About Off World 2: Sanctuary
Written by Stephanie Vaughan
171 pages / 70000 words
ISBN: 978-1-60370-117-4, 1-60370-117-6
Available file types - html, lit, pdf, prc, paperback
The boys from Off World are back!
Vigilant crewmember Sandy D'abu stays behind on Doradus station to mind the crew’s new secure cargo business while the rest of the guys take the spaceship out on a run. There isn't a lot for him to do, so he spends his evenings at Durty Nelly's, keeping an eye on bartender Alex, a former pleasure slave a few of his crewmates feel responsible for.
When the man who made Alex's a pleasure slave back on Earth suddenly turns up as part-owner of the sex club, Sandy agrees to help Alex out by pretending to be his boyfriend. After all, what are a few kisses among friends? The problem is that Sandy doesn't want to pretend; he's already in love with Alex.
Alex is still skittish about being touched at all by anyone, let alone kissed by the huge ex-soldier, and if that wasn't enough, there are plenty of bad guys in both Sandy and Alex's pasts back on earth who have escaped to Doradus station too, and they all want a piece of the action..
Will Sandy and Alex be able to put the past, and the men who want to hurt them, behind them to find a future together? Find out in this passionate sequel to Off World.
Review
Kat Zheng, anthology contributor, writes:
From the very first scene at Durty Nelly's, a club that is renowned sector wide for its floor shows, Off World 2 plunges us back into the Stephanie Vaughan's universe of pleasure, passion and extraterrestrial adventure.
This time the story focuses on Alex Valentine and Sandy D'Abu. If you haven't read /Off World/, never fear: though we were introduced to Alex and Sandy in the first book, the second book does stand on its own. Alex, a bartender at /Durty Nelly's/, has several problems: for one, his former status as an "employee" of a pleasure house has taught him to fear intimacy; for another, an old lover who betrayed him has turned up as a co-owner of Nelly's. Fortunately, /Vigilant /crewmember and ex-marine Sandy is looking out for him. The two pretend to be involved in order to throw off Alex's boss and his former lover. But the ruse gets sticky very fast--both Sandy and Alex are physically attracted to each other--and quite possibly, emotionally. Further complicating things, the ghost of Alex's ugly past refuses to lie still.
This is a sequel that improves upon its predecessor with a tight, fast-paced plot, rich character development and of course, many steamy sex scenes. Both the physical and emotional tension is well done. The space opera element is much less, with a setting focused on one outpost, Doradus, but the story is stronger for it, allowing a more focused telling of Alex and Sandy's relationship. And for fans of /Off World/ one there are appearances by all the /Vigilant /boys, Sarhaan and Cal definitely included. Ms. Vaughan definitely does not disappoint in this exciting sequel!
Sample
Oh, no.
No, no, no. Hell, no.
His boss’ slightly nasal drone faded into the background as Alex’s vision narrowed and he looked into the bluest pair of eyes he’d thought he’d never see again.
Prayed devoutly.
Hoped like hell he wouldn’t.
Cried buckets over.
But the man was shoving away from the column and walking toward him, all rugged good looks and bad boy smirk. Alex had fallen for that wicked grin once upon a time, but never again, and just in time he found his voice.
“Nick. Long time, no fuck over.”
“Aw, c’mon Alex.” Silky blond hair falling boyishly over one eye, Nick Andrade’s smile only broadened. “You’re not still mad, are you?”
His boss was the last person Alex wanted witnessing this particular conversation, but there was no help for it now. Without taking his gaze from Nick, Alex could still sense Joe Sotheran settling in beside him and he knew better than to be even remotely fooled by the politely dispassionate stance.
“Mad? No, I’m not mad. Honestly, I barely remember it. But then again, that could just be from all the drugs they gave me.”
The bastard had the nerve to wince and even look a little pained. “Oh, ouch. Would you believe me if I said I was sorry? I am. I swear I didn’t know—”
A snort of disbelief erupted and Alex wouldn’t have stopped it if he could. “Please. You saved yourself. That’s all that mattered. So what brings you to Doradus?”
“Business, actually.” The grin was back and Nick’s gaze slid sideways and came to rest on Joe Sotheran. “Joe, can I talk about it yet?”
The knotted ball of nerves in Alex’s stomach grew when he turned his head and took in his boss’ answering smile. “Sure. Why not? Alex is one of the family.”
One of the family? Dear God. Had the Borgias begun adopting?
“I’m here to learn the business. I’m coming on as a partner and eventually I’ll be opening up a second location. As soon as my new partner and I decide on the best spot.” Nick stepped around the corner of the bar, drawing closer. “I didn’t know you were here, Alex, I swear. But now that I do,” Nick touched Alex’s arm, “I think it’s great. Maybe we can fix things. Redo what we messed up last time. Get to know each other again, like we never could have back on Earth”
We? Alex’s mouth gaped. “We messed up?”
Uncharacteristically oblivious, Joe clapped a hand on Alex’s shoulder. “Nothing would make me happier, Alex. You need to get out more. Maybe even think about performing again. All this self-isolation isn’t good for you.”
Alex couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t catch his breath and the walls were suddenly claustrophobically close. His boss’ hand lay hot and clammy on Alex’s shoulder and the smell of sweating bodies was overwhelming.
Alex stumbled. Hadn’t realized he was moving. He must have backed away, instinctively shying backward.
“Alex.” Ducking sideways, Alex cast a startled glance at someone behind him calling his name. It was only Sandy, thank God. “You okay, buddy?”
“Sandy.”
Three pairs of eyes were staring at him. They must think he’d lost his mind. “Crazy tweaker. Fried his brain on Pink Diamond and grain alcohol.”
Nick and Joe were openly watching him and Sandy now and Alex tried to see Sandy through their eyes: tall, broad, thick. His hair was shaved short, tribal tattoos running down the side of his face to his neck and disappearing beneath his brightly patterned shirt. No amount of clothing could disguise the layers of muscle that rippled easily under the smooth, coppery-brown skin, though. Intimidating as hell to most people, Alex had always thought Sandy was gorgeous. Too bad the feeling wasn’t mutual.
His bosses didn’t know that, though, did they? Aiming for a warm, familiar tone, Alex smiled. “Hi, baby. I’m almost done -- just wrapping up here.” Turning away, Alex ducked under his boss’ arm and headed for freedom. “Nick, great seeing you again. Joe, Teddy’s closing tonight and I’m off now. So, I’ll see you tomorrow?”
The key to a good bluff was a bold appearance and not giving the mark time to think -- or yourself, sometimes. Steeling his nerve, Alex took one of Sandy’s big hands in both of his, leaned up and brushed a brief kiss over Sandy’s beautiful mouth. “Thanks for waiting, baby. You ready?”
Meeting Sandy’s startled gaze with his own, Alex shoved down the panic still beating at his insides and willed Sandy to read his thoughts. Please, just go with it. Get us out of here. Please?
Alex could tell the moment Sandy made up his mind. A quick glance over Alex’s head to where Nick and Joe stood, then another down at Alex. “No problem, babe. I’m always ready for you.” Sandy dropped a kiss of his own on Alex’s cheek as he freed his hand to loop an arm around Alex’s shoulder. “Let’s get out of here.”