Wanted: Handsome Alien Abductor (7 page)

"I had something more active in mind,” Ryja said softly, sitting next to her. He ran one hand up her thigh.

Amber grabbed his hand and sat up. “Wait a minute. I'm not your plaything."

"Uh.” He looked puzzled. “But we had sex yesterday. Might I remind you how great it was."

She swiped a strand of hair out of her face. “Of course it was, but you forget I thought it was a dream.” Amber glanced around the room. “Somewhere in the middle of our Jurassic adventure I realized this all was real."

He stared at her. “So, you can only give yourself freely in a dream?"

"No, that's not what I meant.” She stood up and paced the room. “I'm not some wild woman who falls in bed with someone the first night.

At his confused expression, she tried to explain. “ I'm a woman who is looking for a serious relationship. I don't do one night stands."

"I think I understand. I don't think you're a loose woman, if that's what you mean."

"Something like that."

"I will still respect you,” Ryja smiled.

"Oh, wait.” Amber held up both hands. “That pisses me off."

"Why, that I respect you?” His expression was puzzled.

"No, that you'd use such an old cliche line."

He folded his arms. “I don't understand you Earth women. I used a phrase I heard in a movie. It sounded nice to me."

She sighed in exasperation. “All right, I concede there seems to be a language or cultural barrier. But that doesn't change the fact that I'm not going to jump in bed with you."

His face was bland, covering whatever emotion lay beneath. She didn't know what he was thinking.

"I have loved our time together, and the historical jump was unbelievable. But I'll leave if you wish.” She crossed her fingers behind her back. Every particle of her being did not want to leave, not yet.

Ryja stared at the wall over her head. “No.” He looked at her. “I like you and

we share the same interest in history.” He sat down on a nearby chair. “We seem to be at a stalemate, so what do we do?"

"Can't we continue as before, just without the sex?” Amber asked.

"We could...except I'll always be thinking about our lovely experience.” His eyes raked her body.

I'll be thinking of it too. Amber knew she was being hard on Ryja, he was a man even though he was from another planet. But she had her personal standards.

"Amber, what do Earth men do, to get you in bed?"

If it'd been a man from Earth who asked her that, she would have been aggravated. But, it really was a simple, straightforward question, considering his origins.

"The men date me and after...about ten dates, I may sleep with them."

"So, the men court you.” Ryja looked thoughtful.

She smiled at such a quaint way of putting it. No telling what movie he'd watched to pick that up.

"Wait, why ten dates?"

"No particular reason, just kind of my standard. I figure if a man hangs around that long he's interested in me, not just sex."

Ryja nodded. “And the choice about whether you sleep with them or not?"

"Depends on if I like them well enough."

"You should know that by ten dates."

She grinned. Now he was getting it.

"So what consists of a date?” Ryja stood up and faced her.

"You know,” she waved a hand. “Dinner, a movie, dancing."

"That's it.” He looked surprised.

"No,” she had to chuckle. “Many things can comprise dates. A girl likes to be surprised.” She walked by him, headed for the bathroom. “Call it research."

"Wait,” he stopped her with his word. “What about today? We had dinner and

watched a movie."

"That's right.” She turned back, “I'll count that as one date. A date a day is the way I look at it.” She arched an eyebrow at him. “As a matter of fact our adventures could have counted as a date if it wasn't on the same day.” He didn't look too pleased by her teasing.

After she got ready for bed, Amber realized all she had to sleep in was the t-shirt. When she came out of the bathroom, Ryja stared at her, his jaw clenched tight. She knew she was testing his limits.

"Can you behave if we sleep together, or do you need to show me the guest quarters?"

"I'm a gentleman,” he threw over his shoulder as he walked toward the bathroom.

She knew he meant it, but he didn't look very gentlemanly.

Amber confused him. He stared into the dark. She was asleep, her soft breathing soothing to him for some reason. Yesterday she'd been magnificent. Her sensual nature was hot and she'd freely given her response.

Today had been fun and interesting. The Jurassic period was fascinating to watch

and would make a good addition to the Galactic Library. Sharing it with Amber had made

it special. She had a bright mind and their conversations were stimulating.

Lunch and dinner had been enjoyable as well. With their mutual love of history, they had not run out of topics to discuss. He smiled as he thought about Amber's sense of humor. Another notch that edged her toward being the perfect partner during his stay here.

But then, tonight, she'd put a halt to their sexual journey. Ryja thought about her

date requirements. It was not something people back on
Arrak
worried about. If you met someone compatible, you moved forward in all aspects, including sex. During his studies of Earth, he realized many women of this planet were hesitant about falling into a sexual relationship when they first met a man. Perhaps it was the fault of the men and the way they treated their partner.

When
Xartor III
chose Amber, he didn't think this would be an issue. Now he realized, only because Amber thought he was a dream, did she make love with a stranger with complete abandonment.

She was so achingly beautiful he couldn't imagine sending her back. Add to that their shared love of history, her intelligence and sense of humor—she was his perfect match except for the “no sex” requirement.

Ryja sighed, resigned. He was simply going to have to woo her. Maybe taking a break from his time jumping wouldn't be so bad. It'd been years since he'd gone on vacation. Truthfully, he considered jumping into history to be a vacation.

His memories of all the lovelies he'd partnered with through the years flitted through his mind. There had been one occasion where “no sex” for a particular reason had come up too. He'd forgotten that. He'd been on
Ossibara
and a beautiful green skinned
Wooztis
maid had required extra attention before she'd partake in love making. It wasn't her own standard though. The
Wooztis
people loved to dance, and it was woven throughout their society and its customs.

When a man wanted a relationship with a maid, he had to learn a courtship dance. If the
Wooztis
man did not impress the girl with his dance, then there was no sex. Ryja had been taken with the girl, Zuta, so he'd consented to learn the dance. Never having danced before, he didn't realize he was so inapt. It'd taken him seven days to learn the intricate steps. Maybe he wasn't as bad as he thought, or he'd learned well, for Zuta had fallen into his arms afterward.

Now Amber required ten dates. No, nine. If he took a break from recording, he could take her out every day. Nine days would be torture, but worth the wait. He desired lovely Amber like no other being he'd met before.

As he drifted to sleep, Ryja thought that visiting present day Earth might be a good idea. He usually buried his nose in studying a planet's history. But, the current time period would have its fascinating facts as well. And technically, the next day it would be history too, as would the next hour that passed. He was just used to jumping into the past for study. Maybe it would help him understand Amber better too. Ryja yawned. Okay, it was a done deal. Amber was going to be the object of his study, at least for the next nine days.

Amber was glad Ryja was gone when she awoke. He'd been true to his words and had left her alone during the night. A small part of her felt guilty. After all, he'd chosen her as a match, which included the sexual relationship. And the handsome alien was more than she could have wished for as a sex partner. But, she just couldn't jump into bed with him right away.

She wondered again if she should ask him to return her home, and then he could look for a more compatible partner. No, her mind replied. She was having way too much fun, and though Ryja was puzzled by her wishes, he'd agreed to the dating rules. Then there was something inside her that didn't want to let him go. A possessive feeling.

Amber shrugged away her worries. This adventure couldn't last forever. In two months she was due back in class, but until then she was going to have a blast.

Amber took a shower, and then dressed in the same clothes. She was going to have to get more clothing. Perhaps Ryja would let her use the replicator. She found the dining room, and Mica walked in shortly after she arrived, carrying a tray with Danish and fruit. She was going to miss the talented android when she left.

"Where's Ryja?"

"In the library doing research.” Although his voice was a smooth as always, Amber sensed curiosity in his tone.

She smiled, sure of the subject he was investigating.

"Mica, why don't you have a seat so we can become better acquainted?"

He looked surprised, but then sat across from her. Not sure where to begin, she asked the obvious, “Haven't any of Ryja's other girlfriends asked you to chat?"

His face smoothed into an expressionless mask. Had she seen a flash of pain before he switched to a bland face? Now Amber wished she hadn't asked. It was thoughtless, and she felt like she'd crammed her foot way down her throat.

"Most of Ryja's lady friends have ignored me.” He paused. “The two who did speak with me wanted to know more about Ryja."

Oh. She had that in mind when she asked him to be seated. Thinking quickly, she said, “Well, I have to admit I am curious about him, but I really would like to know more about you too."

She waved a hand at the room. “I don't know if you can imagine how shocking all this is to an Earthling."

He smiled. “It is a much smoother transition for women when their home planet is already a member of the Federation."

"So, there have been others like me?"

"Only one."

"I see.” She stared at her plate, deep in thought, then glanced up. “Wouldn't it be against Federation rules or something?"

"They don't encourage contact.” He seemed on the verge of saying something else, but stopped.

"What do you think of Earth?"

"I like it,” Mica's eyes twinkled. “The people I've encountered have been pleasant, and none had a clue I was anything but another human."

"It must be hard."

He shrugged. “When people treat you like a robot.” He stared at the centerpiece. “It's insulting."

"I can imagine. I think you look like an exceptionally handsome man.” If you

didn't look too close for imperfections, since you wouldn't find any, he could pass for human.

"Thank you.” Mica stared at her with those brilliant eyes.

The door opened abruptly and Amber was glad. Her conversation with Mica bordered on too intrusive, and she did not want to hurt this wonderful beings feelings.

"Good morning Amber.” Ryja sat down. “Mica,” he turned to the android, “If you don't mind, I'd love a cup of coffee."

Mica had already stood up when Ryja entered, and walked to the kitchen door, returning with a cup. Ryja took two Danish's from the tray and nibbled on one.

"I thought you ate this morning,” she laughed.

"That was hours ago."

She almost blushed. Darn it, she loved to sleep in during the summer. Some days she just lazed the day away, cuddling up on her couch in pajamas and watching old movies. Ryja's comment made her feel guilty because he had awoken way before her.

"Did you find what you were looking for?” She tore a piece of flaky pastry off, trying to act casual.

"Why don't you just ask me?” He leaned forward, a devilish look on his face.

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She dropped the Danish on the plate. “All right, did you find out what you need to know about dating?"

"Yes,” he grinned. “You wouldn't believe all the information on Earth's internet."

"Oh, I would."

"There are some very interesting facts about Earthlings sex practices too."

Amber groaned inside. She did not want to hear this. He probably stumbled onto a porno site, and she did not want to be treated like a sex object.

"I discovered that many Earth girls are easy.” His grin got beneath her skin.

Groan.

"But then I also found that many nice women like to wait."

She looked up at him. He was calling her a nice girl.

"There were some references to men liking to take these type of women home to meet their family. Wife material."

She stared at him. Was he teasing her? Making fun of her? “Does that scare you?"

He snorted, and then didn't say anything for a few seconds, finishing the pastry in his hand. Licking his fingers distracted her, so she almost missed his next words.

"Do you want to go out with me tonight?"

"Huh?” She drew her gaze from his mouth, where crumbs of pastry clung to his full bottom lip. She had a sudden desire to lick them clean. Clearing her throat, she said, “Yes, I'd love to go out with you."

"I thought a dinner at a nice restaurant would suffice."

"Sounds great.” She smiled ruefully. “I'm not sure if my jeans wardrobe will fit

in."

He glanced at her. “We should probably dress up. Go to the clothes room anytime today and tell the computer what you want to wear."

"The replicating machine is the one to the right of the closet, correct?"

"Yes. Just give it instructions, you don't have to touch anything."

"I need some other clothes if you don't mind."

"Sure. Anything you need the replicator can create it for you."

This date was sounding more interesting than she first thought. She didn't know what she had expected him to come up with, but right out of the gate he had the right notion. Self, she interjected, we still have the date to get through. Then we'll see his scores.