Page 60 of Wrapped in Their Arms

But they couldn’t touch the alien.She—if it was a she,Noellestill wasn’t quite sure—had the remote to all their collars in her webbed hand.

So all three of them were stuck and unable to do anything but follow orders.

“Get dressed,” she said toBrightandBurn.“Hurrynow—we need to get moving!”

The two exchanged a glance and then, reluctantly, began pulling off their flight leathers and putting on the tiny leather loincloths instead.Atleast they got to keep their boots—Noellewas still barefoot.

“Now then,” the alien said briskly, circling the three of them, the better to examine their outfits, “do any of you have special skills?”

“Special skills?”Burnechoed, incredulous.“Whatthe fuck do you mean?”

“Oh, you know — useful talents.”Shegestured idly with one elegantly webbed hand.“Culinaryexpertise…gardening knowledge…mechanical aptitude…household service…things like that.Richpatrons like to know what they’re buying.Ithelps with pricing.”

“I’m a teacher,”Noellesaid hesitantly, arms held stiffly at her sides because she could not risk touching her own body again.“I…Itutor kids.I’mbilingual.”

Bright shrugged.

“I’m good with numbers.Accountingand logistics.”

Burn just grunted, massive arms folded across his chest.Clearly, he didn’t feel the need to share any “special skills.”NotthatNoelleblamed him.

The alien nodded grandly.

“Very well.Let’ssee—an accountant…”Shepointed atBright.“Aheavy laborer…”Shepointed atBurn.“Anda maid.”Shepointed atNoelle.

“What?”Noelleblinked.“Amaid?No—Ijust told you,Iteach.Icould help someone homeschool their kids, or?—”

“My dear,” the alien said with gentle condescension, “Doyouhonestlythink anyone here wants to buy you for your academic prowess?They’refarmore likely to want you dusting their fireplace in a skimpy uniform with no panties on.”

Burn’s growl shook the air andBright’shands curled into fists at his sides.Butthe alien just smiled, unfazed.

“Come!Nowthat you’re dressed, we mustn’t waste another moment.”

With a flourish, she spun toward the far end of the dressing room, where a tall curtain hung from an arched metal frame.Shegrasped a corner of the fabric and swept it aside dramatically.

A stage lay beyond the curtain — broad, circular, and blindingly bright with harsh overhead lights.Noellecould hear the low murmur of a crowd.Alienvoices were speaking and people were rustling and shifting impatiently in their seats.

Waiting for the auction to begin, she thought dismally.

“Hurry,” the alien hissed over her shoulder.“You’reup next.Let’sgo!”

Bright leaned close toNoelle.

“Stay between us, my lady.”

Burn stood at her other side, his huge frame radiating heat and fury.

And with nowhere else to go,Noelletook a shaky breath.

“Madre deDios,”she whispered.

And stepped toward the stage.

31

NOELLE

The moment her bare feet crossed the threshold of the curtain,Noellefelt the world open beneath her like a trap.