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remained somber. “I’m hot.”
    That has to be the understatement of the year. The sponsor patches raced a shiny path along her arms and legs, but his focus lodged at the exquisite triangle formed by her thighs and pelvis. He cleared his throat and wrenched his gaze to her face. “Let’s go. We’re wasting time.” No matter how tempting, he had to resist. Getting tangled in her problems was definitely not on the agenda.
    He’d gotten used to drifting about the galaxy alone.
    “You’re the one who’s daydreaming.” She vaulted into the open-air all-terrain vehicle and stared pointedly at the driver’s seat. “Coming?”
    “I thought you’d jump at the chance to be in command.” He slid behind the wheel, pushed the ignition button and backed the contraption out of the hold.
    “Usually, I would, but you had such a tantrum regarding the ship, I didn’t want to harsh your mellow.” She pressed a few buttons on her datapad. “Looks like our first marker is somewhere near the Arms of Aga, which I assume is a hotel.”
    “It is, and it’s unique. You’ll not see another structure like it in this galaxy.” He jammed his right foot on the accelerator, and the quad rover lurched forward, the huge grooved tires crunching on the terrain. “Hang on. It won’t be a smooth ride.”
    As soon as they left the moonport, dappled sunlight streamed over them. Aga’s surface was comprised of lava rocks from long-dormant volcanoes and hardened clay mud which turned the whole mess a sickly greenish-black color. Because the moon’s atmosphere couldn’t sustain life, the government of Isolinee, the planet that Aga rotated around, built a protective shield around the moon and piped in the appropriate environment to support humanoid existence. As long as the shield remained in place, life on Aga would be safe.
    Willa gripped a metal bar built into the dash. “You’re driving too fast.”
    “Kinda have to if you want that first-place spot.” The quad rover hit a bank of rocks and went airborne for a few seconds. “Besides, you had your chance to drive. You turned it down. I’m in charge. Learn to live with it.”
    “It would serve you right if you fell on your face one of these days. Arrogance isn’t sexy.”
    “Depends on who you ask. I’ve never had anyone complain.” When she snorted her disbelief, he narrowed his eyes. “I’d caution you to watch your back. You’re too stubborn and annoying.” He spared a few seconds to glance at her face, taken aback by the pensive expression. “What, you think I’m too hard on you?”
    “No. I just really want to win.” She twisted in her seat until she fully faced him, her datapad wedged between her thighs. “And I’m not sure we’ll get the job done if you insist on talking. Are you a man or a lady taking tea?”
    “You just berated me for going too fast. Which is it, woman?”
    “Figure it out, if you can. I refuse to help you.”
    The smug challenge pissed him off. Who the hell did she think she was? She wasn’t the only person in this galaxy who could operate vehicles. “Oh, I’ll show you exactly how much of a man I am.” His boot connected solidly with the floorboards. The quad rover flew over the choppy terrain, sending them diving over slight hills and some of the bigger rocks. “Hope you don’t have a weak stomach.”
    “If I did, I’d have already thrown up on your feet.”
    The insult burned, but he forced a small grin. The woman had a mouth on her. Few females of his acquaintance could back up the swagger with action. He had a feeling Willa wouldn’t be one of those. She had enough sass in both word and deed that she’d give any man the chase of his life.
    Strike that. She’d probably be the one doing the pursuing.
    The thought sent a jolt a hundred times stronger than lightning straight to his groin. What kind of man did she prefer—a guy like him, or was it Chaf that got her hot and bothered?
    “Hey, Ace, stay with me.” Willa waved a