Goddess's Saga 1: Touch of the Goddess Read Online Free PDF Page A

didn ’t want his passenger to hear him talking to himself any more.
    He ran a hand over his face. This has been a long day and it’s only noon. A drink would be good… No, I need to show her a better side of myself.
    His feet were tired and heavy, and seemed reluctant to carry him to the intercom.
    “Maria, you still there?”
     
    *****
     
    On the bridge, Maria tilted the chair back and grabbed an old-fashioned magazine from a pile on the floor. It was filled with naked women, and she tossed it over her shoulder with a grimace.
    This place is hopeless, and there ’s nothing to do. Wonder if the computer plays chess...
    Stephan ’s voice crackled over the radio.
    “ I need to hit the shower. Any chance you could fix us a pot of coffee?”
    What? Does he think I ’m a maid now?
    “ Maybe.”
    T here had to be a kitchen somewhere, it made sense not even an alone man in space could live on just alcohol, and she got up to look for it. Not because he had asked her to, of course, but it might be good to know. In case she was staying. No other reason.
    Her instincts led her downstairs, to the right in the corridor. The door slid open and she stopped to stare.
    “Holy sheep shit.”
    It wasn ’t at all what she expected. The room was large, inviting, and lit with overhead spotlights dimmed down to a soft, warm glow. The ceiling was made of wood, the kitchen equipment seemed both real and modern, and he had wooden furniture and paintings on the walls.
    She turned around and looked at the bare corridor with steel walls and a rusty ladder hanging askew next to the elevator, then back to the kitchen.
    I guess he likes food.
    Wandering in, she let herself be amazed; it reminded her of a country house back on old Earth. A little greenhouse held spices and herbs, and a large terracotta pot boasted a tomato plant so tall it almost reached the ceiling.
    Peeking into cabinets and large stainless steel appliances for preserving food, she found the ship supplied for living well for months in space. She knew how to cook the ordinary way, she just usually didn’t do it, but she still couldn’t even guess what half of the things would be used for.
    One of the counters supported a large black and chrome kitchen appliance. She stared at it and crossed her arms.
    “You’ve got to be kidding.”
    I t looked like something she’d seen in a restaurant back in the 21st century, but she never used one. It was the coffee maker, it had to be, but with all these pipes and faucets it seemed built for people with a master’s degree in engineering.
    She poked a piece of it , and her touch reported the appendix was meant for skimming milk.
    “ No way. If he wants coffee, he’ll get it the Maria way or do it himself.”
    She didn ’t intend to say the words aloud, and jumped at the sound of her own voice.
    Sauntering around the room once more, she decided she liked the high counter made of wood polished to a warm glow, and climbed up to sit on a high barstool next to it.
    The door opened a few minutes later, and she glanced over her shoulder.
    Ooh, he looks even better now, I guess staying was the right decision. He must have a shower with water in it and not just sonic, that’s a nice surprise.
    His hair was still a little damp, and it was hard not to look at muscular arms dressed in a bright blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up... She slapped herself mentally; what was she thinking? She wasn’t thinking at all, that was the problem.
    His eyes smiled when he reached her.
    “ No coffee, huh?”
    It was hard to look away, and for a moment she allowed herself to drown in his gaze. Then, she flashed a smile.
    “Oh yeah, coffee.”
    Two cups appeared on the counter next to a pot of coffee and little jugs filled with milk, sugar cubes, and cinnamon.
    Stephan gave his head a slight shake.
    “How do you do that? Who are you, really, Maria Callaway?”

~ 5 ~
     
     
    To Stephan, the woman sitting in his kitchen looked like an untouchable beauty