“Ah-- sure.” Utensils rattle as I open a drawer and retrieve a scoop. I’m tempted to demonstrate how to make the perfect curl of ice cream, but knowing me and my nervous state right now, I’d probably send it flying across the room. “Here. One round ball please.”

  Logan watches me as I slice into the pie. Steam rises as I set a piece into each of the bowls, and he tops them off with oblong chunks of ice cream.

  I ignore my need to fix the presentation, and steaming black liquid splashes into the mugs I ask, “What do you like in your coffee?”

  “I don’t know. We drink it black. What’s the best way?”

  “You look like a splash of cream kind of guy.”

  “Yeah?” He grins at me, and I realize he turned my words into something flirtatious. “What kind of man takes sugar in it too?”

  I say the first thing that pops into my head. “The wrong kind.”

  Apparently he thinks I’m trying to charm him because he gives me a smirk as I hand him our mugs. I grab the desserts. “We’ll eat in the living room.”

  After we sit, he takes a bite of pie. Logan closes his eyes and lets out a little moan. “This is one of the reasons I picked you.”

  “Because I like to cook?”

  “Because you said you like to take care of a man, which I hear isn’t a common trait for human women.”

  “Oh.” I contemplate his words for a second. “I’m not sure that’s exactly true. Our partner relationships are a give and take, with each person caring for the other in their own way.”

  “Yes. But one of the reasons I was hesitant about coming to Earth was because I like the way women on my planet care for their mate, and I don’t want to give that up.”

  “You didn’t want to come?”

  He shakes his head. “I had to sign up because my father is in charge of the beta run of the dating program. And I’d begun to hope I wouldn’t have to come to Earth until you agreed.”

  I wonder if I was the only woman he initiated a match with, and then I wonder if what he wants from me is a mother and not a mate. My stomach clenches. “You called me earth girl in your text. You don’t want to be here.”

  “I don’t. But you don’t want me here either.”

  I frown. “What makes you say that?”

  “It took you more than three months to accept my invitation. How far down your list was I?”

  I shake my head as realization hits me. He’s feeling insecure, and I think that might be why he was so cold earlier. “I didn’t have a list. I never initiated a match.” I get up to grab more coffee for us. Hot liquid splashes in our mugs as I top them off. “I wasn’t ready to date yet.”

  I watch as the cream I added to Logan’s coffee swirls when he stirs it and recall how I thought I’d found the man I was meant to be with. But like the white ribbon of cream that fades into the coffee, my dream died and I was left with the harsh reality that I was never meant to have it. Logan takes a sip of his drink and licks his lips after he swallows it. He leans forward. “I thought this was going to be awful, but that was before I saw you.” He glances at his empty dessert bowl. “And had your pie.”

  I smile at his compliment.

  “I’m here and have to stay.” He reaches his hand out to me. “Let’s try to make this work.”

  I let his fingers wrap around mine, and the warmth of his touch soothes me. I think about Logan’s profile and that he said he wanted a woman he could take care of financially, while she would take care of his creature comforts in return. That’s what I want too, and I may have been given another chance to have it. I gaze into his eyes and believe he does want to try, so I smile. “Yes. Let’s see if we are a good match.”

  Chapter 4

  The sharp odor of sulfur wafts up my nose as Logan lights the yellow candles. I set the table with white linens and daisies to signify new beginnings and watch the flames flicker as I dim the lights.

  When I get to the kitchen, I glance at the beef resting on the counter. I ask Logan, “Would you like to carve the roast? It’s an old-fashioned tradition that the man of the house cuts the meat.” My knife zings as I sharpen it.

  Logan chuckles at me. “You look like you’re preparing for battle.”

  “Carving right can be. Let me show you how to do this properly.” I demonstrate how to grip the handle and then slice a serving size of the beef. I cut a piece off and lift it toward him. “Taste.”

  He bites the meat and sighs. “You continue to make a convincing argument for staying on Earth.”

  “Good.” I hand him the knife so he can get to work.

  While he’s carving, I carry the potatoes and vegetables over to the table. I opted to serve water instead of the perfect wine because there is no alcohol on Eroscia. After hearing how Caiden got drunk enough for a hangover when he was first here, I don’t want to take the chance of Logan experiencing the same.

  Logan brings the platter of roast beef over and utensils clash as we both fill our plates with dinner. I smile with pride when he tastes everything and makes noises of appreciation. We eat in silence for a while before he asks, “Why weren’t you ready to date when I first requested a match?”

  The food in my mouth takes on the flavor of cardboard as memories of my heartbreak come to the surface. I swallow hard. “I was in love with a man I thought I was going to marry, but he left me for someone else.”

  Logan nods and takes another bite of meat as he stares at me. His jaw works slowly as he chews, and the color of his eyes swirl in a way I hadn’t noticed earlier. A sudden warmth fills my heart as if someone has wrapped it in a heated blanket, and I let out a small gasp.

  He asks, “How do you feel now?”

  I place my hand on my chest and realize the pain of my breakup is a faint memory. I frown at Logan and wonder if he had something to do with the strange sensation I’m experiencing. “I’m okay.” I smile as I realize I’m more than okay, because I feel as if he just gave me hope for a dream I thought had died.

  Logan winks at me as he reaches for more potatoes. “I will take care of you, Eliza. In ways beyond paying the bills.” His voice lowered to a sexy register and my mind goes to the naughty ways he can please me.

  After Logan has finally had his fill he lets out a sigh and sits back in his chair to place his hands on his stomach. “I’m going to get fat being with you.”

  He might, considering the amount of food he just put away. I expected to have enough left over roast beef for a few sandwiches, but what’s left will barely work for one. “Do you always eat like that?”

  “No. Food on Eroscia is about providing your body with energy. I’ve never tasted anything close to the delicious flavors of this meal.” He sits up and leans across the table toward me. “What other pleasures do you have in store for me?”

  “Ah.” The way his gaze makes my insides melt flusters me, and as I reach for my water glass I manage to knock it over. Ice cubes rattle as the cup thuds on the table.

  Logan jumps up to avoid the liquid heading his way. He chuckles as he dabs at the spill with his napkin. “You really are cute the way you come undone when I tease you.”

  I blot at the water with my napkin. “I’m not used to it. Men don’t flirt with me.”

  His warm hand lands on mine to stop my movement. “Eliza, look at me.” I gaze into his eyes, and they suck me in with their alien vibrancy. “That guy really did a number on you.” He rubs his thumb over the top of my hand. “You have no idea how gorgeous you are, do you?”

  I look down at our fingers. “I’m not. I like to cook and eat, and it shows on my body--”

  “Stop. You Earth women have ridiculous ideas about what is beautiful.” He tips my chin up with a finger so our gazes meet. “You have luscious curves I want to touch and a softness that makes me want to hold you close.” He combs his hand through my straight blond locks and my scalp tingles in response. “And this silky hair of yours...” Logan lets out a deep sound similar to a growl. “I want to feel it on my chest.”

  The heat of desire burns in me as he gathers my hair at the back of my neck and grips it to tug me closer to him. My hands thud on the table as I brace myself and take a shaky breath. I imagine him doing this when we’re naked. “I want to hold it tight,” he smoothes strands back from my face with his free hand, “and pluck damp pieces off your skin after....” He takes a deep breath that seems to suck the air from my lungs.

  I’m so close to Logan now I could easily kiss him, and my gaze falls to his mouth. His lips are full, and I want a taste. He leans down and brushes his mouth against mine before pulling back to say, “Lets take this to the couch.”

  “I really should clean up first.”

  He shakes his head. “The dishes can wait.” He scans my body with his gaze. “I cannot.”

  “Oh.” My legs shake as I stand and take the hand he offers me. I let him lead me over to the sofa. When Logan sits, he pulls me onto his lap and slides his hands up my arms. His chest is rock solid when I place my palm on it, and I want to take his shirt off to discover more.

  “I’m going to kiss you senseless right now. Any objections?”

  Every cell in my body wants his touch, and I answer Logan with my mouth. Our tongues flick against each other as our desire heats up with the connection. The soft cotton of his shirt wads up in my hands as I shove it up and out of the way so I can touch his skin. I swear sparks of electricity come from us as I hold on and experience the best kiss of my life.

  I’m woozy when Logan finally pulls away, and he stares intently into my eyes. “That was amazing.”

  I nod because I’m sure words would fail me.

  Logan asks, “Do you really like to play cards?”

  “I-- what?”

  He waggles his eyebrows at me. “I need a distraction. Darn rules.”

  I chuckle because he’s referring to the one that says we can only kiss until we marry. “I do. Let me clean the kitchen and we can play.” I recall the list of games he likes as I stand up, and I ask, “Gin Rummy?”

  “You’re on, honey.” Logan gets up too. “I can make coffee if you want.” He stretches his arms over his head. “Because I just made room for more pie.”

  I grin at him as I grab plates from the table, and he follows me into the kitchen. I say, “You grew up in a fairly big family, right?”

  “I did. There were eight kids. Seven boys and one girl.”

  I recall from my research that the Eroscian genes make having a female quite rare. “Was she spoiled rotten?”

  “Definitely. I was raised to treat women like a precious gem.” Logan grips my hips lightly to move me so he can get by on his way to the coffee maker. He pauses to kiss the top of my head. “Like the way I plan to treat you.”

  Water rushes as I rinse the dishes, and I realize I have a huge grin on my face. I suppose Lexi’s matchmaking algorithms really could be accurate, because Logan is shaping up to be a darned good match after all.

  Chapter 5

  I’m usually the host of dinner parties with my friends, but since Lexi married her alien match, she took up cooking as a hobby and wants to show off her new skills. She invited Mandy and her alien husband, Caiden, along with me and Logan for dinner. Her brownstone building is two blocks from my apartment, and the chill of the fall air stings my cheeks as Logan and I walk. Our feet tap a steady beat on the concrete as he says, “I can’t get over how much I like it here. I was sure I’d miss the peacefulness of my planet.” Eroscians live underground because the temperature is too hot for long term exposure.

  “It is exciting. But do you want to stay here forever? I grew up in the country, and I think that’s where I’d like to raise a family.”

  Logan is carrying the bag that contains the dessert I made for tonight, and it rustles as he switches it to his other arm so he can hold my hand. “We’ll have to go see this country together. Will I get to meet your parents?”

  “You will.” I bump against his shoulder. “Does that make you nervous?”

  “They’ll love me.”

  I chuckle and notice the way his eyes twinkle with the mischief I noticed in his profile picture. “Confidence suits you.”

  He squeezes my fingers. “You suit me, Eliza. Thank you for today.”

  “No need to thank me. I had as much fun as you did.” The two of us spent the day wandering around the city, and it was like being with a child during a Christmas holiday. I saw things through his eyes, and rediscovered the magic of where I live.

  We’ve reached Lexi’s building, and we make our way up the stairs to her floor. Hunter opens the door for us, and the sheer size of him makes Logan almost appear human. We enter into the aroma of curry. Hunter says, “Come on in.” He leans down to kiss my cheek and whispers, “Lexi could use your help in the kitchen.”

  I nod as Logan glances over at the TV and says, “Hey, you’re watching football.”

  “You guys like that?” I ask.

  The two aliens look at me like I’m crazy. “What’s not to like?” asks Hunter.

  I refrain from rolling my eyes. “Nothing.” I place my hand on Logan’s arm. “I’ll be in the kitchen.”

  He offers me a quick smile before following Hunter, and I find Mandy and Lexi. Mandy hands me a glass of wine and speaks in a low voice. “So? How’s it going?”

  I shrug. “Okay.” I take a sip of my drink and let the tart flavor sit on my tongue for a moment. “We’re getting along.”

  Lexi chuckles. “That’s better than Mandy or I did on our first day.”

  I recall that Mandy didn’t like Caiden when she met him, and Lexi flat out hated Hunter at first. “We had a bit of a rocky start yesterday, but once we worked out that neither of us really wanted to be matched, and the fact we are both committed to making it work anyway, things got better.” I smile as I recall the kiss last night and the multiple kisses in public places today. “Much better.”

  “Uh-huh,” says Lexi. “Your cheeks are pink, and we know what that means.”

  “Stop.” My face burns with my embarrassment.

  “Sexy times with aliens are out of this world,” says Mandy. She lifts her wine and our three glasses clink in a toast as we laugh.

  I take in the pile of pots and pans in Lexi’s sink and notice her stove has splatters all over the cooktop. “What’s for dinner?”

  “Curried shrimp over jasmine rice, and we’re having steamed mussels as an appetizer.”

  “That sounds adventurous. Need any help?” Lexi raises her eyebrows at me as Mandy hits my arm. I say, “Sorry. I’m sure you’ve got it. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  Lexi says to Mandy, “Show her your plans for the nursery.”

  “I’d love to see them,” I say, and chairs scrape on the floor as Mandy and I pull them out to sit at the kitchen table. While we peruse fabric swatches and paint colors, I can’t help but notice Lexi struggling. At one point she swears and pours a carton of cream down the drain, but since she doesn’t ask for my help I bite my tongue and let her figure it out.

  When Lexi lets out a string of foul words and slams a pot into the sink Mandy and I look at each other in shock. Mandy nods, and I get up to approach Lexi. “Can I do anything?”

  Lexi’s eyes are glassy with tears as she gazes at me. “I’m a failure,” she wails. She gestures toward the pan in the sink that contains her shrimp and curry sauce. “It’s awful. Taste it.”

  I grab a spoon to try the sauce, and when it hits my mouth I try not to grimace. The pinkish color tells me she did replace the cream with something dairy, but I’m not sure what because I can’t put my finger on the flavor I’m tasting. “I’ve screwed up many a meal.” Something squeaks between my teeth that might be a berry, and I gulp it down so I don’t have to know. “We might be able to salvage it.”

  Lexi says, “My cream was curdled so I added yogurt.”

  “That’s a decent substitute and shouldn’t have been a--" It hits me she might not have use plain yogurt. “Wait. What kind?”

  “Raspberry vanilla with real fruit. I thought it would go well with curry.”

  I nod as I fight the urge to grimace now that I know what I just swallowed. Lexi eats the sugar free yogurts, and I bet the artificial sweetener along with the odd choice of flavor is what ruined the sauce.

  Mandy takes the spoon from me and tastes the sauce for herself. She rushes to the sink with her hand over her mouth. “Oh my god.” She gags as she spits the contents of her mouth into the sink. “That’s horrible!”

  Lexi swipes at the tears on her cheeks. “Do we order pizza?”

  I glance over at the mussels on the counter as I try to come up with a quick fix. “No. I have a plan.” I turn to Mandy. “Get a colander and drain and wash the shrimp.” The panty door clicks open when I tug it. “Lexi, Get out a pasta pot. And what do you have for vegetables in the fridge?” Cans rattle as I search for the ingredients to make a tomato sauce.

  A half hour later I’ve created a seafood pasta dish that isn’t culinary genius, but it’s a decent meal. As the men dig in, I notice not one of them has any trouble eating it. Hunter speaks over the food in his mouth as he looks at Lexi. “This is great.”

  She says, “Thanks to Eliza. You don’t even want to know what my dinner tasted like.”

  “It wasn’t that bad,” I say.

  “Oh please. You saved us. Again.”

  Logan asks, “She does this often?”

  Mandy says, “All the time. Remember the time I tried to make my mother a birthday cake from a Pinterest recipe?”

  Lexi chuckles. “Who knew flowers could look like penises.”

  Logan raises his eyebrows at me in amusement as the other guys chuckle. I say, “They did not.”

  “Not when you were done fixing it,” says Mandy.

  “You guys are too hard on yourselves.” I glance down at my food as a flush begins to rise in me.

  “We are not,” says Lexi. “You have a gift when it comes to all things homemaking.”

  Mandy’s fingers are cool on my arm as she says, “Don’t be embarrassed. You should be proud of what you can do.” She launches into a story about our Halloween costumes that won prizes every year when we were in college, and she makes me look like a star.