Page 51 of Sublime Target

Out of all the billions of people on Earth…

Abruptly, he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, looking at her with a quiet intensity that made her feel like she was the only living human in the universe. “Clarissa…” His voice was both a low rumble and a caress. “It’s true that I came to Garner Tower on official business, but I was already aware of your existence.”

Her blood ran cold. “What are you talking about?”

“I took this mission so I had a reason to encounter you.”

What? A mess of emotions stirred within her—confusion, anger, and, despite herself, a hint of excitement.

Because although she was pissed, she couldn’t ignore the way he looked right now: brow slightly furrowed, eyes softening, almost contrite.

“You stalked me?” she said quietly, not willing to let him off the hook so easily just because he could make an expression like that.

“I chose you.”

You chose me? On the verge of an outburst, Clarissa fought to rein in her emotions. She tried to remind herself that the male sitting in front of her—fascinating as he might be—was an alien, and he hadn’t been in contact with humans for very long.

He probably had little concept of human customs, but he was trying.

Still…

“You didn’t just pluck my name out of a hat, did you? You chose me for a reason.”

In spite of herself, she felt a little chuffed at being chosen.

How ridiculous. She hadn’t had any choice in this, and Jerik had known what he was doing right from the start. She should rightfully be annoyed and maybe a little scared.

If she wanted to be free of all this…

Would he even let her go?

“I do not intend to obscure the facts from you,” he said quietly, and everything about him was earnest. “You might be aware that my people are in the midst of a survival crisis. An unknown biological problem has resulted in a severe imbalance in the ratio of males to females.”

“And humans are it,” she added as the reality dawned on her. Suddenly, all the snippets of speculation and rumor she’d gleaned from the Networks made perfect sense. “Mars needs women, right?”

“Mars?” His eyes narrowed. “We haven’t colonized that planet yet, but it’s on my list. However, you are correct that we are actively seeking human mates. I sought you out because we are highly genetically compatible. As for the other…” he spread his hands wide in an expressive manner, “things, that’s why we’re here right now, isn’t it? That part is out of my control and for you to decide. From what little I know of you, I get the feeling you’re not the sort to make hasty, ill-considered decisions.”

I’m not the sort to deal well with surprises like this, either.

Clarissa took a deep breath, attempting to clear her thoughts. The only thing stopping her from walking out right now and catching the next landflyer back to Sydney was the fact that she’d liked how she felt when it was just the two of them together.

She couldn’t explain how or why, but he made her feel safe.

And she had a thousand burning questions.

“In your culture, what are your expectations of a… mate?”

A soft puff escaped his lips—as if he was relieved. “We don’t subscribe to the old imperial culture. A mate-bond is not to be taken lightly. There is only to be one mate, and my duty as a male is threefold: protect at all costs, provide whatever is needed—that includes physical desires—and be a worthy companion.”

Ugh. Why did it all sound so old-fashioned and yet so damn tempting? Because the thought of having a guy like him dote over her…

And provide physical desires…

Christ almighty.

“Jerik, there’s something you should be clear on. I have my own will. My job and my life and my interests. I don’t want to be stuck in a relationship where a man assumes total responsibility over me.”

“Understood.” He looked around the room in a pointed manner. “Does any of this speak of that which you fear?”

---