Page 7 of Princess for the Space Cowboy

I’m relieved she gives me the opening I need to get this interview back on track. I gesture to one of the chairs. “Have a seat. I’ll explain everything.”

Jane sits, smoothing her hands over her skirt.All I want is to see her with her knees spread open for me. Again.

Shackling my rampaging arousal, I sit down in the other chair, facing her at an angle. “The adisfor a matchmaker, and I also need a princess.”

“I wondered if that part was some kind of joke? I’ll be perfectly honest now that we’ve kissed. I had several glasses of wine before I saw the ad. If I’d been sober, I probably wouldn’t have applied. Are you really from another planet? And why do you need a princess? Royalty is just fluff on Earth.”

I nod. “I am from another planet. While I look mostly human, I’m not entirely. Our people have mated with humans from Earth for centuries. We are aware that life on Earth isn’t great these days, especially for women. I understand things have only gotten worse. It’s very dry and inhospitable. Are the rumors accurate about the way women are treated here?”

Jane purses her lips. She nods, and something flashes in her eyes. Pain, I think. I want to slay all of her dragons, including whoever hurt her.

“We lost many rights. With the climate changing, things got even worse because many women died. Is it just as bad on your planet?”

“Women are revered on our planet. When you look at history everywhere, not just on Earth, there are differing reactions whenchange happens. Taking rights away when things become scarce, or protecting rights when things become scarce. Our people protect and revere women because we need them. A bad storm two years ago caused many women to die. We need women, and we can mate with humans. It strengthens us.” I take a quick breath. “As for the princess part. Some of our people think royalty is revered here because of what’s in your news. But I’m not so sure that’s accurate.”

Jane’s eyes widen. “I guess it depends on how you look at it.” Her lips twist with a smile. “Royalty is honored on Earth, but they don’t have real power. So if you’re a prince, why is there no princess?”

When I shake my head, she circles her hand in the air. “Why not?”

“There will be. I need a princess so I can ascend to the throne as king when my father is ready to step down. I must find my princess, and I need a matchmaker. We want to set up a service where we match women with the men who need them. We know there are plenty of women here. With Earth being so unfriendly, we thought it might be appealing to move to our planet. It would be?—”

“A match made in space,” Jane quips with a grin.

“Exactly. Maybe that’s what we should call it,” I tease.

“Yes!” She claps her hands before giving her head a little shake and lowering them. “How many interviews do you have? And are you going to kiss everyone?”

“If you want the job, it’s yours,” I say firmly. “I need to clarify one thing.”

“What?” She leans forward, clasping her hands on her knees as she looks at me.

“We need to marry once we land on my planet, and then we must consummate the marriage quickly. Normally, I wouldn’trush, but we have to. Things are in flux, and if I don’t take a princess soon, someone else may become the prince.”

“When do we need to leave?”

“Tomorrow.”

Chapter Seven

JANE

I blink at Asher. I don’t realize my mouth has dropped open until he reaches across and nudges my chin upward with his knuckles. That little brushing touch is like fire on my skin. It’s electric. I don’t even know what to think of my reaction to him. It’s so intense, I’d say it’s out of this world, but that feels ridiculous, given the circumstances.

“Tomorrow?” I squeak.

Asher’s shoulders rise as he takes a breath and nods. “Today.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely,” he says solemnly. “Have you ever traveled to space?”

I shake my head slowly as a mix of anticipation, anxiety, and fear rushes through me.

“Only the wealthy can do that. I’m definitely not that. Were you looking for someone with money?” My question is cynical, but that’s life on Earth these days for women. Most men are looking for connections or money.

He waves a hand dismissively. “Money is irrelevant. I didn’t know how long it would take me to find the right woman. I’m just glad I found you.”

“How do you know it’s me?”

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