The Men on Mars

by Shara Lanel

  Praise for the writing of Shara Lanel

  Enlightened Love

  This is an amazing book. I was touched by Kerry’s determination to rebuild her life and to be independent. Rick’s acclimation to life in America is humorous as he learns the dos and don’ts... This is a story of growth, independence and finding love when you least expect it.

  -- Tewanda, Fallen Angel Reviews

  The sexual tension between the two characters is almost palpable...I could not put the book down once I had started. Enlightened Love is most definitely a keeper!

  -- Susan White, Coffee Time Romance

  Shara Lanel’s Enlightened Love is an absolutely beautiful story. Shara combines suspense and sensuality to produce a tale you won’t want to put down. She grabs your attention with the first scene and keeps you spellbound throughout.

  -- Elise Lyn, EcataRomance Reviews

  Like adding a dollop of liqueur to a well brewed coffee, steamy sex spices up an already rich, tightly woven plot. I couldn't stop reading Enlightened Love. This story from Liquid Silver Books is one I will be reading again and again.

  -- Kira Stone, Literary Nymphs

  There are some extremely wonderful moments in this story that is layered in textures and subtle nuances that I absolutely and thoroughly enjoyed reading this amazing love story. Enlightened Love concludes on a very uplifting note and will leave you feeling extremely satisfied.

  -- Aggie Tsirikas, Just Erotic Romance Reviews

  Enlightened Love is now available from Liquid Silver Books.

  THE MEN ON MARS

  Shara Lanel

  www.loose-id.com

  Warning

  This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers. Loose Id e-books are for sale to adults ONLY, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

  * * * * *

  This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable (ménage, homoerotic sex).

  The Men on Mars

  Shara Lanel

  This e-book is a work of fiction. While reference might be made to actual historical events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Published by

  Loose Id LLC

  1802 N Carson Street, Suite 212-2924

  Carson City NV 89701-1215

  www.loose-id.com

  Copyright © September 2006 by Shara Lanel

  All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the purchaser of this e-book ONLY. No part of this e-book may be reproduced or shared in any form, including, but not limited to printing, photocopying, faxing, or emailing without prior written permission from Loose Id LLC.

  ISBN 978-1-59632-341-4

  Available in Adobe PDF, HTML, MobiPocket, and MS Reader

  Printed in the United States of America

  Editor: Barbara Marshall

  Cover Artist: Sinamin

  www.loose-id.com

  Chapter One

  Have you ever thought of the man on the moon as sexy? Well, he is. Sexy as hell. He lives in this specially designed dome, deep in one of the moon’s famous craters. The heat shields and giant fans and other technology that I don’t understand -- and don’t care to -- keep him from frying under the sun’s rays.

  He explained all of this to me as he bought me another drink. So I listened, since I never turn down free drinks. We were at the Mars Bar on the red planet. Space shuttles and orbiters cluttered the vast parking lot, which was really one giant launch pad. The rockets’ hatches connected to an underground moving walkway, something like the one at the Atlanta airport on Earth. The scientists had long suspected that water resided on Mars, and once they found it, the planet became a fave watering hole for the droves of transients that traveled our solar system.

  “I could take you there,” said the moon man, selling me on his words with a sweep of coal lashes over his silver eyes. I swigged my drink. Maybe he could. What do I know? I’m just a fuel assistant stranded on this red rock until something better comes along. Could this be the something better?

  “To the moon?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Literally, or is that just your pick-up line?”

  “Literally. My biosphere is quite lush. All the amenities.” He leaned closer, nearly slipping from his barstool, crowding me with his six-foot frame. Not that I minded the crowding. He was a perfect specimen, and I wouldn’t mind exploring his tight pecs and abs.

  I was fairly short by Earth standards, only five-foot four, but I had nice proportions, or so I’d been told while naked and sweaty in some man’s room. “I’m sure it is,” I said, trying to imagine the view from the moon. “But I’m gunning for the ultimate biosphere -- Earth.”

  “The moon would get you closer.”

  “But not close enough. Nowhere to work, and no ships to hitch onto.”

  He leaned back and rubbed his chin. “There’s mine.”

  “Will you take me to Earth?” My drink, a Uranus mai tai, was beginning to take effect, softening the stark strobe lights from the dance floor, as well as making the stool I sat on seem a bit wobbly.

  “Will you fuck me during the whole trip?”

  I sat back quickly, nearly tipping over. Whoa! Move fast much, bud? But I liked his plain speaking. No games. He was clear about what he wanted. Like me. But did I want to whore myself for a ride? I’d done worse, of course, or I’d still be on Earth living the peachy life with real air instead of pumped-in oxygen. And honestly, would I be a true Jezebel if I was enjoying myself? I closed my eyes and tried to remember the smell of a freshly plucked dandelion. I couldn’t. That disturbed me more than sex as trade ever could.

  I decided to caress his boner under the bar to keep his interest while I thought fast. He purred; men are so predictable. I could scan his credentials at my fuel station to make sure he was legit, but that was no assurance that he’d keep his promises. Besides, wasn’t it worth the risk to get off this planet and back to civilization? Damn straight.

  “Thanks, lass,” he said, totally distracted by my long, steady strokes. He had a big cock, and from what I could tell via the tips of my fingers, one that would feel so good inside of me. I gripped his balls through the shimmery, slippery fabric of his pants, then slid my palm upwards to the tip of his shaft. He smiled.

  I sighed. “Why aren’t you a hero who’d take me to Earth and not touch a hair on my body?”

  “If you shave for me, I promise not to touch a hair, just a breast or two and a clit and some skin.”

  My nipples responded, tingling. There’s more to learn here. Like why this kind of talk turned me on. Maybe I wouldn’t be attracted to a true hero, anyway. I needed someone rough and tumble and coarse-shaven, whose chin would scrape my thighs as he lapped my juices and tongued my clit. Yeah, that’s my kind of hero. Forget the mushy professions of love. Give me the big O.

  But my heart felt hollow, as it had ever since I’d been strapped into that Earth rocket and shot into exile.

  The man from the moon leaned closer to whisper in my ear. “I could give you an orgasm every night while you cream and scream, all during those long, glorious months traveling back to Earth.”

  Evidence of my arousal dampened my panties. My nipples became taut soldiers. Maybe trading my body for a ride would kill two birds with one stone. Get me off and get me home.

  It crossed my mind that maybe I was still wanted on Earth.
Maybe going home wasn’t such a good idea, but I pushed that thought aside. I could hide out in the Amazon or Nepal, if worse came to worst. I remembered the fresh taste of lobster and the smell of a true ocean, not a virtual one.

  Just as I was about to offer my hand on the deal, a bio-engineered woman walked up and placed her hand on Moon Guy’s shoulder.

  “Introduce me.” She gazed at me with eyes larger than a standard human’s, the pale blue irises and thick gold lashes striking against her flawless olive skin. Her hair cascaded past her ears and beyond her shoulders, silky and black, an odd contrast. I wondered if her coloring was achieved by dye or gene adjustment. Now that I focused on it, I could see that the man from the moon had bio-engineered traits as well. He looked older, as if he’d been created before the bio-engineers had perfected the process. His nose was a bit crooked, and his dusky eyebrows weren’t quite symmetrical, but he was still yummy enough that I longed to run my fingers through his wavy, chestnut hair while I sank onto his thick dick.

  He glanced at his friend. “Actually, we hadn’t gotten around to names. I’m Clint de Luna.”

  “Apropos,” I said. “I’m Helena Terra.”

  “A beautiful name,” the woman crooned. “I am April de Luna.”

  “Brother and sister?”

  “No, the lunar tribe names all of their offspring de Luna. Easier to track us down, I guess.” Clint shrugged.

  “Keeps it simple,” I agreed. Looked like he was taken, so his offer of orgasmic sex couldn’t be genuine. I sighed. I needed to be heading for my cot anyway.

  Clint squeezed April’s hand. “I’ve invited Helena to accompany us to Earth.”

  April’s eyes widened. “That far? Has she credits for fuel?”

  “We were working out a bargain ... in trade.”

  April inhaled quickly, expanding her chest so that her breasts brushed against Clint’s hair and her nipples became visible under her tight blouse. “Trade,” she said as she exhaled. Her voice, all sex and honey, sent shivers to my toes.

  “Well, maybe it’s not such a good idea ...” I angled the rotating barstool for a quick escape.

  Clint placed his hand on my arm. “How would you feel about a no-strings test drive? Then, if you’re not comfortable keeping the deal for travel, we’ll go our separate ways.”

  I couldn’t help but squirm in my seat as I eyed both of the de Lunas. They stood out from the rest of the otherworldly crowd because of their perfection. They didn’t smell like space grease or unwashed body parts. They had hair on top of their heads instead of across their faces and arms. “Well ... that sounds reasonable.” And oh so pleasurable. The music pulsing through the bar punctuated the energy coursing through me. I really would do just about anything to get to Earth, but beyond that, a night of experimental sex might be just what the doctor ordered. Maybe a threesome could finally ease the aching homesickness that’d been plaguing me for far too long.

  “Excellent!” April clapped.

  As Clint stood, I could tell she was equally as tall as he. “We have a suite.” Clint’s voice rumbled, deep, like chocolate. “Follow me.”

  I took his hand, and April swung her arm across my shoulders. Snugged between these two perfections of humanity, my body was magnetized with anticipation.

  * * * * *

  Whoa, was I actually considering doing a threesome with complete strangers? Once again, I thought about checking the de Lunas’ credentials in the comp, but that would seem rude now that I’d already agreed, wouldn’t it? Besides, this was just sex. I promised myself to check them out thoroughly before I set foot on their launch pad. And this was a chance to get back to Earth, to my home. A thrill shot through me. It’d been so long; I’d almost forgotten the sweet smell of cut grass and fresh rain, the feel of wet soil and rotting leaves on my bare feet. Sticks, insects, and humidity in the air. I was so ready to return to Earth, had been for two years now. For a moment, I saw my mom’s face in my mind, kind, the way it should be when looking at her child. I pushed the pseudo-memory aside, knowing that if I dwelled on it, the pain would take over. She had nothing to do with why I wanted, needed to get home.

  And Clint and his perfect partner April were offering me the chance to get there with a bonus -- pleasure.

  I’d never experienced a threesome, and I was so wet just thinking about it as April rubbed her palm against my ass on the way to their room, that I could barely concentrate on the steps I was taking. Was I ready to touch and stroke a woman, to let her touch me?

  I glanced up out of the corner of my eye, and April winked at me, as if she knew exactly what I was thinking. Maybe she did. I’d heard the advances in genetic science had leapfrogged in the past couple of decades.

  “Are you nervous?” April whispered, as Clint focused on the green laser that would read his iris code. The door slid open, and April pressed me inside, not waiting for my answer. “Don’t be. Clint is a fabulous lover, the best I’ve ever had.”

  She was missing the point. I was so not worried about Clint. I anticipated taking every inch of his solid shaft into me and riding it to orgasm. It was April I was worried about. Maybe she was being purposely obtuse, focusing on the normal aspect of sex, man and woman, to put me at ease. Or were ménages common on the moon? Hell, they could be common on Earth. I’d never had the chance to find out. Damn cops, anyway.

  I sighed as I scanned my surroundings. The room was lush, the best that credits could buy. Shimmery material covered the walls in waves. Red, gold, and orange blended to make me feel I was in a tequila sunrise, my favorite Earth drink. One wall-length window revealed a universe of stars that did nothing to light the surface of the red planet. The window made me feel sucked in, lost in space, free of gravity and constraints.

  Clint approached. He spotted the goosebumps on my skin -- pure nerves -- so he rubbed my arms up and down with his strong hands. I purred as April poured three drinks, not asking what I preferred.

  Clint retreated a step and accepted a long-stemmed glass from April. He handed it to me. “This is rogashen, an aphrodisiac.”

  I quirked my head. “I’m not sure we need an aphrodisiac in this situation. Seems like we’re all raring to go.”

  He grinned, and I loved the humor dancing in his eyes. “You are raring to go? Because you seem a little nervous to me.”

  I rolled my eyes, then chugged half the glass.

  “Oh, my, she may pass out if we’re not careful,” April said, sipping her liquid.

  “Would you like to change?” Clint asked, as he scanned his messages on the countertop plasma screen.

  “You mean strip?” I asked, just to be certain. Plus, I wanted to emulate his plain speaking, so that he’d think I wasn’t too nervous, even if I was.

  “If you wish.”

  Again, he didn’t mince words, just said what he meant. I liked that in a man. On the other hand, no way in Mercury was I going to be the first one to take it all off.

  “Your face is so transparent,” April said. “I’m so glad you found her, love. I haven’t been this amused in quite some time.”

  “So glad I can entertain you,” I said. As long as you take me to Earth.

  She came up behind me and massaged my shoulders through the ultralight fabric of my top. I closed my eyes as she kneaded the base of my neck, the center of my shoulder blades, the tops of my arms. Her thumbs quested lower, finding the perfect pressure point in my back to ease all of my tension away.

  Clint set his glass on the bar and unzipped his shirt. The zipper barely made a sound as the fabric divided, revealing more and more skin. Not a single hair marred the perfection of his chest. I licked my lips, looking at his flat nipples and defined muscles. Did his genetics require him to work out for those muscles, or were they his artificial gift? He pulled the shirt from his pants so that I could admire his sexy abs, the sort that I couldn’t get even if I did a hundred crunches a day. April’s fingers continued to work their magic, now centering their touch on my lower back. I was dis
tracted by the unfamiliar realization that a woman was touching me. Clint moved closer, parallel with me. He met April’s eyes over my head and smiled knowingly. I could tell this wasn’t the first time they’d shared in this way.

  His touch started low on my stomach, startling me since I was actually ticklish there. Soft gentle strokes moved upward, over my ribs, below my arms. April’s hands dipped lower, covering my ass, massaging my glutes. Patient, so patient.

  I was getting impatient now. My breath came fast, and my heart raced. Clint’s thumbs grazed the very points of my nipples, which showed crystal clear through the ultralight. I longed for him to unzip my top as he’d done his. I wanted his skin against mine. I wanted him to see my body, very different from April’s. I hoped he’d admire it, but was there much hope of that with a genetically engineered woman in the room?

  April’s hands were snaking around my hips, moving forward and up until they could snag the waistband of my pants and roll them down. As if by mutual decision, April began to roll my pants down as Clint found my shirt zipper and pulled. Nervously, I put the drink to my lips and finished it. Clint slipped the glass from my fingers and placed it on the bar.

  I was totally buzzed now, but in a way I’d never felt before, like all my nerve endings were tingling, like they were hypersensitive, awaiting even the minutest touch. I was ready to soar. I wanted to be touched everywhere, all at once, by four unfamiliar hands and maybe even my own. Six hands on my body. Ooh, and lips tasting, tongues licking my private places, so much sensation at one time.

  Without noticing the transition, I found myself chilly and naked in the center of the room. Clint and April had both stepped away to finish removing their clothes. I watched Clint’s pants lower, revealing a huge cock, straight and thick. I immediately wanted to drop to my knees and suck. I inhaled through my nose and gripped my fingers together, trying to resist the urge. Wait, just wait. Let him come to me.