Celestial

  * * *

  After dinner, I excused myself to go for a walk. The sun was shining high in the sky when I knocked on the workmen’s quarters door. A bead of sweat rolled between my shoulder blades. The heat radiated from all angles, warming my gold-striped sundress.

  “Well hello,” Jai greeted, opening the door and leaning against the doorjamb. He was much better looking up close with his wet, blond hair and six-pack abdominals displayed above his silver pants, ranking him in the top ten.

  “I’m looking for Liam.” I smiled, looking past him.

  “Liam isn’t here right now,” Jai supplied, “but I’m more than happy to take his place.”

  “I don’t think you’d be able to fill his pants,” I retorted with a sultry smile. It was typical conversation for people in the top ten, since our entire purpose was to breed.

  “Where would I find Liam?” I asked, mistrusting Jai.

  “He walks beside the river after dinner,” Jai offered. “Would you like me to show you the river?” The hunger in his eyes made me recoil.

  “No thanks,” I replied, backing away. “When you see him, tell him I came looking for him.”