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least he’s entertaining.
    After one tale on the mating rituals of the Xianmalons—it seemed odd that you needed to die in order to get married first—she broached the subject of bonding.
    “Okay, so you need to explain this bonding thing to me a little better. I mean, it is why I’m here. Mind you, I’m not saying yes. I’m just curious.”
    Kor, who had gotten closer to her while he talked—disturbingly close—seemed pleased with her question. “What do you want to know?”
    “If I understood you correctly before, we get naked, then say some words, and we’re, like, married?” So much for a white wedding.
    “Bluntly, yes, although it is a little more spiritual than that.”
    “I still don’t see why we need to be naked.” Although she had to admit that a part of her looked forward to seeing him naked again. Surely he can’t be as big as I remember. Can he?
    “As part of the bonding ritual, the shedding of our vestments symbolizes the leaving behind of our previous life and coming into our new life together as equals.”
    His words startled her vision of all the smooth blue flesh, and she almost blushed. “That makes sense, I guess. In my world, we wear our fanciest clothes for the occasion. Women especially tend to wear really fancy white dresses, and the men wear tuxes.”
    “I’ve seen examples of Earth weddings. It seems rather ornate and ritual-driven, not to mention crowded with spectators. On my world, it is a private matter between two individuals.”
    Kor leaned even closer when he said this, his lips hovering over hers, making her breath hitch. Feeling her body betray her again, Diana moved away. She couldn’t think coherently when he got that close.
    17

    “I’m not saying I won’t be your mate, but I’d like more time to decide or at least feel like I’m the one making the choice and not some strange oracle.” Although if he keeps getting close to me, it will be my hormones making the choice soon. Damn, he turns me on.
    “I will respect your choice, for now. But keep in mind that we must have this accomplished before we arrive at my planet. While females are held sacred, that doesn’t mean that they will allow a nonmated female to walk around. Oracle or not, there are some who will claim you for their own with no regard to your wishes.”
    Diana didn’t like his last remark. She didn’t like feeling pressured. She’d bond if and when she chose to. And if anyone thought—Kor included—that they could force her, she’d
    . . . Probably not have much of a choice , she thought, sighing.
    It wasn’t that she disliked Kor. On the contrary, she found him entertaining, a good listener, patient—very, very patient—not to mention super sexy. But was that enough? They were talking about a lifelong commitment. Or was he? Did they have divorce in his society?
    And she still worried about adapting. Would she be lonely for others of her kind? Homesick for the things she’d lost? And what color would her babies end up being—light blue? Diana almost giggled at that thought. She must have made some kind of noise, though, for Kor looked at her oddly.
    “What is so entertaining?”
    Diana thought about lying, but then imagining a purple baby, giggled and told him,
    “What color are the babies?”
    That flummoxed him, apparently, and he knitted his dark brows. “I don’t know. I’ve never held one, and I honestly don’t recall seeing any. I was the youngest of my mother’s brood. Alphie?”
    “I already heard the question,” said the computer, and to Diana it sounded like he was suppressing chuckles too. “The babies, depending on the parents, run a gamut of colors, actually, but most often they are a mixture of the parents’ skin hues.”
    “I’m going to have a blue baby?” Diana spoke without thinking and then tried to backtrack. “That is, if I decide to—”
    But Kor had heard enough, and with a grin, his arms were around her, his lips capturing her mouth and shushing