Shades of Pink

by 33 authors

  His best friend and roommate, Axel, just shook his head at him. They’d known each other since primary school, and Axel knew to just let Caleb do whatever it was he was going to do. Once he set his mind on something, he could be damn stubborn about it, and he obviously wanted this girl. He had actually never seen him this interested in a girl before. Of course the two friends had been out socializing many times, and there had been many girls that had flirted shamelessly with Caleb. But he had never been interested in anything much more than casual interaction. Axel just figured the girl Amara must hold some exotic allure for Caleb because she was from off planet. She was pretty, to be certain, but Caleb had responsibilities to his family and planet. Still, it was just for one term. Caleb didn’t know that Axel had been asked to report back to his family ever since they first started at the university, and as of yet, there had been nothing out of the ordinary to report. Axel sure hoped it stayed that way.

  Caleb made a point of going to the library rooftop every night, in hopes that Amara would join him. With Axel’s help, he had also managed to sneak up two comfortable chaise lounge chairs and a little table. The night was getting cooler, and he had brought two soft blankets with him just in case. Still, it was a few weeks later before Amara pushed open the access door and stepped out into the brisk night air with him.

  “I was starting to wonder if you’d ever come up here again,” Caleb said, taking her hand with a smile.

  Amara found herself smiling back up at him. “I have had much studying to do. It takes me a little longer to decipher English text when I read. And I had to wait for Thari to fall asleep again,” she added with an impish grin, letting Caleb lead her to the chairs he had set up. He offered her one of the soft, pink blankets. She looked at him quizzically, but took the blanket and nodded her thanks.

  “Ah, well, I noticed that your favorite color is pink,” he said, “and it gets chilly up here at night.”

  “Oh, yes. Thank you,” she grinned at him. “I’ve heard other students at class call me ‘Princess Pink.’ But actually, pink is my family color. On Xythos, the different family lines are represented by a certain color. Ours just happens to be pink, but I do like the color.”

  “That sounds a lot like the tartan plaids that my family used to wear in Scotland a long time ago.”

  “I do not understand what a ‘tartan plaid’ is.”

  “Just a second,” Caleb reached out to the table and picked up the holo-tablet he used for schoolwork. “I was working on Ancient Astronomy earlier,” he said to Amara. With a few pushes to the screen of his tablet, he brought up a list of various cloth designs and projected them in a 3D display. “Okay, this is the plaid of Clan Stewart. This one at the right is the Fraser colors, and this one here,” he pointed to a design of dark greens and blues, “is the plaid for Clan Gordon, which is where my family’s ancestry is from.” He chuckled and smiled at her, “You should see the family crest.”

  “Family crest?” she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

  “A kind of family symbol, I guess you’d call it,” he explained, pleased with her interest. “Here, I’ll show you.” He brought up an image of a sign that showed a stag’s head in the middle of a large circle. It had large antlers, each having ten tines, and the word ‘Bydand’ written in bold letters across the top.

  Amara studied it closely, then pointed to the word. “I don’t recognize this.”

  “It means ‘steadfast’ or something close to that,” he said quietly.

  “You are proud of your family,” she stated.

  “Well, yeah, I am,” he thought for a moment. “Don’t get me wrong, they can be a total pain in the butt, but they are still family and family is important.”

  “I understand,” Amara laughed. “Although I do not think my mother or father would like to hear that they can be a ‘pain in the butt.’”

  Caleb laughed along with her for a moment, and then they settled into a comfortable silence sitting shoulder to shoulder. Amara gazed contentedly into the starry night sky, and Caleb had a hard time keeping his eyes off of her delicate profile. The moon was not full, but even in the darkness she looked radiant to him. He could feel desire for her curling in his groin, and he wanted nothing more than to reach out and touch her.

  “Ah ha!” she broke the silence suddenly. “There—do you see it?” She reached out and put her hand on Caleb’s arm, pointing with her other. “Right there. I am fairly certain that cluster of stars is Orion, and that row of stars is Orion’s Belt.”

  “I think you’re right,” he answered with a chuckle. Her excitement was infectious. “I was working on our latest astronomy lesson when you came up.” Still holding his holo-tablet, Caleb quickly brought up the assignment. The map showed various constellations of stars that could be seen during this time of year. “And look, just slightly above it,” he pointed to the distance, “I think that may be the one called Taurus.”

  “Oh, it does look like it,” she sighed. “It is so beautiful up here. I think I could look at the stars all night. Don’t you?” She glanced at him, and noticed that her hand was still on his forearm. She started to pull it away when Caleb covered it with his own large hand.

  “I could sit up here all night with you, Amara,” he leaned towards her, staring into her eyes. He placed his other hand on her smooth cheek. Her skin felt like satin under his fingertips. Her eyes widened and her lips parted, tempting Caleb to capture them with his own. Tenderly, he brushed his lips across hers. Her eyelids fluttered close and a small sigh escaped her. Caleb slid his fingers into the soft hair at her neck, bringing her closer to him. He teased her mouth with his tongue, gently urging her lips to open to his exploration. His tongue touched hers and immediately her eyes shot open and Caleb felt her grip tighten on his arm. He pulled back and looked at her. She looked at him with confusion, her fingertips touching her lips.

  “I...I have never done that. Why do you touch lips like this?”

  “It’s a kiss, Amara,” Caleb said wryly. Damn, he knew he should have tried harder to learn about the culture of Xythos, but information had been hard to come by even in this technological age. “It’s a way to show affection...ah, I kissed you because I like you and am happy to see you.”

  Amara’s smile was lopsided. “I like you too, Caleb Gordon. I was not complaining, I was just curious. Still,” she continued, “I am confused. The elders will kiss children on their foreheads in my kingdom, but I do not think our people ever touch lips with each other.” Her grin widened, “It is nice. It makes my stomach feel like butterflies are fluttering about.”

  “Butterflies are good,” he laughed, “I feel them too.”

  “Kiss me again,” Amara said, scooting closer to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and offered him her lips. With a small groan, Caleb dipped his head and slanted his mouth against hers. He deepened the kiss, drawing her closer to his chest and her lips parted for his seeking tongue. Amara tentatively returned the motion with her own tongue, causing Caleb to inhale sharply. He pulled her onto his lap, his hands easily spanning her narrow waist. His lips trailed kisses along her jaw to her delicate ear and then down her slender throat. Amara tilted her head back, moaning softly. She moved her hands up, letting her fingers slide through the silky hair that curled against his neck.

  Caleb let his hands glide up to cup her breasts through the soft fabric of her clothes. His thumbs drew circles on the tips, making her nipples grow taunt. Slowly, he pulled on the zipper, bringing the top of her uniform down until her pert breasts were exposed. Amara gasped when the cool air hit her bare chest. Caleb shifted so Amara was leaning back against the chair, and then quickly lowered his head to kiss each breast, laving his tongue over the sensitive tips of her dark pink nipples.

  “What are you doing?” Amara managed to squeak out.

  “We are making love,” he replied huskily through kisses. From what he had studied about the people of Xythos, he knew that their anatomies were almost identical. Just the
thought of being able to plunge into her, to join their bodies together, had tormented him for weeks. He was harder right now than he’d ever been.

  Her hands dug into his shoulders as he lowered her zipper further and trailed kisses down her stomach. He could feel the quickened beat of her heart, could smell her heightened arousal.

  “I need to taste you,” he let out a low, lustful growl and slid the irritating barrier of her clothes further down her shoulders. Amara looked at him with wide eyes, but helped Caleb as he worked her jumpsuit off. Noticing the goose bumps on her arms, he grabbed the pink blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders. He laid her gently back and kissed her deeply before his lips trailed back down to her womanhood. The women on Xythos did not have much body hair, and he marveled at her almost bare mound. Her scent was driving him crazy, but he forced himself to go slowly. He touched the tip of his tongue to her exposed clitoris and felt her grab his head.

  “Caleb, what....” she groaned.

  “Shh, Amara,” he soothed. “Tonight is for you.” He licked at her slit again, and noticed how wet she already was. His cock throbbed painfully in response. He continued to caress her with his tongue, swirling over her sensitive clit and then slid two fingers into her soft depths. Amara called out, clutching at his shoulders now. Caleb worked his fingers in time with his tongue, and he knew that Amara’s climax was near. She strained against his mouth, her hips bucking to meet his every touch. Her small scream echoed into the night, her body rocked with spasms until she finally went limp.

  Caleb sat up, pulling Amara on top of him. He grabbed the other blanket to cover them both up, and kissed her tenderly, cradling her head in his hands. He held her until her heartbeat slowed and returned to normal. The hair at her temples was loose and damp with perspiration. He tucked it behind her ears, enjoying the feel of her body on his.

  “I have not felt that before,” she finally spoke, her voice still breathless. “What was that? Was that the ‘making love’, Caleb?”

  “That was a part of it,” he answered, kissing the top of her head. “Don’t you know about sex? I couldn’t find what you call it on Xythos.”

  “Sex?” She said thoughtfully, “I do not know this word either.”

  “Ah, we also call it making love. Some people call it mating...”

  “Mating, this word I know,” Amara interrupted, looking up at him “but people do not mate on my planet, only the animals do that to produce more animals.”

  “Okay,” Caleb said slowly, “how do you have children then?”

  “A mutually beneficial contract is agreed upon and signed between a man and a woman. Her egg is fertilized with his seed. Usually the fertilized egg is implanted into a host to carry the baby to term. There are a few women who chose to carry their babies in their bodies themselves, although that is rare in our society.”

  Caleb was taken aback. “So, men and women do not engage in sex, er, mating on your planet at all?”

  “Not that I am aware of, even people in our lower castes sign contracts to produce heirs. There are some couples that opt to sign a life-contract with each other. I think it is much like the marriage ceremony on Earth, although on Xythos, it is mostly the nobility that still insist upon it.”

  “What about feelings for each other? What about love?” he asked, his mind still reeling from what she had told him.

  “Love?” Amara queried, “But that is neither logical nor practical. Do humans still marry each other for these feelings?”

  “Well, I hope so. I mean, I think most people marry each other for love,” he let out a soft swoosh of air. “Heck, I’m sure there are a lot of people who marry to better their careers or social standing, but I guess I’m old fashioned that way.” He grinned at her. “I hope to marry someone for love one day.”

  Amara smiled sadly at him. “Well, Caleb Gordon, I hope you are able to do that one day as well.” She reached for her discarded school jumper and pulled it back into place, firmly zipping up the front. “I need to get back to my rooms. Thank you, for this night. I...I have never experienced anything like this, and I shall not forget it.” She kissed him quickly on the lips, and swiftly headed out the door and down the spiral stairs before Caleb could stop her.

  “That didn’t go as well as I’d hoped,” Caleb muttered to the night.

  * * *

  “Damn it! Axel, she won’t even look at me now, much less talk to me,” Caleb swore, snapping his holo-pad shut with a loud click.

  Axel eyed his friend with worry. He didn’t know everything that had happened, but he did know that Caleb was driving himself crazy over this girl from Xythos. It had been a couple of weeks, and had gotten to a point where he had mentioned it in his last weekly update to Caleb’s parents. They were concerned, but called it ‘puppy love,’ and believed that Caleb would get over her in time. Axel wasn’t so sure. He’d never seen Caleb so distracted before over anything.

  “I could try talking to her,” he ventured, watching his best friend pace back and forth like a caged beast.

  “What good would that do?” Caleb snarled. “Wait, I’m sorry Ax. I don’t mean to take it out on you. She sent her friend Thari to me yesterday, ‘respectfully requesting’ that I stop trying to contact her.”

  “Well,” Axel cleared his throat, “I did manage to dig up some information on her, if you’re interested....” That caught Caleb’s attention.

  “Okay, spill it,” he demanded, rounding on him with a serious glint in his eyes.

  “Sheesh, calm down,” Alex grinned, throwing his hands up in the universal sign of surrender. “I’ll tell you what I know. Her full name is Ravealli Amara Reshya de Scion. She is actually royalty—the Crown Princess Royale, I think they call her. She’s pretty high up, that’s for sure.”

  “No wonder she doesn’t sit with the rest of the class,” Caleb said darkly. “We’re the peasants.”

  “Yeah, well, this is her vacation of sorts too. What I gleaned from the contacts I made is that when this term is over, she’s due home to resume her royal duties, including a planned marriage contract in order to strengthen their line.”

  “That’s it!” Caleb’s head shot up. “No wonder she freaked out when we were talking about marriage.”

  “Ah, what? Back up—you were talking about marriage? Like to her?” Axel asked, eyes wide.

  “No, nothing like that. It just came up in our conversation,” he brushed off his friend’s worry. “She said that on Xythos only nobility still insisted on a ‘life-contract,’ she called it. That must be it...” Caleb quickly gathered up his things, stuffing them all in his satchel. “I need to go. And thanks, Axel, I owe you one.” He waved over his shoulder as he hurried off, leaving Axel to stare in amazement at his speedy departure.

  * * *

  Caleb continued to go up to the library roof at night, hoping that perhaps Amara would come join him again. Tonight was the last full night before the term ended, and she would be going home to Xythos shortly after. Caleb had so much he wanted to talk to her about, and time was running out.

  It was nearly eleven when he heard the sound of the rooftop door opening, and heard her soft footsteps come towards him. He was almost afraid to turn around and look at her, so he closed his eyes instead until he felt her sit next to him.

  “Caleb,” she whispered, “I am sorry that I did not come to you sooner.”

  He looked at her then, and felt himself go hard instantly. She was wearing a soft pink robe and a diaphanous, pink silk gown that showed all of her curves. She wound her arms around his neck, bringing her lips close to his.

  “Amara...” he started, but she placed a finger on his lips to silence him.

  “No, Caleb. No talking tonight,” she said softly. “Tonight, I only want to feel you. Just this once, I want to know what loving with bodies is like.” She slid the robe off her shoulders then, and leaned into Caleb, kissing him with a hungry ferocity. Caleb encircled her with his arms, drawing her close and could feel the softness of her b
reasts pressing against his chest. Blood coursed through him, making him stiff with need.

  “Are you sure,” he said raggedly, “I may not be able to stop…” She cut him off with another heated kiss, touching her tongue with his, and all thoughts left him. He eased her down onto the chaise and covered her with his body. He kissed her neck, and down her chest to the gentle slope of her stomach. He pushed the flimsy gown up sliding it easily over her head, exposing her silken skin to his touch. Dipping his head, he kissed further down until he reached her mound. Her smell filled him, sweet and feminine. He kissed the tip of her nub, causing her hips to buck up. With a smile, he lifted one leg, kissing down the tender flesh of her inner thigh along towards her ankle. Amara gasped, and clawed at the blanket on the chair.

  Sitting up, Caleb undid the zipper on his uniform, shrugged out of his jumpsuit and under garments in it one swift motion. Amara’s eyes drifted across the muscular planes of his chest, catching her breath at the sight of his arousal. Tentatively she reached a hand out and touched his shaft. It felt like velvet to her curious fingers, and Caleb groaned, catching her hands with his own.

  “Gods, Amara, your touch drives me crazy. I don’t want this to be over so quickly though,” he rasped. He lowered himself over her again, his hand sliding between them to rub at her clitoris. He gently slid a finger into her slit, and found her hot and wet. “Honey,” he said hoarsely, “I don’t want to hurt you....”

  “You could never hurt me, Caleb,” she whispered, “I need you to soothe this ache inside my body. It is a burning, a longing, that I have not been able to ease.”

  “I need you, too.” He eased her legs apart, and positioned himself between her thighs, placing the tip of his penis against her opening. Slowly he pushed his shaft into her wet folds, straining to be as gentle as possible. Amara gasped when it went through the barrier, and Caleb froze. “Did I hurt you?” he searched her face. In answer, she grabbed his hips and brought her body up, forcing him inside her fully.