Khanet

I sought adventure in space. I got more than I bargained for.

I jumped at the chance to leave Earth and my critical family in a spaceship’s rear view as soon as I could join the Denchui Alliance transfer program. On the other side of the universe, I fell for a bad guy and was clutched in his criminal fingers for five long years.

I managed to ditch him and I have the perfect plan to get on the right path. I just have to dodge the notoriously temperamental Skeall warriors while sneaking through their space to deliver perishables to a hungry star system.

I forgot that I always sucked at dodge ball.

When the sexy as sin, seven-foot tall Skeall captain strikes a bargain—safe passage in exchange for me—he can’t possibly mean what I think he means. I’m way more awkward thief than sex goddess. But it doesn’t take long for him to prove that’s exactly what he meant.

He swears I’m meant to be his and it’s getting harder and harder not to fall for him. My heart’s led me astray once. I don’t need that mess again. But for my plan to work, I have to fly through Skeall space.

I don’t have a choice. I have to jump from the frying pan into a blazing inferno. But will this bargain heal me, or leave me scorched beyond recognition?

Originally published in the Pets in Space 9 Anthology.