Page 2 of Her Alien Spy
Nothing better in the entire universe than that. At least, as far as he knew. If he ever managed to charm the gorgeous bartender out of her clothes, he had a feeling he’d have a new favorite thing.
Not that he hadn’t been trying, as subtly as possible, for months now. He’d noticed her, of course, even before that. Dreadnought had been playing at the Mars Lounge on Asterion Station for a few years now, and she’d been working there ever since. They’d sort of orbited one another but never really got beyond that point, until Andethor and the Altarian had started working together. The Altarian’s human mate was Julia’s best friend, and he’d suddenly found himself spending more and more time with her.
And trying and failing to coax her into his bed.
Someday.
He finished talking to his dickhead bandmates, then slung the guitar strap back over his shoulder and turned around. The crowd, which was a full house again, the way it usually was when his band played, cheered, and Julia and her coworkers hustled making sure everyone had their drinks.
Terne started the count for the first song of the set, and within moments, Mars Lounge was full of the sound of drums banging, guitars wailing, and, soon, his own roughened voice singing.
His gaze kept swinging toward the bar. Julia and her coworker were mobbed, getting drinks for guests, and he had the urge to leap off stage and start tossing people around so she’d hear the song she liked so much.
She worked her ass off. Full time here, part time in the fitness center the past few months. He hadn’t seen her in action there, not wanting to be one of those creepy males who haunts a woman’s steps just because he has a hard-on for her.
And he did. Most definitely. Which was why when she started swaying her luscious hips, even as she poured drinks, and then slowly started moving more of her body until she was doing a slow, sinuous, full body sway that turned his mouth dry, he forced his gaze to the other side of the room.
That only lasted for about four seconds before he was looking at her again. And this time, she was singing along. She finally had a break in customers, and she was still doing that maddening dance, now with her arms raised in the air, and he could see her singing the words along with him.
Fuck. That, right there, was better than most sex he’d had.
They hit the bridge, and he played harder, nearly screaming the words of one of their least popular songs, but one of his favorites.
And one of Julia’s favorites.
And she seemed to be screaming right back at him, and she caught him looking at her, caught his eye, and fucking smirked.
He was gone. The body, the smirk. All of it.
He couldn’t take his eyes off of her. At that moment, he was playing for an audience of one, every strum, every growled word, for her.
She stayed with him through it, and when the song ended she raised her arms, cheering, then winked at him and turned to the customer who was waiting for her.
His entire body was buzzing. Adrenaline, excitement, frustration, happiness… all of it, rolled into a hot little ball thatseemed to be zinging throughout his body, making him feel like he could outrun the fastest space cruisers.
He took a breath and pulled himself together enough to start the next song, glancing back at Julia as she worked. No one had ever had this effect on him.
He was determined to see if it lasted. And if, maybe, she’d someday feel the same.
Chapter Two
By the end of her shift, Julia was nearly dead on her feet. Dreadnought playing meant a packed house, rowdy patrons, and never-ending drinks to make and serve. She dragged herself through the corridors to her quarters.
At this hour, the station was much quieter. Most people were sleeping, and the few who weren’t were generally station staff. It was weirdly comforting, being up and around when everything was calm and quiet. She’d always been a night owl, which had made life interesting when she was in the military. She’d always felt out of sync with everyone else, though she absolutely thrived during night missions.
And when she’d finally been assigned to serve in space, which was her goal, she’d felt like she was home.
When she got to her quarters, she noticed a package at her door. It was one of the sleek white metal containers used for sending interstation mail. She grimaced. She hadn’t been expecting anything, so this likely meant she’d have to contact the delivery system to report the mistake.
Tomorrow. She was tired and starving.
She picked the package up as she put in the code to her quarters, surprised to see that it was addressed to her.
Shower first. Then whatever this was.
She went into her bathroom and took a quick shower, then changed into her soft, comfortable sleep pants and top. She pulled her hair up into a messy bun, then went back out to her living area and brought the package to the table she usually ate at.
Her stomach growled. She usually had a quick bite during work, but it had been so busy tonight she’d barely had a chance to breathe, let alone eat. She pressed her fingerprint to the spot on the package that ensured only the person the package was meant for would be able to open it, and the container gave a small “beep,” indicating she could open it. When she did, shesaw more small white containers with lids. At that moment, her communicator buzzed and she looked at it.
