by Opal Carew
“Oh, honey, that is gattra fucking sexy.” She moaned.
He chuckled. “You’ve got the mouth of a sailor.”
“And you have the mouth of a fucking saint.” She grabbed his head and pushed it back to her wet flesh.
He dove in again with gusto, his tongue sweeping across her clit. His fingers moved inside her, stroking and twirling, then pulsing deep. The orgasm catapulted through her in a sudden spike. She gasped, then moaned as the pleasure blazed through her, singeing every nerve ending.
Finally, she flopped back against the pillows, totally spent.
“I think you enjoyed that.” Terrien stretched out beside her, a satisfied smile on his face.
She rolled on top of him and grabbed his shoulders, then devoured his mouth, tasting herself on his lips.
“You think?” She squeezed his thick thighs between hers, feeling his bulge pressing against her. She shifted until it was in the ideal position to stimulate her clit. “If you know me as well as you seem to, I would think you’d know.”
He grabbed her shoulders and flipped her onto her back, then rolled her over again, until she was on the bed on her stomach. He climbed on top of her, nudged her legs apart with his knees, then glided his cock over her moist opening and pushed the shaft tight against her clit.
She groaned, echoes of her recent orgasm vibrating along her nerve endings. He drew her hips upward, then pressed his cockhead against her slit and glided inside. She sucked in air as his big cock filled her.
“There’s something I know you’d like that we haven’t done yet.” He pushed in and out a couple of times, then withdrew, to her disappointed whimper.
When she felt his big cock nudge against her back opening, she stiffened.
“Oh, wait. I’ve certainly taken some serious cock back there, but honey, I’m afraid you might just be too much for me.”
He kissed the back of her neck. “Don’t worry. Remember, I’m not like the men you’ve been with before. I have different abilities.”
His cockhead pushed against her and…it seemed to shrink. He pushed forward and her opening stretched around him, but he slipped inside easily.
“What’s happening?”
“I can change the size of my penis. I’ve made it smaller so I won’t hurt you.”
He glided deeper, lubricated by the moisture from her vagina.
“Really? Not a direction you’d think a woman would want, but…”
He barely stretched her as he slid inside.
“Oh, God, that feels so good.”
He pushed deep, then paused. His hand stroked around her hip, then down her belly until his fingers stroked over her curls. He found her clit and she sighed. As he plucked at her sensitive nub, she shifted back, pushing his cock a little deeper.
“Are you ready for a little more?” he asked.
She nodded, not quite sure what he was suggesting but ready for whatever this talented man had in mind. Then his shaft grew…slowly…stretching her back passage.
“Oh, yes.” Wild pangs of sensation darted through her, and her insides felt so full, she thought she’d burst. But not too full. He stopped before he reached his full breadth, then he began to pump into her.
She gasped, her heart thundering as every cell in her body tingled in delight. He stroked her clit with his thumb as his fingers pushed into her slick vagina.
“Oh, yes.” She threw her head back against his shoulder. “Oh, God.”
His lips nuzzled the side of her neck as ecstasy catapulted through her and she wailed in delight. He pumped and stroked. His cock grew wider and her joy intensified. She gasped, then nearly fainted as the pleasure washed her away to a primal sea of pure bliss.
When the orgasm finally waned, he held her tight to his body as she gasped for air.
They both slumped on the pillow. He kissed her neck and rolled them both sideways, still holding her tight to him.
“Crystal, laiya, I love you,” he murmured in her ear.
Crystal stiffened in his arms. Oh, God, she did not want him to love her.
Chapter 8
Terrien ached inside as Crystal pulled away from him.
“Look, honey, the sex is great and all,” she said, “but let’s get one thing straight right now. I don’t believe in soul-mates and I don’t want you to love me. I am definitely not the one-man woman type.”
“Crystal, how can you not believe in soul-mates now that you have experienced what we have together?”
Her beautiful, full lips turned down in a frown. “Look, I admit the sex is sensational.” She shrugged. “But that’s all it is. Sex.” She paced. “I mean, I like you. And we have fun together. But I’m not going to give up my freedom because you and I are great in the sack.”
Terrien’s heart ached. All his life he’d known he would eventually find his soul-mate, the one woman who would love him forever. Completely and unconditionally. That thought had carried him through many difficult times. Especially after his parents’ deaths when he was nine years old. His uncle and aunt raised him, but they had their own children and as much as they clearly loved him, it was not the same as it had been with his own mother and father. To them he had been special. He had been their son.
When he’d first felt the gnawing awareness of his soul-mate, he’d rejoiced. He’d felt like he would truly belong to someone again. Someone meant specifically for him.
And if it had been a woman from Sa’oul then everything would have been fine. She would have understood about tanash’aei. She would have loved him without question. But he’d been connected to an Earth woman. Someone who resisted the whole concept of linked souls.
Not that he wished his tanash’ae was someone different. How could he? He loved Crystal with all his being. But it hurt more than anyone could fathom that she rejected him.
“Terrien, I’m sorry. It’s just…the way I am. I live my own life. Not depending on anyone else. No one else depending on me. I don’t even have a cat.”
She’d rather be alone than be with him? His heart shuddered in agony.
But he drew in a deep breath, reminding himself she had been dragged into this whole situation a matter of days ago. She needed time to get used to the idea. Right now, she was justifying her fear of what she didn’t understand.
He would not give up hope. He needed to be patient while she adapted to the situation.
Maybe if he learned more about her life and her culture, it would help. Reading about it and viewing their entertainment could take him only so far.
“What do you mean, you don’t have a cat?” He knew a cat was a small furry animal with a tail and pointed ears. The creatures spent time with humans, but he didn’t know what she meant by having a cat.
“A cat. You know, it’s a pet.”
“Pet? You mean animals that cohabit a community with humans?”
“Um, yeah, I guess. But it’s more that a cat cohabits a house with someone. A pet belongs to someone.”
Belongs? “You mean, people own animals?”
“Yeah, sure. Don’t you have pets on your planet?”
“We have animals that are friendly and affectionate with humans. Often they will attach to an individual or family, but they roam free and we never think of them as owned by anyone.”
“Oh, well. It’s different on Earth. At least, where I’m from. When someone gets a pet, they keep it in their house and feed and care for it. People get pretty attached to their pets.”
“But not you.”
She shook her head. “No. I don’t want to depend on anyone and I don’t want anyone depending on me.”
At her words, his chest clenched. How could she not understand that tanash’aei did depend on each other? For pleasure. For happiness. For love.
But that was the problem. She did understand.
And she rejected the whole concept.
Terrien sat across from Larson as they ate their lunch. He and Larson had been friends for several years, even before Larson had been
promoted to the rank of commander. They both had a duty shift today and were taking their break together.
“You know, I learned something new about the Earth women’s culture yesterday,” Terrien said. “Crystal told me about pets. It seems that people own animals like cats as companions and they become quite attached to them.”
“Really?”
“They keep them in their houses rather than allowing them to roam free.”
Larson frowned. “So I assume these pets rely on their owners.” He tapped on the table with his fingertips. “I wonder if any of the women we brought here has a pet.”
“I know Crystal doesn’t, but I don’t know about the others.”
“I didn’t see anything in Eva’s file, either, but I’ll check the other women’s. We wouldn’t want to cause a problem because of separating someone from their pet.”
It was a valid point. Although some of the women had family left behind on Earth, the family were all grown people who had lives of their own. A pet, on the other hand, was a dependent of sorts and the tie would be different.
Terrien took a bite of food, although he wasn’t really hungry. He still ached inside at Crystal’s rejection.
“So how is Eva adapting to the idea of being here?” Terrien asked.
Larson put down his fork and stared at Terrien. He could see his own pain mirrored in Larson’s eyes.
Larson shook his head. “Not well.” His hand tightened into a fist and his jaw clenched. “I don’t understand it. How can she feel the intense craving we have for each other and not know the truth of our connection?”
Terrien shook his head at his friend’s words, echoing his own dilemma. Although he didn’t wish this difficulty on his friend, it helped Terrien to know he wasn’t the only one experiencing a problem with his tanash’ae. That made him feel less alone.
Of course, he should not doubt the wisdom of nata’tai, but sometimes even the most faithful had doubts. At least now he knew he had someone he could talk to about it. Someone who would understand.
“Is it the same with you and Crystal?” Larson asked.
Terrien nodded. “She says she does not want to share her life with someone.”
“Have you”—Larson stared at his plate—“consummated your relationship yet?”
Terrien stared at Larson and, from the set of his jaw, realized Larson had not.
Gattra, the man must be going insane. Terrien couldn’t imagine being so close to his tanash’ae for so long without consummating.
“Yes, we have, but Crystal seems more open about sex than is typical for Earth women.”
Larson nodded, but they both knew that with the connection urging tanash’aei to be together, even a shy Earth woman would be consumed with need. Terrien couldn’t imagine how Larson’s woman could resist her tanash’ae.
“If there’s anything I can do to help…” Terrien said. “If you need to talk any time…just let me know.”
It was little solace, but friendship was the best Terrien could offer.
Larson nodded. “And the same with you. If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”
Larson picked up his fork and began to eat again.
Crystal sat propped against the pillows on the bed staring at the e-reader, but the words blurred in front of her.
She’d learned long ago not to become dependent on anyone, especially a man. When her mother had gotten married young, probably pregnant with Crystal’s older sister, she’d been disowned by her father, Crystal’s grandfather. When Crystal’s father died six years later, leaving Crystal’s mom poverty stricken with two young daughters and no means of support, Crystal’s grandfather had not relented.
So her mother had found she could not depend on her own father who should have cared about her, or her husband who should have helped her raise their children. Of course, Crystal’s dad hadn’t had a choice, but that just went to show that even when a guy is reliable, a woman shouldn’t depend on him. Things happen.
And in her mother’s case, she went on to a string of bad relationships. She’d fall in love with a guy, then wind up heartbroken and crying on Crystal’s shoulder. It had been devastating to watch. Crystal had learned from her mother’s situation and vowed never to allow herself to be so vulnerable. She would not depend on a man, or anyone else. Ever.
She heard the door to the quarters open. It would be Terrien returning from his shift. She set the e-reader on the table beside her bed and stood up. As she walked out of her bedroom and through his, she steeled herself for the conversation to come.
She didn’t want to hurt him, but she had to make him understand that she did not intend be in a monogamous relationship with him. Just because he believed in soul-mates, it didn’t mean she did and she had to make it clear that she would not have him force his beliefs on her and her life.
The thing that threw her off so completely was Terrien’s ability to give her such astonishing pleasure. She needed to know if this was unique to Terrien or if any of the alien men could do it.
As she stepped into the living room, he glanced up and smiled.
“Hello.” He walked toward her.
A yearning grew inside her with every step he took. When he drew her into his arms and his solid body pressed against her, need shimmered through her. His lips captured hers with such tenderness and passion, she melted against him.
Oh, God, the man knew how to kiss.
But the longing was too powerful. It overwhelmed and frightened her, so she reached deep inside herself for the strength to draw away.
“Is there something wrong?” he asked as she stepped back.
“We need to talk.”
“All right. I’d like to learn more about your culture and—”
“Not about that.” She took his hand and led him to the couch.
Most men would have cringed at her remark, since it was generally a precursor to a relationship talk, but Terrien was from another world and didn’t have the same triggers as human men.
She sat down and he sat beside her.
“What do you want to talk about?” he asked.
“Well, you’ve been a wonderful host, but I’d like to experience something new.”
“New?” His eyebrows drew together. “But haven’t most of the things you’ve experienced here been new to you?”
“Yes, that’s true, but I’ve only been here with you and as great as things have been between us, I’d like to…” She hesitated, not quite finding it in herself to be as direct as she usually was. She shrugged. “Um, well, I’d like to see someone else.”
“See?” His eyes narrowed. “Exactly what are you trying to say?”
She sighed. “Okay, here it is. I’m on a ship of aliens. You’ve already proven that you have interesting abilities. And I told you I’m not a one-man woman.”
His hands balled into fists and his warm gaze cooled, glinting with a hard edge.
“Are you actually saying you want to be with another man?”
His sharp tone threw her off. She stood up and started to pace.
“Look, I’ve never pretended to be something I’m not. I like being with men and I never stay with one for very long. That’s just how I am.” She stopped and faced him, meeting his hard gaze. “I won’t apologize for who I am.”
“And I won’t apologize for who I am. Or what I believe in. You are my soul-mate and soul-mates don’t go off with other lovers.”
She planted her hands on her hips. “But I don’t believe in soul-mates and I do whatever I damned well please.”
He stood up and stepped toward her, his height and irate demeanor a little intimidating. “I forbid it. I will not allow my tanash’ae to have sex with another man.”
Anger flared though her. “Are you saying I’m your prisoner?”
“No, you’re my tanash’ae.”
“If that means you get to control my life, then from what I’m hearing, there’s no difference. Are you going to keep me locked up in these quart
ers for the rest of the trip? And when we arrive on your planet, will you keep me locked up in your house?”
He scowled. “Of course not. You’re not a prisoner.”
“So I can come and go as I please?”
His jaw twitched. “Yes, of course.”
“So how are you going to stop me from having sex with other men?”
“Now it’s other men?” Anger flared in his eyes again.
She ignored the comment and strode toward the door. “You mentioned there’s a special lounge where people can go to have sex. I’m sure I’ll find someone there who’ll want to be with me.”
Chapter 9
Crystal’s heart pounded as she strode toward the door.
“Crystal, wait.”
She turned to glare at him. “Are you going to stop me?”
He hesitated, his lips compressed in a straight line, but finally he shook his head. “No, but I’m asking you not to go.”
As soon as she opened her mouth to protest, he shook his head.
“Don’t go to the Red Room. If you really want to…” He frowned, his hands clenching and unclenching. “If you really want to have sex with someone else, let me set it up.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Why would you do that?”
She hardened her heart to the pain lancing across his face.
“Because I don’t think you should be with just anyone. I think you should be with someone who understands your culture. And who speaks your language. Not everyone on the ship does.”
What he said made sense.
“Okay.”
It felt weird that he was going to set her up with someone, but this was good. It showed that he was willing to face the fact that she would not be his one-and-only. Because she refused to be in a monogamous relationship with any man. She valued her freedom far too much.
Even though being with Terrien held a stronger appeal than she dared to admit.
Terrien walked along the corridor, his heart aching. He wanted Crystal to be his and his alone, but the woman just wouldn’t accept that. It was killing him inside knowing she wanted to be with another man, that he couldn’t satisfy her enough to keep her happy.
