by Ravenna Tate
“I don’t need much.”
“I’d be claustrophobic living here.”
“It makes me feel safe.”
He gave her a sympathetic look. “I think we need to get you outdoors more.”
After she freshened up and changed her clothes, she picked up her clutch bag containing her phone, mints, keys, and makeup. “Let’s go then. Lead the way.”
Their condo was right around the corner from the Ministry, in a complex that reminded her of upscale ones back home because of the design. Plenty of windows and interesting angles. The outside colors were as bland and uninspired as the inside of the Ministry, but when they ushered her through the front door, she smiled. “Now this is what I’m talking about.”
“I wish I could say we did this,” said Thane, “but it was already like this. We’re leasing it from a Regum couple who built a home near the ocean. They’re debating whether to keep this place as well, to have a house close to the Ministry.”
She walked through the bright, open rooms and admired the pale bronze and sea green palette. Little touches of culture were everywhere, from the prints on the walls to what looked like antique pottery on the end tables. “What did you bring with you from Addo? Is any of this yours?”
Rune smiled and shook his head. “Clothes, dishes, and towels. Not much else.”
She glanced out the window into a courtyard filled with people sitting on benches or walking. Green trees and bushes dotted it, and the walkways looked like flagstones. She backed away from the window and turned to face them. “So, can I help with dinner?”
“Sure,” said Thane, leading the way into the kitchen. “As long as you can actually cook.”
She laughed. “Ah, I’m Italian. Of course I can cook.”
“I have no idea what that means,” he said.
“No, I don’t suppose you do. On Earth it means people drool at the sound of my heritage. It means lasagna, homemade spaghetti sauce, roasted veggies, and to-die-for desserts.”
Thane reached underneath the cooktop and pulled out a large saucepan. “Well here on Sera, ‘I’m a good cook’ means you know your way around dough, and how to sauté vegetables until the flavor is just perfect. Prepared to be amazed.”
She and Rune opened a bottle of wine, and he poured them each a glass. They sat on stools at the counter and watched Thane prepare what Gia thought of as akin to stir-fry, with meat that she knew was similar to chicken, vegetables whose names she still translated into their English equivalents in her head, and sauce that smelled like a combination of peanuts and sesame. She also detected ginger, oregano, and of course pepper. They loved to add pepper to dishes on Sera.
The smell filled the condo until her stomach rumbled. As they drank their wine, she and Rune popped a pre-made loaf of bread into the oven, and then she helped him set the table. Once the food was ready, they sat down to eat, and Gia told Thane she’d never tasted anything so good.
“My family would adore you,” she said. “They’d be all over this, begging you for the recipe.”
“I wish I could have met them.”
She couldn’t talk about them in the past tense, even though she’d long ago accepted that they were dead. “What about you two? Do you have family here or on Addo?”
“Most of our family is still here on Sera,” said Rune. “Our parents are retired from jobs in finance, and we have a younger sister who works as an administrative assistant for a lumber company on Addo.”
“Do you see them often?”
“We plan to make time to catch up with all of them now that we’re working here. And when we visit Vaughn and River next week, we might make time to say hello to our sister.”
“I’m really looking forward to meeting them, and Marianne, too.”
“Are you going to be okay going?” asked Thane.
“Yes, as long as you don’t ask me to walk around in a crowd, I’ll be fine. Thank you.”
After dinner, she helped them with the dishes, and then they asked if she wanted to sit outside. “The side patio faces the woods, not the courtyard,” said Rune. “More private than the back, and we can watch the sun set.”
“I’d love that.” Once outside, she relaxed when she realized no one could see them, and there weren’t throngs of neighbors milling about. “This is breathtaking.” The colors to the east always amazed her. The sun set in the east on Sera, and rose in the west. It had taken her nearly a year to get used to that.
“I’m enjoying it, too.” Thane was looking directly at her, and the combination of lust and admiration in his eyes took her breath away. She used to dream about a man looking at her like that, after she was brought here. It had been a very long time since one had done so, and she realized at that moment how much she’d missed it, and craved it once again.
“As am I,” she whispered, holding his gaze.
They locked glances for a long time, and then Thane rose and went into the condo without a word. She watched him, and then frowned at Rune. “Shit. What did I say to upset him?”
“Nothing. He’s not upset. He just doesn’t want to do something stupid and upset you. Neither do I. I’d move right now, but if I did, I’d pull you into my arms and kiss you into next week. It’s all I’ve thought about doing since the moment I walked into the department four days ago.”
Gia slumped against her chair, unable to form a coherent thought, let alone a response. She hadn’t thought about anything but these two men all week, too. She had to blink back tears as Thane finally joined them again. He held a pitcher of water and three glasses. After her poured them each one, he drained his, then poured another. Finally, he said down again, and faced her.
“Better now.”
“I’m sorry.”
He shook his head. “We told you to stop apologizing. You’ve done nothing wrong.”
She watched Rune drink his water, and then she gazed out at the deepening colors once more. She was safe here. She felt it in her bones. And she knew these two wouldn’t hurt her. Wasn’t it time to start living again?
Tears slid down her cheeks before she realized she was crying, and as she went to wipe them away, Thane was at her side, doing it for her. “Shhh. Don’t cry.” His voice was so soft and gentle it tugged at her heart. “You’re okay, Gia. We would never hurt you. Never.”
“I know,” she whispered.
He stroked her face, and then her hair, and when he bent his head to kiss her, she lifted her face to meet his lips. She’d never wanted anything so badly in her life.
Chapter Six
When Thane’s lips met Gia’s he thought he’d go out of his mind with need. It was so difficult to hold back. When she’d told them what had happened to her on Voyeur Moon, all he’d wanted to do was fly there and find the men who had hurt her. He’d rip the fuckers limb from limb, and then he’d twist their balls off for fun, and make them eat them.
She pulled away from the kiss, but there was no fear on her face or in her beautiful dark eyes. Rather, there was a question. He knelt in front of her and held her face with both hands. “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. But if you want to make love, we’ll do that, too. Both of us. Gently, patiently, as much or as little as you want. No strings attached, and nothing else implied.”
She deserved some good memories of this place, not the pain and terror that had dominated her face and her entire aura as she’d told them that horrible story. He didn’t have to ask Rune if he wanted the same thing. He already knew it. He and Rune had been able to communicate without words all their lives.
“Oh…” She looked at him like he’d hung all four moons on Addo, and then she glanced toward Rune, who looked ready to jump out of his skin. “I want that,” she said in a breathy voice that drove him wild with desire. “I want that so badly. Not to be afraid anymore. I want to remember how to enjoy it.”
Rune knelt next to him and brushed a hand up Gia’s arm. Thane felt her whole body shiver, and a soft moan escaped her lips. There was only s
o much a man could take. This girl would be his undoing, and he didn’t care. He welcomed it.
****
After Gia had told them what happened to her on Voyeur Moon, Rune had vowed then and there to erase the memories for her, even if he had to fly there and burn the fucking Zoo and the holding cells down himself. This had to end, once and for all.
And now, watching her face filled with lust and indecision, he wanted to die inside. They had to help her. But that wasn’t the only thing on his mind. He wanted her. He wanted her so badly it hurt. “You deserve that, Gia. Every woman does. To enjoy a man’s touch, not flinch from it or have it bring up painful memories.”
When she’d flinched as he leaned close to her in the restaurant on Tuesday, he’d been devastated. But after hearing what she’d been through, he now understood her reaction. He’d give anything to change that for her. To take away the pain and fear.
She licked her lips. “Okay. Yes. But if I freak out, you’ll stop. Right?”
He let out a loud exhale. “Oh, my beautiful girl. Of course we will.”
Thane released her face and stood. Rune gathered her in his arms lifted her into them, gazing down into her face. Thane held open the door to let them pass before following Rune into the house. Rune placed her on the sofa, but Gia’s attention was on the open blinds. Thane sprinted over and closed them, and then Rune sat beside her. “May I kiss you?”
She let out a gasp. “Oh, yes. Please. Both of you. Please.”
****
Gia parted her lips this time when Rune’s mouth captured hers. She moaned loudly in the back of her throat as fireworks went off behind her closed eyelids. His tongue slid inside, and she reached up to tangle her fingers in his soft hair. Knowing Thane was here, too, only fed her arousal.
Rune released the kiss, his breathing ragged now. “Gia … beautiful Gia. A bed would be more comfortable. Are you okay with that? Both of us can hold you and kiss you that way.”
She nodded, then sat up. She was actually dizzy. The aroma of dinner hung in the air, bringing it with the memories of their easy conversation as they’d eaten. She took Rune’s hand, nearly recoiling from the heat. That, she remembered. All the alien men had been hot almost to the point of discomfort once they were sexually aroused.
No!
Not tonight. Not ever again. Those memories were not allowed to surface, especially not right now. She was going to savor this night with Thane and Rune because it would be perfect.
She had no idea whose bedroom they were in, but it smelled like they each did, and it was dominated by a large four poster bed. The lighting was soft, and the room held an ambiance of peace and security. She let out the breath she was holding, and put her free hand to her lips. She could still taste both men there.
Rune picked her up again and laid her on the bed. His strength both excited and frightened her. They were all so strong. They won’t hurt you.
He lay beside her, and Thane did the same on her other side. Gently, Thane turned her face toward his and smiled down into her eyes. “It’s okay. You’re safe. May I kiss you again?”
She nodded because her heart was beating so fast she couldn’t speak. He bent his head and kissed her tenderly at first, and then more urgently when she moaned and rolled to face him. He tangled his fingers in her hair, and behind her Rune nuzzled her neck and hair. He stroked her back, softly, tentatively while Thane’s tongue and lips moved over hers with practiced precision.
This was so beautiful, like a dance. A dance that sent shivers all over her body, and made her pussy wet. Her pussy was wet! She hadn’t been aroused like this in over two years, and her heart soared with joy at the realization that it could actually still happen. She had to blink back tears again. She hadn’t believed this was possible after… But here was the proof.
She wanted them. Both of them. She would have sex again, and this time it would be wonderful. Like it should be. With two men who didn’t want to hurt her, only pleasure her and make her happy.
He released her mouth, and then Rune rolled her to face him and kissed her again. This time, his mouth and tongue were more urgent and forceful, but Gia wanted that. She pushed her body closer to his, gasping at the feel of his rock hard erection. His body was so hot, and so muscled. She brushed her hands along his arms and torso, then moved lower to touch his hips and upper thighs until he groaned into her mouth.
Rune pulled away and cupped her face. “Gia, I’m only a man. Tell us what you want, beautiful girl. Tell us what we can do to help you here.”
“You’re doing it.”
He brushed his hands along her hair. “May we undress? Can you handle watching us do that?”
She nodded, then sat up as both men moved off the bed to stand next to it. They pulled off their shirts, and she drew in a long breath at the sight of their muscled chests and shoulders. They were indeed covered with those tats, and she’d never seen such beauty. The looks on their faces were full of lust, but also gentleness and patience. It was more than she’d ever conjured up in long-buried fantasies, and certainly more than she’d been capable of imagining these past two years.
Rune hooked his thumbs inside the waist band of his jeans and grinned. “Are you ready?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
He pulled them down, taking his boxers with them, and she tried to keep breathing. Having large cocks must be an alien thing. They will not hurt you!
Thane did the same, and she drew her legs up, hugging her knees. He, too, was absolutely breathtaking.
“Are you okay?” he asked, softly.
She smiled. “Yes. You’re beautiful. Both of you.”
“Would you like us to undress you?” asked Thane. “Or would you feel more comfortable doing it yourself?”
“In a moment.” She lay down again. “Will you kiss me some more? And touch me? Through my clothes for now?” She knew it was torture for them, but she needed more time before she was naked in front of them.
They moved onto the bed together. “Of course, sweetheart,” said Thane. “Of course we will.” He gathered her into his arms, and she sighed heavily as the full weight of his body rolled onto hers. He was so warm and hard, and he smelled heavenly. All musky and male. He kissed her again, and then trailed a line of liquid fire down her neck, slowly, torturing her with the deliberateness of his tongue.
Rune lay next to her, brushing his fingers up and down her arms, slowly, sending tiny jolts of electricity straight to her clit. It throbbed now, and her pussy was soaked. Happy thoughts filled her head as Thane’s tongue circled her breasts through her top and camisole. Thoughts of Earth, and her life back home, and times when sex was fun and she looked forward to it.
He brushed his fingertips over her nipples, hardening them to the point of pain. She moaned loudly as he rolled the hem of her top upward. When Rune moved to her legs, she writhed against his touch. His hands were on her thighs, teasing, moving her legs apart gently. She let him, spreading them herself after a moment.
They all wore jeans here, which would have made her laugh if not for the fact that they’d basically stolen them from Earth after the invasion. But now, she was almost grateful for the fact that she’d changed into a pair instead of staying in the skirt she’d worn to work, because the heavy fabric would mask her wetness for a while longer. She shouldn’t be embarrassed that they aroused her this way, and she wasn’t entirely sure why she didn’t want them to know. They would want this for her. To know they could do this to her.
Thane kissed her breasts through her clothes, and she let out a loud groan then pushed his head closer, wanting more. When he pulled off her top, he watched her face carefully, as if unsure whether to keep going.
“It’s okay,” she whispered. “I’m ready now.”
He pushed down her camisole straps, then pulled the fabric down further, exposing her breasts. “You’re beautiful, Gia.” He kissed both everywhere but on the nipples, holding them in his big, strong hands as if they were fine china and might br
eak.
She whimpered and panted, sure she’d go out of her mind with desire. Between her legs, Rune rubbed his palm over her pussy and clit, and that forced loud moans from her. She was close to an orgasm. She hadn’t had one in so long she wasn’t sure she’d need to be touched directly on her clit to make it happen.
Thane removed her camisole at the same time Rune slid down her jeans and panties. He removed her shoes, and then she was naked with both men. Rune sat back on his heels and gazed at her with nothing short of awe in his beautiful eyes. “Wow.”
His brother sat up and let his gaze travel over her body. “Yeah. What he said. You’re stunning. Truly.”
She couldn’t hold back the tears now. “So are you. Both of you. Thank you for this. For everything. For being so gentle and patient, and for helping me get here, to this point.”
Rune shook his head. “Oh, Gia. I wish we could take it all away for you.”
“You are. You’re replacing it. Please don’t stop.”
Rune kissed her abdomen, and then he trailed his tongue over both thighs, up and down, until Gia could do nothing but moan. Thane took her breasts in his hands and licked her nipples, sending electricity once again straight to her pussy. When he began to gently suck and bite them, she cried out in pleasure.
Between her legs, Rune brushed his fingers over her wet pussy, and then he bent his head to lick her and suck her clit. That did it. She exploded in a crazy climax that sent shockwaves out to her fingertips and toes. She’d never come so hard in her life. She couldn’t even breathe. All she could do was ride it out.
When she was finally in her own body again, she realized the men had changed places. Rune played with her nipples, prolonging her orgasm, while Thane alternated between brushing his thumb over her clit and licking her pussy juices. “You are so wet.”
“Yes.” Her mouth was so dry. “You did that. Both of you.”
“I’m going to put a finger inside you,” he said. “If you don’t like it, say so and I’ll stop.”
