*****
Elizabeth woke tangled up between Jake and Chris’s long tanned limbs. They must have all fallen asleep because now the sun was setting. She sat up, pulling the muscular limbs off her naked body. She could see the faint glow of the setting sun illuminating the trees, and everything around them seemed bathed in silence. She took a deep breath, savoring how peaceful it was. She also felt safe because she was in the company of two enormous werebears.
“Hey you,” Jake said, rubbing the small of her back.
“What’s going on?” Chris said, jolting awake.
“Easy, guard bear. We are just enjoying the sunset,” Jake said, shaking out his black hair.
Chris nodded, sat up and stretched.
“I can’t believe we passed out,” Elizabeth said, pulling her knees to her chest.
“I know right, and please don’t be embarrassed. We’re grown-ups and it was fun,” Jake said, pulling her legs back down.
He was looking at her and biting his lip. Before Elizabeth could say anything Jake’s large hands were between her legs, stroking her pussy again and he was sucking on her nipples.
“I’m curious if your pussy feels as good as your ass. Care to go again?” Jake asked, pulling her on top of him.
“Guys!” Chris yelled, jumping up.
“Ah come on, man. We’re busy,” Jake said.
“Do you smell that?” Chris asked, pulling on his jeans.
Jake sat up lazily after seating Elizabeth beside him. After Jake sniffed the air, his face darkened, and he stood up.
“Shit!” Jake said, pulling Elizabeth to her feet, “Get dressed.”
Elizabeth obeyed, looking around. She could not see anything, but the longer she sniffed, the more she smelled something familiar: spices.
“Is that who I think it is?” Elizabeth asked.
Neither man answered, they just collapsed on all fours. Chris was back to being a massive, yellow-eyed grizzly and Jake a snarling Louisiana black bear. Chris growled something to Jake, and Jake nodded as Chris took off full-speed into the woods. Before Elizabeth could speak, Jake had her under his arm, heaving her onto his neck. Elizabeth held on tight as Jake bolted after Chris. She looked over her shoulder seeing search lights dance across the trees. Elizabeth saw no faces as she looked back, but she could sense them. It was Ursula and from the ominous feeling gripping Elizabeth’s chest, she was not alone. Elizabeth tightened her hold on Jake’s neck as he closed in on Chris. Chris was tearing through trees like he had supernatural strength. Large oaks came tumbling down as Chris beat a path for Jake to follow. Elizabeth shrieked as she looked ahead and saw Ursula standing at the top of a grassy knoll, smirking down at them.
Chris saw her, skidded to a halt and ran towards a clearing at an even faster velocity. He jumped over a stream and ambled up a tree with Jake right behind him.
*****
“Guy’s we’re totally fucked,” Jake said, tightening his grasp on the tree. Ursula and her gang of voodoo priestess were roaming below the tall tree with flashlights and muttering prayers.
“What do we do?” Elizabeth whispered, feeling her legs shaking.
Chris put a finger to her lips, and Elizabeth pinched her lips closed as tears fell down her face. This was all her fault. She doubted the possibility of anything outside of her biology textbook. Her goal was to save the bears and now here she was hiding in a tall tree with two werebears who might die because she mouthed off to a powerful witch.
“No way,” Jake said, sitting up.
A smile was spreading across Chris’ face too. Elizabeth wiped the tears from her face, and squinted to see the forest floor. Ursula and her gang were screaming and running away. They were being chased by the black mama bear from the day before. Elizabeth almost laughed.
“I told you to leave her alone,” Jake said, patting Chris on his back.
Chris smiled and nodded. Ursula and her friends were vanishing into the wood, screaming loudly.
“Well, well, this is an argument to save the bears if I ever heard one,” Jake said, lowering himself down the tree.
“Climb on my back,” Chris said, extending his hand.
Elizabeth obeyed and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Her stomach lurched as Chris jumped down three branches at a time. She closed her eyes, trying to think of a happy place. Her eyes popped open when an idea hit her. Chris put her down on the ground and rolled his shoulders.
“Jake, what did you say up there?” Elizabeth asked, picking leaves out of her hair.
“We’re fucked?” Jake asked.
“No after that. Something about argument and bears or something?” Elizabeth said.
“I just said this mess is an argument to save the bears,” Jake said, shrugging his shoulders.
Elizabeth leaned against the tree as her brain exploded like fireworks. That could be her thesis. It was not for magic or against magic. It would be about the wonder created by magic. The wonder she felt when she saw the cubs, the wonder she felt when she watched Chris and Jake turn into bears. She could never do anything to harm them because she was in awe of them and locked in a sense of wonder. Children believe in magic without second guessing it because they have a sense of wonder. However, as children get older they lose that sense of wonder. If humans, those illegally hunting bears and those destroying the habitats, had a sense of wonder, they would not harm the world around them. Elizabeth clapped her hands together, shocked at the beautiful simplicity of her thesis.
“You okay?” Jake asked, staring at Elizabeth.
“I’m better than okay. You just got me my job after college. I would need a lot of sources. You know, citing the cultural changes in group thought regarding nature, Native Americans versus industrialization and stuff like that,” Elizabeth said, pacing the forest floor.
“I’m not following. Are you, Chris?” Jake asked.
Chris shook his head.
Elizabeth explained her train of thought. She wanted to argue for humans to make nature a personal experience and have a personal connection. Because of land reclamation and the plethora of cityscapes and suburbia, nature was pushed far away. Out of sight and out of heart and mind.
Chris nodded and rubbed his scruffy chin.
“Nice job,” Jake said, giving her a high-five.
“Thanks,” Elizabeth said, smiling broadly.
“So—so you’re leaving then?” Jake asked.
Elizabeth’s face fell, looking from Chris to Jake. They both looked like what she was feeling: disappointment.
“I’ll be living in Washington D.C. if this all works out. I mean, I would like to see you guys again. Maybe we can keep in touch? I can’t believe I just said that,” Elizabeth said, tucking her hair behind her ear.
“I—I would kind of be into that,” Chris said.
“Yea, I mean it’s not like we have real roots anywhere,” Jake said.
“You guys would want to—share me?” Elizabeth asked, feeling a glint of excitement.
“I mean, yeah, if that means we can see each other again. My only rule is you have to go to Mardi Gras every year with us,” Jake said, cupping Elizabeth’s chin, “And I mean come and be focused. No notebooks. No tape recorders. And by focused, I mean wasted, tits out and lots of beads.”
Elizabeth shoved him playfully and nodded.
“Fine, deal,” Elizabeth said, looking over at Chris.
“I’m down too,” Chris said, smiling at her.
“What if it doesn’t work though?” Elizabeth asked, looking from Chris to Jake.
“Then we’ll all be friends. I don’t think the potential for failure means we don’t try. We all clearly have a connection,” Chris said.
Elizabeth stepped backward, pulled her shirt over her head, and wriggled free of her jeans. In the rush to get away from the vindictive Ursula she did not get to grab her bra and panties. She was naked, leaning against a tree.
“I think we should get started making this connection stronger. Besides Jake was starti
ng something when we were rudely interrupted. Chris, you interested in switching positions?’’ Elizabeth asked, feeling bolder.
“Yes, ma’am,” Chris said, walking towards her. Jake followed, pulling off his shirt.
Elizabeth closed her eyes, savoring her new relationship and her absolute oneness with the forest. She would have insight she never could find in any book and both men would have her absolute devotion. In hoping she would save the bears, in would seem the bears turned the tables on her and saved her.
THE END
Bonus Story 16 of 40
Suburban Cyborg
“The readings we are receiving from your other unit are sufficient. How has your oxygen filtration system been functioning, PAUL-3957?” The voice from the handheld communicator was nasally and there was a humming background noise collected from interstellar feedback.
“Function levels are normal. Optimal setting is at 115% oxygen intake.”
Paul Bardon was sitting in the bedroom of his suburban home on Earth as he read the statistical information from the display imbedded in his left forearm to the small device in his right hand. The information was being sent to his commander 130 light years away on Beseda or, as it was known on this planet, Beta Ursae Minoris b.
“You’re doing an excellent job, PAUL-3957. We have new orders for you. Activate order Alpha-92-C65.”
“Yes sir.”
The order directives showed up on his forearm display as his commander signed off. Paul stood up from the bed, sliding the communicator into the front pocket of his khakis, and smoothed out the crisp white sheets where his presence had disturbed them. He looked around the room to check that everything was clean and orderly as his military training had instilled in him. Everything was in its’ place, and just so, as the knock at the front door prompted him to leave the room.
***
Laura Blumenthal was busy scratching behind the ears of the three-year-old golden retriever and crooning “such a good boy” when the door before her opened up. Startled, she straightened blushing bright red. The handsome owner of the dog, Paul Bardon, towered over her wearing his usual khakis and a baby blue polo that was just a tad snug in the shoulders so that the fabric was pulled taut over his athletic frame. She always felt like she was underdressed when she was around him, wearing old concert t-shirts and leggings. Her long dark hair was pulled back in a ponytail, and a brightly colored woven purse slung across her shoulder held her car keys, dog treats, and poop baggies. After all, dog walking in suburban Kansas City was not a profession that one really had to dress up for.
“Hi Mr. Bardon. I-I just finished walking Aspen.” She motioned to the retriever who sat at perfect attention with his tail wagging lazily. “He was perfectly well behaved, as always. He’s the best behaved dog in the entire neighborhood.”
“Thank you, Ms. Blumenthal,” he answered in his standard courteous manner and she handed him the leash. As they traded off the nylon strap Laura’s hand brushed lightly against his long fingers and she felt a small jolt as if she had been shocked.
She retracted her hand quickly, her blush deepening. She felt his dark brown eyes assessing her while she kept her own eyes fixed firmly on his loafers and kneaded the woven strap of her little purse with her fingers. For the last six months, since the quiet accountant had moved into the neighborhood and Laura had begun walking his dog, she had been harboring a crush for Paul Bardon. He was not much older than her, in his mid thirties, and very attractive. He stood just over six foot with broad shoulders that tapered down to a trim waist. His dusty blonde hair was always combed back like James Dean and even in these late October days his skin looked like it had been kissed by the sun.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” she blurted out in a rush as she turned to walk away, desperate to get out from under his scrutinizing gaze. “Three o’clock as usual.”
“Laura.”
The word, her name, hung in the air for a moment and she froze in place. Paul wasn’t an outspoken man, but he always spoke with authority. This was different, however, from his carefully chosen words, deliberate and delivered in that polite manner that almost sounded robotic. Never had he called her by her first name. This was…spontaneous.
Slowly, Laura turned back around to face Paul. He looked like a model standing on his front step with Aspen sitting beside him, the both of them framed by the door with the neatly trimmed hedges extending off to either side. The only thing out of place was the look of shock and confusion on his face.
“Yes, Mr. Bardon?”
“Please, call me Paul,” he said, regaining his composure.
Laura blushed again. “Paul.”
“Maybe we could see each other another time as well. Would you be available tonight?”
“Oh. I-I would love to…but I have class tonight.” The question was unexpected. As much as she had daydreamed of this moment, she never thought in a million years that it could actually happen. After all, despite months of her walking his dog, the two of them had never really exchanged more words than were necessary. Paul’s brow furrowed and Laura knew that such a beautiful man had probably never been turned down for a date before. She quickly added, “But I’m free tomorrow.”
Paul smiled and her heart fluttered. She had never seen so much expression in his face in all the time that she’d known him. His quiet mannerisms never allowed for much in the emotional range, but his perfect smile was breathtaking and Laura felt weak in the knees.
“I’ll make reservations for tomorrow,” he said. “Is lunchtime okay? Would you mind if I were to pick you up?”
For Laura, the world seemed to be spinning and she wondered if this was all just a vivid dream she was about to wake up from. How could such sculpted lips be saying these words? She was momentarily transfixed on his mouth, how his lips moved and caressed each vowel and consonant. They were so perfectly centered between his slightly upturned nose and that prominently chiseled chin. On top of it, they were the perfect shade, slightly darker than the rest of his tan skin and-
“Laura?”
“Oh, yes,” she felt like schoolgirl fawning over him and getting lost in thought. She quickly regained herself. “Yes, I’d like that very much. Lunch sounds great. Would you like-well, I guess you already have my number.”
An amused smirk crept onto Paul’s face and Laura knew she must have been some awful shade of fire engine red from her own embarrassment. He nodded. “Yes, I have your number. I will give you a call later this evening. What time does your class end?”
“Nine o’clock.”
*****
Laura woke up early the next morning. She could barely sleep with all of her excitement for her date with Paul. It had been a long time since she had been on a proper date. Between her job as a dog walker and her business classes at night, she had removed herself from the dating scene so that she could focus on getting her career on track. Her initial plan was to finish her business degree in the next year and open her own doggy daycare before she worried about finding a man.
However, when a man like Paul Bardon asked you on a date it would be foolish to turn him down. He was well off for an accountant and owned a lovely house in the suburbs. He was handsome, in shape, and unlike some of the men from her night classes who had asked her out, he had all of his hair and teeth.
Laura’s inner thoughts continued on this train of thought as she went about her morning routine. She began by getting dressed and going for a morning run. Her steps echoed in the stairwell of her building as she descended from her third floor apartment. Then she headed in the direction of the nearest park.
One of the things she enjoyed about living in the area was that even though she lived “in the city” things weren’t crowded and suffocating. Granted, it was still an urban area and vastly different from the suburbs, but she had visited friends who had moved to places like New York City and she much preferred the sprawling urbanization of the Midwest.
The dawn was just starting to illuminate the sky but the
re were a few other runners out that Laura passed by when she got to the park. Some of them she recognized and a couple she had even talked to in passing. She smiled at everyone she passed, unable to contain her excitement for the day ahead.
When she returned to her apartment an hour later she was hot and sweaty, but no less excited. She turned on the coffee maker as she let down her hair and began to strip off the sweaty clothes so she could get into the shower. Emerging from the steamy bathroom wrapped in her fluffy blue towel, she breathed in the pleasant aroma of strong, dark roast coffee that filled her entire apartment.
Thoughts of Paul kept her mind abuzz and she kept replaying their conversation on the phone last night. Not that it was a particularly long conversation, as Paul was a man of few words. But just the knowledge that he was interested in her, even if he didn’t quite show it very well, was enough to make her giddy.
After pouring herself a cup of coffee, Laura began the tedious task of figuring out just what to wear. She stood in front of the full-length mirror on her closet door and wondered just how much to dress up for a first date. Paul had said he’d made reservations for brunch at 11:30, so she had roughly two hours to dissect her closet to find the most appropriate outfit.
***
Laura was nervous as she prepared to open the door of her apartment building. On the other side was Paul, and she was quite self-conscious of her appearance. She wondered if the dark brown slacks made her hips look too wide, or if the salmon colored sweater was too much color for her complexion. Her hair fell loosely about her shoulders and she momentarily considered throwing it up in a ponytail, but after a deep breath she decided against it and opened the door.
There stood Paul, his brown eyes were warmed by the small smile that grew on his face when he took in her appearance. He was wearing his usual khakis and a white polo, and the midmorning light highlighted the strong features of his face like his high cheekbones and square jaw.
“Good morning, my dear,” he said as he extended a hand for her.
Alien Mate Page 59
