by Lily Thomas
Books By Lily Thomas
Giant Wars Series
Loving His Fire
Grounded By Love
Melted By Love
Wicked Flames of Desire
Galactic Courtship Series
Xacier’s Prize
Claiming His Champion
Captivating the Doctor
Escaping the Hunt
Abducting the Ambassador
Wicked Prisoner
Seducing the Enemy
Cuff Me Now
Challenging the Arena
Dark Desires in Space
His Fallen Star
His Human Temptation
Racing Toward Desire
Ice Age Alphas
The Sabertooth’s Promise
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
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Copyright © 2018 by Lily Thomas
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce the book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information email [email protected].
www.lilythomasromance.com
ISBN:
ISBN: (ebook)
Racing Toward
Desire
Lily Thomas
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Epilogue
Chapter 1
Nayli’s fingers moved swiftly over the console in front of her as she maneuvered her spaceship around a moon. The stark white orb stood out against the backdrop of the black of space. She glanced down at her monitor and noticed several other ships were right on her ass.
Damn.
Her heart rate sped up. She was so close!
Two moons ago, she’d gained some distance, but now those other ships were about to overtake her. She was going to have a serious talk with her mechanic when she got back to the space station. Her engines needed to be faster!
Once she finished circling the moon, she punched her thrusters into full throttle with a few quick flicks of her fingertips. She could see the space station on her viewscreen amongst a backdrop of glittering stars. She had to get there first.
A ship zoomed past her.
“Damn, Daen’su!” Immediately, Nayli recognized the design of the ship that had overtaken her. They were probably using black market equipment on their ship. Scratch that, they were. When would a Daen’su not use black market equipment?
Nayli glanced down at her monitor and saw another ship about to pass her. She wasn’t about to let another person take second place from her. If she had to play this race dirty, then that was exactly what she was going to do.
Quickly, she maneuvered her ship in front of theirs, causing them to power down their thrusters for the briefest second, or risk a crash. It gave her the advantage she needed. She flew through the finish line before the rest of the ships behind her.
Second place. Not bad but not what she’d been hoping for.
She felt a growl crawl up her throat, and she smacked a palm against the edge of her console. Damn that Daen’su for taking first place from her. There was no doubt in her mind they were using black market parts. All she had to do was prove it, and she might just get them kicked out of the race.
Powering down her thrusters, she let her momentum push her towards the shuttle bay on the space station. Through the windows placed all over the station, she watched people go about their business, their bodies just black shadows.
Within a couple of seconds, she landed inside the shuttle bay and banged a gloved hand against her console again as she shook her head. She had to watch out for those Daen’su. They never raced fair, which meant she was going to have to turn up the heat to get first place in the next race.
Rising from her seat, Nayli twisted off her helmet and placed it on her seat. Then she made her way over to her hatch and pressed a palm to a blinking green button. The door slid open, and a ramp descended, stopping when it landed against the metal deck of the shuttle bay.
Nayli leaped down the ramp, her spacesuit boots rattling the metal ramp until she landed on the metal plating of the shuttle bay. She was eager to talk to her mechanic about what modifications they could make to her ship before the next race started. She wanted to be first next time, not second. This was her life and second just wouldn’t do for her. As a female racer, she had a lot to prove to the men who dominated the racing industry. She wasn’t going to let them push her out. Not now. Not ever.
“How was the race?”
“Like you don’t know.” Nayli strode up to her brother and embraced him in a bear hug before playfully punching him on the arm.
“Second place isn’t too bad, Nay Nay.” He reached up and rubbed his arm.
She frowned. “You know I hate that stupid nickname you gave me.”
“Oh please, you love my nickname for you, Nay Nay.” His grin spread across his ridiculously chiseled face.
“It’s not even shorter than my name! Aren’t nicknames supposed to be shorter versions of someone’s name?” Nayli threw a hand onto her waist and dared him to disagree.
“It’s cute, just like you. Our little Nay Nay.” He scrunched up his face as he reached out a hand and ruffled her hair.
She shoved his hand away. “Just because you’re older doesn’t mean I can’t kick your ass.”
“Like to see you try.” He beamed with playfulness.
“As much as I want to, we have bigger problems. Like the fact that you’re my mechanic, but you aren’t doing anything useful. I want to win the next race, Liam.” Nayli cast a glare across the shuttle bay at the Daen’su’s ship. “Second place just won’t do.”
“Okay, okay.” Liam held up his hands in surrender as his chocolate brown eyes took on a more serious note. “What do you want?”
“I want to be able to corner better.” Nayli turned to take a look at her ship’s wings. The triangular wings stuck out like a couple of knives, ready to slice through the competition. “I also wouldn’t mind some more power so that I can get away easier in the straightaways. The Daen’su overtook me during a straightaway. If we can fix that problem, I think everything else will fall into place perfectly.”
She glanced over to find her brother running a hand through his brunette hair as he took in what she was saying. She’d always been envious of that full head of his. While he had hair to spare, her hair was thin… so she’d died it purple. But not any purple, it was almost to the point of neon, and she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Give me some time to think and research what we can do, and then I’ll bring my ideas back to you.”
“Sounds good.” She nodded her head firmly.
“And hey, don’t feel bad about second place. You’re still raking in the money.” Liam rubbed his fingers together.
“It’s not all about the money.” Because it wasn’t. Not for her at least. “I want the recognition as the best female pilot.” More like she needed it, and she wasn’t going to retire until she had it, assuming she ever wanted to retire. She loved the thrill of the race… and being the best.
“You’re on track for snatching that title,” Liam reassured her.
Nayli knew he was right, but she couldn’t help but push herself. The title was just there within reach, and she was going to be damned if she’d let anyone else take it from her. She’d worked al
l her life to be the best pilot, male or female. First, she wanted the title of best female pilot, and then she wanted to take the best pilot title.
This had been her dream since she was a child, despite her mother’s best intentions to get her to do something else, like marrying well or getting an office job if she insisted on working. Her family was made of money, and her mother had never understood her interest in ships or working.
Thankfully, her father and brother had been behind her one hundred percent of the way. Her brother helped by being her trusty mechanic, and her father funded it all. She’d so far been successful, and her father had been paid back in full.
“Oh hey!” Liam called out. “We almost forgot about the party that’s being held by the Daen’su for this race series.”
Nayli glanced down at her pilot’s suit. The suit was skin tight, dark blue with black trimming. She thought it went well with her dyed purple hair. “I don’t have enough time to change. You think this will be fine?” She motioned to the suit.
“That will be fine. They’re hosting a party for pilots. They probably expect you guys to wear your suits.”
“You plan on escorting me, right?” Nayli tossed him a smile. She wasn’t too sure she wanted to go by herself.
“Of course!” Liam stepped forward and offered her an arm. “I can research modifications later.”
“Thanks.” She threaded her arm through his. “I might gripe and complain about not getting first, but I’m still very thankful for everything you’ve done.”
He winked at her. “I’m not just doing it because I love you but because you’re paying my bills.”
Nayli laughed as she playfully smacked his arm with her free hand. “It’s a valid reason!”
They walked out of the shuttle bay and through the many corridors which were crowded with people. Not everyone on the Daen’su station was here for the space race. There were plenty of people just going about their daily lives as the Daen’su sold their black-market items to the highest bidders. She could find anything here on the station, and if she couldn’t find it, the Daen’su would find it for her.
It was a reason to hate them and love them all at the same time, which was why they usually got away with what they did.
They entered a large room filled to the brim with aliens, humans, and tables of food and drink. Her eyes immediately sought out all the other pilots she knew. She was one of the few female pilots here. This race was for the best of the best, and she was proud to say she was one of the few women here who had a good chance of taking a trophy home.
“Please remember to play nice with the other kids.” Her brother pleaded with her.
Nayli scoffed. “I can’t help it if others take fault with what I say.”
Liam sighed. “Just make sure you don’t start a riot.”
“Hey!” She turned and glared up at him since he stood a full head higher than her. “That was only once, and that woman just didn’t like the fact that I was better than her.”
Her brother shrugged. “All I know is I won’t be coming to your rescue if you pick a fight with someone stronger than a human woman, like a Vrak’rir or a Kellian.” He raised his hands, “You’ll be on your own if you piss off one of those.”
Nayli removed her arm from his and punched him on the arm. “Yeah right. Dad would have your head if you didn’t at least try to help me.”
Liam cringed. “I’m still more afraid of a Vrak’rir than our father.”
“Don’t worry. I have no intentions of starting any fights. I’m just here to meet my opponents and find their weaknesses, so I can take advantage of it.” And hopefully slink away when no one was looking. She had better things to do other than socialize with a bunch of people she didn’t care about.
“I’ll leave you to it then because I see a woman I need to go speak with.” Liam left her, and she watched as he sauntered over to another woman who she knew was a fellow mechanic. They’d have a lot to talk about, and she couldn’t help the smile that grew across her face. Her brother was a handsome man, and she wondered when he would finally meet his match in a woman.
Turning her attention back to the crowd that surrounded her, she surveyed them all. She felt slightly out of place among all the people here. It wasn’t like she ever tried to get to know other pilots. They were just people she wanted to squash without mercy. She didn’t want to be their friends.
But she forced herself to sidle up beside a group. If she wanted to defeat these people, she had to get to know them.
“You were pretty good out there.” A Daen’su pilot addressed her the moment she stepped up to the group.
Nayli sent him her most charming smile. “But you still slid past me.” She was amazed she was able to say it without growling or cussing him out.
“That we did, but it was definitely close.” His silver eyes studied her, a small hint of glee in those shining depths.
She forced a smile onto her lips, but inside she felt a bit of a rage burning in her chest. She felt as though she should have received first place. She knew the Daen’su were using black market items on their ship. She just had to prove it, and they would be knocked out of the race, placing her back in first place.
“It definitely was, but don’t think it will be so easy next time,” Nayli warned him.
The Daen’su smiled. “We’ll always be ready.”
Her eyes narrowed on him, but he turned to speak with another Daen’su standing next to him. She frowned. She’d prove they were cheating. It was just a matter of time.
As the group around her continued to discuss the day’s race, her eyes skimmed over the crowd again. Then her eyes landed on a Krocosian across the room. She hadn’t seen too many before but oh boy was he handsome!
Massive grey horns swept around his head framing his chiseled jawline. He stood at least a head taller than anyone else in the room, and he was wearing a pilot uniform. Just her kind of man. Horned, tall, and suited up.
Nayli bit her bottom lip as she contemplated walking over there and introducing herself. Although it could be for nothing since Krocosians had mates. It was a long shot to hope that she might be his mate. She figured the chances had to be slim to none.
She focused back in on the conversation her group was having.
“Black holes are the more dangerous phenomena during the races.” One Daen’su argued.
“I’d much rather face a black hole compared to a wormhole. You never know where it leads and what’s on the other side. Or how far it will take you.” The other Daen’su argued back.
Nayli felt her eyes drift back over to the Krocosian across the room, and she bit her bottom lip again. Her brain was screaming at her to walk over there and start a conversation. Maybe she’d get lucky, and he’d sleep with her despite the fact that she wasn’t his mate.
Then again did she want to get involved with another pilot? It could cause some problems when they were both trying to win the same race.
She tried to keep her eyes off him. She had more important things to focus on, like a trophy and the knowledge that she was the best pilot to ever fly. There was no room in her life for some unnecessary hanky-panky.
“Excuse me,” Nayli said absently as she disengaged herself from the group who barely noticed and began to move around the crowded room.
Her eyes continued to skim over the competition.
“So, what’s the verdict?”
Nayli spun around to find Liam standing right next to her.
“No one here concerns me overly much, but we’ll want to keep our eyes on the Daen’su. I never expect them to fight fairly, and after talking to them, I think we might need to do something about them. I’m sure they’re using black market equipment.”
“When do they ever fight fairly? Or fly fair for that matter.” Liam agreed as he surveyed the room with her. His brown eyes zeroing in on something across the room. “Wouldn’t have expected a Krocosian to be participating in a space race.”
“Why?” Nay
li glanced over to where the Krocosian was still standing with a large group of people.
Liam shrugged. “They seem more like a species that would do better in a hand to hand fight rather than piloting, but I guess anyone can do anything they put their mind to.” He wrapped an arm around her and hugged her into his side. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to go resume talking with this woman over here.”
“Haven’t learned her name yet?” Nayli cocked an eyebrow.
“Why would I need to know her name?” Liam’s smile broadened. “I’m just looking for a little fun, nothing serious.” He winked at her.
“Be careful, or you’ll get something serious.”
“Bite your tongue, Nay Nay.”
She stuck out her tongue as he walked away. She loved him dearly, but she was serious. He couldn’t keep flying around space spreading his love without it coming back to bite him in the ass.
He’d learn his lesson someday. She just hoped it didn’t require a pregnant woman knocking on his door to knock some sense into his hard skull.
Slowly, Nayli made her way around the room her heart thundering inside her chest as she neared the Krocosian. He was so attractive, and she felt like a moth who was powerless to turn away from the flame.
Nayli pulled up behind some people who were already speaking with the Krocosian. Then she realized they were journalists, here to write about the space race being held by the Daen’su.
She felt a bit of bitterness creep into her heart. Who was this Krocosian that interested the journalists so much?
“How do you feel about your competition?” A woman stepped up a pad at the ready to record him as she batted her long black eyelashes at the Krocosian.
Nayli snorted. The woman was clearly flirting with the Krocosian pilot. She was probably hoping he’d invite her back to his room for an inside scoop. Hiding in the crowd, she listened in, interested to hear what the Krocosian had to say.
“Last year, I placed first in the upcoming race, and I’m not worried about winning the trophy the Daen’su are offering.” He smiled smugly. “Overall, I’ve done well this year.”
