Vegas felt glued to the floor. Shock made her limbs shake as she clutched the candy and wine to her chest. The nerve of that egotistical Galaxar. To think a bottle of sparkling wine, even though it was her favorite, and a giant sized box of candy would make her want to go on a date with him.

And how on earth did he even know where she lived?

She stared at the box of candy. It called her name, tempting her to rip off the packaging and sample the goods inside. It was a shame to waste top-quality candy treats.

But there was no way Solan would win her over with a few gifts. Shaking herself from her surprise, Vegas stomped to the couch and sat down.

When she’d initially seen him, Vegas had felt an odd thrill of pleasure. He’d looked so awkward standing there in the corridor, maybe even a little uncertain. Then he’d ruined it by opening his mouth.

The box of candy was suddenly open and her mouth full of sweet, rich cherry flavored chocolate. She tipped her head back and closed her eyes. Maybe she’d made a mistake being so hard on Solan. She could see he was trying to figure his way around the weird ways of human dating.

It was something Vegas had tried to do herself for years, without success. Her last relationship had ended the day she’d taken the contract with My Single Alien. James had been an okay enough person, until he’d dumped her for an old flame. She didn’t miss their pathetic attempts at hot sex, or his inability to find his wallet when they went out for the night. Their relationship had been average at best, most of the time it was lousy.

That was all Vegas wanted, someone who made her pulse speed and her heart flutter when she saw him across a crowded room.

She felt tremors of those sensations every time she saw Solan. But those feelings were ridiculous. Solan had been carefully matched by their top matchmaker, Nell Saunders. Nell was like a human bloodhound when it came to matching people. She had a knack for choosing successful pair bonds. And Solan’s match was a decent one. Vegas had checked the file. He’d been paired with an intelligent, fertile woman. She was educated, with a decent background. She was better than a lot of the women who came through the space station. Why was he fighting this and insisting they date and breed?

Vegas ate another chocolate and opened the screw-topped bottle of wine. Maybe she should give Solan a chance. She drank the wine straight from the bottle, the bubbles shooting up her nose and making her sneeze.

She had been so surprised, she hadn’t explained herself well. Colonel Solan was a client and had paid handsomely to use their services. Vegas realized she’d let her emotions get the better of her.

With a third chocolate in her mouth, she hopped up and ran to the door. She would stop Solan. He wouldn’t have gone far. She needed to talk this out with him and make him see sense. Although it would be breaking the rules, she’d show him his match’s profile before his induction was complete. Once he saw her, he’d realize what an asset he was gaining. That would make him happy. That would stop him questioning the process and crush his interest in her.

The door slid open. Solan still stood there, surprise clear on his features when he saw her again.

“Oh!” Vegas took a step back. “I thought you’d have gone.”

“I have.” Solan looked along the corridor. “I mean, I was about to. I am—”

“Appalled by my rudeness? You have every right to be.” Vegas stepped to the side and gestured into her quarters. “You’d better come in.”

Solan blinked twice before stepping into the room without saying a word.

“Would you like some wine?” Vegas grabbed two glasses from the kitchen before Solan answered.

Solan nodded as she returned. “I see you are enjoying the gifts.”

“The candy is my favorite,” Vegas said as she sat on the couch. “I didn’t even realize I’d taken the lid off until I had a chocolate in my mouth. It’s an addiction of mine. I should say thank you. It’s been a long time since anyone’s given me candy.”

“Don’t expect it every day.” Solan hovered by the couch. “Candy is not a nutritious food source.”

“I don’t need to be told that.” She raised her eyebrows. “And I don’t expect any more gifts from you.”

Solan accepted the glass she held out to him. He took a small sip and coughed. “It’s fizzy.”

“It’s nice,” Vegas said. “It’s very easy to drink.”

Solan placed his glass on the table. “You have a pleasing room.”

She glanced around the white living area. It looked similar to everyone else’s living quarters. She’d added a few personal touches; there were photographs of family members on the cabinet, but other than that it was a sterile space. Vegas had always thought, when she had more time, she’d make it more personal, make it more like home. Somehow that never happened. This was a place to sleep and gain some downtime. It wasn’t a home.

“How are you finding your quarters?”

“Comfortable.”

“Take a seat.” Vegas patted the space beside her. He was making her nervous lurking next to the couch, scrutinizing her belongings. Solan joined her and shuffled around until he seemed happy. His enormous bulk made the room feel small. She made a conscious effort not to admire his muscles. “Would you like a chocolate?”

Solan shook his head. “It is not something I enjoy.”

“More for me.” She grinned and chose another chocolate.

He nodded. “I have been following the guidance on the info pods supplied.”

Vegas’s gaze went to the wine and candy. “Let me guess, you saw the one about gift giving? It leads to a flurry of business at the store. Aho is always thrilled when he gets clients asking for gifts for new mates.”

“He was most helpful when I visited,” Solan said. “He did say the candy is addictive. Don’t eat it all.”

“I have a high tolerance.” Vegas licked chocolate from her fingers. “Aho has a knack when it comes to supplying the perfect gift. But really, you wasted your money on me. You have a great match who will be thrilled with gifts like this.”

“I have plenty of money.” Solan grasped his huge hands together. “I believe we can be a great match.”

A tingle of warmth filled Vegas. When he wasn’t being an absolute jerk, Solan had a softer side. But this was business. It had to be kept professional. She reached over to the table and activated her tablet. “I could lose my job if I do this, but take a look at your match’s profile. She’s a high-quality match. She will make you very happy. Her fertility is also guaranteed. You will have your first child within the year.”

“A squib would make me happy,” Solan said. “It is my greatest desire. I have wanted a squib of my own for many years.”

Surprised by the gentleness in his voice, Vegas edged nearer. “This is your first time trying for a child?”

“I tried several times with fertile Galaxar females before they became the exclusive property of our generals. There are still a few who can conceive. I had one success, but she was unable to carry the squib to term. We lost him.”

Vegas heard the quiet pain in his words. “I’m sorry to hear that. Longing for something and having it taken from you must be hard.”

Solan looked away. “There has not been a successful birth for months on my home planet. There is concern among our race that there will be no more purebred Galaxars.”

Vegas awkwardly patted his knee. “I know it’s not the same thing, having to breed with one of us primitive humans to get a child, but I promise you, the results are always positive. Your infant will be strong and healthy. Galaxar genes always dominate.”

Solan glanced at her. “I regret my comments about you being primitive. It was... not tactful. Every race appreciates what you do for them. I will be forever grateful when I have a squib of my own to look after and raise to be a fine warrior.”

“Providing your mate approves of that career path.”

“Yes, well, there will be a lot of things we will need to agree upon. Would you accept your child if he became a warrior?”

“Providing it made him or her happy, I would. But that’s not a question you need to ask me.” Vegas opened her tablet and pulled up his match’s file. “Your partner is called Melissa Daniels. Take a look.” She ignored the pang of jealousy in her gut. This was the right thing to do for both of them.

Solan hesitated but then accepted the tablet. He spent several moments reading through the files.

“What do you think?” Vegas had eaten three more chocolates while Solan focused on the tablet. She felt queasy. She took a sip of wine.

“Miss Daniels has an agreeable profile.” He handed her back the tablet.

“We will complete your induction tomorrow. You can meet her in the evening. You will like her.”

“She is not you,” Solan said. “I have made my decision. You are to be my mate.”

“Which is not possible.” Vegas placed the tablet down. “Besides, what’s to say I’m even available?”

“You have a mate?” Solan pulled himself up to his full height. “You have not mentioned him before.”

“What if I do? Would that change your mind about pursuing me?”

“Is it Boros?”

Vegas choked on the wine she’d just drunk. “Would you back off if it was? A brigadier outranks a colonel. If he has laid claim to me, there’d be nothing you could do.”

Solan scowled at her. “I could fight him. When you kill a Galaxar in a death match, all his possessions become yours. You would be mine then.”

“I am no one’s possession.” Vegas shook her head. She really shouldn’t tease Solan. “But you won’t, because you have a good mate choice. We know what we’re doing at My Single Alien. Melissa is the woman for you.”

Solan shook his head as he stood. “We are to mate. You have had your romance.” Anger simmered off him.

Placing her glass down carefully, Vegas also stood. Solan dwarfed her. She refused to be intimidated by his size. “A box of candy and some wine is not going to change my mind.”

“Perhaps this will.” Solan wrapped an arm around Vegas’s waist and pulled her in. His mouth crushed against hers before she had a chance to protest.

Stars above! His kiss, combined with the wine and chocolate, made her head spin. She forgot all her training and her protestations as his tongue found hers.

Vegas could pretend this was another training session. Solan clearly enjoyed the practical side of learning. This was all it was. She didn’t feel the roil of her stomach or the heat in her core as they continued to kiss. She wasn’t his. She wasn’t available. A match had been found for Solan. Tomorrow, he would be somebody else’s.

Using every ounce of her willpower, Vegas pulled herself away from his hard embrace. “Enough! You need to leave.”

“But you desire me.” Solan tried to pull her back toward him.

She batted his hands away. “This is a mistake.”

“I smell your desire.”

That was just gross. “I don’t care what you can smell. You need to get out of here. I will assign you another tutor tomorrow. I will also arrange for you to meet Miss Daniels.”

“I want to breed with you.”

“Unless you want to be strong-armed out of here by a station cyborg, you will leave immediately.”

“You would have me ejected?”

“Unless you go willingly.” Vegas took a deep breath, trying to grab any vestige of dignity and professionalism. “I understand this is an exciting experience. I also recognize there are many differences between us that can cause confusion. I have not helped with that, and I’m sorry for it.”

“I was not confused when I was kissing you.”

“But I was,” Vegas said. “I should not have done that. Now, thank you for the gifts. It was a good learning experience for us both.” She pointed at the door. “It’s time for you to go. This is over.”

Solan opened his mouth and then snapped it shut. “There is no logic to your actions.” He stamped to the door and walked out.

Vegas blew out a long, slow breath. He was right. She was behaving like an idiot. She’d been mixing fantasy with reality. Getting involved with Solan, or anyone was stupid. She was fine just as she is. She needed to keep it together for the sake of the space station and her own sanity.

Vegas wanted to find love, but finding it with Solan was not an option.