Page 37 of Stolen By Her Alien Mate

But she wore a scarf in the dream. So how did I know that scarf covered scars?

And why does it matter when it was just a dream? The weirdest dream I’d ever had, but still…

Dreams aren’t important. Everyone knows that.

They are nothing more than a random compilation of information your brain hadn’t had time to process during the day.

I shiver again and pull my knees up to my chest, wrapping my arms around my legs and hiding my face in the crevice made by my knees.

I sit like that for a long time, shifting only to pull my blanket around my shoulders against the cold that isn’t really there.

So I know the goose pimples on my skin are the memory of the dream, not actual cold. But I have never had a dream that left me feeling like this.

And I’m torn between wanting to hold on to the dream—because it feels important—and wanting to push it away, because whatever part of me created those images is terrifying.

chapter

eleven

KAEL

By the time evening rolls around, I am more than eager to see my mate again. My be’lahshuk. My Minka.

The idea of her so close, but without me by her side, makes me anxious in a way I can’t explain. I want her with me. I want her away from the dangers of this relatively primitive planet.

The Adjunct and I spent the afternoon reviewing the scans from the satellites. The results are promising. There are definitely other people or artifacts from Perse scattered around on earth. We’ll wait until Cass can help decode the information before we dig any deeper.

If nothing else, the work is a reminder that this isn’t only about me claiming my own mate. The bond between Joey and I is bigger than mere sex. More important than just the two of us.

I keep that in mind as I walk into the diner at exactly six o’clock for my “date” with Joey.

Lorraine’s behind the counter talking to a customer. She gives me a wink and beckons me forward.

“She went home to change clothes. She should be back in a few.”

I scowl, but before I can say anything, she waves her hand dismissively.

“And before you go fussing at either of us, she didn’t go back to her place. She went back to mine just in case that horse’s ass Brandon is still lurking around. My Barry came and picked her up about an hour ago, and he’s going to drop her back here as soon as she’s ready.”

I nod and sit. Lorraine pours me coffee, and I once again think that this might be the very best thing about this planet. I should find out if we can get this stuff back on Perse.

Fifteen minutes pass, and my stomach tightens. What if she’s changed her mind? I need her soon. For so many reasons.

The bell above the door rings, and I spin around on my stool. There she is.

Relief floods me at the sight of her. She’s here. Finally. And now that she is, I’m not sure I will ever let her out of my sight.

She isn’t in her usual uniform, but rather leggings of a thick blue fabric. They hug her curves, accenting the indention of her waist and the roundness of her hips and ass. Her tunic isn’t particularly revealing, but it hints at her breasts, and my cock lengthens against my thigh at the thought of them and the memory of how she tasted on my lips.

I’ve never reacted to another female the way I do to my Joey.

I step forward, never taking my eyes off of her. “You look beautiful.”

She gives me a shy smile and the amber of her eyes warms. That look on her face, both playful and seductive, pulls at something deep inside of me, something I didn’t even know existed until this moment. “Thanks.”

I have to swallow before I ask, “Ready?”

She nods.