I release them, stunned as he settles me on the couch, turning me slightly so that my bad leg can extend out on the cushions. So thoughtful.
He reaches back to drag the coffee table closer to me and sits on it. “My name is Nanish, and this is Bamgin,” he adds, nodding toward the blond.
Bamgin sits on the other end of the couch almost touching my outstretched foot. “What’s your name?”
“Margaret. Maggie. My friends call me Maggie.”
“Which do you prefer, Little one?” Bamgin asks, smiling.
I shrug. “I don’t really like either, to be honest.” I don’t think I’ve ever told a soul that fact. I feel like I took a truth serum. My inner thoughts keep flying out of my mouth.
“Then we’ll come up with another nickname youdolike,” Nanish states as though it’s settled. “No need spending centuries being called by a name that doesn’t feel like it suits you.”
I giggle.Giggle? Who am I? “I suspect my life got a whole lot shorter when I slammed into that behemoth of a woman on the court last week. I’ll be lucky if I live forty more years, especially if I never get to exercise again like I’m used to.” I sigh. The thought of never jogging or jumping again makes me cringe every time I think about it. And that happens every few hours.
Nanish and Bamgin look at each other. In fact they stare at each other for long seconds as if silently communicating. I don’t know what they’re plotting, but it gives me the opportunity to really look at them. They’re gorgeous. Both of them. Sexier than anyone I’ve ever taken the time to notice.
They have attributes that make my heart race. One is that they’re so tall and broad that I feel small next to them. I’ve never felt small next to anyone. Even when I was six, I was taller than every girl in my class.
They’re also…kind. I’m not sure if that’s the right word, but they’re not like human men. Milder. Calmer? Or maybe they’re simply calming me. But that makes no sense.
When they finally turn back to look at me in unison, I get the feeling they’ve made a decision, and it makes me shudder. Do they intend to share me? Like a threesome?
I lick my lips. “Uh, guys…” Propping myself up taller, I swallow. “I’m not really into anything kinky. I appreciate the way you’re both looking at me, and I hope you don’t think I led you on by coming up here with you, but I’m not the kind of girl who has one-night stands, not with one man let alone two.”
Neither of them chuckles like I expect. Instead they both reach out, each taking one of my hands. The connection makes my breath hitch, and I suddenly want to take back everything I just said. Maybe Iamthe sort of woman who can do a one-night stand with two giant, sexy gods.
“We should call Jefared,” Nanish says. His gaze is still on me, but he must be speaking to Bamgin.
“Yes. Good idea. Ask if he’s ever seen anything like this,” Bamgin responds. He’s stroking my knuckles with his thumb in a way that makes it hard for me to focus. So is Nanish now that I think about it.
“Who’s Jefared?” I ask.
“He’s the intake supervisor on the mothership. He keeps track of every female who leaves Earth.”
I stare at them. “You’re not suggesting I’m going to leave Earth, are you?” Even as the words leave my mouth, I know I’ve been kidding myself. One of them is going to claim me.
My stomach drops. I think of Rachel. She’ll freak out if I don’t come home in a few hours. We use a buddy system. Even though I’ve never before been the buddy in danger, tonight I am, and she’s not going to sleep until I come back through the door to our upperclassman dorm.
Nanish inhales deeply. “You’re ours, Little one.”
I gasp.Ours? Both of them? “Yours?”
Bamgin nods. “It would seem that way. We’ve never known two Eleadians to claim the same female, but it’s obvious that is the case. You belong to both of us.”
I can’t breathe. They’re serious. And since I also can’t blink, I watch an uneasy feeling pass between them. They aren’t solidly in favor of this plan either. Good, because it’s not going to happen.
Granted I keep telling myself that in my head, but my heart is in disagreement. Or my libido. That might be it. I’ve never been aroused before, so I’m not sure how to identify the feeling, but I’m betting this is it. Did I take too much pain medicine earlier? I knew it might react adversely with alcohol, but I never made it to the bar.
“I need a drink,” I mumble to myself as I yank my hands free of these two men. They’re sucking out my brain cells, if that’s possible.
Bamgin jumps to his feet. “Sorry, Little one. I forgot you were thirsty.” He rushes over to the fridge, yanks it open, and hesitates for a second before grabbing something and turning around. He’s holding a clear glass bottle of water.
“You sure we should give her water?” Nanish asks softly.
“She’s thirsty,” Bamgin mutters back as he twists off the top and hands me the water.
I take it, and our fingers touch as I do. An electric current runs through me. It runs through Bamgin, too. I see it in his eyes and the way his breath also hitches. “I… I meant alcohol. Wine or beer or rum or vodka or something. I was on my way to the bar when you stopped me.”
