The first thing he noticed was the change in temperature. The instant warmth of the tropical sun on his skin and the breeze coming off of the water were in sharp contrast to the climate controlled environment of the ship he’d been transported off of just a moment ago. Sun, sand, and surf filled his senses, as did the sounds of the various groups spread out across the beach.
Lifting a hand to shield his eyes as they adjusted to the bright glare of sunshine against the sand, Kaedyn Veyr scanned the crowd. His twin brother, Kaelyn, should be easy to spot, though he quickly discovered there were other Llanarians amongst the different crews. They were instantly recognizable by their height and build.
A familiar face caught his attention, even though the owner of said familiar face was currently sprawled out on an oversized lounger, basking in the sun like a bloody lizard. Raas Terras, the Reverent’s Chief Security Officer. Heading in that direction, Kaed noted several things at once about his new fellow crewmembers. One young officer had his nose buried in a book. Another, a blond man in glasses, sat on a lounger glaring at everyone in general, it seemed. Grumpy fellow. Who could be grumpy in a place like this? A couple, who very well might not even be a couple, he realized, were heading towards the water. Well, more like the woman was heading for the water, dragging the big guy with her. It was an impressive accomplishment, given her petite size.
Stopping by an empty lounge chair, Kaed paused in the act of dropping his belongings on the seat as he noticed something most unexpected. On the far side of the Reverent group, set off separate from everyone else, sat a tiny dot of a woman, wrapped up in several towels. Though he could barely see her with the way she’d practically swaddled herself, he couldn’t miss the way she seemed to be glaring at… the sun?
Curious, despite her glare, Kaedyn changed his mind and decided to stroll over to investigate.
The sun was absolutely trying to fry her to a crisp, no matter what Alec had said. Iona slid a glance sideways at the two empty sunloungers next to her. The ones Buck and Alec had recently vacated. Then her gaze slid upwards at the parasol and she tilted her head.
They wouldn’t mind… would they? It wasn’t like they were using it, now was it?
Mind made up, she shucked off her towels and darted across the gap between her and the other parasol. Even though the sun didn’t actually burn her, she still flinched.
It was weird, even she knew it was weird.
She’d never been on the planet her mother’s species had evolved on, but even so, she still had the instinctive response to the sun. The need to hide from it was absolute, almost crippling.
Grabbing the pole of the parasol, she dragged it over the sand, shoving the lounger out of the way with her foot.
“Here, let me help with that,” Kaedyn offered, immediately dropping his belongings to reach for the umbrella.
She blinked, caught standing on one foot, and looked over her shoulder. Instantly, she wanted the sand to open up and swallow her whole. The most gorgeous man she’d ever seen was behind her.
And she was standing on one damn foot.
“Err, yeah, sure.” She backed up a step, smoothing her hair down. “Thank you.”
“It’s my pleasure,” he murmured with a smile, reaching over her head to grasp the pole. “Where would you like it?” She was easily the tiniest, most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. All pale skin and fiery red hair.
She pointed over to her parasol and loungers. “Just over here so it makes more shade?”
Kaedyn gave her a dazzling smile. “More shade coming right up.”
Not only did he set up her borrowed parasol, but he proceeded to snag three more from unoccupied loungers. Ignoring the curious stares from some of the crew, he went to work, setting and repositioning the big umbrellas until they formed what could only be described as an impromptu cabana. Stepping back, he eyed the three-sided structure critically before turning to her for final approval.
“Will this work for you?” he asked, holding her gaze steadily.
