by Rebel West
“Oh, God.” This exclamation comes as the device pumps inside, contracting and expanding, not enough to hurt, but just enough to create a little stinging sensation that, along with the vibration, makes my arousal kick into high gear. “Oh, fuck.”
“Feeling good, right?” Lock smiles. “I knew you’d like it.”
“Oh, God I can’t… it’s going to make me come.” The arms of the device pulse at my anal tissue right on the other side of my G spot. “Lock, I can’t... how’s it…” I pant. “Oh, God.”
He runs his hands over my buttocks. “And now when I fuck you, you’ll be twice as full. Hands and knees, Dr. Taylor.”
I obey, eager for his cock and the orgasm that threatens to obliterate me.
“Thighs wide and brace yourself on your elbows,” he demands. “I’m going to fuck you hard and it’s going to be rough and dirty. And you’re going to come so hard you scream.”
“Yes!” I agree, and almost sob when he pushes his large cock at the entrance to my pussy. I’m so wet that he slides in, inch by inch, the fit even tighter because of the plug, and it’s so fucking good. When he pumps, his ridges vibrating in the same rhythm as the device in my ass, I get overwhelmed with sensation.
“Lock!” I scream. “Please.”
He’s as ready as I am, even though it’s only been a few minutes. “Come on my cock,” he orders. “Right now.”
I let go and fall into the most amazing, brilliant pleasure of my life, my whole body and mind completely suffused with glorious sensation. I cry out random noises, helplessly caught up in the tide of feeling, as my body comes, over and over.
I know that he comes, too, again, but I’m so consumed with my own pleasure that I barely register his. It’s several long minutes before I am fully conscious again, the residual zings coursing through my body, lifting me to an otherworldly place of immense satisfaction and pure enjoyment.
When I come back to myself, I sigh out a long breath of utter happiness. “I don’t have words.”
He reaches over, takes my hand, and squeezes it. “I know.” His voice is low and intimate. “It was the same for me.” He rolls onto his side and touches my face, half possessive, half curious. “I never knew…” he starts, then shakes his head.
“Yeah.” I roll, too, so our bodies touch from chest to thigh, and he stirs. “Again? Have mercy! I can’t.”
“Oh, you can,” he chuckles. “Want to see?”
And he proceeds to show me, again and again, as the long Luminar night passes, the strange stars and constellations moving across the dark blue of my skylight, until I am so exhausted that I fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.
* * *
I awake with a start, registering several things: the warmth beside me, the delicious tenderness in my body, and the fact that I’m on an alien planet.
Lock. Last night. He’s awake, regarding me, and for a second I’m shy.
“Hi. Good morning.”
He smiles. “A glorious sun to you, as well.” He leans over and kisses me, and I melt into his embrace, but he pulls away. “As much as I would love to stay and repeat the pleasure of last night, I have obligations.”
He stands and I’m disappointed to see his glorious body disappear into his clothes. He dresses quickly, every movement concise.
“And if you need to go somewhere, let me know.” He gives me a look. “No more running around unaccompanied.”
I cross my arms. “On Earth I am a fully autonomous person, capable and able to do what I want, when I want.” What I want right now is him, naked, again.
He sighs. “I wish it were the same here. I do not make these rules to frustrate you, Cali.” He runs a hand through his hair. “Do you know what might happen if you went out alone?” He pauses. “There are citizens here who are extremely anti-human. I worry that if you wander into the wrong area, or run into the wrong group, you might be hurt. And that would be awful for you, for me, and for the entire Earth–Luminarian agreement. We need to keep you and all humans safe on this planet. And for right now, that means keeping you safe with bodyguards and escorts.”
“I understand, but it’s hard to get used to the situation.” My guilt surges; I don’t want to cause issues, even though I need to make progress on my research.
“I assume that in the future, hopefully not too far in the future, even, humans and Luminarians will be at the point in our relationship when you can walk around this planet wherever you want, and see and do what you want.”
I run scenarios through my mind, and the thought of walking hand-in-hand with Lock openly, somewhere in public, makes that strange, excited feeling flutter in my chest.
He clears his throat. “Do you want to go to dinner with me, tonight?”
“Dinner?” My voice squeaks a little and I touch my cheek, feeling warm.
“I’d like to introduce you to some key citizens in my administration, to allow them to interact with humans.” His eyes are unreadable. “To, ah, show that our new partnership is a strong one. You’ll be careful to talk about things that don’t pertain to your project. These will be hand-picked Luminarians with whom I trust the discourse.”
“I see.”
“As a prince, I set the standard. If I am continuously seen in the presence of humans, enjoying their company and respecting their ideas, it will go a long way toward setting the right tone for the rest of our society.”
“Oh.” Why does my heart fall? “Of course. I’d love to.”
Then I think of something else. “What should I wear?”
He tilts his head, gives me a quizzical look. “What you want, I suppose. As long as you are not naked…?”
I flush at the look in his eye. “I just don’t have Luminarian clothes.”
“You can get some,” he says immediately. “I can have my tailor visit your chambers and clothes will be provided to your fit. But there is nothing wrong with wearing your human clothes. That way my citizens will see you as you are, with your own culture.”
“So you’re going to parade me around like a circus animal?” My stomach churns.
“What?” He raises a brow.
I take a breath. “Nothing.”
“It didn’t sound like nothing. It sounded like you were upset.”
“I’m not. I’m just… this is new to me. I don’t know how to be the alien. I’m used to being the human, the normal one.”
“I understand.” He nods. “When I visited Earth, I felt somewhat the same.”
“Were you allowed to go around the planet unattended?” Why didn’t I know he was on Earth? Why didn’t I meet him there?
He shakes his head. “Never. Nor should I. I was always with a delegation and armed guards. I’m used to having bodyguards as my role as prince with the government here. It was not too different.”
I sigh. “For me, it’s very different.”
“I understand.” He smiles. “But I think you will enjoy dinner. We will visit one of my favorite restaurants. The clientele there are typically liberal educated citizens, and of course we will have many dinner guests preselected. You will interact with Luminarians who want to meet you and are glad you are here, Cali. It will not be terrible.”
I give him a tremulous smile. “Then okay.”
He leans down and gives me a quick kiss on the lips, then strides to the door. He turns back. “Good luck today, with your research.” And now his face, instead of lust and desire, holds a different look: hope.
I swallow hard and nod, forcing a smile. “Thank you.”
“Let me know if you learn something from your water sample testing.”
“I will.”
“Until tonight.” I keep my eyes on him as he raises his hand and dissolves the wall, and then watch as the wall reassembles, as if he were still there, thinking of his strong shoulders and muscles.
* * *
While I’m in the lab with Dr. Jayya, preparing for lunch break, my bracelet chimes. “The tailor is here to see you. Please return to your quarter
s.”
Dr. Jayya raises her eyebrows. “In the middle of research, you consider it wise to waste time on fashion?” She scoffs. “I thought we were different, and it’s more clear every sun.” She mutters something under her breath in Luminarian that I don’t understand.
“His Highness Lock suggested it, and I take his majesty’s suggestions seriously.” I smile at Dr. Jayya. “Dressing well is important for humans. We want to make a good impression on Luminar society.”
Jayya twists her mouth. “Most Luminarians would be more impressed with actions—substance, not style.”
Arguing would be a losing battle. “I’ll be back after the lunch break,” I say, and touch the door of my pod, making it dissolve open. “I’ll see you soon.”
A tall Luminarian female stands in my living area, waiting. As soon as she sees me, she smiles and raises her hand, bows. “I am Amara. I am here to take your measurements and get your color preferences so that I may create some clothing for you.”
“I’m Dr. Taylor. Cali. Thank you.” I’m never going to get used to not shaking hands, but I do the Luminarian greeting.
Amara scans my jeans and t-shirt. “These are quite interesting.” Her eyes sparkle. “May I?” She reaches out.
I nod, and Amara touches the jeans. “This is so fascinating. So rough, yet it clings to you, even without smart tech. The color, I like it. I like it quite a bit. What is this called?”
“Denim. These are jeans.” I want to tell her we have some smart tech fabrics, too, but I don’t always like it; sometimes I prefer the throwback clothes, because they’re just so comfortable. But she’s already talking.
“Jeans.” The alien tries the word in English. “Jjjeans. Nice. I would like a pair.”
“I’d give you mine, but you’re so much taller, and a little thinner... I don’t think they’d fit.” I feel the urge to gift her all of my clothes, if she wants them.
“Oh, no, I could never take your Earth clothes.” The alien waves her hand. “I was not trying to get your things, please.” She touches my arm. “The prince and his delegation would be so disappointed if any of us upset you while you are here.”
“Oh, I know you weren’t. But I wish I could give you a pair. Maybe I should send you one, when I go back?”
But I don’t know how that might work. There is no interplanetary mail, not for ordinary citizens, and the thought of trying to get government clearance and space on a shuttle to send jeans to Amara? It’s mind-boggling at best.
The alien looks at me with great interest. “May I touch your hair?”
Chapter Twenty Three
Self-conscious, I giggle. “I guess, sure.” I smile as Amara lifts a lock of my curls, then lets it go.
“Feels like mine, but softer,” Amara comments. “See?”
She holds up a lock of her own blue hair. I hesitate, then take her hair in my hand. “Oh, it’s… so interesting.” It’s softer than Lock’s hair, but also springier. Amara’s hair is straight, but when I pull it softly, it acts sort of “boing-y” like a spring.
“Yes, we have so many similarities, and yet so different.” Amara touches my hair again. “It does not have... give. It does not... push back?” She says something in Luminarian that must refer to the springiness of her own hair.
I smile. “Yup.”
“So, one moment.” The alien blinks and brings up a holo screen. “Let me measure you.”
“With, I mean…”
I look for her tools, but Amara merely holds her hands out in front of her, the width of my shoulders. “Oh, my holo screen will capture your dimensions,” she says with a smile. “Already I have scanned you into my screen and it is analyzing your size and shape, and I will plug that into my program to create clothing for you.”
“Oh, wow. That’s efficient.”
“Very.” Amara hovers her hands near my hips. “Your shape is so compact. Short, yet strong. Curvier than Luminar. But pretty.” She cocks her head. “You know we are part human, too?”
“I read about it.” I nod.
“It is remarkable to finally meet a human,” Amara says, her eyes on mine. “It is like—I cannot describe. It is like meeting an ancestor and a sister, all at once.”
“Is that why Luminar citizens, some of them, dislike humans?” I can’t contain my curiosity. “Because they think of us as prehistoric ancestors, dumber and slower, and don’t want us back?”
Amara wrinkles her nose. “Not dumber, or slower, not necessarily. It is... complex, the issues.”
“Can you explain?”
“I don’t really understand it, at heart,” Amara admits. “Some Luminarians say that the human genes turned the Luminarians more greedy and cruel, and that the introduction of human genetic material was responsible for the wars and fighting on Luminar over the past centuries. But others believe that humans saved Luminar, because otherwise we would have died out. The breeding had stopped. Nobody knows why. But humans helped Luminarian society advance again.” She sighs.
“How do you feel?” I’m only comfortable asking because Amara already seems to like me.
“I never really gave it too much thought.” Amara shrugs. “I figured we are what we are. We are Luminarian, no matter what made us this way. I was not on either side.” She hesitates. “If anything, grateful.”
“So some Luminarians think if humans come, they will pollute the planet, is that right?”
“Yes. There is worry that allowing humans to intermingle will lead to eventual marriages and more human DNA being mixed into Luminarian DNA. They want to keep us pure, as pure as we are, anyway. Of course, there already are some unions, and babies. But so far they stay out of the spotlight.”
“Humans aren’t that bad.” But I think back to my planet, to the Villages and the Guard and the dramatic discrepancy between rich and poor. Maybe we aren’t so great, not all of us. “Well, some of us are awesome,” I add, although my smile probably doesn’t reach my eyes. It feels more like a grimace.
Amara laughs. “Some of us are awesome, too.” She smiles. “So! Tell me about colors and styles. I will bring up some examples, and you tell me what you love.”
She taps the air on her holo screen. “Bring up your holo and I will e-share with you to see.”
I bring up my screen, and Amara begins to display gorgeous patterns. “This green one with gold inlay, I think, would look lovely with your hair. And this red one, so bold and lovely. How about this purple?”
The dresses, long and flowing, are so pretty I catch my breath. “I want them all.”
“Easily done.” Amara swipes the air.
“Wait! No, I don’t mean to be greedy. I can’t have them all.”
“But of course you can.” Amara raises her eyebrows. “The prince said to let you have whatever you wanted. Three dresses is a small amount, really.”
“Thank you.” I’m overwhelmed by the generosity. “I really appreciate this.”
“They will be ready in a few segs,” the alien explains. “I will have them sent here, along with shoes and accessories, if you would like.”
“I would love that.” I smile. “Is there a way to,” I tap my wristlet, “contact you?”
“Of course. My name is Amara Larran, so you may just say the name and contact, or search for me in your holo contacts. I am there.”
“Thank you.”
I feel like I have my first Luminarian friend... because I’m not sure that Lock counts. After Jayya’s rude and disdainful comments, it’s nice to talk to someone pleasant.
“Would you, maybe... if you are allowed.” Amara hesitates. “Maybe want to get together? I think you call it hanging out?” She uses the English phrase, and my brain zaps, like the translator chip glitches, when I hear the English words mixed in with Luminarian.
“You know English?” I need to know more about this. “I feel that so many Luminarians do, even the ones who aren’t leaders or in politics.”
The alien raises her eyebrows. “Of course. Every sc
hool child learns the basics with a chip download. Many don’t continue, but some of us progress and read all the fine literature.”
“What? You do?” I’m floored.
Amara blinks rapidly, as if my confusion is itself perplexing. “Ah, we always have? So we can learn literature and poetry in English?”
“Wait, so you... your planet... you have read books in English?”
“Shakespeare, Milton, Poe, Sappho, yes. Vergil. Many of us learn your ancient Greek and Latin as well.”
“I never knew this. How did I not know this?” I’m stunned.
“I don’t think it’s a secret.” Amara hesitates. “I assumed you knew.”
“But, how long have you been doing this?” My voice rises with surprise.
“I don’t know!” Amara bites her lip. “Since I was a child, I suppose. But the English program has been around longer than that. I mean, my mother and grandmother learned it, too.”
“So before we started the IRT?”
“Yes, probably? I don’t know.”
“I’m sorry. I’m not mad at you.” I reach out and touched the alien’s arm, because the way she’s standing, tense and awkward, tells me that she’s uncomfortable. “I don’t mean to yell. I’m just so surprised. I suppose other people on Earth must know this. I just didn’t, myself. I learned much about Luminarian anatomy and medicine, and clearly just the basics about your culture.”
On Earth, only a handful of linguists speak Luminarian, I imagine—the ones who work on the translation chips with Luminarian scientists. Probably some literature experts, or polyglots. Certainly it isn’t taught in our schools. Is this merely one more example of how Luminarians want power over humans? Does it mean they really are better, faster, smarter?
I narrow my eyes. I’m going to have to talk to Lock about this. As part of the ruling group, he certainly not only knows about this but controls and guides policy about it. Why didn’t he mention this to me at all?
I don’t want to alienate Amara, so I smile. “I think it’s pretty cool that you read Shakespeare.”
But Amara’s next comment makes me frown. “Oh, yes!” the alien says enthusiastically. “He’s almost as good as our Luminarian playwright Dar’tellak. Some of his wordplay is really very good.”
