Garden of Desire: 1 Read Online Free Page A

new lady.”
    “Note, he settled on one female.”
    They stopped in the center of the field. Cantor checked his wrist computer. The shuttle should touch down any minute.
    “You’re an odd duck,” Nicky said. “Why, any one of us would give our left arm to be in your position.”
    “My position?”
    “Yes. With your handsome face and your position of power, you have your choice of women. Haven’t you noticed how they flock around you?”
    Cantor rolled his eyes. “Talk to Adam when he returns, he’ll be needing a new governor if he doesn’t assume the position himself. I’m out of here.”
    “You’d leave?” The smile left the other man’s face.
    Cantor hadn’t meant to announce his plans in such a way, but he felt better after finally saying the words. Still, Nicky’s dismay niggled at his heart.
    “But this is what we dreamed of.” Nicky raised his hands to indicate the settlement. “What you helped make happen! We have our own planet to run as we see fit. No authority, but our own. An abundance of woman-flesh to satisfy our every need. What more could you want?”
    Cantor was tired of the questions he’d asked himself and had no answer for. “I miss the life. I want to be free to sail the galaxies again. Hell, I’m bored!”
    “Bored!” Nicky snorted. “Take a look at Pingat the next time you need excitement, the woman knows more ways to sharpen a man’s pike—”
    “I’m bored with sex.” At Nicky’s incredulous look, he shrugged. “It’s true. I’ve had my fill. I’ve fucked every unattached woman on this planet—there’s nothing new—no sense of discovery, no quest for the next adventure. “
    “Well, Darak is serving up a fresh batch of lovelies today—perhaps you’ll find your heart mate among them.”
    “Heart mate?” A dull pain began to pound behind his eyes. “Haven’t you work to do, Nick?”
    “Aye, you be alone and stew in your folly—but keep an open mind when you look over the new crop.”
    Cantor nodded absently as Nicky left him. A glimmer of light winked on the horizon. The shuttle had arrived. Something inside him stirred. Perhaps this time he’d find the answer to his troubled heart. Or maybe he’d just stow away…
    He ignored the sounds of people converging on the landing site. His gaze remained on the sleek lines of the black cruiser as it settled gently to the ground. His hands itched to be at the helm, guiding it skyward once again.
    “Cantor, do you think they brought more mattresses?”
    Reluctantly, Cantor looked away from the ship and into the face of Doc, the colonist’s medical officer. “Are you experiencing a bit of a crush, too?”
    “Who isn’t? I do my part to ensure everyone has a place to sleep.” Doc’s sheepish smile stretched his boyish features. “We didn’t plan to accommodate so many women. Our colony will be bursting its seams before too long.”
    “How many are pregnant now?” Cantor asked, heaving a sigh.
    “At last count, forty–three. We’ll need cradles next. The first babes will be arriving after the monsoon.”
    Cantor couldn’t suppress a scowl. “Don’t any of them use birth control?”
    “Most of our people are eager to start families.”
    “You’d think they’d be eager to plant their gardens before their bellies,” Cantor said, beneath his breath, unable to tear his gaze from the cruiser.
    The ship’s landing gear descended, balancing the craft on spindly legs that made it resemble a giant spider. The gate at the rear lowered and the first of the passengers could be seen in the opening. Cantor stepped forward with the rest of the eager crowd to greet them.
    “You’re becoming grumpy, my friend,” Doc said. “You know the cure for that.”
    Cantor ignored the jibe and searched for Darak among the new arrivals descending the gangplank. He hoped for word of Captain Zingh’s progress. “Seems everyone’s taking the cure,” he murmured.
    “As your medical officer, I recommend a little lust.