Phoenix Arise by Marty Mayberry

Author:Marty Mayberry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Marty Mayberry

Why did I have to pee? I’d drank next to no water. Stupid bladder. After letting Joe know where I was going, I headed into the dunes. I strode through the heat of early morning for a few minutes, sliding down a sandy hill before surging up the other side. Sweat dribbled down my back and pooled at the back of my waist. While a stroll might be considered fun on a good day, I wasn’t feeling the love in this heat.

I made sure I was far enough away from the others before unzipping my durasuit and holding the nylatec out of the way.

A stick snapped behind me. Whirling, I lifted and clutched my clothing to my chest.

“Finally, I get you alone.” Riley stood at the top of the rise, satisfaction blazing on his face. “Maybe drop that, rather than zipping it up? Damn, but you’re something else, babe.” His heavy gaze dragged across my exposed skin as he strode toward me. “I can’t wait until we’re together.”

How had he crept up on me so fast? I shoved my arms through my sleeves and fastened my suit to my chin. Anger churned in my gut. “You get off watching girls pee?”

I’d squatted in a low area between small hills. At the time, it made sense, since no one would see me, but now I wished I’d pulled my clothing down on the tallest hill so I could yell and draw everyone’s attention.

He stalked closer, outmatching my backing footsteps with his longer strides.

“I want to talk about our future,” he said.

Behind me, flat extended for a distance then a steep hill. If I could reach the top… “When will you get it through your head? We have no future.” I shoved my jaw forward. “Get away from me, and I won’t tell the others you’re still stalking me.”

“It’s nothing like that.” His treds crunched on the gravel as he followed me. “We’re going to get married.”

“Not in this lifetime.” Or any other if I had my say in it.

“You’ve heard of forced pairings.”

I bit my lip. Computer match-ups to promote genetic compatibility. There had been some talk about implants forcing the issue…

My upper arm flinched.

No. It was nothing but sick rumors. The government wouldn’t arrange it so people hooked up whether they wanted to or not, would they?

“You’re my match.” His eyes slid down my body. “Once you turn eighteen, you’ll be all over me.”

“Never.”

“Like you’ll have a choice? Your device is programmed to recognize mine, just like mine recognizes yours already. Has for the past few weeks.” His chest heaved.

“This isn’t happening.”

“Whenever you’re near, you’re like a drug to me,” he whined. “Can’t you like me even a little bit before your implant kicks in?”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“In a few weeks, you’ll be eighteen, right? Chemicals will dump through your system, making you love me like I love you.”

“No.” My voice broke as my anger spiraled into fear.

“Would you believe we owe it all to Tiff?” he asked.

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