Two Heroes and a Willing Heiress

Chapter 1

Leah

I paused at the entrance to the grand ballroom, smoothing the shimmering fabric of my ballgown with a practiced hand, then giving the long, lavender skirt a little shake to make sure it wasn't wrinkling.

The Chokreini Space Station's beautiful ballroom was decked out for the gala, and I felt a rush of excitement as I looked at the bustling crowd all decked out in their finery.

I'd been told that the Every Child Foundation Annual Charity Date Auction was one of the biggest events of the year, but I hadn't quite believed it until I stepped into this ballroom and saw who was in attendance.

There were millionaires and billionaires of every species in the known universe milling about.

It was a playground for the wealthy wrapped in the noble veneer of philanthropy, and it was perfect.

After five years working my ass off on my college double major, I was finally free. I had met all of the conditions laid out in the trust fund my grandmother had left me, and there wasn't much my overprotective mother could say about what I chose to do with my time.

It had taken me six month to get everything I needed together for my intergalactic adventure.

After so many years hanging out with an entourage of bodyguards, I’d been trained to approach a trip like this with planning and proper training.

Gus, my favorite bodyguard — an older ex-military gentleman who’d taught me martial arts — had been obnoxiously insistent about the skills and assets I needed to have before I could fire him.

And finally, tonight, I was ready to let loose. It was time to have fun. And if that fun came with broad shoulders and bedroom eyes? Even better.

And maybe, just maybe, I'd figure out what the hell I was meant to do for the rest of my life.

"You're blocking traffic, princess." My best friend Malia's warm voice came from behind me, carrying a familiar teasing tone. Unlike me, Malia had big goals and was working towards a job in diplomacy, like her parents, who were ambassadors. We’d met in our Interstellar Languages classes — one of my two majors — where we learned the basics of several languages, as well as the latest in translation tech.

I turned towards my best friend and beamed. She was resplendent in a beautiful yellow gown that set off her dark brown skin tone perfectly. "You look fantastic. I wish I could pull off yellow."

"Oh come on, you’d look great in yellow. You just don't want to give up your mermaid hair dye." She tugged on one of my pink curls, laughing. Then she hooked her arm through mine and led me out into the room.

"So, what do you think?"

“Rich people are nuts. We’re bidding on alien men?” She lowered her voice. “Isn’t that prostitution?”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Malia, no! This is just a date, no expectations of more. You’ll have a lavish dinner and get a chance to get to know someone from another planet!”

Malia widened her eyes, the gold in her makeup sparkling. “I think I’ll sit back and watch. This might be a bit above my pay grade.”

“What? You deserve a date. It’s my treat, really. No big deal.”

“I knew your parents were rich, but I thought they were more like mine,” Malia said as we pressed forward into the crowd.

"Ambassadors? I told you my moms work in Hollywood."

"No, I just thought you were... normal rich," she said, laughing. "Upper middle class or whatever. Why were you living in the dorms when we met? You just ran out and bought yourself a fucking starship, you could have bought a whole building to live in.”

"My trust fund wasn’t available for anything other than tuition payments and necessities until I was 23 and a college graduate," I said absently. “That's part of the reason I took an extra year to finish my second major. When do you get yours?”

She burst out laughing. “Trust fund? I wish.” She hooked her arm through mine, the golden flecks in her brown eyes catching the light as she surveyed the room. "So, who are you going to pick? Or are you going to scoop up the entire catalog of dates?"

"Each bidder can only pick one date. So pick wisely.”

“How do we even go about bidding?”

I laughed and patted her arm. “Don’t worry. I’ve never been to this particular sort of auction before, but I practically grew up at charity galas. I’ll show you how it’s done.”

We made our way through the crowd, and I smiled as I spun around, taking it all in.

The ballroom itself was a masterpiece—exactly what I'd expect from the Chokreini with their reputation for precision and beauty.

Crystal chandeliers hung from impossibly high ceilings, their facets fracturing light into prismatic patterns across the gleaming marble floor.

How they'd transported real marble to a space station was beyond me, but that was old money for you—making the impossible look effortless.

We wove through clusters of elegantly dressed guests, a mixture of Chokreini aristocracy with their shimmering silver-purple skin and Earth's elite in designer formal wear, and other various species.

The Chokreini Space Station had become the premier neutral ground for interspecies diplomatic functions and charity events, its position at the crossroads of three major trade routes making it the perfect showcase for the Chokreini's famous technology and design.

I snagged two flutes of something that sparkled like liquid amethyst from a passing server. "Cheers to freedom from responsibilities," I said, handing one to Malia.

She accepted the drink with a slight smile. "Some of us have a lot more responsibilities coming. I’m headed back to grad school after this trip.”

"Details." I waved a dismissive hand. "Tonight, we're ignoring responsibilities."

The wine tasted like summer berries with a tart undercurrent that tingled down my throat.

"So," I said, nodding toward a line of numbered individuals standing near a small stage at the far end of the ballroom. "See anyone worth emptying my trust fund for?"

Malia rolled her eyes. "Isn’t this about raising money for the children?"

"Multitask, darling. Save the children, score a hot alien." I wiggled my eyebrows suggestively. "Those Zangrel twins look like they could bench-press a shuttle."

"You're impossible." She laughed despite herself. "What happened to my nerdy college roommate?"

I shrugged, watching as a tall Araced with vibrant red scales adjusted his bow tie.

His tail swished behind him with a fluid grace that made something flutter in my stomach.

"She graduated. Double major, remember? Now she has a trust fund burning a hole in her pocket and a brand-new shuttle pilot's license. "

"The shuttle was enough, Leah. You don't need to add an alien boyfriend to your post-graduation shopping spree."

"Not a boyfriend," I corrected, finishing my wine. "Just a date. And perhaps, if both of us have fun, some really hot sex." I nodded toward a tall Tholkon male whose blue skin rippled with muscles.

Malia followed my gaze and let out a low whistle. "Okay, I'll admit—that's tempting. I hear they have two... you know." We both burst into giggles as he turned to face us right when we were looking at the bulge between his legs.

"See? Loosen up a little." I bumped her hip with mine. "The galaxy's full of interesting... experiences waiting to happen."

A Chokreini server approached us, his iridescent skin catching the light. "Hors d'oeuvres, madam?" The tray held delicate morsels of what looked like seafood wrapped in translucent pastry.

"Thank you." I took one, watching as it shimmered on my fingertips before popping it into my mouth. The flavor exploded—salty, sweet, with a hint of a spice I couldn’t identify.

"So, what's first on your bucket list besides 'date an alien'?" Malia asked as we settled into our seats.

I traced the rim of my glass, watching the liquid catch the light. "Seriously, I just want... something different. I've had enough of bodyguards and playing it safe. My moms can’t shelter me anymore. I want to experience the universe."

Malia's expression softened. "Just be careful, okay? Not everyone sees Annaleah Sheffield, art nerd and language geek. Some just see dollar signs."

I knew that better than anyone, but I hadn’t ever shared what had happened to me with my friend — not because she would have reacted badly, but because I didn’t want her to think of me as the rich girl who was kidnapped.

"That's why I have you," I said, squeezing her hand.

"I know you'll spot the assholes from a mile away. "

The lights dimmed, and a hush fell over the crowd as the event coordinator stepped onto the small stage. I felt a flutter of anticipation in my stomach, like champagne bubbles rising.

I spotted Jesse weaving through the crowd like a man on a mission, clipboard clutched to his chest like a shield.

The sight of his familiar undercut and perfectly tailored suit was a welcome anchor in the sea of alien dignitaries.

We'd bonded during a cultural exchange program on Chokra, and he'd graduated two years before me and landed a cushy nonprofit job right away.

Now he was herding a group of impossibly tall, broad-shouldered aliens like they were wayward kittens.

"Jesse!" I called, threading my way through the crowd, Malia following close behind.

He turned, his professional smile melting into something warmer when he recognized me. "Leah Sheffield! When they told me you were on the guest list, I thought they were messing with me." He leaned in for a quick hug, careful not to crush his clipboard between us.

"Well, I graduated, and I’m ready to blow obscene amounts of money on a good cause."

“Obscene amounts of money. My favorite!” he cheered, grinning. “It is a good cause. We’re doing a lot of work to stop interplanetary trafficking. My boss, Marigold, is here somewhere if you—”

“I trust that you do good work, Jesse,” I said, then gestured to Malia. "You remember my roommate?"

"Of course. Malia Lewiston, daughter of Senator Lewiston and Dr. Lewiston, interstellar relations expert." Jesse's smile was genuine as he extended a hand. "Anyway, I have a few more things to do. Want to tag along? I'm just finishing up with the last batch of volunteers."

"Absolutely," I said before Malia could object. "Give us the inside scoop."

He led us toward the group, his stride purposeful.

"We've got a fantastic lineup this year. Representatives from twelve different species, all donating their time for a single date with the highest bidder. A new group arrived last minute, so I’m just checking them in.

He gestured towards a group of Tholkons, Araced, and Zangrels milling by the door.

They were big and bulky, solid muscle, and dressed like they were ready for combat.

I watched as Jesse checked them in, wondering if they were in costume to make things more exciting.

There was something different about this group, though — they looked positively dangerous. But maybe that was part of the thrill.