Free Cosmic Love (Stargazers Book 1) by Thalia Frost Page B

point.”
    “Good. You will, and we're happy to answer. Ford saluted her. “Report at 8 a.m. Sharp tomorrow. We eat breakfast together in the common area outside the lab and go over plans for the day then.”
    “Right. Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow—if not before then.”
    “Welcome to the team, Gina.” Ford put a reassuring hand on her upper arm, and fire sizzled through her.
     
    * * * *
    She spent the rest of the day unpacking and organizing her place. It had one bedroom, a generous kitchen area, bathroom, and office. Not too shabby. The modern art décor with generous splashes of red suited her, too.
    By the time she opened the refrigerator to scavenge for dinner, her stomach was rumbling. The makings of an omelet with toast appealed to her, so she got to work, watching the sun going down outside her window. It set the desert on fire in purple and pink.
    What a view.
    Gina had just settled in with a cup of hot tea when a knock on her door made her jump. The halls had been quiet, and she had almost forgotten about her hunky neighbors.
    Gina tried to straighten her hair and wished she had reapplied just a little makeup. At least she didn't have her pjs on yet. She had come close to changing a few minutes before.
    She went to the door slowly. “Yes, who is it?”
    “It's Larch. Larch Montbrook.”
    An image of the roguish man slid into her mind.
    Oh no. He's trouble.
    “Oh, okay.”
    This is just a normal, neighborly visit.
    She opened the door, her palms slippery.
    Larch leaned against the doorjamb, a bottle of red wine in one hand. “Mind if I come in? I'm the self-appointed welcome wagon tonight.” He winked.
    “If you have wine, then sure.” Gina opened the door wide. The hall was silent.
    I wonder if anyone else knows he was coming. Was this a planned thing—just a nice greeting?
    She hoped it was more.
    “Of course I do. You like red wine? If not, I can go grab something else.” He raised a well-shaped brow as Gina admired his solid build.
    “I love it.”
    He smiled. “Good. Me too.”
    “Oh.” Heat rose in Gina's cheeks. “Take over. I still don't know where everything is.”
    “I always do.”
    His loaded comment elicited a nervous giggle from her.
    “So, Dr. I read your CV, but what really makes you tick—other than physics, of course?” Larch found a corkscrew and began working on the bottle.
    “Oh, I don't know.” The man tongue tied her.
    Stupid answer.
    “Sure you do. What else do you like to do besides work unsolvable equations?” Larch poured the blood red fluid into two glasses. He wasn't stingy with the amounts.
    “Hike, read...the usual, I guess.”
    “You'll like it here, then. Good hiking and plenty of reading time and quiet.” Larch brought two glasses over, and they both sat down on the couch. Gina made sure to put over a foot between the two of them. She didn't want to give the wrong impression right off the bat.
    Or do I?
    “But I want to know why you're really here. It's lonely and secluded. We can't leave due to the security restrictions. Are you ready for that?” Larch's gaze narrowed.
    “I think so. I could use the time to think.”
    “I see.” He sighed. “It's not really my thing. I've been here for two months already, and I could use a party or a night at a bar. But, hey. We have wine.”
    “Yes, we do. What's your story?” Gina noticed he had finished his glass and was pouring another.
    “Bad previous job with an asshole boss. The usual in research. This looked like a way out, so I took it.” He settled in beside her, topping off her glass.
    Gina's head was already fuzzy. She didn't have much of a tolerance.
    Woah, there, girl.
    “Are you trying to get me drunk?” She giggled.
    “Maybe. Definitely.” He grinned, and moved closer to her. His leg pressed against hers, and she was conscious of her thin pantyhose. “I do need to tell you that dating your co-workers isn't off limits here. We just can't let it get in the way of our work.”
    “Woah.