*Robbie*

Robbie walked down the corridor followed closely by Wyl Leyton. No, just Wyl. Wyl who despite looking exhausted and underfed was possibly the most beautiful man Robbie had ever seen. He was average height, clearly below average weight, and had a face that looked angelic, delicate and fine-boned. His hair was thick and black and slightly wavy, and his golden brown eyes were the most expressive Robbie had ever seen.

He could read every emotion Wyl was experiencing just by looking into his amazing eyes. He saw fatigue, and hunger, and worry. He also saw humor, and more than a hint of interest. That in and of itself was enough to make Robbie more considerate than he had been in the mood for at the beginning of their meeting.

Not that he needed to have anyone take an interest in him. Hadn't he just reaffirmed that with himself last night? Still...the man was irresistible.

They got to the closest coffee shop and found a table. Robbie could feel the curious stares of bystanders, but he ignored them. He pulled up the menu on the table. "Order whatever you want."

"Music to my ears." Wyl glanced at the menu before circling his choice with a forefinger. Each table had its own antique grinder and brewer, with all the bells and whistles added to make it work on command and add any special ingredients requested.

Robbie ordered a café au lait. It was dispensed into a white ceramic cup a lot faster than Wyl's drink. The machine ground and hissed, burbled and chugged and finally revealed a small cup of what looked like the dark of space, without stars. There was a small cube of white sugar next to it. Wyl picked up the sugar, dropped it into the cup and stirred with the tiny spoon provided.

"What is that?" Robbie asked curiously.

”Seven espressos."

Robbie blinked. "In that tiny cup?"

"Seven condensed espressos." Wyl grinned again, and Robbie felt his heart give an uncomfortable lurch.

"Seven espressos. Are you going to be bouncing off the walls?"

"Nah, it takes at least ten to really get me going in the mornings." He sipped at the drink and sighed contentedly. "This is perfect. So much better than ship coffee." He glanced at Robbie's own drink. "Why adulterate the taste with milk?"

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"Because only someone with no taste buds can drink it without," Robbie replied. He didn't mean to come off as flirtatious, but the smile Wyl gave him was enough to make him change his mind. Maybe a little flirting...

"So Robbie, what were your questions?"

Oh right, questions. "How long have you been employed by Danica Jessom?"

There was that smile again. "Six months, and you already knew that."

Damn, he did. He needed to focus. "Did your predecessor leave any maintenance records for the ship?"

"Not very good ones. It's been a bit of a challenge figuring out what needed to be repaired and replaced." He caught Robbie's look. "I know, the thing looks like a piece of scrap, but it does run well. It should, I've been working on it for days."

Robbie wasn't sure why, but he felt a little guilty about that. He knew that he was the reason Wyl's boss had had him working non-stop on her ship. Still, it wasn't his fault the previous establishment had been happy with bribes and not results. "Why doesn't your employer get some more mechanics?"

"Oh, she has more. Most of them are only rated to work on mining equipment, though. A ship is a little more delicate than that."

"What are you rated for?" he asked.

"Lots of different ships, from the G-class singles to A-class colony ships." Wyl said it casually, as if that sort of expertise hadn't taken years of work and schooling. "It didn't take me long to pick up how to maintain the mining equipment."

"Why do you work for Miss Jessom when your specialty is working on ships?" Robbie asked curiously. "You'd make a lot more that way."

Wyl's mouth twisted slightly, and a bitter resentment entered his eyes. "I'm a bonder. Unfortunately I don't get much of a say in how I pay my bond back."

Oh…that changed things a bit. "How did you become a bonder?"

Wyl's expression became blank, and his eyes were distant. It disconcerted Robbie. "I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?"

"Not really...it's just...no bonder would ask another bonder that question. It's considered...impertinent."

"I apologize."

The ice in his face melted away, and Wyl smiled again. "It isn't your fault, you didn't know. Besides, I'm inclined to let you make it up to me."

For some reason Robbie felt hot around his collar. "What did you have in mind?"

"Well, we have another few hours, right?" Robbie nodded. "Dinner would be good. I'm hungry."

That was a good idea. "Sure, we can go to Melanie's. It's just one level up―"

"I was thinking of dinner at your place," Wyl interrupted.

Robbie swallowed, caught completely off-guard. Wyl was blushing, but he was meeting his eyes, and he seemed serious.

How long had it been since someone had propositioned Robbie? A long time. And how much of what he had said last night to Jane was motivated by loneliness and hurt? Probably more than he wanted to admit. Now he had a fun, handsome guy asking him to take him home. How could he say no?

He had waited too long to reply. The smile was leaving Wyl's face, and he looked down at his cup. Robbie hastened to reassure him. "I'd love to make you dinner."