by Lily Harlem
As his tongue slipped between my lips, his cock slipped into my pussy. He kept on going, riding to full hilt.
I groaned and looped my legs around his. It was wonderful to feel so close to Mateo. To know he knew exactly how to give me pleasure whether it was a quickie or a lazy morning fuck.
He ground against me, stimulating my clit. I became hot and flicked off the covers then grabbed his butt.
“I want to feel you come,” he said.
“You will, I will, soon.”
He trailed kisses over my cheek then buried his face in my hair.
I closed my eyes and gave myself over to the wonderful sensations he was building in me.
My skin heated, my nipples dragged on his chest, and my breaths became harder to catch.
He sped up. I sank my fingernails into his buttocks and canted my hips. “Yes, yes…like that. Oh God, more…more.”
“Oh fuck, come when you can, you feel too good.”
“I will, I am…oh, don’t stop, Mateo.”
He scooped one hand into the small of my back and held me tight to him.
“Oh yes, that’s it, I’m…”
A lovely deep orgasm claimed me. It pulsed outward from my pussy, spreading through my belly, my chest, and down my limbs.
I clung to him, aware of his pleasure filling me.
Our bodies slid together as he continued to pump into me, our skin slick with sweat.
“Ah yes, that’s so good. God, I love you.” He kissed me, slow and gentle but with his breaths coming fast.
“I love you, too,” I said. “So much.”
“I know.”
“Good, I’m glad you know.” I cupped his cheeks and stared into his eyes.
He raised onto his arms, locking his elbows, and looked down at my chest. “You’re fucking beautiful like this, all bed-warm, sexy, and satisfied.”
“It’s you who made me this way.”
“And I’m honored.”
As my pussy gripped his cock in pleasant aftershocks, I thought of what he’d said the night before, about there being something we could do to help Gavyn.
“Mateo,” I said. “Tell me what we can do to help Gavyn.”
He pressed his lips in on themselves, then, “I will, but you have to promise to be open-minded.”
Now I was really intrigued. “Go on.”
His gaze settled on mine. “I think you should take your relationship with him up a level.”
“What?”
He pulled out and sank bank onto his knees so he was sitting between my spread legs. “Don’t be so shocked.”
“But…I am.” I propped myself up, then drew my legs together and hugged my knees. “You want me to sleep with Gavyn?”
He rubbed his brow which held a damp sheen. “It’s not as simple as just want.”
“So tell me how it is.”
He set his hands on my feet and leaned forward. “Remember when you and Anki got together?”
“Yes.”
“And I’d agreed for us not to be exclusive.”
“Of course.”
“And my agreement was because I thought it was Gavyn you were interested in.”
“Gavyn and I have never had anything going on.”
“I know that.” He paused. “But I think he wants there to be.”
“What makes you think that, Mateo?”
He sighed. “I know him well, as well as anyone does ever know Captain Gavyn Rivers. He’s not a man who shows his emotions or his inner thoughts.”
“I’d agree with you there.”
“But I’ve known about his sister for a while. Almost as soon as it happened actually.”
“Really? He told you all that time ago.”
“Yes, and I’m glad he did, it’s terrible for him and his family. A huge strain on his mental health, too.”
“I agree, but I think he’s managing it well, better now than when we first set off on this mission.”
“Good, that’s good to know.” He dipped his head and kissed my left knee. “And I think you have something to do with that, Uma.”
“I don’t know where you get that idea from.”
“When we were on the bridge that time and you sucked my cock…”
I raised my eyebrows. “That was fun and mortifying.”
“Have you thought about it since, though?”
“Yes, of course.” I couldn’t deny that for one moment.
“Me, too.”
“What did you think about, Mateo?”
“You tell me first.”
I hesitated. “Okay, I wondered how long Gavyn had been standing there. I wondered if he’d enjoyed the show.”
“I think he did.”
“You do?”
“Hell, yeah, what kind of guy wouldn’t? I also think it changed something in him. He’s looked at you differently ever since.”
“I’m not sure he has.”
“Now you’re being coy. You know full well he has.”
“Gavyn’s a great guy, and we do get on well, better than we used to since he opened up, but there’s never been anything between us.”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying. I think there should be. I think you’d be good for each other.”
“And you?” I couldn’t deny that had me worried. “How could that be good for you?”
“I’m actually being completely selfless here. I’d rather not share you but I’ve come to accept that I have to, what with Anki being on the scene. But Gavyn…”
“He’s special?” I raised my eyebrows, suddenly realizing I had to be the one to say these words. “An exception?”
“I guess.” Mateo shrugged. “He’s the captain, my friend, and he could do with some happiness in his life.”
I was quiet for a moment, then, “I don’t know. It’s hard keeping up with you and Anki, let alone Gavyn, too.”
“I’m not saying jump into bed with him or put him on the nighttime rota.” He huffed. “Just go with it, explore a little more with him and see how it goes. Let him have a nibble, and you, too, see if you like the taste of each other.”
I laughed briefly, then tipped my head. “I appreciate you’re being selfless here, but there must be something in it for you, Mateo. You didn’t want me to be with anyone but you initially.”
He tipped forward and kissed me. “Maybe I got to thinking it would have been fun if Gavyn had joined in that day on the bridge, rather than just watching.”
“What?”
“You know…a threesome.”
“A fantasy of yours?” A thrill went through me. I knew Mateo had his kinks, he’d enjoyed tying me up and teasing me in the past. Was this another one?
“Yes, I guess.” His eyes sparkled. “Seeing you getting off with two men would be hot. Two cocks making you come. I know Anki suggested it that time but that wouldn’t work for me, seeing you with an Athion…but if it was Gavyn…”
“It would be super hot?” Despite having just had sex, a buzz went through me. “Is that what you’re suggesting?”
“Perhaps.” He shrugged. “But I’m also simply saying I’d be open to it, if it was something you and Gavyn wanted, that is.”
I stared up at Mateo. He was talking about me hooking up with his captain. No, not just that. He was talking about all three of us hooking up together, a threesome.
Hell, that sounds awesome.
“But…” I said.
“There’s a but?” He raised his eyebrows.
“I know there aren’t rules about me having relationships with you guys, but surely that would be frowned upon.”
“Why?” He shrugged. “It’s not doing anyone any harm.”
“But the ship, it wouldn’t be manned at all while we were all…you know.”
“It isn’t when we’re playing that goddamn Monopoly you love so much.”
“Hey, I thought you liked it.”
He chuckled. “I like it because you do. You get so bloody competitive.”
“D
o not.”
“Yeah, you do.” He flopped onto the bed next to me and turned so our faces were close. “And you’ve forgotten about autopilot, and the fact that in Gavyn’s quarters he has a whole set of control panels so he’s never far from knowing what is going on.”
“So we’d have to…you know, do it in his quarters?”
“If we decide to go for it, then yes.”
“I’ve never been in his room.”
“Perhaps it’s time to. And for the record, I believe it’s in the pleural, rooms. Only the best for the captain, you know.”
I was quiet for a moment then rested my hand on Mateo’s warm chest. “Mmm, perhaps it is time for me to check his place out.”
Chapter Eight
Mateo headed to the bridge, and as I showered and made coffee, I let Magic out of his cage so he could stretch his wings. He circled my room several times, then landed on the pole beside the ceiling light again.
I pottered around, feeling satisfied after my time with Mateo, but also not. It was as if he’d instilled some other longing in me by suggesting the threesome with Gavyn.
Would Gavyn even want that?
I had no idea.
Or did I?
Only the day before Hurin had said he thought Gavyn looked at me differently these days. And Gavyn had surprised me by talking so openly about my relationship with Anki and Mateo. Maybe he was digging for information in more than a professional, the-captain-should-know-what-is-going-on way.
A loud click came from above.
“Magic, what are you doing?”
He was stretched from the pole he liked to sit on and was jabbing an air vent with his beak.
“Stop that.”
He peered down at me. “Stop that. Stop that. Who’s a pretty boy, then.”
“I mean it.” There was no way I could reach him. He was far too high. “Come here, onto your cage.”
He tipped his head, studied me, then went back to prodding the vent. The left side of it nudged inward a fraction.
“Hey, you will be in so much trouble. Come here.” I held out my arm, which usually prompted him to land there.
He let out an ear-piercing squawk.
“Magic, I mean it.” I quickly gathered up a handful of sunflower seeds and held them out. “Here, come and get these.”
He ignored me.
I placed two fingers between my lips and whistled, loud.
Immediately he mimicked the whistle, then thankfully took to the air and swooped downward. He landed on my arm and instantly dipped his head to the seeds.
“You’re such a naughty boy,” I said, stroking his head and frowning at the ceiling. “You’ve made that vent loose.”
For once he was quiet and continued to eat his treat.
“How long have you been wiggling that without me noticing?” I tutted. I’d have to log it in the damage book and then fix it. It was a pain to carry the ladder all the way from the maintenance room. Perhaps Mateo or Anki would help me. It would have to be done soon, though. The air vents were a warren around the ship. If Magic got into the maze, goodness only knew where he’d end up. And if it was anywhere near the sleepers, Hurin would have a fit.
I placed Magic back into his cage and shut the door. “I think you’ve done enough damage for one morning,” I said. “You little monkey.”
“Little Monkey. Little Monkey.” He hopped from one foot to the other as if incredibly pleased with himself.
“Mmm.” I slipped into my pumps and left the room. It was time to meet Anki at the livestock pen and see to the goats.
The long corridors were silent. The only clue to the fact we were traveling at hyper-speed was when I looked through the porthole windows situated every twenty feet or so. Right now we were passing near a sunflower galaxy, and the closest stars, still light-years away, were throbbing so brightly it was as if they had a pulse. Occasionally I stopped and stared at the other worlds, but not this morning. My mind was elsewhere—Gavyn, the sleeper with the pyrexia, Magic’s destruction, and what Mateo had said about a threesome.
Eventually I arrived at the goat’s pod. Anki wasn’t there yet, which was unusual. He usually arrived a few minutes before me.
Dolly was bleating, her little pink tongue poking out at me.
“Okay, honey-pie, I’m here.” Quickly, I washed my hands then set to the task of milking her.
She nibbled on her grain, clearly relieved I’d arrived and she’d soon be more comfortable.
When I was about halfway through, Anki appeared.
His pale-brown Athion tunic was creased, which was also unusual, and his hair a little ruffled, as though he’d brushed it quickly and without checking in the mirror.
“Everything okay?” I asked.
“Yes, of course.” He ran his fingers through his fringe then snapped his tunic straight.
“Are you sure?” I continued to milk Dolly.
“I am sure.” He headed for the control panel and began scrolling through the various screens.
“What are you doing?” I called.
“Just the routine checks.”
I had a habit of doing the screen checks, and Anki knew that.
“Everything as it should be?” I asked after a minute.
“It is.” He turned and placed his hands on his hips. “Where shall I start?”
For a moment I studied this handsome alien of mine. His skin was so smooth and tight, his muscles evident even through his clothing, and his sexy eyes were arrowed in on me. I also knew just what he could do with his gorgeous body. I was teaching him everything I knew, and he was a fast learner, in and out of the bedroom.
“Why don’t you do the water first?”
He didn’t need me to tell him what to do. We were a team and could care for the goats in our sleep as long as nothing went wrong with their carefully monitored environment or they got sick.
“Will do.”
He set about checking each pen’s water capsule. I watched him move, thinking about what I’d said to Gavyn about caring for Mateo and Anki equally. I really did. It was true. Perhaps it was how a mother loved her children all the same. I wasn’t sure, but it felt nice. I had no conflicts there.
Anki was unusually quiet as we saw to the livestock. If I hadn’t known him so well I’d have put it down to him being tired, or just having a thoughtful, insular day, which we all did on occasion. Being on Equinox did that.
But not to Anki. He was constantly chatty and cheerful. This was out of character.
Eventually, as we washed up and were about to leave, I could stand it no more.
I slipped my arms around his waist, tugged him close, and looked up at his face. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“You can’t fool me.”
He pressed his lips in on themselves and glanced to the right.
“Anki?” I frowned. He had me worried. What wouldn’t Anki say to me? “You’re scaring me.”
Perhaps he’s changed his mind about being in a relationship with me.
“Yes.” He nodded.
“Yes? What does that mean?”
“Yes, it is scary.”
I swallowed, and a strange weakness attacked my knees. “You want to break up?”
“What? No.”
“Then what?”
“It’s scary to think about what could happen, on board Equinox.”
“Well, yes.” I ran my hands up his back then looped them around his neck. “But we knew what we were signing up for. Deep space is never going to be the safest place in the universe, but it’s safer than on Earth for me.”
He didn’t reply.
“What? I don’t know what you’re trying to tell me.”
He sighed. “Neither do I really. It’s just something Hurin told me has made me feel all out of…how do you say it…kilter.”
“Off kilter. And what did he say to you?”
“He told me about seventy-one, the human with the fever whose sleep has become lighter.
”
“Yes, I know about that, and so does Gavyn.”
He raised his eyebrows. “And it doesn’t concern the captain, or you for that matter?”
“Of course it does. His stats are wrong, and we have no idea why.”
“I think we should wake him.”
“Why?”
“So we can get to the bottom of it.”
“But we’re not even halfway through this mission, and without the authority to put someone back into hypersleep, we could face all kinds of disciplinary action.”
“Hurin could find a way to sign it off, so could Gavyn.”
“And if sleeper seventy-one is perfectly okay and we wake him, he’s going to be real mad about having to spend months mooching around here with us. That’s not what he agreed to. He wanted to close his eyes, open them, arrive on Planet Athion, no boredom, no problem.”
“He’ll be madder if he’s sick and needs attention.” Anki frowned.
It surprised me how strongly he felt about this. “I don’t think he is sick.”
His jaw tensed. “I want to go and see him. See his charts.”
“You do?”
“Yes.”
“But—”
“Hurin shouldn’t have told me about him if he didn’t want my opinion.”
I, too, wondered why Hurin had told Anki. When I’d first met them they hadn’t seen remotely close or even friendly. But maybe being the only two cognitive Athions on board, a relationship was forming between them—one of colleagues who were also buddies. It would do Hurin good to have that in his life. I worried he was too solitary.
“Okay, let’s go and see Julian Hunter. I don’t know what difference it will make, though.”
“Not a thing. But like you and Hurin, physiology is my thing, and surely the more people who are trying to figure out the problem the better.”
“I agree.” I went on my tiptoes and breezed my lips over his. “Come on then, let’s go.”
We navigated the corridors to the sleeper pod in silence. It was as if we were both lost in our thoughts.
Anki’s concern over the sleeper had me wondering what he wasn’t telling me. Did he have a niggle, a concern, an idea of what it could be that he was keeping to himself?
But what? Anki isn’t a doctor, he’s not even as qualified as I am.
I couldn’t reassure myself. Anki was a smart guy, who had knowledge and experience of the universe I didn’t. And it was clear something was yanking his chain.