by Olivia Black
Grant glanced out the wall of windows, and a slow smile spread across his lips as he scanned the area. It was filled with high-tech vehicles that Grant had never seen before. Each one looked as if it were plugged in, tied by a single cord to a dock. The vehicles were white with gray underbellies. The vehicles had a single seat and wings that spread out wide like a manta ray.
“Let’s get started,” the instructor said to the group.
Grant took the first available seat, and Ael sat in the chair beside him. The instructor started the class, going over safety and information on aqua craft riding. Pictures appeared on a large screen behind him, detailing the vehicle’s parts and how to ride it properly. Grant leaned forward, staring at the monitor, as he soaked it all in, each and every word the trainer said.
At the end of the presentation, Grant didn’t think it would be too hard to figure out how to ride an aqua craft.
The instructor picked up a helmet. “I have head coverings for each of the humans to wear. It’s safer than the face masks while riding the aqua bikes.” The trainer glanced around the room. “Are there any questions?” When nobody spoke up, the male continued. “Let’s go out to the track.”
Grant rose to his feet and followed Ael. The male took a helmet from the instructor and turned toward Grant. The male put it on Grant, covering his head. The soft suctioning material wrapped around the base of Grant’s neck like a ring. He took a deep breath. The helmet felt different than the mask. It was heavier than he expected, but not uncomfortable.
“Are you ready to ride?” he asked.
“Yeah, I’m ready.”
If he were completely honest, Grant was feeling a bit anxious, but he never shied away from new experiences.
“I want you to take your time on the bike until you feel comfortable riding,” Ael told him. “Don’t push yourself.”
“Okay.”
Ael sighed. He paused for a moment before adding, “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Grant smiled. “I’ll be careful. I promise.”
Ael grasped Grant’s hand and led him toward one of the cylinders along the glass wall. He opened the door, and they stepped inside. Once the door was closed, Ael pushed the button, and the cylinder flooded, filling with water. Ael faced him. Grant’s stared up into the male’s eyes as the dense liquid rose up over his head. The door opened, and Ael gently tugged Grant out of the cylinder. The male pulled Grant through the water, toward the rows of aqua craft bikes.
“Climb on the vehicle and familiarize yourself with the controls,” Ael said. “If you have any questions or concerns, let me know.”
“Okay.”
Grant inspected the vehicle, running his eyes over the sleek lines of the aqua craft. He was a little surprised that the bike was hovering off the ground. He grabbed the handlebar and swung his right leg over the seat. Grant sat down and planted his feet firmly on the ground. He sat there for a minute, looking at the controls before starting it up. Grant gripped the handlebars. He pulled the clutch lever and brake lever, testing them in his hands.
His left hand worked the clutch as his right hand pulled back on the throttle. Grant’s right foot changed gears, and his left foot hovered over the brakes, just in case.
“How are you doing?” Ael asked.
Grant glanced toward the male. “I’m good.”
“Are you ready to ride?”
He nodded. “I’m ready.”
Grant pulled his aqua craft up to the starting line of the track. As Grant sat there, his heart started beating frantically. He tensed up, his muscles tightening as he waited for the race to begin. Taking a deep breath, Grant slowly blew it out, trying to relax. He looked around, sizing up the competition, as he playfully revved the engine. There were six Sweshian males and three humans.
When his eyes landed on Ael, Grant grinned, and the male winked at him. His muscles relaxed, and his breathing slowed. Just one look from Ael and Grant felt calm.
A horn sounded, signaling the start of the race.
Grant pulled back on the throttle. His eyes widened as the aqua craft accelerated, moving through the water. It was a smooth progression as he changed gears. Riding the aqua craft sent a series of feelings rushing through Grant’s body, exhilaration mixed with a small dose of fear. It was a pleasurable experience, but he was still worried that he might make a mistake. The sensation and thrill of speed were unexpected.
On Earth, they used horses and wagons for transportation. They didn’t have high-tech vehicles, not like Sweshan.
As he drove through the water, Grant noticed the temperature changed as the dense fluid rushed over his body. He felt alive. Free. Riding the aqua craft was an amazing experience. Grant threw his head back and laughed.
He yelled, “Yahoo!”
Grant kept Ael in his sights. The male stayed a few feet ahead of him. Ael glanced over his shoulder every once in a while, assessing Grant’s progress. Wanting to impress the male, Grant pulled back on the throttle, and the aqua craft went faster. He flew through the water, passing Ael. Grant leaned to the side as he took the next corner.
Another rider drifted into Grant’s lane, and he quickly hit the brakes. Grant jerked the handlebars to the left, going into another lane, as he tried to avoid an accident. In doing so, his aqua craft bike tipped over, and Grant fell off the aqua craft. He instantly started to swim, trying to get back to his vehicle.
He didn’t notice the other rider until it was too late. Grant heard Ael shout his name before he felt the impact.
* * * *
“Grant!” Ael shouted. “Watch out!”
But his warning was too late. Ael watched in horror as the aqua craft Grant was riding toppled over. The human’s body flew off the piece of machinery, and another bike collided with him, hitting Grant in the chest. There was a loud cracking sound. It reverberated through the water, making Ael cringe. He pushed himself off his bike and swam through the water, making his way toward Grant.
“Grant!” he yelled.
Fear, unlike anything Ael had ever felt, shot through his body. He moved faster, desperately trying to get to Grant. The human was floating with his head tipped back and his arms hanging limply at his sides. Ael pressed his fingers against Grant’s neck, searching for a pulse. When he felt a weak beat, Ael was able to breathe.
Grant was still unconscious, but he was alive. Ael held Grant as he swam back to his bike. Ael climbed on the vehicle, gently cradling Grant’s body against his chest as he drove back to the medical building. His only thought was for the human’s safety and well-being.
As soon as Ael stepped inside the medical building, the staff rushed over. Doctor Talr took Grant’s unconscious body from Ael’s arms and put him on a hover stretcher. Ael didn’t want to leave Grant’s side, but he stepped back, giving the medics space to work. The medics started moving, rushing through the medical building. Ael followed. He didn’t want to let Gant leave his sight.
When they reached a med-room, the medics removed Grant’s helmet and ran a scanner over the human’s body. Ael watched as various medical instruments moved over Grant’s chest, fixing the human’s injuries.
“Ael,” Doctor Talr said.
He took his eyes off Grant and glanced toward the doctor.
“I need you to go to the sitting room down the hall. I’ll give you an update as soon as I can.”
Ael took a step back and then another. Turning on his heel, Ael forced himself to put one foot in front of the other as he made his way down the hallway. When he reached the sitting room, Ael dropped down into one of the chairs. He took several deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling, as he tried to relax.
But he couldn’t calm down. He couldn’t get the image of Grant’s unconscious body floating in the water out of his head. What if Sweshian technology couldn’t cure Grant? What if he lost Grant? Ael started to panic. He couldn’t sit down any longer. Rising to his feet, Ael paced the length of the room.
When Talr walked into the waiting room, Ael stopped in his tracks and
turned toward the male. “How is he?”
“Grant suffered a blunt chest injury. He has three fractured ribs and a punctured lung. His bones are knitting back together. I don’t want you to worry. He’s going to be fine. But he’ll need to stay here until he’s healed.”
“When can I see him?”
Being close to Grant was Ael’s only concern. He wanted to hold the human’s hand while he healed from his injuries.
“I’m keeping him sedated while he heals,” Talr told him. “You can stay with him overnight if you’d like.”
Ael nodded. “Yeah, I want to stay with him.”
“I’ll take you to his room.”
Ael followed Talr down the hallway.
When they reached Grant’s hospital room, Ael stepped over the threshold. He strolled over to the med-bed and stared down at Grant. The human looked so vulnerable. Seeing him in this condition broke Ael’s heart. He grabbed a nearby chair and pushed it close to the bed. Ael sat down.
Ael leaned forward and took Grant’s left hand in his. He ran his right hand through Grant’s hair, combing the soft strands away from the human’s forehead. Even though Grant was sedated, Ael was hoping that the man might be able to feel his touch and find some comfort in his presence.
Chapter Thirteen
Grant fought through the aftereffects of the medication. His head felt fuzzy, his mind a muddled mess. Grant was tired. He wanted to go back to sleep but forced his eyes open. Blinking repeatedly, Grant looked around and quickly realized that he was back inside the medical building. He wasn’t surprised. He’d been in an aqua craft accident. The vehicle had hit him square in the chest, but he wasn’t sure what kind of injuries that he sustained.
Lifting his hand, Grant ran his palm down his chest, feeling around for any injuries. His brows pinched together in confusion when his hand met unblemished skin. How was that even possible? He was in the hospital. Shouldn’t he be injured? Grant lifted his head off the pillow. There weren’t any marks or bandages. Nothing.
He glanced to the side and saw Ael sleeping in the chair beside the bed. “Hey,” Grant whispered. He cleared his throat and said the male’s name a bit louder, trying to wake him. “Ael.”
The male opened his eyes. He jerked upright and looked at Grant. Ael smiled, his lips curling upward. “Grant.” He rose to his feet. “You’re awake.”
Grant nodded. “Yeah.”
Ael leaned down and placed a soft kiss on Grant’s lips. It felt so good that Grant moaned. He closed his eyes, focusing on the feel of Ael’s cool lips pressed against his. When Ael pulled back, Grant opened his eyes and stared into the male’s brilliant yellow globes.
“I was worried about you,” he said softly.
“I’m sorry.”
Ael shook his head. “You don’t need to apologize.”
Grant sighed. “I shouldn’t have gone into the other lane.”
“It was an accident.”
He remembered the accident. The details were clear inside his mind. Grant hit the brakes when the other bike drifted into his lane. To avoid an accident, he made a sharp turn, going into the other lane. Grant didn’t expect the accident, but it could’ve been avoided.
“How are you feeling? Are you in any pain?”
Grant shook his head. “I feel fine.”
“When you were hit by the aqua craft, you suffered a blunt chest injury. Doctor Talr said that you fractured three ribs and punctured a lung. He kept you sedated while you healed.”
Fractured ribs. Punctured lung.
Grant couldn’t believe it. He wasn’t in any pain. With those types of injuries, Grant was sure it would take several weeks to heal. A frightening thought suddenly occurred to him. Grant reached out and took Ael’s hand, holding on to the male like a lifeline. He was worried that his time with Ael was over and he’d spent their last days sedated in medical.
Fear twisted Grant’s heart, and he asked, “How long have I been here?”
“It’s only been a day,” Ael answered.
“A day,” he murmured.
His shoulders dropped, and he glanced away. Grant was relieved that his time with Ael wasn’t over, but he was disappointed that he’d lost a whole day with the male.
“Grant,” Ael said softly. He looked up at the male, making eye contact. “Everything is okay.”
Grant sighed. He wanted to object. He wanted to tell Ael that everything wasn’t okay. They had only two more days together. Time was running out. But he didn’t say that.
“When can we go home?” Grant asked the male.
Ael’s features changed as he smiled. “As soon as Talr clears you, I’ll take you home.”
“Will you find Doctor Talr and tell him that I’m ready to go?” Grant didn’t want to stay in medical any longer than necessary. He didn’t want to waste another minute.
Ael nodded. “I’ll tell him.” The male leaned down and kissed the tip of Grant’s nose, then his eyes, and finally, Ael placed a kiss on Grant’s lips.
Grant grinned. “Thank you.”
Ael winked. He turned on his heel and strode from the room, and Grant watched him go. He stared at the empty threshold, long after Ael disappeared from sight. Grant’s brows creased. Something was different about Ael. The male seemed more attentive. He was affectionate. Ael had kissed him.
Was this it? Were they finally connecting? Joy bubbled within him, making Grant blissfully happy, and his heart filled with hope. Grant practically vibrated with excitement.
Grant sat up. He threw the blanket back and kicked his legs over the side of the bed. Grant wiggled his toes and stretched out his back. Sliding off the edge of the bed, Grant’s feet hit the cold floor. A chill ran through his body, and Grant shivered.
He spotted his clothes hanging in the wall unit and strolled across the room. Grant stripped off the medical gown and put his clothes on. By the time Ael returned to the room with Doctor Talr, Grant was ready to go.
“It looks like your potential mate is ready to go home, Ael,” the doctor said, his gaze moving over Grant.
Grant nodded. “Clear me to leave, Doctor. I’m ready.”
The male smiled at Grant. He held up a computerized notepad and, with the pad of his finger, scribbled something down.
“Okay, Ael, you can take him home.”
“Thanks, Talr,” Ael responded.
He strolled over to Grant’s side. Ael wrapped his right arm around Grant’s shoulders and pulled him in to his side.
“Let’s go.” Ael guided Grant out of the room.
Before they stepped over the threshold, Talr said, “And that question you asked me earlier.” Ael stopped in his tracks. He glanced over his shoulder to look at the doctor. “I think you should go for it.”
Ael chuckled lightly, shaking his head. He didn’t respond to Talr as he led Grant out of the room.
They walked through the medical building and took the elevator down to the ground floor. Grant stepped onto the conveyor transport device. He leaned his head against the male’s chest as the floor beneath his feet moved at a brisk pace, toward Ael’s building. When they reached Ael’s home, the male pressed his hand against the wall, and the door slid open.
Ael escorted Grant through the living room and into his bedroom. Ael dropped his arm and strode into the bathroom. Grant glanced around Ael’s room. It was different. It was set up for seduction. The vibe felt warm and comfortable compared to the sterile environment it had once been.
The bed was covered in layers of soft-looking blankets and pillows. And a thin swath of material covered the windows, blocking out most of the natural light, bathing the room in a warm, ethereal glow. There was a bottle on the bedside table with two glasses. Grant inhaled and noticed that the room smelled like Ael’s favorite soap.
A slow smile spread across Grant’s lips. He couldn’t wait to see where this was going. Grant heard the bath water come on in the adjoining room and went to see what Ael was doing. When Grant saw him, he stopped in his tracks. The m
ale was naked.
He stepped into the bathroom, moving closer to Ael. Grant desperately wanted to touch him. He wanted to run his hands over Ael’s body. He wanted to feel the male.
Grant’s eyes wandered down Ael’s naked body, taking in each line and curve, memorizing the awe-inspiring sight before him. He couldn’t believe how beautiful Ael was. He’d imagined the male naked so many times, but to finally see him was a real feast for the eyes. Ael’s muscles were covered in shimmery blue scales. The scales ran up and down his body, touching every square inch, except his erect shaft.
The size of Ael’s cock stunned him. The male’s dick was larger than normal. Grant wanted to worship it with his mouth and tongue and lips. When he spotted a pearly drop of pre-cum bubble out of the head of Ael’s dick, Grant groaned. He dropped to his knees and shuffled closer to Ael. He stuck his tongue out and licked the perfectly shaped crown. The taste of Ael exploded into his mouth. The male was sweet and he was hungry for more.
Without hesitation, Grant took Ael’s cock between his lips. His tongue swirled around the crown before taking Ael deeper, toward the back of his throat. Grant applied more pressure, firmly wrapping his lips around Ael’s shaft. Ael groaned, a deep sound vibrating in his chest. He brushed his fingers through Grant’s hair, combing back the dark strands.
“Grant,” Ael said, his voice raspy and low. “Your mouth…feels so good.”
The compliment boosted Grant’s confidence. He moved his mouth faster, sucked on Ael, licking the underside of his shaft. Ael’s breathing changed, turning louder and ragged. Grant turned his head, fucking Ael with his mouth.
“Grant,” he growled.
Grant scratched his blunt nails up Ael’s thighs. He moved his hands around Ael’s hips and grabbed hold of the male’s ass. Grant clutched the meaty flesh, holding the male tightly. He sucked and licked Ael’s shaft. The male’s cock seemed to grow, and Grant knew that Ael was close to coming.
“Grant,” Ael breathed out. “I’m gonna come…”
Grant wanted all of Ael. He tightened his hold on the male’s ass, refusing to let him back away. Grant milked his cock, teasing and sucking on Ael’s shaft until his body tensed, his leg muscles twitched, and he started to come.
