eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work. This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely coincidental. Samhain Publishing, Ltd. 2932 Ross Clark Circle, #384 Dothan, AL 36301 Taste This Copyright © 2006 by Leigh Ellwood Cover by Scott Carpenter ISBN: 1-59998-120-3 www.samhainpublishing.com All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: May 2006
Taste This Leigh Ellwood
Dedication For M.G.
Taste This
Chapter One “Hey, Manny, while you’re in there, could you get me the…ah, fuck.” Kelly Landry was three steps into the spacious walk-in pantry when he stopped short on discovering his dishwasher/busboy’s indiscretion. Manny stood with his back to Kelly, gripping either end of a large wire baker’s rack, his legs spread apart. Naked. Kelly sighed. Manny was on the clock, he had early on exhausted his breaks and lunch. Yet, he was naked in the pantry, his ass bent before the lean, wavy-haired Latino who delivered the baking supplies. Jose, or Juan or Jorge—whatever his name was, something with a J in it—was still dressed in his grimy, blue-striped uniform shirt and jeans. How much longer he’d be dressed, Kelly could only guess. Strong, brown fingers kept Manny’s tight buttocks pried apart while the young, swarthy stud tongued Manny’s anus with gusto. Kelly felt his own hole constrict, aching for similar attention. Why, was a mystery. Sex was hardly a blip on his radar these days. “Fuck,” Kelly repeated. Manny turned his head and cast Kelly a wicked sideways grin. “Not yet,” he managed to grunt through gritted teeth. “We’re still enjoying the foreplay. But stick around. It’ll happen.” “Manny,” Kelly whined and pinched the bridge of his nose, a habit when annoyed. Five months ago Kelly might have laughed at this scene. -5-
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Being in love had clouded his vision then—Manny could have been hosting orgies in the back of the restaurant for all he knew. If that were indeed the case, it wouldn’t surprise Kelly to discover his ex had participated without his knowledge. But love was gone, assuming it ever existed. Only work filled Kelly’s time and heart now, and he had neither to spare today for Manny’s shenanigans. The Latino’s low, vocal pleasures drew Kelly out of his reverie. His face was still buried, wavering rapidly from side to side as he licked the insides of Manny’s buttocks. With a dark hand braced underneath the swell of one cheek, he used the other to fondle Manny’s sac, stroking the delicate skin between his fingers. Oh, but it must have felt as good as it looked. Kelly squinted. He needed not to look. “Join us, Kel,” Manny offered on a drawn-out groan. He reached behind him to pat the Latino’s head. “Julio is so fucking good at this. I know he’ll do you, too. You have to feel it.” Julio. Of course. That had been Kelly next guess. “And he switches, Kel,” Manny said. “You can fuck his ass while he fucks mine, then he’ll fuck yours.” Julio voiced no confirmation, in Spanish or otherwise. He offered one last, very audible suck to Manny’s puckered hole and guided Manny’s hips so the busboy now faced front. Grasping Manny’s shaft, he ducked low to lick the hanging sac. As Manny squealed with approval, Kelly caught a glimpse of shadowed cleft peeking from the ragged, low waistband of Julio’s baggy jeans. Apparently underwear wasn’t part of the uniform. Suddenly Kelly wished for the power to see through denim. Surely underneath that worn
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seat, hidden between beautiful brown buttocks, was a tight hole for fucking. Yes, that would be nice. Kelly twitched visibly at the thought of pumping his cock into a tight, brown ass and watching his hot, white cum shooting across that expanse of smooth, dark skin. It had been way too long to have these feelings now. He shifted in place to keep his cock at bay. Kelly felt his face burn at Manny’s knowing laughter. The young man could see Kelly’s lust, and Kelly now felt angry with himself for letting down his guard. Why couldn’t Manny do this somewhere else? Why couldn’t he look away? Why wasn’t anybody doing that to him? Because you won’t let anybody in to do anything, Kelly nagged himself. He wouldn’t, either, not after that last breakup. First the cock, then the heart, and eventually they’d both be ground into the dirt. Never again. “Come on, Kel,” Manny wheedled, “you know you want it. You need it. How long’s it been?” “None of your business.” Kelly’s voice was cold, but inside the desire smoldered. He steeled himself to tamp down the flames, literally willing his cock to soften by keeping his mind on work. Nobody was sucking his cock because Kelly wanted it that way. He’d been burned enough times to want to be involved with anybody—blatantly sexual, romantic, casual or permanent. Being alone, he knew nobody could hurt him. He lived to cook, that was his new aphrodisiac. Flour. He came here for flour. The baker’s case in the cafe was low on cookies and he needed to bake more for the dinner crowd. His regular dinner customers liked to take home a dozen or two of his delicious chocolate chip cookies for the weekend, and Kelly couldn’t disappoint them. He had to get moving. -7-
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He couldn’t stop watching the scene before him, however. Julio was merciless, shifting to one side and presenting Manny’s cock so Kelly could better see his oral assault. Manny was not thick, but quite long, and Julio seemed to have no trouble taking every inch. His dark lips pursed over the bulbous tip, Julio worked the cock in a hypnotic rhythm. Flour, I came for flour. I came here…I need to come. And butter. A baker can’t make cookies without real butter, Kelly knew. Yes, there was no time to waste with voyeurism. All he had to do was cross the pantry to the walk-in cooler, walk past Manny and Julio, and get a stick of butter. Then he had to rip off his clothes and grease his growing cock with it. He could use the butter to lubricate his cock for when he tore Julio away from sucking off Manny and pinned him against the freezer door. He needed to be ready when he pushed the wide waistband over the young Latino’s hips, allowing him to fuck that sweet, brown ass while Julio pawed at the smooth door, streaking a trail of fingerprints down the… “Bowls!” Kelly screamed. Manny held his breath, his face red and twisted with ecstasy not yet released. Julio’s tongue remained flat against Manny’s cock as he turned his head slightly to look at Kelly. His face held a bewildered expression that Kelly, in any other situation, would have found hilarious. “I-I need a bowl,” Kelly recovered. “Over by your head.” He gestured to Manny. “No, the big stainless steel one.” He couldn’t believe he was having a conversation with a man who was getting his cock sucked. From his position he reached his arm out as far as it would go, forcing Manny to toss the bowl. Kelly clutched the bottom of the bowl and pressed the rim against his chest, hoping the bowl could act as some
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kind of force field. If only for mental relief, the device helped him recover from the rush of lust. “What if I was Susan?” Kelly challenged, referring to his daughter. “What if she came in here looking for something?” Manny gazed down with a smile, running his fingers through Julio’s hair and watching his cock sliding between the young man’s full lips. “Who do you think suggested we come here?” Manny cast Kelly a playful grin full of white teeth. Kelly shook his head and hoped to the gods Susan didn’t arrange this scene for his benefit, or torture. While she constantly nagged him to jump back into the dating scene after his breakup, Kelly couldn’t imagine the young girl would orchestrate something like this. “I could have been the health inspector,” Kelly said, “or the cops.” “Why would cops raid the pantry?” “I could be hiding drugs in the sugar bins,” Kelly snapped. “Yeah?” Manny smiled. “You got any?” “I could have been somebody else,” Kelly said evenly. Right now, he wouldn’t have minded being somebody else, somewhere else. “Hey, the more the merrier,” Manny sang, and Kelly resisted the urge to return the bowl, upside Manny’s head. Jellyfish that he was, he instead depressed the lock button on the inside doorknob. “Make it quick, it’s getting busy,” he grumbled, and left the two to continue their tryst. He couldn’t fire Manny. The young man was smart, but he didn’t have anywhere to go after his family disowned him for being gay. The job paid for his college tuition. Besides, as Manny lived with him and Susan, it would be difficult to see the boy every day if Kelly fired him. Funny, though, it was more arousing than difficult to watch Manny fuck Julio’s mouth. Arousal and envy fueled Kelly as he stormed through -9-
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the short hallway to the kitchen and slammed down the bowl, cursing silently all the way. He’d forgotten the flour. Damned if he was going back for it. Julio’s luscious cock was probably slamming into Manny’s ass and pressing the young man into the cool, exterior wall of the walk-in cooler right now. To return there would only increase the temptation, and given Kelly’s pentup sexual frustration he imagined he could dent the walls of the pantry, or put Julio through a wall with a mighty orgasm. His cock stirred in his loose drawstring pants and he ground his crotch against the stainless steel tabletop. He ought to masturbate into the bowl, mix it with melted chocolate and frost a cake with the result. Serve the cake to Manny. No, he decided. Manny would want more, then tell people how wonderful the frosting tasted. Of course, everybody would want some after that. Damn, I need to get some. Anyway, he wasn’t going back there, though he needed the flour. He had a better idea. Slowly, a wicked grin curled his face as he arranged what ingredients he did have for the cookies. “Susan,” he called to the dining area. “I need you to get something for me.” No answer. Odd. Susan was working the register today and should have heard him. Kelly listened for a few seconds, hearing nothing altogether. Very odd. The place had been packed and alive with voices when he headed to the pantry. What was going on?
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Chapter Two Kelly leaned away from the prep counter. Through the open doorway separating the kitchen from the rest of the café, he saw nothing unusual. He did see the usual line of customers snaked along the order counter toward the main entrance. Normally Kelly might detect some light discomfort or frustration among the group from having to wait for their orders, but there was always chatter. Acquainted customers catching up, people on cell phones barking instructions…yet there was none of that, and it struck Kelly as strange. Now there appeared to be a general sense of quiet amusement pervading the dining area, as if people wanted to laugh but couldn’t bring themselves to do so out of some collective sense of propriety. Weird. He set aside the bowl and edged closer to the door. He heard laughter now, followed by a garbled admonishment from his college freshman daughter. Why was she not at her station? What was so important that it prevented her from taking orders and moving the line? Kelly snorted. No wonder Manny thought it convenient to enjoy an unauthorized quickie, there was nothing else to do. Orders were not being taken, therefore food was not being prepared. Kelly’s sous-chef had instead parked behind the service window and watched the mysterious activity unfold with mild delight. Kelly emerged from the back kitchen to see the two waitresses in his employ, order pads pinned firmly under folded arms, were also among -11-
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the throng. At the center of the crowd protruded a pair of glittered Styrofoam stars attached on a plastic band to somebody’s head. What the…? Halloween was months away. Had the café attracted a nutjob of some sort? Possibly, Kelly conceded. Downtown had become a rather eclectic area of late with the recent renovation of older buildings. Goth boutiques, alternative bookshops and novelty stores now dotted the sidewalks where furriers and drugstores were once housed. It wasn’t unusual to see young adults garbed all in black, with matching eye shadow and nail polish, shopping and strolling. And those were the boys. You think you’d welcome that sort of thing, his daughter once teased. The memory of the conversation still burned behind his eyes. She knew better than to stereotype. Not every gay man acted in a feminine manner…he certainly did not. And Kelly made sure to raise his girl not to make assumptions about people based upon appearance. Besides, gay or not, he hated the Goth look. The last mainstay of the area was the grand hotel across the street. Which, Kelly now remembered, was hosting a science-fiction convention of some sort. That explained the antennae. Come to think of it, he recalled seeing a number of costumed folk coming in for lunch the other day, buying cookies by the dozen and gobbling them down as if they hadn’t eaten in weeks. It shouldn’t give any of them carte blanche, though, to disrupt his business. Grateful as he was for the distraction from the panting in the pantry, Kelly would prefer to see his customers served and have bills paid. He eased his way past charcoal suits and moms guarding strollers. Seated customers along the back wall, already enjoying their lunches, had a front row seat to today’s unscheduled entertainment—a tall man with dark blond, shoulder-length hair, resplendent in a blue two-tone -12-
Taste This
cape
and
a
grey
jumpsuit
tucked
into
black
jack
boots.
The
aforementioned glitter band wobbled the star-shaped antennae in a jazzy circular motion, and a foreign insignia dotted one breast of the so-called uniform. A plastic, ridged prosthesis jutted from his forehead, making his face look more like an alien’s. Plastic vampire fangs pinched his lips and slurred his voice, which at the moment sounded as mirthful as Susan’s. “What is going on here?” Kelly demanded, though he found it difficult to be too upset with the scene. To be certain, Taste This Café was not a stodgy dining establishment. Manny’s stunts notwithstanding, Kelly enjoyed a joke and playful banter with his regular customers often, but this wayward Klingon-type character was definitely a first. The alien man turned sharply toward Kelly, the fangs slipping slightly from his mouth as he cast a delightful snarl. “You are the one called Kelly Landry, proprietor and pastry chef of Taste This?” “I am.” Kelly folded his arms and regarded the muted merriment of the crowd surrounding them, as if all of them were in on some practical joke aimed at him. “Is the mothership in need of our catering services? I’m afraid to inform you there’s a two light-year wait to be included on our schedule.” Snickers sputtered forth from tightened smiles. The uniformed visitor, unfazed, held up a blue sheet of paper. “Mr. Landry, I have a warrant for your arrest,” he said with all seriousness. At least he was talking in a normal tone, and not with some mechanical “Mork from Ork” accent. “I am to escort you immediately to Federation Headquarters for interrogation.” “Are you now?” The man looked harmless enough, but all the same Kelly took a step backward into the safety of his surrounding customers. Like hell was he going anywhere with this Star Trek reject, though Kelly -13-
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was certain he could take the well-built weirdo with two choice chops if necessary. “I’m being arrested? On what charge?” Kelly asked. Alien Man said nothing, but thrust the paper toward him. Kelly studied
the
futuristic-style
font
of
the
amateurish
flyer,
which
announced Kelly’s crime. “Well, it appears I’ve been accused of making the best damn chocolate chip cookies in the Alpha Quadrant,” he said to a spate of mild applause and agreement. He held up the flyer, bordered with designs of tiny starships and phaser guns, for all to see. It was a sophomoric attempt, something from a high-school printing program. “I fail to see how this is an offense worthy of arrest, though,” he told the man. “If my cookies are the best, why arrest me? Why not give me the key to Saturn?” “Or Uranus,” Susan sniggered under her breath. One step to the side from Kelly roughly blocked his daughter from Alien Man's view. Kelly ignored the impatient tapping on his shoulder. Alien Man shrugged and held up his gloved hands. “It is considered an offense if the Prime Minister of the Federation fancies himself a gourmet chocolatier,” he said, “and is insulted that anybody would dare insinuate that another person’s cookies are better than his.” “So arrest the person who made the insinuation.” Kelly curled the fake warrant in his hand. “My cookies are good, but they don’t align the planets.” “You don’t really know that.” The man’s voice was nearly a purr. Kelly’s heart hitched and bobbed in response, as if the stranger were a cat enjoying a favorite toy. A snorting sound alerted him to the fringe of the crowd. Susan now leaned against the counter, arms folded. “Hard to be humble, isn’t it?
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Nobody bakes better than my dad. Just ask anybody who’s been coming here for the past five years.” “Cuff ‘em,” cried a lone voice in the back, to much laughter. “That’s certainly an option,” Alien Man said, innuendo unmistakable in his drawl. Kelly rolled his eyes. He couldn’t believe how seriously the people around him were taking this. His own daughter, too. Was there so little excitement in their lives that they felt the need to defend his culinary skills with this semi-masked man? This semi-masked man who was most definitely peering at him with interest underneath that ridiculous prosthesis. The stranger’s gaze burned on Kelly’s skin, and for a brief moment Kelly felt truly uncomfortable, almost vulnerable, in his presence. He was handsome, and appeared interested. Of course, his own perception was more than likely influenced by seeing Manny and Julio going at it like rabbits. I’ve got to get back to work. Kelly slapped the paper to the man’s chest. The light jolt he experienced on contact surprised him enough to back away and duck behind the order counter. Fortuitous timing, too, Kelly realized with the sudden jerk of his cock inside his pants. Again? What was wrong with him today? It had been too long, that had to be why he reacted this way. Any man’s touch, no matter how odd the man, seemed to suffice. Kelly sighed. He didn’t have time for this nonsense. Two trays of his amazing, galaxy-pleasing cookies were long overdue and wouldn’t be baked at all if he didn’t get back to work. Back to the pantry, too. What were Manny and Julio doing now, he wondered suddenly. Unbidden came the image of Manny sprawled over
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Julio’s lean, brown body as each young man suckled the other’s cock in a sixty-nine position. He shook his head. “Well, tell the Prime Minister he is welcome to the title of Universal Cookie Master. I’m not going anywhere.” A chorus of disappointed groans filled the air as he started for the register. “Hey, hey,” Kelly chided the crowd. He really wanted to laugh at this, it was so absurd. “Last I checked this place wasn’t under the jurisdiction of any Federation, so technically I have immunity, which leaves me free to take your lunch orders since somebody who should, isn’t.” He eyed his daughter. “Somebody who doesn’t have immunity so long as she’s still living at home and working here.” Susan laughed gaily and snatched the flyer. “Dad, lighten up.” She waved the paper in his face. “It’s for a good cause. You’re ‘arrested’ by the local science-fiction club and held until you can make ‘bail’ by soliciting donations for charity. It’s all good.” “I see.” Kelly was vaguely familiar with the concept. Though a charitable man, the prospect didn’t interest him at all. Writhing naked between Manny and Julio held more appeal than sitting in a cage with a group of nerdy sci-fi fans calling relatives for donations. Alien Man was at the counter now. Kelly eyed him with some suspicion. “Your name is…?” “My true name is unpronounceable by humans,” said Alien Man to Kelly’s deep sigh. “Here I am called Tobin, and I am from Vectra Eight in the Vectra System.” “I don’t doubt that, Tobin. So, what’s bail?” Alien Man shrugged. “It varies from prisoner to prisoner. You,” he smiled, “I’d set at a hundred Earth dollars.” “That’s all? Earth dollars, cute. Susan, be a dear and get the checkbook from the office.” He turned to Alien Man and cocked an -16-
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eyebrow. “Will the Vectra System take a check?” For all he knew the guy would cash it and buy action figures, but it would get him out of the cafe before Kelly could entertain further lustful thoughts. “Dad, no. That’s cheating,” Susan cried. “Young lady, I have a restaurant to run…” But it was no use. The pleading expression on his daughter’s face couldn’t be ignored. Whenever she pouted, she got her way. Kelly sighed and leaned close to Susan. “You’ll get Manny and that Latino out of the pantry.” “Yes.” Susan rolled her eyes. “We can handle everything. Go on and raise money for a good cause. Besides, the guy’s cute. You might get lucky.” “Fine.” Grudgingly, Kelly rounded the counter, followed by attaboys and applause as he stood toe to toe with Alien Man. He threw up his hands in defeat. “Well, you got me,” he conceded. “You caught the Cookie Monster. Do you need to read me my intergalactic rights or whatever the hell it is you do before apprehending prisoners?” “You come with me of your own free will?” the man asked with a seriousness that unsettled Kelly. Some people really needed to turn off their televisions and enjoy the real world. “Yes.” Kelly answered, annoyed, and offered his wrists. “Cuff me. Haul me to the gulag. Do what you will.” “Very well.” Out from the folds of Alien Man’s cape came a sophisticated-looking pair of handcuffs. At least, Kelly assumed that much. They didn’t look like joke cuffs, or even standard police issue. Two metal curves attached to a thick chain felt cool on the underside of Kelly’s wrists as they were applied. What stung his skin, and shocked his heart, were the bolts of light that shot from either end when Alien Man pressed a button. -17-
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“Wha—?” Surprised gasps fluttered around him. Kelly shook his wrists, but the bars of light were impenetrable. This was no sci-fi con prank. This was…not of this world. He looked across the counter. Susan no longer pouted in mock disappointment, but was frozen with fear. Alien Man peeled off the rubber forehead and antennae, leaving unfettered a piercing pair of grey eyes framed in a handsome, long face. A wayward blond curl dangled across his forehead. His lips were a straight line that slowly turned upward, the eyes appraised what Kelly knew was visible worry. “Daddy?” Susan asked with caution. “What the hell is this?” Kelly demanded. “This isn’t a toy. This…looks real.” He looked around the crowd. Everybody seemed to glance at each other, unsure of what to do. Was this part of the show, should they intervene? Uncertainty kept Kelly’s customers grounded. “You come with me of your own free will,” the man repeated, and looped one arm through Kelly’s. His touch was gentle, reassuring, but Kelly found no comfort in it. He tried to back away but the crowd was too thick, and Tobin was too strong an anchor to overcome. Tobin plucked a small, handheld device from his cape and flipped it open as one would a cell phone. With a foreign command into the speaker, the world dissolved. Every sense felt in the cafe—the walls, the people, the smells of fresh baked bread, Susan’s screams—faded into white just as the breath left Kelly’s lungs.
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Chapter Three That, Tobin decided later as he relaxed in his quarters, was too damn easy. It amazed him to think the people of Earth were supposed to be an intelligent, logical race. And here Tobin had waltzed right into Kelly Landry’s establishment in the guise of a science-fiction fanatic with a cockamamie charity story nearly everybody accepted. Hadn’t they been told time and again not to talk to strangers? Tobin smiled, thinking of Kelly’s soft blue eyes, firm shaved jaw and short brown hair. Now there was a stranger from whom he wouldn’t mind taking candy. Or cookies. Or a cock up the ass. Thank the gods Earth men were sexually compatible with Vectrans, and the baker wouldn’t be a stranger for very long. In the end, of course, the handsome Kelly Landry proved to be a challenge, one Tobin did win, thanks to the girl’s wheedling. He savored this thought with quiet satisfaction as he nibbled the sugar cookie he bought from Taste This. The flavor was subtle and smooth, a perfect blend of butter and vanilla that pleased his alien palate. Vectra Eight offered no such delicacies, and it was a shame not everybody would be able to sample Kelly’s wares. The crew of the Jiu’kr, however, was going to be very pleased with the galaxy-class starship’s new head chef. In more ways than one. Tobin looked forward to sampling much of Kelly Landry. -19-
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The hand that clutched the dwindling cookie strayed down to Tobin’s crotch, and Tobin stroked his shaft through his thinly layered shorts. It felt so good to be out of that ridiculous costume and back in his own clothes, which by Earth standards might border on scandalous. If only the science fiction created by the people of Earth could portray alien races with accuracy, how much more interesting those fan conventions would be. Vectrans dressed lightly, if at all…their amorous nature seldom necessitated the need for clothing that would be constantly cast off otherwise. Normally, Tobin wouldn’t wear this much, and many of the Jiu’kr crew were comfortable wearing even less while on duty. But, so as not to send Kelly into complete culture shock, he opted to wear the shorts, nothing more. Tobin wanted Kelly to see what could be his. A fortunate choice, it was, to have selected Earth for the ship’s week of unofficial shore leave. The notion of “love at first sight”, an Earth saying he’d heard more than once during the time there, certainly rang true. The captain had chosen to dine at the cafe on a whim, amused by the clever name and tempting menu. Colorful sandwich board signs encouraged him to “Taste This”, so he did, again and again. How wonderful it was to eat real food again, rather than the bland offerings purged from his replicator’s memory banks. He had cased the cafe for several days before the convention that inspired the idea for Kelly’s acquisition. Tobin recalled that time fondly, tucked in a back corner booth with a plate lunch complemented with Kelly’s delicious chocolate chip cookies. One bite, and Tobin was sold on the chef’s culinary skills. One look at Kelly, and Tobin was sold on the chef.
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The baker rarely wandered deep into the dining area, but instead socialized from the counter. Tobin remembered watching through darktinted glasses the way Kelly’s strong arms flexed and tightened as he lifted tray after tray of sweets, arranging them in the dessert case. From the seclusion of that corner booth, Kelly’s dazzling smile seemed distant and aimed at nobody in particular, but it warmed Tobin to see it. He wasn’t surprised not to see any hint of recognition in the baker’s eyes when he removed his costume. Tobin did his best to blend into anonymity then. No more, however. Kelly would definitely know Tobin, in every sense of the word. From
his
reconnaissance,
Tobin
knew
through
overheard
conversations between the girl and other customers that Kelly favored men. The news delighted Tobin. He wanted Kelly to favor him most of all. He snapped the elastic waistband down so only his shaft and scrotum were exposed. Just thinking about seeing Kelly again hardened him, and he sped up his attentions to his cock. The hope that Kelly would soon be doing this to him tightened the desire building in his groin. To feel Kelly’s fingertips dancing across his sensitive skin, Kelly’s moistened lips gliding over his bubbling tip, would certainly enhance his orgasm. For now, however, Tobin would have to be happy with what pleasures were available on the Jiu’Kr, plentiful though they were. If the constant nudity wouldn’t be enough to send Kelly into culture shock, the Vectran’s fondness for sexual recreation was certain to do the trick. Earth seemed like a planetary monastery by comparison. A sharp blip cut the air and jarred Tobin’s lustful thoughts. Recovering quickly, he gave verbal command to grant his visitors entrance. He remained in his lounge chair, slouched and stroking himself, as two tall, nearly nude women appeared before him. Danae, -21-
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chief of security, and Juun, communications officer, both nodded politely and appeared unfazed by their captain’s position. It seemed the most natural thing in the world, just as their being naked was. “Juun, I trust you have something positive to report.” Juun made no move to hide her admiration of Tobin’s cock. Her posture straight, her breasts lifted high and swaying in her shining black, strapless corset, she tilted her head forward as she spoke. “Just thought you’d like to know we have left the Earth’s orbit and are back on our regular route. As we’ve received no communications from the Federation, I don’t anticipate any problems.” Tobin nodded, his attention to his cock slowing. The logs would have to be altered to conceal any evidence of their detour. But that wasn’t a problem, as his superiors rarely requested data from the only starship patrolling the outermost reaches of the Vectran system, where nothing happened. “There’s no chance, then, that we were detected by the Earth’s satellites?” Tobin queried. “I’m assuming the shields held.” “They did.” Juun was confident. “We can thank L’wan for his ingenuity, devising a method for cloaking the ship. I don’t think I could have accomplished it on my own.” “Good to know.” Tobin didn’t doubt Juun would thank L’wan personally later on for his technological endeavors. Juun, Danae…and the gods knew who else. He turned to Danae. “And Kelly?” he asked, his voice betraying his worry. “Is sedated and in stable condition,” Danae finished for him. “I just left sickbay. His color is good, his vitals are normal, and he hasn’t rejected any of the implants. Wren is taking good care of him, don’t worry.” -22-
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“I’ll bet Wren is.” Tobin did worry. He tugged aggressively on his cock now, perturbed by the thought of the ship’s doctor having complete access to the now very vulnerable chef. Wren had quite the bedside manner where handsome men were concerned. It would certainly be a grand temptation to take advantage of Kelly in such a state. The gods knew he would, Tobin reasoned to himself with a crooked smile. “You don’t look so confident of Wren’s skills,” Danae noted, her brows wrinkled. “Oh, I’m very familiar with the good doctor’s skills.” Tobin snorted. Both women laughed. “I don’t think you need to be troubled about anything happening without you, where Kelly Landry’s well-being is concerned,” Juun reassured him. “We all saw the look on your face when you two beamed aboard.” “He must be quite a man,” Danae’s voice rang wistfully, “for you to want to recruit him so quickly.” “He is.” Tobin kept a straight face at this. Neither woman had to know right now that Kelly’s acquisition wasn’t exactly as formal as they believed. Yet, if either woman had been at the cafe with him to see Kelly in his element they would have understood Tobin’s actions. If they had felt the warmth radiate from this beautiful man and had seen the sensual grace with which he performed simple tasks like boxing a cake for a customer or refilling a glass of tea…well, they would see it for themselves soon enough. “And you are right,” he added. “I’m sure Kelly will be fine with Wren.” Yes, Wren was an exceptional doctor, although his time was largely spent in leisure due to the crew’s overall good health. Tobin knew the man would have the proper sense to behave around Kelly.
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Would he have the restraint, though? Tobin barely had it himself. He watched his precum bubble and slide across the tip of his cock, down the cut ridge, eager to see his opaque juice shining on Kelly’s skin. Juun allowed a smile to slip through pursed lips. “Need help?” “Don’t I always?” One quick crook of the neck had both women out of uniform and on their knees before their captain, each sporting an identical, devilish grin. Tobin had to wonder how pleased or honored Juun and Danae felt to be called in this manner, as the pleasure of his company was more often reserved for men. Yet on the Jiu’Kr, the crew took sexual enjoyment wherever it was available, which was nearly everywhere. Much as he would have preferred Kelly to be in the submissive position his officers held before him, Tobin needed relief now. Thankfully, Juun and Danae were willing to oblige him. Once Kelly adapted to life on the Jiu’Kr they could share the comforts of fellow crew as well, if Kelly wanted that. Tobin leaned back and spread his knees farther apart to allow both women better access to his cock. As Danae worked the tip of his shaft, and Juun the base and bulging sac underneath, he wondered for a moment what it would be like to share Kelly with the two women. The man had a daughter, he couldn’t possibly be virgin to the concept of hetero sex. Later. Let him have Kelly alone for a bit before planning any parties. Now he just needed to concentrate on these two luscious pairs of lips sliding up and down his cock, these gentle hands brushing his thighs en route to each other’s bodies. Tobin watched Juun dip between Danae’s parted knees to stroke the other woman’s clit. The furtive glances darting between the women told Tobin there might be more activity once he was gone. -24-
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For now, though… “I need to come,” he growled. “Any suggestions as to where?” “Here.” Danae released Tobin’s cock with an audible smack and rose. Juun leaned back as Danae turned to face the opposite wall, straddling Tobin’s hips. Before Tobin could ask, Danae reached between her legs and tugged at his aching cock, then guided it into her wet pussy as she lowered herself on his lap. “That’s nice,” Tobin sighed. Danae’s pussy was not his first, but by far she was the tightest. Her soft vise felt ridged in all the right places, and it wouldn’t be long before his release could bring calm to his nervous system. Grasping Danae’s hips, he eased her up and down in short rhythm, hypnotized by the movement in her back muscles as she bounced. Juun knelt before them and licked Danae’s pussy as they fucked, allowing the security officer more pleasure, so much that she and Tobin came simultaneously. Tobin roared his release, shooting his load as Danae clamped her pussy lips around him and milked his cock with one last dip into his lap. He felt Juun’s tongue swipe his slick shaft, lapping up the juices, and shivered at the contact. That’s very nice. Tobin felt weak and barely acknowledged when Danae extracted herself from him and wobbled toward Juun for support. For all the good it would do, he suddenly realized. Seeing Kelly again would set him to stone once more, aching for release. Seeing, hell. Just thinking about Kelly caused the stirring in his groin. He would never find relief at this rate. But why complain? He canted his head to one side and smiled at Juun. His cock was only half inflated, but he was still capable of helping see Juun to her own orgasm. -25-
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“I’ll be fine,” Juun assured him, holding Danae tightly. Her full breast pressed against Danae’s, her hand skimmed down Danae’s flat stomach on a quick path toward the other woman’s pussy. “We’ll manage.” “Glad to hear it,” Tobin said, replacing his shorts. “Stay and use my quarters if you like, just try not to break anything, okay?” He winked. Tobin stood and stretched, then stalked purposely to the door. Relaxing as the interlude had been, he wanted to see Kelly, regardless of what state the chef was in now. Every second away seemed interminable. Judging from the smirking, furtive glances from the sofa, Tobin realized his crew was well aware of the obvious sentiment. Not surprising. Tongues wagged on the Jiu’kr, not just in crewmates’ pussies and assholes. That everyone knew Tobin was smitten with the Earth creature was not news. That Tobin would concede to sharing him, as was Vectran custom, was still speculation. That Tobin would claim Kelly as his lifemate…Tobin held up his chin, his face split with a wide smile. That was definite. “What’s so funny?” he demanded gently of Juun, whose unspoken laughter fought the restraint of tightened, twisted lips. Juun arched her back against the sofa, allowing Danae to lean over and pop a nipple in her mouth. “If you’re going to see your sweetheart,” she suggested, pointing to Tobin’s bare chest, “you might want to tidy up first.” “What?” Tobin looked down the hardened planes and spied a smattering of cookie crumbs and cum stuck to his skin. With a labored sigh, he brushed himself off as best he could manage. “I suppose it would be more embarrassing were I dressed,” he quipped. “Yes,” Juun sighed. “Thank the gods for casual dress…and lack thereof.” -26-
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“Indeed.” Tobin bade them farewell with a snicker, one returned with equal mirth as the ladies settled on the sofa for some heavier petting. One large crumb he saved and popped in his mouth. Still delicious. The sweet he had eaten before Juun and Danae dropped by was meant to tide him over until supper, but his appetite was only whetted for more. More sex, more sweets, more of Kelly.
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Chapter Four He awoke to the sensation of being suspended, free, out of his body. Had he died? Kelly’s eyes fluttered open and focused to reveal a cold room, more by appearance than temperature. It resembled the emergency room from a futuristic theme park exhibition, with walls lined with blinking consoles and space-age medical equipment positioned at various stations about the large space. He was naked and warm and, true to his suspicions, suspended upright within some kind of force field. He looked down to see his bare feet hovering over a circular pad that blinked bright colors in random sequence. Perhaps Heaven, or Hell, required a physical upon entrance. The thought
bewildered
Kelly,
but
his
complacency
soon
turned
to
determination upon seeing two other men standing before him, staring up with what appeared to be restrained delight. Naked. Everybody was naked today. Had he missed a memo somewhere? They were practically identical, with long, auburn hair and nicely sculpted pecs and abdominals. Large cocks hung limp between strong legs that tapered down to firm feet as each man stood with some authority. How could they not? They weren’t being held captive.
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Kelly felt his entire body flush deep red as they stared, and wished for a more interesting distraction. Wasn’t it enough he had to endure years of being on display while clothed, catching snippets of whispered, smirking dialogue as he passed? No amount of casual camouflage could disguise him from others with self-proclaimed “gaydar”. Who knew what extrasensory gifts these men possessed. Telekinesis, perhaps, given the way their equipment didn’t need to be constantly supervised. Kelly couldn’t be certain these men weren’t using mind power to make him float. One man held a blinking device that resembled a small flip-phone, only cell phones rarely shot blue beams of light which lightly stung skin. What was the man doing? Kelly tried not to squirm. Hanging naked in mid-air was silly enough, even with the small audience. “Are you well, Kelly Landry?” the man asked in careful, slow English. “I’m fine, what the hell is that? What have you done with my daughter?” “She is fine, as are you.” “Where am I? This can’t possibly be the grand hotel across the street,” Kelly said. “If it is, I don’t know what the hell kind of convention you got going on—” “This is not the hotel, Kelly Landry, and it’s no dream, either. I think you do realize that you were never going there,” said the hunk with the halting speech. He lifted his gaze from the device and smiled at Kelly through thick lashes. “I do hope you’ll find this is a better place…your new home.” Kelly swallowed. New home? As the device whirred into silence, the halting hunk snapped its lid shut. “Good news, your body hasn’t rejected any of the implants. You
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should adapt well to the atmosphere of Vectra Eight, and anywhere else we happen to visit in our travels.” Both men smiled at him. “What the hell does that mean? What implants?” Kelly struggled to move but it felt as though the air encased him. He was stretched to the limit with his arms positioned high above his head. The best he could do was wiggle his fingers and toes. If he concentrated enough on his lower body he could make his cock shift slightly, but as that seemed to interest both men he elected instead to remain still. The other redhead stepped forward, eye-level with Kelly’s cock, and wetted his lips. “The vitals chips we implanted in your heart and lungs will acclimate your body to our planet on the occasions we visit, so you’ll adjust to our gravity and air. The language chip we implanted in your brain aids you in speaking our language,” he explained. “Otherwise, it would be very difficult to communicate with everyone on the Jiu’kr.” “Maybe I don’t want to communicate with everyone on the Jew-kerr, except to tell somebody to let me go.” What the fuck was the Jew-kerr? Implants and alien languages? So this guy wasn’t speaking English? Christ. Now he was getting sucked into this space drama. These clowns really needed to get out of the house and put on some clothes. “Get me down from here and take me home.” “You are home, Kelly. You came willingly, if you remember.” Kelly did, thankfully, have control of his head and neck. He turned in time to witness Tobin’s entrance and let out a quiet gasp. Gone was the juvenile, homemade space-geek outfit, cast aside in favor of flawless skin stretched over tight muscles. The mesh shorts Tobin wore left very little to Kelly’s imagination. Had Tobin come into the shop looking like this, Kelly doubted he would have been so contrary, despite the cafe’s no shirt, no shoes, no service policy.
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Of course, Kelly wouldn’t have run off with him, either. And he hadn’t expected to be kidnapped, much less be beamed aboard a ship. He shook away the sudden lustful thoughts of Tobin taking advantage of his inability to move. Tobin drove him nuts, his presence shouldn’t arouse him. “This isn’t the hotel across the street?” he demanded. “You guys just aren’t fucking with me, are you?” “Not yet, in a manner of speaking.” Tobin chuckled. “This isn’t your solar system we’re orbiting right now, Kelly. We’ve traveled quite a distance from your corner of the universe, and before you accuse us of being too enrapt in some fictional universe, I can assure you we are able to prove it, if the elevation chamber isn’t enough.” “I’m sure there’s a logical explanation for this.” Kelly craned his neck upward. “Do you feel any strings, Kelly Landry?” The two redheads chuckled. Kelly’s heart numbed. Cold-calling for donations in a hotel ballroom full of nerds was the least of his concerns, apparently. Susan was going to find his naked, beaten body in a ditch somewhere, he knew it. “Prove it, then.” Silently, calmly, Tobin held out his hand and palmed the phone-like device given to him. He pressed a few buttons and out from a pinhole shot a large beam that stretched into a holographic image of another man. This one was dressed in similar fashion—same skimpy shorts and muscles, a large medallion resting in a nest of thick, dark curls. The hologram stood to attention. “Any anomalies to report, ensign?” Tobin asked. “None, sir,” replied the image. “Course is steady and quiet as it’s always been.”
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“Very good. Stay engines to one quarter impulse. I’ll return to the bridge soon. Tobin out.” Another button shut off the image and Tobin looked at Kelly with an arched brow. “If you like,” he said teasingly, “we can blow up a planet for you, too.” Kelly’s throat felt dry. That couldn’t be explained so easily. “I’ve never seen anything like that before. Y-you really are an alien?” How was it possible that alien races existed, much less specifically sought pastry chefs to abduct? Tobin nodded. “You’d be surprised to know how many alien races exist. Earth may maintain a steady orbit, but the planet is quite, as you might say, out of the loop when it comes to intergalactic life.” The others laughed quietly at this as Tobin added, “Many races are humanoid in appearance and nature as well, much like what you’ve seen portrayed in your entertainment programs.” Sexual compatibility, too. It went unspoken, but Kelly knew Tobin had to be thinking the same thing. The way Tobin eyed him now, the way they all did, it was a given. He wanted to spit. He was supposed to be angry with these…people, he was supposed to want to break free of his invisible bonds and throttle Tobin good. His body responded differently, instead aching for Tobin to stroke his suspended form and kiss the life back into his atrophying muscles. His mind ordered him to break free and sock Tobin with an upper cut, his hands wanted to rip away those mesh shorts and grasp the bend of Tobin’s hips while he fucked his ass. Kelly watched his captor’s impressive bulge, then that delicious, rounded backside as Tobin circled the other two men with a predatory scowl. Manny could keep Julio, for here was an ass he could pound for days and never feel his cock go limp.
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If only he wasn’t pissed at the man for taking him away from everybody he knew and loved. HHH Beautiful, the man was simply beautiful. It mattered not to Tobin that Kelly sported a small abdominal bulge, and his muscles were not quite toned. Tobin imagined regular sampling of his own baked goods contributed to that, but long hours at the cafe surely negated any chance of the sugar turning completely to fat. Kelly looked good to him. Tobin witnessed the naked vulnerability of a man who desperately needed to be loved, and by somebody who could do it well. He’d listened to the young woman Kelly called his daughter, how she spoke to favored customers of the baker’s heartbreak. Kelly needed to be here more than he realized. He would come to love the Jiu’Kr, and everybody stationed here. Himself most of all, Tobin hoped. As he approached, Tobin shook his head. He might have known to find L’wan here with Wren, two vultures scouting out the new prey. Sexual appetites on the Jiu’Kr were strong all-around, but only Wren and L’wan shared Tobin’s preferences with equal zeal. Of course they would want to taste what the baker offered. “Wren, I know, should be here. What about you, L’wan?” Tobin said to the ship’s chief helmsman, hands folded and pressed against his backside. “Shouldn’t you be steering the ship so we don’t careen into an asteroid belt?” “I’m hungry, and second shift’s up. We’re fine.” L’wan leered at Kelly. “I came to ask the ship’s new chef what we could expect for dinner…and dessert.”
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“Don’t you mean whom? Strikes me that you’d prefer I be on the menu, the way you’re all looking at me.” This from Kelly. Tobin smiled, relieved. The strength in the man’s voice indicated Kelly would adjust to life on the Jiu’Kr quicker than expected. The voice implant worked well. Tobin would have to adjust to Kelly speaking his language. Having immersed himself in English lessons for the purpose of confronting Kelly, Tobin had become accustomed to hearing the language. It was a lovely language, enhanced all the more by Kelly’s deep, sensual voice. “Can you blame us, Kelly? You’re talented, and beautiful. We’re very fortunate you agreed to join us,” Tobin told him, and edged L’wan to one side so that he—and not his junior officer—faced Kelly’s beautiful cock. He could sense the sexual energy radiating from the man. As much as Kelly resisted, Tobin knew the breaking point was soon in coming. And soon we’ll all be coming. “I’ve done no such thing. You tricked me,” Kelly seethed. “I thought I was being taken to that stupid sci-fi convention to solicit charity donations. This…this…” This is much better, admit it. Tobin thought at first his hearing faded as his concentration focused more on Kelly’s cock. In reality he saw words failed the baker as he continued to struggle. “Can I at least be let go, and can I have my clothes back?” Kelly whined. “Can’t we work something out?” From the corner of his eye Tobin watched L’wan round Kelly’s suspended body. Wren followed and spooned L’wan into his arms, kissing the other man’s shoulders as L’wan bent his face closer to Kelly’s ass. Kelly tried to twist around to see better. It wasn’t the orientation to the Jiu’Kr Tobin wanted for Kelly, but seeing his officers caress each other in anticipation of a hot group outing increased his desire. Of course, there would be limits, for now. -34-
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“What’re they doing?” Kelly asked, worried. “What’re you going to do to me?” “Nothing you don’t want, and don’t say you don’t want it,” Tobin whispered. HHH He would say nothing. To beg for these men to stop caressing him would contradict how his body presently responded. Kelly arched his neck back and exhaled a long sigh. His growing cock revealed his true desires. That was understood. Tobin stroked Kelly’s upper thigh, running his thumb up the smooth, inside patch of skin leading to his scrotum. The one called L’wan planted a kiss on each of Kelly’s buttocks, then pried them apart and blew softly against Kelly’s anus. The pleasure shot through his body, and Kelly yearned for the use of his hands so he could rub the ache from his tightened nipples. In this position, he doubted any of the men could reach them, but they seemed otherwise occupied. A tongue swiped the cleft of his ass, just as Julio had done to Manny earlier. Kelly craned his neck as far as it would go and could just see L’wan’s face buried in his ass. The nude redhead seemed to devour him. The man’s tongue traced the puckered perimeter of his asshole, then probed it lightly, and repeated the process with increasing speed. It felt so damn good. “Yeah, you like that, don’t you?” Tobin asked him. He did. Tobin didn’t need to be told. Kelly imagined his fluttering smile was answer enough. “Wren is rimming L’wan’s ass, you should see it. He’s very good at it, too. You’re going to like that even more,” Tobin said. With his thumb and
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forefinger he enclosed the base of Kelly’s hard shaft and rested Kelly’s balls in his open palm. “I hope, though, you like this the best.” Kelly wouldn’t argue. He loved having his cock sucked and missed it terribly. To feel Tobin’s tongue lap up his shaft and tease his circumcised tip resurfaced sensations Kelly had been certain he would never feel again. He wished he could move and thrust his hips to allow Tobin to take his cock deeper into his mouth. Tobin moaned with delight as his lips slid up the length of Kelly’s cock, then released. The shaft wobbled upward and felt ready to explode, but Tobin’s sudden frown threatened the pending joy. “You don’t like that?” he asked. “I like it fine,” Kelly said through labored breath. “I just wish I wasn’t restrained like this.” He couldn’t believe how difficult it was to talk, given the way L’wan refused to let up on his ass. Seeing Wren cross behind Tobin and grasp the alien’s hips only sent his heart into overdrive. Wren eased the mesh shorts over Tobin’s hips, nestled his cock between Tobin’s buttocks and undulated his own hips. Wren truly appeared to enjoy the touch of his silky shaft against the confines of Tobin’s taut ass cheeks. It looked so sexy, and Kelly had to wonder if he’d been so turned on by Manny and Julio because he liked to watch. He wouldn’t mind seeing Wren ease that thick rod into Tobin right now while Tobin continued to suck his cock. “Not into bondage, are you?” Tobin teased, then glanced back at Wren. “Lick me,” he told the other alien. “Lick my asshole.” Wren paused and shot Tobin a quizzical glance, then slowly knelt to comply. Kelly couldn’t help note the annoyance in Tobin’s voice. Wren looked disappointed, but seemed to take to rimming Tobin’s ass rather quickly. Perhaps Tobin topped other men. If so, that would be most
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disappointing. Kelly didn’t mind the occasional cock in his ass, but topping appealed to him more. To be in Wren’s position now would be… He sighed. He was thinking of heaven. This was supposed to be anything but. “I-I’ve never tried bondage before,” Kelly said finally, hoping to diffuse the sudden tension. “I never thought I’d be into it.” Tobin’s smile immediately returned. “You seem to take to group, ah, activities quite well.” True. Plays well with others… The more the merrier rang Manny’s voice in his ears. L’wan was incredible. He stopped licking Kelly’s ass and probed his anus with a crooked finger in search of the P-spot. When a shockwave radiated throughout Kelly’s entire body, he cried out and knew L’wan struck gold. No past lover had managed to hit the sensitive prostate gland before…oh, what pleasures he had missed. Tobin seemed to take this as his cue to resume sucking Kelly’s cock, which he did with renewed fervor as L’wan massaged Kelly from the inside. Seeing, feeling, smelling the sex around him was too much for Kelly to take in this position. Much as he wanted this to last, his orgasm wouldn’t be so restrained. For once, he was thankful to be supported by this invisible force field. Otherwise he’d be a puddle. When Kelly did come he felt the fire build up in his groin and shoot heated desire through his cock. Tobin rapidly tugged at his own cock as he swallowed Kelly whole and sucked him dry. Seconds later, a muffled groan and a wet sensation sprinkling on his calves alerted him to L’wan’s release. Before him, Wren stood abruptly and sprayed Tobin’s back with his juice.
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Tobin kissed Kelly’s thigh and nuzzled into Kelly’s softening groin. All around them Kelly heard the deep intake of breath, satisfaction from release. “Yes,” Tobin whispered. “I think you’re going to get on well here.”
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Chapter Five At first he thought the gentle, feather-soft sighing was born of exhausted satisfaction. It surprised Tobin, therefore, to look up Kelly’s trembling body and see darker emotions play on his new lover’s face. Unshed tears reflected the harsh, invasive lighting of sickbay, and the few that did fall shone down Kelly’s cheeks in drying strips that resembled cellophane on his skin. The human snuffled and shook his head erratically as he continued struggling in vain to be free. “H-home,” came a hoarse whisper. After all that, he still wanted to go. Tobin’s heart sank. Nonetheless, perhaps it was time to free him. Kelly looked exhausted, and Tobin doubted the man would get far even if he did manage to escape sickbay. It hadn’t been Tobin’s intent to keep him restrained like an animal. L’wan and Wren gradually slowed their kissing and caressing, leaving Tobin to manage the console alone. Trusting his memory, he sighed with relief when he punched the correct sequence of buttons that set Kelly gently to the ground and loosened his invisible bonds. The doctor and the helmsman caught Kelly before he crumpled to the floor in a heap. “There.” Tobin pointed to the wide, raised operating table and helped his crewmen lay Kelly prone. “This will do until I get him back to my quarters.”
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Kelly blinked at the harsh overhead lights, the tears now beaded at the corners of his eyes. Tobin longed to kiss them away and rub the pad of his thumb across each lower lid to erase the line of irritated red marring Kelly’s face. Only the scowl twisting Kelly’s lips kept Tobin at bay. “Are you okay, Kelly?” A spark set in Kelly’s eye, so strong Tobin thought it might turn the tears to steam. “Do I look okay?” Kelly seethed. “I’m cold, I’m sore, I can’t move—” “We’ll take care of you,” Tobin told him, relieved at the least that Kelly hadn’t cried rape. Those same glassy eyes seemed to conceal clouded emotions, perhaps guilt for enjoying what had happened. Tobin wanted to ease Kelly’s mind of that, soon. “Don’t worry, Kelly. Just rest now, and we’ll take care—” “Can I have some clothes, or are you just going to send me to my cell like this with the rest of your sex slaves, or God knows what?” “Kelly, you’re not a prisoner, please understand that.” How could Kelly think a thing like that? Kelly managed to point upward, but his arm wavered, bidden by gravity. Tobin couldn’t tell at whom Kelly directed his next remark. “Y-you told me I was home,” Kelly said. “This is kidnapping, this…” Tobin clasped Kelly’s loose fist between his hands, wrapping his own finger around the upright digit. He wanted to kiss each knuckle and feel Kelly respond in kind. To think, these hands kneaded dough and other ingredients to make the delicious treats that won him over that first day of dining at Taste This. What else were these hands capable of doing? They were cold now, numb from inactivity. Tobin rubbed the life back into Kelly’s palm and wrist, imagining how good this hand would feel kneading his own skin. -40-
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“You are anything but a prisoner, Kelly.” Tobin was firm about this. “You are more than a guest, too. We want you to become one of us.” “One of…what? You want me to become a naked space nerd horndog?” Tobin tried not to laugh, and conceded with a mild smile. “Well, I’ve certainly heard worse about my crew,” he admitted as L’wan and Wren chuckled. Their rumbling merriment surrounded Tobin, and he was thankful for the attempt to ease Kelly. “But, we want you to think this is your home now. You have complete run of the ship.” He didn’t resist when Kelly jerked his hand away with what strength he possessed. “Do I?” Kelly challenged. “Well, in that case, why don’t I head down to the docking bay and hop the first shuttle home? That is what you call it, right?” Kelly sat up, but all color quickly drained from his upper body and, after wobbling in place, he fell into Tobin’s arms. “Why don’t you rest first?” Tobin suggested. “I’ll get you to my quarters where it’ll be more comfortable.” Where I’ll have you alone. “Do you need help transporting him?” Wren offered. “I can mobilize a stretcher—” “We’ll just beam there, it’s quicker, and I don’t think Kelly will be affected by it.” Tobin held Kelly close, happy the baker did not resist him. “However, I would ask that you and L’wan head over there ahead of us.” The anticipation on their faces spoke volumes. “Any particular reason?” L’wan asked, his grin spreading wide. “Yes. I want you to pick up Juun and Danae on your way to someplace else.” HHH
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They relaxed in bed following Kelly’s “orientation” to life on the Jiu’Kr. Tobin had been pleased to find his quarters abandoned as the surroundings came into focus after transfer, yet the smell of sex remained faint in the air. Kelly had sensed it as well. He sniffed sharply and made a face. “Even on Earth we break for lunch.” Tobin led the man to bed. “Trust me, you’ll play a large role in that.” “In making lunch, or serving it on my back and ass like a buffet table?” “Just come to bed, Kelly.” Kelly followed. Tobin was pleased Kelly agreed to join him here…as if he had a choice. Kelly had been too exhausted to do anything for himself, even the short beam transfer to Tobin’s quarters took quite a bit of the baker’s remaining energy. Were Tobin to have his way, Kelly would never leave the bed and would be assigned to see to Tobin’s personal pleasure. As it was, he knew the rest of the crew would want Kelly to prove the culinary prowess that had won Tobin over, and his stomach rumbled with anticipation of Kelly’s other skills. For now, though, they would rest. “This isn’t a dream, you’re sure?” Kelly asked warily. Tobin couldn’t help it anymore and laughed out loud. He was relieved, at least, that Kelly didn’t take insult from it. Of course, the baker was still too weary to retaliate. “For the umpteenth time, no,” Tobin chided. “Are you really going to make me explain it all again? Or, I could pinch you. Would you like that? I think I would.” Kelly frowned, ignoring the innuendo to Tobin’s mild disappointment. “I suppose I’ll keep asking until I truly accept it. If that ever happens.” -42-
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“I hope it will, Kelly. People around here are going to think oddly of you every time a door opens and you ask where the street is.” Kelly snorted. “This is odd. Aliens aren’t supposed to exist.” “Says who? I’d like to meet whoever said that and convince him otherwise.” “Says…” Kelly twitched his lips in thought. “Says logic. Aliens are supposed to be science fiction. Stories.” Tobin nuzzled Kelly’s neck. The baker was stiff against his body, unfortunately not in the good way. “Sometimes stories can be better than real life, especially if they have happy endings.” Kelly shook his head, effectively distancing himself from Tobin’s kiss. “I don’t believe this, is all. I still want to believe we’re in the William Shatner Suite of some sci-fi convention, and that I can leave any time and go back across the street to the cafe. I’ll go back to work, and my daughter would want to know why I didn’t stay.” “And you would say…?” Kelly smiled wryly. “That I got off, for good behavior.” Tobin laughed. “Very well, this is what you want to believe. What’s stopping you from leaving, then?” Tobin teased. Kelly said nothing. Tobin was triumphant. Kelly had to believe this was real, and he stayed here because, deep down, he wanted to stay. “I can’t move,” Kelly grumbled. “And when you can?” Again, silence. “How can you still not believe me?” Tobin gestured to the large picture window opposite the bed. Before them lay the vast star field through which the Jiu’Kr sped at half-impulse. As he explained it to Kelly just before they beamed back to his quarters, that was still pretty damn -43-
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fast. “As if the holographic communication device and the beam transfer didn’t convince you. Look out there. What do you see?” Kelly shrugged. “I want to believe there’s a large projector somewhere doing that.” But you don’t. “If you weren’t so damned wonderful, I’d have you jettisoned through one of the garbage chutes. Let you see firsthand how real space is.” Tobin tried to sound annoyed, but Kelly’s wide-eyed wonder was too charming to resist. Kelly sank deep into the sheets and rolled to one side. Tobin spooned him. “Just so we’re clear,” Kelly said, “we’re how far away from Earth now?” “Not so far as to prevent you from seeing your family again,” Tobin assured him. “At warp eight, we can be back in your planet’s orbit from any point on the perimeter of our scheduled route within forty-eight of your Earth hours.” Tobin hoped Kelly would allow some time first to acquaint himself with the Jiu’Kr and her people. He couldn’t bear the thought of turning around and taking Kelly back so soon. “So…Earth is not on your regular route?” “No.” Tobin stroked the swell of Kelly’s buttocks. “Earth was a...ah...vacation. My crew had been on duty for quite some time without shore leave, and we happened to be closer to Earth than any of our regular stops. I thought, why not try someplace exotic?” “Your crew needs a vacation from non-stop sex?” Tobin shrugged. “Even we break for lunch. I’m glad I took lunch at your diner.” “I still can’t believe this,” Kelly muttered again. “What do you do on this ship anyway? Are you hosting some kind of eternal pleasure cruise for rich Vectrans?”
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“In a manner of speaking, but we’re hardly rich,” Tobin said with a chuckle. “Where I’m from, we don’t endure the burden of sexual inhibition. Physical pleasure is meant to be enjoyed, often.” He walked his fingers down Kelly’s bare flesh, happy the baker didn’t flinch at his touch. “Like it says in an Earth book I once studied…they were naked, and not ashamed. That is how it is in the Vectra System, always.” Kelly snorted. “Quite a lot of people on my planet use that book to further their own agendas. What happened earlier, people would say that book forbids.” Tobin, sensing Kelly’s hurt, let his hand fall. What he wouldn’t do now to take away that pain. Kelly spoke before Tobin could pursue the issue. “Are you warriors, then? I have to admit, though, the idea of naked warriors is somewhat odd. No holsters for your weapons.” Tobin shook his head, laughing. “We have the ability to defend ourselves against enemy attack, which is rare in this time. The systems that are aware of us, our relations are very good.” “Is free love…er, universal?” “Just about. Some systems are more enthusiastic about it than others.” Tobin smiled. “But it’s not all play here. The crew of the Jiu’Kr is assigned to patrol the outer limits of the system’s borders for anomalies. We do also handle some reconnaissance, gathering information on newly discovered alien civilizations and, where applicable, making contact for information and cultural exchange.” “So Earth was an assignment of sorts, as well as vacation.” It was not a question, but an assumption Tobin let pass. “I don’t blame you for visiting then, kill two birds with one stone.
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“Are there…any more of you on Earth right now?” Kelly asked, worry evident in his tone. Tobin imagined Kelly was wondering how many of his customers were actually from Earth. “Are there other aliens roaming around in disguise?” “I can’t speak for other races. Far as I can remember, the assigned crewmen of the Jiu’Kr were the only Vectrans I’ve known to ever visit Earth,” Tobin said. “I have to say, too, I’m glad I picked the right place for this special, ah, vacation.” Kelly didn’t seem to pick up on the flattery. “You needed to come all the way to Earth for a pastry chef? You don’t have any on your planet?” “I didn’t come to Earth for anything more than a break from the ship. It’s true, we do enjoy a great amount of sexual activity here, and if you polled my crew many would never want to leave. But, once in a while, even the most aroused of people wants a break.” Tobin gazed at the ceiling. “I went to Earth to experience something different, to be surprised.” This much was true. The Jiu’kr had visited the same systems over and again under Tobin’s command, and it had been time to actually exhibit a sense of adventure, his order be damned. “We all picked cities at random. I threw a mental dart at a map program in our computers and chose your hometown. I played tourist, liked what I saw, then found your cafe and loved the place even more.” He sighed. “Maybe it was fate that brought me to you. I’m certainly not complaining.” Kelly turned to face Tobin, his eyes narrowed. “Why didn’t you make your presence known on a grander scale? Meet with our world leaders, more important people than me?” “You don’t think you’re important?” “Stop being cute and tell me the truth,” Kelly snapped. Tobin bristled as Kelly shifted further away. Kelly’s strength had improved, Tobin could -46-
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tell by the way the man tensed. Tobin didn’t doubt that Kelly would fight him if he thought it necessary. “Truthfully?” Tobin felt wary about offering an answer, doubtful that the inquisitive Kelly could be satisfied. Yet he responded with, “Truthfully, we don’t feel your people are ready for formal alien contact. We’re not the first to visit your planet, and certainly won’t be last, but there are certain aspects about your planet that have discouraged other races from making their presence known.” “What aspects?” Tobin shrugged and reached for Kelly, holding him close. He didn’t want to talk about these things. He much rather wanted to make love, to fuck and be fucked, before having to send Kelly to his new station. But, it was probably best the interrogation happen now. The sooner Kelly got his answers, the smoother the transition to life on the Jiu’Kr. He could only hope Kelly wouldn’t be offended by his words. He hadn’t bothered to arrange living quarters for the baker yet, because, quite frankly, he hoped to have Kelly stay here. It never occurred to him that Kelly might want to live alone, and Tobin risked that now. “Well, since you asked,” Tobin said slowly, “we don’t feel the Earth race is…mature enough to deal with contact from an alien race, much less make use of our wisdom.” “So you’ve seen our movies?” Kelly said wryly. Tobin shook his head. “What I’ve seen personally of your planet—the racism and discrimination, the neglect of a clean environment, the senseless acts of violence and disregard for others—turns my stomach. What sufferings you endure there don’t exist where I live.” He expected a strong reaction and kept his hands clamped around Kelly’s waist. His lover’s skin was warm, his muscles tightening as Tobin’s words were absorbed. It was a beautiful feeling to savor. -47-
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Maybe Kelly would move away or get out of bed altogether, but Tobin could only reveal the truth as he saw it. The cures for many Earth diseases, and solutions to international conflicts and fiscal hardships could be had if the Vectrans thought the people of the planet capable of resolving their problems and using the knowledge wisely, and not for personal gain. Nobody wanted to be told they acted childishly, and Tobin braced for the inevitable backlash. Instead, Kelly softened against him and said, “You’re right.” “Beg pardon?” Kelly rolled onto Tobin’s chest and pressed his cheek against Tobin’s wildly beating heart. “I said you’re right, maybe we aren’t mature as a whole. But we shouldn’t be counted out entirely. Surely you’ve seen the good we as a race are capable of doing.” “Well, of course, I didn’t mean to sound so negative.” “If you had seen our community a few years ago, when New York was attacked and the Twin Towers destroyed,” Kelly said with conviction, “if you had seen how the country came together to the aid of people we didn’t know, you’d think differently.” “I might,” Tobin conceded, “but I’d have to wonder about the people who provoked the attack in the first place. Things like that don’t happen where I live. We don’t engage in civil wars spurred on by differences of faith or color.” “Are there differences to be had? I don’t know anything of your people.” “There are differences, yes,” Tobin conceded. “People have different skin colors, some choose to believe in higher powers, some love people of their own gender,” Tobin kissed the top of Kelly’s head at this, “and yet we all manage to get along. Fancy that.” “And everybody’s naked?” Kelly smirked. -48-
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Tobin shrugged. “In some cases, nudity is not the great equalizer, but it is difficult to argue with a naked person, don’t you think?” Mild laughter followed, and Kelly snuggled deeper into Tobin, to the captain’s delight. “I wish the fighting didn’t happen at home,” Kelly agreed. “But I know I can’t go through life expecting the worst.” Kelly sat up suddenly. Tobin kept the sheet fixed around him, and smiled as bare skin slid upward for him to admire. Kelly’s cock, even in this limp state, looked impressive folded across his thigh. “One time, not long after I opened the cafe, I had to walk through a thick line of protestors who didn’t want a gay man running a business in their neighborhood,” Kelly said. “They called me every name in the book, told me I was going to Hell, threatened me and my daughter. Not a very Christian attitude to have, wishing harm on a little girl, who is straight, by the way.” Kelly smiled wryly. “Still, I kept the business open and served whoever was brave enough to come. Many of the people there today, laughing at you—us—had been my first customers.” “Really?” Tobin nodded. There didn’t seem to be any purpose mentioning to Kelly that more than a day had passed since leaving Earth. “I’m sorry that had to happen,” he said finally. “I can assure you that will never happen here. You don’t often see two people of the same gender loving each other on Vectra, but it’s not reviled when it happens.” Tobin noticed Kelly’s body shake. Was he laughing? Tobin couldn’t tell. He let a chuckle escape and dared a gentle touch to the nest of dark curls covering Kelly’s groin. Kelly’s cock twitched in response, recovering far better than the rest of the baker’s body. “I would never laugh at you,” Tobin assured Kelly. “I hope you’re still not angry with me for taking you. I really do think you belong here.”
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Kelly sighed. “I didn’t have time to say goodbye to Susan. Will I ever see her again?” “You will. In time, we can go back and see her. She can come live with us.” “Oh, I don’t know if I want her in the midst of all this,” Kelly said. “I wonder if it’s a good idea to even visit. The way we ‘left’ she probably thinks I’m dead.” “I’ll handle it, Kelly.” Tobin bent low and kissed the line of soft hair leading up from Kelly’s cock to his navel. “I’m not so cruel a superior that I would deny you any requests that are within reason. I keep telling you, you’re not a slave, but a valued member of this crew.” “Superior?” Kelly’s voice registered amused shock. Tobin was up to Kelly’s chest now, and he licked one nipple to stone. “Technically, yes. I’m the captain of this ship. I guess I should have mentioned it before.” “I should think so.” Kelly’s laughter was bolder now, and contagious. “I can’t believe the captain of a starship would come to Earth to do something an underling could have done.” Tobin nuzzled Kelly’s neck. “I trust my crew with my life, but this was one task I didn’t dare outsource. You remember how L’wan and Wren were. As the captain, I did have to make a trip back to the Jiu’Kr to oversee a few things, but I made sure to allot enough time to get you myself. If I had sent either L’wan or Wren to get you, I don’t think they would have come back. They would stayed in your shop, filling up on cookies and thinking of ways to get you into bed.” “Well, I don’t think I would have minded that.” Kelly was playing coy now. He eased Tobin off his chest and held him at arm’s length. “Why wouldn’t you let Wren fuck your ass? Are you his superior, too?”
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“I didn’t let him because I want you to do it.” Tobin smiled. “I’ve topped and bottomed and I enjoy both, but now I don’t want anybody’s cock but yours inside me that way.” “Why not? As I understand it, free love is the norm here, and I have to be honest with you…” The sheets rustled, and Tobin numbed, missing the warmth of the baker’s skin against his as Kelly moved further away. Tobin watched Kelly’s slow retreat to the window and kept an eye on the rounded curve of his ass as Kelly studied the stars sliding past. The lines of his back were smooth, the backs of his thighs taut with his tense pacing. “What happened a while back, what’s happened since, I haven’t done in a long time,” Kelly revealed. “I haven’t been in a relationship in a long time, by my own choice. The last one ended badly.” Tobin drew his knees to his chest and studied Kelly’s profile. “I surmised enough. I promise you, I’ll never hurt you.” “Really? You took me away from my family. Nothing hurts more than that.” Tobin knew to expect that. It seemed nothing he could say would soothe Kelly, but he refused to give up on the baker. “What we did,” Tobin ventured, “what L’wan did to you, I know you enjoyed.” “I did,” Kelly confessed. “You stay, and that is your life. You make people happy with your cooking, and I’ll make you happy in every other sense.” Kelly turned slightly toward Tobin with a mild scowl. “You’d let me fuck other men on this ship?” “Do you want to fuck other men on this ship?”
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“I don’t know what I want,” Kelly admitted, and turned away again. “Looking at you doesn’t help, because I can’t read you. You say you want me to be happy, but I have to wonder just how willing you are.” Tobin sighed. Kelly did have a point. The idea of a relationship was new to him as well. With past partners, sharing others hadn’t been an issue, for Tobin hadn’t felt as strongly for any of his former lovers as he did now for Kelly. “Damn.” Kelly’s deep sigh broke through Tobin’s thoughts. “I really need to be in my kitchen. I think better when I’m working. I’m more decisive in my element.” Kelly flexed his fingers; the manic twitching set Tobin on edge. “I need to get my hands in something.” “I have an idea,” Tobin teased. “I know how you can exercise your brain, and those fingers.” “I’ll bet.” Five steps took Tobin across the room where he circled his arms around Kelly’s waist. “Stay,” he whispered. “What discriminations you encountered, the hardships and heartbreak, don’t exist here.” “Why do I get the feeling I’m not going to have much control of my life, regardless of the freedoms you claim I’ll have here?” Kelly sounded skeptical, but Tobin felt buoyed by the baker’s wry smile. “As long as you have my heart, you have more power than you realize.” To say nothing of his cock. Tobin would only fuck Kelly now, and accept only Kelly’s cock. If the baker wanted to indulge in more oral play with L’wan and Wren, or even fuck one of them, fine. Tobin would save his best for the one he loved the best. Despite the free nature of Vectran social culture, he hoped Kelly would one day concede to similar behavior. Kelly snorted. “You barely know me.”
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Tobin kissed his neck. “I know enough.” By the gods, but this man tested him. “Can I show you something? I really do know of a way to help you, and surprisingly it has nothing to do with sex. Not now, anyway,” he added with a chuckle. “Can I have something to wear, please?” Kelly rubbed the raised flesh on his arms. “I’m no prude, but I’m not quite comfortable being completely free like everybody else here.” “Okay, okay.” Tobin held up his hands in mock surrender. “Wear whatever you feel comfortable with. In fact, you might want to have something on where we’re going.” Kelly followed Tobin across the room to where his clothes were neatly pressed and folded in a closet. “Where exactly are we going?” “A place I know you’ll like.” A place I hope will influence you to stay.
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Chapter Six “Holy crap.” Tobin hadn’t been kidding. Kelly did like this place. No, he loved this place. Maybe he did die, and now stood in his own personal heaven. “Ever see a kitchen like this on Earth?” Tobin gestured a wide arc introduction to Kelly’s new workspace. “Not outside of EPCOT Center.” Kelly knew he looked silly, gawking at the high-tech, futuristic appliances, but he didn’t care. Christmas came early, would come every day, so long as he stood here. If only he could be certain the appliances he saw and admired corresponded to their Earth counterparts. If he could successfully negotiate what he thought was the oven he would be ecstatic. No, he would be the next thing beyond ecstatic. If a word didn’t exist for the feeling, he’d invent one. “You’ll find everything here is simple to use,” Tobin said. Kelly tried not to react with uncertainty. If he didn’t blow up the ship trying to boil water, he would be happy. “In fact,” Tobin continued, “with many of these devices the cooking process takes less time like it would on Earth, so you might find the first few dishes you create may burn.” “I’d think altitude plays a factor as well,” Kelly murmured. “If cakes can rise too quickly and implode at ten thousand feet, I don’t want to think about what could happen in space. They’d see the result from -54-
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Earth.” Kelly tried not to laugh, thinking of perishing in a chocolatefrosted supernova. “Not really. All of that is regulated within the ship’s gravity and temperature controls, so this is akin to being on Earth’s sea level, if you will. We don’t expect you to get everything right immediately, but I’m confident you won’t have problems adjusting to your new workspace.” Tobin chattered like a salesman and gestured like a spokesmodel, with dramatic sweeps of his arms over countertops and across shelving. The Jiu’Kr’s oven resembled a high-end Vulcan, for which Kelly had lusted all his life. The accompanying bakeware was industrial strength and slick with non-stick coating. Back in his element, Kelly felt earlier apprehensions
fade
as
Tobin’s
voice
gained
strength
in
his
consciousness. Finally, though, he had to say something, as he detected trepidation growing in the other man’s voice. “You had me at hello,” Kelly said, and laughed. Tobin cast him an odd look. “I don’t recall saying that.” “Never mind.” Clearly the alien hadn’t done enough cultural reconnaissance while on Earth to understand the context of the movie quote. “This is incredible. I mean, look at this. To think, our astronauts still subsist on Tang and freeze-dried fruit, and lord knows what squeezed from a toothpaste tube. This…” Kelly patted the oven’s surface, “…this is a spaceship, with a kitchen.” “I’m beginning to realize I should have brought you here first.” Tobin watched Kelly’s excitement with some amusement. “Not that I regret our earlier encounter.” Kelly thought he heard Tobin say something, but he wasn’t listening very closely. The kitchen held the baker’s full attention until he turned around and blinked, as if seeing Tobin for the first time. -55-
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“So, tell me,” Kelly said as he lovingly arranged baking sheets side by side on the large, marble-like prep counter. “What exactly am I cooking and when do you want it?” He caught Tobin’s warm smile in his peripheral vision. Kelly chuckled softly. Of course, Tobin would expect more of him. He hoped he hadn’t sent too strong a message, one that implied the continuance of a personal relationship. Even though he wanted it. Not now. Look, popover tins! “You are the chef, Kelly. We entrust all menu selections to you, though I don’t doubt some of the crew will make requests from time to time,” Tobin told him. “You’ll be cooking for the entire Jiu’Kr crew, about five hundred people—” “Five hundred people?” Kelly considered this, then nodded. He’d catered large affairs in the past. With enough coordination and advance prep, it could be done on a daily basis. “Okay,” he said, “so how many people will be under me?” “Nobody, just you.” The industrial-strength, non-stick coat popover tin clattered to the floor. No matter, it was useless now, as it only had six cups. He had to cook for five hundred people, by himself? “What? Are you on crack?” he cried. “I don’t know how you do it on Victor—” “Vectra.” “Whatever.” Kelly held up his hands. “Two hands, buddy, can only do so much. Unless Vectrans like cold Pop Tarts for breakfast, because I don’t see a toaster with five hundred slots…” “If you’d just let me finish, calm down,” Tobin chided, and steered Kelly by the shoulders toward a large box at one end of the counter. To -56-
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Kelly it resembled a microwave oven, only where the pad of numbers should have been he saw an arrangement of odd symbols emblazoned on buttons. “You need only prepare one dish per meal—breakfast, lunch, and dinner,” Tobin explained, “and dessert and snacks at your discretion. Though, I should warn you that your cookies and cakes are the talk of the ship, in part due to my own raving, so I’d consider that a fourth meal.” Pressing the largest button on the box’s side panel caused the glass door to fade away. “This is a replication device. Each dish is placed inside, you press these buttons here, and the meal is committed to the replicator’s memory banks.” Tobin guided Kelly through the kitchen to an adjacent, empty room. Kelly took note of the oddly shaped tables and chairs, chaise lounges, bar setup and stage. “This is the main common area, where many of the crew come to relax. They also have the option of dining here if they choose not to eat in their quarters.” Tobin took a seat at the nearest table and gestured for Kelly to join him. The chair molded to suit his body upon sitting; Kelly instantly felt the pressure ease from his back and shoulders. This was the next best thing to an embrace. One look at Tobin told Kelly the alien appeared to be jealous of the chair. He tried not to laugh at the thought. “Do people come here, too?” Kelly asked archly. “They do, especially in that chair.” Kelly leaped to the floor, and Tobin bellowed. “Sit down, we keep the place clean,” he teased. “But, yes, pleasures are enjoyed here. The bridge and engineering are the only two places on
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the ship where sex isn’t allowed, so you know. You’re going to see quite a bit of it here.” “People screwing in the halls?” Tobin cocked an eyebrow. “It’s known to happen, yes, but for the most part we do exhibit enough restraint to make it to our quarters or any of the common areas.” “Very well…and participating? How do I figure into that?” Tobin’s gaze smoldered. Kelly sensed his own heat pooling in his groin and crossed his legs to stifle it. Thank the gods he decided to wear his pants on this orientation, though they were loose and the stirrings of an erection evident. That Tobin chose to stroll around in the nude helped little. “It’s up to you,” he said finally. “I hope when you do decide to partake, that I’m involved.” Kelly swallowed. “Why is nobody partaking here now? Surely all five hundred crew members aren’t working the same shift.” Tobin nodded to the expansive lounge. “The lounge is closed for your orientation. I didn’t think it prudent to expose you to that just yet.” “Prudent isn’t exactly a word I would associate with the Jiu’Kr, especially after today’s tongue lashing,” Kelly challenged. “I can’t figure you out. You won’t walk me through an everyday orgy because you don’t want to offend my sensibilities, yet there was nothing wrong with my being double-teamed in captivity. There was nothing wrong with rolling around in bed with a man you just met. You make no sense.” Tobin kept his palms pressed on the table, as if straining to remain in place. Kelly sensed the alien was about to burst—in a violent or loving manner, he couldn’t be certain now. No doubt Kelly frustrated Tobin as much as he aroused him.
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Kelly tried to lean back in the chair but remained upright. Would he find as much resistance everywhere else on this ship? “I can’t help myself when I’m around you, Kelly,” Tobin said soberly. “You’re going to see that more and more.” Tobin could master his molded chair with ease, he leaned back to show Kelly his raging, purpling erection. “You don’t know how badly I want to pin you to this table and ram my cock up your ass. I want you for every meal.” “Stop it,” Kelly whispered. He knew he didn’t sound convincing. Damn his inability to be dishonest. “I want to suck your cock, and watch your lips curl around mine as you suck it. I want to feel your cock fill my ass with your cum.” Tobin’s fingers traced the raised veins of his upright shaft, then bunched around the throbbing tip. Kelly caught the sheen of pre-cum glistening on the alien’s fingertips. Kelly missed the taste of cock. He missed the heft, the silky touch of a man’s sac in the palm of his hand. He missed the feel of smooth, wet skin sliding against the seam of pursed lips, and that first burst of salty nectar shooting into his mouth. He missed hearing the satisfied grunt of a lover as his body relaxed, and missed knowing he inspired such pleasure. He missed being lost in the moment of pleasuring another man, sucking a lover’s cock to the point where the rest of the body seemed distant. Disengaged hands would stroke his head, a faraway voice would urge him…and Kelly would lie down and slowly fuck with his mouth, equally if not more pleased than his lover. He approached on air toward Tobin, his actions separate from his body, and came to kneel before eagerly parted legs. Tobin was magnificent, fragrant with desire. And huge. Kelly couldn’t recall any -59-
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lovers of equal girth and length, and wondered if he could take Tobin whole if he so desired. He couldn’t kid himself anymore. He so desired. “Kelly.” Tobin’s voice was husky. “Don’t feel you have to—” “I have free will here, right?” When Tobin nodded, Kelly bowed over Tobin’s cock. “Then let me exercise those rights.” “Gladly.” Tobin arched his back and audibly sucked in air as the flat of Kelly’s tongue brushed the shaft. From stem to stern, Kelly left no inch of skin untouched, and when he took Tobin slowly into his mouth Kelly thought the alien’s body would implode from the attention. Up and down, in and out, Kelly tested various speeds by Tobin’s vocal cues. The alien seemed to like it slow going in and faster sliding out of his mouth, so Kelly did just that. “You are incredible,” Tobin murmured, and bucked his hips lightly, presumably to go deeper. Kelly tried not to gag, being comfortable with the length he could take, and had to still his lover with firm palms to Tobin’s thighs. The sensation reminded Kelly of doing pushups…if only he could lose some weight this way. To hell with dieting. The notion of preparing five hundred chocolate chip cookies didn’t seem so intimidating now, as Kelly was certain the crew would get plenty of “exercise”. Tobin rumbled and quaked underneath him; orgasm was imminent. Kelly eased up on Tobin’s cock and applied more pressure, starting at the tip. One last thrust in and out sent Tobin over the edge, and Kelly relaxed his throat to take in every drop with ease. He rolled back to the floor, his own cock tenting the loose chef’s pants. Tobin lowered himself upon it as he fell forward and collapsed across Kelly.
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“How can I please you?” he begged, raining kisses on Kelly’s face. “I want you to feel as wonderful as I do right now. I want to make that happen, every day.” “Set me loose in that kitchen,” Kelly said, stroking Tobin’s broad back. He couldn’t let his guard completely down yet. He had to admit, though, he would enjoy sleeping against this wall of muscle every night. “My work is my happiness.” Tobin sagged, the weight was suddenly unbearable. Kelly knew Tobin hoped for a different answer. Yet for all of Tobin’s earnestness, to say nothing of granting him complete autonomy in the kitchen, something continued to keep Kelly at bay. He enjoyed the intimacy, craved it, but could not bring himself to trust Tobin, or himself. The weight lifted and Kelly inhaled deeply. Tobin rocked back on his haunches and offered a sad smile. “For my sake, and my sanity, I hope you will come to accept my love.” Kelly’s heart skipped at those words. Similar devotions in the past led to heartbreak. Tobin’s words would have to hold more weight than what had nearly crushed him moments before. “This is the first time you’ve spoken of love to me,” Kelly said. “It’s here for you. It was there when I set foot in your shop dressed in that ridiculous outfit.” “Why mention it now? Why not before?” Tobin shrugged. “I didn’t think you’d take me seriously. I was wearing foam antennae.” He sniffed a laugh. “I suppose I should have said something then, but I’m saying it now, Kelly. My love is here for you.” “I hope so,” Kelly whispered. For my sake.
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Chapter Seven The sight of heterosexual couplings normally left Tobin unfazed. To walk past a couple trysting in the lounge, or to pass an amorous male ensign kneeling before a female colleague and licking her pussy in the main corridor, barely registered arousal. This morning, however, Tobin wanted to scream, having had his fill of visual stimulation. The two nurses in the lift, awaiting the stop at their level, killing time by fondling each other’s breasts, had been the breaking point. When the lift reached the bridge, he couldn’t get away from them quickly enough and nearly body-checked the smaller of the two stalking to the captain’s chair. The door swished shut over their shocked faces before Tobin could issue an apology. Not that he planned to offer one. Tobin was frustrated, tired and extremely horny. In the week following Kelly’s arrival on the Jiu’Kr they had yet to fully consummate their relationship, such as it was. Oh, there was oral sex, giving and receiving. There were quiet, intimate moments in bed as Tobin held Kelly tightly to him and listened to stories of life on Earth with his daughter and friends. There were loving glances exchanged over the table at each meal, which Tobin insisted on sharing with the baker. Kelly prepared their meals by hand, replicating one for the crew before joining Tobin in their quarters. At least, Tobin thought Kelly’s glances were loving. The man always looked rather flushed when they retired for the final meal. It couldn’t -62-
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have been the result of slaving over a hot stove all day, as Vectran culinary
technology
far
outperformed
the
archaic,
uncomfortable
equipment Kelly used on Earth. L’wan had the helm and managed the ship’s navigation with ease from his station. A linen napkin, holding the remains of today’s breakfast, rested by the console. Tobin recognized it as the same thing he enjoyed, a dish made entirely of the Earth ingredients procured during their visit. “He calls it a breakfast burrito,” L’wan said to Juun, whose pale expression clearly told Tobin she had unwisely skipped the meal. “Pretty good, though I don’t think I have the stomach for Earth food.” Tobin
added
nothing
to
the
conversation,
but
accepted
the
computerized pad containing the crew’s collected morning reports with a curt nod and settled back to read. Yes, Kelly had done exceptionally well the last week, having adjusted quickly to the kitchen’s equipment. His skills with food from other systems, foods completely foreign to Kelly, were nothing short of impressive. Every day promised a new culinary surprise, every night guaranteed overall praise from the crew. Every night, too, brought disappointment as Tobin settled under the covers to a chaste goodnight kiss. Sometimes oral pleasures followed with enough wheedling, yet mainly Kelly immediately fell asleep in his arms. Even then, the sex was limited to those times as Kelly spent most of the day in the kitchen, refusing to allow Tobin to take advantage of him there. All the while, the crew enjoyed sex. L’wan and Wren fucked every night, Tobin knew, while bodies rolled and fondled and kissed and thrust against each other across every square inch of the ship. Sometimes, as he tried to sleep with Kelly snuffling next to him, Tobin swore he could feel the ship rocking from the collected intensity of the crew’s pleasures. -63-
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L’wan sucked the last of breakfast from his fingers and focused on their coordinates. Only a week ago the helmsman’s tongue licked parts of Kelly that Tobin desperately wanted to explore again and probe with his aching cock. Instead he had to content himself with listening to L’wan happily recount last night’s adventures with Wren and two curious male security officers,
complete
with
graphic
hand
gestures.
Such
was
the
disadvantage of patrolling in peacetime. Tobin needed a grand, galactic war to get his mind off fucking Kelly’s ass. A sharp hailing sequence, similar to Earth Morse code, sounded throughout the bridge and thankfully interrupted the helmsman. Tobin gave his full attention now. Communication was rare this far from the system, and he dreaded any news his officer might relay. Juun pressed her hand against her earpiece and turned to Tobin. Her expression was quizzical. Bad news, for certain. “A private communiqué has been transferred to your comm screen, Captain.” “Thank you, Juun.” Tobin flipped up the tiny monitor connected to the arm of his chair and entered his access code. The crest of the Vectran Prime Minister flashed quickly, followed by a brief message from the man himself. Each word seemed to grow and battle for space on the miniature screen. His eyes crossed to read it, his mind refused to accept it. The Jiu’Kr was to return to Vectra Eight immediately for docking and repair, and the crew temporarily reassigned until new orders were issued. Like hell, Tobin thought. The ship was in excellent condition, and he knew very well that any craft ordered to return to Vectran space was subject to be decommissioned. The crew would be split up for good, and Kelly…what would happen to him if the Federation were to learn he was on board?
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Well, maybe he could buy some time. The Federation didn’t have to know the Jiu’Kr would be taking the long way home. Slowly. “Is everything okay, Captain?” L’wan asked, concerned. Tobin glanced up to see he had the entire crew’s attention. “Everything is fine,” Tobin said. “Standard issue bureaucratic claptrap. We’re to remain on course.” Everybody looked to accept the order. Heads turned back to the star field before them, enrapt again with L’wan’s continued soliloquy as though there had been no interruption. One button on Tobin’s console erased the communiqué, leaving him to stare, literally and figuratively, into space, dreaming of Kelly’s touch.
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Chapter Eight “Why do you do that?” Kelly turned away from the pantry. Danae idly stirred a large whisk around a used stainless steel bowl. Remnants of uncooked dough clung to its thin, rounded wires. He smiled. It still amused Kelly to know this tiny thing, this young slip of a woman with green eyes and a dirty blonde bob, was the Jiu’Kr’s Chief of Security. To think those dainty hands, now scraping up wayward clumps of cookie dough spotted with chocolate chips, could kill a person with little effort… “Do what, dear?” He liked Danae. She was a darling kewpie doll, even in her nearly see-through, silver, knee-length shift. At best, she could be described as a composite of many favored Taste This customers. Her ringing laughter and inquisitive nature kept Kelly company amid distant groans of pleasure wafting in from the lounge. Her lingering presence in the kitchen, where she seemed to spend quite a bit of her spare time, served to comfort Kelly. Back home, it wasn’t unusual for good friends to stop by and chat as Kelly baked. This simple gesture helped Kelly adjust to life on Jiu’Kr more than the girl could ever realize. Tobin…well, he helped in other ways. Slowly, the wall Kelly put up following his last heartbreak was being dismantled. Perhaps soon, he could help ease the frustration that became more and more apparent -66-
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when he and Tobin were alone together. Several sheets of his signature chocolate chip cookies, baking in the Vectran oven, would definitely help. “You knock on the pantry door before you enter,” Danae said. “There’s never anybody in there. Is it some kind of Earth superstition?” “You could say that.” Kelly smirked. In his brief tenure as the Jiu’Kr’s chef, he made it clear that the kitchen area was the third location on the ship where sexual activity was forbidden. If not to preserve Kelly’s sanity while working, to at least maintain sanitation. The thought of preparing food on counter space where two people might have fucked roiled Kelly’s stomach. Some might argue that sex and food complement each other well, Kelly would agree…in the bedroom, perhaps, but not here. His cautious approach to the pantry hearkened back to the discovery of Manny and Julio. What was the boy doing now? Well aware of Manny’s potential, Kelly surmised he might offer Susan a shoulder and unlimited advice on the store. Kelly hoped the two would take over Taste This on their own and allow the fonder memories of the cafe to overshadow the horror they surely felt following Kelly’s disappearance. Time spent mourning was time wasted. Kelly knew that much, having spent countless hours over lost friends and loved ones when he could have used his culinary skills to celebrate their influences on his life. You might get to go home, his conscience nagged. Kelly shook away the voice in his head, choosing to deal with absolutes right now. “Sometimes,” he told Danae, “I’m afraid of what I might find when I turn a corner. The Jiu’Kr is a very big ship. I’m always getting lost.” Despite the overall agreement of the crew to abide by Kelly’s wishes, there still niggled the possibility Kelly might walk in on somebody, or many bodies, writhing among the dry goods. Offers to join the play came daily, and Kelly imagined eventually there would come an attempt to seduce him on his “home turf”. Kelly figured Tobin might lead that -67-
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campaign, but so far the ship’s captain conceded to his wish. Kelly had to credit Tobin in that respect. Kelly’s thoughts ground to a halt, and a nervous laugh escaped to Danae’s curious eye. He actually considered for a moment that Tobin was his “boyfriend”. But was Tobin that, really? Yes, they fooled around, but only did so much. Yet, despite Tobin’s assurance of the baker’s freedom, Kelly declined all outside offers for sex. The kitchen was his playground. Kelly shook his head. He needed to cook more, then he’d figure it out. Danae’s giggling broke through his reverie. He watched as she cast aside formalities by seizing the whisk and licking the dough right off the curved tines. “Yeah. I heard about how you walked into that all-female orgy and had a hissy fit,” she said. “It wasn’t a hissy fit,” Kelly quickly rejoined, feigning annoyance. Unbidden came the vivid memory of two days prior. In looking for a place to practice yoga, Kelly turned into what he thought was the gym and found no less than a dozen women locked in an oral daisy chain. Twelve pussies, no waiting. “I was merely surprised, is all. You don’t normally see things like that in the men’s locker room.” “All common areas are unisex here, Kelly. You should know by now.” Danae inhaled deeply. “That smell is intoxicating.” “Wait ‘til you taste.” Better than any orgasm, he wanted to add, but Kelly decided it best not to prompt another such argument from a woman whose race experienced orgasms on a regular basis. “Uh, can I ask…” he looked about the kitchen nervously, “…what happened to the last chef that Tobin felt the need to come to Earth?” Danae shrugged. “Never had one. We’d been eating standard rations plugged into the replicator’s memory banks since the Jiu’Kr began its -68-
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commission.” She rolled her eyes. “Talk about bland. I used to skip meals until you started cooking for us.” “Thanks, but you shouldn’t do that. At least, I think you shouldn’t.” Who could tell, given the physiology of a Vectran being? He was just relieved he hadn’t succeeded a Vectran chef punished by vaporization for causing ship-wide indigestion. So far, today’s menu yielded nothing but praise. His familiarity with the Vectran cooking equipment came swiftly. There had been trial and error as he experimented with every device, and as predicted the first few dishes created were inedible. If anything, the time spent acclimating to his new workspace proved to break the ice with many of the crew members who would stop by to introduce themselves. Danae, for one, offered encouragement in the times he wanted to just cast away the baking sheets and skulk back to bed. By the end of his first week as chef, however, Kelly settled into a rhythm that left much of his time free. With the replicator mastered, Kelly felt confident he could prepare the day’s full menu well in advance and give him time to plan future menus, and bake the occasional treat for visitors. The future. Kelly smiled as he grabbed two thick cloths he used for potholders. To think a week ago the only thoughts of the future involved wanting to go home. There was indeed something to the calming influence of working in a kitchen. If only he’d had this equipment with him when he worked at Taste This, how much easier the job would have been. Though he liked the Jiu’Kr, he wondered if he could bring the kitchen with him if he ever returned to Earth. If he could, maybe a few of his new friends would join him… Tobin? The grin spread wider. The thought of Tobin permitting Kelly to return home for good seemed wasted, but what if he did…might Tobin -69-
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join him on Earth to live happily ever after? Perhaps, but would a captain leave his ship, his first love? Maybe his true love, Kelly pondered. How many TV shows had he seen where the captain sailed away from port, leaving his teary-eyed love to fade into the distance? Cook, Kelly. Worry later. Besides, the dreams of going home to stay were just that, dreams. Fantasy, nothing more. Kelly nodded to the sliding door that led to the lounge. “How many people would you say are out there now?” “Last I saw, about fifty or so.” “Are they all fucking?” Danae’s answer was a goofy grin—twisted lips and crossed eyes. “Well, when everybody pauses to catch a collective breath there will be enough to go around. Maybe two each.” Kelly bowed into the open oven and extracted two very large baking sheets. A momentary sense of embarrassment washed over him, knowing that Danae was likely bent over the countertop, watching. Even wearing the loose chef’s pants and a makeshift apron that covered his bare chest, he flushed. Any sense of discomfort, however, quickly dissolved as Kelly brought the baking sheets to the counter. They were large and very heavy—and they tested Kelly’s strength and dexterity as he carried one in each hand. Still, he loved using them. Rare was the baking sheet that allowed three dozen cookies to bake at once. Here, over a hundred chocolate chip cookies waited for eager appetites. Kelly grabbed a spatula and lifted a warm, flexible cookie into Danae’s waiting hands, laughing as she downed the treat in two bites. “I can make more, you know,” he chided.
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Danae licked the melting chocolate from her fingers. “This is incredible. I thought that the first time I tried your cookies, of course, but they’re even better right out of the oven.” “Always have been,” Kelly agreed. “I should get somebody in engineering to program that ‘just out of the oven’ texture and taste into the replicator.” “Yes!” Danae reached for another cookie but Kelly playfully swatted her away. Instead, he offered her a spatula. “Help me get these onto some plates. You have to share.” Danae winked. “We do share often here.” Kelly bent over the baking sheets, trying to keep each cookie intact, all the while deciding if Danae’s last remark was an attempt at flirting. HHH The lounge, as he expected, was draped in skin. Couples, trios, quartets and just about every combination of pansexuality could be seen scattered throughout the lounge. Backs and hips arched and bent to accommodate various sexual positions, low-throated pleasure resonated over a light soundtrack similar to Earth jazz. Everybody kissed, suckled, caressed, fucked…everybody except the baker strolling to the bar. Kelly fought to remain immune to the activities, but knew his body and sensibilities were not long for his self-imposed state of semi-celibacy. A surreptitious glance to one corner of the room revealed two naked men in repose, a willowy brunette sandwiched between them. The woman kissed one man, then the other, then leaned back to allow the two men to kiss. Lips slid over lips, tongues dueled, while hands blindly explored landscapes of bare skin. Kelly’s cock responded in kind to every scene, growing with each step as he ducked behind the safety of the bar.
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“Good thing I baked these first,” he muttered, arranging the plates. “Wouldn’t do to jack off first, huh?” Danae didn’t answer, Kelly sensed her absence. He confirmed this as he turned around to see the young security officer had found a better offer for company in the large cock attached to the bald officer Kelly first saw in Tobin’s hologram. Somewhere between the kitchen and here, her thin dress had disappeared. “More for me,” he sang, more loudly than intended. One man seated at the end of bar looked up from the pussy he was eating and drifted to the plates of cookies. Seconds later, the woman eased off the bar and followed. If ever there came a need to update his resume, Kelly made a mental note to list ability to stop orgies with baked goods among his skills. In the space of a minute, everybody in the lounge crowded the bar, cookie in each hand. Crumbs ringed lips and moans of a different brand of appreciation filled the room. “That good, eh?” Kelly asked to an affirmative chorus. “Too bad that was the last of the chocolate.” “Liar,” Wren challenged, offering a bite to the interested man to his right. “There must be at least fifty boxes of the stuff in the…” Kelly arched a brow in the doctor’s direction. “Yes? In the where?” “The pantry.” Wren’s smile was sheepish. Kelly should have known to expect somebody would dare breach his territory for a sexual escapade. He wondered with whom. L’wan, the amorous helmsman, proved a likely candidate. Kelly saw them paired together often, one mounting the other with fervor, during the few times he visited the common areas. Or perhaps he squired lovely Danae for a surprise inventory of her goods. Watching her tease his cock with a chocolate-covered finger, it seemed entirely possible. -72-
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“If it’s any consolation,” Wren added, wrapping an arm about Danae’s shoulder, “I was thinking of you the whole time.” Kelly snorted. “Heard it before, dear.” Around them, the crowd dispersed, sated and happy, and quickly resumed the orgy. Kelly turned back to the kitchen only to be blocked by a smiling Wren. Danae edged behind Kelly and grasped the band of his drawstring pants. “Why do you never stay to play?” Wren asked with a mock pout. “All you do is cook, then hole yourself up in Tobin’s quarters like a hermit. Tell me, has he forbidden you to socialize?” “I keep to select areas by my choice, not his.” My safety zones, he truly meant, and the lounge was hardly one such place. The pleasures of the flesh tempted him greatly, Wren being no exception. Standing this close, Wren didn’t have to touch him to stir his arousal. The heat from the officer’s body radiated forward and caused Kelly’s nipples to harden underneath the coarse apron. He had to be brave today and forgo the shirt. Now the sensitive skin of his hardened nipples would be rubbed raw. Tobin would make much of that later, offering his special brand of tender, loving care. Assuming, of course, Wren didn’t get to him first. Or Danae. Oh, my. The two dainty hands trained to kill a man now slipped under the loose waistband of his pants and cupped his buttocks. Kelly’s cock sprang forward, tenting the inseam and brushing against Wren, who smiled knowingly. His breath stifled; he needed to get out of here. The kitchen would do, Tobin’s quarters would be better—Kelly still didn’t think of them as his as well, despite Tobin’s reassurances. Tobin would not be finished with his shift for a while, so Kelly could recover there in peace. -73-
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Danae’s solid, thick nipples poked his back. They were warm to the touch and sent a shiver up Kelly’s neck. “Have you ever been with a woman?” Her voice took on a husky tone Kelly found rather charming. “Yes, the mother of my child.” Kelly looked beyond Wren in search of an exit, but soon found focus in a distant couple at the table where Kelly had sucked off Tobin. The man’s face was obscured by his female partner, who straddled his cock and bounced gaily. Danae was much shorter, and Kelly wondered if she could see the same thing. She’d have to stand on tiptoe, but the sight was worth the discomfort. “That’s it?” Danae squealed. “One woman in your entire life?” “That’s it.” Kelly didn’t want to ask how many more Danae had enjoyed. Danae’s hands slid around Kelly’s hips to fondle his hard cock. Fingertips lightly dusted his shaft and the above nest of curls. “Did you not like it?” she asked, sincere. “Is that why you only want men?” “I only want men because that’s how I am.” Kelly avoided looking Wren in the eyes as he said that. Wren, however, appeared more interested in helping Danae ease off Kelly’s pants. The dual effort resulted in a fabric puddle ringing Kelly’s ankles. “I’ve always liked men,” Kelly added. “When I was with Susan’s mother, I was trying to convince myself otherwise, because I was too influenced by a society that preferred men to be with women. It wasn’t until after our daughter was conceived that I realized I couldn’t be everything she or society wanted.” “I’m sorry to hear that.” Danae’s light kisses on his shoulders and back dissolved the painful memories. “It’s okay. Luckily we remained friends, and after Susan’s mother died she moved in with me.” -74-
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“Why would you want to be like everybody else?” Wren kissed a spot below Kelly’s earlobe and cupped his hand low. Kelly loved the gentle attention to his scrotum, from both of them now. Danae and Wren’s fingers twined together to support the sac, and each moved as Kelly shifted in place for better balance. With his pants still around his ankles, he feared he might topple one way or the other if he made too sudden a move. “I thought it was the thing to do. Unfortunately, sometimes the thing to do isn’t what sets you free,” Kelly said. The strings that kept the apron fastened around his neck and back came loose. Kelly bowed his head and let the fabric join his discarded pants. Now, he was free. Was it, though, the thing to do? Tobin. Yes, having Tobin here would be the thing to do. Hopefully he would stop in the lounge after his shift. Then what? They had only done so much in private, would it be appropriate to consummate a sexual relationship in front of his crew? Was anything in this atmosphere considered inappropriate? Danae hoisted herself on the countertop, pushing aside the empty cookie plates. Her heels bracing the counter’s edge, she spread her knees apart to display her bare, pink pussy. Small and inviting, her pussy lips parted on their own, yet Danae pressed two fingers in a reverse V to expose her clit. Kelly tried to remember the last time he had been this close to a woman’s sex. Assuredly, Susan’s mother. Few women since inspired enough lustful desire in Kelly for him to want to pursue a kiss, much less oral sex. “Did you like it, though? Having sex with a woman?” The question was more of a pout as Danae leaned forward and pursed her lips. “Just
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because you’re predisposed to like men, it doesn’t mean women are repulsive, right?” “I don’t think so. I think women are beautiful.” You are beautiful. Slowly he drew his hands upward, sliding across his chest to cross at his heart. He wanted to still the wild palpitations that caused his heart to swell against his chest wall and stifle his breath. Danae could be his daughter, young as she was, yet the look in her eyes told of experiences that surpassed even his. “I think you’re beautiful, and I want you to find me beautiful, Kelly,” Danae arched her back and thrust her hips forward, presenting herself for Kelly’s further inspection. “Please, eat my pussy.” “What?” Danae’s abdomen tightened in her curled position. She wobbled slightly when one hand bracing in her place lifted to pluck her nipples. “Let me feel your tongue licking my pussy. If you don’t like it, I won’t ask again, but I hope you will like it.” “T-Tobin…” The captain’s face materialized, unbidden, behind Kelly’s eyes.
He
wasn’t
frowning,
yet
his
expression
was
not
one
of
encouragement, either. “Tobin wants you to be happy, we all do.” Kelly jumped slightly at the sound of Wren’s voice. He had forgotten the doctor was still to one side of him, yet felt all along the younger man’s hands tracing circles along his backside. Wren wavered closely, brushing his hard cock back and forth against Kelly’s hip. Wren reached around Kelly and plunged two fingers into Danae’s slick core. “Look at her.” His voice was an imploring whisper. “She has a beautiful pussy.” Kelly had to agree. He watched Danae writhe on the counter, her face contorting with silent pleasure as Wren drew out his fingers and, with -76-
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his fingernails, scraped the tender surface of her inner pussy lips and gently rubbed her clit. Others in passing greeted her enthusiasm with light kisses to her hair and face. “I love the taste of it,” Wren said, “and that is saying much, my friend. I don’t enjoy much pleasure with women by choice, I’m like you in that respect. But when I do, it’s only with Danae. And Danae is very select with her lovers, you should feel blessed.” “I suppose I should have felt blessed all along,” Kelly whispered back. He had the ability to love his way without having to endure societal disapproval, and he had the kitchen of his dreams. Yes, he should have been more grateful to Tobin for bringing him here. If only the pang of hurt would completely subside. He missed his daughter, his friends, the familiar faces and good times enjoyed at the cafe. How nice it would be to have everything, everyone in one place. Looking at Danae rub her pussy and guide Wren’s hand in anticipation of orgasm helped ease the loneliness. “Kelly,” she cried. “I want you to make me come.” Was it the sultry quality of her voice, her boldness, or the general sense of ecstasy pervading his senses that pressed him to lean forward? The answer went ignored as Kelly parted his mouth and met Danae halfway to accept her kiss. Soft and gentle, she tasted of butter and chocolate, a perfect complement to the collective musk given off by several nearby lovers. Kelly moved swiftly, controlled entirely by his libido. That his movements were practiced and smooth surprised him briefly. He had expected to be more awkward, less like being in the kitchen, his element. It had been eighteen years since his heterosexual experience, after all. One hand blindly surveyed Wren’s backside, sliding from back to ass, while the other gently smoothed down Danae’s pussy lips. Wren took this -77-
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as a cue to kneel, and he immediately took Kelly’s cock into his mouth. Kelly bucked his hips gently in response, savoring the pressure of delightful suction. “Very nice,” he whispered. He bent low and licked Danae’s pussy with one broad, upward stroke. Very nice, too. Everything he remembered about eating pussy flooded to the forefront of his memory, and soon Kelly buried his face deeply between Danae’s thighs. Her legs dangled over his shoulders as he grasped her waist to keep her from falling backward to the ground. The way she writhed and moaned on the countertop, that seemed more and more likely. More than once, he shifted his half-crouched stance to maintain balance and had to endure Danae’s heels pounding against his shoulder blades. Every time he pursed his lips around Danae’s tender clit and applied suction, he prompted the involuntary reaction. So, to ensure minimal bruising and allow for Danae’s pleasure, he divided his oral attentions between her clit and juicy cunt, lapping up her juices like a man dying of thirst. Oh, my… Absence indeed made the heart grow fonder, and Wren was telling the truth. Danae did have a delicious pussy, and as Kelly licked her to orgasm he eagerly drank the result, his parted lips pressed firmly against her slit. With the tip of his tongue he gently teased the slick walls of her channel, pulling away every time her muscles constricted around him. “Gods.” Danae’s breath hitched, her voice raised an octave. “You can’t tell me you don’t like women, the way you eat pussy.” Kelly looked up and licked the glaze from his lips. “Guess it’s more like riding a bike than I realized.” “What does that mean?”
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“Hm?” So bicycles were foreign to the Vectrans, good to know. Kelly pondered how to explain the simile, but saw that Danae appeared as though she could care less. She spread her legs even farther apart, hooking one ankle over the far edge of the counter. “Let me feel your cock, Kelly,” Danae whined. “Fuck me.” Kelly rose to full height and continued his attentions to Danae’s wet pussy. He stroked her pussy lips, then crooked two fingers inside her and pumped lightly. It would have to do while Wren continued to suck Kelly’s cock, and he knew the doctor wouldn’t give up just yet, wanting Kelly to come. And he was close. The orgasm tingled in Kelly’s balls, tightening them. The slightest of caresses caused Kelly to flinch with pleasured pain. “I don’t think that’s my decision to make right now,” he finally said. “Wren wants to finish, and I have to tell you, once I come that’s it.” Danae tilted her head, regarding him with some amusement. “You don’t stay hard afterward?” Her tone implied high stamina was the norm among Vectran men. Maybe it would rub off on him, eventually. Kelly chuckled. “Darling, I’m not eighteen anymore. Even when I was eighteen, I was never that fortunate.” Danae shrugged and squirmed away from Kelly’s touch. She drew her legs together and tucked her knees under her chin. “I think you’ll find if you stay here long enough, that might change,” she said. “Our ways tend to rub off on others, and sex is great exercise. Does wonders for the system.” Kelly nodded. He’d ask the doctor to confirm, but Wren was still too busy to talk. Kelly shifted his hips and pumped his cock gently into Wren’s mouth, focusing on the suction created by Wren’s tightening hold. Below that, Kelly detected a sticky sensation on his shins, and -79-
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looked down to see a thin trail of precum connecting the men like the beginning of a spider’s web. Wren’s cock tapped impatiently against his leg, aching for similar attention. “Need help?” he asked, but Wren shook his head. Wren sucked Kelly’s cock to the tip and released with a gasp. “Let me finish,” he panted, and swallowed the rod again. Kelly closed his eyes to savor the feeling. Danae hopped off the table and knelt against his backside, facing away. Dipping her head between his legs, she lapped at Kelly scrotum and tongued the lower cleft of his ass, moving dangerously close to his anus. The puckered hole constricted as Danae’s face moved with Kelly. “You people trying to kill me?” he groaned. Untouched, his nipples tightened, ready to burst from residual shockwaves of pleasure rising upward. Danae tapped against the hole once then leaned back to suck one of Kelly’s balls into her mouth. The sensation served only to speed up the inevitable…Kelly’s body teetered on the brink of what he believed would be the best orgasm ever experienced, dare he think better than what he enjoyed with… Tobin. The moment didn’t come. One word, one curious word forced Kelly’s eyes to open and his cock to soften in Wren’s mouth. He watched Wren pull away, confused and suddenly concerned, then looked up to find Tobin standing close. “Kelly?” Just like that, the taste of Danae turned bitter in his mouth, and he numbed from the waist down to his toes. What pleasures he experienced faded into memory on seeing the surprise and what looked to be hurt in Tobin’s eyes. -80-
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Why be hurt, though? Didn’t Tobin want this for him, for all he talked of the Vectran way? Tobin’s touch, though gentle, stung his arm as he let Tobin lead him from the lounge. Awkwardly he stumbled over Wren, his pants still around his ankles, and his backside slid roughly from Danae as he moved. “Tobin—” What was Tobin doing here? Had he lost track of time in the lounge, unaware that Tobin’s shift had ended? The captain’s first stop was usually the kitchen, so it did make sense for Tobin to check the lounge before moving on to their quarters. “Not here,” Tobin grunted, and tugged harder on Kelly’s arm, causing Kelly to step out of his pants. He was limp like a rag doll, and confused. He could plant his feet and act as an anchor, stalling his lover. Yet, he allowed his complacency, but worried about what to expect. Reading Tobin from this angle was impossible. The captain kept his face forward, deaf to his protests, his jaw set in a firm line. The orgy quickly ceased around them, if only in Kelly’s line of vision. Now, only Tobin existed, that and the rift between them as Tobin led him back to the kitchen at arm’s length.
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Chapter Nine By all logic, he should have been pleased to see Kelly engaged in passionate play and becoming more accustomed to the Vectran ways. That Kelly was with Wren and Danae should have been especially encouraging, as Tobin believed neither posed a threat to his relationship with Kelly. The woman security officer, Tobin perceived to be a novelty. Despite Kelly’s repeated affirmations of his homosexuality, the possibility of temptation remained alive on the Jiu’Kr so long as opportunities presented themselves. Tobin knew that from personal experience. To see Kelly getting rimmed by a woman shouldn’t bother him. Wren…he liked to play. The doctor would look to L’wan for any kind of permanent commitment. The two were joined at the hip, and most assuredly L’wan would have been in on the ménage were he not on duty. Wren knew better, too, than to explore territory Tobin had yet to see himself. At least he could count on Wren not fucking Kelly’s ass, and Tobin had no say as to whether or not Kelly could fuck his. He doubted it happened before he arrived at the lounge. So why the jealousy? Why did his stomach roil to see somebody else sucking Kelly’s cock, rimming his ass? Why did he feel left out, betrayed even, when Kelly was perfectly in the right? No other lover provoked these emotions.
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“Tobin.” Kelly sounded exhausted. The baker’s body was leaden and limp, like dragging a sack of Earth potatoes. “Tobin, I’m sorry, I never meant—” “There’s no reason to apologize, Kelly. You’ve done nothing wrong.” “You’re acting as though I did.” “I am not!” They breezed through the kitchen—rather, Tobin breezed and Kelly lagged. The aroma of baked chocolate and sweet sugared cake was faint, yet pleasant all the same. It did little, however, to overpower the tension. “Your tone implies otherwise.” Kelly stopped short of careening into Tobin. “Kelly, I just want to talk. There’s nothing sinister in that.” “We could have talked in the lounge.” Tobin frowned. So Kelly was eager to get back in there, was he? So Kelly preferred Danae’s pussy to his hard, thick shaft? Stop it. Tobin shook away the doubt and finally turned to Kelly, softening his expression to ease the worry in Kelly’s. “I want to talk in private, Kelly,” he said quietly. “I haven’t seen you all day, is all. I was hoping we could talk together like we normally do, and since everything was quiet I thought I’d surprise you by leaving early. I didn’t find you in the kitchen, so I checked the lounge.” “I see. I lingered a bit after my work was done, obviously,” Kelly muttered. Tobin watched as the baker stiffened in his grip and looked around the kitchen as if expecting an ambush. “Fine, we’ll talk, but why are we at the pantry?” Kelly asked cautiously. Tobin remained silent and gestured to the now open door. When Kelly hesitated, Tobin smiled. “I promise you, you’ll come out alive.”
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He escorted Kelly inside, engaging the lock behind them. Using the keypad by the door, he set the lighting at a minimal glow, leaving it light enough for them to move around without toppling any shelves. In this dark amber glow, Kelly appeared beautiful as ever. Curved shadows lent his profile a sensual air of mystery Tobin found very arousing. Tobin watched Kelly nervously pace a worn, circular path, and stroked his cock in silence. Kelly squinted in the dark at him, unaffected by the gesture. “What are you going to do to me?” “I want to make love to you, Kelly. I’ve tried to wait, tried to defer to your wishes, but it’s getting more and more difficult to do.” “I thought we were going to talk.” “We just did.” Tobin tried to cross Kelly’s path but backed away when the baker cast him a wide-eyed, worried frown. Certainly he still didn’t think Tobin brought him here to hurt him? Locking the door was meant to ensure privacy, not as a means to cut off escape. “I’m sorry. You, you’re just acting strange, is all. I can understand if you’re upset with me.” “I’m not, Kelly. You can do no wrong in my eyes, please understand that.” Tobin pressed his two forefingers against the cut tip of his cock, supporting the rod as it stood to attention. “Look at this,” he implored. “All I have to do is look at you and I’m hard as a rock. Do you have any idea what you do to me, Kelly?” Kelly folded his arms over his chest, tucking his hands in his armpits. He glanced down at his own limp cock, looking as though he should hide it away. “That could come from anger, too,” Kelly said, nodding at Tobin’s erection. -84-
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“I’m not going to rape you,” Tobin snapped. Oh, but Kelly tested him. Even as the baker frustrated him, Tobin remained aroused. If only he were a more eloquent man, able to better express his feelings. “You arouse me no matter what. Naked, clothed, baking, just sitting still…I can’t get enough of you. I just want you to know that, and I want to show you how much it means to me.” “Were you turned on by what you saw?” Kelly’s voice was weak, waiting for punishment. His hunched posture inferred expectation of a verbal lashing. Tobin paused. What could he say? The scene was a shock, he had to admit. Over a week of lackluster oral sex from the baker, and he had to walk into the lounge to see Kelly enjoying it from both ends. Perplexing, yes, yet Tobin also had to acknowledge that seeing Kelly relish Wren’s lips on his cock, and Danae tonguing his ass, was a turn-on. He said as much. “Still,” Kelly said when Tobin assured him of that, “you look mad enough to kill right now.” He stopped pacing and stood in an aggressive pose, hands fisted at his sides. “So you know, I’ll fight you if I have to. I could probably take you.” “I’m sure you could, but why would you? I don’t want to fight, what makes you think I do?” Kelly’s hands relaxed. “I-I don’t know. Part of me feels bad, and the other part defensive. I’m not sure what I should be doing.” “Besides talking?” “Yes, but we’re doing that now, aren’t we?” Kelly forced a chuckle, but it hardly sounded amused. “We do talk a lot, but it’s mainly been stories about our pasts, and small talk about dinner and work.” Tobin had to agree. Aside from idle chatter, the time following Kelly’s arrival was divided into a neat routine of work and sexual play and sleep. -85-
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Tobin and Kelly, in particular, tended to work more then others on the Jiu’Kr simply because nobody existed to relieve them of their duties. “I could come to like this, talking in earnest about how we feel about each other. Though I wish it didn’t have to happen with you dragging me out of the lounge.” “Like I said, privacy. And you had the chance to resist me then, and still do now,” Tobin pointed out, “yet you followed me like a child. In fact, you were the most confident at Taste This. Here, not so much, and I can’t understand why. You’re on even footing.” “Taste This was the home field advantage,” Kelly said. “That was home…” Tobin’s heart plummeted at this. Would the Jiu’Kr ever be home? “…and my employees always had my back there in case of trouble.” “And here?” Tobin asked. “You don’t think any of the Jiu’Kr crew wouldn’t stand up for you in times of trouble?” “I’ve been here what, a week? And you’re the captain. They would support you first.” Tobin shook his head. No sense in asking if Kelly thought the crew would actually take sides were he and Kelly to fight. He didn’t want to fight. “So, the week or so you’ve been here isn’t time enough to cement bonds of friendship? All the people who’ve come to visit and watch you cook…Danae, and I know there have been others who only speak well of you. You don’t think any of them would ‘have your back’?” Kelly said nothing, but bowed his head. “Do you think we’re that indifferent to you, that I would accuse you of betrayal when I’ve told you what to expect here?” Tobin demanded. “No! Why are we even discussing this? How did this come to be about my discomfort? You saw me having sex with two other people.” -86-
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“Yes, and I said you’ve done nothing wrong. Please don’t think you have. Sharing our sexuality is the Vectran norm.” Don’t feel bad because I felt left out. Tobin bowed his head as well. Perhaps his poker face failed, and Kelly could see disappointment even in their dim confines. Gods, but how he wanted to walk over to him and take the baker into his arms. Kiss away any misgivings and hold him close so nothing could pass between them—no doubt, no pain, no fear. “It isn’t the Earth norm, what I did.” Kelly folded his arms tightly over his chest again, still looking uncomfortable with his nude body. “To certain extents, anyway. Let’s just say it’s not my norm.” Tobin dared a step closer, relieved this time when Kelly didn’t flinch. He took the shivering baker into his arms and twined his fingers at the base of Kelly’s spine. “Tell me, Kelly,” Tobin, pressed a kiss into Kelly’s fine hair, “would you rather I had been upset with you? Caused an even bigger scene in the lounge?” “No,” Kelly answered quietly. “I don’t think that would have helped.” “Would it help for you to know…” Tobin cringed as the words formed in his mind, hoping for a less than explosive reaction, “…that the day you arrived on the ship, I enjoyed the pleasures of Juun and Danae in my quarters before I saw you in sickbay?” Kelly shrugged. “I’ve known for a few days. Danae and I compared notes.” “Right.” So much for diplomacy on the part of his chief of security. Tobin brushed his lips along Kelly’s closed eyelids. “Do you think that my nonchalance implies that I don’t take our relationship seriously?” Slowly, Kelly’s hands spread up Tobin’s bare back and met at the nape of his neck. Tobin’s cock twitched in response, its throbbing head -87-
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grazing Kelly’s tightened thigh. Gods, but if he didn’t have his cock in Kelly’s mouth or ass soon… “Is this a relationship, what we have now?” Kelly asked. “I know we sleep together, and suck each other off, but a relationship goes deeper than that.” “I’m aware of that. I hope you didn’t feel you had to do that to oblige me.” Tobin drew slowly away, yet maintained a grip on Kelly’s waist. “I suppose, too, I didn’t let enough time pass for you to adapt completely to the environment. I guess since I’ve lived with this all of my life, I never imagined how overwhelming it could be for a foreigner.” “Very overwhelming,” Kelly muttered. “But other systems are similar to ours in this respect, Earth being the only exception, I suppose. Believe it or not, monogamous, exclusive relationships do exist in the Vectran system. They are rare, but they do happen,” Tobin revealed. “Not everybody is cut out for the ‘free love’, as your people call it.” Kelly’s smile encouraged him. “I would love to have a relationship with you, Kelly, one set to your terms so you don’t have to feel as though you have to please me out of necessity, for survival. We can be exclusive, we can play with others, however you want it.” “I’d like to be in a relationship where we have equal say.” Kelly was adamant. “I want to talk more, and when we do I want it to be completely honest, not always idle chatter.” “We can do that.” Tobin nudged Kelly playfully. “That would be nice. Sometimes you come back to quarters brooding, unwilling to talk. You never say much about your actual job. I’m still not sure what it is you do all day.” “My job,” Tobin said evenly, “is to make sure the ship runs smoothly, and that everyone on it does his job. It’s quite boring, when you think of it.” -88-
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“Is it now?” Kelly looked unconvinced, and Tobin swallowed further retort. Any more talk of work and the unanswered missive from Federation would slip unbidden. Kelly didn’t need to know about that right now. Tobin still had to figure out what to do about Kelly once it became completely impossible to avoid the Federation’s commands. He would do any worrying for both of them. “I feel like a nagging housewife, I swear.” Kelly chuckled nervously. “You’re not. Though you seemed to favor submission when I first brought
you
on
board.”
Tobin
supposed,
however,
that
a
dominant/submissive relationship could happen on equal footing. “I did,” Kelly conceded, his smile growing, “and I did like being licked and sucked all over.” “That can be arranged again, if you want it. Or we won’t. We’ll go at your pace.” “And I do like it here, the ship, this kitchen,” Kelly said, then lowered his eyes. “My last partner cheated on me, without my permission. That relationship was anything but equal.” Tobin nodded grimly. “I’m sorry, for him. It’s his loss. I’m sure you did better back at the lounge.” He watched the corner of Kelly’s mouth tug back into a smile. “It’s the memory of his betrayal that’s kept me from pursuing love again. Maybe in some respects being with Danae and Wren served to get back at him, I don’t know. I used to think of him quite a bit, and how it hurt. But being out there didn’t hurt him, did it?” Kelly asked. “He’ll never know I was here, but you—” “Kelly, stop it, please.” The poor man was going to babble into a pool of tears if he kept this up. Tobin gently grasped Kelly’s chin and pulled his face up so their eyes met. Even in the dimness, Tobin could see his lover’s soul in that forlorn -89-
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gaze—raw and beautiful and sincere. If only he could draw the pain from his expression and send it dissolving into the air to be overpowered by the sweeter, richer aromas Tobin had come to associate better with Kelly. As it was, the collective scents from the many containers in storage made him heady. “I need you now,” Tobin added. “Let’s start over again. Clean slate, what do you say?” Kelly said nothing, but freed himself of Tobin. He stepped deeper into the pantry, his gaze held high as he scanned the shelves. Tobin thought at first he was looking for something in particular, and was surprised instead to see him face a large unit and grasp either end of the topmost shelf. Kelly’s shoulder muscles bunched and stretched from the effort. “The day you came to the cafe,” he said, “I walked into my storage pantry and caught the delivery boy rimming my busboy’s ass. Like it was the most natural thing in the world to do. Didn’t even stop when I caught them, either.” “And they wouldn’t let you join? For shame.” The thought amused Tobin. So Earth appeared to be more like Vectra than he first believed, after all. Watching Kelly posed before him now, his back and leg muscles taut as he stretched to form an X, was a lovely sight to behold. Kelly’s cock dangled low, thick and solid between his legs. It was too much for Tobin’s own cock to bear, and he stroked himself slightly. “Oh, I was invited. Very tempted to do so, too. Manny was standing like this,” Kelly nodded to his pose, “while Julio licked him from behind.” “Like this?” He didn’t wait for Kelly to say yes, he couldn’t wait any longer. Kelly looked too inviting, too sexy, to be ignored in this position. Kneeling before Kelly’s ass, Tobin pried his buttocks apart and found that -90-
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twitching eye, waiting for his attentions. One broad upward lick after another sent shivers throughout Kelly’s body. Tobin felt the end result vibrate through his own skin. His cock tapped against his lap, as if signaling for a turn. Kelly arched and writhed and groaned, but held fast to the shelf protruding from the wall. “That’s it, yes,” he seethed. “So good.” Yes. Kelly tasted good, better than any of the dishes served since his arrival. Tobin hungered for him more than any culinary wonder he could produce. He had to taste all of him in this moment, yet knew his appetite could never be satisfied. Tobin would always want more. He leaned back to allow Kelly to turn around, and he immediately took Kelly’s cock into his mouth. The baker was smooth, warm, delicious, tasting better now than ever before. Tobin had to wonder if being in the pantry played a role, if the collective sweet and spicy aromas fused with Kelly’s own unique musk to create such an addictive flavor. Slowly, teasingly, he eased his parted lips up and down Kelly’s shaft, noting every ridge and raised vein by touch. He nipped the delicate skin with his teeth and tongued the throbbing head in a circular motion, lapping up the bubbling precum. “You don’t know how good that feels,” Kelly groaned. I know. The memory of Kelly sucking his cock in the lounge remained at the forefront of his consciousness every time they sucked each other off. The hope of doing more strengthened his desire. “I love watching you do this.” Kelly swallowed audibly, shifting his hips. “My cock in your mouth.” Tobin released momentarily, only to catch his breath. “I could do this all day,” he said, gazing up the quivering landscape of Kelly’s bare body. He looked beautiful with his head tilted back slightly, eyes closed and mouth open, his breathing labored. His body was a topographical map -91-
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Tobin yearned to explore more closely. They never seemed to have the time for it, between their respective duties and mixed mental messages, and oral sex only required so much attention. Tobin vowed to arrange for some personal leave, and soon, to make up for time lost. The only obstacle here would be arranging Kelly time as well. He was so well-liked, and his dishes favored highly, Tobin feared mutiny if they learned they had to go back to wholly replicated fare, even for a few days. No, he decided. Cooking made Kelly happy, they would make the time. He would bring Kelly the same joy, even in the kitchen if need be. Tobin snickered at the thought of giving Kelly a blowjob while he stood at the counter, preparing dinner. “What’s so funny?” Kelly chided. Tobin tilted his face back and smiled, relishing the touch of Kelly’s fingers through his hair. “Oh, just thinking about how I plan to violate the ‘no sex in the kitchen’ rule you established.” “If I don’t beat you to it. Technically we’re in the kitchen, and as I understand it that rule’s been violated, bumped to the curb, and left to die.” “I have the perfect alibi,” Tobin said innocently. “Regardless, you’ve been punished enough.” Tobin bent to take back Kelly’s shaft but only managed one broad swipe up the length before the baker suddenly turned. Tobin caught the rounded curve of Kelly’s ass with the tip of his tongue, and he settled instead for teasing Kelly with light, long kisses at the cleft of his buttocks. He heard rustling above them. Kelly was looking for something among the nondescript, paper-wrapped packages of dry grains.
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“I think I’ve suffered enough as well,” Kelly murmured, and Tobin started when a small paper brick landed at his feet with a dull thud. He tore away a fold to find a solid block of olio, used for baking. Among other things. Tobin rose on wobbling legs, fingers digging into the oily, white package. Thick cooking fat got under his fingernails. Any other time he’d be bothered by it, but watching Kelly grasp a lower shelf and thrust his hips and ass outward was too pleasant a distraction. “Are you sure?” Tobin asked, greasing his cock for entry. “Yes.” “Yes,” Tobin echoed, and wasted no time rubbing his cock between Kelly’s buttocks. Feeling blindly for the target, Tobin teased Kelly’s anus with the head of his cock, gently massaging the puckered hole to widen and accommodate his girth. While Kelly felt completely relaxed and ready, his ass was very tight. Tobin realized it had indeed been a long time for Kelly. He would make this count, make this an incredible moment for the both of them. “Only you,” he told his lover, and pushed gently until he filled Kelly. “I want to do this only to you and want it done only by you.” If Kelly wanted to suck and play elsewhere, alone or with him, fine. Anything anal was reserved for Kelly alone from now on. “I only want it from you, too. Only want to do it to you,” Kelly said, and stroked himself. The muscles in the arm bracing against the shelf tensed and bulged from the pressure as Kelly pushed back, trying to take even more of Tobin. Once certain Kelly could take him, Tobin thrust gently in and out of Kelly’s anus, settling into a slow, amorous rhythm that hummed throughout his entire body. Tobin plucked idly at his own nipples, -93-
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caressed Kelly’s sides, then paused just to watch himself fuck. He imagined being fucked by Kelly would look as hot. Hopefully, though, it would last longer. The tightness of Kelly’s backside, coupled with his rising vocal passion, guided Tobin to an incredible orgasm. His roaring relief shook the inventory and nearly collapsed the shelf. Luckily, Kelly managed to maintain just enough balance to allow them to ease to the floor in a spooned position. Tobin wiped the sheen of sweat from Kelly’s back and held him close, kissing his neck and cheeks. “Who knew that the man who makes the best chocolate chip cookies in the Alpha Quadrant is also the best fuck in the universe?” “Oh, you bake, too?” Kelly squirmed in Tobin’s grip so the two faced. Time became irrelevant as they kissed and stroked, stopping only as Kelly cramped in his prone position. “On your knees,” Kelly demanded, his voice gruff. Tobin was only too happy to be removed, if only partially, from the cool, hard pantry floor. But rather than assume a full all-fours position, Tobin kept his shins and feet pressed firmly against the floor and leaned back far enough to brace the heels of his hands on his knees. He bent forward and tucked in his chin, spying movement in the small space between his legs. A rustling alerted him to Kelly partaking of the olio brick. “I haven’t done this in so long,” Kelly said. Tobin craned his neck to watch the baker slather the thick, oily substance on his cock. “If I may steal an Earth phrase,” Tobin offered, smiling, “I believe it’s like riding a bike.” Kelly stopped stroking himself, looked up, and laughed out loud. Tobin frowned, perplexed with his lover’s reaction. “I never found it that amusing,” he said.
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Kelly calmed and winked, walking on his knees toward Tobin. “I’ll tell you later. Right now…” Yes. Tobin turned forward again and braced himself for this new sensation. Talking was good, they’d do more later. Greased fingers tested his anus. One, then two, slipped in and out quickly, exploring the channel’s constricted walls in search of erogenous areas. Tobin enjoyed the pleasure twinging up his spine and down his sides to pool in his scrotum. He was getting hard again. “You’re pretty tight yourself,” Kelly observed. “Do you bottom at all?” “Very, very rarely,” Tobin admitted. “I don’t mind having a cock in my ass, but it’s been a while.” Tobin had sworn it would take a very special man to make him want to continue to explore that territory. That man was here. “I intend to do it more often,” he added. “What a coincidence,” Kelly said, and kissed the base of Tobin’s spine as he teased Tobin with the tip of his cock. As gently and slowly as Tobin had done, Kelly eased himself to the hilt so his scrotum pressed against Tobin’s. Kelly undulated his hips, creating a friction between the sensitive, thin skin of each sac that set Tobin to quiver. As often as he indulged in sex over the years, this was a new touch. Very welcome, at that. “Nice,” Kelly sighed. He pumped gently in and out of Tobin’s ass, increasing his speed according to Tobin’s vocal encouragement. Tobin loved the build-up and friction of Kelly’s cock against his more sensitive spots as the speed reached its peak. “Tobin,” Kelly growled and grasped his waist. “I’ve missed this so much. I’m gonna come.” “Come inside me, please,” Tobin said. “I want to feel you shooting inside me.” -95-
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His wish came true sooner than expected. One last, hard thrust sent Kelly over the edge, and he came with a brief, low grunt. The force drove Tobin’s palms to the floor to brace himself, and he pressed against Kelly’s pelvis to keep them both from tumbling. He felt Kelly breathing hard against him and moved his ass to maintain as much feeling as possible until Kelly’s cock softened completely and slid away. “I’d suggest we move this to our room,” Tobin sighed, “but I don’t know if I could leave.” “I know, I’m still spinning,” Kelly said with a light chuckle. “I swear I hear music…and applause.” Tobin looked toward the door. So did he. Holding his fingers to Kelly’s parted lips, he crooked his neck toward the lounge in a silent bid for them to listen. Soon, there came whispers, laughter, innuendo. An audience, or perhaps a sympathy orgy happening in the kitchen, synchronized to their own lovemaking. Tobin rocked back on his heels. “Any suggestions?” he asked. Were they so loud, so passionate, to pull people from an orgy to listen through a locked door? “You don’t suppose they want in?” “Do we want them in?” Tobin laughed as Kelly vigorously shook his head. “Well, I don’t think the thorough search of the pantry for the olio excuse is going to work.” Kelly winked, and the two helped each other to stand. “I do know what will work,” he whispered back, then added in a louder voice, “…and I don’t care what anybody else thinks, Tobin. I catch anybody having sex in my kitchen, no more dessert. Period, no exceptions.”
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Seconds later, Kelly and Tobin exited the pantry to find an empty kitchen and the door to the lounge swishing shut. Kelly cast the captain a bewildered glance, and Tobin could almost read his mind. How could such a finely assembled crew behave like amorous teenagers at camp? “Say what you want,” Tobin said, “but we did build this starship. What has your race done lately?” “You mean besides perfect a chocolate chip cookie recipe you may never sample again?” Kelly shot back with mock annoyance. Tobin kissed Kelly’s cheek. “You win,” he laughed. And so did I.
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Chapter Ten The more Kelly acquainted himself with the Jiu’Kr and his kitchen, the faster the pangs of homesickness subsided to give away to happiness. Every day offered the opportunity to try something new with foods indigenous to various alien races. Juicy, ripe fruits, unusual grains, and oddly shaped vegetables constantly challenged his culinary know-how. Yet, using his own unique style and the occasional Earth spice to enhance flavor, Kelly managed to produce something delicious and healthful. Even with the occasional burned or bland dish, Kelly took it in stride, always learning. After all, he had the whole day to cook only three full meals. A typical work day should have lasted no more than a few hours, whereas a full day at Taste This took a full day. Still, Kelly enjoyed the job so much he found he spent more time in the kitchen by choice. Only when Tobin had time free, however, did he fold up the apron—now the only article of clothing he ever wore on the ship—to join his love. So the job offered no insurance or 401K plan…who needed them here? The benefits Tobin offered in bed far outweighed the lure of any blue-chip fund. Kelly ran a damp cloth along the prep counter, collecting stale crumbs and splatter. If only Tobin would be more open with him. Though they
talked
more
earnestly—among -98-
other
things—Kelly
was
still
Taste This
convinced Tobin held back on occasion. Tobin danced around direct questions regarding work, and every time Kelly tried to initiate conversation for information Tobin instead kissed him into submission, and bed. At least he’s good at that. By month’s end, Kelly not only managed to remember two-thirds of the crew by name, but he could make his way around the Jiu’Kr without asking a trysting couple for directions. He walked confidently through common areas as lovers engaged in every sexual position known to man…and apparently a few alien races. While Kelly believed himself desensitized to the constant activity, occasionally he’d pass a few people twisted in some acrobatic, gravity-defying position that he’d have to stop and make a mental note of it. Then, later, he and Tobin would test it. This day, as he programmed the final meal in the replicator and covered it in film to take home, his thoughts drifted to Tobin, as usual. The past few weeks with him had been wonderful, yet Kelly couldn’t shake the feeling that Tobin was unsettled about something. The sex remained intense and blistering, Tobin’s attentions rarely wavered, yet each endearment and gesture seemed tinged with sadness. Why doesn’t he open himself to me? Kelly shook his head and arranged sugar cookies into a container, sealing them for another day. He hoped cooking Tobin’s favorite meal of Vectran delicacies would bring a smile when he brought it home. Home. Kelly smiled, thinking of the Jiu’Kr as his home. Much as he missed Susan and Manny, he had every confidence they were getting on without him. They remained in his heart, along with others left behind on Earth.
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If only he could pinpoint the problem with Tobin. Aside from this one thing, life on the Jiu’Kr was devoid of hardship. Wren had confided once that people rarely got sick, and the Jiu’Kr’s patrol circuit yielded no anomalies. Real life in outer space barely mirrored science fiction. Vectra seemed as dull as…Earth. No wonder everybody enjoyed so much sex, with so many people. What else was there to do? “If only I knew why Tobin doesn’t enjoy things as much lately,” Kelly muttered to himself, and dried his hands on a rag. His growing immunity at seeing miles of nude flesh about the ship aided in his own sexual comfort. Forsaking his own clothing had been a gradual process, but eventually Kelly grew more and more comfortable. After a few days of total nudity on the Jiu’Kr, Kelly wondered why he never thought to play nudist at home, Susan notwithstanding. The apron, however, remained part of the uniform; he sought always to be safe. Had he known things would get suddenly hotter, he might have hurried through the breakdown and cleaning of the kitchen equipment and high-tailed it back home. When the door swished open to announce a visitor, Kelly expected either Danae or L’wan, or one of his other hangers-on had come sniffing out the latest batch of cookies. “Sorry to disappoint you,” Kelly said, gaze fixed on the dinner plates as he tightened the film. “I need to get back to my quarters, so if you want any warm cookies you have to—” But the tall, tanned, brick wall of a man standing before him appeared not to care. The stranger’s mere presence, authoritative and severe in a dark red outfit that resembled a kilt fastened by suspenders over a tight shirt, stunned Kelly. He had half a mind to offer both plates to him, just to see if the man-mountain would devour the lot in one swallow—plates, film and all.
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The stranger arched a brow the same bright blond as his mane of thick, mid-back-length hair. “Why,” he began in a voice that could turn stone to liquid, “are you naked in an area meant for food preparation?” Kelly opened his mouth, but could offer no sound explanation. This man was unfamiliar to him, and Kelly was certain he’d met everybody on the Jiu’Kr. Surely, too, somewhere along the line somebody would have mentioned a man resembling a Greek statue made flesh worked on the ship. “C-can I help you?” he asked instead, burning with embarrassment. He tried to shrink down behind the counter, but remained frozen as the man leaned over slightly to inspect him in full. The flush colored his legs and ass as the man scanned his nude body with a twisted expression that Kelly had trouble deciphering. Was it amusement or interest? Either way, Kelly’s discomfort expanded. “Who are you?” the man demanded. Kelly stammered out a breath before catching enough strength to respond. “K-Kelly Landry. I’m the cook.” That would explain my being here, he wanted to add, but didn’t dare test the man’s patience. He still couldn’t explain being naked, other than it was the norm on the Jiu’Kr. Surely the man had seen enough skin on the walk over here from wherever he came. What authority did this man have to ask, anyway? Kelly saw no insignia decorating the man’s chest, and Tobin would have mentioned a man like this… …unless he was the problem weighing on Tobin’s mind. The man’s eyes narrowed. “The Jiu’Kr has no cook. The Jiu’Kr isn’t even supposed to have a kitchen. Who authorized the installation of this equipment?”
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“There wasn’t a cook until I joined the crew, no,” Kelly managed. No kitchen? How else were these people supposed to eat? “Rather, I was recruited by Tobin. It’s his ship, he can do what he wants with it.” A derisive snort, then barking laughter. “Tobin, of course. I might have known he’d pull such a stunt, if only to have another hole to plunder.” Kelly didn’t like the sound of that. When the blond stranger pinched the bridge of his nose, as Kelly might have done in a similar situation, he was spooked. “So, from which planet in the Vectran System did Tobin pluck you?” he demanded. “I’ll wager the kitchen came with you specifically in mind.” “Actually, I’m from Earth—” Whoa. Wrong answer. Kelly swore the man’s face turned the same shade of red he wore, and he winced at the string of obscenities that followed the man out the door as he stormed away. “Stay here,” he commanded Kelly. “I’ll deal with you shortly.” Kelly thought his heart might explode, and it took several seconds before he regained the use of his legs. Like hell would he stay and be killed or arrested or whatever. “Oh, no.” Had he gotten Tobin in trouble? Had this man the authority to bring trouble? Who was he, and how did he come aboard? Was the Jiu’Kr under attack? Hundreds of other questions swirled in his mind as he cautiously followed several paces behind, stepping outside to a shocking scene. Empty. The lounge was deserted, as were the hallways and every common area he passed. Normally he heard the moans of pleasure from the kitchen—perhaps he had been so consumed with thoughts of Tobin that he couldn’t tell something was wrong. Either that, or the ship-wide pleasure had become so ingrained he treated it as white noise and -102-
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ignored it. Regardless, the silence and sense of desertion taunted him. If the ship was under attack, why did the blond stranger leave him and not take him into custody? Heart pounding, he turned toward his and Tobin’s quarters, thinking to dress, but stopped. From this point the bridge was closer, and worry washed over him. The man spoke of Tobin as if he had business with the captain, so that would be where to go. He’d already been seen nude, what difference would his old clothes make at this point? Kelly wondered if he could be of any help dressed, but if there was a chance the man sought to harm Tobin, he would have to answer to Kelly Landry. If only there were people about, he would have felt more confident. The lift ride to the bridge was long and anguished, yet no amount of speculation or nerves cultivated during the trip could prepare Kelly for the scene playing out before him as he was granted entrance to the bridge. More strange men, red-kilted clones bearing equally intimidating sneers, dotted the bridge. Each held one of the officers captive with a strong arm draped across his bare chest. Kelly could only stare at his friends and fellow crewmates, his heart failing on seeing every Jiu’Kr crewman with his head bent in defeat. How could this happen when Tobin assured him time and again that Vectra had no enemies? Slowly, reluctantly, his gaze fell to Tobin, held by the same man who barged into the kitchen. Tobin seemed to sense Kelly’s presence but didn’t dare look up to acknowledge it. His captor, however, greeted Kelly in a cocky voice and turned back to Tobin. “Well, he’s here now, so why don’t we ask him?” Kelly wanted to move forward, brush aside the interlopers and take Tobin into his arms. The fear of retaliation kept him at bay. He felt helpless and alone witnessing this tense scene, wondering if the leader of -103-
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these red-kilted thugs might issue a one-word command to snap everyone’s necks. “Kelly Landry of Earth,” he was addressed, “are you aware the Jiu’Kr and her crew are in violation of nearly one hundred regulations as decreed by the Vectran Code of Ethics?” “W-what code?” Kelly shook his head. What was the man talking about? “Tobin is the captain of this ship, and he is an excellent leader.” “Tobin is a criminal, and as such will be treated as one,” the man stated plainly. Tobin tried to look away at this but his captor wouldn’t let him. “You’re insane,” Kelly gasped. “Who are you to judge?” “Unauthorized entrance into a restricted system, unauthorized communication with an alien race, abduction, failure to acknowledge an official communiqué from the Prime Minister’s office, total disregard for,” the man sneered with these words, “dress code, among other things.” “Tobin?” Tobin didn’t answer, but only turned his head as far as his restrained position would let him. Kelly saw the tears shining in his eyes. His captor clearly cared little for the emotion. He tightened his grip on Tobin and nodded toward two unencumbered men. They moved like stealth predators. Before Kelly could speak any further concerns they had him by each arm and were dragging him back into the lift. “Tobin!” His cries were fruitless, he knew. Tobin couldn’t help him. Neither could L’wan or Wren or Juun, or even Danae. Dear Danae. What had become of the ship’s chief of security? Could any of them have prevented this from happening? Kelly wondered if these men really had come from the Prime Minister’s office, or if they were lying in order to take over the
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Jiu’Kr. The brutes could be any alien race seeking to conquer the Vectrans, for all Kelly knew. Whoever they were, Kelly saw the two at either side of him didn’t appear conversational. Nonetheless, he had to try. “Where are you taking me?” “Captain’s quarters,” growled the larger of the two. “To be known henceforth as Mar’quan’s quarters.” “Mar’quan,” Kelly sniffed. “That Vikingesque hulk holding the real captain hostage?” “Mar’quan,” the other man turned slowly, flashing a sneer filled with yellow teeth, “the Prime Minister of Vectra.” HHH To his credit, Mar’quan waited until Kelly was out of sight before inflicting further humiliation. Tobin winced as the first blow to the back of his head shot nerve-numbing pain throughout his skull and down his spine. The captain crumpled to Mar’quan’s feet, biting his lip so as not to give the hulking prime minister the satisfaction of knowing his blow was on target. “You are a disgrace to the Vectran Army,” Mar’quan spat, and jabbed at Tobin’s sides until Tobin found the strength to sit up straight. “Just as well you’re naked, as you’re not fit to wear the uniform.” His stomach roiled, the breakfast Kelly had so lovingly prepared threatened to surface. Yet, he managed some modicum of bravado. “Vectra needs no army,” he said. “We are a peaceful system with no enemies, though one might not think that, seeing this.” “Vectra is a system ruled by peace because her armed forces guarantee the continuance of peace,” Mar’quan seethed. “How can you be
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so careless, running the Jiu’Kr like an endless, floating bathhouse? It wouldn’t take much for another system to see this and assume Vectra might be vulnerable to attack.” “It would never happen,” Tobin grunted. “We have encountered no hostilities during this mission, until now.” “Have you seduced every race you met? Is that supposed to guarantee good intergalactic relations? Why are your crew not wearing uniforms, holstering weapons? Why is there an Earth man on this ship?” Mar’quan’s face was level with his now. The heat of his anger radiated forth and threatened to scorch Tobin. Tobin bit back a curse. He should have replied to Mar’quan’s communication, concocted a reasonable excuse for the lapse in reports, anything to appease the higher office and buy some time. Kelly kept him distracted, but Tobin knew better than to put any blame on his lover. Still, he should have known to expect some kind of intervening measure from the Prime Minister. At best, he imagined an easily influenced envoy would be sent to investigate, but Tobin never imagined a visit from the man himself. The Jiu’Kr’s orders placed her in a remote area of the system for patrol; nobody came this way. Who was going to know, or care, what the crew did and with whom they did it? “Nowhere in your orders was it decreed that the Jiu’Kr could deviate from its assigned course.” Mar’quan rose and paced the bridge. Heavy boot falls thundered and vibrated Tobin as he remained on the floor. His teeth chattered with the prime minister’s every step. “Nowhere was it specified that any reconnaissance work on Earth take place.” “Maybe it’s time we did. Maybe it’s time we came to the planet’s aid and helped them to resolve their various troubles,” Tobin challenged. He rose carefully, glad that none of Mar’quan’s men tried to keep him pinned to the ground. He looked across the bridge to a line of frightened faces, -106-
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and guilt washed over him. This crew, his friends, were entrusted to his care as officers of the Jiu’Kr, and here he may have ruined their careers, possibly their lives. How could any of them be transferred to another ship without becoming the object of ridicule? Assuming, of course, Mar’quan didn’t have them all discharged. Mar’quan whirled around and shot Tobin a murderous glance. “Are you so full of yourself that you don’t realize the consequences of your actions? You think I won’t inspect every log entry in the ship’s memory banks, assuming you made any?” He sighed heavily. “Why do I have the feeling you made a spectacle of yourself while on Earth, and quite possibly gave our existence away?” Tobin maintained his poker face, forcing back the memory of taking Kelly from Taste This. In retrospect, having them beamed directly from the restaurant in full view of witnesses had indeed been foolish. Tobin cursed his spontaneous nature, thankful for having omitted any mention of Kelly in his logs. Yet, Mar’quan knew of Kelly’s origins. Tobin wanted to shrink. He should have known he would be found out eventually. He hoped to at least see the Jiu’Kr through the end of his tour and retire with Kelly to Vectra Eight where they could live happily ever after. Nobody would have been the wiser. He should have acknowledged the communiqué. He should have warned Kelly not to talk to certain people. Should have, could have, would have… Tobin sensed the walls of the bridge closing in on him, sensed the stars growing brighter in space, as if the Jiu’Kr were on a collision course. “Take him to the brig,” Mar’quan ordered the two men guarding J’wan and Juun, then glared at Tobin. “This ship still has a brig, correct?
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It’s not been designated as one of your sexual common areas, the floor lined with cum-stained mattresses?” Tobin said nothing, but kept his head high as he was escorted away. He didn’t look at any of his crew or either of his guards, but picked a spot in the air for focus and thought of Kelly. Kelly. Dear gods, don’t let them hurt Kelly. “The rest of you,” Mar’quan’s disgusted voice cut through as the lift doors shut, “put on some clothes.”
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Chapter Eleven He was ordered to dress, which left Kelly at a loss since he had long ago cast away the clothes he was wearing when Tobin took him on board. A cursory search of their quarters yielded no apparel, but before Kelly could break the news to his guards, one of them suggested he look harder. The tall, dark-haired thug tapped a panel within Tobin’s storage closet and revealed a secret door. “The Jiu’Kr holds many secrets,” he said, “now more than ever.” Kelly was hesitant to take the box that was uncovered, but the guard urged him. “Go on,” he barked, “my brother was stationed here once on a brief tour, that’s how I know about the extra storage space.” A faraway look glazed his eyes. “This used to be such a noble place.” “It still is.” Kelly angrily snatched the box and sorted its contents on the bed. Pants, tunics, long-sleeved pullovers, socks. Kelly extracted item after item and arranged them on the sheets, coming to the bottom of the box. There, crumpled in a ball, was an outfit similar to that worn by Mar’quan and his men—the official uniform of the Vectran army. Kelly gently laid it to one side and watched it unfold to reveal a myriad of wrinkles and loosened seams. There was no question how Tobin felt about the garment, Kelly decided as he quickly selected a loose pair of pants and white tunic. -109-
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Surely, too, Tobin held similar opinions of the army. The forlorn expression on his lover’s face as the doors of the lift separated them told Kelly everything. Tobin did as he pleased, not always what he was told. All the same, Kelly knew Tobin cared enough for his crew to ensure their safety and happiness. He was just straightening the hems of his new clothes when Mar’quan barged into the quarters, looking as if he owned the place. Kelly kept a firm stance as well. He would show no fear and do his best not to be afraid. Mar’quan was an imposing figure, handsome and fierce in his flowing red. Any another person, any another situation might have influenced different feelings in Kelly. He watched those strong arms fold over one another, bothered by the sudden thought of what they would feel like wrapped around his body while those large hands palmed his ass. What am I doing? Clearly the time spent on the Jiu’Kr voided previous experience. Everything inspired lustful thought here, even the very man who imprisoned the man he loved. A stiff, swift hand gesture from Mar’quan sent away the guards, leaving Kelly to ponder his fate as Mar’quan hovered closely. The prime minister was difficult to read, with his lips twisted in a non-committal smile—partway between demented and amused. “Kelly Landry,” Mar’quan said, his tone matter of fact, as if bestowing the name rather than confirming it. The ensuing silence taunted Kelly. He could think of nothing to say beyond the usual demands he wasn’t sure he wanted answered. He turned his gaze away from Mar’quan. That strong jaw and flaring nostrils were too much for him. He found his strength instead in the image of Tobin, his long hair swirled across Kelly’s chest as they lay together in bed. Focus. -110-
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“Yes, I am Kelly Landry, chef of the Jiu’Kr,” Kelly finally replied, and curiosity got the better of him. “What’s going to happen to me?” “You can relax, Kelly Landry. You will not be harmed.” Mar’quan paced the carpet before Kelly, hands cupped behind his back. On the return he stopped before Kelly and frowned. “There’s no need to stand at attention, Kelly Landry. You are not under my supervision.” “You can just call me Kelly, might as well since everybody else does. And I am a member of this crew,” he said firmly. “As such, I bear the same amount of responsibility as everyone else here. Their wrongs are my wrongs. I should be punished as they are punished.” The words were difficult to speak. He was already being punished, having no idea where Tobin was and if he was okay. “You are a prisoner, one taken from a restricted area without just cause,” Mar’quan spat. “As the Vectran Army has no record of a Kelly Landry assigned to the Jiu’Kr, it therefore stands to reason that you do not belong here.” “I can think of many people here who would say differently,” Kelly told him. “I am seen as an essential part of the Jiu’Kr, despite my short time here. Everybody has a job to do, and if I may say I do mine damn well.” “Useful? Your ‘job’ was already assigned when the Jiu’Kr was first commissioned,”
Mar’quan
snorted.
“The
Jiu’Kr
is
equipped
with
replicators to provide meals for the crew. Unless you are capable of steering this tub away from black holes and asteroid belts, or preventing a warp core breach, I’d say you’re non-essential at best. You take up space needed for others to breathe.” He paused, then delivered a ruthless chuckle. “At best, I’d say your only use is to offer a place for Tobin to put his oft-used cock.” “Fuck you.” -111-
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“Trust me, that would be a great improvement from what you have now.” Mar’quan took a chair at the dining table—Tobin’s chair, sitting where he and Kelly dined daily against the romantic, starlit background. Kelly choked at the sight of place settings waiting for today’s lunch. The small basket of muffins baked only yesterday, that they had enjoyed that morning after making love, sat in the table’s center. “It falls to me to decide what is to be done with you,” Mar’quan said. “Tobin has placed me in an unenviable position.” “What will happen to Tobin?” Mar’quan’s expression was black. “That’s my concern, not yours.” “It is,” Kelly insisted. “We live together, and we will stay together.” “You’re that confident, are you?” Mar’quan sneered. Angry heat flushed Kelly’s skin and stiffened his muscles. This man, Kelly was certain, he couldn’t take in two choice cuts. Unlike the surprising Danae, Mar’quan was a very visible threat, and damned if Kelly was going to be embarrassed by this man. “I love him, and he loves me.” Kelly held his chin high. “No army is going to tell me different.” Mar’quan scowled. “Tobin loves only himself.” “That’s not true.” Mar’quan carried on a different tack as though Kelly had remained silent. He steepled his fingers and peered at Kelly over the tips. “I can’t take you back to Earth and risk exposing ourselves. How Tobin managed the keep the Jiu’Kr in Earth’s airspace without being detected is beyond me. I’m almost afraid to ask.” Like hell would Kelly give away what he knew of L’wan’s ingenuity behind that stunt. “So I’ll stay here, if Tobin stays.”
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“So you’ll be sent to Vectra Eight and adopted into our society. I’m sure we can find something for you to do there.” “I wish you’d stop talking about me like I’m completely useless. What about Tobin?” Kelly urged. “He is also completely useless.” “What will happen to him?” Kelly begged. “Do you not listen, Earth man?” “I do. I’ll prove so when you tell me what I want to know.” “Trust me, it won’t be what you want to hear.” Mar’quan rose and stepped around the room. “You have my most sincere apologies for being taken from your home, and for being unable to undo the damages caused by the former captain of this ship.” Former? Kelly swallowed a large lump of bile. No, Tobin…they hadn’t…? Mar’quan paused at the bed, taking Tobin’s discarded uniform and lovingly smoothing out the wrinkles. He folded the shirt over the flared kilt and set it back on the sheets as a perfect, red square. “No need to fret, Kelly Landry. Your precious Tobin will not be harmed,” he seethed. “It’s not our nature to execute criminals. For his lack of leadership and complete disregard for our army’s regulations, however, Tobin will be stripped of his rank and dishonorably discharged.” “I see.” He tried to sound nonchalant, but Kelly’s heart swelled at the possibility that he and Tobin might be able to continue their life together. That is, if Tobin still wanted to do that. It didn’t matter to Kelly what indiscretions Tobin might have committed. Tobin could do no wrong, as far as Kelly was concerned, and Tobin did love Kelly, regardless of what this handsome monster claimed. Overall Jiu’Kr morale had, until this day, been very high, and despite the rampant sexual activity, Kelly saw that duties were indeed fulfilled. -113-
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Wouldn’t a complete disregard for the rules have put the ship and her crew in danger? The crew of the Jiu’Kr was certainly capable of differentiating between work and play. Mar’quan drifted around the room, inspecting artwork on the walls and Tobin’s personal effects, scattered about the room as he had left them. Kelly cringed every time Mar’quan lifted an object for inspection, half-expecting the hulking blond to send a fragile piece crashing against the bureau. He wished the man would keep his hands to himself and not act as if Tobin were already dead and he had first pick at the spoils. When Mar’quan looked from the titanium statue he held to Kelly, his eyes lighting up as they scanned him head to toe, Kelly had to wonder if he was included in the spoils. The prime minister sauntered back to the table and reclaimed his seat. “Are these yours?” Mar’quan asked, indicating the plate of muffins on the dining table. Kelly nodded. “Y-yes. Every bit of food in these quarters is made by me, no replicators. I baked those for Tobin and a few friends. I used a mixed selection of berries indigenous to Vectra.” Why was he even telling the man this? As if Mar’quan cared. Mar’quan pried the top from one muffin, appearing fascinated as the cake formed a thin crumb trail from the baked edge. “Very moist.” He raised an approving brow. “It doesn’t crumble to pieces like the cakes that come from the replicator.” “Bite your tongue,” Kelly said, and wished he had bitten his. Instead, Mar’quan bit into the muffin, then devoured it entirely with a fervor Kelly assumed had to be exaggerated for his benefit. He slumped into his chair and tried not to watch as the prime minister reached for another. It was enough the man regarded him as “useless”, but to mock his cooking skills was too much. -114-
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“I can see why Tobin took the risk he did,” Mar’quan said, licking the moist crumbs from his fingers. “These are very good, Kelly Landry.” Mar’quan leaned to one side and eyed Kelly’s slouched position, as if looking for a hint of sensuality Kelly kept hidden. “Very good.” The baker shifted uncomfortably. He might as well have remained naked. “He took the risk because he loves me,” Kelly insisted. “Wouldn’t you do the same?” “I would, but I’m not Tobin. Tobin only does things to benefit Tobin. To have a man who offers culinary and sexual pleasures is a bonus.” “He brought me here because he loves me and wants to be with me. Why is that so difficult for you to accept?” Honestly, professional disagreement was one thing, but this Mar’quan seemed hellbent on discrediting Tobin entirely. What could be possibly gained from it? “How long have you known Tobin, Kelly Landry?” “What?” Kelly blinked, confused by this new line of questioning. “A few weeks. And yes, I will admit I wasn’t entirely pleased with being taken away from my family and home against my will.” “But you adapted, seduced by Tobin’s charms,” Mar’quan finished for him. He leaned back and crossed his legs. Kelly couldn’t help but watch how Mar’quan’s powerful, sculpted legs tensed and relaxed. “Tell me, Kelly,” he continued, and Kelly had to smile with relief at not being addressed in full, “are you familiar with auto-immune deficiency syndrome?” “AIDS? Who isn’t?” Numerous faces floated before Kelly’s eyes, friends and loved ones lost to illnesses brought on by the virus. “What does this have to do with Tobin?” “Did Tobin not tell you that we developed a cure for your AIDS, a very long time ago?” “What?” -115-
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Mar’quan nodded. “A vaccine and an antidote that works at every level of the virus’ progression. A few drops in a community’s water supply guarantees good health with no chance of contracting it again.” “Amazing,” Kelly whispered, then glared at Mar’quan as he grabbed the last muffin. “What does this have to do with Tobin being selfish?” Mar’quan bit deep into the muffin and shrugged. After a few seconds he finally swallowed, but spoke through a mouthful of crumbs with the second bite. “It wouldn’t have taken him much to offer the cure to your community while he was there, correct? Instead, he thought only of himself, getting what he wanted, and leaving your friends to remain vulnerable to disease. It’s not as if the vaccine is a big secret on Vectra, either. It’s basically the equivalent of an Earth aspirin. Anybody can get it.” Kelly considered this. Tobin did seem focused only on Kelly that day, adamant on getting him out of Taste This and under his control. But Kelly had control, too, didn’t he? He was permitted anywhere on the ship and enjoyed the highest clearances. On the ship, Kelly’s conscience nagged. Since consummating their relationship in the pantry, returning to Earth had yet to come up in conversation, but Kelly hadn’t pursued it either. Mar’quan continued to leer. Kelly’s cock responded, and he silently willed it to stop. He’s playing you, he told himself. Don’t fall for any of it. “Tobin wants you to think you have power on this ship, but he’s using you, like he’s used a lot of people before you.” Mar’quan stood over Kelly now, the bulge in his kilt ominous in Kelly’s line of vision. When Mar’quan reached down to stroke Kelly’s face, the baker remained stonelike and fixed on a faraway spot to ignore Mar’quan’s swaying hips. Kelly refused to be influenced. Tobin needed the opportunity to defend himself. “Tobin told me Vectra as a whole didn’t think it was time -116-
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to formally contact the Earth. Wouldn’t you have a say in that, being the prime minister?” he challenged. “Assume, for the sake of argument, Tobin did follow orders not to administer a cure without permission. You would be the one responsible for holding back, not him.” “If the captain had bothered to heed my communiqué, he would have followed the Jiu’Kr’s new orders. The ship was to return to docking for upgrades, specifically a cloaking device to be used for when we were to enter Earth’s orbit and make contact. Apparently, though, somebody on this crew managed to jury-rig the ship’s shields in a way to establish temporary cloaking, long enough to slip under Earth radar.” Tobin fumed. “When I find out—” “So why punish Tobin for something you were going to have him do anyway?” Kelly asked. “I don’t get this at all. Would you still punish him had he gone ahead and administered the AIDS cure?” “Yes, because what Tobin did was wrong. He didn’t follow procedure, but went to Earth to for his own selfish gain. He didn’t follow procedure,” Mar’quan repeated and smashed his fist on the table. Plates and silverware clattered, the empty basket tipped over. “He’s as disrespectful and disobedient as he’s always been. “But you,” he added quickly, helping Kelly to stand, “are something special.” Kelly let himself be led to his feet. Mar’quan’s red shirt, pulled so tightly across his chest that every ridge and plane was visible, was soft and cool against his own as the prime minister held him with one arm. Only when speaking to him about him did Kelly detect the man softening emotionally. Tobin was a foul word to this man, and Kelly had to wonder what had transpired between the two to cause such animosity. A numb, unsettling pang seized his heart. Maybe they had been lovers, and it ended badly. Maybe, unlike Kelly’s relationship with Tobin, -117-
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Mar’quan had different ideas about the direction his life with Tobin went, assuming the two had ever been a couple. Mar’quan’s breath was warm against his skin. The tiny invisible hairs on the back of Kelly’s neck stood on end. His cock wavered in the loosefitting pants. To fight the attraction was fruitless—perhaps he was more submissive than he realized. “Tell me this,” Kelly said softly. “Tobin told me there are no sexual inhibitions on the Vectra System.” “This is true.” Mar’quan was close enough to kiss. “He said basically everything that went on here, is the norm on the homeland. Is that true? Is life one great big orgy?” “For the most part,” Mar’quan said with a nod. “And before you ask, there’s a difference between how civilians are allowed to behave as opposed to the military. We don’t ask our soldiers to be celibate, but expect they follow rules. They can fuck each other all they want during their free time, but a military ship is not a nudist colony. Tobin took advantage of our culture, I’m afraid, and led his crew into a false sense of security.” Kelly wanted to turn away, move to the safety of the other side of the room. What stopped him? “You’d think if more people focused on love instead of weapons there wouldn’t be a need for all of this. No need for ships.” “Make love, not war? A popular Earth saying, yes?” Mar’quan’s lips barely grazed Kelly’s ear. His scrotum tightened in response. “That actually sounds like a good idea. In fact, I think I know just what to do with you.” From out of the folds of his kilt came a communication device similar to Tobin’s. “I don’t suppose Tobin gave you one of these?”
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“N-no.” Come to think of it, Tobin had neglected to assign him transmitters or devices of any sort. Then again, being naked, where would he put them? “That doesn’t mean he was trying to control me,” Kelly added quickly. “We’ll see for certain how Tobin truly feels,” Mar’quan said, and pressed a sequence of buttons to conjure a life-sized holographic image of one of his guards. “Show me the prisoner,” he ordered. The image of a forlorn Tobin, sitting cross-legged with his head bowed between his knees, came into view. Kelly’s heart softened and dissolved. He looked none the worse for wear, and thankfully sported no open cuts or bruises to indicate severe treatment. “Tobin!” He lifted his head at Kelly’s call and quickly stood. “Are you okay?” Tobin asked. “He’s fine,” Mar’quan said blandly. “His life is about to get better, in fact.” Kelly knew Tobin could see his discomfort when Mar’quan’s hand drifted down his back and massaged his ass. “Kelly will be sent to Vectra Eight,” Mar’quan smiled wickedly, “to be my personal chef.”
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Chapter Twelve Right. Tobin watched the two figures on holographic display. Mar’quan had the look of a predator. Kelly would be expected to do more than cook for the prime minister. The man seemed to want to begin Kelly’s orientation right now, given the way he fondled Kelly’s backside. “I see.” Tobin fought to keep calm. “Has Kelly agreed to this?” “Kelly has no say in this, just as he had no say when he was brought to us in the first place.” “Kelly,” Tobin called, but the baker said nothing. Oh, Kelly. What happened to the resilient, authoritative owner of Taste This, the man who snapped orders around the shop with a gentle voice? What happened to the man who refused to bend from his menu choices despite the constant wheedling of crew members? This man standing with Mar’quan, while still beautiful, seemed faded. It had nothing to do with the holographic reception, either. Kelly appeared to be a shell of the man who captured his heart. The thought that he might have caused this change in Kelly’s demeanor weighed on his mind. Had it happened gradually, or with Mar’quan’s appearance? Tobin realized he hadn’t noticed, he had been too busy fucking and being fucked. Kelly always seemed the same to him.
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Now, Kelly looked like he wanted to be somewhere else. Tobin wanted that, too. “No,” Kelly said finally, and his form slipped from Tobin’s view as he wrested himself from Mar’quan’s grip. His voice could still be heard, and Tobin’s hopes swelled as Kelly’s strength returned. “You can send me to Vectra or send me home, but I won’t cook for you, or anything else.” Kelly held his ground. “I want to see Tobin, in person.” Just as quickly, however, worry returned when Mar’quan pointed his comm device in Tobin’s direction. “We’re going to need our privacy now,” he said, lips curled in a wicked smile. “I do love a challenge.” The image disappeared in a brief flash of light. Tobin studied the two guards at the door. Clothed and armed, they clearly had the advantage against a tired, naked man. Of course, knowing Mar’quan as he did, Tobin surmised that what they possessed in terms of brawn overcompensated for what they lacked in cunning. He watched them watch him, noting with amusement the slight twitch of lips and the uncomfortable shuffle of feet as he leaned against the closest wall in the brig and sank to the ground. Spreading his knees, he grasped his balls and stroked, enjoying his own touch. His cock was still flaccid and collapsed upon itself, but Tobin anticipated the guards’ reactions when he stroked it to its full length. They didn’t disappoint. Several seconds later, Tobin fingered the bulbous tip of his thick, hard shaft and crooked his neck, beckoning them. Both guards seemed to look around the bare room for something more interesting. Good luck with that. “You boys like to watch?” Tobin asked, pumping his shaft furiously. The building orgasm triggered a pleasurable fire pooling in his sac. The orgasm would be a welcome release to override the current tension. -121-
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“I could use a little help, though,” he said. One guard, a dark-haired beast, shot him a withering glance. “I’m not interested in men.” Tobin winked. “How do you know unless you try?” He nodded to the other guard. “You two work closely together, I imagine. Surely, you’ve wondered on occasion what it would be like to fuck a man, maybe one you know and work with…” He left the inference hanging in the air and continued to stroke his cock. Oh, this was going to be a geyser. The second guard, a blond, sneered. “What are you implying?” He then shot a glance at the other guard. “What are you looking at?” “Nothing,” said the dark-haired guard defensively. “Come now, I’m all the way over here and I can see it perfectly. You, sir, are definitely not ‘nothing’,” he told the blond guard. “Those gorgeous legs, that tight ass…I certainly wouldn’t blame you for looking.” “I don’t look,” the blond roared, checked his ass and legs for the aforementioned attributes, then growled at his colleague. “Are you looking?” “No!” The dark-haired struck a defensive pose. “You looking at me?” “You’d like that, wouldn’t you, you filth?” Tobin continued to stroke, watching with perverse delight as the petty disagreement spiraled quickly downward. Words became blows, rough palms to shoulders, and increased to an all-out fight that ended with a phaser draw. The simultaneous firing of the lowest stun levels resulted in two groaning bodies rolling on the floor cupping wounds and cursing. The collective thud of falling bodies coincided with Tobin’s orgasm, and he sprayed the cold, gray floor with a thin stream of cum, wishing for the strength to hose down the guards. Let them be found wiping away his essence and lead their colleagues to think Tobin had fucked them -122-
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into submission. He laughed as the pleasure faded and his cock softened in his hand. “Such a shame,” he said. “You were such a cute couple.” That, he thought, as he snatched one phaser and started out the door, was too damn easy. HHH “Stop it.” Kelly prepared the dish with one hand, his only choice considering the free hand was needed to swat away Mar’quan’s advances. “You might be pleased to know I didn’t allow sex in the kitchen.” “Why should that please me?” Mar’quan growled. “I doubt it pleased your fans, having to see you strutting around here naked, knowing they couldn’t touch you.” “One, I don’t strut. Two, stop it!” Kelly pinched the bridge of his nose, but only briefly as he continued to prepare the meal he promised Mar’quan in exchange for the opportunity to see Tobin. He had hoped bringing the prime minister to the kitchen might quell his desires, but it seemed to have the adverse effect. Kelly stood at the counter, still trying to slice into the lasagna prepared for the crew’s dinners. Mar’quan held him from behind, letting his hands stray under Kelly’s tunic and the loose band of his trousers. His groin rubbed constantly against his ass, as if he might burn a hole through Kelly’s pants and try to plant that stiff cock in his anus. Kelly squirmed every time it felt as though Mar’quan were about to hit a sensitive area. Finally he managed to set a block of layered noodles on a plate and slid the mess to one side. To hell with presentation today, Kelly decided
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as he watched the concoction of broad noodles and Vectran cheeses avalanche. “Eat,” he commanded, and writhed in Mar’quan’s grip. “Why did you walk around here naked, cooking?” Mar’quan asked, and kissed Kelly’s neck. “You never worried about getting burned?” “When you cook as well as I do, you know how not to get burned.” “A truism for work, but do you know enough not to get burned emotionally?” Mar’quan’s body shook as he laughed. Kelly felt the residual effect heat his blood. “Eat!” “Gladly, but let me try the lunch you made first.” Kelly rolled his eyes. The prime minister kept one arm around Kelly while the other hand stabbed at the lasagna. Kelly winced as the hulk devoured bite after bite, grunting like a sated caveman. Had he prepared a chicken, would the man have torn pieces from the carcass by hand like the Vikings of old? “This is good,” Mar’quan said during bites. “I’ll expect this at least once a week.” “I expect to see Tobin, now.” “Later.” “Now, Mar’quan,” bellowed a familiar voice. Tobin. Kelly’s heart lodged in his throat. He looked up to see Tobin’s approach. Still naked, yet bearing no obvious injury. Still gorgeous and determined, and capable of stiffening Kelly’s cock with one intense look. This one, however, was aimed at Mar’quan, as was the phaser in Tobin’s hand. “Let him go,” Tobin demanded. Kelly grunted as Mar’quan’s grip tightened. Thick fingers dug into his flesh, yet Kelly swallowed back the pain. Try as he might, he couldn’t
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dislodge himself. He turned back to Mar’quan and saw the fork in his hand was replaced with a phaser. “Take another step, I’ll turn you to dust,” Mar’quan threatened. “I don’t know.” Tobin dared that step, his expression cool when no shot was fired. “I don’t think you have it in you to kill me, though I wouldn’t blame you. Kelly is definitely worth killing for.” “I’ll soon be able to appreciate that statement in every sense.” The stench of cheese and tomato sauce stung Kelly’s senses as the hulking blond leaned in for a sloppy kiss to the cheek. “What do you think, cook? You would be happy with me.” “You would be happy with Tobin’s suffering, having me in your kitchen and bed where he couldn’t touch me. I think I’d rather die before I let that happen,” Kelly said dully. “Kelly, don’t say that,” Tobin cried. The phaser shook visibly in his hand. “Don’t ever talk about dying.” Mar’quan scoffed. “Bit melodramatic, aren’t we, boys?” “You know, you talk of Tobin being selfish, but you’re no better than he is,” Kelly accused Mar’quan. “You’re trying to claim me for yourself the way you think Tobin did.” “You still don’t think Tobin claimed you?” Mar’quan challenged. “He took you from your planet against your will.” “Technically, I did concede,” Kelly said. The memory of that day surfaced. Tobin had indeed asked for confirmation. “I had ample opportunity to tell him to get lost. I could have had him thrown out, or arrested, but I went. Yes, my customers and daughter might have cajoled me a bit, but…” He looked at Tobin, at those shining beautiful eyes and thick mane of hair, those sculpted arms that held him at night, and braced himself while his insides melted.
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“…But I don’t do anything I don’t want to do. I realized, deep down, I chose to go because I knew I wanted to be with him. Even if we did just go to some hotel convention center, I knew I’d have had some time with him. My heart knew before my brain did that I wanted Tobin for good.” There was no mistaking the love in Tobin’s smile, Kelly saw. “I guess one was protecting the other from being hurt again, so it just seemed to me like it was an abduction. The way I see it now, it was more like an invitation,” Kelly said. “Kelly,” Tobin started, “Mar’quan is right, I wanted you for myself and didn’t care what happened with my career or with your family. What I did was underhanded. I should have made my true presence known to you before I swept you onto the ship like I did.” His arm wavered, and the phaser came down. “Mar’quan, take him home.” “What?” Kelly cried. Just like that, Tobin was giving up on him? “Why should I do that?” Mar’quan demanded, his phaser still trained on Tobin. “Because it’s the right thing to do. You have no more authority to make Kelly your cook than I do.” “I am the prime minister!” Mar’quan bellowed. “He’s not a recognized member of the Jiu’Kr, and we have no right to keep him,” Tobin said. “You would let me go, just like that?” Kelly asked Tobin. He flinched upon seeing the pained expression on his lover’s face. “Believe me, Kelly, it’s not what I want.” Kelly looked from Tobin to Mar’quan, and back again. He tried to decipher the unspoken communication between them but failed. When Tobin turned on his heel and left the kitchen, his calls went unanswered. “Tobin, where are you going?” He moved to follow but Mar’quan held him with one, vise-like grip. -126-
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“He’s coming back,” he sighed, “and then he’ll take you home.” “No. I choose to stay,” Kelly said. “You can’t make me be your cook, and you can’t send me home without my permission. I’ll join the army, I’ll do whatever you want, I’ll—” “You’ll go home.” Mar’quan’s voice took on a forceful tone. “Tobin is correct, for once, as are you. I can’t make you work for me, or make you be my lover, but I won’t jeopardize relations between Vectra and Earth before they’ve officially happened. I won’t have your people thinking we can take them as we please. That’s not how we are.” “Bit late for that, you think? Let go of me.” Kelly struggled in the bond, reaching for the phaser that Mar’quan held too far away to grasp. It looked foolish from his end, a grown man fighting to be free, yet refusing to be set free. “In time,” Mar’quan insisted between gritted teeth, “you will see the wisdom of this decision.” “In time you’ll beam down to Earth and we as a collective will tell you to fuck off,” Kelly shot back. One last attempt to free himself resulted in a gentle blow to the neck that packed more power than the sting against his skin implied. It wasn’t until Kelly’s vision turned completely black that he realized Mar’quan used a light stun setting on the phaser to sedate him. Against his will. He tried to say as much, but no sound would come.
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Chapter Thirteen “You come with me of your own free will?” “Free will, heh. Free will is as real as Santa Claus, or aliens.” “Daddy?” Susan’s tone voiced the sudden concern rippling through the surrounding crowd. “Susan?” Kelly blinked, as if returning to life. He looked around to discover the cafe just as he had left it. Susan, his sous-chef, and his customers all gazed at him oddly, bewildered by the remark that easily deflated the earlier merriment. And Tobin stood before him, wearing that ridiculous costume with the ridged rubber forehead. Here he was, in his old clothes. Just like that, he was home. Not just home, but at the exact moment in time he and Tobin left. How? Was the ability to travel through time one of the many so-called advances the Vectrans possessed? If so, Kelly couldn’t blame them for keeping it a secret. He couldn’t dare ask Tobin in front of everybody either. “Sorry,” he finally murmured, and looked Tobin squarely in the eye. “I will come with you, of my own free will.” To the Jiu’Kr, to Vectra, to Tobin’s bed. Here it could be confirmed, he knew what to expect now. He offered his wrists to Tobin as he had the first time. “Cuff me. Haul me to the gulag. Do what you will,” he recalled from memory, then added, “I will accept it.” -128-
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“Very well.” Instead of producing cuffs, however, Tobin beckoned Kelly to follow him out the door. Light applause and laughter trailed behind him, but none of it permeated Kelly’s curiosity as he walked silently alongside Tobin, who said nothing until they turned the corner into the alley behind the cafe. There Tobin swept Kelly into a rough embrace and pinned him to the solid metal door that served as the delivery entrance. Kelly gladly accepted Tobin’s hungry kiss, matching his every caress as their lips slid over each other. His cock stiffened and nudged Tobin’s groin, demanding equal attention. “Okay, captain,” Kelly drawled, “you want to tell me what just happened?” “What do you mean?” Tobin asked innocently. “What do I mean? I mean how was it that we came back to Earth at this exact moment? Did we go back in time?” Tobin nodded slowly. “In a manner of speaking. Mar’quan allowed us the capability to slip through the time-space continuum to return to the exact moment we left the planet. Don’t even ask me to explain it to you. I don’t want to spend these last moments with you discussing such things.” Kelly arched his neck back as Tobin kissed his throat. “I have to know, though. If we came back here physically, wouldn’t there have been two of us in the cafe?” “There were,” Tobin said. “L’wan tinkered with his cloaking device and relegated enough power to my phaser to create a shield. We were superimposed, technically, over our old selves as they beamed away. Nobody in the cafe saw our old selves disappear.” “Where are they, we, now?” -129-
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“Dissolved into time,” Tobin said. “They can’t exist if we’re here now. Kelly, kiss me now.” Kelly happily obliged. Tobin tore free and gasped a smile. “I am going to miss you so much.” “Don’t miss me, stay,” Kelly pleaded. “Exercise your free will.” “I am, by going back to Vectra Eight to accept my punishment.” Tobin’s smile turned grim. “If I disobey orders again I’ll only further subject myself to Mar’quan’s wrath, and I don’t want that.” He pulled away, Kelly reluctantly let him. “If I go quietly, assuming relations between Vectra and Earth go well, there’s a chance I could come back eventually if my punishment isn’t too severe,” he added. “If that happens, I know where I’m coming first for lunch.” The joke was maudlin at best. Forced laughter didn’t seem appropriate. “What if you don’t come back?” he demanded. “What if you’re punishment is so severe that you can’t come back?” “I’m willing to take that chance.” Tobin kept a serious face. “It’s nice to live by your own rules, better if you don’t have somebody hounding you all the way. You helped me see that.” “Thanks.” What more could he say? Kelly wanted Tobin badly to stay, but knew he was obliged to accept Tobin’s decision. He fought the urge to scream, cry out, tear at Tobin’s ridiculous costume. Where were those funky handcuffs? He’d chain Tobin to the wire rack in the pantry so he couldn’t leave. Kelly shook his head. No. It wouldn’t work, he knew. If they beamed down from out of nowhere, Mar’quan could transport Tobin easily. Only unmanned handcuffs would remain, and no doubt prompt a few curious glances from Kelly’s staff.
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Kelly sniffed back the tears. “You can’t make love to me before you go?” The words spilled forth too quickly, and Kelly’s heart deflated with the sadness in his lover’s eyes. “As much as I want to, no. I shouldn’t be here this long.” Tobin’s voice cracked, and he reached forward to stroke Kelly’s tear-stained cheek. “I’ll wait for you.” “You’ll do no such thing,” Tobin snapped. “I saw you in the lounge, how you loved being with Wren and Danae. You need that kind of intimacy in your life.” “I need love. I realize that now, and I need you in my life.” “Kelly, you have me. You always will.” Tobin took Kelly’s hand and held it tightly. “Do one thing for me.” “Anything, just don’t say if anymore.” Kelly frowned. “Give me some hope.” “I just did.” Kelly felt something cool against his palm. Tobin planted a warm, soft kiss on Kelly’s lips and took a step backward. “Change the world, Kelly. Make it a better place, show me the difference when I see you again. Can you do that for me?” “Yes. See you soon,” Kelly said, his voice catching. He would see Tobin soon. And J’wan and Wren, Juun and Danae. Even Mar’quan, what the hell? Lunch would be on him. A bright light, radiating from Tobin’s middle, spread quickly over the Vectran’s body. Kelly could only stare and Tobin offered one last, brilliant smile before the light consumed him and faded into nothing. HHH
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Tobin kept his eyes pinched shut until a series of familiar voices coaxed back his attentions. The point of re-entry after transport always left him dizzy, and this time was especially difficult. Mar’quan stood by L’wan, studying every button pressed on the transporter console. Tobin could only imagine how unnerved his helmsman must have felt with the unnecessary supervision. One could only do so much with the device, and Tobin did give the prime minister his word that he would return. Here he was, back on the Jiu’Kr, prepared to accept his punishment. Mar’quan could torture him any way he liked, Tobin knew no amount of physical abuse could surpass the pain he endured being separated from Kelly. Even losing command of Jiu’Kr yielded a much milder sting. Two of Mar’quan’s burly men flanked him as the prime minister sauntered closer. “You will be confined to the brig for the remainder of our journey to Vectra Eight,” Mar’quan announced. “Then you will stand trial before the Federation tribunal, who will decide your fate.” “So be it.” Tobin turned to L’wan and wished for words to comfort his friend. He wanted to tell his friend to fight the threatening tears, that everything would be okay. L’wan would not be punished, nor would anybody else. Tobin chose instead to remain strong and show no vulnerability. He wanted Mar’quan to know that he could take anything thrown at him. When the prime minister turned briefly away, Tobin shot a quick, reassuring wink to his friend, who returned with a sad smile. I miss Kelly, it seemed to relay. Tobin could well sympathize with that. Urged on by the guards, Tobin marched with them to his cell. Memories of Kelly sustained him with each step. He thought of Kelly’s smile, the intense look of concentration that often creased the baker’s -132-
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forehead as he prepared meals. He recalled the warmth of Kelly’s body against his as they slept, of the nimble fingers that kneaded the stress from his shoulders after a long shift. He remembered Kelly’s lips on his cock, the sensation of moving his shaft in and out of his lover’s mouth, and smiled. The door to his cell slid open, and the guard to his left sniffed gruffly as Tobin passed. “What’re you so happy about?” “The future,” Tobin said simply, turning to face the guards who remained outside the cell. More specifically, thinking of his future with Kelly prompted the hope that radiated from within. “Right.” The guard snorted, and chuckled with his companion. “From the looks of things, you don’t have much of a future outside being disgraced. I’d be surprised if you could ever show your face on Vectra Eight again.” “There are other places I could go.” Tobin offered nothing more as the door separated them. He only stood in place smiling, thinking of one place he could eventually call home. And he would, as soon as possible. HHH “Is this a dream?” Kelly asked, and wiped away the tears that managed to slide down his cheeks. Silence. He looked skyward and hoped Tobin was wrong about their other selves dissolving into nothing. It would be some comfort to know that somewhere, in space or wherever, there was a Tobin and a Kelly together, loving each other. Being here without Tobin felt very wrong, and crying over his loss would solve nothing.
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Take action, he told himself. Do what Tobin wanted, make the world better. When he came back, then he could explain the time-space continuum conundrum, after a few hours of rough, mind-numbing sex. Speaking of… He rooted through a pants pocket for the key to the back door. As expected, Manny and Julio were still going at it in the pantry. Manny had four on the floor while a completely naked Julio kneeled behind, easing his long, dark cock in Manny’s ass. “Kel,” Manny cried, “what are you doing, coming through the back door?” “Duh, I’m gay. The back door is my domain. Besides, I locked the other door, remember?” Kelly kept his head down as he walked nonchalantly past them to the shelf and retrieved the flour he needed. Amazing how desensitized to the act those few weeks on the Jiu’Kr had made him, he realized. He felt no discomfort, nor did his libido sound an alarm. All the same, he knew his face would be tinged red from crying, and he didn’t need to be interrogated about it. Before leaving, he slipped behind Julio, whose thrusts slowed to a stop as the young man watched for Kelly’s next move. Kelly slid his free hand across Julio’s shoulder, smiling down at him. “Manny’s right, you do have a nice ass,” he said. “You should bring it by more often.” He left the pantry laughing, with the door wide open. In the kitchen, he set the flour next to the mixing bowl and the other ingredients needed for his cookies. Just over a month ago he left this kitchen, yet he lived now as if somebody had pushed pause on his life. Would anybody know he was actually a month older now than he was before Tobin arrived?
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Susan stepped into the kitchen, looking at him in disbelief. “How did you get in here without me seeing?” she asked. “You forget, I’m a back door man.” Kelly winked and scooped flour into the large bowl. “What happened to that guy? You were supposed to be ‘arrested’.” “I pleaded down to a lesser charge.” In a smaller bowl, Kelly creamed butter and sugar. “Suspended sentence and community service.” “Community service?” Susan arched an eyebrow. “Making cookies is a community service?” “Well, we’re in the service industry.” Kelly picked two eggs from a nearby carton. “Yeah, but still. I’d think collecting donations for charity is more important, don’t you agree?” “Perhaps, but I’m not an uncharitable person.” Susan leaned in closer. “Dad, are you okay? You look like you’ve been crying.” “I’m fine,” Kelly said quickly and, noticing his daughter flinch, drew her close for a kiss on the forehead. “I’m fine,” he repeated, softly. “In fact, I think more people should feel as fine as I do. Why don’t you call the hospice and tell them we’re bringing over a batch of cookies, compliments of the house.” Kelly reached into his pocket for the vial Tobin gave him, inspecting the brown, bubbling liquid. If a few drops in the water supply could change the world for the better… He unscrewed the cap and used the attached dropper to send a tiny brown speck into the smaller bowl. “After all, Susan,” he added, “I make the best chocolate chip cookies in the Alpha Quadrant, and everybody should have a taste.”
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Leigh Ellwood Leigh
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Slate and Ash, two men whose love for each other stretches beyond the grave... Enjoy this excerpt from
A Year and a Day (c) 2006 Willa Okati
A gay paranormal erotic romance coming June 13, 2006 to Samhain Publishing. “Ash, you cut it out, now!” “Don’t want to.” A warm body cozied up nice and close and personal behind Slate as he stood by the kitchen stove. “You feel so good.” “You say that every time you touch me.” “Doesn’t make it any less true.” Long, slender fingers mounted on an artist’s hands slipped around the front of Slate’s jeans, trailing a line down his zipper. “Mmm, mmm. Hey, good lookin’. What ya got cookin’? Cookin’ up something special for me?” “Ash!” Slate laughed. “I’m on the phone, here.” All the same, he didn’t move his lover’s hands away. The sensation of Ash’s fingers dancing up and down his cock felt all too good to say no to. “You know, talking to somebody else? A person who is not you, by the bye, who probably wonders what on earth we’re up to while I have her on hold.” “I can take a guess,” a voice crackled out from the other end of the line. Feminine, mature and amused as all hell. “Ash attacking you again?” Slate shifted so he could hold the phone tucked beneath his ear and used his other hand to cover Ash’s, moving ever so slowly up and down. He tried to keep his breathing regular and easy as he answered. “Nah. He’s, um, making dinner.”
“Pigs in blankets?” “Marianne, you have a filthy mind.” “I’ve seen you two in action. Well, not all the way, except for that once in the hayloft when I came by to feed Shelby and the both of you were upstairs doing things that would scare the fillies.” Marianne sounded amused. “Swear to you I’ll never forget the look on both your faces when I popped my head up over the ladder. You looked like a high school kid caught with his pants down at the prom.” “Marianne!” Slate scolded. Then he moaned, because he just couldn’t not, not with Ash starting to slide his zipper down click by click. “Your cousin is assaulting my manly virtue, and all you’ve got time for is jokes? A fine help you are.” “Better he assault you than somebody else,” Marianne fired back. “Sounds like he’s doing a pretty good job of it, too.” “That he is,” Slate admitted as Ash slipped one questing finger inside the tiny hole of opened zipper. He let out a strangled noise when Ash slid his fingertip down one inch of his cock. “Say, you mind if I call you later?” “I’m already on my way to hanging up.” Oh, Marianne was definitely laughing at him, and that just wouldn’t do. “Won’t expect you to call for a couple hours. I expect you two are gonna be occupied for about that long, if not longer.” “Definitely longer,” Ash whispered in Slate’s ear, his breath tickling in a way that made Slate want to jump and laugh, then turn around and jump his lover’s bones just to teach him a damn good and enjoyable lesson. “Much…much…longer.” He moaned again. “Ash, I swear to you, I’m gonna turn you over my knee.” “Promise?” that wicked whisper shot right back.
“Call you later, Marianne,” Slate rattled off into the phone. “We’ve got all that to-do with setting up for the fair tomorrow. Lots of details.” “Yeah, but right now you only have one on your mind.” Marianne laughed, a low alto chuckle. “Have fun ravishing my only blood kin, now.” “Believe me, I will.” Slate grabbed Ash’s hand to hold it steady, just where he wanted it most.
Can two men from different worlds cut the ties binding them to heartaches past and present, and make a life together? Enjoy this excerpt from
Willow Bend (c) 2006 Ally Blue
A gay contemporary erotic romance available now at Samhain Publishing. By noon, he had the bed of the truck loaded up with everything from an easel to an air conditioner. The rumble in his stomach reminded him that he hadn’t eaten anything since the evening before. After a moment’s thought, he decided to go get some lunch before heading to the grocery store. He locked the camper top that covered the back of the pickup and set off down the street again. A tip from the sweet-faced elderly woman at the hardware store counter led him to a restaurant on the edge of town. The sign out front read Uncle Charlie’s Porch. A wide, covered porch ran all the way around the large, rambling log building. The parking lot was packed, but the place was so big that Paul only had to wait a couple of minutes for a table. He lowered himself into the sturdy wooden chair with a sigh and gazed out the window at the creek winding its way through the marsh grass. “Hi,” said a voice at his side. “I’m Cory, I’ll be your server today.” Paul turned and looked up into the biggest, greenest eyes he’d ever seen. The eyes twinkled above a snub nose dusted with freckles and a wide, sensual mouth. Chestnut curls streaked with sun-bleached copper brushed the curve of the boy’s shoulder. Paul stared.
The young man smiled, showing deep dimples. “Can I get you a drink?” “Uh.” Paul gazed up at the green eyes, feeling a little flustered. “Um, tea, please.” “Hot or iced?” Paul blinked. “What?” Cory’s smile widened. Paul shocked himself by wondering if the boy’s slender body had the same golden tan as his face. “You can get tea either hot or on ice here. Sorry, I figured you’re from up north someplace. Some people from up north have never heard of iced tea. Sort of depends on where they’re from, I guess.” “You’re partly right.” Paul grinned, relieved at having found his voice at last. “I’m from Washington, but I know all about iced tea.” “Washington State, you mean?” “Yeah. Spokane.” “Wow. Long way to come for a vacation.” Paul took a deep breath. “I’m not on vacation. I just moved here.” Cory’s eyes locked with Paul’s, and Paul felt a thrill go through him. Something in that sharp gaze said that maybe, just maybe… Paul shook himself. Even if Cory was interested, he wasn’t. Couldn’t be. “Well, I sure hope you like it here,” Cory said. “So, what about that tea, huh?” “Let me have the iced tea. Unsweetened.” “Got it.” Cory gave Paul a look he couldn’t quite figure out. “Be right back.” Cory turned and strolled off. Paul couldn’t help watching the graceful way his body moved, the muscles of his thighs and ass bunching in the tight black pants. Feelings he’d thought long dead stirred at the sight. It
had been so long since he’d touched a man. So long since he’d been touched, or kissed. So long since the last time he and Jay had made love, the afternoon before that fateful night. Before that drunk driver had taken Jay’s life, and left Paul’s shattered. “Here you go.” Paul started at the sound of Cory’s voice. Cory grinned as he set down a tall glass full of iced tea. “Oh. Thanks,” Paul said. He gave Cory a shaky smile. “Sure thing.” Cory pulled a pad out of his pocket. “You ready to order, or you need a minute?” Paul glanced down at the menu he hadn’t even opened yet. “What would you recommend?” Cory’s eyes narrowed in thought, plump lips pursing. Paul swallowed. “The crab salad sandwich,” Cory said. “It’s the best you’ll find anyplace.” Paul smiled. “Sounds great.” “Yeah.” Cory held Paul’s gaze for an endless second, then turned and walked off. ***** “Crab salad sandwich.” Cory tore the top sheet off his order pad and slapped it onto the counter. The chef waved at him without turning her attention from the sauce she was stirring. Cory poured himself a glass of ice water and drank the whole thing in one breath. He felt a little off-kilter. Uncle Charlie’s Porch was the most popular restaurant for miles around. Everybody ate there, and he’d waited on some pretty hot guys before without getting all worked up about it. But this one… Damn. This one was something else. Tall and
slim. Smooth, olive-toned skin. Jet black hair falling carelessly around a thin, serious face softened by thoroughly kissable lips. Eyes so pale blue they were almost white, fringed with lashes like black lace. Something in those eyes tugged at Cory’s heart and captured his mind like nothing else had in a long time. “Hey, Cory!” Alicia Trask bounced up, giving him a big grin as she set her order on the counter. “What’s up?” “Nothing. Just taking a little breather.” He grinned back at her. She widened her clear brown eyes at him. “Oh, please. Who is he?” “Who’s who?” “Whoever’s got you all hot and bothered.” Alicia nodded toward Cory’s section, brown pigtails bobbing. “That him, the one with the black hair?” Cory started to deny it, then decided, what the hell. Alicia would figure it out anyhow. “Yeah, that’s him.” “Pretty.” “Tell me about it.” Cory stared at the man’s profile, admiring his sculpted, almost classical beauty. “Think he’d go out with me?” Alicia chuckled as she filled glasses and set them on a large round tray. “You know anybody who wouldn’t?” “C’mon, I’m serious. You think he would?” “I’m serious too, stupid. Every straight girl and gay guy in town wants to get with you. Hell, I’d go out with you if you didn’t have that thing between your legs.” Cory laughed. “Dyke.” “Better believe it, boy. Give me the fairer sex any day.” Cory stared thoughtfully at the side of the man’s face. “Doesn’t matter anyhow. He’s probably straight.” “Why don’t you find out?” Alicia raised her eyebrows at him as she headed out to serve drinks.
“Maybe I will,” Cory called after her. He filled a plastic pitcher with water, and another with iced tea, to make the rounds of his tables and refill the glasses. “Yeah. Maybe I will.”
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