I’m breathing through my nose because something is in my mouth. I’m sucking furiously, and I don’t think it’s my thumb. I’ve always sucked my thumb. I never outgrew it. My mother tried everything to get me to stop as I got older, but nothingworked, and eventually she gave up. She believed that I would stop when kids made fun of me at school. But that didn’t happen either. I didn’t stop sucking my thumb in public until I was in about third grade, but even then, I continued to do so in private.
Someone is stroking my fingers. Not just stroking them. Someone is kissing the tips. That makes no sense. Nothing makes sense, but it’s my weird dream, and I don’t want it to end, so I refuse to open my eyes.
I’m too warm. I want to stay warm. I don’t care if it’s an illusion from my dream. I’ll take it. When I open my eyes and break the spell, I’ll be cold again.
Where am I? Am I in a shelter? I can’t possibly be under the bridge where I often sleep. I’d be freezing. But I don’t remember checking into a shelter tonight.
The last thing I remember is being in Club Zoom, feeling overwhelmed, and then… Oh, crap. A giant man came to me. He cupped my face, tipped my head back, and spoke to me. His tone was kind. And that’s the final thing I recall.
Suddenly, something pricks my fingertips, and I jerk my eyes open. I’m so stunned by what I see that I stop breathing. A man’s face. He has black hair and the most gorgeous green eyes I’ve ever seen. His skin is tanned, his lips are full, and there are dimples on his cheeks. He’s smiling at me.
Our faces are only inches apart, and I quickly surmise that he’s the reason I’m so warm. He’s holding me.
“Hey there, Little one. I was starting to worry. You fainted, and you’ve been asleep a long time.”
I stare at him. I’m too confused to speak, and besides, something is in my mouth.
The man suddenly plucks the item from my mouth. It disappears so fast I don’t get a chance to see what it was. “You were so cold,” he continues. “You’ve finally stopped shivering.”
He’s…rocking me? He’s standing and swaying. I’m cradled in his arms. I don’t feel as panicked as I should. I’m just stunned. I lick my lips. “Are you one of them?” My voice squeaks.
His smile widens. “Eleadian, yes.”
“Why are you holding me?”
“Because you’re mine, Baby girl.”
My eyes widen. Now, I’mreallyconfused. “That’s not possible. I didn’t even see a single man before I fainted.” Except I did. I saw this man.
“But I sawyou, Janelle. That’s all it takes.”
“You know my name…”
“Yes. It was on your driver’s license. Did I pronounce it right?”
I nod. “But you wouldn’t pick me. The club was filled with gorgeous women. I’m just…” I don’t know how to tell him I’m nobody.
“We don’t pick our mates the way you’re thinking, Little one. Fate chooses for us. When you walked into the club, you were taking a risk that you might be chosen.”
I swallow and stare into his amazing eyes. They’re mesmerizing. I feel like he’s looking inside me. Like he can see my soul. Finally I speak again. “I only came in to get warm.”
“Well, you will never be cold again, Little one. I promise. The temperature on Eleadia is perfect year-round. You’ll never feel overheated or chilled once we get home.”
My heart rate picks up. “You’re seriously going to take me to your planet?” It’s difficult to imagine.
“Yes, Baby girl. We’ll go to the mothership soon. The doctor on board will examine you to clear you for transportation, and then we’ll head home.”
He’s serious. He holds my gaze while he lifts my fingers to his lips again. That’s what he was doing when I woke up. He holds my hand steady against his mouth, and suddenly I feel a prick.
“Ouch.” I try to pull my hand away, but he’s too strong. “What did you do?”
“There’s a tiny quill behind my front teeth. I can use it to pierce your skin and inject you with my serum. It’s going to help calm you.”
I do feel oddly calm. Weird. I know he already pricked my finger. It’s what woke me up.
He brings my pointer to his lips and pierces it again. “Owie. Don’t do that.” I pout, but my breath hitches when he sucks my finger between his lips and licks it before releasing it. He holds my gaze the entire time. My cheeks heat from the intensity. No one has ever looked at me so intently before. I feel like I’m held in a trance. I can’t blink or look away.
“I’ll do whatever is necessary to keep you relaxed, Little one. I don’t like your blood pressure rising. It’s not healthy.”
