CollectiveMemory

by Tielle St Clare

As he considered how he would make his lovers both come, the first summons arrived. The subsonic voice announced that he had moments before the transport arrived.

  A new pain filled his chest as he looked at his lovers. Their forms fascinated him. Despite the fact that he had touched them all over, he wanted more, wanted to repeat the experience, perhaps learn them with his tongue as well. He wanted to fuck them and be fucked. But it was time for him to return to his world. The ache in his chest expanded. He rubbed his sternum with his fingertips. He didn’t understand this sensation.

  There was no time to ask Mace or Devin about it. The second summons followed fast on the first. It was time for him to leave. Cayl stumbled from the bed, his cock hard, aching to fill Mace.

  Mace looked up, his eyes blinking and clearing the sexual need that fogged his vision.

  “What’s going on?”

  Devin sat up and looked at Cayl. He shook his head and returned her gaze. She grabbed the edge of the sheet and pulled it up, covering her breasts.

  “Cayl?”

  “I must leave.”

  Mace sat up as well. “What?! Now?”

  “The transport will arrive within moments. I must return to my world.”

  Disgust twisted Mace’s mouth. His eyes crinkled in irritation. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

  Mace’s lovely erection wilted.

  “No. I must leave but I would thank you for sharing these experiences with me. It has greatly expanded our knowledge of the human situation.” He swallowed, his throat strangely constricted and his eyes were stinging.

  “Glad we could help,” Devin drawled but a smile shone in her eyes.

  “Fuck that. We weren’t—”

  The final summons tugged on his being.

  “I am called. You will not be forgotten.” He took a final breath. “You are part of our memory.” Forever.

  The words slipped from his mouth and he was taken.

  Mace wanted to growl. What the fuck was going on? Cayl wakes them up, then leaps from the bed like he’s been set on fire?

  He shook his head. He was freakin’ tired of this alien shit.

  Cayl’s eyes turned white. All white. His mouth dropped open and it was as if every bit of life evaporated from his body. He crumpled to the ground, lifeless and pale.

  “Cayl!” Mace leapt forward, his hand reaching out, his mind racing. Call 911, start CPR. Do something.

  Devin yanked him back. “Don’t touch him.”

  “But—” He’s dying, he finished silently. He’s dead.

  “Stay back!” The harsh command had barely cleared her mouth when Cayl started to smoke, as if he was combusting from the inside. The body burst into flames and Mace yelped and jumped back.

  “What the hell?” The flames flared then disappeared. Within seconds the body crumpled into dust like a scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark.

  Mace turned to Devin. He knew his mouth had to be hanging open and his eyes looking a little wild. Before he could ask the crazy, cluttered questions flying around his brain, a rush came through room. The remains that had been Cayl swirled into a tiny dust devil that spun and vanished.

  Feeling like he’d been punched in the chest, he managed to force out the words, “What the hell just happened?”

  “They called him home.” Devin’s voice was quiet but he could hear the loss burning beneath her words.

  Chapter Twelve

  Mace walked around the edge of the garage, his mind already in his kitchen. He’d prepared everything that morning. All he had to do was pull it out of the fridge and stir-fry it. He’d wait until Devin got there to do that. Which should be in minutes. He’d been late getting free from work.

  They’d been seeing each for the three weeks since Cayl had “gone home”—wherever the hell that was—trying to figure out what kind of relationship they had, if they had one.

  By mutual, but reluctant, agreement, they’d decided no sex—or no more sex—until they’d gotten to know each other.

  It had been good. They’d talked almost every day and spent a dozen evenings and all the weekends together. The first few meetings had been strained and awkward without the sex to occupy them, but they’d relaxed and talked, slowly letting the physical side of their relationship return. They’d started out with chaste kisses at the front door. Last night, they’d been inches away from being naked in her driveway.

  Mace was pretty sure tonight they were going to end up in his bed. His heart felt like it flipped over in his chest. It would be odd without Cayl there. Mace shook his head. He wasn’t going to let this chance pass. He was pretty damn sure that Devin could be “the one” and he’d just have to get over thinking about Cayl.

  He started up the lighted walkway to his door but jerked to a stop. There was someone on his front step. Cayl. The name flashed through his mind and his heart gave a little leap but he brushed the reaction aside. This guy had black hair and looked younger than Cayl.

  “Can I help you?” Mace asked, a hint of challenge in his voice. He didn’t like the surprise of some stranger on his doorstep.

  “Hello, Mace.”

  His eyes tightened at the edges as he stared at the other man, trying to place him. Nothing looked familiar except maybe the eyes. He was damn sure he didn’t know this guy.

  “Do I know you?”

  The stranger unfolded himself from the front porch, his long legs carrying him the few steps to meet Mace.

  “Perhaps you do not recognize me in this form.”

  The voice was different but the words, the formal cadence were all familiar.

  “Cayl?”

  He nodded. “Yes.” He held his hands out to the side as if to display himself. “They had to give me a new body. The previous form was not available.”

  “No, because it disintegrated into dust on my bedroom floor.”

  He nodded in that clinical way that screamed “Cayl”.

  “That would explain why it wasn’t available.” His voice was devoid of concern. It was truly just a shape to him. Cayl looked down at his own body. “This one seems fully functional though I believe the shaft is bit larger than the previous model.”

  “Larger?” Mace was glad he didn’t squeak when he asked the word. Cayl had already been nicely sized.

  “Yes. I hope that won’t be a problem.”

  “No. No problem.” His mind flipped through their last encounter. Cayl had never gotten the chance to fuck Mace. Now he was back.

  Cayl took a step closer. Those piercing green eyes glowed in the dim light eliminating any doubts in Mace’s mind that this was Cayl.

  “I have been studying Earth customs. Is it not normal to greet a lover with a kiss?”

  “Hell yes.” Mace wrapped his hand around the back of Cayl’s neck, ready to pull him close but Cayl didn’t wait. He pressed forward, meeting Mace’s mouth. His lips were soft but opened easily, accepting Mace’s tongue, welcoming him in, sucking, reminding Mace of the eager way Cayl sucked his cock. He moaned and slid his fingers into Cayl’s hair, holding him in place.

  Cayl let him lead in the beginning, then subtly took control. Mace’s cock jerked. He loved a man strong enough in sheer sexual power to overwhelm him. He groaned as he thought about Cayl fucking him, taking him with that big, fat cock. But he wasn’t giving in that easily. Cayl would have to work for it.

  He turned and pushed Cayl up against the wall of the garage, moving close, rubbing his cock against Cayl’s growing erection. Cayl dragged his mouth away, grabbing a quick breath and saying, “Fuck, I’ve missed that.”

  Mace didn’t give him a chance to say anything else, taking his mouth again. Taste and texture exploded in his brain and he had to have more. Cayl’s hand slid down his back, cupping his ass and squeezing, pulling him hard against the thick ridge that pressed against Mace’s dick. Almost too much but damn he didn’t want it to stop. He rocked his ass into Cayl’s hand, savoring the almost painful pressure against his cock as they rubbed together.

 
The crisp tapping of shoes on cement filtered through the lust-filled haze and Mace lifted his head. Devin turned the corner and jerked to a stop. Her mouth dropped open and a strangled gurgling noise came from her throat.

  He knew what this had to look like—lips swollen, Cayl’s hand on his ass, cocks hard and hips pressed together.

  “Damn it, Mace, I knew you couldn’t keep it in your pants but can’t you at least keep your boy-toy out of sight.” She jammed her heel into the ground, whipped around and stalked off.

  “No, Devin. That’s not it. Wait! It’s—” He ran down the walkway, Cayl close on his heels.

  She stopped at her car and spun around. “What? You expect me to just fall into bed with this one too?” She tipped her head toward Cayl and said, “He’s cute and all, but despite appearances, I’m not that big of a slut.” She grabbed the car door handle and yanked up.

  Mace opened his mouth to correct her but never got the chance.

  “You do not appear to be wearing your slutty clothes but it is good that you find this form pleasing”

  She froze. And blinked, staring at the empty space in front of her before she lifted her head. The shock in her gaze gave Mace a smug, warm feeling inside. He recognized the reaction because it mirrored his own.

  “Cayl?”

  “Yes. This is the new form they have given me. The other was unavailable.”

  “It burned up on Mace’s floor.”

  “So I understand. Still, neither of you seems to find this one displeasing. I believe it is acceptable.”

  Devin gulped and looked at Mace. His lips formed a crooked smile.

  She cleared her throat. “It’s lovely. Gorgeous, in fact. A little young but gorgeous.”

  “And bigger,” Mace inserted.

  Devin’s eyes grew wide.

  “Bigger?”

  “Bigger.”

  “Yes,” Cayl confirmed. “My shaft appears thicker than the previous version. Not much longer but definitely wider.”

  “Oh my.”

  “Mace was giving me a returning kiss.” Cayl closed the distance between them. “Would you not wish to give me one as well? I am most eager to taste you in this form.”

  “Yes but—” Questions filled her head but they disappeared when Cayl put his mouth on hers. Though the body was different, he came to her with the confidence of a familiar lover, opening his mouth and flicking his tongue across her upper lip, asking for entrance. She welcomed him inside. He was right. The taste was different but the hunger, the need, was pure Cayl.

  His hand slipped inside her jacket and closed over her breast, squeezing and running his palm over the tight nipple as if to assure himself she was the same.

  Damn, he did love her breasts.

  “We should probably move this inside.” Mace’s voice—part laughing, part annoyed—broke them apart. “My neighbors might not be so understanding.”

  “Of course. And your bed is inside. We can fuck in comfort.”

  As if that decided it, Cayl turned and stalked back to Mace’s front door.

  “When did he show up?” she asked her mind still racing through the reality.

  “Just now. He was on the step when I got home. He didn’t come through your offices?”

  Devin shook her head. She’d had to tell Mace about working for IPC, after all he knew for a fact that aliens existed and contrary to movie lore, they didn’t have a flashy thingy that erased memories. She worked in the Temporary Alien Visa division. Cayl must have requested a permanent residency. That would have taken place down the hall.

  She looked at Mace and winced, remembering, feeling just a bit guilty at having accused him of having a boy-toy.

  “Listen, I—”

  “Don’t worry about it,” he said.

  “I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.”

  He shrugged. “It wasn’t a far leap. When I’m not in a relationship, I’m a bit of a slut. But when I’m with someone, I’m good at being good.” He winked. “Let’s go find Cayl.”

  They followed Cayl around the corner of the garage. He stood on the front step.

  “My shaft is afflicting me. We must hurry so I can find relief.”

  “Packaging has changed but that’s Cayl all right,” Mace murmured.

  She stifled a giggle. “Cayl, before we get to any curing your affliction, I’ve got a few questions.” She tried to sound stern and it worked. Even Mace’s eyes went wide.

  Cayl nodded and hung his head like a five-year-old who’d been told he couldn’t go out and play.

  Mace opened the door and the three of them moved into his living room. Devin waited until the door was shut then turned to Cayl.

  “What are you doing here?”

  “My shaft is afflicted and I believed that one or both of you might be willing to assist me.”

  Definitely Cayl. “I understand why you’re in Mace’s house. What are you doing back on Earth? What is your mission this time?” She glanced at Mace and he nodded, encouraging her to ask one more question. “How long are you staying?”

  She and Mace were just getting it worked out between the two of them, making it just about the two of them. She didn’t know if they had a future but would it survive another visit from Cayl?

  “I have no mission.” His head shook with a twitch. For the first time—ever—Cayl looked like he had lost his confidence. “I have been separated.”

  There was a finality to his tone that sent an ache through Devin’s chest.

  Mace must have heard it too. He moved closer, putting his hand on Cayl’s arm. “Separated? What does that mean?”

  “I have been separated from the memory of my world. They have cast me out and told me I am not welcome to exist within the collective.”

  “You’ve been banished?”

  “What happened?” Devin stepped forward taking his hand. The edges of his mouth curled down.

  “I returned after my mission, having destroyed the threat of Harken and, while they complimented me on that aspect, they did not care for the experiments into human senses I conducted.” He cleared his throat. “They believed I had passed from observation into indulgence, that after the first encounter there was no reason to return to the same two forms and conduct further experiments.”

  He pulled free of Devin’s grip and turned away. “They believed I should have moved my experiments to other forms so as to gather as much input as possible and I was unable to explain my attachment to you two in specific.”

  “They banished you because you liked sex?” Mace asked, incredulity ringing through his voice.

  “And because you didn’t want to sleep around,” Devin added.

  “Not initially. I logged my experiments and even shared with the collective my understanding. That was when I was reprimanded for not expanding my experiments beyond the two of you.”

  “So why did they banish you?”

  Devin and Mace waited.

  “I reviewed the memories of us.”

  Devin flipped through what she remembered of their nights together. It had been wild and a little wicked but she didn’t see any “problems”.

  Cayl sighed. “I retrieved the memories of the three of us from the collective several times…each day. Which of course strengthens them.”

  Devin’s lip twitched but she succeeded in holding back her smile, until she glanced at Mace. His eyes twinkled with understanding. Cayl had been thinking about them, reliving their fucking. Jack-off material. If Cayl had had a body of course.

  “Apparently, the others in the collective found it quite distracting,” Cayl continued. “And leadership has been inundated with requests for exploratory missions to Earth.”

  Mace lost whatever battle he’d been waging to remain stoic. He started to laugh. “You mean sex with us was so good, dozens of aliens want to come to Earth to experience it?”

  “Yes.”

  Cayl’s pragmatic reply drew a chuckle from Devin.

  “Good to know we’re popular with the
alien set.” Mace tilted his head. “Hmm. Are we going to have random aliens showing up wanting to fuck us? Not that the idea isn’t interesting. We could become an alien tourist attraction.” He winked at Devin.

  “No!” Cayl’s shout made Devin jump. He shook his head. “I explained to the collective as I was being separated that you two belonged to me and were not available for experiments with others.”

  Devin shared a look with Mace. “Feeling a bit possessive?”

  “Well…yes. I found you. I am the first. The others will just have to find different specimens.”

  “Specimens?” Mace shook his head. “We’re not your class science project.”

  Cayl’s confidence and, yes, arrogance, seemed to be returning. He lifted his chin and sniffed. “Of course not. It was merely a term that others from my world would understand. You were each discoveries made by me. I am not willing to share with another.”

  Devin felt her mouth drop open. She wasn’t sure if Cayl was possessive of them as lovers or as experiments. Then again, she wasn’t sure Cayl recognized a difference between the two.

  “But this has led us away from the main discussion,” Cayl said.

  “Which is?”

  “Relieving my affliction. And Mace’s.” He nodded to Mace’s groin. His cock was hard and pressed against his black jeans. “I would believe that you are similarly afflicted, Agent Denning, but it is not possible for me to tell from this distance. And I do not like the heavy coat that you wear. It hides your tits from my sight.”

  Devin’s cheeks grew warm. How quickly she had forgotten Cayl’s direct approach to sex. She glanced at Mace. They had been “dating”—which seemed a little strange after the nights at the club and that one incredible night in his bed—but she’d gotten to know Mace better. She liked him. Without the sex between them, they’d had to talk and learn each other.

  Not that the sexual heat had eased between them. She’d spent more time with her vibrator in the past three weeks than in the two years she’d had the thing. And tonight, she’d been intent on seducing Mace.

  Guess she’d still get her wish. Only it would be Cayl and Mace.

  “Maybe we could have dinner first,” Mace suggested, backing away. His lips formed a flat line.