the extreme. I’m so happy that both my girls are being taken care of. Now we just have to see about you.”

  Lily looked up in surprise. “Me?”

  “Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed how that handsome Jared can’t take his eyes off of you. He’s a doctor you know. You can’t do better than that.”

  She felt heat rise to her cheeks. She pretended to be interested in the little biscuits that she was arranging on the tray. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “I’ve seen the two of you together several times now and each time, Jared watches you like a hawk.”

  “He’s just being nice, especially since I’m Maggie’s best friend.”

  “Honey, I’ve been married a long time now, but I still can spot the look of a man who wants a woman. My David looks at me that way, Liam has that look for Maggie, Kyle has that look for Rachel, and Jared has that same look for you. Why not give him a chance?”

  “I have a son to raise. I need to concentrate on him.”

  Melissa picked up a platter and headed to the door of the kitchen, pausing to look back at Lily. “Here’s something I learned early on in my marriage. Right after I had Rachel I realized that David and I had been growing apart. He had been focusing on his military career and I was busy raising Maggie and had a second one to add to the mix. If I didn’t do something quickly, we would continue to drift apart.”

  “What did you do?”

  “I made a conscious effort to put my husband first. My girls needed their father, but even more importantly, I needed my husband. I knew that if I did that, put my marriage first, my husband first, that everything else would fall in place. David had my support and he knew that. He gave me his support and it was something I could always count on. It didn’t mean we didn’t disagree and fight. We did, boy we had some big ones too over the years. However, at the end of the day, we were a team. We succeeded together or we failed together but the point was, we did it together.”

  “You two have a special relationship, it’s hard to find that nowadays. Most men aren’t looking for a long term relationship, just a night of fun.”

  “Maybe you’ve been looking at the wrong men. Of course, the only way to know if Jared is the right one versus the wrong one is to give him a chance.”

  “Maybe,” she answered non-committedly. She hated to admit it, but a lot of what Melissa said made sense. It was the kind of relationship her parents had, but she and Shawn had never quite measured up. That was hard for her to admit, even to herself.

  “Well, just think about it.” Melissa left her to take the tray of food out.

  She needed some fresh air. She walked out of the kitchen and glanced over at Maggie. She was opening another gift and fully distracted, no one was looking her way. She went to the door and left the little quarters.

  Lily took the elevator down and walked out of the buildings that were created for the high-ranking officials. This would be considered the rich side of the dome although no one got paid anymore. The governments were conserving their currency, gold and gems, in case they needed it in dealing with the aliens. Everyone who had a job in the dome worked off of credits.

  She walked down the corridor smiling at the families that passed her by. The children were healthy and happy. No one had blotchy, super pale skin, or suffered hair loss. It reminded her of how different her life might have been if she and Thomas could have gotten inside a dome.

  Shawn wasn’t high ranking enough in the air force to qualify. It wasn’t for the lack of him trying though. She could relate to what Melissa was saying. Lily found herself with a small child doing everything for him while taking nursing classes online. Shawn was always too busy pursuing his own career.

  There was love in their marriage, but it wasn’t perfect. Instead of talking through their differences, she usually gave in to what Shawn wanted to keep the peace. It was just easier that way. However, that meant that Lily rarely got what she needed or wanted. She was the one to do all the sacrificing. It was a lonely life but she did her best, she just wished she could have had more, more for her and more for Thomas. She was so caught up in her thoughts she didn’t look where she was going until she bumped into someone.

  “Oh I’m so sorry.” She apologized to two men she had collided with.

  “You’re new here.” The taller man with the mustache commented.

  “Yes, I came to visit a friend.” Lily wasn’t sure why she was being a little cryptic but something about these two men set off alarm bells within her.

  One of them stepped in front of her blocking her from moving past them. “Who’s your friend that you’re visiting?”

  “I need to get back.” She turned around but the other man was blocking her from leaving. She was wedged between them. Her heart began to race.

  “You’re not one of those alien lovers are you?”

  “I’m just here to visit a friend. Could you move please?”

  “She has such nice manners. Please and thank you. Let me hear you say it again.”

  “I think the lady already asked you nicely to move out of her way.” An angry voice from the other side of the men growled out.

  She peeked around and saw Jared, his father an
d Lt. Colonel James glaring at the men. They stepped to the side and she walked over to Jared who put a protective arm around her shoulders.

  “Jared, escort Ms. Tyner back to the house. I would like to speak with these gentlemen for a few minutes.” Lt. Colonel James directed them.

  “I’ll stay for that conversation if you don’t mind Lt. Colonel.” Devlon crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Absolutely Commander.”

  She glanced back at the two men who were suddenly pale and nervous looking. She breathed a sigh of relief as Jared took her elbow and led her away.

  As soon as they were out of sight Jared pulled her to a dark corner. “What the hell were you thinking wandering off alone?”

  Oh, he was pissed. His dark eyes were flaring, his luscious lips were drawn tight, and damn if she wasn’t turned on. An impulse took over and she threw herself into his arms and planted a kiss on him.

  Chapter 9

  What the hell? One minute he was about to give Lily a lecture about safety and not being careless about her surroundings, and the next she was wrapping her body around his and kissing the daylights out of him. Wait, why was he complaining about this? He gripped her legs and lifted her up so that he could carry her further into the shadows.

  He took over the kiss pushing his tongue between her sweet lips. Lily, beautiful and sweet and so his. Jared lowered a hand down her front and cupped her breast. She was tall and lean but she had a nice handful of curves in all the right places.

  “Jared.” She moaned his name when he teased her nipples with his fingers.

  A throat clearing close by made him pull back from her, realizing that he was making out with her in a public area where anyone could walk by and see them. He reluctantly released her letting her slide down his body until her feet touched the ground, then he took a step back.

  “I need to get back to the party.” She straightened her clothes and tried to step around him.

  Jared pulled her to him once more and whispered in her ear. “We have some things to talk about when we get back to the command ship. I’m not letting this go.” He kissed her lips softly then let her walk ahead of him.