A one night stand makes her the most important woman to a world, and to its Avatar...

Lili Ann Baker has been enjoying her time as a cargo captain. She spends huge swathes of time alone getting world building materials to where they are needed and the appreciative recipients give her the feedback that she needs. When she delivers the final harvest containment to Geko 7, the party that erupts is wild and she is invited by the grateful population to enjoy the fruits of their first harvest.

Admittedly, Lili Ann has more wine than she can account for and the next morning she wakes up in bed with a man who does not meet the specs of the colonists. She assumes he is a pilot, like her, and sneaks away in the early dawn hours.

Her ascent is denied by a hungover ground control and she has to wait on the tarmac until the local government can sort things out. Imagine her surprise when her bedmate is leaning on the side of her vehicle, the mind of the Geko 7 swirling in his eyes. 

Yavoy has been waiting for decades to find a woman of his own and despite her rather relaxed language, Lili Ann has something that completes him, an enthusiasm for life.

Excerpt:

“Wait here, miss. We are a little late, so you will get to take your place as soon as the Avatar finishes speaking.” The guard peeped through the curtain and when applause rang out, he quickly escorted her to her seat at a table between Councillor Hon and one of five other species’ representatives.

The Jerican were the predominant species, but about five percent were representatives from other species.

A husky whisper from the other non-Jerican next to her made her smile.

“What are you in for?”

She chuckled softly and turned her head to face one of the most striking men she had ever come across. Midnight skin and ivory hair made an amazing contrast. His burning red eyes held traces of his emotions and he was definitely amused.

“Hello. I am here to deliver the last of the equipment. What are you in for?” she kept her voice to a whisper as well.

“Infrastructure.”

She grinned at his eye roll. She extended her hand to him. “Lili Ann Baker, transport specialist.”

“Yavoy. Infrastructure specialist.” He took her hand and pressed a quick kiss to the back of it.

“Do you know what this evening will entail, Yavoy?”

“Food, celebration and quite a bit of drinking. Are you up for it?” He quirked one white brow at her and she took it as a challenge.

“I am if you are.” She looked out at the friendly, pale blue faces and sat out the myriad speeches that preceded the meal.

It was not the first time that she had been invited to a meal after a long delivery, but usually, she did not have such charming company. Suddenly, she felt a lot more positive about her chances of knocking out the cobwebs this evening.