Chapter One
The Big Bang Truck Stop – Basement-level gift shop
Axel Grey raced into the basement-level gift shop on a mission to get a bottle of water before he had to meet with Director Patmore.
He’d rather suck down a few shots of good old-fashioned Arkansas moonshine than a bottle of water for a meet and greet with Patmore, but it was likely better to be hydrated than drunk in this particular instance, especially first thing in the morning.
TheRoyal Caldera Fortecruise liner had just arrived in Alienn for its monthly port of call. While his chief of security brother was typically Patmore’s point of contact, Cam had taken the day off. Again. As communications chief, Axel was next in line as the alternate contact. On top of that, Diesel, their eldest brother and the truck stop’s Fearless Leader, was gone today, too.
Axel wasn’t certain how he’d gotten tricked into covering for Cam two months in a row—especially given what had happened last month with the same luxury airship—but he planned to ask for a big favor in return. He’d have to think of something premium.
Cam was to meet with Patmore within the first couple of hours of docking. The director was a big pain in the patootie, according to his aunt Dixie, and she would know. She and her best friend had hidden out on board during the cruise liner’s last trip in an effort to help Cam. His brother had only learned of their clandestine assistance after the fact.
It had been a miracle Aunt Dixie and Miss Penny hadn’t been found out during the ten days they spent touring the galaxy in luxury, dodging Patmore’s ever-watchful regard.
His communicator vibrated at his hip. He looked down. Director Patmore, confirming their meeting. Again. Axel snorted and ignored the reminder. It was the third check-in about this stupid meeting and Patmore had hit the top edge of Axel’s capacity for aggravation.
A representative from the way station always met with the director when the ship docked. It was the first thing they did, for pity’s sake. He didn’t need to be reminded of it minute by minute fifty times in the hour before it happened. Apparently, Director Patmore disagreed. Axel continued to the basement-level convenience store instead of going all the way up to the main store in Big Bang Truck Stop area.
He stepped through the entrance just as an attractive woman attempted to exit the exact same space.
She almost smacked right into him, but skidded to a halt barely in time. “Sorry,” she said with a quick smile. Her eyes were light green. Unusual. Easy to look at. He liked the colorandher lovely smile.
“No worries,” Axel said, moving to his right to let her go by.
The green-eyed beauty moved in the same direction and they faced each other again. “Sorry,” she said once more and flashed another quick grin.
She quickly moved to the opposite side, just as he did the same thing. Her eyes lit up with amusement and a lyrical laugh escaped her lips, like she was embarrassed or nervous. Whatever the reason for the pleasant sound, Axel thought she was adorable.
Facing each other once more, Axel said, “You know what this means, right?”
Her sea-green gaze seemed locked on his in wonder. “No. What does it mean?”
“It means we have to dance.”
“What?”
Before she could say no, he grabbed her hand—her skin was so soft—took a step back and lifted their fastened hands in the air. He spun her in a circle. She twirled in a perfect pirouette as if they’d practiced this move for hours. When she faced him again, the power of her beauty made him ask, “So, do you want to dance some more?”
The surprise in her expression at the fast dance spin morphed into a beautiful smile. “Yes. I would love to dance some more.” She settled one hand tentatively on his shoulder as he placed his free palm at her waist. Their other hands were still connected from the original twirl.
“Awesome.” Axel stepped forward and took her loosely in his arms. He quirked his brow as “Hold Me Now” by the Thompson Twins played clearly through the hidden speakers. It was a perfectly excellent eighties song to dance to. He wanted to hold her now…and also hold her later. And find out everything there was to know about her.
The closer position and the feel of having a woman in his arms after such a long spell without made Axel feel a little off-balance. They slow danced for a few minutes as the song continued. She fit perfectly in his arms. The fragrance he inhaled as she leaned closer was his new favorite scent. She had a quick smile, a joyful laugh and an easy manner. She was perfect. And beautiful. And he was already smitten.
The song ended and another started. Axel twirled her around again and she giggled. So adorable. This time, however, he spun her back into his arms. They stared at each other for a count of three. The beat of the next song was faster, but he pretended it was slower and held her close. She melted into him and the dance continued.
Axel studied his unexpected dance partner as they moved together. She was fresh faced and seemingly a happy-go-lucky sort.
“What’s your name, darlin’?”
Her eyes went a bit wider. “Oh. Um…you can call me Lucy.”
“Great name. Okay, Lucy, first of all, it’s very nice to meet you and dance with you.”
She nodded.
