by Opal Carew
Of course, he should not doubt the wisdom of nata’tai, but sometimes even the most faithful had doubts. At least now he knew he had someone he could talk to about it. Someone who would understand.
“Is it the same with you and Crystal?” Larson asked.
Terrien nodded. “She says she does not want to share her life with someone.”
“Have you”—Larson stared at his plate—“consummated your relationship yet?”
Terrien stared at Larson and, from the set of his jaw, realized Larson had not.
Gattra, the man must be going insane. Terrien couldn’t imagine being so close to his tanash’ae for so long without consummating.
“Yes, we have, but Crystal seems more open about sex than is typical for Earth women.”
Larson nodded, but they both knew that with the connection urging tanash’aei to be together, even a shy Earth woman would be consumed with need. Terrien couldn’t imagine how Larson’s woman could resist her tanash’ae.
“If there’s anything I can do to help…” Terrien said. “If you need to talk any time…just let me know.”
It was little solace, but friendship was the best Terrien could offer.
Larson nodded. “And the same with you. If there’s anything I can do to help, let me know.”
Larson picked up his fork and began to eat again.
Crystal sat propped against the pillows on the bed staring at the handheld reading device, but the words blurred in front of her.
She’d learned long ago not to become dependent on anyone, especially a man. When her mother had gotten married young, probably pregnant with Crystal’s older sister, she’d been disowned by her father, Crystal’s grandfather. When Crystal’s father died six years later, leaving Crystal’s mom poverty stricken with two young daughters and no means of support, Crystal’s grandfather had not relented.
So her mother had found she could not depend on her own father who should have cared about her, or her husband who should have helped her raise their children. Of course, Crystal’s dad hadn’t had a choice, but that just went to show that even when a guy is reliable, a woman shouldn’t depend on him. Things happen.
And in her mother’s case, she went on to a string of bad relationships. She’d fall in love with a guy, then wind up heartbroken and crying on Crystal’s shoulder. It had been devastating to watch. Crystal had learned from her mother’s situation and vowed never to allow herself to be so vulnerable. She would not depend on a man, or anyone else. Ever.
She heard the door to the quarters open. It would be Terrien returning from his shift. She set the reading device on the table beside her bed and stood up. As she walked out of her bedroom and through his, she steeled herself for the conversation to come.
She didn’t want to hurt him, but she had to make him understand that she did not intend be in a monogamous relationship with him. Just because he believed in soul-mates, didn’t mean she did, and she had to make it clear that she would not have him force his beliefs on her and her life.
The thing that threw her off so completely with Terrien was his ability to give her such astonishing pleasure. She needed to know if this was unique to Terrien or if any of the alien men could do it.
She stepped into the living room, and he glanced up and smiled.
“Hello.” He walked toward her.
A yearning grew inside her with every step he took. When he drew her into his arms and his solid body pressed against her, need shimmered through her. His lips captured hers with such tenderness and passion, she melted against him.
Oh, God, the man knew how to kiss.
But the longing was too powerful. It overwhelmed and frightened her, so she reached deep inside herself for the strength to draw away.
“Is there something wrong?” he asked as she stepped away.
“We need to talk.”
“All right. I’d like to learn more about your culture and—”
“Not about that.” She took his hand and led him to the couch.
Most men would have cringed at her remark, since it was generally a precursor to a relationship talk, but Terrien was from another world and didn’t have the same triggers as human men.
She sat down, and he sat beside her.
“What do you want to talk about?” he asked.
“Well, I’ve been on this ship for several days now, and you’ve been a wonderful host, but I’d like to…experience something new.”
“New?” His eyebrows drew together. “But haven’t most of the things you’ve experienced here been new to you?”
“Yes, that’s true, but I’ve only been here with you, and as great as things have been between us, I’d like to…” She hesitated, not quite finding it in herself to be as direct as she usually was. She shrugged. “Um, well, I’d like to see someone else.”
“See?” His eyes narrowed. “Exactly what are you trying to say?”
She sighed. “Okay, here it is. I’m on a ship of aliens. You’ve already proven that you have interesting abilities. And I told you…I’m not a one-man woman.”
His hands balled into fists, and his warm gaze cooled, glinting with a hard edge. “Are you actually saying you want to be with another man?”
His sharp tone threw her off. She stood up and started to pace. “Look, I’ve never pretended to be something I’m not. I like being with men, and I never stay with one for very long. That’s just how I am.” She stopped and faced him, meeting his hard gaze. “I won’t apologize for who I am.”
“And I won’t apologize for who I am. Or what I believe in. You are my soul-mate, and soul-mates don’t go off with other lovers.”
She planted her hands on her hips. “But I don’t believe in soul-mates, and I do whatever I damned well please.”
He stood up and stepped toward her, his height and irate demeanor a little intimidating. “I forbid it. I will not allow my tanash’ae to have sex with another man.”
Anger flared though her. “Are you saying I’m your prisoner?”
“No, you’re my tanash’ae.”
“If that means you get to control my life, then from what I’m hearing, there’s no difference. Are you going to keep me locked up in these quarters for the rest of the trip? And when we arrive on your planet, will you keep me locked up in your house?”
He scowled. “Of course not. You’re not a prisoner.”
“So I can come and go as I please?”
His jaw twitched. “Yes, of course.”
“So how are you going to stop me from having sex with other men?”
“Now it’s other men?” Anger flared in his eyes again.
She ignored the comment and strode toward the door. “You mentioned there’s a special lounge where people can go to have sex. I’m sure I’ll find someone there who’ll want to be with me.”
Chapter Nine
“Crystal, wait.”
She turned to glare at him. “Are you going to stop me?”
He hesitated, his lips compressed in a straight line, but finally he shook his head. “No, but I’m asking you not to go.”
As soon as she opened her mouth to protest, he shook his head.
“Don’t go to the red room. If you really want to…” He frowned, his hands clenching and unclenching. “If you really want to have sex with someone else, let me set it up.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Why would you do that?”
She hardened her heart to the pain lancing across his face.
“Because I don’t think you should be with just anyone. I think you should be with someone who understands your culture. And who speaks your language. Not everyone on the ship does.”
What he said made sense.
“Okay.”
It felt weird that he was going to set her up with someone, but this was good. It showed that he was willing to face the fact that she would not be his one-and-only. Because she refused to be in a monogamous relationship with any man. She valued her freedom far too much.
Even though
being with Terrien held a stronger appeal than she dared to admit.
Terrien walked along the corridor, his heart aching. He wanted Crystal to be his and his alone, but the woman just wouldn’t accept that. It was killing him inside knowing she wanted to be with another man, that he couldn’t satisfy her enough to keep her happy.
Dahran, how could she want to be with someone else? She was meant to be with him. And he with her.
He stepped into the lounge and saw Larson sitting at a table waiting, a drink in front of him. Terrien walked to the bar and ordered a drink too, then carried it to the table.
“You look like you need a friend,” Larson said as Terrien sat.
Terrien took a sip, then nodded. “I have a favor to ask, and it’s a strange one.”
“Is it about Crystal?”
Terrien nodded and wrapped his fingers around the glass. “I’ll understand if you say no, especially since you have your own tanash’ai to deal with.”
“Just ask.”
“Crystal wants to have sex with another man.”
Larson frowned. “You’re not okay with this, so why are you asking?”
Terrien sighed. “She’s very headstrong, and she doesn’t believe in soul-mates. I think this is her way of proving to herself that what she and I have is not special. I think she feels that maybe another alien man will satisfy her needs.”
Larson grinned, relieving the tension a little. “So you want me to disappoint her?”
Terrien chuckled. “No. I want you to give her the ride of her life. Then she’ll see it’s not just about the pleasure a man can give her. She’ll see that being with a soul-mate is a deeper experience.”
Larson grabbed Terrien’s shoulder and squeezed, an acknowledgment of their shared pain. Then he nodded.
“Seriously, I am willing to help, but I must warn you, I will tell Eva that I intend to be with another woman. That will force her to question how she truly feels about me and our relationship. I will also tell her that if she asks me not to go forward with this, then I won’t.”
“I understand, and I hope for your sake that she does protest, but for my own sake, I hope she does not.”
Larson nodded. “So let’s see where nata’tai takes us.”
Crystal walked beside Terrien down the corridor, her heart accelerating. This was really happening. Terrien was delivering her to another man’s quarters. For sex.
“It’s here,” he said as he stopped in front of a door.
They waited patiently. Crystal assumed some kind of sensor informed the occupant of the quarters that they were outside. She smoothed her dress over her hips as they waited. Terrien had created a copy of the red evening gown she’d been wearing when she first came aboard the ship. The one Terrien had torn off her during their first frantic sexual encounter. The memory of that night still took her breath away.
In fact, the memory of every sexual encounter with Terrien took her breath away.
Terrien glanced at her and she could tell he noticed her peaked nipples pushing at the thin fabric of the dress. From the tight set of his jaw, he probably thought her arousal was in anticipation of the sexual tryst ahead of her. In truth, she actually felt a little nervous. What if this man didn’t live up to Terrien’s prowess? What if he was as good as Terrien, but she still didn’t climax without self-stimulation?
The door slid open, and she glanced up to see the handsome Commander Raa-ling. He was incredibly hot and sexy. She was also pretty sure he was Eva’s man, yet Terrien said that soul-mates don’t have sex with other people.
“Good evening.” He smiled at her, revealing even white teeth in a dazzling smile.
Her lips turned up. “Good evening, Commander.”
“Please call me Larson,” he said as she stepped into his quarters, which were a little bigger than Terrien’s but essentially the same.
The door closed, and when she glanced behind her, Terrien was gone. Well, of course, he wouldn’t come in and join them on her…date. Though the thought of both Terrien and Larson giving her pleasure at the same time sent thrills through her. Maybe that’s what she should have suggested. Maybe Terrien would have found that more palatable.
As soon as she realized her thoughts were turning to how to adapt her needs to Terrien’s, she cut them off. This was about what she needed. Terrien was not really her soul-mate. He had no claim on her.
No, it was better this way. A threesome including Terrien would not make the point she needed to with him.
“Would you like a drink?” Larson asked.
She nodded, and he picked up a red bottle and poured a clear liquid into a tall glass and handed it to her. She tasted it. It had a delicate fruit flavor, like berries and a little citrus. She took another sip, and warmth spread through her, relaxing her.
Larson watched her as he sipped his drink. He was tall and sexy, and her insides throbbed with need. She was anxious to experience his touch, to see if he could bring her as much pleasure as Terrien could.
She smiled and walked toward him, her gaze running the length of his body, up and down. In response, he openly surveyed her body, sending her nipples rising again. He smiled and stepped forward, his gaze settling on the swell of her bosom. She glanced at his crotch and the healthy-sized bulge forming there.
Did all these alien guys have huge cocks? If so, this planet they were going to could be quite the place to visit.
She tipped back her glass and finished the drink, then smiled enticingly. “I assume the bedroom is this way?”
He chuckled and followed her as she walked to what she presumed was the bedroom door.
She stepped into the room, then walked toward the big bed. She could feel Larson behind her. She turned around and slid her hands over his broad shoulders, then around his thick neck, and their lips met.
His mouth moved expertly on hers, and her body melted against him. Oh, God, he was hot. Excitement blazed through her at the warm pressure of his lips, the gentle caress of his tongue, the heady male taste of him. She stroked his neck and the back of his head, her fingers forking through his long, honey-colored hair.
Her heartbeat accelerated, and her breasts swelled. Tingles danced along her skin as she anticipated the feel of his hands exploring her body.
His mouth moved passionately on hers, arousing her in a way no kiss ever had before. She clung to his shoulders for support, her knees turning rubbery. She arched against him and moaned. His hands stroked over her back, pulling her closer against his hard, muscular body.
Her insides ached with yearning, and her whole body tingled with pleasure. It swelled within her and… Oh, God. She undulated against him, then groaned into his mouth as her body quivered in erotic bliss. The orgasm, catching her totally off guard, shimmered through her.
Finally, she slumped in his arms, stunned. Their lips parted, and Crystal stared up at him, wide-eyed.
“My God, that was fabulous.” Crystal’s voice was breathless.
She gazed into his vivid turquoise eyes and smiled. If this man could bring her to orgasm with just a kiss, what else was in store for her this evening?
Chapter Ten
Crystal unzipped her dress and dropped it to the floor. Her nipples, hard and thrusting forward, peeked out over her red lace demi-bra. She felt exceptionally sexy as Larson’s gaze wandered over her mostly naked breasts with an appreciative glint in his eyes. Crystal rested her hands on his solid shoulders and ran her fingers downward to the buttons, then she unfastened them one by one. She pushed the fabric aside and admired his broad, sculpted chest.
She ran her hand across his hard muscles and leaned forward to lick his nipple, then drew it into her mouth. The pearl-hard bud rolled against her tongue.
Larson’s hand stroked over her hip and the lacy strap of her matching thong panties. Her heart rate increased as his warm finger stroked under the strap and started to move forward. She reached around behind her and released her bra, then dropped it to the floor. Larson’s gaze locked on her bre
asts—her pink nipples jutting forward. He stroked one, and she quivered.
He leaned down and took the stiff nipple into his mouth. She murmured at the delicious sensation, then offered him the other. He nibbled and sucked for several moments. Her breasts ached, and her insides melted in need. As the pleasure swelled within her, she gasped. He sucked again, hard, and her breath caught and held. Oh, God, she was close to coming again. She wrapped her hands around his head and pulled him tighter against her breast. His mouth did wonderful things to her. His hot, wet mouth moved on her, shifting from one breast to the other, until the scintillating sensations exploded through her. She moaned on a long, ecstatic note as an orgasm tore through her.
She gasped for air as her heart rate slowly returned to normal. Well, she’d certainly had no reason to worry about whether Terrien was the only one who could bring her to orgasm without her help. Larson seemed more than capable. God, he was absolutely brilliant.
But she still couldn’t stop thinking about Terrien. Wishing it was Terrien who was touching her now. Tasting her.
Holding her.
But she smiled. “Honey, you are exceptionally talented.”
She pushed aside her thoughts of Terrien, or at least tried to, and stripped off her panties, then arranged herself on the bed in an artfully sexy pose, her hands behind her head. Smiling, she sent Larson a come-hither look.
He approached the bed slowly, his gaze gliding over her sexy body.
“Do you like someone watching you, Crystal?”
Watching? Was Terrien watching them? But no, it wouldn’t be him, because she was sure that Terrien would not want to see her receiving pleasure from another man. So he must mean someone else.
As she thought about it, she realized the idea of someone watching them did turn her on. She hadn’t wanted that with Terrien, but with Larson, she could relax and enjoy her natural inclination.
“Mmm. Is someone watching us?” Crystal stroked her nipples with her fingertips.
