The day Diana met her first alien dawned like any other-with a dry, cottony mouth and a bad case of bed head. She didn't even have any warning because, unlike The X Files and sci-fi movies, she didn't see any lights in the sky and her TV image didn't go all snowy. That kind of pissed her off because, had she known she would be having an up-close-and-personal encounter with life from another planet, she might have at least brushed her hair and worn something other than her ragged robe, plaid boxer shorts, and loose tank top. This is definitely not my most attractive look. Anyway, there she stood, ironing her underwear-being single left her with way too much time on her hands-when, suddenly, it appeared in the middle of her living room. It wasn't a spectacular living room as living rooms went, outfitted with a second-hand, sagging couch and chair, a coffee table that wobbled, and some kind of Oriental print rug in bad need of a beating. A receptionist's salary didn't go far in the

Diana woke slowly, her mind still pleasantly befuddled from the dream she'd had about a handsome blue alien who wanted her as his mate. Diana wished only that the dream could have continued a little longer and that she hadn't been so prickly. She would have liked to touch that smooth blue skin and maybe even taste it. Oh, the things I would have done to his deliciously muscled body. Diana giggled and rolled over onto her stomach, the smooth, satiny sheets rubbing sensuously against her bare skin. Bare what? I never sleep naked. Diana opened her eyes and sat up in shock. Her gaze flicked down to see she wore not a stitch of clothing and that the bed she found herself in wasn't her own. Where on God's green earth am I? She looked around in consternation, not seeing anything familiar. Panic settled low in her tummy. Okay, let's not freak out here. Maybe I'm still dreaming. Diana pinched herself hard. Owww! Diana glared offensively at the red mark she'd

Kor walked in and stopped. For the first time since he'd laid eyes on Diana, he thanked the Oracle. And, yes, he'd finally relented enough, or should he say groveled enough, that Alphie had given him his mate-to-be's name, along with some basic information about her, but not too much. Kor, for some unfathomable reason, looked forward to discovering more about his chosen. He especially couldn't wait to see how she'd look naked with face flushed and her body aroused. That erotic thought presided at the forefront of his mind as he viewed his intended looking radiant as the moon goddess wearing the flowing garments of his people. Her shapely curves, both hidden and revealed by the strategically draped cloth, made her look good enough to eat. As soon as Diana opened her mouth, though, Kor rolled his eyes and lost his appetite. "I demand you find me some proper clothes," she stated, hands on her hips, glaring at him, not realizing what a fetching picture she made. "I refuse to be dress

"No, absolutely not," Diana said, arms crossed, shaking her head. Kor sighed and resisted the urge to rip out his hair. "These shots are necessary to ensure your health and well-being once we arrive on my planet." Not to mention one of them had the implant that would allow her to speak and understand all languages. He'd thought it best not to tell her about it being included in the shots, given her earlier rant about implants turning humans into killers. Earthlings had way too much imagination. "No way. I am not letting you inject me with some weird alien cocktail," she repeated stubbornly. "The shots will barely hurt. Please cooperate. We need to vaccinate you." "Not to mention make your Earth eggs more viable," piped in an unhelpful Alphie. With a mentally groan, Kor braced himself. "What?" she shrieked. "You're trying to pump me with fertility drugs? I haven't even agreed to marry you yet." Kor brightened. She used the word 'yet' instead of

"Kor," said his mother in a firm tone, "what do you mean you have not bonded yet? You are almost home. What are you waiting for?" "She hasn't said yes yet, Mother," said Kor, restraining an urge to run his hand through his hair, a sign of agitation his mother was sure to recognize. "What? Who cares if she hasn't said yes? She was chosen by the Oracle. Now do your duty and bond with her." What did his mother think he'd been trying to do? By all the silvery moons, he thought he'd had her the last time they'd kissed. She'd been ripe for him. He could sense it, smell it. His body still twitched in remembrance. Yet, she still hesitated. He'd never understand females. "I'm trying," grumbled Kor under his breath. But his mother, of keen ears, heard him. "Well, try harder, son. Have you not explained the plight of our world?" "Of course I have. But she insists that we date." Dating, an unfamiliar term that Kor had researched and found to mean, on her p