Free Educating the Alien: Raedyn (The Azurite Series Book 1) by Sara Hotchkiss Page B

like to travel and I get along with everyone. I’m looking for something and I’m not sure what that something is, but I think this could be it.”
    She smiled sweetly and Lexi wanted to pump her fist in the air. Mallory was exactly the type of person she was looking to live in the colony. Lexi tried, with great difficulty, to find personalities that were going to get along together. Living on the ship with only ninety-nine other humans could be very isolating and they would need each other for support.
    Lexi stood and placed a hand on her emerging belly, the baby performing summersaults inside. He liked Mallory too. She reached her right hand out for a handshake.
    “Mallory it was a pleasure meeting you. When the results have been finalized you will be contacted.”
    Mallory smiled. “When are you due?”
    Lexi grinned. Raedyn had failed to realize that while Azurite women needed one hundred or so sperm to fertilize an egg, human women needed only one. They had gotten pregnant within the first month of living together. After informing the head of HR about Lae’s deception, Lexi was able to resume her role as ambassador for Earth and she also accepted her new role as colony representative. She was currently holding final face-to-face interviews with perspective members, narrowing the long list down one by one. While one hundred was the magic number, she was given some leeway should she find a few extras that would benefit the greater good.
    “We think about four more months. He’s the first hybrid,” Lexi said rubbing her belly. “Azurite women gestate a full Earth calendar year, so we’re not sure how long he’s going to cook.”
    Mallory’s eyes widened at Lexi’s candidness. “Hybrid,” she whispered.
    Lexi had a concerned look on her face. “Is this a deal breaker Mallory?”
    She shook her head. “No. It’s amazing. I didn’t know it was possible.”
    Lexi shrugged. No one had. It was a miracle. They weren’t out of the woods yet, but so far all the preliminary tests came back with a healthy baby boy. Lexi watched the expression on Mallory’s face. Yes, she would be perfect for the colony. She would be perfect for Jaime too.
    “Let me walk you out.”
    ---
    Lexi found Raedyn in her office at the embassy. With her current condition and the pressing PR whirlwind surrounding the colony, he traveled with her any time she needed to transport to Earth. She walked behind him and placed her hands on his shoulders, rubbing lightly and resting her chin on his head. He had begun to grow his hair out a bit and the short stubble tickled her chin.
    “News came in today. The Azurites for the Earth colony have been chosen. Guess who’s at the top of the list?”
    Lexi gasped, “Not Jaime!”
    Raedyn laughed and pulled Lexi around to sit in his lap. He brushed his lips lightly over her mouth and she reciprocated, opening her mouth and deepening the embrace. He would never get enough of this woman. Raedyn knew he would have found happiness with an Azurite partnering, but with Lexi he found his missing piece. Soon, she would give him a son and begin a new adventure as a family. He couldn’t be more proud of his wife.
    He and Lexi had partaken in an Earth wedding as well as filing for partnership. He had a feeling that it would be a custom the Azurites would adopt when more of his people witnessed the ceremony. The combining of two families in front of friends and loved ones was a day he would never forget. Probably the best day of his life, so far.
    “Lae,” he said after they pulled away.
    “Lae?”
    He shrugged. “I guess since she still hadn’t been partnered she decided to take matters into her own hands. Again.”
    Lexi laughed. “God help the men of Earth,” she said shaking her head.
     

Coming Summer 2016…
     
    Educated by the Alien: Jaime
     
     
     
    Also by Sara Hotchkiss:
     
    Charred by Ash
    Chased by Ryan