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Ensorcelled, Eden could only stare at them and pray her legs would hold her upright. Had she noticed the color of their eyes sooner, she might have stripped them naked earlier. Let them take her on the bar and her prix be damned.
       Just when each man took one of her hands in his, again sending sensuous tingles up her arms and down her spine, Tante's voice boomed out again.
       ―M essieurs , I bow to your common demands. The bidding begins tonight.‖ Forty male voices shouted approval, only to fall silent when Tante added, ―However…‖

    * * * *

    Enjoying the power she held, Tante continued to let them wait. Sensing the moment they would begin to shout again, she raised her hand. ―However, since I know you are all gentlemen and have no desire to slight any of my ladies, you must submit your written bids to me by midnight. I shall inform you privately of the results after tomorrow night's entertainment.‖ She winked. ―Which I assure you, you'll find delicious.‖ Her fingers twitched, already feeling credits sifting through them.

    * * * *

    ―Leave it to Tante to use old-Earth dating customs to build the suspense,‖ Colette complained goodnaturedly.
       ―Not to mention sweeten her pot-of-gold,‖ Eden countered, looking at ten tables with two chairs at each.
       ―Why did our ancestors call it speed dating?‖
       Eden shrugged. ―Probably because of the short time each couple spends together. Please, Goddess, don't put me next to Azura.‖
       ―Might be fun to eavesdrop,‖ Colette suggested, giggling as she went to find her table.
       ―As if.‖ For one thing, the tables were too far away from each other to eavesdrop. For another, Eden told herself she was above that sort of sneaky behavior. But—oh!—how I wish I weren't.
       One aspect of her training Eden had truly enjoyed was meeting new people. So she had no problem showing real interest in what each man liked to do—be it his work or hobbies or whatever. But as the evening went by, she found some men kept looking at their timepieces or gazing at a point over her shoulder. One man bypassed her completely. Kamal saved her pride and came to her table as if that had been his intention all along.
       Of all the emotions he and his brother evoked in her, her gratitude caught her completely offguard. Nor had she expected his kindness. When he took her hand, she felt a jolt of lust, but realized he'd somehow subdued it. It now felt like a minor tingling over her skin—like a fading power shock.
       ―Good evening,‖ he said as if they'd never met. ―My name is Kamal.‖ That deep voice washed over her. It held more than a hint of seduction, yet had a solidity. Like a blanket on a cold winter night, she wanted to wrap it around her body and absorb its warmth.
       ―Eden. Since I believe I know why you are here, Kamal, please tell me something about yourself.‖
       ―You first. Where are you from, Eden?‖
       The question surprised her. None of the other men had asked her anything about herself. ―Eearth. You?‖
       His emerald gaze focused on her face, he waved one hand. She found it impossible to think. The color of his eyes reminded her of tropical plants she'd seen in the arboretum. She remembered the humidity in the glass enclosure and how damp it made her skin feel. Half-expecting to smell peat and decaying mulch, she drew a shallow breath, delighted Kamal's scent was nothing like the arboretum's soil. The aroma of sandalwood drifted across the small table. Although striking a woody base note, he smelled fresh and clean. Hints of musk underscored it, subtly arousing her. She wanted to taste him.
       ―Out there, somewhere among the stars,‖ he said. ―What's your favorite color?‖
       ―Green,‖ she replied so quickly she felt a blush heat her face, neck and chest. The exact color of your eyes. ―Yours?‖ s he managed to ask.
       ―Golden, black and brown. Your skin, hair and