Copyright © 2008 Zinnia Hope
All rights reserved, Freya's Bower.
By reading this excerpt, you are stating that you are at least 18 years of age. If you are younger than 18 years old, you must exit this site at once.
The suite opened, and Wesley stared out at them. He smiled and let the door swing wide.
Jordanne gaped at him.
“I was wondering if you were going to show,” he said.
“What are you doing here?” asked Jordanne.
His gaze fastened on her mouth, and he answered, “The Whiteshores Government contracted me for Delph studies a few years ago, remember? So, I know a lot of these people from working with them on previous projects.” He waved her and Rose inside. “Get in here before that bottle of shinger gets warm.”
A voice rang out, “Admiral! So glad to see you finally made it.”
Jordanne looked for the source of the voice. First Cabinet Aide Roman Dublin sidestepped several intoxicated merrymakers and strode towards her. Every time Jordanne saw the man, he wore an exquisite suit of either white or soft silver. Regardless, she had to admit that Roman was a debonair looking man. His dark brown eyes, closely cropped beard and mustache, wavy blond hair, and athletic body certainly made him easy to admire.
Roman draped his arm across Jordanne’s shoulders, forcing her to look up at him. He took the bottle of shinger and instructed a nearby aide to pour it and bring them each a glass.
“I can’t stay long,” Jordanne lied. “My lieutenant and I have some work to finish tonight.”
“Too bad,” he said and handed her a glass of the orange bubbly liquid. He nodded to the waiting aide who passed glasses to Wesley and Rose too. “I had hoped to hear the tale of how another Saunders rose to the rank of admiral in a privately owned fleet.”
“I passed the Rising Sea Star test,” she answered politely. She glanced at Wesley and noticed his annoyance with Roman.
“Really?” the first cabinet aide said. He sipped at his pungent drink. “I think powerful women are fascinating, and the Saunders family seems well-favored by high officials. However, a woman passing the Rising Sea Star test is a bonus. What was your score?”
“High enough to pass, therefore skipping a few years of advancing up the ranks,” she replied, her tone cool. “I was informed that the president wanted to see me,” she added, hoping to avoid further discussion of her background. All she wanted to do was retire to the safety of her quarters and crawl into bed.
“He didn’t want anything,” Roman began somewhat sheepishly. “I wanted to chat with you, get to know you a bit. I’m serious when I say that powerful—and obviously intelligent women—intrigue me.”
Jordanne stared up at the man, disbelieving her ears. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t consider myself anything special.” She took a gulp of the ginger blended drink and said, “I may have passed The Rising Sea Star test, but I also worked and scraped my way along the proper channels so that I could take that exam; it had nothing to do with my family background, or whom I know in politics.” She glanced at Wesley and placed her wine flute on a coffee table.
“Would you mind escorting me to my quarters? I have some work I need to finish.”
“I look forward to talking to you again, Admiral Saunders.” With reluctance, Roman released her, his expression darkening at Wesley’s possessive hand upon her elbow.
“Good night, Mr. Dublin,” she answered over her shoulder. “Lieutenant, let’s be on our way.”