“This is so not good,” says Lexi as the keys on her computer click under her fingers with a frantic beat. “Damn it! He’s already read the message. TS-461 knows he’s got a -- crap!” She jerks back when the computer lets out a small ding. “He accepted the match.”

“Cool,” I say. “I’ve got a date with a sexy alien.”

Lexi jumps up and hovers over me. “I don’t think you understand. He’s coming to Earth.”

I grin at her. “Well that’s good. I have no idea what I’d wear if our date was on Eroscia.”

Lexi gets in my face and practically growls out, “Forever. He is now your mate, or as we humans like to call it - husband.”

“Wait. What?” My chest tightens as if the oxygen has been sucked from my lungs, and I croak out, “Husband?”

Eliza steps between us. “Hang on. Whose bright idea was that?”

“Bringing an alien to Earth is a very expensive process many women will save years to pay for,” says Lexi as she begins to pace. “What do you think would happen if the men realized how many women they could have once they got here? It had to be done for the customer’s protection.”

I manage to suck in a deep breath and blow out it out. “Husband.” I think about having a man in my apartment every day, and my skin prickles as if I’ve suddenly developed a rash. I scratch at my arm hoping for relief as I say, “Like another coffee cup in my sink every morning, and less closet space and--” I swallow hard as dread settles in my stomach like a lead ball. “Oh god.” I lower my head into my hands and wail. “Why did I push that button?”

Eliza says, “Mandy didn’t sign anything. That can’t be legal.”

Hope blossoms in me as I glance up.

Lexi glances at her feet. “I had to test all the features so I signed for Mandy.”

“What?” I ask.

Lexi’s eyes flash as she snarls at me, “I didn’t think you’d go and initiate a match!”

I fight back the tears that threaten to fall as I imagine my perfect single life being invaded by an alien. And knowing how severe Courtney Stone can be, getting out of this won’t be easy. As if someone is breathing near my ear, warm air tickles my skin and sends a tingle of desire down through my spine. It makes me think of a lover whispering naughty things to me, and I recall how much I miss a man’s touch. Caiden sure is a sexy one, and it would be nice to have him in my bed every night. Maybe...

My god! What is the matter with me? I’ve got to get control of myself and figure out how I’m going to deal with this.

It’s so like me to end up in hot water for my impulsive behavior. Like the time I thought being a dominatrix might be fun. While I definitely loved the boots, I did not love what men wanted me to do to them. More than once I’ve seen a past client on the street with a look in his eyes that makes my blood run cold.

Once again, I’ve made a mess for myself, and it’s time to take responsibility for my actions. I say, “It’s not Lexi’s fault. I shouldn’t have pushed the button.” I grab my elbows, and the bone is hard under my fingers as I hug myself. The sensation of a man’s arms wrapping around me comes back, like the way I felt when I was compelled to initiate the match. I think I might be losing my mind.

My skin itches, and I begin to scratch again. Lexi grabs my hand. I think she’s afraid I’m about to draw blood when she asks, “Are you okay?”

I stare at Lexi as a whisper-light touch strokes my cheek and sends a tiny shiver of pleasure through my body. But Lexi’s hand didn’t come near my face, and I pull back in confusion. The contact ends, and warmth spreads in my lower belly. I really liked the way that felt. Maybe this is what happens when you go too long without sex, and I smile to myself at the absurdity of my thoughts. I shake off my dream-like state to deal with reality. “I’m fine.”

Eliza says, “If this is beta testing, surely when the match doesn’t work Mandy won’t have to marry him.”

No! The thought of sending Caiden back to his planet spikes fear in my heart, and my pulse quickens. “No.”

I shake my head, because I’m afraid my reaction has everything to do with thoughts of sex with a hot alien rather than logic. I should be thinking about the fact this guy is supposed to be my husband. A space-invading, personal-boundary-pushing kind of relationship that gives me the urge to run. “I mean, once he gets here he should stay. Some girl will think he’s wonderful.”

Lexi nods her head, “That might work. I don’t think it will be easy to send him back, or cheap. But maybe we can give him away.

My phone is on the coffee table, and it startles me when it buzzes with a text. I reach down to check it in an automatic reaction. It’s a strange number, and the notification reads, “Is Caiden a sexy name?”

I gasp, and the phone clatters on the coffee table when I drop it like a hot potato.

Eliza grabs the cell and reads it quickly before glancing up to say. “That was fast.”

Lexi leans over Eliza to read the text. “I suggest you answer him.”

“I--I--” The phone is slick in my hand when I grab it from Eliza. Heat rises to my face as if I just got a message from my first crush, and I’m not sure why. Banter is easy for me, and I should have a quick reply at the ready. But I don’t, because something tells me what I say matters. “I need a minute.” I make my way to the kitchen.

The low hum of the refrigerator vibrates against my back as I lean against it and slide down to sit on the floor and stare at the screen of my phone. I notice my hands are shaking. C’mon Mandy, you can do this.

Air rushes out of my lungs in a whoosh before I dive in. “Caiden is super-sexy. In fact it’s rated the hottest male name in the world.”

“Then I like it,” he replies. I chuckle in relief and wonder if he knows I was teasing. I think he does when he adds, “Mandy would be the hottest name on Eroscia if we’d ever used it.”

My cheeks hurt with the huge grin that covers my face. He’s playful too. “We’re going to get along just fine.”

“For ninety-seven percent of the time.”

He’s referring to our compatibility number. “What happens the other three percent?”

“We fight. Which gives us a good reason to make up. Do humans like make-up sex?”

I snort at his boldness, and it makes blood rush to my cheeks again. I tap out my reply and hit send quickly before I can think about the implications. “This one does.”

“Then you are perfect.”

When the sensation of a finger stroking my cheek returns I lean into it in response, and it occurs to me Caiden might have something to do with it. “Did you just do that?”

“Yes. You are so beautiful.”

I glance around the kitchen wondering if he might be here, but if he is, then he’s invisible. “Can you see me? Where are you?”

“I’ll explain when we meet tomorrow.”

Tomorrow? I bolt to my feet as panic rushes through my veins for a different reason. I have so much to do to prepare for the alien that’s going to invade my life! As the list of tasks I need to complete races through my head, my insides quiver, because I plan to let Caiden invade so much more.