Chapter One
Danek knew his visit to Earth was going to include a few surprises when he crash-landed in Puget Sound. A minute miscalculation on his entry speed into the planet’s atmosphere had sent his ship rocketing through the air and into the water instead of the silent and all but invisible approach he’d planned. The resulting sonic boom and arc of light that marked his ship’s trail before it submerged were the direct opposite of unobtrusive and low profile. He could easily imagine what his lord Keelan’s lady Micki would say about his entry. “Why not just put up a neon sign that says The Alien Invasion Has Begun ?”
A smile curved his mouth in spite of his situation. It was impossible to think of Micki without smiling. She was responsible for his visit to Earth. She had the capacity to form the psychic bond that made her a much-coveted and honored bondmate . And where there was one, there must be more. She could not be the only psychically sensitive woman of her race. Since Danek had so far failed to find his one, the woman whose mental wavelength matched his own and who could form the lifelong bond with him, he now sought her here.
And in case he failed to discover her among the women of Earth, he had the lady Micki’s latest manuscript to deliver. His trip would not be wasted no matter what he found here. So long as he could avoid being discovered as a visitor from another world on a planet that was not allied with the seven space-faring races.
His best hope, Danek decided, was that his spectacular entrance would be mistaken for a meteor. He shut down all ship’s functions other than essential systems like life-support, settled against the ocean floor, and engaged the device that cloaked his ship against multiple methods of scanning. Unless an underwater vessel or diver moved almost directly over it, his small craft’s presence should go undetected.
A search of area radio transmissions brought a burst of reports that a large meteor had lit up the skies of Seattle before it crashed into Puget Sound. Military channels gave similar results. Danek didn’t exactly relax, but he breathed a little easier as he prepared to leave the ship and make his way to the city. His first errand must be to deliver the manuscript as promised. Honor satisfied, Danek would then be free to explore the possibilities Earth offered.
* * * * *
Angela Robbins made another double skinny decaf latte and nearly bit a hole in her tongue to keep from asking what was the point? Skim milk instead of rich cream? Decaf instead of a caffeine kick to get the blood pumping? And to add insult to injury, the woman had asked for vanilla flavoring . Vanilla. The un- flavor . The sugar-free version, too, so even the sweetness was fake.
But she was a professional, so she kept her opinions to herself, smiled, handed over the paper cup full of denial and thought, So help me God, I will never order a fake drink .
Nothing but the real thing, all the way. In fact, she could really go for a caramel macchiato right now. Rich, smooth, hot, the flavors of cream and dark roasted beans and sweet caramel melting on her tongue… She nearly moaned out loud at the very thought.
She closed her eyes just for a minute, really enjoying her mini-fantasy break now that Fake Coffee Customer was gone, taking her fake boobs and fake hair with her. She imagined savoring the heat and sweetness and opened her eyes to find herself staring at a chest.
A large male chest. With some serious muscles. The chest, six-pack abs and droolworthy biceps that sported intricate tattoos were displayed more than covered by a leather vest.
Angie gave an internal sigh even as she admired the sight. She knew what a physique like that meant. Weightlifter. Body Nazi. The type who wouldn’t defile the purity of his temple with caffeine, sugar or cream.
Another fake drink coming up. She wanted to scowl and forced herself to smile as she raised her eyes to meet his. It seemed like
Danek knew his visit to Earth was going to include a few surprises when he crash-landed in Puget Sound. A minute miscalculation on his entry speed into the planet’s atmosphere had sent his ship rocketing through the air and into the water instead of the silent and all but invisible approach he’d planned. The resulting sonic boom and arc of light that marked his ship’s trail before it submerged were the direct opposite of unobtrusive and low profile. He could easily imagine what his lord Keelan’s lady Micki would say about his entry. “Why not just put up a neon sign that says The Alien Invasion Has Begun ?”
A smile curved his mouth in spite of his situation. It was impossible to think of Micki without smiling. She was responsible for his visit to Earth. She had the capacity to form the psychic bond that made her a much-coveted and honored bondmate . And where there was one, there must be more. She could not be the only psychically sensitive woman of her race. Since Danek had so far failed to find his one, the woman whose mental wavelength matched his own and who could form the lifelong bond with him, he now sought her here.
And in case he failed to discover her among the women of Earth, he had the lady Micki’s latest manuscript to deliver. His trip would not be wasted no matter what he found here. So long as he could avoid being discovered as a visitor from another world on a planet that was not allied with the seven space-faring races.
His best hope, Danek decided, was that his spectacular entrance would be mistaken for a meteor. He shut down all ship’s functions other than essential systems like life-support, settled against the ocean floor, and engaged the device that cloaked his ship against multiple methods of scanning. Unless an underwater vessel or diver moved almost directly over it, his small craft’s presence should go undetected.
A search of area radio transmissions brought a burst of reports that a large meteor had lit up the skies of Seattle before it crashed into Puget Sound. Military channels gave similar results. Danek didn’t exactly relax, but he breathed a little easier as he prepared to leave the ship and make his way to the city. His first errand must be to deliver the manuscript as promised. Honor satisfied, Danek would then be free to explore the possibilities Earth offered.
* * * * *
Angela Robbins made another double skinny decaf latte and nearly bit a hole in her tongue to keep from asking what was the point? Skim milk instead of rich cream? Decaf instead of a caffeine kick to get the blood pumping? And to add insult to injury, the woman had asked for vanilla flavoring . Vanilla. The un- flavor . The sugar-free version, too, so even the sweetness was fake.
But she was a professional, so she kept her opinions to herself, smiled, handed over the paper cup full of denial and thought, So help me God, I will never order a fake drink .
Nothing but the real thing, all the way. In fact, she could really go for a caramel macchiato right now. Rich, smooth, hot, the flavors of cream and dark roasted beans and sweet caramel melting on her tongue… She nearly moaned out loud at the very thought.
She closed her eyes just for a minute, really enjoying her mini-fantasy break now that Fake Coffee Customer was gone, taking her fake boobs and fake hair with her. She imagined savoring the heat and sweetness and opened her eyes to find herself staring at a chest.
A large male chest. With some serious muscles. The chest, six-pack abs and droolworthy biceps that sported intricate tattoos were displayed more than covered by a leather vest.
Angie gave an internal sigh even as she admired the sight. She knew what a physique like that meant. Weightlifter. Body Nazi. The type who wouldn’t defile the purity of his temple with caffeine, sugar or cream.
Another fake drink coming up. She wanted to scowl and forced herself to smile as she raised her eyes to meet his. It seemed like
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