"Will you join me?" I asked, daring to flirt with the CEO of the Oria Corporation.

"One moment," he said with a smile that showed his sharp teeth.

He walked across the room and tapped his fingers against a panel I hadn't noticed before.

"Commander," a voice said. "Is there something wrong— I can send someone to fetch the specimen?—"

"No," Nokken snapped. "You will send no one. She isn't leaving. Specimen #7822 will be staying here. With me."

"Sir, I must protest, this is most irregular—" the voice on the intercom began to speak the strange alien language, but even though I couldn't understand what was being said, I knew that whoever was on the other end of the call was not pleased.

"She's mine," Nokken said. "Mine. Yes, I'll pay whatever you require."

I blinked in surprise as I floated in the pool.

Was he really—Was he buying me?

Nokken stabbed his finger into the data panel to end the call and then he strode back across the floor toward me.

He untied his robe and pushed it off his shoulders.

It dropped to the floor and my breath caught as my gaze raked over his body. He was impossibly tall and muscled like an Olympic swimmer, and I couldn't help the wave of lust that washed over me as he stepped down into the pool.

I floated over to him and he opened his arms to me.

"Marcelle," he murmured.

"Did you— Am I..."

"You're mine," he whispered. "All mine."

He bent his head to kiss me, and I whimpered against his lips as my body responded to his touch. It had been so long since I'd been shown any kindness... any warmth. Maybe I could find happiness in the billionaire CEO's arms.

Maybe...

The End