Mail Order Mom

“These are tablets.” The deep male voice came from the entrance to the kitchen. “For you and your sister.”

My heart skipped a beat at the sound of that voice.

The captain walked into the kitchen.

Thankfully, he didn’t look like he’d heard any of our conversation, especially that part about anyone sleeping with him or me trying to seduce him.

I chased those thoughts away and attempted to collect myself. He was my boss. My heart had no business making somersaults in his presence.

Mara pressed her hand to her chest. “Oh, you scared me. How did you manage to sneak up on us with your size and all that weight?”

He stared at her with a somewhat confused expression. “I wasn’t trying to sneak up on anyone. Didn’t you hear my aircraft?”

“We were talking,” I explained. “The Aldraian aircraft are pretty quiet. Morning, Captain.”

“Xavran,”he corrected, coming closer. “Ranks are only used at work on Aldrai.”

Oh, this wasn’t good. It might be easier for me to keep things professional if I thought of him as Captain Rax, my boss, not Xavran, the big guy who gives the best hugs in the world...

“I prefer captain—” I tried to protest, but he wouldn’t have any of that.

“But I don’t.” He stepped right up to me. “Say my name.”

Tingles rushed down my arms, either from the way he said it, or from how close he stood, or both.

I glanced at Mara. She wiggled her eyebrows, looking amused.

“Say it,” he insisted.

I raised my eyes to his. They were so impossibly dark, but when I looked closely, I could see the even-darker pupils in the middle. They were so dilated right now, they took over nearly the entire irises.

“Xavran...” I uttered in a half-whisper. My voice came out breathy, making his name sound intimate.

His throat bobbed with a swallow. His gaze remained on me, holding me prisoner. I couldn’t move a muscle. I couldn’t even blink.

“How does this thing work?” Mara’s voice sounded like a gunshot in a library, shaking me out of whatever spell Xavran’s dark eyes had put me under.

She was standing by the counter, flipping one of the discs in her hands.

When had she moved there from the table?

How long was I staring at Xavran?

And what the heck was the matter with me?

He calmly walked over to the counter and took the disc from Mara.

“Place your hand on it.” He waited for her to comply.

She spread her fingers, pressing her palm to the smooth surface. The disc lit up with a silvery gray light.

A pleasant, mechanical voice sounded, “Welcome, Mara.”

“Neat,” she giggled, perking up. “It knows my name. What else can it do? Does it have videos? Movies? Can I talk to people?”

“You can connect to my entertainment system.” Xavran showed her how to connect to his personal network and the available public networks. “This is the library of books and videos. Movies are here. The social net is here. The town news—”

“Great!” She grabbed it from him. “I’m in my room if you’ll need me, but I really hope you won’t.” She took off, leaving me one on one with him.

He took the second device from the counter.

“Is this one for me?” I asked.

He glanced at me briefly. “You wished to learn more about Aldrai. This should help. I requested the devices to be programmed to communicate in audio, so your translator will pick up the sound and convey the meaning to you.”

“Thank you. That was very thoughtful.” I didn’t expect him to act on what I’d said last night. He wasn’t obligated to fulfill my wishes, but I was grateful he did. Learning more about this place would make my life easier.

He took my hand in his, making my breath hitch.

“Just like that,” he said softly, placing my hand on the disc.

“Welcome, Susanna,”the device greeted me.

I smiled. “It works.”

“It does.” His voice sounded above me. He stood so close to me, my shoulder was pressed to his arm, his fingers still circling my wrist.

If I turned just a little, I could rest my head on his chest...

He cleared his throat again, making his chest vibrate. He then let go of my hand.

“How was your morning?” he asked, stepping away from me.

Maybe he was “interested,” like Mara put it, but he clearly chose not to pursue anything. All I could do was behave the same.

I released a breath, rolling back my shoulders. “Good. We went to school. Stefan showed me how to fly the aircraft—”

He snapped his gaze to my face.

“Always let the machine fly,” he said with emphasis. “Never try to do it yourself.”

Stefan had said that Xavran’s wife died in a crash. Just like me, he must have some misgivings about air travel too, now.

“I promise I won’t try to fly it myself. Stefan told me the same.” I nodded. “He’s taking me grocery shopping later.”

“Good.” He tipped his chin at the disc in my hand. “Do you need help with that?”

“Yes, please.” I handed him the device.