Elsa Hansen worked hard to get where she is today—the head of Martian horticulture at the Valles Marineris habitat dome. When the dome breach alarm sounded, how was she to know she'd be stuck in a safe shelter for twelve hours with handsome hydro-engineer Grayson Maaka?
Elsa wonders whatever could they do to pass the time. Grayson, however, takes the opportunity to entice shy Elsa to talk about their nerdy childhood experiences. Before the day is over, they are in each other arms and having some of the best sex of their lives—until they're interrupted by a colleague sent to look for them.
Embarrassed and angry at herself for not putting her career first, Elsa ignores Grayson for a month until she receives a text from him saying he'll be leaving Mars after the New Year's Eve send-off celebration.
Can Elsa let Grayson go back to Earth thinking their day together meant nothing to her? Can Grayson convince Elsa that he knows what it's like to be a lonely nerd far from home? Can their mutual attraction make this A Very Merry Martian Christmas for the both of them?