Amidst a Crowd of Stars by Megan Hart Page B

let in the light but keep out the sun’s harshest rays. In the daylight she could see every blotch and bump on her skin, every imperfection.
    â€œMarrin?”
    And then she turned from the sight of her own face, not needing to see anything but how she looked reflected in Keane’s gaze. “Yes, sweetheart?”
    â€œAre you all right?” He’d sat up and was looking concerned. “You look pale.”
    She nodded, her hand going to her throat to try and ease some of the pressure there. She tried to catch her breath, but could not. She tried to speak, but could say nothing. She reached for him, and his face was the last thing she saw as her knees crumpled and dropped her to the floor.

    Forty rotations ago
    â€œWhat will you do tomorrow?”
    Marrin turned to look at her assistant. Former assistant, she corrected herself. As of this moment, Marrin Levy no longer had an assistant, or needed one. It had taken a full two rotations to get all the details sorted out, but now that everything had been taken care of, she was more than ready to let go.
    â€œSleep in for one.” She smiled at Darlin. “Have a leisurely lunch in the courtyard. Perhaps go shopping in the afternoon for the girls’ birthdays.”
    â€œSounds perfect.” Darlin’s bright grin shone against the dark skin of his face. “I’m envious.”
    â€œYou know you’re always welcome to visit us.”
    He reached out to her for a hug. “We’ll all miss you, Marrin.”
    â€œIt’s time for me to step down.” She returned his hug without even a sentimental tear at the thought of leaving the position she’d had for the past eighty rotations. “Time for me to spend some time with my husband.”
    â€œKeane will keep you busy.” Darlin laughed and squeezed her again.
    â€œI’m sure he will.”
    And Keane, it seemed, intended to start keeping her busy the moment she returned home that evening. Marrin saw the glow as she walked up the curving stone path leading to the house she shared with Keane. She paused, looking over the low-slung white building nestled into the red Lujawedan earth. He’d lit candles in every window.
    More candles illuminated the entryway and made a path through the smoothly curving halls toward their sleeping room. She followed the flickering light. By the time she got to the bedroom, her heart had already started to beat faster.
    â€œKeane?”
    More candles beckoned her toward the bath chamber. Smiling, she followed them and found her husband waiting for her. He looked up as she entered, glancing over his shoulder, and she caught her breath as she did so often when she looked at him.
    â€œYou’re late,” he said gently, turning. The candle glow lit his bare skin with a loving touch, hiding scars and making shadows turn every glimpse into seductive temptation.
    â€œThey had a party for me,” she explained. “I had to say goodbye to everyone.”
    He smiled and held out his hand. “Everyone will miss you.”
    She went to him and took it. “I’m ready to give it up. Ready to be home with you all day long.”
    He bent his head to brush his lips along hers. “I’m ready to have you here.”
    So many rotations, and still that simple first kiss upon meeting after being apart never failed to send a shiver of desire through her. Marrin tilted her head as Keane’s hand cupped the back of her neck. His fingers massaged the two small spots at the base of her skull, eliciting an immediate response.
    Her moan made him laugh. “You’re still tensed up.”
    â€œNot so much, now.” She pressed herself against him, and the heat of his skin seeped through her nawe .
    The hand not on her neck slid to her hip and began inching the floor-length garment upward with his fingertips. Cooler air, blown through vents in the bath chamber floor, caressed her feet and ankles, then her thighs