deigning to speak, as was appropriate for a man of his wealth, and followed the young man past tables hemmed by beautifully decorated, low screens that provided privacy for those seated while maintaining the feel of airy openness overall. He was led to a table in the middle of the floor, where no doubt any passer-by would be able to see the fact that Breeze was dining with an African.
She was good, he admitted, and very subtle.
“Good evening, Kit.” Breeze stood as he approached, offering a welcoming smile and reaching out to clasp his elbows. They exchanged kisses on both cheeks, then Kete gestured for her to take her seat again.
“You look beautiful, Charity.”
As he took his seat and let the napkin be placed in his lap, he took a moment to reflect on just how true his statement was. Her form-fitting black dress was enticing while not revealing, with matching sapphire necklace and earrings bringing out the vivid blue of her eyes. It was hard to believe that this was a military officer sitting across from him, but from what he’d learned from her past, Breeze was never one to do things the regular way.
Their conversation over drinks was little more than light banter, and Kete could tell he was being probed. He made no effort to tease hidden information out of her, however, focusing instead on a delicate game of revealing enough about “Kit Moro” to ease her curiosity, but being wittily evasive enough to keep her intrigued.
A selection of shared entrées shifted their chatter toward food, wine, and travel, and as he poured Breeze her third glass of chianti, Kete made his first real foray of the evening.
“At least travel here on Earth is never more dangerous than an overdue booster shot,” he commented. “Things certainly got hairy in the colonies a while back.”
Breeze casually mopped up the last of the sauce on her plate with some flatbread, but he saw her expression flicker for a moment. She lifted wide eyes to him, her face the perfect imitation of awe.
“Did you do filming during the troubles?”
He shrugged modestly. “It was hard to get close to the real action, but I captured a few images.”
“Which colony were you in?”
“Centauria.” Real images of the horror threatened to seep into his conscious mind, and he locked them down. “Our troops really did a number on Abeona.”
She took a sip of wine, suddenly examining him with real interest.
“You were on the Centauri homeworld?”
He nodded. “You must have friends who served in one of the colonial strike forces. I’ll bet they have stories to tell.”
“Oh, I’m sure they’d be too modest to brag.”
Kete adopted his most earnest expression. “I don’t think it’s bragging. It was what had to be done after that sneak attack by colonial forces. Taking the fight to the enemy was the right thing to do.”
She watched him, the intensity of her stare hinting at her internal debate. Kete helped her along.
“I’d love the chance to meet one of them,” he said. “Not as a journalist, just as a grateful citizen.”
Her gaze softened into a coy smile, and she leaned forward to speak quietly.
“Well, Kit, today is your lucky day.”
He feigned a blank expression for a moment, watched her raise her eyebrows suggestively, then let the realization dawn across his features. He leaned in as well, lowering his voice.
“You’re kidding.”
“A woman can be full of surprises.”
“What was your role?”
“Classified, good sir.”
He narrowed his eyes playfully. “Now, Breeze, we’re off the record this evening.”
She considered for a second. “I had a few roles, but I think the most interesting was being aboard one of our fast-attack craft.”
He made sure he looked impressed. “That’s pretty hard core,” he said. “You’ve certainly surprised me.”
She leaned back and took another sip of wine. “I’m sure you have a few surprises as well, Mr. Moro.” He ignored the bait, and pressed forward as if he’d
She was good, he admitted, and very subtle.
“Good evening, Kit.” Breeze stood as he approached, offering a welcoming smile and reaching out to clasp his elbows. They exchanged kisses on both cheeks, then Kete gestured for her to take her seat again.
“You look beautiful, Charity.”
As he took his seat and let the napkin be placed in his lap, he took a moment to reflect on just how true his statement was. Her form-fitting black dress was enticing while not revealing, with matching sapphire necklace and earrings bringing out the vivid blue of her eyes. It was hard to believe that this was a military officer sitting across from him, but from what he’d learned from her past, Breeze was never one to do things the regular way.
Their conversation over drinks was little more than light banter, and Kete could tell he was being probed. He made no effort to tease hidden information out of her, however, focusing instead on a delicate game of revealing enough about “Kit Moro” to ease her curiosity, but being wittily evasive enough to keep her intrigued.
A selection of shared entrées shifted their chatter toward food, wine, and travel, and as he poured Breeze her third glass of chianti, Kete made his first real foray of the evening.
“At least travel here on Earth is never more dangerous than an overdue booster shot,” he commented. “Things certainly got hairy in the colonies a while back.”
Breeze casually mopped up the last of the sauce on her plate with some flatbread, but he saw her expression flicker for a moment. She lifted wide eyes to him, her face the perfect imitation of awe.
“Did you do filming during the troubles?”
He shrugged modestly. “It was hard to get close to the real action, but I captured a few images.”
“Which colony were you in?”
“Centauria.” Real images of the horror threatened to seep into his conscious mind, and he locked them down. “Our troops really did a number on Abeona.”
She took a sip of wine, suddenly examining him with real interest.
“You were on the Centauri homeworld?”
He nodded. “You must have friends who served in one of the colonial strike forces. I’ll bet they have stories to tell.”
“Oh, I’m sure they’d be too modest to brag.”
Kete adopted his most earnest expression. “I don’t think it’s bragging. It was what had to be done after that sneak attack by colonial forces. Taking the fight to the enemy was the right thing to do.”
She watched him, the intensity of her stare hinting at her internal debate. Kete helped her along.
“I’d love the chance to meet one of them,” he said. “Not as a journalist, just as a grateful citizen.”
Her gaze softened into a coy smile, and she leaned forward to speak quietly.
“Well, Kit, today is your lucky day.”
He feigned a blank expression for a moment, watched her raise her eyebrows suggestively, then let the realization dawn across his features. He leaned in as well, lowering his voice.
“You’re kidding.”
“A woman can be full of surprises.”
“What was your role?”
“Classified, good sir.”
He narrowed his eyes playfully. “Now, Breeze, we’re off the record this evening.”
She considered for a second. “I had a few roles, but I think the most interesting was being aboard one of our fast-attack craft.”
He made sure he looked impressed. “That’s pretty hard core,” he said. “You’ve certainly surprised me.”
She leaned back and took another sip of wine. “I’m sure you have a few surprises as well, Mr. Moro.” He ignored the bait, and pressed forward as if he’d
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