Avelyn and the Alien Daddy (Intergalactic Brides 3) by Jessica Coulter Smith

brand. She hunted for a pair in her size and tried them on, but they pinched her toes. Another half hour of looking and she was the proud owner of a new pair, and she found Thrace shopping for other shoes… in the women’s department.
    “What are you doing?” she asked. “I thought we were paying for these and taking Lily home for a nap.”
    “I’ve studied Earth women. You need more shoes. They all seem to have hundreds of pairs.”
    “Not all.”
    He held up a pair of ballet flats. “These look like they would be comfortable.”
    She couldn’t help but smile. “Very well. I’ll look at a few more pair.”
    “Two. I’m not walking out of this store until you pick out at least two more pairs of shoes.”
    With a shake of her head, she picked out two more pairs, then followed Thrace and Lily to the counter to pay. She tried to hide her wince when she saw the total, even though she knew it was pocket change for the big alien. They loaded her bags into the trunk and then she climbed into the back of the limo and helped fasten Lily into her car seat. The little angel was asleep before they even reached the hotel, having had a very busy day.
    “We should probably order room service for dinner,” Thrace said. “I’m not sure Lily can handle another trip out. And you’ve been rubbing your foot for the last ten minutes.”
    She looked at her hand wrapped around her foot and released it. “It’s a little sore.”
    Thrace sat on the couch and held out his hand. “Give me your feet.”
    She balked for a moment, then stretched out across the couch and put her feet in his lap. As his thumbs dug into her arch, she couldn’t hold back the gasp of pleasure. Avelyn groaned as he worked out the knots in her feet. By the time he moved to the second foot, she thought she might melt into the couch it felt so damn good. It also made her wonder if anyone had ever given him a massage. Was it a common practice on Terran?
    “You do that really well,” she said.
    “I’m worried I’ll squeeze too hard and hurt you. I’ve never done this before.”
    “Have you ever had someone massage you?”
    He looked hesitant to answer.
    “It’s all right if you have. I won’t be mad. People pay good money here on Earth for a good massage.”
    “I haven’t had one, but there was a woman who tried to massage my shoulders once. I didn’t like the feel of her hands on me and tried to brush her off.”
    “What happened?”
    He looked away before swinging his gaze her way again. “She tried to disrobe in the middle of the Terran station and told me she could offer me more than just that. I didn’t like her.”
    Avelyn bit her lip. She could just see some woman trying to come on to Thrace and him backing away in horror. He was such a sweet guy and probably didn’t have a clue how to react to an aggressive Earth woman. And something told her the woman didn’t want anything more from Thrace than his wallet. Although, word was out that the Terrans were well hung, so it was possible she’d just been after him for sex.
    The smile slipped from her face. She didn’t like the idea of women throwing themselves at him for sex. What if someone better came along? What if there came a time that some beautiful female caught his attention, one who could give him children, and he decided he’d made a mistake taking Avelyn for his mate?
    “You look worried. I didn’t want that woman.”
    “I believe you, but it did make me wonder what would happen if someone came along that you did like in return. What if you take me for your mate and then one day decide you’ve made a mistake?”
    He gave her a patient look. “That isn’t going to happen, Avelyn. You’re the only woman I’ve wanted. Ever. I never felt desire until I met you. I never felt all these intense emotions until you came here to live with me.”
    “I came here to be your nanny,” she pointed out.
    His jaw tensed. “I see. Are you regretting what happened between us last night?