Alien Knight Blind Date Disaster

had some kind of alien gadget that was far superior to anything Earth had to offer? The other aliens she’d met in the past few weeks while she was infiltrating their black market hadn’t cared anything about wearing human clothes or accessories. What game was he playing? She sat back in her chair. What. The. Hell?
Falden enjoyed celebratory drinking as much as the next man, but never when he was on a mission. The silence lengthened as Isabella occasionally sipped at her drink. He scowled with real concern as raised the second glass of Scotch to her full lips. He was worried about the effects of such a strong alcohol on a female of her stature. He was much bigger than she. Stronger. He could easily crush her. Hurt her. He would never do such a thing, but she couldn’t know that. This small female was furious one moment, amused the next, then brooding. He was fascinated. And worried. Deviating from the Hookup guide to share his genuine fear for her, he leaned in and murmured, “Should you be consuming a mind-altering beverage around a male you do not know or trust?”
She scoffed. Was he going to insult her, then pretend concern for her? “Critiquing my drinking habits now, are we? Besides, you ordered it, remember? Afraid you might have to carry me out of here?”
He sat up straighter and took her hand, his tone serious. “Of course I will make sure you arrive home safely. You should not travel alone after drinking. It is not safe. You are learning to trust me. I will protect you,” he vowed, realizing he meant every word. Whatever she’d gotten herself involved in, he would find a way to keep her safe. “I have a human transport vehicle parked in the back.” Falden paused, his brows furrowed in concentration. “An impressive transportation vehicle of a sort that you should like. I’m told it is considered very fast, for humans.”
Isabella’s eyebrows rose a notch higher with every word out of his mouth. She was equal parts shaken and incredulous. His eyes said he was being straight with her. He was worried about her and wanted to protect her? She melted just a little. But then, who was he kidding? What girl hadn’t heard that kind of cheesy line before? Was this guy actually trying to impress her with a car he knew nothing about? Was it even his? She didn’t know how to respond, so she went for a question. “You mean a hot rod? A sports car?”
“Of course. That is what I said.” This time he took a sip of Scotch and managed not to choke, although his face did turn an interesting shade of pink.
Isabella absently twirled a piece of hair around her finger, thinking hard. So, he ordered Scotch but didn’t drink it, wore expensive clothes made for humans instead of Caldorians, drove a type of car he probably knew nothing about, and thought insulting her was going to win him points? This made zero sense. “What color is it?”
“You said you would be wearing a red dress for our… ‘date’ this evening,” he said, pausing, “so I chose a red one.”
“I see.” What kind of game was this alien playing? Lifting her water glass to her lips, she stopped to give a small salute to the two other aliens who were either simple observers, friends or bodyguards. Both males immediately averted their gazes, seemingly engrossed in their menus, which was perfect because it gave her a moment to inspect them from head to toe. Yes, she’d been correct the first time. All three of them were wearing the same shirt. Same pants. Same damn shoes. Exactly the same.
Weird. So, who was this guy? Really? Who could afford all this stuff? Who was playing whom? Why was he here? How did he gain access to the cash needed to purchase the high-dollar shoes, the Armani clothing, the Rolex and the car? Her previous contacts hadn’t seemed nearly as well-to-do. They were middlemen. Sleazy, with cold, shifty eyes. They’d given her the creeps from the start. But not John.
Isabella sighed. She couldn’t be sure, but based on what she’d seen so far, she didn’t doubt a red sports car was, in fact, parked behind the restaurant. He had spent a lot of money to play this game with her, and she was determined to see where it might end. Damned if he didn’t test her patience to the limit, though. She took a deep, calming breath.
“Have you ever been claimed by a man?” Falden asked in a low, sexy tone, surprising himself with the question as much as her.
Isabella froze in her seat. “What did you just ask me?”
He leaned in, pleased when she did the same. “I suppose in Earth language I asked if you are a virgin.”
Isabella leaned back, crossing her arms. “That’s what I thought you meant. Gee, I don’t know. Are you a prehistoric caveman?”
He took his time answering, looking his fill. “You did not answer my question.”
“Why would I?” she fumed. “Are you a virgin? Do you need me to be gentle and go slow?”
His lips twitched with amusement. “I am merely inquiring about your previous lovers. I wish to know how to please you.”
“What?” This was, by far, the most bizarre conversation she had ever had. Ever. “You can’t be serious.” Who was this guy kidding? Did he truly think he was going to interfere in her investigation, lie to her, act like an ass and then get her to sleep with him? All in one night? “Ambitious, aren’t you?”
His gaze darkened, and the look he gave her made her core clench with heat. She was as wet as the ocean from that look and from the thought of his hands all over her. Hands. Mouth. Rock-hard—
“I need to know, Isabella.”
His eyes. God. He was serious. And the way he said her name had her pressing her thighs together in a feeble attempt to ignore the