Captain (The United Federation Marine Corps Book 4) Read Online Free Page B

without looking behind her, said, “Thanks for the roses, but you should know, I be married to a Marine, and he’d not be taking kindly to you hitting on me.”
    “He can’t be that tough,” Ryck said, sliding an arm around her belly.
    “Yes he is, but if we get out of here quick, he won’t be knowing where we’ve gone.”
    Ryck turned her around and gave her a kiss.  “Missed you,” he said.
    “I missed you, too, but I’m here now.  I want to see this resort hotel you’ve picked out.  Care to escort me there, Marine?”
    “Your wish is my command, my lady,” he said, taking her suitcase.
    Outside was something of a madhouse with people breaking the line to grab autocabs.  Each autocab was programmed to wait its turn despite the admonitions of those who’d jumped the line to get going on their way.  This was a tourist destination with heavy influxes of arrivals, so Ryck would’ve thought they’d have it more organized.  It took them a good twenty minutes before they got their own cab and were on their way.
    Hannah snuggled up against Ryck on the ride, hands roaming a bit in a promise of what was to come.  If the windows on the cab could be darkened, Ryck thought they might not have waited until they got to the Spruce Look Resort.
    It took almost an hour, but at last, the “We will be arriving at your destination in approximately two minutes.  Fergusson’s Autocab wishes you a pleasant stay, and we want to remind you to press Star 5558 for your future travel needs,” came over the autocab’s speakers. 
    Hannah leaned forward to look out the window as the resort came into view.  Ryck had to admit that it was pretty impressive.  Huge conifers—which had to be genmodded, they were so big—surrounded a white two-story building with extensive brown wood molding and trim.  Behind the resort, a picture-postcard lake could be seen through the trees.  It looked quiet, inviting, and just like the type of place where the two could lose themselves in each other.
    There was a human receptionist to check them in, which was a nice touch.  “Byron” was a young man, but his manner was impeccable.  He reminded Ryck of some of the characters in any of the recent flicks taking place in 19 th Century Britain.  Ryck knew that the resort was a meticulously planned product from the Brilliant Travel Experiences Corporation.  In many ways, it was a facade of sorts.  The fanciful Hollywood version of English life at the time may not be accurate, but it fit the company’s vision of what its customers wanted.  Ryck tended to be a bit cynical about Corporate Federation, but when an actual bellhop came to take their bags, he couldn’t help but feel impressed.  It may have been a show, but it was working.
    The room was beautiful, and Hannah actually made an audible intake of air as she saw it. 
    Score one for Ryck!
    Kreicher—the bellhop—went around the room, explaining the features.  Hannah was listening with rapt attention, but Ryck wanted Kreicher to wrap it up and get out.  When he finished, Ryck wasn’t sure how to tip the bellhop as he didn’t have a PA on his uniform.  Kreicher had out his own PA, and the bellhop had obviously been through this before.
    “Captain Lysander, assisting you is our pleasure.  We do not need a gratuity, but if you insist, there is a recpad over here,” he said, pointing to a small screen by the door that Ryck had missed.  “So with that, I will leave you alone now.  We at the Spruce Lodge hope you have a very enjoyable stay.”
    Kreicher left, and Ryck tapped in 20 credits on his PA.
    “Oh, more than that,” Hannah said as she watched.  “He was so helpful.”
    Ryck had thought that 20 was more than generous, but he dutifully increased it to 25, then tapped the recpad.  Done and done, and now for more important things.
    He grabbed Hannah and pulled her in for a kiss.  She returned the kiss, but only briefly before pulling away.
    “Not like this, Ryck.