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Contract Brides: Selene (Chapter 2)

Zena Wynn

Selene


The past


I gazed up at the sky in awe-filled wonder, my breath catching at the sight. Seeing the photos was one thing, but viewing the night sky with my own eyes was too marvelous for words. The stars shimmered like diamonds against the velvet blackness, each one a silent testament to the vastness of the universe.

“Do you like it, Cee?” Bain’s voice, laced with worry, broke through my reverie.

Reluctantly, I tore my gaze away from the dome-covered roof. “It’s magnificent, Bain, but it must have cost you a fortune,” I said, suddenly concerned.

His grin was pure pleasure as he reached out a hand and cupped my face, his thumb brushing gently across my cheek. “You’re worth every penny. Come, they have us set up over here.”

Bain took my hand and led me through the public conservatory. The gigantic biodome was seven stories high to accommodate a multitude of trees, some as tall as a California redwood. A manmade mountain sat in its center, covered in all manner of greenery. The air was moist, carrying the fresh, earthy scent of foliage and the subtle perfume of blooming flowers. The sound of rushing water from the indoor waterfall added a calming effect, its rhythmic murmur blending with the chirping of hidden crickets and the rustle of leaves.

We followed the meandering path through ponds and plantings until we reached a small private seating area. The table was already set with candles, a formal white tablecloth, and several covered dishes in silver domes. A bottle of wine sat chilling in an ice bucket, the condensation dripping down the sides in tiny rivulets.

Bain held out my chair, and I sat on its edge, lifting so that he could scoot me closer to the table. He stopped and lit the small candles before settling in the seat opposite me. Their flickering flames cast a warm, intimate glow. My gaze immediately drifted back to the night sky. I’d never seen so many stars.

“I hope you like what I selected for us to eat. They grow their own food, and the fish is from their ponds,” he said, his voice soft and filled with anticipation.

As I looked at Bain, I was sure my heart was in my eyes. “Whatever you chose, I’m sure it will be wonderful.” My gaze shifted to glance around us again. “I can’t believe you did this. I never imagined…”

Bain took my hand and brought it to his lips in a brief, tender kiss. “I told you, nothing’s too good for you. Experiencing this place has been your dream. I’m glad I could make it happen.”

I looked into his blue eyes before allowing my gaze to roam over his features. I’d hit the jackpot with Bain. He’d managed to tame his brown hair into a stylish sweep over. The few odd strands still stood up, making him look adorable, but the nicely trimmed goatee proclaimed he was all man. Bain spent most of his days in a hard hat and boots, driving heavy mining equipment, and rarely wore a suit. Tonight, he had on a button-down shirt in a shade of blue that matched his eyes and starched black jeans.

In contrast, I dressed more formally. Bain had told me, “Put on something pretty.” That’s all the information he’d given me about tonight. I knew he liked it when I wore dresses, so I wore a black sparkly number that skimmed my knees.

I was petite for a woman, barely standing five-three, but what I lacked in height, I more than made up for in curves. My breasts and hips were what my dad had called pleasantly plump, stating I’d inherited it from my mother. God rest her soul. I’d left my shoulder-length wavy hair loose.

Bain released my hand and motioned to my plate. “Let’s eat.”

We lifted the lids off our serving dishes at the same time. Underneath was a portion of white, flakey fish seated on a bed of rice. A mixture of grilled vegetables accompanied it, their vibrant colors enticing. The smell was heavenly, a blend of citrus, herbs, and the rich aroma of perfectly cooked fish. “It looks good,” I said, my mouth already watering.

“I asked her to put the lemon cream sauce on the side. It’s in that little dish. Oh, I almost forgot,” Bain said as he stood. He opened the bottle of white wine and poured us each a half glass. “I know you rarely drink alcoholic beverages, but the hostess said the wine went well with the fish.”

I smiled. “I’ll give it a try. If I don’t like it, I can drink water.”

Silence fell as we ate. I couldn’t pull my gaze away from the sky. The conservatory had kept the ambient light to a minimum so as not to distract from the view. The lighted pathways and foliage barely penetrated to where we sat in our corner. Occasionally, I heard the murmur of other voices, but they weren’t intrusive. It was easy to pretend Bain and I were alone in this strange new world.

“Did you hear back from the school?” Bain asked, interrupting my musing.

My mouth twisted in a grimace. “I didn’t get the job.”

He took a sip of his wine. “Will you get angry if I say I’m glad?”

I set my fork down, unable to believe he’d be so callous. This job had been my dream, my ideal. The potential salary had been nice, but more importantly, it would have allowed me to follow in my parents’ footsteps as educators. Being denied the opportunity had hurt tremendously.

Bain reached for my hand, and I pulled it out of reach. “Cee, don’t look at me like that. I know how much the position meant to you, but getting it came with the risk of you moving to another city. I love you and don’t want to let you go. If that makes me a selfish bastard, so be it,” he said, his eyes earnest and pleading for me to understand.

I placed my hand over my heart as it leapt in my chest. We’d been dating for over a year but rarely saw each other due to our work schedules. Though I was pretty sure he loved me, this was the first time Bain had said the words. “I love you, too.”

“I was going to do this later, but what the hell.” Bain rose from his seat, walked around the small table, and got down on one knee. “Selene Demetriou, will you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”

He pulled a ring box out of his pants pocket and opened it. Inside was a single solitaire diamond engagement ring on a thin silver band. I covered my mouth with my hands to keep from shrieking. Hastily, I nodded as joyous tears streamed down my face.

Bain took the ring out of the box and slid it onto my left hand. As soon as he finished, I launched myself at him. We landed in a heap on the floor with me crying and him laughing. His arms wrapped around me, holding me close as his laughter vibrated through me. When I finally managed to compose myself, Bain helped me to stand and held out my seat for me to settle.

As he took his seat, Bain’s expression turned serious. “It wasn’t fair of me to ask without first warning you. If you change your mind, I’ll try to understand. My future is not a life everyone can handle.”

I wiped my face with my napkin to dry the remaining tears before holding out a hand, palm up. Bain took mine and held it in his. “Tell me. As long as I have you, that’s all that matters.”

He swallowed so hard I saw his Adam’s apple bob. “A few years ago, I came to the conclusion that I’d never have the lifestyle I want working for my current employer. I love my job, but I’m already at the top of my salary scale. So, after careful consideration, I applied for a job with the Intergalactic Mining Company, working off planet. I passed the hiring test and made it through the initial screenings. My name is on the waiting list to work off-planet.”

“Okay,” I said slowly, wondering where he was going with this.

Bain gave a rueful smile. “You know how the system works. It’s easier to be selected for a position if you have a contact on the inside. A few years back, CJ, my brother’s best friend, was hired. A year and a half ago, because of CJ, my brother was hired by IMC. After Renardo was hired, at his urging, I applied for a position.”

I’d never met Bain’s older brother. I knew he worked off-planet and was some kind of explosives specialist. Bain was a tunnel boring specialist. His whole family was involved in mining and construction in some capacity or other.

“IMC’s benefits can’t be beat. They pay for all living and medical expenses. My salary will be enough for us to afford our own private living quarters when we return to earth. Hell, if I maintain the position for ten years, we’ll have enough to live on the surface, if we want,” Bain said with barely suppressed excitement.

My eyes rounded in surprise. Everyone but the extremely wealthy lived in underground cities. Due to global warming, Earth’s surface temperature had gotten too hot for humans to survive. Those who lived above ground did so in specially constructed biodomes like the ones surrounding this conservatory but on a smaller scale. “They pay that much? What’s the catch?” I asked, my cautious nature kicking in.

“I had to commit to a minimum of five consecutive years off planet. The hours are long, and the work is hazardous. In my estimation, the salary more than makes up for the sacrifice. My paycheck can go into savings and accrue interest until we return to Earth,” he explained.

“We?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

Bain tilted his head to the side. “Of course, we. Do you think I’d leave you here? I want you with me, wherever I am.”

I slid my hand free and toyed with my silverware as I stared off into space. My thoughts were a morass of confusion. I’d only had a few seconds of romantic euphoria before being confronted with hard reality. I had dreams and goals. In the future Bain envisioned for us, I’d have delay those dreams. 

Bain waited patiently, allowing me time to think. Finally, I asked, “What would I do off-planet?”

He shrugged.  “Besides being my wife? I don’t know. I’m sure we can find something for you to do with your time while I’m in the mines. I’d ask Nardo, but his wife also works for IMC as a surveyor.” Expression suddenly intense, Bain rested both forearms on the table and leaned forward. “So what do you say, Selene? Are you still willing to marry me?”

I stared at him while I considered everything. Could I put my career on hold and leave everyone I knew to follow Bain as he pursued his goal? On the other hand, who knew how many names were on that waiting list? It could be years before Bain’s name was selected, if he was selected at all. Saying yes was a huge risk, but sometimes you had to follow your heart. With fingers mentally crossed, I took a huge leap of faith. “Yes, Bain, I still want to be your wife.”

Bain let out the breath he’d been holding while awaiting my answer. “Great! IMC called. A couple of positions opened, and I'm on the short list. Now that I know you’ll go with me, I plan to do everything in my power to make sure one of those positions is mine.”

Eyes wide, I swallowed hard. “That’s great,” I managed to say, hoping my dismay didn’t show as I gave Bain a tremulous smile.


Copyright 2024 Zena Wynn All rights reserved

ISBN: 978-1-958215-33-3

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My books are about...

Passion and Devotion between a man and a woman, Love the way God originally intended it to be, and Commitment that lasts a lifetime.

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