He was tentative at first but proved to be a quick learner and eager to please. The first time was pleasant enough but failed to produce an orgasm on my part. It was over too soon. After he'd recovered a bit we lay side by side while he expounded enthusiastically and at length over what a wonderful thing sex was. Finally I gently put my hand over his mouth.
"Gordon, dear, there's such a thing as being too analytical. Now let's try it again, slower, and if you can, use your perceptive sense or whatever else it takes to make it last a while."
"Of course. I'll try.” He was aware that I hadn't climaxed but had mistakenly attributed it to the fact that we weren't in love or really even very close in a sexual way.
"Good. And Gordon ... try not to think of just yourself."
He was silent for a moment, considering that, then said, “I'm sorry,” very contritely.
"You don't have to be sorry, but just remember it takes two to really make it work right.” I moved into his arms again and he immediately tried to enter me.
"Oops, not just yet!” I said and laughed. He was like a puppy, so eager to please it was funny. “Don't ever get in a hurry unless the woman encourages you. You'll never go wrong by taking the time for a bit of foreplay even if you've already made love once."
I had already discussed a woman's erogenous zones with him and now I showed him in person. Of course he'd read more about the mechanics of sex than just about any man on Earth or off it, but it's like flying; you have to do it a lot to get really good at it. However, he accepted advice willingly and adeptly. I had no complaint the second time, once we got there. It went on and on, and I felt the sense of impending release singing in my body. Then it was there and I screamed loud enough to wake the neighbors. It's a good thing the rooms are built to be airtight and strong enough to handle vacuum or I would probably have been too embarrassed to show my face the next day.
"And this,” I told him later on as I slid down the bed, “is something you don't generally ask a woman for unless you're getting along really well. Of course, some may initiate it without asking, but as a rule, you don't ask.” I proceeded to show him what I meant.
He gasped, then managed to ask, “Why?"
But as my mouth was a little busy, I couldn't answer him just then, although I did later as best as I was able. I don't think either of us slept that whole night. It was quite an experience. I hadn't been with a virgin since my first boyfriend and I learned together.
Unfortunately, as enjoyable as the teaching was, I still had Juan on my mind. Not that I'd tell him about this night, though. If there was a spark there with Gordon, it wasn't lighting anything yet. Or maybe it was, but if so, I could see it was going to be a while before it burst into flame. In the meantime, I told him he had graduated and could get out into the world, so to speak.
After I was caught up at the office and had a bit of time to spare, I called Juan to see what he was up to. There definitely was a sexual overtone to my wish for his company.
"Hi, Mai. Still tutoring our Crispy?"
"A bit, but he's mostly on his own now. You'll see him out and about."
"So you won't be working with him any more?"
"Oh, no. We'll still be seeing each other a lot but I've given him the goal now of getting out on his own and mixing with other people and just reporting back to me. You'll probably be working with him yourself eventually because right now he's on a tour of the ship, spending a few days in each section and getting to know everyone. I want him to mix as much as possible with all types of humans because he's going to be our chief liaison with the Crispies if we find them."
"Oh. Okay with me. What ... I mean, would you like to, uh, maybe meet me in the lounge one evening for a drink?"
Yes, I'd love to, but I didn't say that. Instead I said, “How about this evening? Are you free then?” Well, maybe it was the same, just in different words.
"Uh-huh. Seven okay?"
"Sure. See you then."
Sometimes I think women are crazy. Here I had this All-American male—from another planet, granted—who I was sure would love nothing better than to take me to bed on a regular basis. But what was I doing? I was panting like a hungry puppy after Juan, an army sergeant with probably a limited education and not much life experience away from the military. Which shows how silly preconceptions can be.
* * * *
I took a shower and changed from my working costume of jeans and a pullover to casual slacks and blouse and dabbed on a bit of my limited supply of perfume before heading toward the lounge.
Juan was already there but had waited on me before getting anything to drink. Courteous. His face brightened when he saw me and I gave him a big smile that I didn't have to force. I was really glad to see him again, sexual feelings aside. We had connected on some level right from the first and that was what was dictating my feelings. The psychologists say we like even features in the opposite sex and I suppose there's some truth to it, but there's more to attraction than that. With Juan it had been his no-nonsense attitude and competency as much as his looks that had first impressed me.
He stood up and held out his hand as I neared. I took it and could practically feel the electricity between us.
"Hi!” I said, and without even thinking about it, leaned forward and pecked him on the mouth.
He grinned. “Hi, Mai. You look good."
"Thanks, but call me Cherry. What are we drinking?"
"Do you like whisky?"
A man after my own heart. “Uh-huh, but does the ship still have any?"
"A very limited amount so I heard, but I brought one bottle of Jack Daniels Black Label along. I thought this might be a good time to crack it open. Mix or water?"
"Just lots of ice."
"Be right back."
He rose and fetched glasses and ice, then returned and poured whisky over our ice cubes and replaced the bottle in a little handbag he carried. When he saw my eyes following the bottle he smiled.
"If I set it on the table we'd draw lots of curious looks once the crowd gets here. And since I'm a generous soul, I'd probably give it all away once people saw it and started asking."
I laughed and we talked a few moments, then I commented on his scar. He was wearing jeans and a long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves rolled up almost to his elbows. The scar began near his wrist and wrapped around his arm and ran up beneath his shirt sleeve. I reached over and ran my finger along it.
He glanced down, then back up to meet my gaze.
"What happened there?” I asked softly.
"Got too close to a knife once."
"Where was that?"
"Uh, a place. Sorry."
"Can't talk about it?” Me and my big mouth.
"No. In fact, I regret that there's a lot of my life I can't talk about. Penalty for being in SOCOM."
"Special Forces Command, I take it?"
"Uh-huh."
"What led you there?"
"Hormones and stupidity, probably.” He shrugged negligently.
That got a chuckle out of me. “Did you go in right after high school?"
"No, I had a degree in physics but I decided to play soldier and save enough money to go on to graduate school."
See what I meant about preconceptions?
"Have you got enough money to go back to school yet?"
"Oh sure. The army pays pretty well for enlistments and most places I've been there wasn't a lot to spend money on."
"Then you'll be getting out when we come back, huh?"
"No, I'm going to stay in the army. I found out I liked being a soldier."
And see what I mean about silly assumptions?
I was curious. “It seems like with a degree and your experience you could probably get a commission. Any reason why not?"
"Umm. I've been thinking about it. In fact, I've been asked by higher ups. I was still thinking during that break with the training command but hadn't made up my mind. I was already on a fast track for Warrant Officer and wasn't really
sure I wanted a commission. It sort of limits you in some ways. Can't go around tearing up bars, and have to learn to dance, and what all. Can't be getting into fights."
"Do you fight a lot?"
"Nah, rarely if ever. But I couldn't if I wanted to, see?"
I got it. He was gently pulling my leg.
We talked a bit more. He asked if I'd ever been married and I did the same for him.
"I was engaged. She couldn't stand the constant deployments. No, that's not right. What bugged her was that I wouldn't talk about them."
"Women like to be involved with a man's life if they're going to marry him."
"I suppose. Anyway, that's what happened. What's your story?"
We had another drink while I made dishonest excuses about still being single. Even if he was smarter and more knowledgeable than I had assumed, I still wasn't going to give him any hints about my I.Q. We bantered back and forth like men and women will on first dates, then when he reached for the bottle again I saw some eyes turned our way.
"People are watching the bottle. Why don't we take it back to my place and have another?” I said without stopping to think about it.
"Okay."
As we rounded the last corner I saw Gene just turning away from my door. He glanced at us and took note of the way my hand was entwined with Juan's by that time. He merely smiled and nodded as he passed, but I could tell he was disappointed.
Bringing the bottle to the room was just an excuse, of course. It was more than another drink I wanted, but we had one nevertheless. A little later I leaned my head on his shoulder momentarily while laughing at something he'd said and that led to us turning and facing each other. His big brown eyes were enough to get lost in but I didn't look at them very long. He put his arm around me and drew me to him. Our lips met, softly at first then more eagerly.
Juan was nice. He didn't grab for my breast right off like a lot of men do but took his time, stroking my back and moving his hands over the curve of my hip and to my back again. We grew closer and eventually he did begin caressing my breasts but by then I was ready to move to the bedroom. I leaned back and he saw the desire in my eyes. He stood up, bringing me with him by my grasp on his arm. I could feel the corded muscles beneath my fingers and it sent a thrill through me.
There were no more words right then, or if there were, I don't remember them. We walked the few steps to the bedroom, kissed one more time, then got undressed. I threw back the covers and practically wrestled him onto the bed. Seconds later I was in his arms and his hands and lips were moving over my body, caressing me with the kind of gentle firmness I loved. I embraced him tightly and urged him over me then guided him inside. A little gasp escaped me as we connected and his weight settled on me. I locked my legs around him and gripped his back as he moved inside me. It took very little time until he had me screaming with pleasure. God, it was so good to feel that release again. A little too good, maybe. I heard him cry out and realized I'd forgotten how strong I was.
While I still had my arms and legs around him and after I had settled down enough to be able to talk again, I moved my hands over his back and buttocks. I could feel the little ridges where my fingers had dug into his skin and where I'd grabbed him so hard.
"I'm sorry,” I said. “I forgot I was...” And then I stopped, having forgotten I hadn't intended to tell anyone what Sira had done for me.
"It's all right. I know."
I smoothed a path of circles on his back and ran my bare foot up and down his calf. “What do you know, Juan? I haven't told anyone."
He laughed and kissed me gently. His face was shadowed in the dimmed lights. “I'm not a dummy. Remember, I had you in the training course. I noticed how easily you accomplished tasks that should have been much harder. Besides that, I'd heard rumors of how much stronger than normal one of our Special Forces guys was. I was already primed to see the unusual."
"Um. Did I hurt you?"
"'S okay. It hurt so good. But don't you know it's the man who's supposed to ask that?"
I bit him on the neck, but gently.
"Seriously, Cherry, it's all right. I'd be interested to see just exactly how strong you are sometime but not now. Am I getting heavy?"
"No, but let me up for a minute."
I kissed him and went to the bathroom and tossed a hand towel out to him while I took care of myself inside. I came back out and snuggled up to him. It was so good to be in bed with a man I really liked again. It had been a long time.
I guess it might have been a while for Juan, too. He didn't leave until an hour or two before first bells. We made love three more times that night and I lost my last assumptions about rude crude soldiers during the process. Casanova could take lessons from that boy!
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CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Shipboard life was a curious blend of military and civilian. We were all under military discipline of course, and that entailed all the little courtesies and formality the captain enforced but he wasn't harsh about either. As long as the civilian crew observed the necessary restrictions of shipboard life they were pretty well free to do as they pleased. The military was much more structured, with specific times for duty and non-duty, and regulations governed almost every aspect of their lives even though it wasn't usually apparent. I understood it because I had been in the military, but others didn't and that occasionally caused some friction, but not enough to matter.
I continued seeing Juan, much to Gene's aggravation. I suppose he might have thought those few kisses I exchanged with him meant more than they did. One day he joined me for a few minutes in the dining room at lunch after I'd already sat down.
"Hi Gene,” I greeted him. “You've been kind of scarce lately."
"Not really. I think it's you that's been tied up and not noticed I was around."
"Maybe.” I felt my cheeks tingle from a blush although I don't know why. I had nothing to be ashamed of. “So how goes it with you? Still solving problems?"
"Uh-huh. In fact one of them has to do with our Crispy. Gordon."
"Oh?"
"Uh-huh. There's a certain young lady who's not pulling her weight in the ship right now because of him."
"What's her problem?” I could guess but I wanted him to tell me.
"She's heart-broken."
"I can't help you there, Gene. She's gonna have to deal with it."
"Okay, but when's the last time you talked to Gordon?"
I felt the tingling return and begin creeping down my neck. I tried to think ... “Uh, about four or five days, I think."
"And before then?"
"What is this, an inquisition?” I was beginning to figure out his purpose and it aggravated me.
"No, Mai,” he said gently. “It's just that you're the person more than anyone else on the ship who's responsible for Gordon. Shouldn't you be spending just a little more time with him?"
My anger died as quickly as it had begun. Gene was right. I had been so wrapped up with Juan I had been neglecting my duty.
"Um, I suppose you're right, Gene, damn you. I'll talk to Gordon."
"Fine. Remember, while chances are we won't find the Cresperian planet, there's always the possibility, and it wouldn't hurt to have Gordon happy if we do."
"Thanks."
He nodded and stood up, then walked off leaving me sitting at the table alone and wondering if Captain Becker had sent Gene to chide me in his worldly, inimitable manner. If so, he'd done a good job. I got back to business.
That didn't mean I quit seeing Juan. If he hadn't had a platoon to take care of we would have moved in together. Once we hooked up I hated to see him have to get up and leave my bed before the night was done but there wasn't much to do about it.
I did talk to Gordon about his love life, or rather brought it up in the course of another conversation so he wouldn't think I was intrusive.
He grinned like a teenager. “My fellow Crispies are missing out on the best part of life, Mai. I couldn't
judge before experiencing it, but sex is something that's completely outside the bounds of Cresperian understanding. My fellows have no idea of what they've been deprived of."
"They aren't your fellows, Gordon. You're human, now. By choice."
He frowned. “You're right, of course. I am human, with all that entails, but along with it, I'm a Cresperian by birth and I still retain my perceptive sense.” He stared into space for a moment as if musing. “I wonder what it would be like to have a Crispy who's converted to human to share this with, merging our perceptive senses as our bodies merged. I believe it would be an even more intense experience."
"Really? And just how much more intense could it get?"
"I'm sorry. Without the perceptive sense you can't understand. It would be...” He stopped, nonplussed. “Hmm. Perhaps you're right. I don't know how it could get much better."
I nodded. “Crispies can't understand our type of sexual experience unless they become human. Perhaps it might be even more intense shared by two converts, but let's leave that for now.” I paused, then let him have it. “Gordon, you need to be ... considerate of your partners."
"Just so. Mai, I'm sorry about Midge. I didn't intend for her to become so involved."
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about, Gordon. If you're not looking for a permanent partner right now, it would be best to let a woman know in advance."
"Yes, I see that now. Trust me, I'll be careful in the future."
And he was. He didn't lack for sexual partners if only for the novelty, but nothing like that ever came up again. Nothing I heard about, anyway, so I didn't ask.
There were other issues that did come to my attention, though. Fortunately, even if he did look like a very young man he didn't think like one. He didn't see things in black and white like a human youth would have. He had a long lifetime of Crispy experience to guide him and he retained all those memories. On the other hand, he tended to be impatient and vexed when someone offered an opinion that was at odds with what he believed. And since he had a wealth of knowledge to draw on, and with his blinding reading speed and eidetic memory, he was almost always right. I had to call him to my office one day to remonstrate with him after an argument with one of the ship's officers.
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