Page 2 of Bride for the Space Cowboy

“No joke?” I ask, almost dumbfounded.

“No joke. Trust me, I thought it had to be a joke too.”

“Where did you work when you were here?”

“At one of the offices in the main factory.”

We have three factories in town, one of which is the largest. We make products for the green zone. I work in one of the smaller ones. I’m also a fighter, but that’s a whole other story.

“Wait a second,” I say. “Were you engaged to Kyle Smith?”

Jane lets out a sigh. “I sure was. My not-so-best friend screwed around with him. Because she really wanted to go to the green zone.” Her lips twist. “I thought I was going to get to go. Even though that whole thing sucked, I’m glad it happened. If I hadn’t caught them, I wouldn’t have applied to leave the planet, but trust me, life is so much better there. Do you have family or anything? Because that would be an issue. We don’t want anyone leaving family or children behind.”

I shake my head, my heart twisting. “Nope. My parents died. It’s just me. And my ex-boyfriend beats me.”

Jane’s eyes narrow. “Well, then, I think you’re perfect for this.”

“When does this happen?” I ask, experiencing a surge of relief followed by anxiety.

“Today. Do you need anything from your apartment?”

I shake my head quickly. “Nothing at all. I can leave from here.” Relief washes through me, and tears sting my eyes.

Jane reaches out and clasps one of my hands in hers. Her comforting touch is grounding. “I promise. This will be a better life.”

Just then, the hairs on the back of my neck rise, and a prickle of awareness sizzles up my spine. I’m instantly drawn to look toward a door opening on the side of this large room. There are several tables where other women are being interviewed. A man enters, tall and imposing, his presence feels as if it fills the space.

I know instantly that he’s not from here. His eyes narrow as his head whips around, his gaze locking with mine from across the room.

It literally feels as if a flame leaps through the air between us, leaving a wake of sparks across the room.

My pulse is pounding, and my breath becomes short. I’ve never felt anything like this.

Flustered and unsettled, I glance back toward Jane. “Who is that?”

Her eyes are warm. “He’s second in command to Prince Asher. There’s this thing…” She considers her words. “Their people believe in a true mate, but they don’t all find one. They call the connection an infinity pulse. When I met Asher, it was the most intense thing I’ve ever experienced. Maybe that’s what you’re experiencing.”

While I’m trying to absorb that crazy idea, the man in question walks straight over to me. His bronzed skin is almost shimmering. He looks at Jane and nods. “Your Princess.”

I almost burst out laughing at that. Kayden’s golden eyes hold mine, and I cannot look away. He studies me before reaching for my hand. “Follow me,” he says.

I’m pretty sure I’d walk through fire for this man. I put my hand in his and stand. “Can I go with him?” I belatedly look back at Jane.

She smiles, waving us away. “Please go.” She glances at Kayden. “Be nice.”

I follow this imposing man who I know is not quite human. I’m drawn to him as though a magnetic force connects us. I don’t understand it. I hope the bruising on my cheek isn’t too bad. I’m tired, and I want to be anywhere but here. Well, not specifically here at this moment, but here on Earth. This could be my chance to truly escape.

After we walk through a doorway, he stops. I glance around the narrow hallway before my eyes lock with his. He studies me. Under the harsh glow of the fluorescent lights, his skin shimmers. It’s deep bronze and almost looks woven with a shiny substance. I’m nervous. I shift on my feet, and my fingertips tingle. I want to lift a hand and stroke his skin.

“What is it?” I finally blurt out.

His tiger-like eyes coast over my face. My belly feels ticklish and tingly.

“What happened?” he asks.

Even though he doesn’t specify, I know he is asking about my bruised cheek. I take a shaky breath and will my heartbeat to slow its pounding.

“Someone hit me,” I finally say. It’s the truth without being too specific. I don’t want to explain the whole story, and I hope he doesn’t ask.

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