Bride for the Space Cowboy (Match Made in Space #2)

19. Nadine

Chapter Nineteen

NADINE

“You look beautiful tonight,” Princess Jane says.

I feel beautiful. My rapidly progressing pregnancy means my belly is already round and plump. I feel deeply connected to the baby growing inside me and just as profoundly connected to Kayden.

It’s been weeks since the skirmish on the other side of the planet, and he has doted on me since. When I think of how he literally worships my body on a daily basis, I flush.

I smile back at Jane. “Thank you.” I take a breath. “Thank you for bringing me here.” Emotion rises swiftly inside. Jane selecting me to come here has dramatically changed my life. I still marvel at it and will for the rest of my life.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” she answers, her hands resting on my shoulders and squeezing gently. “Now, let’s hope Melody and Romi find their mates soon. We have more women to bring here too.” She pauses as her hands fall away before tilting her head to the side. “I’m wondering if you could help as we bring more women here from Earth. I know the transition can be challenging. You’ve adjusted so well, and you’ve made friends through your job at the café. Maybe we could create something like a support group. A place where women can learn about the planet and perhaps feel more comfortable. I was a little overwhelmed at first, but I had the protection of Asher.”

“I would love that!” I clasp my hands together in front of my chest. “Let me know what I can do. As you know, I’ll be giving birth soon, but I’m happy to do anything you need me to do.”

Jane’s smile is warm. “Have your baby. We can start doing the groups after that. I’m planning to travel to Earth every other month. At first, I thought I would go to Earth almost every week, but that isn’t practical because I have a baby. Also, while we need women to mate here, we need to pace it to handle the weddings and so on. Do you think that’s manageable?”

“Of course! That sounds perfect. I’ll start thinking about where we can meet and what we can do.”

We’re at a dinner at the royal hall hosted by the prince and princess. Jane had originally considered hosting dinner at her home but decided she wanted to be able to host a large group.

It’s so beautiful here. I’ve been to Kayden’s office a number of times now and blush whenever I think of it. He usually wants to bend me over his desk. Of course, I want him to do that. I digress…

The white high-rise is beautiful, with windows everywhere. It’s a circular shape with a courtyard in the center. They host dinners and meetings with other planetary emissaries in the large hall here. Tonight, men are milling about with the two groups of women who’ve come from Earth. Aside from those of us who landed with the first group, another group of four has arrived.

I approach Melody and Romi. They smile at me. “You look so good,” Melody says.

She stops by the café often to see me. She has taken a job at a small flower shop across the street, so I see her frequently. She loves her job but is impatient to meet her mate.

“Marriage seems to be agreeing with you, along with pregnancy,” she adds with a grin.

I smooth my hand over my belly. “They are both agreeing with me. Tonight, I’m hoping you’ll meet someone for you.”

Melody looks nervous. “I do too. And, honestly, I don’t care whether I experience the infinity pulse. Because of how women are protected here, it will be okay no matter what.”

“It will,” I agree, “but I want you to experience the infinity pulse. It’s amazing.”

I know Kayden is approaching because I feel the slight burn in my chest. He stops beside me, sliding his arm around my waist.

Melody smiles over at him. “Hi, Kayden. I was just telling Nadine how beautiful she looks tonight. Her pregnancy and marriage seem to be suiting her well.”

Kayden’s palm slides onto my hip and squeezes. “She always looks beautiful, and I sure hope marriage and pregnancy suit her.”

I roll my eyes as I look up at him, a sense of warm affection spinning around my heart. “You know they do,” I tease lightly.

Just then, another man approaches, his tail twitching as he approaches us. Kayden catches his eyes. “Hello, Hunter.”

Kayden gestures toward me. “This is my bride, Nadine, and this is Melody. She also came from Earth.” Kayden glances between Nadine and me. “Hunter is part of the security for the governmental offices here. He travels with our planetary emissary team when needed.”

Hunter is equal in height to Kayden, his eyes a darker shade of gold, almost caramel brown. When his eyes lock with Melody’s, I know instantly they will mate. The infinity pulse is tangible in the air between them. I recognize the startled look in Melody’s eyes. It’s an overwhelming sensation.

Kayden squeezes my hip again, leaning down to whisper, “Let’s leave them.”