Slate narrowed his eyes as if in thought.

Then he turned back to Candi, a smile once again forming on his sensual shapely lips.

“Never mind that. Where were we?”

He reached out and coiled a lock of her honey blonde hair onto his large finger. Then he gently pulled her back to him.

“We were—umm…we were talking about how hot your skin was.” She reached out to uncoil her hair from his finger.

“I think you’re cool now so we can move onto the next subject.” She gently extricated herself from his grasp.

“I like the old subject better.” Slate grasped her fingers and touched them to his lips.

“As I recall, we were talking about female fingers touching the right places…”

Candi shivered with delight as his lips touched her fingers. Those very same soft lips that had kissed her everywhere.

The thought of his lips on her breasts brought a deep rush of heat to her face.

No no. This was too dangerous. She needed to get some space between them.

“Didn’t your father say ‘Do not touch the female’?”

“Hmmmm. He did say that yes, but it was a bit after the fact, wasn’t it?”

“No no. You did say that we are only allowed to talk for the next 20 hours. I think that is a great idea!” Candi announced with false gaiety.

“That’s a terrible idea.” He chuckled, reaching out to touch her cheek.

She jumped back to put a bit of distance between them and pointed her finger at his face.

“No more stalling for time. I need some answers now.”

Slate smiled, his dazzling blue eyes making her stomach quiver.

“Everything you need to know will soon be clear.”

“I need it clear right NOW!” She forced herself to be strong.

“Candace. Have a seat and I’ll tell you everything you need to know.”

“Uh-uh. If I get too close, you’re gonna do your…your ‘thing’ again and I won’t get any information at all.”

“My ‘thing’?” Slate laughed gently. “You weren’t complaining that hard about my ‘thing’ when I was healing you awhile ago.”

Candi grimaced as she thought once again, about his lips on her body.

“That was not exactly healing and you know it. Tell me.” She scrambled around her flustered mind for a good question. “Why am I being kidnapped.”

“You’re not being kidnapped. Your organization is looking for you because you stole a book and the Avgo stone from them. I am taking you to a safe place away from them.”

Slate took one step towards her.

She vaulted backwards and jumped onto the bed.

“Stay there.” She held out a hand. If she let him get close to her, she was going to be lost to his sensuous touch again.

“Tell me why your father called me Avgo woman. What is that and why am I being taken to your home.”

Slate motioned with his hand.

“Candace. Come down from there and I will tell you.” He took another step towards her.

Candi flipped backwards and jumped down from the bed so it was now between her and Slate.

“Stay on that side of the bed!”

He began making his way around the bed to get to her.

She ran around the circular bed to the other side.

He sighed and waved a finger. Instantly the bed dropped down into the floor and disappeared.

Between them was once again, an empty expanse of white floor.

At her look of panic, he sighed.

“Relax. You can stand over there and I’ll tell you anything you want to know.” He crossed his arms across his chest.

Candi shot him a suspicious look.

“You promise?”

“Yes. I’m not so desperate as to push myself on a woman who doesn’t want me.”

Candi frowned and looked away. It wasn’t that she didn’t want him. It was that she wanted him too much.

But—he wasn’t even human!

She turned back to face him.

“Tell me why I have to go to your home world.”

“Because you are the Avgo female.”

“What is the Avgo female?” She gave him a suspicious look.

“The Avgo is an egg. You’re the female with the egg.”

Candi shook her head with confusion.

“That doesn’t make any sense at all. Don’t all females have eggs? That’s the whole definition of a female.”

“Yes, but you also happen to be holding onto the Avgo gem.”

Does any female holding onto the Avgo gem get taken away?”

Slate regarded her with a piercing look.

“Let me ask you this, Candace.” He took a deep breath. “What was so special about the Avgo that you had to steal it? Were you aware of its special significance?”

Candi nodded.

“Of course it’s significant. In that old ‘Ellipsoidal Macrocosm’ book, it details that the pink sapphire in the shape of an egg was the most valuable thing.”

Her eyes grew dazed with wonder.

“The book says the gem is supposed to bring to the holder, the entire riches of the universe!”

Slate laughed.

“You’re missing something very important.”

“Pray tell.”

“The choice is not up to you. There are seven other candidates. You are but one of seven.”

Candi pursed her lips. One in seven chances to gain the riches of the universe. Those weren’t bad odds!

“So when do I meet up with the candidates, and if this is a competition, what do I have to do?”

“What are your abilities?” Slate tilted his head in question.

She chewed on her lip thoughtfully.

“If it’s a talent contest, I do know how to do a few things.”

She began listing them on her fingers.

“I’m a good ballet dancer!” She looked up at him with enthusiasm. “I also learned how to hula dance when I went to Hawaii. I’m a decent pianist too, and I can sing if you have a karaoke machine.”

He gave her an exasperated look.

“What? Those aren’t good enough talents?” She scratched her head. “What exactly are you looking for?”

“How strong is your magic?” He asked.