An Alien To Love by Jessica E. Subject Read Free Book Online

hair, she always attracted unfavorable attention. Tonight, though, she wanted people to stare, and maybe, just maybe, her knight in shining armor would arrive to sweep her off her feet.
    She wiggled the skirt on and brushed her hands down the material to smooth it out. Almost ready .
    Deciding to forgo the detachable straps, Danyka wrapped the red silk corset around her torso, buttoning it up in the front. With a squeal of delight, she raced to the mirror.
    She couldn’t help but twirl like a little girl. Before this moment, nothing in her life had resembled a fairy tale, except landing the position as Josh’s assistant. At the age of sixteen, she’d been orphaned when her parents died in a horrific car accident. Her aunt had agreed to take her in, rather than sending her to a group home, but the woman had spent as little time with her as possible, always busy planning some important event.
    With her back toward the mirror, Danyka caught sight of the ink on her right shoulder. The Milky Way—a tribute to her and her dad’s shared love for space and science fiction. The day she’d come home with her first tattoo, her aunt had decided she should find an apartment of her own. Lucky for her, Ellie and Vanessa, classmates from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, had needed a roommate. They’d since graduated and found their own places, but remained close as they made their way in the real world .
    She suspected her interests made her a perfect fit for Josh, a former sci-fi television star, now producing his own space flick. The tattoo had never bothered him, but would it be inappropriate at a charity ball? Why hadn’t she thought of that earlier? She didn’t have time to have her mark covered up. No, the ink would be just another way for her to stand out in the crowd.
    Once she’d applied her make-up, she fished in her closet and pulled out her brand new black slingbacks—matching the lacing on the back of her dress—still in their box. They’d probably be off again in a couple of hours. She and heels never got along. When she opened the box, a small brown paper package lay on top. Where did that come from ?
    The bag felt weightless in her palm. She removed a small piece of tape, letting a handkerchief and note fall to the floor. The red silk material could have been made from the same fabric as her dress, her initials DAR embroidered in the corner with black thread. Combined with the gown, shoes, and her awaiting carriage, the silk accessory completed her transformation into a princess. All she needed was a Prince Charming.
    After a quick glance at the clock, she picked up the note. She had seconds to read it before fashionably late turned into rude. Although the paper came from Josh’s personalized notepad, the handwriting did not match that of her boss.
     
    Danyka,
    I hope you enjoy yourself at the Kartha Ball tonight! As we figured Ellie and Vanessa would be going with you, we have an extra special surprise for you and you alone. Although Josh and I don’t discuss this with anyone, we met through a dating service called 1Night Stand. The owner, Madame Evangeline, has matched up not only us, but many of my close friends. We have arranged for you to go on one of these dates tonight. We hope we have not overstepped our bounds, but we consider you part of our family and want to see you happy.
    Your date, whoever he may be, will meet you at the ball.
    Have a wonderful time, and enjoy the rest of your holidays!
    Tamara
     
    They had arranged a date for her? She restrained the urge to jump up and down and whoop in delight, blowing out a breath and remaining calm. Another part of her cringed. Was she so desperate she had to rely on a matchmaking service to find a man? A one-night stand at that?
    Her gaze shifted to her nightstand, the drawer inside filled with vibrators, rubber dildos, and more. Oh yeah, that screamed desperation. A ll right, Eve, bring on a real man .
    She set the note down on the bed. Grabbing her