Alien Adoration

by Jessica E. Subject

  All week she’d drifted off into space, wondering what Luke had planned for their date, and whether they would have another. Tonight, she would find out.

  During their trip to Allentown, Christine kept hinting to her that Luke might want a serious relationship, but she refused to get her hopes up. Two weeks since his last one-night stand could hardly mean he wanted a permanent girlfriend. He probably just needs a break after the long hours he put in this week at work. Either that, or he’d spent his evenings at another woman’s house before coming home.

  Her stomach twisted. No, she had to tuck those thoughts away. Tonight was about her and Luke. And he’d promised her more.

  She slipped on a silk thong, very aware of her hairless skin. Every brush of material left her ready to run next door, begging for him to take her. How am I going to last through dinner? Reaching into her closet, she lifted out the short, fitted green dress Christine had helped her pick out. She slid the stretchy material over her head and down her body. After tucking her boobs into the bodice, she glanced in the mirror, twisting to observe all angles. The Lycra hugged every curve, but left her with the ability to move. Maybe she could look like the women who frequented her neighbor’s house. She added some liner and mascara around her eyes and flavored gloss to her lips. As she dashed downstairs, her excitement built.

  She strapped on her heels then sat on the couch and waited. Come and get me, Luke Jones.

  ***

  Luke took a deep breath then rang the doorbell. Wiping his palms on his pants, he heard the click of her heels getting closer. He’d waited for this night for so long, too afraid of rejection to make it happen sooner.

  The door opened and he stumbled back. With a sharp inhale, he gripped the porch and stared. Rachel, the woman he’d asked out on Monday, had transformed herself into a radiant beauty, and he prayed to the far reaches of the universe she would be his. Beautiful before, she left him breathless, and his blood rushed straight to his cock. Her shorter hair exposed a long neck he wanted to taste, and her dress should be illegal, even more revealing than the outfit she’d worn when she fell in the river.

  “Hi.” She smiled, and her cheeks flushed. “Am I dressed okay for where we’re going?”

  “Perfect.” How could she be anything else? He lifted her chin to gaze into her stunning green eyes, a color he’d tried to emulate in his own, but never got quite right. “You look absolutely gorgeous.”

  Her cheeks reddened further. He longed to kiss her, press her against the solid oak behind her and taste her luscious pink lips.

  “So, where are we going for dinner?” She gazed up at him, her lips parted.

  He gulped. “My house.” And if they didn’t go now, she would likely be picking splinters out of her ass after he had his way with her in front of the entire neighborhood.

  She tilted her head then peeked next door. “I thought—”

  Fuck! “We can go to Chez Louis in Allentown if you’d like.” He should have planned differently. Rachel wasn’t like every other woman he had dated. With a dress more suited to a fancy restaurant, would she want to help him prepare a meal in his kitchen? He expected her to find it romantic to cook together. Shit. Overly anxious to spend the night with her, he hadn’t thought his plan through.

  She rubbed the back of his arm before sliding her fingers across his palm. “No, your place is fine. It’s more…intimate.”

  Her whispered last word revived his cock. If she wanted intimate, there was no better place than his home.

  Squeezing her hand, he took the first step down the walkway. “Let’s go then.”

  Without hesitation, she strolled along beside him. He felt her rapid pulse from her palm. Nerves? Or can she sense the electricity between us? Her emotions weren’t strong enough for him to read, but he definitely felt an increase in her responsiveness. Making and eating dinner without exploring everything under her glove-like dress would be a challenge. He longed to rip it off standing there in the driveway, and take her over his bike. The mental image left him groaning.

  He stopped at his front door. “Something wrong?”

  “No, I’m just really hungry.” For you.

  “Me, too.”

  He fumbled with the handle, and rested his arm behind her waist to guide her inside. A faint blue glow blanketed the entire house. Any other woman who’d been inside had the crystal flashing red. Did it approve of Rachel? He hoped so. He wanted no one more.

  Luke toured her around the main floor of his home and Rachel gawked with every turn. No way. Everything was clean lines, black leather furnishings in the living room, and stainless steel appliances, walnut cupboards, and granite countertops in the kitchen. She’d never expected the decor to be so contemporary.

  Except her bed, her house contained a mish-mash of used furniture neighbors had donated to help her replace the worn-out stuff left behind by her parents. After a year of working at the bank and paying off all of their debt save for the mortgage, she’d bought herself a new bed. It was the most expensive thing she owned, worth more than the rusty tin can on wheels she drove around when needed. She always woke up free of aches and pains, except for the nights when slamming doors and squealing tires startled her awake.

  Her stomach twisted. She came from nothing, couldn’t compete with any of his previous dates with their expensive sports cars and fancy clothes. The funds she’d used to buy the dress would take a month to replace, and that didn’t include the waxing, hair style, new shoes, or lingerie. She’d turned herself into someone else. Why had Luke even asked her out?

  “Can I kiss you?”

  She gazed up at him, caught off guard by his question. “What?”

  He smiled and ran his hand up and down her arm. “Can I kiss you? I don’t think I can make it through dinner if I don’t.”

  His dark green eyes, a shade away from black, captivated her. They were so intense and full of passion. All for the woman she’d transformed into to spend the night with him. She turned away. She couldn’t do it. God, she wanted to feel his lips on hers, to experience the thrill of the man of her fantasies making love to her, but it could never happen. Not like this. “Luke, this isn’t me. The dress, hair style, and even the lack of hair south of the border is not who I am. I can’t be one of those women who leave you in the middle of the night.”

  Would he back off, end their date before she had the chance to blink?

  No, he stepped closer, backing her into the counter, his groin pressing against her belly. He cupped the sides of her face and stared into her eyes, his gaze more focused than ever. “I told you, I don’t want those women. While I’m flattered you went through all that trouble for me, I’d still want to kiss you if you hadn’t. I’ve wanted you since I moved in.”

  His lips grazed hers, and she closed her eyes, forgetting all of her reasons to stop him.

  “I’ve just been too afraid.”

  Afraid? She didn’t have time to comprehend his whispered words. He kissed down her neck and along her jaw line. Then he claimed her mouth. Gripping the edge of his shirt, she lost herself in the thrill. Finally, she was locking lips with Luke Jones.

  He lined her lips with his tongue, and she opened to him, allowing his sweet invasion. He ran his hands down her arms then grabbed her hips, lifting her onto the counter. Desire flooded her every thought. She couldn’t stop him even if she wanted.

  Spreading her legs open, she allowed him to move between them. His hard shaft teased her core, every nerve in her body lighting up in response. She moaned. Yes.

  His hand slid past the top of her dress, cupping a breast. Just like in her fantasies. She threw her head back as he sucked on her pebbled tip. His tongue swirled and he ground against her. Wetness pooled between her thighs. For the first time ever, she would come before dinner.

  But as quick as the kiss had started, he backed away. She whimpered. No, don’t stop.

  The blue mood lighting blanketing his house when she’d arrived flashed red then rushed to purple an
d back to blue.

  What the hell is going on?

  “I’m sorry.” He lifted her off the counter then rushed to the cupboards on the other side of the kitchen, plucking food out. “I didn’t mean to go so far. You just tasted so…” He fixed his dark eyes on her. “It won’t happen again.”

  Yes, it has to.

  She gripped the granite behind her. What had she done to make him stop? Am I a really bad kisser? She’d never been told so before. Her past boyfriends had always said how much they liked what she did with her mouth. Maybe it’s something else he doesn’t like. She glanced down at her chest. Are my boobs too small?

  Oh God. She never should have agreed to the date. Whether she slept with him or not, she would only have one night with him. Past observations proved the fact, no matter how much he tried to convince her otherwise. Best leave now and keep her dignity intact. “I…I think I should go. I’m suddenly not feeling well.”

  “Please, don’t go.” He returned his attention to her, his slumped posture and sad eyes revealing a vulnerability she had never seen in him. “Maybe if you freshen up in the bathroom you’ll feel better.”

  He hurried over to her and took her hand. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just wanted to take things slow.” His thumb brushed along her cheek. “Will you at least stay for dinner?”

  Despite the apprehension tightening her chest and stomach, she nodded. “I guess.”

  “Good.” A brief smile. Then he guided her to the main floor bathroom.

  She ducked inside, needing to catch her breath. No way could she deny the zing of desire that swept through her body from his touch. But part of her blamed the sensation on his charm, his way of getting into her pants before he sent her packing at the end of the night.

  Staring at herself in the mirror, she blew out a deep breath. What am I going to do?

  ***

  The date was going to shit all because of his stupid orb. When he had Rachel on the counter, ready to take her, the orb glowed red, as if showing disapproval. Maybe he had moved too fast. In order to make her believe he wanted more than a one-night stand, he refused to fuck her on the first date. But when he’d backed off, the emotion radiating off her no longer matched his. He’d hurt her, exactly what he wanted to avoid.

  Across the table, Rachel forked the shrimp scampi and linguini on her plate, but very little made it into her mouth. She only sipped at the pinot grigio he’d been told would go well with the meal. So much for all his searching the web to find the ideal meal to make with a date. He’d prepared the entire dinner himself, wondering if she would ever come out of the bathroom.

  “Are you enjoying the meal?” He yearned to break the silence. She hadn’t said two words since she sat down at the dinner table.

  Her eyes met his. “I’m sorry. My stomach’s just a bit queasy tonight.”

  Guilt clutched his chest. How can I make things better? To let her go after finally working up the courage to ask her out would mean his defeat. And right now, nothing else mattered but making Rachel smile again.

  She set down her fork, and placed her napkin beside her plate. “I think it’s best I go home now.” Pushing her chair back, she stood then headed for the front door.

  He jumped to his feet and raced to catch up with her. “Let me walk you home.”

  He’d fucked up, been too tempted by her at the beginning of their date. He wouldn’t let the evening end with her upset. “Let’s do this again tomorrow night.”

  At the bottom of her steps, she turned around to face him. “You want to see me again?”

  Her hurt seemed to give way to something else, the emotion too ambiguous to read.

  “Of course.” He brushed his fingers along the back of her arm, enjoying the sensation he read from her. “I told you this wasn’t a one-time thing.”

  The corners of her mouth curved up into a slight smile. “Okay. A barbeque?”

  “Sounds great.” Anything to get out of the house and away from the orb. Plus, he wouldn’t have to look up another fancy recipe to impress her. Hanging out with the guys in his apprenticeship program, he’d learned some skills on the grill.

  Her cheeks reddened. “And maybe we could come back here for dessert?”

  Even better. “Sounds like a plan.” He leaned forward and kissed her cheek. Best not to push his luck. “Get some rest, feel better, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  He squeezed the back of her arm then walked away. If he stayed any longer, he would back her into her house and up to her bedroom. With the pain he’d caused her now gone, Rachel gave off waves of desire. He groaned, rushing back to his house. Inside, he changed into a pair of coveralls. He needed something to get his mind off her, and routine maintenance on his Harley would hopefully do the trick. He entered his garage, cranked up some old-school rock, and set to work.

  ***

  Bang. Bang. Bang.

  Rachel opened her eyes with a whimper. Who the hell is at the door so early in the morning? She slid out of bed then tromped down the stairs. Opening the front door, she frowned at Christine standing on her porch.

  “You are home,” her friend squealed. “So, tell me about your date. What’s Luke like in bed? Is he well hung?”

  “I just woke up.” She spun around and traipsed toward the back of the house. “Give me a few minutes to figure out who I am and what day this is.” Not only did she need a trip to the bathroom, but a strong cup of coffee wouldn’t hurt. She’d spent half the night staring at her neighbor from her bedroom window and trying to understand his actions. He continued to tinker away on his bike when she’d climbed into bed. And the dream had come. She’d been on the verge of learning the little alien’s name when she woke up. Had it been Luke finally going in for the night that had startled her? Too tired to care, she had rolled over onto her side and gone back to sleep. Only to be rudely awakened too damn early by her best friend.

  Christine followed her inside, leaning against the bathroom doorframe while she peed. No privacy at all.

  “So, did you guys do it? I need to know.”

  “No.” She flushed the toilet and washed her hands. “We didn’t have sex, so I have no idea what he’s like in bed.”

  “Bummer.” Christine plopped down at the kitchen table, resting her head in her hands. “Well, what did you guys do? Give me something.”

  She smiled, scooping grounds into the coffee filter. “We kissed…and a little bit more.”

  Her friend tapped her fingers against her mug, grinding on Rachel’s nerves. “And you stopped, didn’t you? You and your dreams of romance.”

  “I didn’t. He stopped.” He’d given her the fancy dinner, everything she thought she’d wanted. “Told me he wanted to take things slow.”

  Christine slapped her hands on the table, wearing a big grin, her eyes wide. “I told you he was ready to settle down. And you’re the lucky one he picked. How I wish I was in your place.”

  Yet, she’d run out on him, afraid she’d done something wrong. No way would she tell her friend that.

  “So, while you were with Luke last night, there was some interesting shit happening in town.”

  Always the gossip queen. “What happened now?” Nothing surprised her anymore in Hanton.

  “Our boss came home from work yesterday to find Dirk fucking his wife in the pool.”

  Her stomach twisted. Even though she no longer dated the jackass, she cringed at the thought she’d let him touch her. If she’d done more with him, who knows what diseases she might have contracted?

  “Bill ran back into the house to grab his shotgun and by the time he came back out, Dirk was flying over the fence, bare-assed. Bill got some of his cop buddies searching for him, but they couldn’t find the weasel or his car anywhere.”

  Christine stood and joined her at the counter, getting her own cup of coffee. “And Jenny Marshall has disappeared, too. I say good riddance to both of them.”

  As much as she hated to ask, she couldn’t help herself. She’d lived i
n the small town for too long. “What about Bill and his wife?”

  “Jackie claims he works long hours and doesn’t pay any attention to her, that she was just looking for affection. But we all know Bill slipped out the door every night at five to get home to her. What she was thinking, I have no idea. Bill and I both spent the night at Roy’s house, but who knows what’s going to happen today.”

  She gasped. “Roy’s? You’re doing the threesome thing now?” God, she needed to leave this town. Hanton would never bring her the happiness she craved. The worst part was, none of what Christine said proved to be big news. It had all happened to someone else before.

  “No, Bill slept on the couch. I only did Roy.”

  “You’re dating a cop now? When did this happen?”

  Christine spun around without spilling a drop, and giggled. “When I left the bank yesterday, he was writing up a ticket for the silly person who parked in front of the fire hydrant.”

  “You.” Her friend always parked there, no matter how many times she’d been warned not to. And the numerous citations never seemed to deter her either.

  Christine waved her hand in the air. “Doesn’t matter. Anyway, I convinced him not to write the ticket and to take me out for dinner. We’d just left the pub when Bill phoned him. Our fun was delayed a little bit.”

  “Wow, I’m going to have to start calling you Jenny Marshall.” Getting it on with someone else in the house? She would never have the nerve to do something so bold. Even after two years, it had been Luke who’d asked her out, not the other way around.

  “Not quite.” Christine elbowed her. “For one, I would never have dated Dirk. Sorry, but I told you that all along. And second, I don’t do guys who are already in committed relationships. There are plenty of single men around here willing to show me a good time. But to be honest, I think I’m going to keep Roy around for awhile.”