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Avel drew back from the kiss and stroked his hands down Holly’s hair, fighting the urge to go further.

Her eyes were glazed and her lips parted as she stared at him. She blinked slowly, and her gaze went to his mouth.

Avel growled in response. Was there more to life than pounding heads and getting money? Could Holly be the woman to offer him something more?

He stared into Holly’s wide eyes, that tempting mouth trying to draw him back in and block his conflicting thoughts.

He grunted and shook his head. What was he thinking? He’d gotten carried away by her sweetness. Holly wasn’t for him. The life he led meant a relationship with someone as decent as Holly was out of the question.

Holly sat back as he loosened his hold on her. She ran her hands through her hair. “That was... unexpected.”

Avel moved to his seat, adjusting himself to hide the bulging erection in his pants. “Call it a good luck kiss.” He returned his attention to the console as he maneuvered the ship to the station and through the force field into the docking bay.

“Oh, of course.” Holly cleared her throat. “Well, I should be extremely lucky after that.”

Avel didn’t look at her. He couldn’t be swayed by Holly anymore. He shouldn’t even be here. He’d pushed back several repayment meetings to bring her to this food fair. She was having an impact on his business, and not a good one. No one got between Avel and his money.

“Let’s get your cargo unloaded.” Avel powered down the ship. He stood from his seat and strode out of the cockpit without looking back.

After a second, he heard Holly hurrying after him.

He stomped down the docking ramp and unlocked the cargo hold before lifting out the crates of chocolates.

When he turned around, Holly stood behind him, her hands on her hips and her head tilted as if studying something she didn’t understand.

A muscle in Avel’s jaw twitched, and he looked away. Every time their gazes met, his desire for her stirred. Maybe she’d put something addictive in those damn tasty chocolates of hers. There had to be a reason he kept being drawn to her and wanting to grab another taste before she wised up and realized he wasn’t a good guy to be with.

He looked around the docking bay, which heaved with new arrivals unloading their own cargo. Avel caught hold of Holly’s arm before she was almost knocked into by a Koob hurrying past with an armful of boxes.

He drew her close and stared into her eyes again. He wanted her so badly.

Holly looked away, and her cheeks glowed. “I should get a bot to transport the crates to my stall. The food fair starts in an hour, and I need to set up.”

Avel nodded slowly as he forced his feelings to quiet. “You wait here. I’ll find a free one.” He strode away before she could protest. He needed distance from Holly. He couldn’t deny there was something about her that appealed, but it was just lust. Her food, her figure, and those kisses had messed with his mind. With distance, he’d gain clarity.

He brushed past a Draxdan who was about to commandeer a free carrier bot and instructed it back to his ship.

Holly was waiting when he returned. He hooked the crates to the bot and nodded at Holly. “You’re all set.”

Her hands were clasped and her eyes wide. “I’m actually doing this. My first food fair, selling my own chocolates.”

He grinned, her nervous excitement fizzing off her and making his own nerves jangle. “Everyone will love you. You’ll get a ton of orders.”

She worried her lip with her teeth. “I hope you’re right.”

Avel caught hold of her chin and brushed his thumb over her bottom lip. “Believe in yourself, Holly Lipinski. You can do this.”

Her gaze lowered, but a smile crossed her face. “You can help on the stall if you like.”

He dropped his hold on her chin and stepped back. “No, that’s not for me.”

Holly raised her gaze. “You still think that what I do is wussy?”

Avel knew what Holly did was incredible, but he couldn’t risk spending the rest of the day with her, working side-by-side, brushing against those curves, hearing her laugh, and seeing that adorable smile. It would kill him.

“No, your food is great. I might scare away the customers.”

“More like attract them, especially the women.” Holly blushed. “What will you do with yourself while I’m working?”