A tear escaped to roll down her cheek as she succumbed to enormous fatigue that went beyond physical exhaustion.
Chapter 7
Amelia woke in a beam of golden morning sunlight. Rajhir curled behind her in spoon-fashion on the clan’s velvety lounger. In front of her, Flencik wrapped his arms around her waist. A Kalquorian sandwich with Earther filling, Amelia thought, feeling snuggly warm between the two men. She had no memory of them bringing her to their quarters. She must have slept right through the shuttle ride, through dinner, through the night. They had exhausted her, all right.
She yawned, fighting the urge to consume herself in shame over her behavior and seeming inability to resist Rajhir’s clan. Something within Amelia refused to deny the attraction she felt for them. She was at last feeling the freedom from Earth that she’d looked forward to when she’d come to Plasius.
Goodness is not dependent on my government’s definition, which is far too strict. Haven’t I seen immoral acts done by them? Acts far worse than sex? So I’m going to do what I like while I’m on Plasius. I’m going to enjoy being with these men who treat me like a person and not an object. As long as Earth doesn’t find out, it will be okay.
Behind Flencik, Breft propped himself up and looked down at her. He blinked sleepily, but he wore an aura of someone fully awake and ready to strike.
“Are you always such a light sleeper?” Amelia asked.
He smiled and reached over his clanmate to touch her hair. “I am always ready to protect the clan.”
She shivered. Despite the warm expression he wore, there was still a hard light in his eyes and steel in his voice. Breft left no doubt that he could turn deadly in an instant.
Flencik’s more affectionate purple eyes opened, and Rajhir moved behind her. Amelia felt him grow hard behind her, his penises pressing against her buttocks. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling deeply. “You will spend the day with us,” he murmured.
With real regret Amelia replied, “I’d love to, but I have to get back to my quarters to paint.” She looked over her shoulder to see him frowning. She turned towards him and brushed his mouth with her fingertips. “It’s very important to me.”
Rajhir’s face softened. The expression on his face reminded her of adoration, but Amelia knew there was no way this man felt any such thing for her. They’d only met – was it less than a week ago? Still, something inside her reached for that illusion of love. A part of her wanted to wrap itself inside the fantasy. She swallowed hard.
The Dramok told her, “I see by your expression that you must continue your work. If it makes you happy it is important to us too.”
A sudden idea struck Amelia. “Would you like to come to my apartment for dinner tonight? I’d love to cook some Earth food you might enjoy. You seemed to like the chicken.”
Breft chuckled. “I liked it, but not as much as where I ate it from.” His grin of unabashed delight lessened his usual threat, making them all laugh.
The Nobek and Flencik flicked hopeful gazes to Rajhir. Both nodded to their leader.
“We will come,” Rajhir said. His tone and smile were cautiously pleased.
“Great.” Amelia stretched. “I’d better get going before you distract me too much.” She wiggled against the erections Rajhir and Flencik sported, giggling.
No guilt. I refuse to feel it, she firmly reminded herself when a vision of her mother’s horrified face flashed in her thoughts.
“You will before refresh you go,” Flencik said.
Breft shook his head at his clanmate, tugging gently on one of the Imdiko’s spiral curls. “You are mixing up the order of the words again. You should say, ‘you will refresh before you go’.”
Flencik huffed with frustration. “The language confuses me.”
“You’re doing very well,” Amelia reassured him. “Plasian is supposed to be a simple language, but it felt like forever before I could carry on a decent conversation. English is much harder.”
The huge Imdiko smiled at her as he gathered her in his arms like a child and lifted her from the lounger. As he walked in the direction opposite from the exit, Amelia realized they weren’t going to let her leave right away. She opened her mouth to protest. Having second thoughts, she shut it again and didn’t bother to argue about the delay. She wasn’t really in that big a hurry. As long as she could get in a few hours of painting today, she could take her time.
Live for once. Enjoy yourself while you can, because this won’t last forever.
Too bad. Amelia thought she could get used to this.
Flencik carried her to where the waterfall chuckled into the basin and lowered her into the water. A bath would feel great, she thought. The water’s warmth seemed to seep into her pores. As the clan surrounded her, she realized they planned to bathe her.
Sinner! Whore! Her mother’s imagined voice was horrified.
“Leave me alone,” Amelia whispered back.
“Amelia?” Rajhir’s look was quizzical. “What is wrong?”
“Nothing.” The accusing voice didn’t return, and she smiled with relief. “Everything is great.”
“Good.” Rajhir smiled at her, his gaze resting on her face. There was that sense of devotion from him once more, and something yearning in Amelia’s heart ached.
Breft and Rajhir soaped her arms. Flencik tilted her back to let the waterfall sluice through her hair. Amelia sighed as the powerful but gentle hands kneaded her scalp and the muscles of her arms. Usually her arms’ damaged nerves screamed with pain at such intense contact, but Flencik’s medicine continued to work its magic. She felt only bliss as Breft and Rajhir coaxed knots of tension to evaporate from the muscles. Her arms felt as liquidly pliable as the water swirling around her.
After washing her hair, Flencik turned his attention to scrubbing and massaging her back. Rajhir and Breft moved their focus to her legs. Amelia lost all sense of time as they kneaded her to new depths of relaxation.
Only when they felt satisfied that they’d eradicated all tension from her body did they stop. Flencik wrapped his hands around her waist and lifted her to a kneeling position in the basin. Breft soaped her torso, moving from her trim waist up to her ribs. He lathered her breasts, his hands sweeping in circles around the mounds. He squeezed her erect nipples between his forefingers and thumbs. Erotic pain zapped from his touch to her belly, making her wet and aching. The Nobek smiled as her breathing quickened.
Amelia responded to more than his touch. Flencik slipped a soap cake into the crevice of her buttocks. He glided it back and forth over the sensitive flesh. The sensation of the hard yet smooth soap sliding against her nether orifice was the most erotic thing she’d ever felt. She remembered the day before, how Rajhir taken her ass with his larger cock, making her succumb to his ruthless desire. She shivered, and her heart quickened. Her hips rocked to the slow rhythm of Flencik’s hand.
Rajhir’s soapy hand plunged into Amelia’s pubic curls, shampooing them with the same care Flencik had used on her scalp. He rinsed her sex with palmfuls of warm water. His big hand covered her secret flesh, rubbing her, making her moan with sensation. She thought how she could let the clan satisfy her forever.
You could, a voice inside whispered. If you’re breeding compatible, you could maybe be their Matara. They might ask you to join them, and then you could go to Kalquor. Flencik would heal the nerve damage. You’d go on painting and being pleasured like this for the rest of your life. You’d never have to worry again about Earth’s overbearing morals and laws. All you have to do is ask them to test you.
Rajhir and Flencik slid their fingers inside her. Breft’s mouth warmed her breasts in turn. A cascade of desire spilled through Amelia, and she moved against them, bringing greater pleasure to her awakened body.
I don’t dare consider this.
Rajhir’s other hand stroked her clitoris. The heat down there overwhelmed her, spilling a molten flood into her core.
I don’t dare … do I?
Clim
ax burst through her.
* * * *
Back at her quarters, Amelia lost herself in the mesmerizing drone of painting. The pre-programmed alarm woke her from her artistic trance at late afternoon. She flexed her fingers, still amazed by the absence of pain.
She cleaned herself up, dressed in one of the few nice outfits she had – a long-sleeved knee-length dress that did nothing to hide her bountiful curves – and went to the cooking area. She tapped her electronic cookbook for some recipes. Judging from the grul the Kalquorians had served at the picnic, Amelia decided the men might like a spicy Mexican dish, toned down for her own comfort. She even had the ingredients, imported at her request.
She scanned the list, thinking she’d have to make a double batch to feed the three big aliens. Suddenly, the vid beeped for her attention. It was probably Flencik wondering if he should bring anything, she thought. She walked to the vid and said, “Answer.”
She started to see Jack Frank’s wide-eyed, sweaty face fill the screen. “Amelia! Thank God. I’ve been trying to reach you since yesterday afternoon.”
She gaped at him, momentarily without the wit to answer. Had he somehow learned of her indiscretions with the Kalquorians? Dear God, he knew something. Discovery was written all over his frantic expression. She fought a rush of nausea as fear twisted her stomach.
“Are you all right?” he pressed.
“I’m fine,” she said, feigning innocence. “What’s going on, Jack?”
“The Kalquorians are what’s going on. They’re showing up on the planets and alien space stations we have exchange policies with, the ones where our ex-patriot women are located.”
Amelia regained control of her senses. Liaison Frank knew nothing of her adventures. Her heart slowed from its frantic pace. She mentally cursed his hysterics. Really, the man performed like a drama queen! “That’s all? Honestly, you had me scared for a moment. It’s probably just coincidence.”
“We doubt that. A large number of the women have gone missing. No Earther men so far; just the women.”
Amelia’s heart quickened again, thudding hard enough to hurt her chest. If Rajhir’s clan showed up now… “How many?”
“We’ve lost contact with about fifty percent of our female exchanges. That’s over 1500 women in the last 48 hours.”
Amelia’s knees threatened to buckle. She lowered herself into a chair. “You’re sure the Kalquorians are behind this?”
Frank glowered. “Those deviant freaks made it clear they wanted to test our women for their breeding program. They’re absolute animals.”
Amelia blinked. The Kalquorians had asked her government to let them test Earthers for breeding compatibility? The official line of her home planet’s news feeds was that the aliens were looking only for sex slaves. It had been Vrill who had spoken of the possibility that the aliens were looking for permanent mates.
Amelia licked her lips. “But why would they abduct all those women at once? Why not just one or two if all the Kalquorians want to do is test them? They’d have to realize Earth would get suspicious if they kidnapped so many.”
“Maybe they did test one and found out our races are somehow compatible.” Frank’s look pierced her through the vid. “That’s classified information, by the way. You are not to repeat they approached us for interspecies reproduction to anyone. Have you allowed that clan visiting Plasius to take any kind of samples from you? Blood, hair, anything?”
Amelia felt her face flush. They’d sampled her all right, though not in the manner Frank thought. “Of course not.”
“Are you sure? Not even against your will?”
Furious, she yelled, “Don’t you think I’d have reported something like that? What are you saying?”
“Calm down.” Now his face turned red. “There’s no need to get so emotional.”
“How would you like to be accused of helping a bunch of innocent women disappear?”
“No one’s accusing you of anything.” A whine insinuated itself in Frank’s voice. “I’m just concerned about your safety. Those alien freaks can’t be trusted. Your virtue is in grave danger, as is your very soul.”
“I’ve had no problems with the clan here.” An outright lie given Amelia’s initial reluctance to enjoy the Kalquorians’ attentions, but this fool didn’t need to know the particulars. “As you can see, I’m not being held against my will. They’re engaged in trade talks with Saucin Israla. From what I’ve heard,” she hastily added.
Stupid! If I give him too much information, he’ll realize I’ve had more than casual contact with them.
“Stay away from them. Do what you have to, to protect yourself. Check in with me every day.” Liaison Frank recovered some of his poise and irritating condescension. “An Earth military transport is scheduled to arrive at Plasius in two weeks. I’m sorry we can’t get you out of there sooner.”
Amelia’s breath nearly stopped. “Two weeks?” She glanced at her canvas. The colors pulsated at her, as if the painting lived. This was her newest child, on the verge of birth. “I’m not sure my painting will be done by then.”
Frank snorted disbelieving laughter. “Your painting? Haven’t you heard what I’ve said? Earth women in the vicinity of Kalquorians are disappearing!” He grew stern like a father confronting a recalcitrant daughter. “There will be no discussion about this. Earth has formally recalled you, and you will be on that transport in two weeks. Liaison Frank out.”
The vid went blank. Amelia stared at it with growing anger.
Two weeks! As long as her hands remained pain free she might complete the painting by then. Still, she might not. Unfortunate circumstances and Earth’s paranoia threatened to destroy her opportunity to complete the greatest piece of art she’d ever created. Damn Earth’s religious radicalism!
“That sniveling creep did all but outright accuse me of letting the clan test me for compatibility!” she fumed out loud. She stormed her quarters like an angry caged animal.
Amelia had allowed Flencik to treat her nerve damage. The medication was the extent of anything approaching scientific experimentation. The Imdiko took no samples. He’d only relieved her pain.
She stopped pacing the length of her quarters.
The medicine had knocked her unconscious.
Amelia gasped. She had been sedated by Flencik’s medicine. Judging by the position of Plasius’ suns, she’d slept for at least two hours. Had he left her on the lounger all that time? Or had he taken the opportunity to do other things?
She’d allowed him to administer the drug three days ago. Kalquorian clans had arrived on other planets the next day, and the Earther women on them began disappearing in the last 48 hours.
Had Flencik tested her? If so, had he discovered a breeding compatibility between Earthers and his race? More importantly, had he done anything else? Amelia looked down at herself and placed a trembling hand on her stomach.
Did she already carry a child? A Kalquorian child?
She raced back to the vid. “Contact Rajhir’s clan,” she commanded in a screamy voice. Before the machine complied, she said, “Cancel!”
I’ve got to get hold of myself, Amelia thought, running a trembling hand through her hair. If they think something’s wrong, they might do something … bad.
“Be calm,” she said, taking deep breaths. “Nothing’s wrong, everything’s great. All quiet on the front.”
Once the shakes subsided, Amelia ordered the vid to contact the clan again, arranging her expression to look disappointed but warm. She hoped.
Luck smiled on her. The vid tonelessly invited, “Leave a message.” The Kalquorians had stepped out.
“Aw, you’re not there,” she said. “It’s just as well; I have bad news. I’m really sorry, but something’s come up and I have to postpone our dinner.” She realized she was talking too fast but couldn’t stop herself. “Formal duties as a representative of Earth and all that nonsense. You know how it is. I’ll call you back later to find out when we can get togeth
er. Bye.”
The instant Amelia disconnected, her apologetic smile fled. She rubbed her face clean of the perspiration mask that covered it and wiped her hands on the skirt of her dress.
Bullet dodged, she thought. Or had it been? Were the Kalquorians already on their way over? It was early yet, but that meant little, especially if they intended to accomplish more than dinner. If they were en route, she couldn’t be home when they arrived. Certainly sharp-eyed Breft would see through any excuse she gave them if they met face to face.
Her heart pounding, Amelia fled her quarters.
Chapter 8
Vrill’s home was an ode to sensuality. The scentwood exuded a tropical fragrance. The fire banked around the base of a fountain, which splashed an accompaniment to the main room’s waterfall basin. In the middle of the fountain, the stone figures of a Plasian man and woman shared an ecstatic embrace. The female figure rode the male, her arms and legs wrapped about his naked body. The fountain sprinkled water on her enraptured face.
Carved phalluses of different sizes and species decorated shelves and tables. Amelia had overcome enough of her embarrassment in the past to recognize the artistic talent that went into the statuettes. Some were made of stone, some were crystal, and some were carved from exotic woods and rubbed gleaming smooth by years of handling.
Silken fabric draped the walls and ceiling, creating a lush jeweled turquoise setting. The folds of material pulled back from the windows, allowing the suns to paint gold tones on the carpet’s white plush.
Amelia stood pale and shivering just inside the closed door as Vrill stared at her. The Plasian took Amelia’s sweating hand in her cool one. “What has happened, dear friend?”
Amelia burst into tears. “I don’t know. I don’t know what to think.”
Vrill slid an arm around her waist and eased her towards the overstuffed lounger. “Settle yourself here. You’re shaking all over! I’ll fix you a drink to soothe your nerves, and you’ll tell me what’s happened.”
Amelia told her the entire story of her liaisons with the Kalquorians, starting from the night of the party. She sipped the drink Vrill prepared, and she did feel a little more relaxed. She unburdened herself of the whole sordid tale, including the recent temptation to return to Kalquor with the clan. By the time she revealed her fear she might be pregnant, the drink had soothed her tears away.
Alien Embrace Page 13
