An overhead speaker started to warble announcements about inbound flights. Distractedly, Ava glanced up at the clock on the wall opposite the platform. Fifteen November, 2196. Thirteen years ago, her mom had died of a mysterious disease striking the town of Sutton. Ten days ago, her dad had passed away too. And here she was, all alone, waiting to be picked up by a man whom her father had trusted enough to make him her guardian.

She narrowed her eyes when a tall, black-haired man dressed in plain, black clothes appeared at the end of the platform. He looked around searchingly and then locked eyes with her. A dull sense of disappointment grew in her stomach when the man started toward her and she realized Uncle Nicolas hadn't even bothered to show up himself. He'd sent one of his servants. Her disappointment turned into excitement when he drew closer, though - the guy coming toward her was drop-dead gorgeous. Ava swallowed when she took in his broad shoulders, slim hips and chiseled features. This could prove to be very interesting. Suddenly, living on the moon didn't seem so bad after all.

"Hello," the guy addressed her, stopping right in front of her. "Ava Windsor?"

Ava got up from her bench to shake his hand. "That's me," she confirmed. "I take it Nicolas Carter sent you?"

He cracked a smile, his green eyes framed by dark lashes looking at her in surprise. "Not exactly," he replied. "I am Nicolas Carter."

No way.

Ava stared up at him, pretty sure her mouth was hanging open in complete astonishment. Whenever she'd thought of her father's half-brother, she'd imagined some middle-aged man sporting a black beard and a bit of a belly - definitely not the tall, muscular, handsome guy with wavy, dark-brown hair and emerald-green eyes standing in front of her. The last time she'd seen Uncle Nicolas, she'd been five, and the guy had seemed ancient, but pretty much everybody had seemed ancient at that age.

"You - you're Uncle Nicolas?" she stuttered.

"Just call me Nicolas," he said. "Or Nic."

"Okay. Nic." She gulped down the lump in her throat. "I had no idea you were so - young." And sexy, she added in her mind.