Garden of Serenity by Nina Pierce Read Free Book Online Page B

expose a good portion of her cleavage and prominent belly.
    “I’m Jahara Khateri. I’m here to meet with Dr. Bresilee.”
    “Of course, forgive me. We’ve been expecting you.” The woman bumped her knee as she rushed to stand. She bowed before reaching her hands and wrapping them around the one Jahara extended. “It’s an honor to meet you, Dr. Khateri. I’ve heard only wonderful things about your healing gifts. We’ve all been awaiting your arrival. I would be honored if you delivered my offspring.” She rubbed a hand over her stomach, her lashes fluttering flirtatiously.
    “Jacinta.” The harsh voice came from a lanky woman who seemed to have materialized from the wall behind the desk. “Dr. Khateri hasn’t even had a chance to get oriented to the Garden and you’re asking her to perform duties?” Walking up behind the receptionist, the woman possessively ran her hand up the woman’s rounded belly. She leaned into her neck and Jacinta melted in her arms.
    “It’s weeks still before you deliver, love.” The woman kissed Jacinta’s neck. “Patience.” The young woman all but purred as the tall women ran her hand back down Jacinta’s stomach before stepping around the desk to stand in front of Jahara.
    She looked like a bird with her tiny, gold eyes squinting. Over a foot taller, the woman inclined a head perched on a long, thin neck and looked down her nose before speaking. “Dr. Khateri. I’m so pleased you’ve agreed to work at our clinic while you’re here to breed.” She emphasized the last word as if it were a curse. “It truly is an honor. Your reputation is well-known throughout the territory. I am Gabriella Bresilee, Medical Director of the healing facility here at the Garden,” she said as she reached out a hand and caught Jahara’s in a grip as icy as the words she’d just spoken.
    Caught off guard by the condescending reception and the intimate scene she’d just witnessed, Jahara had difficulty making her mouth work. “Please just call me Jahara. I’m glad to be here as well.” That was a lie . She really wanted to be out in the normal world where sex and love were not something one exhibited in public. Jahara shot a look at the young woman staring at them with eyes glazed over in lust or admiration—she couldn’t be sure.
    The older woman didn’t acknowledge Jahara’s visible unease. “Then please call me Gabriella. Won’t you come into my office where we can talk a little more privately?” The warm expression became shadowed with disapproval as she turned back to the receptionist. “Jacinta, please have Camille bring some refreshments to my office. And hold all of my calls.”
    Jacinta pulled her tunic around her middle, her eyes flitting to the computer screen. “Yes, Dr. Bresilee. I’ll have them send something from the dining commons right away.”
    The wall split, exposing a door to an office that closed silently behind them. With it shut, there was no evidence the opening existed. No wonder Jahara thought the woman had materialized out of thin air.
    “Please, make yourself comfortable.” Gabriella waved her long fingers at the couch in the corner of her office. The space was paneled with the same mahogany wood as the foyer, but the two walls of windows made the room exceedingly bright. Jahara hadn’t known architecture existed that made it possible for structures to have windows that couldn’t be seen from the outside. From her vantage point behind the desk, Dr. Bresilee had an unhindered view of everyone entering and exiting the building. It must have been Gabriella’s watchful stare she’d sensed. The thought sat cold and hard in her gut. Her paranoia was justified. Was there no end to the spying that went on here?
    Gabriella settled her bony frame in one of the chairs across from Jahara. The yellow suit she wore covered every inch of her alabaster skin, save for her face, hands and feet. Tucking stray wisps of auburn hair back into the braided bun at