We were the first group to board our assigned escape craft. Betra looked proud of us despite the concern that shadowed his expression.
I ended up in the seat between Katrina and Candy. Secured, all that was left to do was sit and wait for whatever happened next.
“Hey Betra, any idea who’s harassing us?” Katrina asked.
He sat across the aisle from our bank of seats. The Imdiko shook his head. “They didn’t announce it.”
Candy gave him a mock pout. “Well, someone needs to get with the program. I hate being left out of the excitement.”
I couldn’t resist joining in. “Sheesh, you’d think the captain was busy or some such nonsense. Can’t he give us a play-by-play of the battle while he fights it? What kind of a cruise are you guys running, anyway?”
Betra chuckled. He appreciated us keeping the atmosphere light, rather than freaking out all over the place.
The other groups assigned to our shuttle filed in and took their seats. No one was panicked, not when we knew how to handle our part in this mess. The drills had served us well.
Candy started ticking items off on her fingers. “Okay, if we don’t have to leave this time, we need to stock this ship with distractions for future false alarms. Puzzles, reading material, music players, snacks...”
“We have rations,” Betra said.
“Forget it, Betra. I demand cookies and chocolate on this tub from now on.”
“Plus a fully stocked bar,” I added.
“Dildos and lubricant.” Katrina was as shameless as ever, especially when she added, “Or you liaisons aren’t getting any sleep.”
Betra laughed. “I’ll see what can be done as far as activities to occupy your minds, but most of the shuttle’s storage is filled with survival items.”
Can people be on edge for almost an hour? We were, and that’s how long we sat in our shuttle waiting for word on what was going on. It was anti-climactic when the announcement came and Betra translated: “We are clear. You may return to regular duty stations or your quarters.”
“That’s it?” I asked, releasing my restraints. “No other explanations?”
“Not for now,” Betra said, ushering us off the shuttle. “You have to give the officers a chance to sort through what happened. For all we know, we suffered damage that has to be dealt with immediately.”
“This sucks,” Candy groused. “I chewed my nails down to nubs, and I have no clue why.”
Betra checked on me, no doubt because of my impending motherhood. “You’re all right? Not too stressed? I’ll escort you to Dr. Tep if you need something to settle your nerves.”
“I’m fine,” I said, though I was trembly inside. For all our goofing, it had been scary to sit and wait for who knew what. “I’ll go to my quarters and relax for a while. Maybe take a nap.”
“Com me or stop by the office if you need anything.” Betra’s hand on my back was welcome as he rubbed.
He accompanied me to my quarters and even tucked me under the covers. I had the urge to pull him into bed with me, but I decided I’d rather he find out what happened to set off the alarms. I can interrogate him later.
I laid around for about half an hour before I realized I was too keyed up to sleep. So here I am, jotting all this down and worrying about what will happen next. I feel confined in my quarters, as if I can’t breathe. I need to get out and about, walk a bit of this nervous energy off. Yeah, that’s what I’ll do.
January 25
Today was my big sex date with Oses. It didn’t start out how I’d planned. Actually, none of it was what I planned. Did I have a plan? Maybe not, but if I had, it wouldn’t have ended up as it did.
I made myself as pretty as I was able to with a new blouse and skirt combo. Since the outfit came from Earth, it was not a sexy piece, but I thought it was lovely. It was a stunning coral, the color of sunset. Short sleeves and a scoop neck were as close to showing skin as I could manage. Oh, half my calves were bare too. It wasn’t salacious, but it fit nicely to my body.
When my door announce went off minutes before Oses was due to pick me up, I was ready. Wiping my palms on my skirt...the Living Mountain makes me so nervous in that delicious way...I called, “Enter.”
Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be Betra standing there instead. I stared at him without a clue of what to say.
He looked me up and down, his pleasant smile darkening into something else. I got all squishy inside when his eyes heated. A sudden vision of him hiking the skirt of my dress up for a spanking had me wet in an instant.
“Well, aren’t you lovely,” he purred. Then his head jerked around, as if surprised.
The next instant, Oses stood at his side. “Hello, Imdiko.”
Betra blew out a breath. “You damned Nobeks. Make some noise when you approach someone who’s not an enemy.”
“I’m sorry I startled you,” Oses said, sounding in no way apologetic. His gaze moved to me. He seemed pleased that I had dressed up for our date. “Hello. Matara. You are beautiful.”
Well crap. I appreciated the compliments, but I wasn’t sure what to do with those two showing up at my doorstep at the same time. Here was the man I’d been having sex with and the man I planned to have sex with. Awkward doesn’t begin to cover it.
“Would you come in?” I said, at a loss. “Unless you just needed to give me a message, Betra?”
My liaison glanced from me to Oses and back again. His jaw tightened. “No, I have a few minutes to visit. You said you wanted to hear about the attack yesterday.”
As a matter of fact, I did. I asked Oses, “I realize we had plans, but do you mind?”
His gaze was calculating. He stepped past Betra and entered my quarters, a devilish grin lighting his features. “Not at all. I intended to tell you about that myself. Perhaps your liaison is better equipped to give you the news so as to not frighten you too badly.”
“And here I thought you believed me too fragile to hear such things,” I smirked.
“Since you knew we were under attack, it’s better to let you have the details rather than stress over rumors.”
Oses walked over to my lounger and settled down. After a long second, I went over and sat next to him. He shifted so that our legs touched.
Betra’s eyes narrowed. He came over and sat on the other side of me, his leg also making contact. He stared at Oses, who smiled. The Nobek placed a hand on my knee.
Talk about testosterone. I felt like the prize at a turkey shoot.
I prodded Betra. “You were going to tell me about the attack?”
He dragged his gaze from the older Kalquorian. “Two Earther battlecruisers challenged us.”
I sucked in a breath at that. It was the worst nightmare of every Earther woman on the transport. We did not want to be captured by our own kind, who would no doubt judge us in the worst respect.
Oses’s deep voice added, “It was quite a battle, given we had only a pair of destroyers to defend the transport. Our ships are capable and our technology advanced in comparison to yours, but Earther cruisers are well-armed. It’s never a simple matter to overcome them.”
Betra’s tone was grudging as he gave Oses his due. “This transport is not lacking in firepower either. You made a terrific showing in fighting the Earthers, Weapons Commander. We have you to thank for our victory, as much as anyone else.”
The challenge left the Nobek’s expression as he bowed his head. “I did my duty to those I have sworn to protect.”
“Did you destroy them?” I had a vision of many men, men of my own species, dying out there.
I sound crazy when I say this, especially given how I and the rest of the women on this ship would be treated if the Earthers had won. But some part within me withered and died to think of the men on those battlecruisers perishing because of blind obedience to Earth’s old regime. We have suffered unbelievably because of what our leaders did. It’s insane that more must die in the name of the Church and Earth, neither of which exist a
nymore.
Betra took my hand. “We captured and commandeered a cruiser. We are now towing it. We placed its crew in stasis. They will be sent to the Galactic Council for determination of what should happen next. The other Earther vessel escaped.”
Oses squeezed my knee. “The casualties were low. The majority of the crew of the ship we captured had abandoned it months ago. The holdouts didn’t have enough men to run it properly. We were lucky.”
I breathed easier. “I can get behind luck. I’ll take it every time.”
The men laughed. “I agree,” Betra said.
He looked from me to Oses. “I should return to my office,” he said.
“What’s your hurry?” Oses eyed me speculatively. “Or does Shalia have an issue with accommodating more than one man?”
That reminded me of Dusa’s clan. The memory of being held, controlled, and loved by the duo of Dusa and Esak – and later adding Weln to the mix – slammed hard in my gut.
I had no idea what to expect from Oses. His warning that he was commanding in sex gave me a decent notion, however. Betra was also dominating.
I would serve the lusts of a pair of big, muscled Kalquorians at once. Accommodating? Yeah, I can be that.
“Just two of you?” I said, affecting boredom. “It’s okay if that’s all we’ve got.”
Oses chuckled. Betra however...he didn’t appear convinced.
Oses caught it right off the bat. He rolled his eyes in exasperation. “By the ancestors, Imdiko, would you relax? Given the choice between a man’s ass and a woman’s pussy, I’ll choose the pussy. Shalia has consented to an amorous encounter with me this morning, and I’m willing to share. Do you want her or not?”
Betra’s gaze heated as he looked at me. “I always want her.”
Oses grabbed me and parked me on his lively lap. “Then you can have her mouth after I’m done kissing it. I’m fucking the rest.”
I squealed to be hauled on top of Oses. Sweet prophets, I felt tiny in his arms. He could crush me with a squeeze. That familiar fear-tinged excitement had my tummy churning in an instant.
“What’s this noise?” He grinned down at me. “I haven’t done anything yet, little Earther. But I will. I will do plenty to have you make all kinds of sounds.”
Making good on the threat, he palmed my breast, squeezing it to the point where it verged into pain. I gasped and arched into his grip.
“She appreciates rougher pleasures,” Betra confirmed, sliding closer to watch. He kept distant enough that Oses wouldn’t accidentally touch him.
Oses squeezed my breast tighter and I moaned from the ache. “You can say sholt, can’t you, Shalia?”
“Yes, Nobek Oses,” I moaned. “I’m supposed to say it if there’s too much pain.”
“Or if you’re emotionally overwhelmed,” he prodded.
“I’ve been over it with her,” Betra added. “Those she entertained on Earth also instructed her on how to cope with our stronger urges.”
“Excellent.” Oses’s smile warmed me even as he squeezed my other breast as hard as the first.
I was soft with acceptance as he tested my limits. The Nobek teased my breasts, making the nipples jut against the fabric of the top I wore. When he had them showing off blatant points, he pinched and tugged. Searing heat stabbed through my chest, shooting down to produce ripples in my pussy. I whimpered from the mingled pain and pleasure, panting from the attention.
“Responsive, isn’t she?” Oses rumbled with approval. “She displays incredible obedience.”
Betra snickered. “Because you demand what she wants. She appreciates a strong man who assumes control in sexual matters, but don’t test her otherwise.”
“She doesn’t put up with anyone’s shit outside of sex. A most compelling creature. Do I dare hope they all are similar to this?”
“Unfortunately, no. Shalia is unique in her combination of strength and surrender.”
Oses grinned. “Then we are fortunate to have an opportunity to enjoy her, if only for a short while.”
Despite his tormenting, I heard every word they said. I didn’t attach a lot meaning to any of it until later when my head came back together. The men’s conversation was distant noise while Oses fondled, pinched, caressed, and squeezed my breasts. While he talked, his eyes riveted on my face, cataloguing each reaction.
I fell under the magic of pain, soothing warmth, and profound aching. My pussy was wet, and I clung to Oses’s forearm, hanging on as he played with me. For heaven’s sake, I had all my clothes on. I ached to have that mountainous Kalquorian on top of me, inside me. I crumbled beneath his stare and equally fierce hand.
Oses lowered his head, his lips parting for the first kiss. I moaned as his breath wafted against my skin, ready to devour and be devoured. His mouth closed over mine.
He didn’t waste a second on niceties. His tongue plunged in, taking me with ferocious command as he continued to assault my breasts. Oses tasted like insatiable hunger. I was surprised I didn’t melt into a literal puddle under his kiss. Had I been incapable of thought before? Now I was as helpless as if he’d chained me down. There was only his mouth, hands, and the bulk of his body.
That lasted for several seconds. I laid wasted, incapable of any action but feeling when fingers crept up my thighs. Betra had decided to join in.
He joined in the carnal attack, licking and kissing a path up my inner thigh. My skirt lifted higher as he traveled upward. If my bottom lips could have screamed, they would have urged him on. I couldn’t wait for his kiss there.
I moaned a plea. Oses growled, not letting up for an instant. I fell deeper into the spell the men wove, my body incapable of resistance. Betra’s lips came ever closer to my waiting cleft. I knew that the instant he touched me there, I would detonate.
Oses quit tormenting my breasts. I whimpered to lose that powerful contact, but the kisses the pair treated me kept me soft and easy for them. I clutched the Nobek’s wrist, and he reached down towards my pussy. I wanted to beg him to stroke me there, to join Betra as he closed in on me...
Oses’s hand rose up and moved back and forth. Betra gasped. His lips disappeared from my thigh, only a couple of inches from kissing my mound. Oses broke our kiss to look at the Imdiko.
Betra’s face suffused with anger. “Damn you, Oses! Why can’t you leave it alone?”
Oses seemed irritated but not surprised by the outburst. “I stroked your hair, Imdiko. That’s all.”
Betra jumped up and strode to the middle of the room. “I told you, don’t touch me! Not my cocks, not my ass, not my hair, nothing!”
“Yes, because your hair is such an intimate part. How foolish of me.” Oses rolled his eyes.
I had no clue what to say, so for once, I kept my mouth shut. Those boys could work it out for themselves. Manlove was not an issue I felt capable of refereeing.
“I don’t like men that way. Why won’t you accept that?” Betra asked.
“Because I do like men that way. I particularly like you, and I don’t have many opportunities to show it.” Oses sighed. “I apologize, Imdiko. Come back. I will not touch you again.”
“I have work to do. I’ll see you later, Shalia.”
With that, Betra walked out. So much for my ménage.
I could think again, though my pussy ached for Betra’s kiss. I worried that Oses’s attempt to seduce Betra would put the kibosh on our fun too. Fortunately, the Nobek got over the rejection quick.
“Back to Plan A, then. I was looking forward to having you to myself at any rate, pretty pet.”
I wriggled with puppy dog delight. “I’m glad, because you two left me hot and bothered.”
“Did we? You haven’t been bothered nearly enough yet.”
He tugged at his belt. He pulled a device out of a pouch he wore on his waist. It had straps that connected to a flat piece of plastic.
“What’s that?” My stomach churned in equal parts anxiety and excitement. I had no clue what Oses had brought me, but
I had a feeling it would drive me crazy.
“A present I bought for you,” he grinned. “Let’s remove those underpants, pet.”
Oses tugged off the lacy panties I’d worn for him. I hadn’t planned on wearing them long, and I was delighted that he appreciated them. He delighted in the fact that they were already wet.
“Lovely, little girl. Now we’ll replace these with my gift.”
I couldn’t imagine what I was supposed to do with the plastic and strap doohickey, but Oses was happy to show me. The straps went on over my hips and up my butt crack, settling the flat plastic bit against my clit. A few adjustments to the straps, and the contraption was snugged on tight so it wouldn’t shift.
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