“As I’ve told you before, it’s all up here.” She tapped her forehead. “Have you practiced as we discussed?”
Caleb clenched his jaw. “Apparently not enough for your liking.”
“The contacts were only intended as a temporary measure.” She patted him on the shoulder. “Keep working on it. I have faith that you’ll get there.”
She turned as if to leave then stopped, glancing over her shoulder. Her brow furrowed. “You’re so good at what you do, Caleb. What is your dream?”
To be the best male dancer on Quantum. Dancing was his lifeline, his way to connect with others. Moving to the rhythm of the music was a way to express himself, share his joy for life, convey through dance what he couldn’t verbalize. Ever since his debilitating accident, he’d practiced and trained as a dancer, attending some of the best schools on Olentra.
Caleb swallowed.
There was a price for fame. What came along with the best dancer status was the job as the male revue’s spokesman. That would never happen for him, not with his disability. Thankfully, they had Kenton. With his quick wit and easy smile, Kenton excelled at endorsing their dance troupe, along with his promoter, Alicin. If all continued as planned, Kenton would remain in the position for quite some time.
Cornelia sighed, the sound loud in the enclosed room. “Caleb, I think you can accomplish whatever you set your mind to.”
Caleb’s chest tightened, squeezing around his heart. He longed to believe her, but all he found was a deep chasm of doubt impossible to cross.
Three
Adara strode down one of the many crew’s hallways hidden from the public, her soft-soled shoes skating across the polished titanium floor. After a quick tug on the hovercraft’s handle, she proceeded toward her destination—the med clinic. With a soft whir, the small cart, carrying the tiny vials of chilled Freonis, followed her every step. Adara trusted no one but herself to deliver the precious medicine.
The corridor was a buzz of activity. Intent on their tasks, employees emerged only to disappear through doorways. A man approached, holding a tray with a tall bottle and two long-stemmed glasses. His tailored suit jacket and dark tie complemented his short hair and clean-shaven face. Lines furrowed his brow, and he took rushed, hurried steps.
She steered her cart as close to the wall as possible to allow him room to pass.
He gave her a quick nod. The scent of his freshly pressed jacket wafted by in his wake.
A flickering light caught her attention. Posted on the wall in large print, a list of jobs flashed on an electronic board. A flutter of curiosity piqued her interest, so she stopped to peruse the openings. Janitor…waiter…trapeze performer…bartender. She scanned the numerous opportunities, but the end of the list came all too soon.
Heaviness settled onto her shoulders. Highly sought after, stage promoter jobs were rare and difficult to obtain. She should’ve known there wouldn’t be any on the list. A twinge tugged at her insides, twisting and turning into a tight coil. That was for the best. She didn’t have the luxury to consider another job anyway.
With more force than necessary, she yanked on the hovercraft, eager to complete her task. Around the corner was the cold storage unit. She picked up her pace. When she was done, she’d meet up with Cali, attend one of the performances and—
“Ooof.” Adara collided into something hard and firm.
Her feet skittered on the floor, and she lost her balance.
Her hip connected with the crate’s lip, a sharp crack renting the air. Agony bloomed at the spot.
She threw out her hand to brace herself, but impact with the floor sent another stab of pain up her arm. A stifled groan burst from her.
A man knelt beside her and gripped her arm. The warmth of his skin was electric, sending tingles of energy along their connection.
“Are…y…you all r…right?” His words came out rough, stilted, yet his voice was soft and encouraging.
Her attention traveled from his rough, thick fingers to his firm forearm and over his massive bicep hidden beneath the edge of his dark shirt. She sucked in her breath and continued her upward gaze over the expanse of his broad chest and strong, thick neck. His dark, wavy hair framed his features, the soft tips coming to rest at his shoulders.
Her heart skipped a beat before picking up speed. She couldn’t breathe.
It was him.
She’d recognize his chiseled jaw, long, straight nose, and arresting blue eyes anywhere. Up close and personal, he was gorgeous beyond belief. She couldn’t speak, aware that her mouth opened and closed of its own volition. Heat raced up her chest and into her face.
He seemed to focus on something over her head. “I’m sorry, are you okay?” His gaze returned to hers, his eyes flicking back and forth as he assessed her.
The urge to tuck a lock of his hair behind his ear and feel the silky strands between her fingers crested over her. She fisted her hand, sending a bout of pain up her forearm.
“I’m fine. Just a little clumsy. I should’ve looked in the mirror before coming around the corner.” She glanced at the optical lens suspended from the ceiling to prevent this very thing. The distorted image made them appear much closer together than they really were, almost as if they were in a lover’s embrace. A pang tightened her chest.
Wrapping his fingers around her arms, he pulled her to her feet, his strength overpowering her. A shiver of delight raced down her back. Close to him, his minty breath mixed with the heady scent of his skin, masculine and strong. He released her, and the absence of his warmth made her want to cry out.
With determined focus, his gaze tracked over her body, as if assessing her injuries, but then he glanced over her shoulder. “The med clinic is right here. Doc Cornelia can take a look at you.”
His focus returned to her, and the concern in his eyes melted her on the spot. He glanced at her birthmark, but didn’t dwell on it, his attention riveting on her eyes while he waited for her response.
The old insecurity she harbored inside rose, beating on her psyche. She couldn’t stop herself from tugging several strands of hair over her forehead. “That’s okay. I’m fine.”
His gaze held hers for a long heartbeat. “Th…that’s g…good.”
Taking a step back, he broke eye contact. A tic pulsed in his jaw. “I need to leave.”
She placed her hand on his arm. “Please, don’t go. I recognize you…” he flinched, and she released her grip, “…from the crew’s lap pool. My name is Adara.” Uncertainty wound into her chest, tightening around her lungs.
He glanced at her, the blue in his eyes piercing in its intensity and filled with reticence. She wanted to reach out, take away the pain that lingered in their depths. Instead, she stepped away, giving him some room.
He turned around, and the taut muscles in his back tensed. “My name is Caleb.”
The deep timbre of his voice wound inside, stroking her like she was a long-haired Portinian cat. An urge to purr swelled in her chest. She bit the inside of her cheek. Her response was so inappropriate, but she couldn’t deny her reaction to him.
She cleared her throat. “Nice to meet you, Caleb. What do—”
Before she could finish he took off, his booted feet clomping down the hallway at a fast clip. The warmth in the air departed with him, leaving only an emptiness.
A bead of sweat rolled down the side of Caleb’s face. He swiped it away and kept walking, his heart pounding in tune with his steady pace. He refused to turn around and glance at the beautiful woman—Adara. Even so, her image was etched into his mind.
Dark hair had curled around her shoulders, the soft sheen glistening in the light. Her beautiful, light brown eyes had accentuated the soft tones of her skin. On her temple, hidden behind a few strands of hair, a red birthmark graced her forehead. The spot looked like a Chinora blossom, a good luck charm from his home planet.
Fear clamped around his heart, squeezing until he couldn’t breathe. As much as he wanted to stay and talk with h
er, he couldn’t bring himself to do so.
Her presence had unsettled him, and he’d spoken before thinking, stuttering in front of her. If he’d stayed, he wouldn’t have been able to control his voice even with his display-enabled contacts.
At last, he rounded the corner. After leaning his back against the wall, he braced his hands on his legs. Ragged, rough breaths eased from his lungs. From the moment he’d laid eyes on her, he’d remembered her. On occasion, she’d come to the crew’s pool.
Her lithe, toned body had caught his attention, but it was her kindness, like when she’d helped a small child out of the pool, that had intrigued him. Well, that and the look of determination deep in her eyes every time she dove into the water.
“A…ddd…dara.” Even with the stammer in his voice, he liked the way her name rolled off his tongue. Despite his conviction to avoid women, he’d spent extra time at the pool, especially when she was there. Drawn to her on a level that sent his heart racing, he’d been tempted on several occasions to introduce himself, but he could never talk to her. How could he? She’d reject him like the others.
Caleb curled his hand and slammed it against his palm. A shot of pain raced up his arm, but it did little to ease the frustration whittling away at his soul. He wasn’t whole and therefore wasn’t worthy of someone like her. After pushing off the wall, he continued on his way. Maybe it was better if he didn’t see her again, yet a part of him deep inside wanted nothing more.
Four
A roar burst from the raucous crowd. Cheers of “bravo” and “encore” filtered through the large theater, echoing off the ceiling. A feeling of weightlessness brought Adara to her feet, and she clapped her hands, joining with the crowd’s enthusiasm.
Next to her, a female Xterran hooted and raised her fist in the air. Her long scaly hair snapped to and fro as if it had a mind of its own. Adara ducked to avoid the pointy ends, but she laughed, happiness and joy exploding through her like a star gone nova.
The illusionist’s performance, with his mystical escapes and trickery, was one she wouldn’t soon forget.
The Xterran scooted into the aisle, joining a throng of others leaving the cabaret.
Cali gripped Adara’s shoulder. Her green eyes sparkled with appreciation, mirroring Adara’s own delight. “C’mon. Let’s go.”
Cali scurried past the old red velvet seats. Stains marred the edge of one and another had a chip on the wooden back. The well-worn appearance gave the place an air of nostalgia. A grand balcony graced the second floor, numerous chairs angling toward the large stage. Velvet drapes covered the walls, gold tassels adorning the ends. Tiny pixelated dots on a dark background decorated the ceiling. They shifted and moved in an uneven pattern forming various constellations and galaxies.
Cosmic Cabaret was an appropriate name for the venue.
“Adara! C’mon!” Cali stood at the end of the row, her hands on her hips.
“Coming…” Adara hurried past the chairs to catch up. She followed her friend into the throng exiting the theater and stood next to a Trithon.
He towered over her with his shaggy mane, a few strands covering each of his three eyes. His whiskers twitched, but he gave her a quick nod and motioned for her to proceed in front of him.
“Thank you,” Adara squeaked.
She glanced behind her and peered around the Trithon. Spotlights still graced the stage, lighting up the props from the magician’s last act. A large glass dome covered a chair laced with chains and a pair of manacles. How he’d escaped was a mystery she longed to understand.
The Trithon growled and pointed toward the exit. “Keep moving.”
Her ears burned. She’d left a gap between her and Cali. Running to catch up, she waved her hand behind her. “Sorry.”
Cali bumped her shoulder against Adara’s. “Did you enjoy the show?”
“That was fantastic. Did you see the way—” Adara held her breath.
They emerged through the doorway into a grand hall. Circular staircases aligned both sides of the room, wooden platforms at the top. A performer stood at each one.
The closest was a woman with a giant feathered fan concealing her near naked torso. Heavy makeup adorned her face, and her hair was hidden under a large feathered hat. The blue tips fluttered as she moved. “Come to the cancan show. Plenty of ladies, light on the clothes!”
The surge of the crowd pushed Adara forward.
Cali gripped her hand and leaned in. “I don’t want to lose you.”
Adara laughed. “Crowded, huh?”
Filled to capacity, the show hadn’t had an empty seat. Who coordinated all this? Someone must ensure the timing between acts went off without a hitch. There was so much to schedule—the props, the outfits, the makeup, the never-ending amount of details.
On her home world of Aluva, her aunt lit up the stage as a well-known singer. Much to Adara’s chagrin, the singing gene somehow bypassed her. Instead, she’d acquired an affection for publicity, helping backstage at every opportunity. Her stomach fluttered. I'd love to do that again someday.
They passed a man juggling balls. He tossed one high in the air and spun around. His eyes glowed, an amused smile plastered on his face. As he juggled, the objects shifted, changing shapes and sizes ranging from rings to knives to…a small kitten.
Adara gasped at the little creature in his palms. “Oh, how cute!”
Titters and short bursts of laughter erupted from the crowd.
Adara clapped her hands, cheering him on.
“Ladies, have I got something for you.” The loud feminine purr caught Adara’s attention.
A tall woman with long white hair and ruby red fingernails pointed toward a large man. Muscular beyond belief, he had striking brown eyes that matched his dark brown hair. To say he was gorgeous was an understatement.
The woman smiled as she assessed the crowd. “Want to see him dance?”
Loud claps and feminine shouts of encouragement erupted from some of the nearby onlookers. Cali drew Adara closer. “Let’s see what this is about.”
The man flexed his biceps, first his left and then his right, putting on a little show. He turned his back to the crowd and peered over his shoulder, a seductive smile tugging at his lips. With deliberate intent, he ran his hands through his brown tresses and pumped his hips. Several ladies screamed in encouragement.
Adara placed her hand over her mouth, hiding a smile. The man turned around and unfastened the first button of his shirt. His fingers trailed to the second, and he made a big production of releasing the clasp.
Women drew closer, pressing Cali and Adara forward. A sense of being boxed in flitted over Adara’s shoulders, but there was no escape, not at the moment.
With a bit of fanfare, the man undid a few more buttons and ripped his shirt away from his pecs.
The woman with the white hair stepped in front of him, blocking the view.
Groans emerged from the crowd.
“Ladies, want to see more?” She raised a practiced eyebrow, and a smile curled her lip. “Come to the Star-Studded Male Revue tomorrow evening. The show starts at seven intergalactic time in the Cosmic Cabaret.”
Cali turned to face Adara. Her eyes glistened with amusement. “Yeah, I’ll bet they’re studs. We have to go.”
Adara bit her lip. “I don't know…”
“You need this. Seeing all those hot guys might help you forget about Travus.” Cali’s penetrating stare bore into Adara.
“That jerk. Don’t even bring him up.”
I love you, imperfect as you are.
His words bubbled up from her subconscious, and it hit her, right then and there. Travus had never touched her birthmark. In fact, he’d always avoided her blemish.
The memories burned like hell, searing scars on the inside. She never wanted to feel that inadequate again. With a loud sigh, she returned her attention to her friend.
“C’mon Adara. Go with me, please.” Cali stuck out her bottom lip, her pout breaking down Adara�
��s resolve. She couldn’t stand to see her friend look like that. Even though she was being played, she gave in, affection for her friend overriding her doubts. “Oh, all right. I’ll go.”
Cali squealed and gave Adara a quick hug. “Perfect. You’ll have so much fun, I know you will.”
At last, the crowd dispersed into the hallways, scurrying to other activities throughout the large ship.
Adara stifled a yawn and rolled her shoulders. The bruise at her hip was still sore, along with muscles in her back from her run in with Caleb and the anti-gravity cart. Memories of him flitted through her mind. His strength, his gentle touch, his shyness…and his abrupt departure. Her gut tightened.
“Want to get an Astro blast ice cream frosty with me?” Cali pointed at one of the moving advertisements that graced the ship’s walls. In this one, a little girl with green skin and pink hair drew her tongue up the side of a large blue ice cream cone. The ad’s enticement would’ve normally worked on Adara for she loved the sweet confection, but all she wanted to do was retire to the crew’s quarters and get some sleep.
She shook her head. “Sorry, Cali, I’ll pass this time around, but maybe tomorrow after the show. I’m calling it a night and heading to our room.”
Cali placed her hands on Adara’s shoulder. Her features softened. “All right. I’ll see you there in a bit. I wonder how Randall fares in the casino.” She tugged on her ring, and her personal device expanded at her touch. The screen lit up, casting a strange green hue over her skin. A mischievous smile graced her lips. “I’ll hunt him down and find out.”
“Perfect. Can’t wait to hear.” Adara gave her friend a hug.
Cali pulled back and with a quick wave, disappeared between the masses.
Adara strode toward the hallway leading to the crew’s section. As she proceeded, the murmured words and laughter from the crowd diminished. Still on a high from the performance, she hummed one of the show’s tunes.
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