Read Online No Rules by Jenna McCormick - Free Book Online Page B

a more polished and modern look. Her shoes were silver, with high wedge heels, revealing freshly painted toenails and a small silver bracelet around one ankle.
    â€œThis isn’t going to work.” The words escaped before he could call them back, and her face fell.
    â€œYou don’t like it?”
    He took his time, considering her from head to toe. How could he explain that he liked it too much? That she drew too much attention? Notice he was desperate to avoid?
    Perhaps saying something callous, hurting her feelings, would be the smartest move. Yet one glance at her exquisite face and, for the first time in his memory, Fenton didn’t want to take the smartest course. Not if the toll was injuring her in any way.
    â€œYou look lovely, a beautiful shine on a rare gem.”
    His reward was her radiant smile. “Thank you. For everything. No one has ever given me so much for so little. I wish you’d let me repay you in some way.”
    To the curious ears of the post workers, she could have been referring to the shirt he refused, but Fenton was nothing if not cautious. Taking her hand in his, he lifted her knuckles to his lips, in a gesture he remembered his father using on his mother. As the only role models for a genuinely affectionate couple he had to go by, he hoped it was sufficient. “The pleasure of your company is the only payment I crave.”
    Alison blinked, as though genuinely startled, and he turned to instruct her purchases be delivered to their rooms. Placing a hand on the small of her back, he escorted her from the store to the grandeur of the promenade deck.
    He’d been a little worried about Alison’s deportment. Needlessly so, because she fell right into the role of a prestigious lady. He’d had his suspicions about her from the beginning, but her ease at transitioning from demjong whore to his doting wife, at least publicly, was without reproach.
    He requested a private table, and since the hour was early for the last meal, they were seated on the much-coveted balcony overlooking the central view port. Below them the starscape spread out in an endless blanket of glittering possibilities. Two months ago, Fenton had never been off the central planet of Hosta, had never seen anything but oceans of ice or sand. Now he was speeding away from his home via the space lanes, never to see Hosta again. The change unsettled him.
    â€œAre you all right?” Alison asked, staring at his ruined face instead of the view.
    He was about to wave off her concern, but hesitated. Maybe it would be better for the two of them to get to know one another, instead of hiding everything. It could only help with the ruse to understand a few basics at least. “This is only my second time with space travel. First leaving the Hosta System.”
    Her eyebrows drew down. “Really? That’s surprising, considering you were part of the military.”
    â€œGround force only.” The overlord wanted to keep him close to home. He’d been forced to stage an unspeakable betrayal to be granted his post on Pental. One he hoped to make amends for at some point. “How about you? You seem to have . . . adapted well.”
    The corner of her bow-shaped mouth kicked up. “Adaptation has always been my specialty.”
    He wanted to ask more, to know what put that sparkle in her eyes, but the server came over to recite the specials.
    Alison listened, then looked to him expectantly. Fenton had no idea what anything was, since he’d grown used to surviving on military rations. If it was edible and would keep him alive, it was fair game. Gourmet dining wasn’t part of his training. “Go ahead and order for both of us.”
    Her shoulders straightened and her chin went up. She rattled off pronunciations for his native dishes he had trouble with, along with two servings of Risgale.
    â€œOne. Just water for me,” Fenton corrected and dismissed the server with a