by Allie Ritch
He was glad he’d finished his salad because it was hard to swallow. “Did you and Quinn ever…?”
“Have sex?” Relief flooded him when she shook her head. “Neither of us ever made a move on the other. I like him, and he’s pretty to look at, but we’ve never been anything but friends. And since the second he met Xindra, he’s only had eyes for her.”
Trett knew the feeling.
They were interrupted when the waiter came back over for their entrée order. Mera poured them a fresh glass of wine.
“So did you finger Xindra?” she asked him when they were alone again.
Trett nearly spewed, and the alcohol burned wickedly as he forced it down his throat. Afraid he’d sputter if he opened his mouth, he simply nodded.
Her eyes twinkled merrily. “Unique experience, isn’t it? Before she got married, I had Xindra over for a girls’ night in. That’s an Oquaran wedding tradition—sort of a subdued version of the New Earthling bachelorette party. Anyway, we drank too much, ate an obscene amount of food, and watched dirty movies. She got to talking about the wedding night and sex in general, which led to other things. In short, she ended up regaling me with some details about Allurian anatomy and offered to give me a demonstration. I’m not into other girls, but I’m a good sport. I was also pretty drunk at the time. The next thing I knew, I had my hand down her panties and my fingers inside her. I was shocked to discover she had some things I don’t have.”
“What did you do then?” He was practically light-headed just thinking about the possibilities.
She leaned in confidentially. “Well, then I couldn’t resist exploring further. So I started pumping my fingers in and out of her. That felt so nice, it drew a moan out of her, which made me notice her lips. Next thing I knew, I was pressing my mouth to hers while I worked her, and I was surprised to discover just how soft another woman’s kiss is. Since I’d taken it that far, I figured, what the hell, and I opened up and found she’d already been flicking her tongue out to meet mine. She was growing wetter where I was stroking her, and suddenly I noticed I was straddling her leg. At first I just pressed into her thigh to enjoy the pressure, but that wasn’t enough. I had to rub myself back and forth, making the tension grow inside my body. The video screen behind us caught up with the game plan, and we wound up with a soundtrack as some celebrity couple started some of their own action. They were huffing and yelling, Xindra was keening into my mouth, and I couldn’t help but grunt as I humped her leg. In a flash, it all came together. The vid couple climaxed, Xindra’s fancy sheath clamped down on my fingers, and I had an alcohol-fueled orgasm. As soon it was over, I pulled my hand out, and we sat back to watch the rest of the movie.”
Trett was pretty sure his eyes were bugging out as hard as his erection. Hell, he nearly banged his cock on the table when the waiter’s arrival made him jerk back in his seat. Mera just watched him with amusement as their plates were set in front of them. The waiter scurried off.
“You really did that?” he gasped. “You and Xindra?”
She kept a straight face for a long moment before finally breaking into a fit of laughter. “Of course not. The part about feeling her was true, but I made up the rest.” She wiped at her tears. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist. You looked so hopeful when you asked what I’d done next. Why are males so fascinated by the idea of women touching each other?”
Although Trett flushed with embarrassment, he couldn’t help but return a self-mocking smile. “What’s not to like about the idea of multiple, sexually ready females? There’s always the hope that those women will realize what body part they’re missing and invite one of us guys to play too.” He allowed his disappointment to show. “You really had me going there.”
A few more snickers snuck out of her before she dug into her meal. “You’ll get over it.”
He watched her suck an Ibration dangle bean into her mouth in a way that made him shift in his seat.
*
Mera couldn’t remember the last time she’d had so much fun. It wasn’t the restaurant or the conversation or anything they did per se. Being with Trett just made everything more enjoyable. He was such a contradiction: strong and lean, quiet but assertive, manly yet boyish. His blond hair was gold to her silver, and his double-pointed ears made her want to reach out and touch them. She hadn’t even known him for long, but she could already tell she was getting in deep. Which was why she didn’t want to blow it.
The night she’d participated in Quinn and Xindra’s lovemaking was still fresh in Mera’s mind. After watching them, she’d been turned on, but she’d had no one to turn to. She’d been the third wheel when the game was finished. Not knowing what else to do, Mera had picked up some Allurian male in a bar and done him in the bathroom.
What a mistake. The guy had been young—barely nineteen—so she’d assumed he’d be done quickly, which worked better for her physiology. The bathroom setting was also supposed to move things along. Maybe he’d taken less time than some of the older males, but he’d given her about ten strokes too many, none with any finesse. The hard bridges along his shaft had only made it worse. What had started as orgasmic cries ended with her sobbing in pain before he was done. Worse yet, he’d been too inexperienced to tell the difference. She’d left feeling cheap and ill-used, although neither was really his fault.
When Mera had met Whitt at the class last week, she’d barely managed a polite mask. He’d reminded her too much of the young Allurian she’d had terrible sex with, just when she was trying so hard to forget. If it hadn’t been for her promise to model for Xindra and Quinn, she probably would have sworn off men. At least Xindra understood and was looking for a partner who might work for her. Even so, Mera was glad to have an excuse for putting it off an extra week. She was not looking forward to it.
So what was she doing with Trett? She had no idea why she’d agreed to date him, except there was something in his eyes that struck her as very kind. The moment they’d touched, she’d also felt an instant spark of attraction, which hadn’t happened to her in a very long time. Her feelings for him were so unexpected: a combination of excitement and a sense of safety.
After they finished dinner, Trett invited her back to his place. Mera gently turned him down, although she could still see the hopeful glimmer in his eye. She’d tried to keep them from getting to this point by keeping her kisses light and her hands to herself, despite her desire to fist his hair and crush his mouth with her own. By the looks of things, such tactics wouldn’t work any longer.
When they reached her door, she had her tiny keycard in hand, but she couldn’t stop herself from turning to face him. He stared at her hard for a moment and then stepped closer. Before she could think of a way to evade, he leaned forward and caught her mouth with his.
Just that touch, and she was engulfed in solar flares. His lips were smooth and firm, and his breath was scented by a fusion of spices as he tangled his tongue with hers. Mera’s body warmed with the same cozy glow the honey wine had given her, and her thighs felt tingly and weak. She slipped her hands over his strong shoulders and up to his nape. Then his palms registered against her back. When she nipped his lower lip and played her fingertips over the rounded points of one ear, he groaned into her open mouth and took the kiss deeper.
She felt his hands slide up and down her spine. One settled on the curve of her butt and pulled her closer. This brought her pelvis into contact with his raging erection, something that should have jolted her back to reality. Instead it made her vagina prickle. When he broke away to plant kisses across her cheekbone, she thought she was lost.
He whispered temptingly in her ear. “Invite me in. Please.”
Although the sound of his voice stroked her from the inside out, his words finally penetrated the haze of lust blanketing her mind. She took a step back.
“I’m sorry, Trett.” She meant it sincerely. “I can’t do that. Let’s just say good night.”
He returned a confused scowl. “But—”
/> Humiliation washed over her. How could she have done this to him? To herself? How could she have let things get this far when her last sexual disaster was still so fresh? Maybe in another month or two, she’d forget all her good reasons for not mating with an alien again, and then her usual confidence and prowess would come back.
Except Mera didn’t have that long. She had two weeks, and then she’d be displaying her complicated sex life in front of a class full of strangers. Damn it all.
“Mera?”
She shoved her keycard at the slot and fumbled it. Before she could grab it, Trett bent down to fetch it for her and handed it over.
“Mera, look at me.” His voice was no longer deepened by hunger. He sounded worried. “Talk to me, sweetheart.”
Although Mera wanted to hang her head, she refused to be a coward. Forcing herself to look him in the eye, she accepted her card and opened the door to her apartment building.
“I’m sorry, Trett. Thank you for dinner.” She stepped over the threshold and out of his reach. “Good night.”
The door swung closed just as he drew breath to speak.
* * * *
What the hell happened? That was the question that kept circulating through Trett’s mind the next couple of days. Things with Mera had been so promising. They’d been having a wonderful night, and then wham! He knew she wanted him—her kiss couldn’t lie—but she’d frozen up as soon as he’d suggested she invite him in.
Was she ashamed of her apartment? No, she lived in a decent part of town. Did she have roommates? She’d told him she lived alone. It was the idea of sex with him that had scared her, and, yes, his instincts assured him it was fear, not disinterest or uncertainty. From the bold way she talked, he assumed she was fairly experienced, so he doubted it was virgin jitters.
Since she seemed to be best friends with Mera, he considered talking to Xindra about it, but he didn’t know the woman well enough for that. Of course, he hadn’t been with Mera long either, and yet he definitely felt like he knew her. At least he knew the important things: what she believed in, what she liked, what she really cared about. Now he knew he was missing something critical, though.
Fortunately, it looked like he’d get a chance to find out. Although Mera timed her vid-calls when he was out, she did return his messages. She also hadn’t backed out of their plans for the symphony tonight.
When Trett picked her up, he found her looking as breathtaking as ever. He noticed the barest flicker of hesitation when she opened the door and kissed him hello, but that was it. It appeared she wanted to pretend the awkwardness of their last parting hadn’t happened.
“You look sensational.” He devoured her long, slinky dress with his eyes.
If she wanted to deny any misgivings, he’d let her get away with it for now. There would be plenty of time to talk later tonight. Besides, that dress had him nearly tongue-tied.
She beamed at him and let him help her into the car he’d hired for the night. The sleek craft hovered an inch above the street with only the faintest crackle of static. It wobbled infinitesimally as they climbed in.
When they reached the amphitheater, Trett had the pleasure of watching Mera’s face light up. She’d confessed to having never attended the Trilanta symphony, and he couldn’t resist being the first to introduce her to it. Watching her take in the crowd and stage, he felt a swell of pride in his chest. Her expression held the beautiful wonder of a child.
Gently clasping her hand, he held it captive even after they took their seats. Announcements were made, the first chord was struck, and then they were both carried away by a glorious wave of music. In keeping with the area’s multiethnic demographics, the symphony embraced the classics from a range of cultures, from the driving beat of the Nimanian Ode to the Great Mother to the gentle melody of a Litting sonata. Mera squeezed his hand during every crescendo, and he brushed his thumb over her knuckles whenever one of the woodwinds let out a sweet vibrato.
It was magical. By the time the concert ended and he took her to a late-night jazz club, Trett felt mellow and vaguely delighted. He had not, however, forgotten his need to talk with her.
They were seated at a small table near the back—far enough away from the other patrons to afford them privacy to talk. He didn’t think she realized it, but she was gently swaying in time to the beat.
“Oh, I like this,” she said. “I’m more of a pop culture kind of girl, but I enjoyed the symphony. Left on my own, I never would have gone, and I would have missed a real treasure. Now we’re here at this club, so I’m getting the best of both worlds.”
He understood. “I only got into the cultural offerings in Trilanta thanks to my work. My first trip to the museum was for a fancy cocktail party to impress some clients. Honestly, I would have preferred staying home and kicking my feet up with a bottle of Ibration malt. I do love music, though, so the symphony is one of my favorites.”
She just smiled.
When Trett slung his arm over the back of her chair and slid closer, he was pleased to see she leaned into him. She started to look at the band playing up front, but he slid his fingers under her chin and made her face him. He planted a passionate kiss on her lips.
“I don’t want this night to end yet,” he said, announcing his desire.
And there it was. First a shadow of conflict in her eyes, followed by a flash of dread.
“Mera, I like you,” he added before she could respond. “I want you. I want to take you home—doesn’t matter whether it’s your place or mine—and I want to make love to you for the rest of the night. You should know I’m not a man who pressures a woman for sex, but I’m getting some mixed signals here. I think you want me too, and yet there’s that look in your eyes. Tell me what’s causing it.”
She huffed out her breath, but she didn’t turn away. “It’s not you.” Then, apparently realizing what a cliché that was, she elaborated. “I really like you too, and I’m seriously attracted. The thing is…the last few times I’ve had sex with alien men, it’s been really bad for me. It’s starting to look like I’m not meant for an interracial relationship.”
She laughed bitterly. “Of course, if that’s true, then I’m really in trouble, because I don’t like Oquaran men very much either. Sure, the sex is great with them, but Oquaran males tend to think they have rights to you after the first time. Like just because you slept with them once, they’re entitled to take you anytime they want. I won’t stand for that.”
“You shouldn’t.” Trett was experiencing an ugly brew of emotions and wasn’t sure what to respond to first. Then the “really bad sex” part took priority. “Define ‘really bad.’ Are we just talking dissatisfaction?”
The look on her face was answer enough, and it got even his easygoing temper heated.
“They didn’t mean to hurt me,” she said flatly. “It’s just one of those things. What the other races consider normal, or even gentle for that matter, is way too rough for me. I have a healthy libido, so believe me when I say I’d love to find a suitable partner. It’s just that I gave it another try not that long ago, and I’m still a little gun shy.”
He closed his eyes for a moment to hide his thoughts. If the situation hadn’t been so sad, he’d be tempted to laugh. Little did she know, they were far more similar than either of them could have guessed.
“I know what it’s like to be hurt that way.” He opened his eyes again so he could study her face. “You’ve obviously never been with an Ibration male, or you’d know we’re different too. I’ve only been with three alien women before, and two of those relationships had sex-related issues. One of them told me she could do better with a vibrating dildo and her hand, and another panicked and hurt us both. There’s a point in an Ibration coupling when you can’t disengage without causing pain to both partners.”
Her face remained blank.
Trett felt his gut twist. He’d never shared that with anyone before, and he certainly hadn’t meant to go into such detail. It was humiliatin
g.
“Is that true, or are you just trying to make me feel better?” she asked.
His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “I wish it weren’t true.”
She searched his face for deception, and then her expression cleared. “You really do understand.”
“Why do you think I’m taking a course in sex education? I thought maybe I could learn something that’ll help me out. There aren’t that many free, single Ibration women in Trilanta, especially not year-round. Out of the ones that are here, there are even fewer I like.”
That made her smile. “What a pair we make.”
This time she was the one who kissed him.
* * * *
Mera made a pact with Trett. Since neither of them knew how compatible their bodies were, they decided to test things in stages. They started with kissing.
Previously, Mera had never kissed anyone for more than a minute or two without indulging in more, but now she got to explore the art. Over the days that followed, she and Trett went from sweet kisses goodnight to make-out sessions at his place or hers. By the fourth night, she went over to his house for take-out and a movie and enjoyed a thirty-minute kiss for dessert. It was…well, not better than sex, but it was wonderful.
There were so many kinds of kisses: light pecks, gentle nibbles, open-mouthed assaults, and tongue-touching dances. Trett tried the full range on her as he stroked her back or massaged her scalp. He used his fingertips to trace her features and caress her lips after he’d rendered them puffy and red, and she discovered just how sensitive his ears were. When she dared to lick the edge of one, she saw his eyes nearly roll back in his head.
She absolutely loved it, and she loved…no, she dropped that thought.
Heavy petting naturally followed. It started as furtive gropes through their clothes, but her blouses gaped further and further open each time. Eventually, her top came off altogether, and she surrendered her bra with barely a whimper. Trett always made sure to stay above the waist, but gods was he talented with that mouth.