Ivy’s hand went to the ring on her finger. She frowned. It had gone, and she missed having something to play with. All of her jewelry had gone. When she’d learned what Karn planned to do for Billy, she’d decided to help.

Cybernetic implants were expensive. Even when Billy had sold everything Karn owned, he was still short of money.

Ivy didn’t miss her stuff, not really. She’d kept her designer jumpsuits—she needed something to wear until her expanding stomach forced her into smocks, and Prince Charming still had his elaborate home in her apartment. All the rings, bracelets, and necklaces she’d collected over the years, along with her designer shoes, had gone.

It had been worth it. The last time she’d seen Billy, he’d been chatting up a gorgeous girl with blonde curls and freckles. She’d been getting excited over his new cybernetic implant.

Besides, Ivy needed to liquidate her assets to pay for the fast-growing baby bump. Forka babies kicked like mules and demanded feeding every few hours. It was always the same salty fermented cabbage. Everything had to have a side of it, or she got sick.

“Ivy? Did you hear me?”

She slid her gaze to Avril. “Of course not. I never listen to what you say.”

Avril frowned. “I offered you a cookie. I thought the baby might like one.”

Ivy pursed her lips. She sometimes slipped back into her default bitch mode. She’d been spending more time with everyone in the office over the last three weeks. It was a part of Diadora’s conditions about her returning to work. It wasn’t awful. Sometimes, when they got squeaky and excited over a new match, she still wanted to kill them, but they could also be fun.

Vegas had a sarcastic side to her. Heather was perpetually bouncy and enthusiastic, forcing Ivy to smile now and again. Nell was the quiet one, but she was super smart and insightful. She’d even given Ivy a few tips about smuggling things into Karn’s prison when she went to visit. She’d never managed to get it out of Nell how she knew about things like that.

Then there was Avril. Cute, pixie faced Avril, with her messy red curls and green eyes. Ivy had no clue how the woman stayed so trim. She was always making cookies and bringing them to the office. She was sort of sweet in a cloying way.

“Sorry, my mind was elsewhere.” Ivy selected a chocolate chip cookie and took a bite. She wrinkled her nose, pulled a jar of fermented cabbage from her purse, and added a dollop. She tried again. That was better.

“Does the cabbage make the chocolate taste better?” Avril stared in horror at Ivy’s concoction.

“Baby thinks so.” Ivy patted her stomach.

Avril settled at the desk opposite her. “It’s so cool you’re having a baby. Was that who you were thinking about? Or was it Karn?”

Ivy snorted a laugh as she took another cookie. “I don’t obsess about my boyfriend.”

“Of course not. You are the most independent woman I know. I envy you.”

“You’re independent,” Ivy said. “I don’t see you hanging off the arm of some gorgeous alien like this lot does.”

Avril twisted a strand of her hair around one finger. “Aliens don’t seem to like me. I think it’s the color of my hair. Red is not a common color among aliens.”

“Your hair is not the problem,” Heather said from the other side of the room. “It’s your obsession with role-play. Aliens don’t get it. They think it’s weird.”

Ivy arched an eyebrow. “Role-play? You mean you get dressed up in some medieval costume and go running around a forest with a bunch of losers?”

“Nothing like that. Well, maybe it’s a bit like that. We’re not losers. We use the holo-suite. It’s great. It’s so realistic.”

“You tell the hot aliens you meet that you’re interested in role-play?” Ivy asked.

“I enjoy it. I do it every chance I have. My alien mate will have to understand that. I want him to join me on my adventures.”

“I can see why you’re single,” Ivy said. “You make great cookies, but no one will fall for a geek in a medieval tunic.”

“I don’t wear tunics. The costumes are all authentic to the era and handmade.” Avril’s gaze dropped to Ivy’s bare fingers. “Where is your lovely diamond ring?”

Ivy shrugged. “Gone. I had a few debts to clear and some other things to pay for.”

“Are you saving to get a place with Karn and the baby when he gets out?”

“Something like that,” Ivy said.

Vegas strolled over and took a cookie.

Ivy glared at her but then looked away and softened her expression. This was new to her, all this girlie bonding. The more she did it, the easier it became. It still didn’t feel comfortable, opening up and sharing secrets.

Vegas took a bite of her cookie. “It sounds like Karn’s getting out in six months, just in time for the birth. I still can’t believe Diadora put in a good word for him.”

“Neither can I,” Ivy admitted. “I assumed from the way she talked that she wanted to make him suffer.”

“There’s a good heart inside that hard shell,” Nell said. “Diadora hides it, but she looks out for us.”

“She’s even okay with me dating Karn now that he’s removed his profile from our database. He’s off our books, so I’m not breaking any rules,” Ivy said.

“Even if you were, it would be hard for her to complain. The database matched you instantly. You’re a perfect pair,” Vegas said, “a perfect threesome if we include your bump.”

“She’s not happy about it, but I agreed to bring forward the next promotional campaign, so our new arrival won’t get in the way of things. That makes her look good, and the Council of Representatives is happy.”

“That’s a lot of work,” Vegas said. “If you need a hand, let us know. You might get tired as the baby grows. He’s going to be a big baby. You look larger every time I see you.”

Ivy held back on her sarcastic comment. “You know your way around a photo shoot?”

“Not a clue.” Vegas grinned. “If you’re willing to teach me, I can help.”

“We all can,” Avril said. “It could be fun.”

“It’s work, not fun.”

“It can be both,” Avril said.

Ivy’s wrist comm signaled it was time to visit Karn. He’d been sent to the low security prison on the Waylander station. It was the newest facility set up in the Milky Way, a state-of-the-art reform prison. Best of all, they allowed conjugal visits.

“Ivy’s smiling. It’s got to be amazing news,” Vegas said.

“I smile when I have something worth smiling for.” Ivy jumped to her feet. “I’ll be back in three hours.”

“You’re going to visit Karn,” Avril said. “You always get that look on your face when you’re about to see him.”

“I’ve no clue what you’re talking about.” Ivy turned and hurried to the door. “If Diadora notices I’m missing, tell her I’m interviewing a couple for the latest edition of the magazine.”

“Will do,” Vegas said. “We won’t blow your cover.”

“Or your conjugal fun party privileges,” Avril said.

“If you’re back in time, we’re having a movie night tonight,” Heather said. “You’re welcome to join us.”

Ivy paused and looked around the room. They were making an effort to include her, even though she’d been a first-class bitch to them for over a year. She’d spent so long keeping everybody at arm’s length because she didn’t want to get hurt, but they were genuinely decent people. Sometimes, they were also incredibly annoying and girlie, but she sort of liked that. Ivy loved feeling included. She’d been alone for too long.

“What do you say?” Avril asked. “I’ll bring the treats. I might even find some pickled cabbage for baby.”

“Okay. No romance. All those soppy movies leave me cold.”

“Not this evening. We’re having a full-on superhero action marathon. All the explosions, unrequited love, and tight body suits a girl can lust after.”

Ivy nodded, her thoughts going to Karn. “I can handle some superheroes in tight lycra flying through the air and saving the day.”

“Maybe another evening we can have a holo-suite game together,” Avril said. “We’re doing dragons in space. Ivy, you’d look great as a warrior princess, swinging a huge plasma sword as you killed the orcs.”

Ivy snorted. “One step at a time, geeks. See you later for our superhero fest.” She hurried out of the office, a spring in her step as she raced to the docking bay and the shuttle waiting for her.

She wasn’t into holo-suite role-play, but as she considered it, it wasn’t a terrible idea. Ivy had a few dress-up scenarios she wouldn’t mind trying with Karn. Most of it involved him being her slave or maybe a wounded warrior who never stopped fighting for her.

Avril might be a full-on role-playing nerd, but bedroom role-play opened a new realm of fun things Ivy could do with Karn.

Not now, not while he was in prison. Conjugal visits were fifteen minutes and involved lots of hot, sweaty urgent action and mind-blowing fast orgasms. She was happy to report Karn passed out every time. That alien had it so bad for her.

She longed for the day when she’d get to spend a whole day in bed with Karn. Then she’d role-play the hell out of his sexy butt and see how many times she could get him to collapse because she’d fucked him into unconsciousness.

Ivy reached the waiting shuttle and hurried up the docking ramp.

“Ready for departure, Miss Blain,” the pilot said.

She grinned at Billy. “Let’s go see Karn and make sure he’s not getting in trouble.”

“As if he would. He can’t wait to get out and set up home with you.” Billy chuckled as he stretched out his new cybernetic arm. “I never thought I’d see the day Karn fell in love. It suits him. He even mentioned giving me a pay rise.”

Ivy smirked. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he doesn’t get too soft.”

“I’ve been instructed to give you this.” Billy handed Ivy a small box.

“Who’s it from?”

“One guess.”

She pulled off the lid to discover a gold-plated love egg. There was a note inside: This isn’t real gold, but one day, I’ll get you a platinum joy stick to ride. xx

She laughed and glanced at Billy to make sure he didn’t see her unexpected gift.

“Karn asked if you’d wear it when you meet. He said he has something in his pocket that will give you a buzz. Does that make sense? He wouldn’t tell me what it was.”

“It makes perfect sense. Let’s get out of here. I’ve got somewhere I need to be.”

As she slipped into a small private room and inserted her new gift, Ivy smiled. Her relationship was anything but conventional, but it worked. She loved it. She loved Karn, and their amazing new arrival arriving soon would make everything perfect. Messy, unpredictable, chaotic, but wonderfully perfect.

Ivy Blain’s heart had healed after meeting its match in space. She had her perfect color-changing alien, a baby on the way, and an exciting future in front of her. It felt glorious.