Finally! I staggered through the door, shut it behind me and leaned against it with a weary groan. After what had definitely been the worst day of my life, I could finally collapse in the warmth and comfort of my home.
Everything that could possibly go wrong today had done just that. My alarm clock hadn't gone off, so I was late for work, and then I had to fill in for people off sick whilst struggling with my own workload. I missed my bus home, got caught in a torrential downpour walking back... and of course all of this just had to happen on my birthday.
I picked the mail off the mat and sat down on the couch to look at it. Most of it was obviously birthday cards, but I didn't particularly feel like celebrating, so I set them aside for later. However, the last envelope caught my eye - it shimmered pinky-gold and fiery orange like a sunset, and was made out of some strange, silky-smooth stuff, not like paper or anything I recognised. There was no stamp or postmark, or anything to give a clue where it had come from either. Puzzled, I opened it and drew out a single iridescent white sheet with a message written in silver. It read:
"CONGRATULATIONS! After observing your world for some time, we have decided that the time is right for our cultures to do business. We have selected you and a few others from your species at random to sample our most popular line of love slaves.
"We have scanned your mind in order to create your perfect partner, who is everything you desire most. He will love you, and only you, and fulfil your every emotional and physical need. We hope that our little gift provides you with the complete satisfaction we pride ourselves on guaranteeing. If so, recommend us to all your friends! We can be contacted at the following satellite frequency..."
Irritably I tossed the letter across the table without bothering to read further. Junk mail from aliens?! Obviously this had to be a friend's idea of a joke; unfortunately my sense of humour was engaged elsewhere at that precise moment. I headed upstairs, grabbed a towel from the airing cupboard and marched straight into the bathroom. A nice hot shower; now that was what I really needed...
The warm water soon soothed my aching muscles and jangled nerves. By the time I stepped out and dried myself off, I was feeling a lot more cheerful. Humming, I tucked my towel in around me and headed towards my bedroom to change.
As I opened the door, I stopped and stared in bewilderment. Someone had lit all the candles that I had placed all round the room, for when I wanted to relax with a good book or movie. Then my eyes fell on the bed and I nearly died on the spot. Stretched out on top of the duvet was a naked man!
My legs gave way and I sat down on the floor with a thump, dislodging my towel. Frantically, I pulled it up again, and stared back at the intruder, getting ready to yell. Despite all the noise, he hadn't moved or given any sign that he knew I was there. The steady rise and fall of his chest was the only evidence that he was alive. I realised that he wasn't actually naked after all; he was wearing a pair of black, silky briefs, which showed off his slim yet muscular form rather well, and a blindfold. My fear faded into bewildered curiosity. This was not the sort of thing I'd associate with a burglar, more like a Playgirl centrefold!
I struggled to my feet, so I could get a better look at him. Whoever he is, he's certainly in great shape, I thought. My eyes travelled up his body to his face, then practically bugged out of their sockets. Though the top half of his face was covered, his high, well defined cheekbones, straight nose and full sensual mouth were very familiar - and there was definitely no mistaking the long dark hair, piled up smoothly on top of his head, with a single forelock hanging over his face, and a long braid at the back, just visible at the side of his neck. My head swivelled round slowly to the large poster of my all-time hero on the wall, and then back again. Definitely no mistake - it was him!
"...We have scanned your mind in order to create your perfect partner, who is everything you desire most.."
All of a sudden, I remembered the mysterious letter lying on the table downstairs. No way! I thought in disbelief. I must have knocked myself out when I walked through the door and I'm having a rather nice, but totally impossible dream. There's no way that aliens have given me my own personal Kai... is there?
I rose shakily to my feet and walked over to the bed, sitting on the edge beside him. Gently, I reached out and touched his shoulder; it felt warm, smooth and very, very real. I gave him a little shake, but he didn't move. "K-Kai?" I tried, huskily. Still nothing.
"...he will love you, and only you..."
Of course! That was why he was wearing the blindfold - so that he didn't wake up and fall in love with the wrong person. I swallowed nervously, then very carefully lifted it off. For a moment he remained still, his face calm and peaceful; then his green eyes flickered open and gazed directly into mine. "Help!" I thought faintly. Watching Lexx night after night had done nothing to prepare me for this.
Slowly, Kai sat up, his eyes still fixed on my face, then allowed his gaze to travel down my body. I blushed, while at the same time wishing I'd thought to change into something glamorous first. Then he looked into my eyes again and I realised that it didn't matter. His smile was the cutest I'd ever seen, and his expression was one of pure admiration and delight. "I will love you forever!" he breathed in my ear, and wrapped his arms around me, embracing me tenderly. At the sound of that gorgeous deep voice saying what I'd dreamed of hearing from him for so long, I just melted. Sliding my arms around his neck, I pulled him close and we descended into a slow, passionate kiss.
"...we hope that our little gift provides with the complete satisfaction we pride ourselves on guaranteeing..."
"Oh boy, does he ever!" I thought happily. I drew back and caressed his face, and he closed his eyes, sighing with pleasure. Very gently, I pushed Kai back against the pillows, then set about unwrapping the best birthday present I'd ever had...
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