Page 2 of Holiday's Cookies
Jane runs through an explanation, sharing that Aphroditea has had humans on it for centuries. Apparently, cowboys from back in the day from both the United States and France traveled there. They even have creatures similar to horses. “I know it sounds wild,” she adds with a smile. “They have mated for centuries, like other planets.”
“Except Earth,” I offer dryly. “Because we’re dumbasses, and we were busy destroying our own planet.”
Jane rolls her eyes. “So true.”
“So why do they need women there?” I ask.
“There’s an annual festival to honor women there. Two years ago, a storm struck the area during the festival and many women died.”
“Are the men human?”
“There are some human men there, but those that have descended from the space cowboys?—”
“Are they really space cowboys?” I prompt with a sly grin. I like Jane and actually feel comfortable cracking a joke.
Jane flushes as she smiles. “Yes, they are. They are human-like but not entirely human,” she explains. “Since they’ve mated for years with humans, we are very similar. Their skin is more bronze. Some of them have tails, but not all of them. I’ll be honest, though, the tails are sexy,” she says with an enthusiastic nod.
Jane seems familiar to me, and I can’t place why. I’m pretty sure I’ve seen her before. When she’s finished explaining thiswhole, honestly, wild situation, I say, “You seem familiar to me. Do I know you?”
She shrugs. “I’m not sure. I’ve only been away from Earth for a few weeks. I saw the ad online for a princess. I was tipsy when I was reading it, so I applied.” She pauses, her eyes going wide. “Now, I’m actually a princess there.”
“No joke?” I press, almost dumbfounded.
“No joke. Trust me, I thought it had to be a joke too.”
“Where did you work when you were here?”
“At one of the offices in the main factory.”
We have three factories in town, the main one being the largest. We make products for the green zone. I work in one of the smaller ones.
“Wait a second,” I say. “Were you engaged to Kyle Smith?”
Jane lets out a sigh. “I sure was. My not-so-best friend screwed around with him. Because she really wanted to go to the green zone.” Her lips twist. “I thought I was going to get to go. Even though that whole thing sucked, I’m glad it happened. If I hadn’t caught them, I never would’ve applied to leave the planet. Trust me, life is so much better on Aphroditea. Do you have family or anything? Because that’s an issue. We don’t want anyone leaving family or children behind.”
I shake my head, my heart twisting. “Nope. My parents died. It’s just me. And my ex-boyfriend beats me.”
Jane’s eyes narrow. “Well, then, I think you’re perfect for this.”
“When does this happen?” I ask, experiencing a surge of relief followed by anxiety.
“Today. Do you need anything from your apartment?”
I shake my head quickly. “Nothing at all. I can leave from here.” Relief washes through me, and tears sting my eyes.
Jane reaches out and clasps one of my hands in hers. Her grounding touch is comforting. “I promise. This will be a better life.”
Just then, I feel the hairs rise on the back of my neck, and a prickle of awareness sizzles up my spine. I’m instantly drawn to look toward a door opening on the side of this large conference room. There are several tables, and other women are being interviewed. A tall and imposing man enters.
I know instantly that he’s not from here. His eyes narrow as his head whips around, his gaze locking with mine from across the room.
It literally feels as if a flame leaps through the air between us, leaving a wake of sparks across the room.
My pulse pounds, and my breath becomes short. I’ve never felt anything like this.
Flustered and unsettled, I glance back toward Jane. “Who is that?”
Her eyes are warm. “That’s Kayden. He’s second-in-command to Prince Asher. There’s this thing—” She pauses, considering her words. “Their people believe in a true mate, but they don’t each find one. When I met Asher, it was the most intense thing I’ve ever experienced. Maybe Kayden is your mate.”
