Read Online Amidst a Crowd of Stars by Megan Hart - Free Book Online

someone different?”
    â€œYes,” she said, though she didn’t know why.
    She turned her back and left the kitchen and Keane, and she went to town alone where she spent the day looking in shop windows at items she didn’t need and still could not afford.
    When she got home, she found the house quiet. The girls slept in their room and Keane in a chair by the window, a newsform on his lap. A covered plate in the coolbox made tears spring to her eyes again. She crept from the kitchen to stand in the living room doorway, watching him.
    Then she went to his chair and stood. He opened his eyes.
    â€œBecause I’d miss you and the girls,” he whispered in answer to her earlier question.
    â€œWe’d miss you too,” Marrin whispered back. “Come to bed.”
    She went to the bedroom and got into bed, and Keane got in beside her. They lay in silence for a few minutes.
    â€œI’m sorry I’m not what you expected me to be,” he said at last.
    â€œI’m sorry I expected something different.”
    She heard him shift, felt the bed dip as he turned toward her. She waited for him to touch her, but all he said was, “Good night, Marrin.”
    â€œGood night, Keane.”

    Today
    â€œGood morning, sir!” the medica chirped as she opened the blinds to let in the sun.
    The poor man had fallen asleep by his wife’s bedside, holding her hand. The medica smiled and moved closer to put her hand on his shoulder. She drew it back immediately with a small cry of surprise.
    â€œOh, my,” she said as she ran for someone to come and help her.
    Another medica joined her a moment later. “What’s wrong, Pimmie?”
    She gestured. “They’re gone.”
    â€œBoth of them?”
    She nodded. “Yes. She was ailing, but the young man seemed fine yesterday.”
    The other medica moved closer. “She was his grandma?”
    Pimmie shook her head, remembering the conversation of the day before. “Oh, no. She was his wife.”
    The other medica looked more closely at the man’s face. “But he’s Seveeran. They don’t just die. They have to choose—”
    â€œAnd he chose,” said Pimmie, tears sliding down her cheeks. “He chose to go. When she did.”
    She smiled through the tears. “He didn’t want to be without her.”
    â€œWell, now they’re both in the stars,” said the other medica. “Together.”
    And as she turned to leave the room, Pimmie thought she heard a whisper, but when she turned back to listen, it had gone.
    Good night, Marrin.
    Good night, Keane. I love you.
    I love you, too.

Look for these titles by Megan Hart
    Now Available:

    Passion Model

Protect and Serve just took on a whole new meaning.

    Passion Model
    Â© 2010 Megan Hart

    For Recreational Intercourse Operative Gemma, patrolling Newcity’s Lovehuts and Pleasurebots isn’t much of a pleasure. But it’s work she clings to after an accident destroyed her marriage and left her with half her body made of replacement parts.
    She keeps her head down and her mind on her job, waiting for the proverbial hammer to fall. The head of the ruling council is out to make those like her illegal. If anyone finds out she’s mecho, she’s toast.
    A routine inspection of a Pleasurebot turns into a strictly forbidden—and mind-blowing—sexual encounter. Then she realizes it isn’t an “it” at all. He’s human, and despite the sweet-hot climaxes he gives her, she buries her report to save them both from the consequences.
    Except he can’t seem to stay away from her, and for a time life seems almost…normal. Until Gemma uncovers Declan’s own deep, dark secret. A secret that could get her fired from R.I.O. Or both of them killed.
    Warning: This book contains graphic depictions of sex with men, women, aliens and robots.

    Enjoy the following excerpt for Passion Model:
    The