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His lips quirked up in one corner. “Baxian.”

Baxian.She repeated to herself silently. It was an interesting name, one that felt right even as it rolled silently across her tongue.

“May I have yours?” he asked.

“I’m Aivey.” She gave a nod of her head—the standard informal galactic greeting.

“Aivey. What a lovely name.”

The compliment rolled through her like a gust of warm air, spreading out from her center.

“So, what brings a young Earthean female to Incandescence?”

The droid zipped back, drinks in tow, somehow managing not to spill any despite its speed. Both of them reached for the glasses at the same time and their bands nearly brushed one another. Blue light flared. Aivey froze, her head twisting toward Baxian. Not only was he handsome and considerate, they were a match. His blue eyes sparkled as he stared at her rather than the droid and their drinks. A rope of tension drew tight between them, nearly pulling Aivey right off her barstool and toward her alluring savior.

The droid beeped, severing the taut connection. Aivey relaxed back onto her stool and grabbed her drink, immediately bringing it to her lips and taking a small sip. She savored the light burn as it slid across her tongue and down her throat, only to be followed by a cool and refreshing aftertaste.

“Ah, sorry, about that. Where were we?” Baxian rolled his glass back and forth between his hands before setting it on the bar in front of him.

Aivey’s lips twitched as she took him in. He almost looked as affected by the moment as her, but surely not. “I think you asked about why I came here tonight,” she replied.

“Ah, that’s right.” His confidence returned as he sat a light straighter. “Whatdidbring you to Incandescence?”

“Well.” Aivey took another sip and crossed one leg over the other, trying to appear somewhat proper. “My friends and I are on break from Starborn Academy and are due back soon for our final term, so we thought this might be the perfect getaway to let loose during our time off.”

Baxian gave her an appreciative look. “Quite a challenging academy to gain admittance to.” It had been, damn it, though she was impressed he knew that. “What are you focusing on there?”

Should she tell him the truth or make up something to sound interesting? Most would probably find her research infinitely boring, but she opted to be honest with him anyway. “I’m finishing up my studies on the Crathian mountains on Elator and the impact recent mining practices have had on their sustainability and as well as the broader planetary environment.”

He leaned back, shooting her an incredulous look. “I love the Crathian mountains. My family actually has a home along the southern range.”

“You do!” She squeaked before plopping her drink down and leaning in. This male just kept getting better and better. The planet wasn’t home to any native humanoid species, but it had become quite the vacation destination for wealthy galactic citizens—a fact that might have annoyed her had their own appreciation for the mountains not led many of them to donate substantial credits towards its preservation and study.

As they continued to talk, the bar, the music, and even other patrons around them faded into the background.

By the time her drink ran dry, Aivey had completely forgotten about where they were, her friends, and the public play happening just a few feet away on the raised platforms—and above their heads, for that matter. She and Baxian had been locked in conversation, and more than once had scooted their stools closer together to talk over the blaring music. Not that she noticed that much anymore either, the world outside of the two of them and it had stopped mattering the more they talked.

Baxian’s long fingers flexed on the bare skin of her thigh where the bottom hem of her dress ended. His fresh, crisp scent enveloped her in its embrace, clouding out the scents of sex and booze that had filled her nostrils before she met him. Their legs rubbed against one another idly as they chatted, and Aivey discovered that this male knew almost as much about the Crathian mountains as she did, and even better, was a strong advocate for their preservation.

His skin was firmer than an Earthean, his body temperature just a bit warmer. He idly stroked her leg with this thumb, and though she tried hard just to focus on his words and his slightly hooded gaze, all she could think about was that touch. Back and forth. Firm and warm.Stars.Would the rest of him be so delightful? He would, wouldn’t he?

There was a catching sensation in her chest as she stared at him. It pulsed in time with the thrumming through her veins, one that beat heavily in the juncture of her thighs. She couldn’t remember being so interested in a male this fast, and not just for his looks, but his mind as well.

Finding someone she wanted to share the evening with had felt like a long shot when she first stepped into Incandescence, but now, after meeting Baxian, not spending the evening with him felt just as impossible. She yearned for him, plain and simple. The hesitation and uncertainty she often experienced with men, particularly potential hook-ups, was entirely absent.

All at once, the gentle stroking halted. “Aivey,” he started, his features going stiff. “I wanted to ask?—”

“There you are!”

Aivey startled, nearly falling backward. A new male threw an arm around Baxian’s shoulders. The impact had his hand sliding up her thigh, but not in the way she’d longed for. He lunged forward with his other arm to steady her. Their little bubble of peace popped, and all the sound and scents of the club washed over her again.

An unfamiliar curse burst from Baxian as he snapped his head toward the male. “Phazian,” he all but growled. Having steadied Aivey, he gave her leg one last squeeze and let go. She nearly whimpered at the loss of touch. He even slid his leg back from hers, leaving her suddenly cold and all too aware of her surroundings.

But that name slipped through the haze of lust and drink as quickly as a laser blast. Phazian. His brother? And now that she got a decent look at him, the resemblance was obvious. The same blue eyes and silver hair, though Phazian’s was cut short and barely made it past his ears. They had a similar build, too, and while they dressed in equally fine clothes, Phazian’s were even more elaborate and decorative with designs of shimmering silver and another pattern that had the hint of a rainbow hue.

Phazian smacked his brother across the back again, jolting him forward on the stool. “I’ve been looking for you, and you’ve ignored my comms. Are you ready to go?”

“Go?” Aivey squeaked before she could think better of it.