Alien Romance: Stranded With The Alien Assassin: Scifi Alien Abduction Romance (Alien Romance, Alien Invasion Romance, BBW) (Celestial Mates Book 3) by Marla Therron Read Free Book Online

fell in a sigh, and he waved his hand dismissively. 1,000 imdallions… She had no idea what that meant, worth-wise, but she was happy enough that it was more than what he was willing to pay for her.
    And then D’Anil. Their eyes met as he started to walk up to the stage to claim his prize. Jayne blushed, wondering if he was only doing this because he’d “tried the product” the night before. She looked away, down at the ground, as his hand found her back and guided her away from the auctioneer, people clapping all around them.
    “Why?” she asked him, unable to help herself. Jayne chanced a look, tilting her head up.
    He wasn’t looking at her anymore, jaw tight. “If you keep asking questions, I’ll bring back the gag.”
    Jayne swallowed. It was hard to tell if he actually enjoyed her company or not during their travels, and even when he bought her, it was hard to tell if he wanted her around. “I think it’s a legitimate question, D’Anil.”
    The man looked down at her, cocking his eyebrow in warning. She was sure he would have said something clever or mean, but he was interrupted by the intrusion of two other people. Jayne didn’t recognize them, though both were beautiful, a man and woman. They looked wealthy, both in rich colors, reds and oranges, and light fabrics. Both were covered in jewelry and manicured in their looks. The man had tanned skin, his eyes a startling blue, and his dark hair was kept short.
    Jayne didn’t try to look too long, but she could see he had the muscles of a fighter, as disguised as they were underneath his fancy clothing. The woman, meanwhile, was femininity incarnate. She had the hour-glass figure that every woman wanted, full lips. Her blonde hair and gray eyes made her look cold, but everything else was so warm that Jayne was left confused on whether she wanted to make friends with the woman or just stand in jealous awe of her.
    “I see you finally bid, my friend!” the man smiled cheerfully, bringing D’Anil in for a hug, reluctant on D’Anil’s side, and clapping him on the back, “About damn time.” His eyes roved over Jayne. “And a good choice, too.”
    “What are you even doing here, Kani?” D’Anil asked, annoyed. It wasn’t the same kind of annoyance that he had with Jayne, she noticed. There was a familiarity between the two that it seemed almost like Kani was the little brother pestering his older sibling.
    Kani shrugged at the question. “Little birdie told me you were helping with the slave trade now. Thought I might check up on you, since you practically avoid me.” He didn’t seem hurt by it, still smiling. “And Phreema had the idea of working as a vendor at one of these things. We’re swimming in profits!”
    “You’re going to get yourself caught,” D’Anil said.
    The other man laughed. “By who? The law?”
    “Slave trade is illegal within the Milky Way,” Jayne interrupted, speaking for the first time in the conversation. Her fingers were tightened into fists on her dress, and embarrassment started to flush her by the looks of surprise from the other three. They’d all forgotten that she was there, apparently. Clearing her throat, she continued. “The Empire wouldn’t approve of this, and it is punishable by law.”
    Kani stared at her for a minute, blinking slowly. His smile stopped until he looked back over to D’Anil. “Seems you’ve got a talker, friend. Good luck with that one… But as you know, slave trade has been a tradition here since the beginning of our history. The law has looked past it for thousands of years, and they will for thousands more.”
    “Besides, Master Kani hasn’t bought anything,” Phreema smirked, “He is a simple merchant taking advantage of a social gathering.”
    “And you tell me I’ve got a talker,” D’Anil said. His eyes met with Jayne’s and nodded his head. “I have to make my payment, and then we’re leaving. Don’t make me chase you down again.”
    Jayne nodded, leaving