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“You’re gorgeous. I’m guessing you’re still fertile. I haven’t forgotten that little accident we had when we were together. You had me scared for two days thinking you were pregnant.”

Ivy hadn’t forgotten either. A tiny part of her had been thrilled at the thought of becoming a mother. She’d hid her disappointment from Marcus when she’d found out it wasn’t true. He went out and celebrated being a free man.

Her hand went to her stomach as she recalled Karn’s words about going to see a doctor. “You can’t do this. You know it’s wrong.”

“You’ll get some lovely alien who will look after you. They don’t all seem like jerks, not like that idiot Karn. He was so full of himself. Imagine what a nightmare it would be getting hooked up with that alien. I won’t sell you to just anybody. I’ll make sure they know how to treat you.”

“You’re not going to sell me at all.” Blood pounded in Ivy’s head. “Turn the ship around.”

“I can’t do that. I have an appointment to keep. You don’t mess around with these aliens. They said they need to sample the goods before they put you in the auction.”

“An auction? Sample the goods! You have to be bloody kidding me.”

“I’m sure it’s nothing. Maybe some tests to make sure you’re healthy.”

“You know it won’t be that. Marcus, this isn’t a game. You’re messing with my life.”

“Think of it as an adventure. All the women on Earth are obsessed with aliens. They barely give us human guys a look. They want some stable, loving, gorgeous alien to take them away and live out some fantasy on another planet. It’s pathetic.”

“It’s also real life,” Ivy said. “Most of the aliens who come through the wormhole are decent and respectful. They’re kind to the women who come into their lives. They recognize when they’ve been given an incredible opportunity. They don’t go screwing it up or screwing around. They’d also never sell their women.”

Marcus rubbed his chin. “If I had anything else to sell, I would. You’re my best option. With your looks, you’ll make me a fortune. Can I just ask that you keep your mouth shut? All this complaining is deeply unattractive.”

Ivy jumped to her feet. “I will not keep my mouth shut. I’m going to start screaming if you don’t turn this damn ship around right this second.”

“No can do, gorgeous. The coordinates are programed in. I can’t stop the ship.”

Ivy blinked back tears of frustration. “Marcus, listen to reason. You don’t want to do this. You have no idea who you’re selling me to. You’re putting me in an auction where the highest bidder wins. You don’t know who it will be. I could end up with a Banti.”

“What’s a Banti?”

“They eat humans. They like to fuck them while they eat.”

Marcus gave a mock shudder. “I won’t let a Banti buy you. I’ll look out for you. You’ll be fine.”

Ivy paced backwards and forwards. Her gaze flicked to the ship’s controls. If only she knew how to fly this thing, she could kick Marcus in the nuts and take herself home.

“Maybe you’ve got something else you can offer me?” Marcus glanced at her. “If you’ve got the money for my ship, we can negotiate.”

Ivy snorted, but she sensed the desperation in Marcus’s voice. He was serious about this. “How about the stuff in my apartment?”

“It’s second-hand. It won’t make much money. You must have a few investments tucked away.”

Ivy’s options felt like they were slipping through her fingers. “I don’t have that amount of money. Even if I did, I wouldn’t give it to you.”

“You’ll fetch a good price. In that sexy dress, the aliens will pay double. I almost want to keep you, you look so hot.”

“Then keep me. Why don’t we make a go of it?” There was no way she’d do that in reality, but Ivy would say just about anything to get Marcus to turn the ship around.

He turned in his seat, and his gaze ran over her slowly. “If you’re really nice to me, you might be able to change my mind.” His hand moved to his pants zipper.

Ivy repressed a grimace. “If I give you a blow job, you’ll take me back to Prodigy?”

“It’ll take more than that, but it will be a good start. How about it, for old time’s sake?”

Ivy stared at him. She couldn’t do it. The thought of being anywhere near Marcus’s dick made her want to puke.

Marcus sighed as he turned around to face the controls. “It’s your loss. Maybe you will get sold to a Banti, after all.”