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“I was meant to. You’re telling me some loser convinced you that you’re not gorgeous?”

“He was being honest. When we first met, he was kind to me and told me he didn’t mind that I was heavier than his previous girlfriends. He used to buy me clothes two sizes smaller than I wore as an encouragement to get me to lose weight. I tried so hard. Every diet going. It all worked for a short time, but my sweet tooth won out. If ever I denied myself what I craved, I’d end up sneaking out in the middle of the night to the nearest store and binge eating a ton of it.”

“You don’t need to diet.” Avel’s gaze ran over Holly’s figure. Why would she want to get rid of that sexy body?

Holly continued as if she hadn’t heard him. “Eric used to tell me off after I’d binged. After we’d been together six months, he told me the truth. He’d taken pity on me and wanted to help me. He couldn’t see how any other guy would find me attractive looking the way I do.”

“I’m going to kill him,” Avel snarled.

Holly shrugged. “It doesn’t matter now. He’s in my past.”

“He’s not, though.” Avel grabbed Holly’s hands and turned her toward him. “He’s impacting what you think about yourself right this second. He’s made you believe you’re unlovable. Holly, you’re incredible. You’ve got so much going for you. You’re hard-working, resilient, risk-taking. You make amazing food, and you kiss like a goddess.”

Holly chuckled. “I’m certain none of that’s true.”

“It is. Otherwise, what are you doing on a crash landed ship with me? You’ve just had your first success with your business. You did that. You made those chocolates, and you got everyone to buy them. That takes risk, hard-work, and resilience.”

“With a little help from you.”

“Yeah, more like a little interference from me.” Avel shook his head. “You did this on your own. Forget what some loser told you about the way you look. I wouldn’t have lured you to my room the first time we met unless I wanted to have my wicked way with you. I don’t have my wicked way with women I don’t consider gorgeous. Holly Lipinski, you’ve been in my dreams every night since we met. I’d tell you the things I’d like to do to you, but I don’t want to see you pass out with lust.”

Holly tipped her head back and laughed. “You don’t need to say all of this just to make me feel better.”

“Like hell I don’t. I’m gonna keep telling you these things until you know you’re a sex goddess. Every man who sees you desires you.”

“Now, I know you’re lying.”

“Okay, ninety-five percent of all men who see you want to unzip that jumpsuit and see what’s underneath. There are always a few weirdos who don’t know a good thing when they see it.”

“Quit it. You’re making me blush.” Holly waved a hand across her face.

“Not until you believe what I’ve told you.”

“That I’m resilient.”

“No, that you’re a sex goddess. You’re hotter than the sun.”

Holly smirked. “Fine. I’m a sex goddess. Everyone wants to get me naked. I’m lovable.”

“Damn straight you are. And you keep telling yourself that every day until you actually believe it.”

Her expression turned serious. “Thanks, Avel. I didn’t mean to snap at you. You shocked me when you suggested I trade myself for the debt I owe.”

“I slipped into my default mode of being a jerk and not taking things seriously.” Avel shrugged. “I take you seriously, Holly. We’ll get out of this. I promise. After we do, I’ll show you just how desirable I think you are.”

Holly bit her bottom lip and looked away. “I’d like that.”

Avel’s gaze went to the floor, and his eyes widened. “Hey, some of the chocolate survived the crash.” He leaned down and pulled a battered box of chocolates from under Holly’s seat. “I say we celebrate being alive.”

Holly grinned as he pulled off the lid of the chocolates. “That’s a perfect idea. I like being alive.”

He studied the squashed chocolates for a moment before picking a milk chocolate chunk with a honeycomb center and holding it out for Holly.

She hesitated only a second before biting into the chocolate and pulling it out of his fingers with her teeth.

Avel hummed in satisfaction as he watched her slowly eat the chocolate, her eyes half-closed as she reveled in the delicious taste.

“Your turn.” Holly leaned over, grabbed a chocolate, and held it out for him.