Page 98 of The Red Woman on Mars

“Law school. Thank you. For the scholarship.”

“Of course.”

The conversation hiccupped to a halt.

And then, Xavier burst out, “Please do not trifle with me.”

“Trifle!”

“You once told me I was the last man on Mars you could ever love.” His eyes glinted mischievously, and he took a step down the stairs. “If your feelings are still what they were then, please tell me so at once.Myaffections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject forever.”

“Very funny.” She stepped forward so she stood at the bottom of the steps. “I’ve tried not to love you. But I can’t help it. I love you against my will and my reason.”

He took another step down to meet her. “That sounds familiar. Should I tell you that you’re the last woman in the world I could ever love?” He cupped the side of her face in his long fingers.

Vivian pressed her own hand against his and looked up into his expressive brown eyes. “If you want.”

“It would be a lie.” He grinned at her. “I cannot say when I fell for you. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.” He pulled away slightly. “All that I am—all that is in my power—is yours. But what doyoudesire, Vivian Bowen?”

He’d asked her a question like that once before in the early days of their acquaintance, and she’d struggled then to answer. Now, her response flowed easily from her lips. “The freedom to make my own choices. A means of supporting myself and my parents. A real education. A career protecting others’ freedoms.”

He hadn’t stopped smiling. “Is that all?”

“No. There’s something I desire that I don’t have yet. You.”

He moved his thumb to trace her jaw. “You have me. All of me.”

Vivian bit her lip. “I haven’t had all of you. Yet.” She turned her arm to the side and showed Xavier the tiny bandage. “Dr. Chavez told me the implant takes effect immediately. Martian medicine is quite extraordinary.”

Xavier’s eyes widened. “I meant it. Anything I have to give that is in my power is yours.” His smile turned into a smirk. “Anything.”

“Anything?” she repeated, her heart lightning.

“Indeed.” He took her hand in his, squeezing with his light Martian grip, and led her up the stairs.

She stepped into his bedroom for the first time. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the edge of the dome and the rocky, barren surface of the untamed Martian landscape beyond. A sitting area contained a sage two-seater sofa, a side chair, and a redstone coffee table. And the bed. An enormous white oak canopy bed with a taupe bedspread.

“I think I’m a little scared,” Vivian confessed. “I thought I’d feel differently, once I had an implant.”

“I’m scared, too.” He squeezed her hand once and let it go.

“You?” She gave a nervous laugh. “But you’re so experienced.”

“Perhaps, but I’ve never done this with you.” He moved away from her and sat down on the sofa, giving her space. “We can wait until you’re ready.”

But Vivian didn’t want space. She closed the distance between them, stepping between his legs and leaning forward until their noses were brushing. “I’m ready.” She kissed him. Xavier gave a small groan into her mouth and pulled her tight against his chest.

“I’ve missed you,” he said between kisses. “Vivian, I’ve missed you so much. I’ve thought about coming to find you every day, and every day I forced myself to wait.”

“Me too,” she murmured. “Every day. You were right to wait these past few weeks. But now, I don’t want to wait a minute longer.”

“Everything in my power to grant is yours.” His long fingers unbuttoned the front of her coveralls, and he pulled them down without removing his lips from hers. He made short work of her undergarments, until she was bare before him. “So beautiful,” he murmured into her neck and scraped his teeth against her skin, making her shiver.

Vivian tugged on his shirt until he stood. She undid the first button, exposing the hollow of his throat. She reached on tiptoes to lay a kiss there. Vivian kissed her way down his chest as sheundid the rest of the buttons, her tongue finding the puckered pink nearly healed wounds, making him gasp in what Vivian was unsure was pleasure or pain.

“You like that?” she teased.

“I do,” he breathed, looking down at her. “Too much for you?”