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do, or what was she about to do with this stranger? Her chest heaved with a silent sigh. She knew exactly what.
    What was wrong with her? She never jumped in bed with someone she just met.
    “Sorr y, Rin, a pressing matter has arisen. It won’t take but a moment.”
    “ Drango, you have bad timing, my friend.” Orin growled.
    “I do apologize, I’m sure your song bird can wait a few minutes. If you please, it concerns you-know-what.”
    R in’s shoulders sagged and Julie knew he would leave her to see to his ‘urgent matter.’ He turned and she saw the regret now mixed with the fire still burning in his eyes.
    “Please , my sweet, wait just a moment. We shall finish what we started, all right?”
    Hell , no , but she smiled and nodded, not trusting her voice.
    “Good girl.” He leaned in, his warm lips meeting hers in a brief kiss as if to seal the deal, before turning and striding away.
    Julie used the moment to slip out the side door of the courtyard onto the street, leaving the door open . She needed a few minutes alone to recoup.
    Next time? No —no next time. The problem was Julie didn’t want a one-night-stand, knowing how hot, inflamed passion all too quickly dwindled in the morning light. No, she wanted love and a promise of forever. Was this too much to ask?
    She heaved a long sigh. Yes, it probably was for her. Why couldn’t she embrace the moment ? When would she ever meet a man as sexy as Rin, who appeared to want her like no other?
    A hand clamped over her mouth cutting off her scream. Another strong arm encircled her waist and she started to fight.
    “Oh , Julie Beasley, how much trouble you have caused me.” Uric’s voice hissed into her ear as he dragged her down the street, towards an anti-gravity craft.
    Julie opened her mouth and clamped her teeth around Uric’s hand, biting hard into his flesh. He hissed in pain, yanking his hand away. She sucked in a lungful of air and screamed.
    Something hissed at the back of her neck and her limbs went numb. She slumped into Uric’s arms and blackness swamped over her.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Six
     
    “This better be good , Drango.” Orin eyed his Verill bodyguard and friend, irritation dripping from his tone. Orin’s body throbbed and he longed to acquaint himself with his future wife.
    Drango held out his glowing Nikcom 800 communicator. “I’ve received word the Song Krystal shined again.”
    Orin’s raised an eyebrow at his bodyguard. “Did it happen to shine at the same moment my Julie was singing?”
    “ Can you be sure? There are other Earthling women on Ario, for all we know it could be one of them...”
    A shrill scream pierced the air. Julie! He quickly scanned the courtyard proving she slipped from his sight. Drango was quicker to move than Orin, racing through the open gate, his weapon at the ready.
    Orin skidded to a halt . Julie was slumped in the arms of an unknown male, who lifted her into a gravon transport.
    The kidnapper turned, his eyes widening in sudden surprise as Drango slammed into his middle, easily tackling and pinning the man to the ground. Orin leaned into the transport, making sure Julie was alright.
    “She breathes ,” Orin said, carefully gathering her into his arms and lifting her out of the vehicle, cradling her in his arms.
    Drango hauled the would-be kidnapper to his feet, keeping his arms pinned behind his back.
    Orin studied the man and recognition set in. “You are the Flaxian seeker, Uric Weston.”
    “I…I…am…she…you…” The Flaxi an glanced between him and the female in Orin’s arms.
    Orin watched the man’ s eyes widened with further in recognition. “My Emperor Orin?”
    “Yes, I am, and you are a criminal. What were you thinking kidnapping Earthling women from their planet, and then to do it again with this harmless creature? What did you give her?”
    “ Just frik. She will sleep a half hour, I didn’t mean her any harm, only to return her safely to guest dwellings.”