Andromeda’s Choice Read Online Free PDF

enjoyable urgency. The climax came quickly and left both of them momentarily sated. “That was good,” Avery said, as they lay side by side. “
Very
good. Have I mentioned that I love you?”
    â€œOnce or twice.”
    â€œOnly once or twice? I’ll try to do better.”
    â€œSee that you do.”
    His voice was muffled. “I like your breasts.”
    â€œSo it would seem. Be careful . . . You might drown.”
    Avery laughed as he came up for air. “Yes, but what a wonderful way to die.”
    That led to another kiss, and, a minute or two later, McKee found herself sitting astride Avery. His hands roamed her back as their foreheads touched. McKee shuddered. “Don’t.”
    â€œDon’t what?”
    â€œDon’t touch them.”
    Avery had been there on the morning when McKee had been tied to an X-shaped rack and publicly whipped. The result of that whipping was the raised scars that crisscrossed her back. So Avery removed his hands from her back and cupped her breasts instead. “You’re beautiful Cat . . . And that includes your back.”
    McKee didn’t want to cry, but the tears came anyway. She had once been known for her beauty. Now her face was marred by a terrible scar—and she would never be able to wear a backless dress again. It shouldn’t matter, that’s what she told herself, but it did. So McKee cried, and Avery held her. Eventually, as the water began to cool, the sobs died away. She wiped the last of the tears away. “Sorry.”
    â€œDon’t be. I understand. What you need is some lunch.”
    Avery got up, helped McKee out of the tub, and gave her a scratchy towel. Once she was dry, McKee slipped into a robe that was at least two sizes too big for her. Then she made her way out into the living room, where a glass of wine was waiting. “Have a seat,” Avery said, “and I’ll bring you something to eat.”
    Lunch consisted of fresh food that had been flown in from the countryside now that the Hudathan siege had been lifted. It wasn’t fancy. Just some bread, cheese, and fruit. But it tasted wonderful to McKee, who was used to a diet of MREs.
    So they ate and did the best they could to avoid the subject on both of their minds, which was the future. But by that time, McKee had learned to read most, if not all of Avery’s moods, and knew he was holding something back. “Okay, John . . . It’s time to get whatever it is off your chest.”
    Avery produced a crooked smile. “It shows?”
    â€œYes, it shows.”
    Avery sighed. “I have some news for you. It’s
good
news. Most people would think so anyway.”
    â€œBut I won’t?”
    â€œNo, you won’t.”
    â€œOkay, give it to me straight.”
    Avery took a sip of caf. “Rylund put you in for the Imperial Order of Merit, and it was approved.”
    McKee made a face. “You’re right. I don’t like it. I don’t deserve it for one thing. But, even if I did, the last thing I want is a medal from the people who murdered my family.”
    Avery nodded. “I knew you’d say that. Or something similar to it. But it gets worse.”
    â€œWorse? How could it?”
    â€œThey plan to give you the IOM on Earth. As part of a televised ceremony.”
    McKee’s unhappiness morphed into fear. “That would be terrible! Think about it . . . Someone might recognize me.”
    â€œI
have
thought about it,” Avery assured her. “But there’s no way out. Earth’s governor is slated to present the award, and that’s that. This is an opportunity for Ophelia’s government to take credit for the victory over the Hudathans, and they aren’t about to pass it up.”
    â€œSo, what can I do?”
    â€œFollow orders,” Avery replied. “I know there’s a risk, but you look very different now. Even