Chapter Two
Danyka plopped onto the cushioned banquet chair. She’d been on her feet for two hours, mingling with industry professionals. And waiting for her date. At this point, she’d given up on him. He’d either stood her up or spied her from across the room and scurried away. Josh and Tamara had good intentions, but they’d left her disappointed.
She removed her shoes, sighing as her feet returned to their normal size. Blisters stung below her ankles and on her little toes. How can anyone wear these all day?
After sitting down for a few minutes, she contemplated leaving. She had nothing to look forward to for the rest of the night, only a constant reminder of her loneliness. Leaning back, she caught a glimpse of a multitude of stars through the skylights in the arched ceiling. Focusing on the celestial objects allowed her to forget where she was for a moment, at least until someone shoved her into the table as he passed behind her.
“Watch where you’re going.” Sheesh. He’d had plenty of room to move between the tables, but no, he had to bump into her.
The man stumbled to glare back at her. “If you took up less space, I wouldn’t have tripped over you. You’re lucky I don’t sue.”
Sighing, she rolled her eyes. There had to be someplace on Earth, or in the universe, where women over five-foot-six weren’t seen as Amazons. She turned to the dance floor and watched Vanessa and Ellie, in their corsets and long, heavy skirts, gyrating against their own princes. Charming, maybe, but the up-and-coming movie stars acted more like overgrown teenagers on set, playing practical jokes and sharing more of their personal lives than she cared to know. But when her friends had begged to meet them, she’d caved to their wishes.
The boys enjoyed the attention and had already asked Vanessa and Ellie to escort them to the after party. Which meant they’d become another tick on their scorecards, but she couldn’t tell them any different. They enjoyed the buzz, the attention.
Like most nights she went out with the girls, Danyka hadn’t been asked to dance. She would have been happy even if someone besides her date had asked. Instead, she sat watching, wishing she were anyone else. Tonight, she hadn’t even needed to act as their DD, designated divider. When her friends needed help getting away from guys who thought they were going to get laid, but hadn’t a hope in hell, she would run interference. No, tonight she had lost all hope.
Her vibrator called to her, the sole object that continued to bring her pleasure. Why couldn’t she be asked to dance? Once was all she asked for. Instead men went for her shorter companions with big boobs flowing out of their corsets, girls who looked like dainty, damsels-in-distress tonight. She’d never needed anyone to rescue her, but just once, she’d like someone to offer.
Ellie turned to wave at her as the group of four made their way to the exit. She wouldn’t see them again tonight.
That’s it, I’m leaving. She didn’t need to stick around and be reminded of another night she’d been stood up by a blind date and passed over by every other available male.
After slipping her shoes on and grabbing her clutch, she headed for the door.
“Leaving so soon?”
She shivered at the sound of the deep, sexy voice. Spinning around, she gazed up at an enormous, captivating man. Very rarely did she meet a guy so much taller than herself. His black velvet justacorps fit tight across his broad shoulders, but not too snug. And the silk shirt lining his wide chest matched the color of her dress. Almost as if they were made for each other. I can only hope.
Flowing down his back, his long, thick, dark mane appeared to have feathers throughout. In the dim lighting, his hair, and even his skin had a faint blue glow. She couldn’t help but be enthralled by his presence; was sure she stood in front of him with her mouth hanging open.
“I…I’m going home.”
“When the night is still so young?” He brushed his hand down her bare arm. “What could be more fun at home? Perhaps you might even enjoy some company?”
How she’d love to spend the night in this man’s company, the toys in her nightstand long forgotten. But this had to be some kind of joke. She looked around for cameras, anxious faces. No one as hot as this man could want to spend a night with her. “It’s been a long day. I was stood up by my date, and my friends no longer need me to stick around.”
Great! She’d just told the guy she was alone. Might as well have put a target on my back.
He rested his hand on her hip, sending intense sexual energy zinging straight to her core. “You mean you wouldn’t want to enjoy an evening in my company? Because I’m your date.”
He brought her hand up to kiss her knuckles, his lips soft against her skin.
What would they feel like elsewhere?
He slid a red rose corsage onto her wrist, marking her as his. She didn’t care to object. “I’m sorry I made you think I wasn’t coming. I…I had a hard time finding a costume that fit. So, will you consider spending the rest of the night with me?”
Consider? God, yes! She’d considered it the moment she’d heard his voice, but didn’t believe he would want to spend any time with her. And she could relate to the search to find proper-sized clothing. Madame Evangeline had found her perfect match. But could she go through with the date? Yes! Time to take a chance.
“What do you have in mind?”
Pulling her against his hard physique, he grinned. “Perhaps some dancing? After that, we’ll see where things go.”
She tingled in anticipation. A year had passed since she’d last had sex with a guy, and he’d only been in it for himself, leaving her bed after coming all over her chest. But this man had the potential to give her so much more, his touch making her body hum in silent longing. Should she get her hopes up? Could she have found her ideal man, even for one night?
“I…sure, I guess.” Her cheeks warmed as he released her. Then he bowed and held out his hand for hers.
Next to him, she felt dainty, delicate. Where had he been all her life?
She frowned. He hadn’t told her his name. The wheels turned in her mind. Was that his way of preventing anything past tonight? So she couldn’t look him up? She’d enjoy her time with him anyway.
He escorted her toward the dance floor, cradling her arm as she balanced on her heels. She never wore shoes that made her appear taller. Why had she decided to wear the slingbacks? She had plenty of flat, wide footwear at home. But her date’s simple touch made her forget the pain in her knees and feet, and that she was taller than every woman in the room. She could concentrate on him and the possibilities of what he might do to her later in the evening.
With typical eighteenth century formal minuets playing, Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome held her at a respectable distance, sweeping her across the room, making her feel like royalty. Attendees cleared a path as her date twirled her across the floor, and those around the tables stared. But she didn’t care. She kept her focus on the man holding her, returning his radiant smile. She’d watched enough of the dancing to know she had the best partner in the room. He moved with grace and finesse, a result of either ballroom lessons or a mother who taught her son how to treat a lady. Either way, he was hers for the night. One magical night.
“And now to wrap up the ball, we’re going to play more modern music,” the disc jockey announced. “Enjoy your evening, ladies and gentlemen.”
Danyka recognized the song in an instant, one she’d often listened to, talking of angels and aliens. Hardly modern, but at least from the last century.
Her partner for the evening pulled her close as the music slowed. “Thank the gods they changed the music. I need to be closer to you.”
Gods? A different religion, perhaps? She didn’t care. Desire coursed through her from head to toe. He could touch and taste every inch, without any objection from her.
He leaned down, his warm breath grazing her neck. Her nipples perked, pressed against his hard body.
“I noticed the galaxy on your shoulder.”
She sighed with disappointment, having expected him to kiss her. “Yes, I have a tattoo.”
Would a little ink stand in their way? She tried to pull away, to brace for his dismissal, but his hold on her never faltered.
“I like it. Why did you choose the Milky Way?”
Releasing the breath she’d been holding, Danyka smiled with relief. Her cheeks ached from the joy this man brought her. “It’s a tribute to my father. We’d often lie on the back lawn and watch the stars. He taught me about the constellations in our galaxy, and many other celestial bodies throughout the universe.”
A wave of sadness washed over her. She missed those moments, and her father.
Her date brushed his thumb along her cheek, bringing her attention back to him. “And what did he teach you about the possibility of other life—out in space?”
Did she really want to ruin this evening with talk of her belief in aliens? No.
He raised his eyebrows, waiting for an answer.
Oh hell. “He told me not to assume Earth is the only planet in the universe capable of sustaining life.”
“So you believe?”
“In a matter of speaking, yes.” There, she’d said it. Now watch him run. “But I can’t say I’ve ever met anyone from another world.”
His placed gentle kisses across her neck, lighting a fire deep in her core. “I believe, too.”
Even though no distance existed between their bodies, his kiss caught her by surprise. Any self-doubt she held onto melted away, giving room to the need to be with this man. His lips, as soft as when they’d pressed against her knuckles, stole her breath away.
He pulled back, leaving her body tingling. “Perhaps we could go someplace we could have some privacy?”
The idea both scared and thrilled her. She had never been one to do anything without meticulous planning, another reason she’d never had much fun in her life. But the evening had been one big whirlwind up until now. “Let’s go.”
Her date held her hand with a firm grip, but not hard enough to hurt.
In a wave of panic, she stopped. She didn’t even know his name. And I’m willing to go off alone with him? What am I thinking?
She wanted to get laid, plain and simple. Opportunities like this were too rare to pass up. And they had been set up, a presumed ideal match.
“Are you coming?” He tugged on her hand, his sexy smile washing away her doubts.
She rushed through the halls beside him, anxious to experience everything he could give her. He ducked into the kitchen, giving her pause. “Are you sure we should be in here?”
“Get out of here this instant,” a woman yelled, shaking her spoon at them.
Her date laughed, taking her further into the room, toward another door. They burst through the exit, out into the cool night air. Into an alley.
She’d expected a hotel room, a car, at least, not some lane behind the hotel among garbage bins filled with rotting food.
But she had no time to object. He pinned her up against the brick wall with his body, holding her hands above her head.
He kissed her, no, devoured her. He tasted her with his lips, his tongue plunging inside her mouth, beginning an erotic dance.
She became lost in the moment, unable to form a clear or coherent thought.
Even through layers of clothing, his hard cock pressed against her stomach. She wanted him now, didn’t care where they were.
As if reading her mind, he reached down, gathering her skirt. Goosebumps formed on her exposed legs from the cool breeze. But the heated desire racing through her body from his ravishing mouth burned them away with haste. She’d never been kissed so passionately.
With one hand holding her skirt tight, he slid his other between her legs, trailing his hand along the cloth of her thong. She shivered, awaiting penetration of any kind. She creamed against the small piece of fabric as he rubbed her swollen mound.
“Oh, that’s what I like.” He reached down to catch the juices running down her leg then grabbed a handful of material and ripped. “But these were getting in the way.”
Tossing her underwear away, he explored her slick folds. She whimpered as he brushed his finger along her clit. She wanted more, all of him. When he slid his digit inside, she moaned, her core tightening around him. Finally.
He kissed along her neck, nipping her skin, intensifying her pleasure. Two more fingers slipped into her. Weak-kneed, she rode up and down his digits, intense pressure welling deep within. She sucked in short, sharp breaths. Too much time had passed since she’d had anything but toys and her own appendages touching her most intimate spots.
In a blinding explosion, she released. “God, yes!”
She rode the exhilarating wave as he continued to pump her. Her muscles relaxed, but she still yearned for him. Their night had just begun.
“Why don’t we go somewhere else and continue this? We can get a room if you want.” She didn’t care where as long as they were off the street and had a little more privacy. The possibility of someone catching them excited her, but she didn’t want the rest of their time together interrupted.
“I have the perfect place, if you’re willing to trust me.”
How could she? She’d just met him, didn’t even know his name. Yet she refused to say no, couldn’t have him walk away and leave her alone and needy. She’d go wherever he wanted to take her, whether to a bondage dungeon or a closet. So long as he took her, over and over. Because, for once, she’d found a guy who pleasured her without her asking. She planned to return the favor as soon as they left the alley.
With one hand gripping her ass, he skimmed a finger back across her slick folds. “Well, do you?”
Only aware of her growing need, she nodded.
He returned to her slippery heat, plunging in and out. “First, tell me your name.”
“Danyka.” Her name rolled out as she moaned with his movements.
“Okay, Danyka, hold onto me.”
How could she not? He’d transformed her knees, her entire body, to jelly with his touch. She already gripped his sleeves, afraid if she let go she’d fall, slide down the wall.
Pulling some kind of remote from his pocket, he pressed the single white button on its surface. He slipped the device back into his pouch then leaned forward to reclaim her mouth.
She had her eyes closed, her lips pressed against his, when the sensation started. First, a tingling in her hands and feet, as he swept his digits deep inside her. The buzz spread up her arms and legs until it engulfed her entire body. She no longer sensed the ground below her.
The man continued to drive his fingers into her core with vigor, ridding her of the urge to pull away and find out what was happening to her. She landed with a thud, feeling returning to her limbs. Nothing stopped the man who held her, though. He continued to ravage her mouth, her jaw, her neck, keeping her pressed against the wall.
But something felt different. Gone was the hard brick pressing through her corset and against her skin. She reached behind to brush her hand along the surface. Soft. Almost like cushioned satin.
With a whimper, she pushed the strange man away. Where was she? What had she been thinking? This is the stupidest, most insane thing I’ve ever done.
The Prince Charming she’d had the fortune of being set up with peered down at her, his gaze intense and filled with lust. “My name is Galan, and we’re in my spaceship.”
At least she now knew his name, but wait…. Spaceship? She stared at the man, disillusioned. She could think of no other explanation for how they had traveled to a new location with the press of a button. Oh God, she’d been abducted by an alien. How would she get out of this situation? The first time she’d done something spur-of-the-moment, and she’d ended up being finger-fucked by an extraterrestrial.
Or was this some kind of elaborate stunt Josh had pulled off? But why? He was on his honeymoon, unable to enjoy his handiwork. Her body grew numb; a loud ringing pierced her eardrums. She could no longer think with the clouds invading her mind. Then she blacked out.