Page 22 of Star Mates

CHAPTER SEVEN

A loud crash came from the other room and Leona excused herself to investigate. Alone with Raiden, Emmarie turned to face him and found him staring at her.

“Is something wrong?”

He shook his head. “Just that you’re very beautiful.”

She smiled shyly. “Thank you.”

But instead of returning the smile, he frowned. “I bet someone paid dearly for you,” he said, causing her smile to tremble and fall. “They’ll be coming after their merchandise.”

“I’m not merchandise!”

“To them you are,” he replied, his hand waving above him generically. “The Unarians like blonde hair and blue eyes because it’s exotic. You were chosen not for breeding, but to be a pleasure slave.”

Emmarie recoiled, taking a step back and swallowing painfully. “Sounds barbaric!”

“It is. They don’t care about our feelings or our dignity. I’ve heard stories of women being passed around like favorite pets.”

She shuddered. “I can’t believe this is happening. Why me?”

“Why any of us? Do people on Earth know about us? Surely when people began disappearing governments launched an investigation.”

Emmarie slowly shook her head. “Alien abduction isn’t really believed. I mean, no one investigates missing people with the thought little green men were involved. Which means no one is looking for me.”

The thought brought tears to her eyes. Her little car would be discovered, all her belongings left behind. She had watched enough crime shows to know she’d end up as an unsolved mystery.

“I’m sorry this happened to you,” he said softly. “But I’m not sorry that I got to meet you.”

He reached up and brushed some hair off her cheek. The soft caress sent tingles dancing over her skin

“Emmarie,” he whispered. “Do you feel that?”

She nodded, unable to form words.

“It’s so crazy,” he murmured. He ran his fingers through her hair. “You have this air of fragility about you.”

“I’m stronger than I look.”

Raiden stared into her eyes for a moment before his gaze dropped to her mouth, and suddenly her mouth felt as dry as the desert. She used the tip of her tongue to wet her lips, and if possible, he stepped even closer. His warm breath fanned across her face. Just as he bent his head to kiss her, the door opened.

“And now for you-Oh, am I interrupting?”

Emmarie jumped back. Although she and Raiden hadn’t done anything wrong, it felt like she’d been caught with her boyfriend sneaking out of her bedroom window.

“Sorry to interrupt,” Leona said, although she didn’t sound very sorry. “Pell, I thought you had someplace to go.”

“Do I?” he asked absently. Emmarie looked at him and he stood with his back turned, running a hand through his hair.

“Emmarie will be staying with me,” she said, walking over and placing a protective hand on Emmarie’s shoulder.

Raiden turned. “And?” he asked blandly.

“And perhaps it’s best if you don’t come around. At least, not for a while.”

The interplay between the two held a slight chill. Emmarie didn’t understand the tension between them.

“How long is a while, Leona?” Raiden asked.

---