Rebellion Read Online Free PDF

hair. “Sorry for abandoning you like this. Are you sure you don’t mind?”
    “Of course not. Go and have fun. You deserve it. I’ve got a nice long call planned with Ian.”
    Ria rolled her eyes. “Well I certainly don’t need to be around for that.”
    An hour later, she stood in the open-air market and marveled at the lights. The energy and excitement here was palpable, not to mention the butterflies cavorting in her stomach. There was no sign of Ty yet, so she wandered about the market. Crews of men and women decorated for the ball. They laughed and joked as they worked. The ball was enormous, and it took time to put it all together. Beautiful luminescent spheres of blue, green, and purple floated fifteen feet in the air, casting a dreamy glow over the stalls and people milling about.
    A vendor caught her eye and waved a handful of flowing, glowing material in her direction. “Pretty lady, I have scarves for you.” He rifled through the scarves. “A red one here to match your hair. Come, pretty lady. I make a deal for you. Fifteen credits. Only for you.”
    “It’s worth two, if that.” Ty’s voice sent a warm breath down her neck, igniting her insides.
    She spun around and found him smiling at her. He wasn’t much taller than her, and she couldn’t help but imagine how their bodies would fit together. It had been too long since she’d been with a man. And she wanted this one.
    “Is that all? Surely it’s worth more than two credits.” She walked over to the vendor and took the scarf he offered. She’d been told how the silk came alive in the dark and the sheer fabric was stunning. “My friend here says it’s not worth more than two credits.”
    “Bah. I’d wager your friend there doesn’t have four mouths to feed at home.”
    Ty laughed beside her. He whispered in her ear. “He’s got a point. Offer him five and no more. Wait.” He reached out and pulled a shimmering green scarf from the pile. “The color of your eyes.”
    Ria pulled out her com. “I’ll pay you ten.”
    Both men made exasperated noises, which made her laugh.
    “It’s robbery, but for you, pretty lady, okay.” He held his com out and Ria sent over the credits.
    She draped the scarf over her shoulders and turned to Ty. “What do you think?”
    A beat of silence before he replied, “Ravishing.”
    He held out his arm, and she looped her hand around it. He wore a long-sleeved button-up shirt, which hid the muscles that had been on such delicious display earlier in the day. She tightened her grip on his bicep and felt the impressive bulge underneath the fabric. He led her away from the center of the market and down a narrower cobblestone alley. Like the market, it was closed to vehicles. Light from shop fronts and cafes reflected off the smooth stones. Music and laughter surrounded them, and the colored orbs that hovered overhead gave the night a festive feel.
    Ty flexed his arm to get her attention. “Where are you from again?”
    She nearly said Sandaria, but caught herself. She wasn’t from there anymore. “Earth.”
    “Haven’t heard of it.”
    “There’s really no reason why you would. It’s a little blue planet not much larger than this one.”
    He motioned to the side and held the door open to a small restaurant. She stepped through and inhaled deeply. It smelled amazing and reminded her of the villa’s kitchen when Gina was cooking. Candlelit tables dotted the small cozy space.
    A plump woman wiped her hands on her apron and hurried over. “Ty! So good of you to come. I saved the table by the window for you and your friend.” The woman got them situated. Before leaving them, she leaned over and said loud enough to be overheard, “She’s a lovely one.” She winked at Ria and returned to the kitchen.
    The evening flew by. Ty was funny and kept her laughing. They flirted and became increasingly intimate as the night wore on. Finally, with the bill paid, they stood to leave. He placed his hand at the