“How am I gonna top that?” Rilla thought in the bubble above her head.

  Perfection! Ronnie’s illustrations of the Rilla and Rawl graphic novel were awesome! We were calling it a draft, but I couldn’t imagine that the editor would want to make any significant changes. The art was exceptional, and the text had been easily adapted from my best-selling book Drop Of Desire.

  Before he’d begun the art, Ronnie and I’d had a mental marathon getting on the same page about the novel, and then he'd churned out page after illustrated page. I filled in the text as he drew. Four weeks out from our Shurwinn trip, we were nearly finished with volume one.

  I lay back on my bed, letting my brain relax within my mind shield. Once a week, I allowed myself to indulge. To remember how still Euridyne had gone when I’d licked the inside of his ear. It didn’t take much. A little pressure in circles right in that spot that wanted it most, and I was rewarded.

  Just a small climax with my clothes on. Not a heart-opener like I usually had.

  I couldn’t do those anymore unless I was Rilla, and even then, it was iffy. That had been my problem ever since Five Spheres. When I’d freaked out about seeing our virtual reality frozen tundra in real life, and Euri had sent calming waves of comfort over me, well, that had ruined my private time.

  Because my feelings had gotten way too involved, and Euridyne was no longer fantasy material. I wouldn’t be able to keep my mental and emotional shield up.

  So, once a week, I allowed myself the tiny type of climax thinking about him. Not the really good kind with slippery fingers on clit and vibrator deeper inside. Nope, couldn’t allow that or my heart would open right up and fly across the galaxy to his casita in the desert hills.

  Rilla Book Seven had zero pages so far. Book Six was at the editor. I didn’t have notice of how much revising I’d need to do on that one, but I needed to get a direction for Book Seven. We were about to arrive at Vitrax 4 Transfer Station, where my signature product, Pearl Intimate Moisturizer, had done well.

  While we vacationed there, I hoped to get some romance ideas from being in such a place. If nothing else, maybe I could interview couples who were celebrating anniversaries? Just make casual conversation around the pool? Get some stories about how they met and fell in love?

  Pretend I couldn’t hear their thoughts about how much they hated each other? Or how many times they’d cheated?

  Buzz! Two more chapters of Rilla for me to review from Ronnie, but I wasn’t in the mood for Rilla graphics anymore. I let my mental shield open, and my twin was instantly there.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  Are we really going to Vitrax? he asked.

  We’re almost there, Ronnie.

  Can we turn around and go to Shurwinn?

  Why?

  Eye roll. Mental elbow in the ribs.

  Ronnie didn’t need to say, “You know why. If you want material for Rilla Book Seven, go kiss Euridyne. Go snuggle Euridyne. Go hug Euri again and lick him. Anywhere. His hand. His ear. His lips. Or more intimate places. Just touch the man, Portia, and you’ll have all the material you need for six more books."

  But it wasn’t that simple, was it? Rilla needed to fall in love, and it needed to be a real relationship. She needed conversations and shared history and to form memories with a man. Not just touch someone. We’d already written six books of touching. It needed to be friendship and longevity.

  Ronnie caught the edge of my thoughts and put the picture of our VR world when we were fifteen in my mind. We had memories with Euri. More images popped into my mind. Pizza rolls. Tortillas for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We had inside jokes with Euri. “I’m going to exterminate every single bird in this orchard.”

  I laughed out loud. Yeah, that was a great memory. Both because I’d licked Euri’s ear, and because he’d been drenched in bird poop when we left Shurwinn, making it really easy for me to run away and hide on the Good Time. Clouds bless those birds!

  Give me five days on Vitrax, and I’ll think about going to Shurwinn, I sent Ronnie

  Contentment from my brother.

  “Let me know if you need any assistance,” said the clerk in the resort gift shop.

  “Actually, can you tell me about this personal lubricant?” I asked, pointing to a bottle of Pearl.

  She nodded, “Definitely the most popular in the store. You can’t go wrong with Pearl. All of the ingredients are natural, and it's perfect for people with sensitive skin. However, if you need an unscented variety, then I’d recommend this one.”

  She pulled a bottle of Luxe off the shelf, and I pretended to look at the ingredients.

  “Hmm. Unscented. And what can you tell me about the people who purchase Pearl most frequently? Mature crowd? Women? Men? Who is most likely to enjoy it?”

  “Oh, it’s popular across the board. No matter who you like to be with, Pearl treats you right. And it’s very satisfying for those who like the massagers. Here’s our most popular combo for Pearl: this toy right here.”

  I smiled at her. No wonder they sold so much of my product; she made the pitch seem natural. I glanced at her name tag, “You’re great at your job, Lindee. You should get a raise.”

  “Aren’t you a sweetheart?! Is that your partner with you?”

  “Brother, actually.”

  “Ah. Do you have dinner plans tonight? Or we could get a drink. Have you been to the cabana bar at the poolside? Such a great refresher after sundown.”

  “We’re actually about to head off sphere, but thanks for the invite,” I smiled.

  She nodded goodbye, and Ronnie and I headed out.

  She was cute, Ronnie nudged.

  Hah! She your type, brother?

  Smile. He didn’t have to say, “Nice try, Shah.” Pearl makes an excellent gift, he said instead.

  You got someone you want to buy a bottle for, Ronnie?

  He gave me a wicked glance and showed me a mental picture of Euri opening a gift bag with a bottle of Pearl in it.

  I gave him my flat mental screen, which meant “too far, Ronnie.”

  His face went blank, and he gave me the “I’m quietly ignoring you” response.

  That was how Ronnie and I argued. We dug in our heels.

  I already agreed to go to Shurwinn, I reminded my twin. Triumph from my brother.

  Why are you being this way? I demanded.

  Mental raising of one eyebrow.

  I sighed and tried to think of some way to change the topic of conversation. We’d had five days on Vitrax, and I’d enjoyed it. Yes, there were adult couples of all shapes and sizes. Yes, there was a lot of mental unpleasantness, but with tight shields around our minds, we’d enjoyed a beautiful sphere full of relaxing vistas, delicious seafood, and excellent spas.

  It was a great way to celebrate the contract for the Rilla graphic novel adaptation. Ronnie had enjoyed himself too, but he was antsy to get back to Shurwinn.

  He wouldn’t tell me why he was so eager. He wasn’t saying much at all; he just gave off that feeling like he was distracted and looking somewhere else, not at Vitrax.

  I hadn’t worked at all on our mini-vacation, but Ronnie had filled my inbox with graphic novel illustrations, so I’d have plenty to keep me busy on our trip to Shurwinn.

  Ronnie put the coordinates into the autonav, and we were off. Ready or not, I was on my way to see Euridyne again.

  I just didn’t know what I was going to do once we got there.