Chapter 3

Diana woke slowly, her mind still pleasantly befuddled from the dream she'd had about a handsome blue alien who wanted her as his mate. Diana wished only that the dream could have continued a little longer and that she hadn't been so prickly. She would have liked to touch that smooth blue skin and maybe even taste it. Oh, the things I would have done to his deliciously muscled body.

Diana giggled and rolled over onto her stomach, the smooth, satiny sheets rubbing sensuously against her bare skin.

Bare what? I never sleep naked.

Diana opened her eyes and sat up in shock. Her gaze flicked down to see she wore not a stitch of clothing and that the bed she found herself in wasn't her own.

Where on God's green earth am I?

She looked around in consternation, not seeing anything familiar. Panic settled low in her tummy. Okay, let's not freak out here. Maybe I'm still dreaming. Diana pinched herself hard.

Owww! Diana glared offensively at the red mark she'd given herself. Okay, maybe not a dream then. Grabbing the loose satin sheet on the bed, she draped it around herself and stood up to take a look around.

Smooth, seamless cream-colored walls surrounded her. No door, no nothing to show how to get in or out. Is this some kind of prison? But I've never heard of a prison like this. And, besides, I've committed no crimes.

For furniture, there just seemed to be the large bed covered in creamy sheets and pillows, and two chairs that looked like overly large beanbags that had been punched in the middle for a seat.

The floor underneath felt spongy on her bare feet, and Diana looked down at it and frowned. She'd never seen anything like it. It looked and felt like suede with the consistency of rubber, making it very cushy to walk on.

Her dream of the blue alien came back to taunt her. Surely not. I mean, aliens don't exist, right? But where am I then?

Feeling a change in the air, Diana whirled, the sheet clasped tightly to her breasts, and saw her blue E.T. standing in a doorway that had just appeared in the wall.

"You?" she exclaimed then narrowed her eyes as understanding sank in. "Where am I? Why have you kidnapped me?"

"We are aboard my spacecraft heading for my planet. As for why you are here, I told you that earlier. You have been chosen to be my mate. I will be your leader, or will be as soon as we complete the ceremony."

"I am not doing any ceremony with you. I demand you take me home right now, or I'll-I'll-" Diana got flustered at this point. What exactly can I do if what he says is the truth? If we really are in space, I can't just jump ship and walk home.

"Taking you home is not an option. Believe me, I am not so sure the Oracle made the right choice either. But choose you as my mate she did, so whether you are willing or not, we will be conducting the bonding ceremony."

Not likely. "I can assure you it won't be willing. So, unless you intend to force me, there will be no bonding, mister. Besides, did it ever occur to you that maybe I already have a boyfriend?"

"You mean a mate?" Mr. Blue frowned at her. "Do you have one?"

"No." Diana couldn't help a sulky tone. Stupid jerk had been cheating on her, so she'd dumped his ass. "That's not the point. I could have had someone special, but you didn't even ask."

"Sorry," he said, not sounding the least bit apologetic. "Now can we move past this? You will be my mate and the mother of our children. It has been decided. You need to accustom yourself to this idea so that we may move on."

"Children? Okay, now you're really getting ahead of yourself there. Just who is this Oracle who says I'm supposed to be your bride? I'd like to talk to her. I think she's made some kind of mistake."

"Are all earthling females so argumentative?" he asked.

"Only the smart ones," snapped Diana. "And my name is Miss St. Peters to you, not earthling."

"I will call you whatever I wish."

"We'll see about that," growled Diana. "Now I demand to speak to this Oracle."

"You cannot speak to the Oracle."

"Why not?" Diana asked, chin jutted out stubbornly.

"Must you keep questioning everything?" he asked with exasperation.

"Hey, this is my life we're talking about here. I think I have the right to know what's going on."

Kor-she remembered his name from the dream that wasn't a dream-sighed loudly. "Will you be more agreeable if I answer some questions for you?"

"Maybe."

"Fine then," he said, walking over to sit in one of the funny-looking chairs. "Ask away."

Diana hadn't expected him to give in that quickly, given his previous high-handed behavior, so she collected her thoughts before speaking. "How did I get here?"

"Molecular transportation."

"What?" said Diana blankly.

"My computer dissolved our molecular structure and reassembled it here, on the ship."

Diana's eyes widened. Beam me up, Scotty. She patted herself down, relieved to see she seemed to have made it in one piece, including those pounds she'd have preferred to lose.

Shuffling her feet, she got her toes caught in the edge of the sheet wrapped around her body, reminding her of her nude state. "Where are my clothes?"

Kor grinned at her with what she swore was a twinkle of mirth in his eyes. "Gone."

"What do you mean gone?"

"They were ugly, so I got rid of them. Next question?" he said, leaning back, looking pleased with himself.

Diana glared at him. Never mind the fact he was right, her clothes had been awful, that didn't give him the right to strip them from her. Wait a second . . .

"You undressed me?" she asked slowly.

Kor nodded his head.

"But that means you saw me naked!" Diana flushed crimson. Somehow this fact had evaded her usually alert mind, and she burned with embarrassment.

"I have to admit that, in that respect, the Oracle chose well. You have a beautiful body, and I look forward to enjoying it."

Diana just gaped at his comment. On the one hand, she felt a tingly little pleasure that he'd liked what he'd seen, but on the other . . .

"There will be no enjoying nothing, mister. I mean it," she said, stomping her foot when he chuckled.

Kor didn't seem to mind her childish tantrum. He stood and walked over to her, thankfully dressed now, unlike earlier, but even clothed, he still seemed very intimidating-and sexy. Diana backed away, but the cabin wall met her back, and she couldn't escape him when he draped an arm on either side of her body. He leaned toward her, his violet eyes alight with some emotion she couldn't identify. She just hoped it wasn't anger.

Diana lost her ability to speak-a rare occurrence-stunned by his proximity, a closeness that had her body warming in naughty places. His face drew nearer, and when he spoke, his minty breath feathered across her lips, making her nipples tighten and her lower parts flush with heat.

"Oh, I will enjoy taking you, and I guarantee you will enjoy me in return," he promised arrogantly before touching his lips to hers.