Cosmic Love (Stargazers Book 1) (2 page)

“Woah. You're moving a little fast,” Gina said, draining her glass.

“When I saw you, I knew I had to. I have competition.” Larch winked.

“I see. Well, I'll think about it.” Gina's head was spinning as she set her wine glass down with a thunk. Before she knew what was happening, Larch had her in his arms.

“Don't think too long,” he whispered, planting a soft kiss on her cheek.

She pulled away. “Give me some time. I have to start the job!” She laughed, trying to sound light, but she wanted the man. Right then. “I think you'd better go.”

Larch stood up. “I will, but I'm not giving up. I'll see you tomorrow.”

“See you,” Gina whispered, her mouth agape as she watched him walk to the door.

* * * *

Once the spinning sensation from the wine wore off, Gina only felt need—the need for Larch's hard body on top of hers. She had unpacked most of her things, so she took a quick shower and hopped into bed early. Her little pink vibrator was secured inside a guitar case under the bed.

You're going to come in handy at this job. All puns intended.

She grabbed her rabbit friend and eased up her short, silky nightdress. All she could see in her mind was Larch Montbrook, sexy doctor of physics with his black hair shimmering under the lights of her apartment and his ocean green eyes dancing with mirth.

Her nipples hardened at the thought of his sweet kiss on the cheek. Gina eased her hands between her legs and turned the rabbit vibrator on low. She didn't think she would need much juice tonight. She was already soaking wet. She imagined Larch's hands on her body, and her nipples tingled. She stifled a loud moan as her clit started buzzing after just a few passes of the wand.

I hope the walls aren't too thin here.

Imagining him sliding into her while the other three hot physicists watched, Gina pushed the vibrator in as deep as it would go. After a few strokes, her climax hovered within reach. She pulled back on the teasing rabbit ears for just a moment, wanting to prolong the painful pleasure of the moment of the brink.

The thought of his cock hard inside of her and the other men's hands on her breasts and between her legs pushed her over the edge, and she whimpered with the strength of the orgasm. Wave upon wave rocked her pussy, and it clenched over and over.

“Oh, this place is going to kill me,” she whispered as she slid the vibrator out. Gina wanted another round, but her exhaustion battled lust. After she cleaned up and her head hit the pillow, dreams overtook her.

* * * *

The next morning, she hemmed and hawed over what to wear under her lab coat. Ford had given her a reasonably short one with her name stenciled on it. Dr. Forester.

Gina chose her shortest decent black pencil skirt and a red v-neck blouse. It was attractive, but the ensemble didn't scream “slut.” She took extra time with her wayward brown curls and applied lip gloss and mascara. She had always been told her full lips were her best attribute, and she planned to play them up.

Yeah, while I work...on physics.

Gina rolled her eyes at herself. But what red blooded woman wouldn't be in heat in a place like this with four sexy men as her co-workers? She hadn't noticed wedding rings on any of them either and figured they were all under age 40.

“I'm in heaven.”

She took one last look at herself and left.

* * * *

“Ah, you're starting on French toast day. This is Pax's specialty.” Larch Montbrook grinned at her as she entered the outer suite to the offices. Steaming piles of toast covered the long table as did tall glasses of orange juice and a Keurig for coffee.

“Wow. Looks like I picked the right day. Who cooks all of this?”

“Ellen usually, but today, it's Pax. I think he should have been a cook.”

“Thanks, Pax.” Gina nodded at the tall, bald scientist, once again noting his glacial eyes. He, like his eyes, was a bit standoffish—maybe even cold.

“You're welcome.” He gave her a short smile.

Hmm. He wasn't going to warm up easily.

“I'll be helping you out today with getting acquainted,” Ford stated.

Gina noticed Larch's eyebrows go up, and his mouth set in a firm line.

“Great.”

They ate, making small talk. The buzz of excitement over their observations of the strange star they had found made Gina excited, too.

“I can't wait to get started!”

Larch laughed. “We can't wait for you to either.”

She heard something in his voice she couldn't describe, and one of the other men laughed softly.

Well, I'm not a piece of meat. I'm here to work.

But her panties belied her indignant thoughts. Again, they were wet with desire.

“You finished? There's no rush if you want more.” Ford asked, interrupting her thoughts.

“Yes, it was great. I can't eat another bite.” She pushed her plate away.

“Glad you liked it. Let's go see some of the special equipment. It's housed in another building, and you'll be using it from time to time.” Ford led the way, Gina admiring his visible, muscular build from behind. A white lab coat really suited him, but then, a paper bag would too with a body like his.

They walked across the dusty road. All the roads were unpaved past the guard's station. The whole perimeter of the huge facility was surrounded by barbed wire.

Gina shivered.

“What's wrong?” Ford walked beside her now.

“Nothing. It's just...so isolated.”

“You'll get used to it. Well, mostly.” He grimaced.

I wonder what he's thinking.

“I hope so.”

“It does get lonely, though.” Ford sighed as he led her to a small building with a dome. “Here's the observatory.” He brushed her hand with his when he opened the door.

A tingle raced up her arm.

They climbed a set of stairs to a tight space. He stood right behind her. “Here's where the magic happens. We have guys come in to read the printouts for this monster, but it's given us some great leads. You'll have to come over occasionally to monitor equipment.”

“Okay, great.”

“I really think we're going to work well together. It's been a while...” he trailed off, his face turning red.

“What?” Gina desperately wanted him to finish his sentence.

“Since I've been attracted to anyone so much.”

“Um, wow. You're direct.”

He shrugged. “To a fault, I'm told, but I guess a lot of scientists are. It's lonely out here, but it's more than that. My last relationship was with another physicist. Things didn't work out.” His mouth twisted.

“I see.”

“I loved her for her mind, but there wasn't a physical connection between us.” He frowned, adjusting a few knobs on a panel.

“Ah.”

Well, this is awkward, sort of. But not really.

“Anyway, I know this is fast, but would you like to grab a bite with me tonight at the cafe on base?” Ford gazed into her eyes, and she swallowed hard.

“Sure. What time?”

“I'll pick you up from your place about 6. We don't like to work past 5:30 around here. We're under a lot of pressure, but working weekends means burnout if we work too much during the week. You know how that goes, I'm sure.”

“Uh huh.” All Gina could think about was that she was going out on a date with Ford Crossett—tonight.

He showed her the printout center, and they walked back down the stairs and on to the next place.

* * * *

Gina left the lab at 4 with Ford's blessing.

He probably wants me to rest up for our hot date tonight.

He had told her not to get too overwhelmed the first day. “You have plenty of time—at least a year.” He had laughed.

She knew how it went. She had burned out before with new research projects, and she didn't want to do it this time around. That might be tricky seeing as how she was stuck in the desert, too.

But there are the dudes here.

Gina sank down onto her bed, setting her alarm for 5:15. She needed some sleep; her brain hurt from looking at graphs and data for hours. But she was happy.

Best first day ever—a date with the sexy boss.

* * * *

When her alarm trilled, she woke up, heart hammering.

What to wear?

She chose a slinky black dress with sling back pumps. It might be overdressing, but she wanted to impress. Gina slicked shiny red lipstick on and a bit of blush. She didn't want to overdo the makeup, but she knew she looked more dramatic with some, rather than with very little or none.

As she sprayed on her perfume, a knock sounded at the door.

“Here goes nothing.” She blew herself a kiss in the bathroom mirror before going to let Ford in.

He almost took her breath away when she opened the door. His long hair was pulled back.

In a man bun?

She could only hope, but she would have to wait until he turned around to see.

He wore a dark blue shirt that set off his gorgeous eyes and slacks that left no muscle to the imagination.

“Ready? You look nice.” He drew a hand from behind his back and gave her single red rose.

“Thank you.”

The man knew how to romance a girl. A single rose was a nice touch—not over the top, but it showed that he had put some thought into the evening. And around here, a single rose might not be too easy to find.

“Shall we go to the Cafe of the Stars?” Ford rolled his eyes.

“Is that really the name of the place?” Gina laughed and linked her arm with his proffered one. She lay the rose on the entry table.

“Yep. I couldn't make that up. And it's our only eatery. Luckily, they serve pretty good grub.” They walked down the hall. She stole a look at his hair again. It was a man bun. She loved that style and the way it made a guy look so confident in himself and his sexuality.

Gina hoped that Larch wouldn't come strolling out of his room. He didn't. It wasn't like he owned her, but he had been the first to make a move.

But he didn't ask me out on a date nicely—not like Ford did.

“So, I really cannot leave this place?” She sighed.

“You can—but only in an extreme emergency or with months of clearance. If you had a big event coming up, you could go to it, in other words. But you'd have to give the government your first born child.” He laughed.

“Wow, sounds like fun.”

“I'm kidding—a little bit.”

Luckily, no one saw them leave. The cool night air hit Gina's arms, and she shivered.

“You're going to have to get used to cool nights in summer around here. It's hot as hell during the day, but then things mellow out.”

“Obviously.”

They walked in silence down the dirt road. Neon lights signaled an eatery.

“Here it is—Cafe of the Stars. I can't count how many times I've eaten here now.” Ford laughed.

“Think we'll run into anyone we know?” The idea made Gina a little nervous. It was too soon to get talk started.

“Eh, maybe. You do realize that all the guys are dying to ask you out? I just made it to you first.”

“Um, sort of.” Gina snickered.

Ford stopped and held the door to the cafe open for her. “What do you mean?” He frowned, and she enjoyed seeing his jealousy.

“Larch stopped by with some wine last night.”

“Oh, hell. I should have known,” Ford growled. He led her to a cozy booth in the back. She let him face the door.

“He didn't ask me out, though—not really.” She felt a bit bad about telling Ford about Larch's visit.

“He will.” Ford's gaze darkened. “He's the playboy of the group. There's not a safe woman here—not even Ellen.”

Gina giggled at the thought of Larch and the elderly Ellen fancying each other.

“You're harsh.”

They grew quiet as a waiter came to take their order. Ford recommended the sirloin plate, and he ordered the same.

“I'm not harsh,” he said, after the waiter left.

“That's good to know.” She winked and sipped at a water the waiter had left.

“Just be careful with him. Seriously, Gina. He's a heart breaker.” Ford's expression was as serious as stone.

“I will. Anyway, I'm here with you. So, enough about him.”

He brushed her leg with his under the table, and a thrill of electricity ran up to her thigh.

“So you are. And about me? Well, not much to tell. I do physics. It's my life, and that's why I'm here.” He grinned.

“Hmm. A man of mystery.”

“Not really. I'm just passionate—about one thing...at least right now.” He winked, and warmth flooded her.

I could skip dinner and move right to desert, but that's not very ladylike of me.

“I understand. I'm the same. I left my live-in boyfriend for this. Well, I wanted him to come along, but he wasn't in to that.”