Starlight Dreams

By Christa Tomlinson

Two Lovers Destined for Greatness

 

In the year 2774, Shane Thomas has earned the opportunity of a lifetime – the chance to explore space as an astronaut for the Beals Corporation. If selected, he'll make the incredible journey along with his best friend Jalen Martin… the man he's secretly loved for years.

While training to fly beyond the galaxy, Shane and Jalen undergo an unexpected transformation. The change reveals long-hidden desires, and brings the two men together for a night of passion hotter than the brightest star. Now Shane must learn to accept his new role so that he can achieve his dreams… and claim his mate.

Starlight Dreams is an m/m non-mpreg omegaverse romance. It is a prequel to Starlight Desire, the omegaverse space opera romance from Christa Tomlinson.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christa Tomlinson
• Release date: Oct 8, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386024705

Christa Tomlinson

Christa Tomlinson is an exciting up and coming author in erotic romance. Her first self-published novel, The Sergeant, was an Amazon Best Seller for Gay and Lesbian Erotica for seven weeks straight. Christa graduated from The University of Missouri-St. Louis with a degree in history. She loves to create stories that are emotional and lovely with sex that is integral to the characters' romantic arc. Her books include straight couples, curvy couples, gay, and multicultural couples. Love is love and everyone should have their story told. Christa lives in Houston, Texas with her two dogs, and is a retired roller derby player. email: [e-mail] Twitter:  @shockz314 Facebook: Christa Tomlinson Goodreads: Christa Tomlinson

Book preview

Starlight Dreams

By

Christa Tomlinson

Torlina Press

Starlight Dreams

Copyright © June 2018 Christa Tomlinson

All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the original purchaser of this book only. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned or distributed in any printed or electronic form without the prior permission of the copyright owner, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

This book is a work of fiction. References might be made to existing events or locations, but all names, characters and events are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, businesses, events, or locales is coincidental. All trademarked names are the property of their respective owners and no ownership claims are intended by the author.

Warning

This book contains sexually explicit scenes and graphic language that may be offensive to some readers. It is intended for adults as defined by the laws in your country. Please take care to store this story away from under-age readers.

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Excerpt from Starlight Desire

Author Info & Other Titles

Chapter 1

SHANE THOMAS SAT ON a private bus with about fifty other high-level military personnel and talented civilians, riding to a special, new campus for the Beals Corporation. Tiredness from the five-hour flight from Honolulu to Portland tried to pull his shoulders down into a slump, but the excitement buzzing just under his skin kept him alert. Everyone on this bus, as well as the people on the other four buses in their caravan, had been selected to participate in an amazing opportunity. The military had granted all participants leave for the duration, while Beals Corporation had generously paid three-month salaries for all recruits. With that kind of money at play, Shane knew this was a serious undertaking - not just an experiment.

He looked out the window as the bus slowed and turned off the main highway. The long, curving drive to the campus was lined with trees, so many he couldn’t see beyond them to the building yet. Mount Hood stood far off in the distance but still dominated the horizon. He caught glimpses of sunshine sparkling on glass over the tree tops. Finally, they were close enough for him to see the entire campus. The lane widened and the trees parted, revealing a tall, gold glassed building with wings on each side. A smaller tower rose behind it, connected to the main building by a glass walled skybridge. The bus stopped in a huge circular driveway with a fountain in the center, behind another bus that had pulled up moments before them.

We have arrived, the driver said in the tone of a showman unveiling a majestic wonder.

The dramatics weren’t unfounded, Shane thought as he looked over the beautiful campus. Huge beds of red roses fronted the main building on either side of the doors. The center fountain also had a raised bed of roses surrounding it. Castoff drops from the water’s spray sparkled on the deep-red petals of the flowers. There was an impressive statue in the middle of the gentle arcs of water – a stylized space ship crafted from bronze, with the Beals name and logo emblazoned on the side, blasting into the sky. Mount Hood served as the perfect backdrop, towering above the forest of pine trees behind the campus, its peak still white with snow. And the setting sun cast its rays over the entire scene, turning the gold glass building into a blazing beacon in the center of it all.

With the bus stopped, recruits were on their feet and slowly moving down the aisle. Shane sat in the middle, so he waited until most of the people in front of him had exited before standing to leave himself. He stepped out onto the red bricked drive, taking a moment to let it settle what he was there to do. This was it, his chance to achieve a lifelong dream. He planned to do everything in his power to make sure he was successful. Shane went to retrieve his duffel bag from the bus’s luggage compartment. He’d just slung the straps over his shoulder when a third bus drove up and parked with a hiss of brakes. One of the first people to step out brought an immediate smile to Shane’s face.

Jalen! he called out.

The young airman turned at the sound of his name, smiling when he saw Shane. He waved, then signaled he was going to get his bag. Shane waited, happy to see his friend. Jalen’s arrival wasn’t a surprise since they’d applied to the program together, discussed the process several times over the past year and a half, and celebrated when they’d both been selected. But seeing him immediately upon his arrival felt like a good sign.

Once Jalen had his bag in hand, he crossed the courtyard to Shane. He looked good in his Air Force uniform. Although he’d filled out from the lanky teenager who’d first worn it, Jalen was still slim, and he hadn’t gained much in height either. But Shane knew from their days playing football in military school that his small build hid explosive power and speed. His face was the same as Shane saw on their rare video chats, smooth light-brown skin, military-short black hair, full lips that easily parted in a charming grin, defined jaw and high cheekbones that had made him a legit poster boy for Air Force recruitment, and dark eyes that sparkled with life and happiness.

For a wistful second, Shane wished all of that happiness was for him, rather than the adventure they were about to embark on. But he’d settle for the fact that at least some of Jalen’s happiness was for him. They met next to the fountain, greeting each other with a warm handshake that turned into a quick one-armed hug.

It’s been too long, Lieutenant Commander Thomas, Jalen said as they parted.

Shane grinned at the use of his newly achieved rank. I don’t make it over to the mainland nearly as much as I’d like. How’s your family?

My parents are doing well. They made it back from a cruise of the Mediterranean just in time to say goodbye. And the twins are finishing up their last year of residency at Dallas Mercy Hospital. What’s Big Shane up to?

The childhood nickname for his dad brought a fond laugh. When they were kids, Shane Thomas, Sr. had seemed like the biggest man alive. Now, at six-foot-two and a muscular two-hundred-twenty-two pounds, Shane matched his father in height and weight, but the nickname had stuck. He’s doing well. Churning out the best cadets in the country. And his azaleas win prizes every spring.

That’s great to hear.

With the catch up on family news out of the way, both men turned and looked at the huge, golden building in front of them.

Are you ready for this? Shane asked his friend.

Jalen adjusted the strap of his duffle bag, hitching it higher on his shoulder. Ready for a chance to go into space? You know I am.

I see things haven’t changed much, Shane teased.

One goal, Thomas. That’s all I’ve ever had. And you were right there with me, dreaming of the same thing: becoming an astronaut.

You’re right and my goal hasn’t changed either. Come on, let’s go.

They crossed the drive, queuing up with the rest of the arrivals to enter through one of the three double doors opened to welcome the crowd. Just inside, employees in khaki slacks and dark gray turtlenecks with glowing-red name tags pinned over their left breast moved around the large lobby, guiding the recruits.

Any check-in point is fine, please join the shortest queue.

Shane and Jalen stayed together and went toward the table in the center. The set up was in keeping with the grandeur they’d already seen. Rather than using a plain folding table stacked with cardboard boxes and file folders as the military tended to do in situations like this, Beals Corp had gone all out and created mini-office spaces.

Each station had a desk with a burnished gold metallic base and cream marble top. A state-of-the-art computer sat atop it, and knotted pine shelving units stacked with plastic wrapped bundles stood behind it. At their selected station, the attendant was also dressed in one of the dark gray turtlenecks, and he sat in a coffee colored leather chair. Straight black hair brushed his collar and the name tag pinned to his shirt read Luke. When they reached the head of the line, Shane stepped up first.

Good evening, and welcome to the Beals Corporation Space Exploration Program. Your name, please?

United States Navy Lieutenant Commander, Shane Thomas.

The attendant rapidly tapped through his touch screen computer. When he finished, a plastic ID badge with Shane’s picture, name, and Beals Corporation Space Exploration Program Recruit slid out from a small black machine. Luke attached a clip to it and held the badge out to Shane.

Okay, sir. Here is your Beals identification. All of your information is keyed onto it. You can use this badge for all entry points where you have clearance, and it’s also the key to your room. Just hold it over the red sensor to gain entry. He spun around in his chair to grab a shrink-wrapped package from one of the shelves. Another quick spin had him facing Shane again. Here are your uniforms, according to the sizes you submitted. If your measurements have changed and something doesn’t fit, please let us know and we’ll provide you with new uniforms.

Shane accepted the package, impressed with Beals’s efficiency.

And last, your data pad.

Luke handed Shane a sleek, gold electronic tablet. It was slightly bigger than his hand, and nearly as slim as a credit card.

This is to be on your person at all times. It has your schedule for the first week already entered. Any new information will be uploaded to it daily, so please check it first thing in the morning. Your personal identification number opens your room and unlocks your data pad. Please memorize it and don’t share it with anyone. You’ll be given a guest code for your room if you request it.

Shane’s eyebrows rose at that. Was that tacit approval for fraternization? he wondered to himself.

Please place your luggage on the cart, Luke said, indicating the half-full mobile luggage cart to his right.

Shane followed the instruction, then watched as Luke scanned a tag then clipped it to the straps of his duffle bag.

Thank you. Your belongings will be taken to your room. Finished with Shane’s check-in, Luke folded his hands together on the marble desk top.

I’m impressed we’ve got private rooms, Shane said.

Beals Corporation only provides the best. This was stated in a slightly admonishing tone, with Luke’s nose slightly tilting up in the air.

Shane and Jalen exchanged a quick glance before Shane stepped to the side to allow Jalen to go through the check-in process as well. A few minutes later he finished, and they followed the crowd into an auditorium. A pleasant voice coming from hidden loudspeakers floated over the milling crowd.

Welcome to Beals Corporation. Please be seated. The presentation will begin shortly.

By now it wasn’t a surprise to see how nice the auditorium was. It wasn’t as opulent as a fine arts theater. But it was sleek, immaculately clean, and boasted cushioned seats wide enough to be comfortable for someone of Shane’s size. Spotlights shone down on a currently empty glossy black stage.

Shane led the way to seats halfway down the aisle. He and Jalen sat down next to each other, quietly discussing what they’d seen so far while the auditorium filled up. About five minutes after they sat down, the lights dimmed and a giant screen descended from the ceiling above the stage. A presentation began, with a deep voice rolling out from speakers all over the room.

Beals Corporation. Unparalleled leader in developing technology to make our planet a better place. Number one in exploring the majestic black and bright stars of space.

Pictures flashed on the screen of all the Beals Corp innovations from the last three hundred years, set to a soundtrack of fast-paced, triumphant music. Prosthetics that connected to the patient’s neural pathways, allowing the manufactured limb to function just like a biological one. Planes that flew at speeds that shortened the duration of a cross country flight by half, without being so overpriced that only the very rich could afford it.

A dramatic shot of Beals Explorer Eight, a space ship that had traveled farther than any before it, rising into the air, a cloud of afterburn leaving a trail of fire against the dawn sky. The astronauts aboard were lauded as heroes when they returned, although some had fallen ill due to