Codename Winter by Aubrey Ross Read Free Book Online Page A

heels and clad in black silk stockings, gracefully extended from inside the small hovercraft. Had one of the ambassadors accompanied Cub—no, Winter. Her name was Winter now.
    The woman placed her feet on the pavement and stood, pausing to look around. Sunlight gleamed off her sleek dark hair, which barely brushed her shoulders. A black-and-white dress skimmed her curves, hinting at her figure rather than displaying it. He caught a glimpse of her profile as she headed for the front door, but the wide view camera was at the wrong angle to show him her face.
    Quickly accessing the camera near the door, Ulrick studied her features. Thick-lashed dark eyes were all that remained of the traumatized child he’d dragged from the
    refinery. She was lovely, elegant, yet sensual. A touch of color accentuated her high cheekbones and sculpted mouth. Her lips appeared soft, slightly pouty.
    He’d suspected she would clean up well, but this was amazing.
    She pressed the buzzer and looked around for the camera. “Hello? Mr. Brant is expecting me.” Her voice seemed softer now, her speech pattern corrected. How had Autumn accomplished all this in less than a month?
    He deactivated the lock and pulled the door open. “Right on time. Welcome.” He swept his arm toward the interior of his home. Curiosity burrowed deeper, stirring intrigue and the elemental awareness of a man for a beautiful woman.
    Winter stepped through the doorway, offering him a tentative smile. The foyer opened onto a large living room. Her gaze took it all in without obvious reaction.
    “You look amazing.” He closed and locked the door then led her farther into the room. “I had no idea you were so beautiful.”
    “Thank you.” She seemed uncomfortable with the praise. “I hadn’t seen myself in almost four years. It’s all rather disconcerting.”
    She strolled toward the windows on the far side of the spacious room, and the subtle roll of her hips drew his gaze to the distinct curve of her ass. Was she naked beneath the dress? Most ambassadors didn’t bother with undergarments. They wanted their customers to have access to… She wasn’t an ambassador! He had to stop thinking of her in that light. She was here to answer his questions, not ride his cock.
    “Would you like something to drink?”
    “A glass of wine would be lovely, if you have it.”
    “White or red?”
    Resentment sparked in her gaze, and she quickly looked out the window. “White.”
    He knew what she was thinking. Only officers of the Protectorate enjoyed luxuries once available to the masses. Coffee, wine, even medications had been confiscated and were now carefully rationed. He crossed to the bar and poured two glasses of wine.
    “Shall we sit?” He motioned her to the sofa and handed her one of the glasses as they sat. “I knew Autumn was the best person to take care of you, but how did she reinvent you in so short a time?”
    Her lips quirked and she paused for a sip of wine. “Trade secrets.”
    Trade secrets? Was she inferring she now shared Autumn’s vocation? He wasn’t at all sure how he felt about that.
    Extending his arm along the back of the sofa, he turned toward her. “I don’t want to reopen old wounds, but I need to know more about the refinery.”
    “I can talk about it without breaking down.” She lowered the glass to her lap and met his gaze. “What would you like to know?”
    “Was what happened to you the exception or the rule?”
    “Which part?”
    “If I hadn’t interfered, what would have happened to you?” He had a pretty good idea of how it all worked, but he wanted to hear her perspective.
    “The pod captains would have fought and whichever one overpowered the others would have claimed me. Most of the captains already have women, so I would have been used as a reward or a motivation for one of their men.”
    It didn’t sound that different from Valtorian mating rituals. As long as the female was protected, he had no problem with the