PinkPanda

Gifted pianist Valentine Windham, youngest son of the duke of Moreland, has little interest in his father's obsession to see his sons married, and instead pours passion into his music. But when Val loses his music, he flees to the country, alone and tormented by what has been robbed from him. Grieving Ellen Markham has hidden herself away, looking for safety in solitude. Her curious new neighbor offers a kindred lonely soul whose desperation is matched only by his desire, but Ellen's devastating secret could be the one thing that destroys them both.

I can live with being stuck on the far end of space. I can live with having to spend weeks on an abandoned station in an asteroid belt. Sure, I don't belong, but I've got my book and my eight-legged attack cat with me. I should be fine. I'm not fine. My alien host, Jerrok, is a jerk. He's surly and unpleasant. He hasn't bathed in years. He's part cyborg - and all those parts seem to be falling to pieces.