I release my grip on her hands and gently turn her around so she’s facing me. I still don’t get to see her features because I immediately press her against my chest, blocking her from any more video footage.

Surgient turns to make eye contact with me. He’s cradling Mia in his arms. “We’re going upstairs.”

I nod. “We’ll be right behind you,” I say to signal that Ava is definitely mine.

Ava tries to turn toward her friend. “Mia…” She manages to reach out a hand and stroke her friend’s leg, but I keep her tight against me. “Please…” She squirms against me, trying to free herself from my protective arms. “I need to talk to her.”

I back Ava up until we’re in the corner Surgient and Mia vacated. Finally I clasp my mate’s face in my large hands and tip her head back. “She’s safe, Baby girl. You’ll see her when we get home.”

“Home?” Her voice squeaks. Her eyes are wide, big brown eyes I will get lost in for the rest of my life.

I smile at her, trying to calm her with my presence and my eyes. She’s so stunning. Of course I would think so no matter what anyone else thought, but I’m pretty sure she truly is gorgeous even by human standards. “My planet.”

She licks her lips. Full pretty lips that are covered in a pink gloss. It too has a slight scent, berries I think, though I can’t be certain what berries on Earth smell like. I’ve never eaten them. We bring our own foods from Eleadia. Foods on Earth are horribly unhealthy. There is almost nothing humans consume that is pure and natural, unadulterated. Even their fresh foods are covered in chemicals and ripened after they’re picked.

Ava is panting again. “That other man is taking Mia with him?”

“Yes, Little one. You will see her again. We live near each other.”

“We work together. We share an apartment. Are you really going to take me with you?”

I know her thoughts are flying all over the place. It’s normal. “Yes, Baby girl. You’re mine.”

Chapter Three

Ava

I think I’m going to hyperventilate. This can’t be happening. What were the chances? I know I joked about the possibility and even pretended I didn’t care if I was claimed and taken to another planet, but now that’s it’s real, I’m not so certain.

Except at the same time, I’m oddly sure this is the right decision, too. It doesn’t really feel like I have a choice, and that’s unnerving.

“Why me?”

His smile is dazzling, and now that I’m facing him, it’s hard to focus on anything because he is a truly gorgeous man. His blond hair is thick and hangs in a sexy wave across his forehead. His skin is lighter than mine. His eyes are a rare shade of green that makes me feel like I could get lost in them.

He crowds me farther, setting his elbows on the walls near my head. He’s blocking me from seeing anything or anyone. Suddenly I realize it’s the other way around. He’s blocking everyone from seeing me. Protecting me. They were snapping pictures. He’s forced them to stop, though I’m sure it’s too late. My face is probably plastered on the social media apps of everyone on Earth by now.

When he smiles broader, dimples come out on his cheeks. “I could say you are the most stunning female in this room, the most beautiful female I’ve ever seen, and that is accurate, but it’s not the reason you’re mine, Baby girl.”

I flinch, not sure I understand what he’s saying.

“We’re fated, Little one. As soon as I spotted you, I knew you were mine. As soon as I stepped onto the crowded dance floor, you sensed me and knew it, too.”

“That’s…not a real thing.” But I know he’s right. I can feel it. I did sense him long before he was close to me. My skin had begun to prickle even though my back was to him. I hadn’t turned around because nerves were gnawing at me. I could feel my life slipping away as he grew closer.

Not that I was dying, but that everything I’ve known up to this point is now gone. My job. My apartment. My peripheral friends. Even Mia, though I’m relieved to learn she has also been chosen.

I don’t have much in the way of family, only a few distant relatives I haven’t spoken to in ages. I knew coming here was a gamble, but seriously? What had the odds been?

“For my people, it’s a very real thing, Baby girl.”

I shiver as his endearment washes over me. He’s called me baby girl several times. It’s sweet, but it’s not really me, and I need to tell him. “You do realize I’m not exactly small by human standards.”

He slides his elbows closer and strokes my cheeks with his thumbs. “Ava, you’re so tiny compared to me that the few inches taller than other females you might be makes no difference.”

I lick my lips. My mouth is so dry. I haven’t even had a drink tonight. Mia and I hadn’t made our way to the bar before this enormous behemoth staked his claim. The fact that I’ve had no alcohol means my brain should be sharp, but it seems to be anything but sharp. “Okay, but I’m not…Little. Just so we’re clear. Mia is Little. I’m not.”

It seems important I make this distinction. If Ganrax and his friend saw Mia and assumed we were both into that sort of kink, he’s dead wrong.

His brow furrow in confusion. “Little? You’re pretty small. My hands are more than twice the size of yours. I could span your waist with my fingers and overlap them.”

I shake my head. He’s not understanding what I’m saying. “Not little as in size. I’m not into the age-play kink scene. I’m too dominant for that.” I shudder at the thought. “I’m too dominant for any kind of kink.” Though right now, for the first time in my life, I feel a bit submissive for some reason. It’s unnerving, and I’m trying to shake the feeling.

“Age play…” Ganrax seems to be searching his mind for the meaning of the term. “This is a form of kink on your planet?”

I nod. Shit.

“I think I’ve heard of it. I forgot what it means. We only have the six months of our voyage to learn everything we can about humans. Some parts didn’t stick in my head as well as others.”

I sigh. I don’t want to spell it out for him, but I must. “Age play is when one party in a couple prefers to submit to the other as if they’re far younger than their actual age. The dominant is often referred to as a Daddy, in the case of men I mean. He might call his Little Baby girl. I assumed you noticed Mia is Little, and you’re assuming I am, too. I am most certainly not.”

His face tightens slightly, but his expression is otherwise unreadable. “The term we use on Eleadia for Daddy is Papi,” he informs me.

Ah. So he does understand. I’m relieved. I even manage to exhale a long breath.

“We should go upstairs,” he declares.

His decision feels abrupt as though he’s changing the subject. I’m not sure I’m ready to leave this dance floor. It’s my only tether to Earth. As soon as I let him take me away, it’s over. It feels like a monumental decision even though I’m marginally understanding there is no decision at all.

“It’s so loud down here, Little one, and I don’t like the way people are watching you. I really don’t like the way they keep trying to photograph you.”

My heart beats faster at his overprotective stance. It feels kind of nice. It also has tones of dominance, which makes me stiffen my spine. “I think we need to talk some more. I’m not sure I’m the right woman for you.”

His brow furrows again, but he’s smiling at the same time. “Baby girl, our connection is already formed. It’s solid and unbreakable.”

My breath hitches when he slowly leans his head down toward my neck. He inhales deeply as though scenting me, and then he kisses me in a spot that makes my knees almost give out. I can smell him, too. I have no idea what the scent is, but it’s intoxicating.

He nibbles a path to my ear and whispers, “Forgive me, Little one.”

Before I have a chance to question why I might need to forgive him, he sets his lips behind my ear and… “Ouch!” I cry out as something pricks my skin. It felt like a needle. It was fast, and now it’s gone.

I reach up and slap my hand over the spot. “I think something bit me. A spider or something.”

He chuckled. “I bit you, Baby girl.”

“What? Why?”

“It’s customary. I will nick your skin often with my quill. You’ll get used to it and learn to both crave it and wish to clobber me at the same time.” He’s teasing me, but his words make no sense.