Slate, page 1
Slate: Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides #2
Intergalactic Dating Agency
Sue Mercury
Contents
About this book
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
About Sue Mercury
The Intergalactic Dating Agency
Sue Mercury
Copyright © 2020 by Sue Mercury
* * *
All rights reserved
* * *
No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of Sue Mercury. All names, brands, characters, and settings are purely from the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to real people, real brands, and real locations is a coincidence. Contact: authorsuemercury@gmail.com
* * *
Editing by Celeste Jones
* * *
Cover design by Croco Designs
* * *
Published in the United States of America
Sue Mercury, Sue Lyndon
http://www.suelyndon.com
About this book
They weren’t supposed to fall in love…
* * *
Still grieving the loss of his former mate, alien warrior Slate arrives on Earth with no intention of falling in love with the human female he’s agreed to marry. He’ll fulfill his duties to his people by procreating with the human, and he’ll provide for her and protect her as any decent Vaxxlian warrior ought to do, but he cannot fathom opening his heart to her. That is, until he stares into her soulful brown eyes and tastes her lips for the first time. But he worries he’s forsaking the memory of his former mate by allowing himself to develop tender feelings for the tiny human called Beth. Is it wrong to care for another female so soon?
Jilted by a cheating fiancé, B-list movie star Beth Spirit is eager for a fresh start away from the flashing lights of the paparazzi and the bad luck that seems to follow her everywhere. She signs up for Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides on a whim and is shocked when a huge, musclebound alien named Slate shows up on her doorstep the very next day. But she finds his businesslike approach to marriage refreshing and she soon agrees to become his mate. Love, shmlove. Who needs it?
But when Beth is offered the movie role of a lifetime, she’s faced with a difficult decision—stay on Earth and rocket to stardom, or take a chance on the sexy alien warrior whose kisses leave her breathlessly longing for more?
Chapter 1
The aroma of fresh brewed coffee hit Beth as she entered the packed café on Sunset Boulevard. Her arrival prompted the murmuring breakfast crowd to fall silent. The familiar urge to flee waved through her and her face grew warm. Despite her discomfort, she forced her head high and tried her best to pretend she was just a regular person here to grab a coffee. However, it was all she could do to keep from running outside when she heard the click of a camera phone.
“Pssst! Look! That’s Beth Spirit,” someone whispered a little too loudly.
I don’t belong here.
This thought repeated in her mind whenever she went out in public. After four years as a struggling actress in Hollywood, she had nearly reached her breaking point. The loud whisperer only knew her name because she’d once been engaged to well-known action movie star Bradley Fennik and the fallout of their relationship had been dragged through the gossip columns again and again.
Beth scanned the large seating area and finally spotted the bright blue head of her talent agent, Tracy, across the room. With a sigh, she headed for the corner booth. Not for the first time, Beth wished Tracy would agree to hold more meetings in her office, rather than frequently insisting they meet at a coffee shop or restaurant. She suspected the talent agent enjoyed the free advertisement that came with being spotted in public alongside a celebrity, even a struggling B-list actress like Beth.
“Good morning.” After sitting down, Beth reached for the cup of coffee Tracy had already ordered for her. She took a long sip. “Mm. Just the way I like it. Thanks.” Beth inhaled a deep breath, wishing she couldn’t feel the eyes of the other customers on her back.
“Good morning and you’re welcome.” Beth wrinkled her nose and swirled her straw through an iced frothy drink. “I don’t know how you drink that stuff, sweetheart.”
“What? Black coffee?” Beth took another long sip, savoring the bitter yet rich flavors of the piping hot drink.
“Yeah. No cream, no sugar. It’s a crime against beverages,” Tracy said with a shudder. “You know who else takes their coffee black? Psychopaths.”
“Well, in that case, I hope you have some good news for me.” Beth tried to act casual even as nerves twisted in her stomach. She only had a few low-budget movies under her belt and hadn’t been invited to an audition in months. She also hadn’t been invited to any social gatherings in ages, either. It was as if all the friends and connections she’d made when she first arrived in Hollywood had suddenly written her off. I don’t belong here.
A shadow fell across Tracy’s face. “I know I’m not supposed to say his name, but Bradley’s friends with a lot of producers and casting directors. Scratch that—he’s friends with all the producers and casting directors. He’s gotten you blacklisted, sweetheart.”
“That dirty, lowlife bastard.” Beth’s jaw clenched and she cast a quick glance around to make sure no one sat close enough to overhear. “That asshole cheated on me! But are movie roles drying up for him? Of course not. Wanna know why? Because he has a dick. A small dick, but a dick nonetheless.”
Tracy twirled a finger through her brilliant blue locks. “Oh, honey, I know and I’m sorry,” she said, though her voice lacked sincerity. “It’s not fair. It’s really not.”
Beth exhaled a long breath. “Any ideas?”
“Yes, you need to call Bradley and apologize to him. Try to get on friendly terms with him again.”
“What? That’s insane. Apologize to him? What for? Need I remind you that he cheated on me and when I confronted him, he was the one to call off our wedding?” Beth seethed with anger.
“Not only that, but the next few times you’re interviewed by a celebrity reporter, you must speak highly of him and perhaps mention how much you miss him and respect his work. You need to blow sunshine up his ass, darling, or you’ll never land another decent role in this business.”
Beth’s mouth dropped open. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Not for the first time, she second guessed her desire to rocket to stardom. Was realizing her dreams really worth it if she had to sacrifice her principles along the way?
“No. Out of the question. I won’t do it.” She didn’t care if she was out of work for another few months or even years, but she would not under any circumstances agree to Tracy’s outlandish proposal. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“Are you sure?” Tracy gave her an overly polite smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“I’m positive,” Beth said. “I won’t kiss Bradley’s ass in public, or in private, and I won’t sleep with anyone for my roles either, so don’t even think of suggesting that one again. I’d thought you were joking when you suggested it several weeks ago, but now I’m not so sure. I want to come by all my roles honestly.”
Tracy burst out laughing. “Oh, honey, that’s the cutest thing I’ve ever heard. Come by all your roles honestly. Pish posh.” She shook her head and took a sip of her drink, her eyes dancing with a mocking humor that caused the last of the camaraderie between the women to dissipate. A tense chill descended in its place.
Beth fell silent. She stared at the table while holding the warm mug of coffee between her hands. How could Tracy suggest such a thing and then have the audacity to tease her for her reluctance to toss her dignity out the door? Until this moment, Beth had considered Tracy a friend, even if the woman was rather abrasive at times.
“If you can’t be a team player and agree to our proposal, Beth, I’m afraid the talent agency has to drop you.”
“What? You-you can’t do that,” Beth sputtered.
Tracy finished off her frothy drink and rose to her feet, slinging a large designer handbag over her shoulder. “I’m afraid I just did. Call me if you change your mind.”
Beth’s vision turned red as Tracy walked away from the table. She stood up and before she realized what she was doing, yelled, “You know what? I’m firing you! That’s right. You’re fired.”
When Tracy turned and made a rude hand gesture at Beth just before she stepped outside, the entire café gasped. As the door slammed shut, dozens of customers stared at her, two of whom were holding up their phones. Whether they were snapping pictures or taking a video, she didn’t know.
But she knew she didn’t belong here. Not in this café and not in Hollywood.
She grabbed her purse and rushed out of the café, keeping her gaze down because her eyes were suddenly burning. The last thing she needed was for images of her in tears showing up on the gossip sites. She could see the headline now: Has-Been Actress Beth Spirit Flees Café in Tears After Being Dropped by Talent Agency.
It was bad enough that the sleazy columns kept running stories about her breakup with Bradley, even months after the wedding’s abrupt cancellation. Her stomach clenched and she blinked faster and took deep breaths, hoping to hold herself together for a little while longer. She loathed the sound of muffled whispers and the clicking of camera phones that followed her everywhere. Despised waking up and seeing a dramatic and often libelous headline about herself.
She rushed to her solar car and drove home, her mind spinning as she tried to process all that had just happened. She couldn’t believe the talent agency had dropped her, especially after issuing her such a ridiculous ultimatum.
Apologize to Bradley? Give a series of groveling interviews about him? She would rather sell her belongings and move somewhere far, far away. Maybe return to Toronto and get a job teaching acting classes. This thought lifted her spirits. Maybe it meant she wasn’t cut out for life in the spotlight.
I don’t belong here.
Even before Bradley had gotten her blacklisted, she’d harbored doubts about her future in the business. She’d worked hard and dedicated herself to being a professional actress. She loved acting, loved losing herself in a challenging role—but all the other parts of the business left her anxious. The spotlight burned too bright and she longed for more than minutes of privacy.
Lately, she had found herself fantasizing about what her life would be like if she hadn’t become an actress. Would she be happily married? Would she have any children?
Her heart clenched at the thought.
She drove through the gates of the small, West Hollywood rental house she was currently struggling to afford. Once inside, she immediately went to her bedroom and headed for Princess’s cage. As always, the white and brown guinea pig wheeked in excitement over her arrival.
“Does Mama’s little fuzzball want a crunch stick?” she cooed while opening the cage. She scooped Princess into her hand, and, holding the animal against her chest, reached for a bag of treats in a nearby drawer. “What’ll it be today? Fruit or honey flavored?”
Wheek wheek wheek.
“Okay, okay, fruit flavored it is.” She grabbed a treat from the bag and offered it to her beloved pet.
Princess purred and promptly chomped down on the snack. Beth smiled and set Princess on the floor with her treat. She stared down at her pet, unable to shake the worries that were plaguing her.
“Maybe we should go home for a few weeks, Princess. What do you think?”
Princess’s only response was another round of purrs.
I don’t belong here.
Beth looked around her bedroom as a wave of despair assailed her.
She closed her eyes, picturing her cozy waterfront condo, and before she realized what she was doing, she had pulled out her phone and booked a private air transport to her Toronto home. A sense of exhilaration rushed through her when the screen flashed with the estimated arrival time of the transport. The exorbitant cost of the transport would prevent her from making next month’s payment on her Hollywood rental, but it didn’t matter.
She might not have a concrete plan, but she knew one thing for certain: she wasn’t coming back. She didn’t know where she belonged yet, but it sure as hell wasn’t here.
“Time to pack, Princess,” she declared. “We have less than two hours.”
She turned on the television for background noise while she stuffed as much clothing as she could manage into two large suitcases. A news story about Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides came on and she paused to watch an interview between one of the human brides and a reporter.
“Well, it was easy,” the woman said with a smile. “I just went to the website and filled out the application. A short while later, I was matched with my very own Vaxxlian warrior. His name is Axxen.”
“Do you know anything else about your mate?” the reporter asked.
“Nope, just his name, but that’s enough for me. Vaxxlians are handsome, smart, and they mate for life. They don’t cheat on their females and that’s very important to me.”
The screen flashed with a picture of a dozen hunky, musclebound aliens. Beth’s mouth went dry as she gawked at the television screen. Wow. She’d heard about the Vaxxlians and knew they were coming to Earth soon in search of mail order brides, but she’d never realized how sexy they were until now.
They mate for life.
This thought warmed her heart. How refreshing. She’d lost count of how many times she’d been cheated on by various boyfriends over the years. Including stupid Bradley.
As the interview continued, Beth grabbed her laptop and visited the website the woman had mentioned, telling herself she was simply curious and nothing more. Another image of handsome, shirtless Vaxxlians greeted her. Whoever had designed the website sure knew how to tempt a girl. She read over the information section and perused photos of New Vaxx, the planet the Vaxxlians had recently settled on after their homeworld’s destruction.
How beautiful. Mountainous with clear blue lakes, thick lush forests, and rolling green hills, it looked like something out of a fairytale. The homes in Starzzia, the main settlement on New Vaxx, were constructed of a beautiful white stone and spread far apart, making the city appear as one huge, green suburban area. Most rooftops contained gardens and there was even an image of a bustling market square.
The website also featured a testimonial page.
“Best decision I ever made! My Vaxxlian husband is the kindest, sweetest man I’ve ever met, and he’s a doting father to our baby girl.”
“We were strangers when we first became mates, but now we’re deeply in love. I cannot imagine life without my caring Vaxxlian husband.”
“I wanted a fresh start on a new planet. It’s beautiful on New Vaxx, the community of Starzzia is supportive, and we live in peace. I love how protective my Vaxxlian husband is. He makes me feel safe and loved every day.”
This last testimonial snagged Beth’s attention.
A fresh start. Wouldn’t that be nice? A place far away from the bad luck that seemed to follow her everywhere. A place where the paparazzi couldn’t chase her. A place where she would be free to be herself. A place where infidelity wasn’t an issue for anyone.
It sounded too good to be true.
Maybe this is where I belong.
She stared at the application for a long time, imagining herself becoming the bride of a handsome Vaxxlian warrior and going to live on the beautiful planet of New Vaxx.
Maybe seeing the news story about Vaxxlian Alien Mail Order Brides was a sign. She couldn’t envision herself belonging anywhere on Earth.
Feeling reckless but also strangely clearheaded, as if she were having a sudden epiphany, she took a deep breath, said a quick prayer, and filled out the application. She pressed the ‘submit’ button and spun around in her chair.
“Princess, you won’t believe what I just did.”
Chapter 2
Slate stepped out of the solar taxi and eyed the tall building where his soon-to-be mate lived. He peered up at the rows of windows and counted twenty-five stories. He wondered how many humans lived in the building and felt a pang of sympathy for the female called Beth. It was no surprise she’d signed up for the mail order bride program. She probably wished to escape her crowded living conditions.
As he approached the building, the face of his first mate, Chellsi, flashed in his mind, and a wave of guilt descended upon him. He halted mid-step as his insides roiled with emotion. Chellsi had died many moon cycles ago when their home planet, Vaxxlia, was destroyed by the Irrcons. Her loss remained an open wound that would never heal, a gaping hole in his heart. While he believed it was too soon to take another mate, in the aftermath of the war it was imperative that the Vaxxlians regain their strength and grow their population. Humans were the only species known to be sexually compatible with Vaxxlians.
