by M. A. Church
My body struggled to obey him. This ability he had to control his raging need amazed me. He was relentless in his quest to bring me pleasure, and that was unlike anything I had ever experienced with any other partner I'd ever been with. His every touch demonstrated his driving need to give me everything he had, to ensure I felt treasured. Even the way he looked at me screamed out that I was priceless in his eyes. It was an amazing and overwhelming feeling.
"Please." Begging, I thrust my hips up. "More. Use your fingers."
His tail eased out and I heard the top of the bowl that sat next to our bed slide off again. Keyno dipped his fingers in the liquid and slowly eased one in me. Whimpering, I pushed back against his finger, feeling wanton and needy as he moved in and out of my ass. Two fingers entered me, twisting and turning deep inside, searching for my hot spot. Finally they hit that nub, and pleasure flooded me. I twisted on the bed, my legs trying to jerk closed.
The smell of cloves enveloped the room, covering me. I was so close, just a little more pressure and I would come. A slight tickling drew my attention from what his fingers were doing inside me. I was enthralled—a thick strand of his hair gently caressed one of my knees. Then another strand lifted off his back to play with my other knee. Suddenly, the separate strands of his long white hair wrapped around both my knees, holding my legs open. His hair moved by itself like it had a mind of its own.
"Oh, oh... my God," I whispered.
Keyno purred loudly and grinned at me. Another thick strand wrapped around my length, jacking me off in time with the movements of his fingers. I moaned at the abrupt emptiness as his fingers slid out of me, but three well-lubed fingers thrust sharply back into my twitching hole. My head thrashed back and forth on the bed at the feeling.
"Wait," he warned.
His fingers curled, searching for my prostate. The hair wrapped around my legs tightened, keeping me open, while the thick strand around my cock jacked me faster.
"Need to come," I whimpered, the eroticism of what he was doing edging me closer to orgasm.
"Not yet." Keyno's meow echoed through the room.
He jerked his fingers free and his tail entered me in one long thrust, corkscrewing against my prostate. He knelt up and jerked off over me. His cock, as deeply tanned as the rest of him, was a little longer than mine, perfectly shaped with a fat head. It was beautiful, just like the rest of him, and watching him stroke it was more than I could take.
"Now... come now..."
I exploded with a hoarse grunt, catapulted into pleasure. Come splashed on my belly as he covered me in his. Keyno lowered himself back down on his haunches and ran his fingers through our come, mixing it together. I opened my mouth as his fingers teased my lips. Our combined taste was very sweet. Slowly, his hair released me and lay back down on his back.
After shocked-filled minutes, I managed to corral my thoughts. "Dear God, nowhere in my studies did it mention anything about what you can do with your hair. You have any more hidden tricks that I might need to know about?"
"Some things you're better off seeing than hearing." Grinning, he stood up and walked to the bathroom.
"So, anything else?" I asked as he returned with a washcloth to clean me.
"Well, actually there is something else." Keyno sat down on the bed next to me. "Give me your hand."
Gently he wrapped my hand around the base of his cock. A small, thick knot about the size of a dime nestled right at its base. Intrigued despite my slight revulsion, I rubbed my finger over it. Whatever it was had a rough texture.
"Do you feel that?"
"Yes." My voice was husky. "What is it?"
"It's my barb. It'll extend and swell when I come inside you, locking us together for a little while."
"Holy hell, does it hurt?" I goggled at his cock.
"Not unless I forcibly pull out, and I wouldn't do that without a damn good reason." Keyno was quick to reassure me, seeing the panicked look on my face. "Calm down. You'd be a little sore, not ripped to pieces. It only locks in place for a couple of minutes."
"Shit. Is there a chance I could end up with one of these?" I couldn't stop stroking my finger over it, and he ended up pulling my hand off of him with a soft growl and a smile.
"No idea. We truly have no idea what changes your body will go through." Keyno lay down next to me. "But I wanted you to know about my barb before I entered you. It can be rather surprising if you're unaware of it."
"I'll say. I was wondering why you didn't enter me."
"I will next time. There wasn't a good time to explain what would happen, so I waited. I didn't want to scare you."
"Thank you. I'm glad you told me, and that you waited. That could've been a real mood ruiner."
Keyno snorted as he pulled me into his arms and we lay down.
The next couple of days flew by much too quickly for me as the Harvest drew closer. The nausea finally stopped, but the headaches still came and went. What other changes were waiting to ambush me when I least expected it? The next day the Harvest was scheduled to start, and I'd been given strict orders to stay away from levels fifteen through twenty. This was where the new mates were going to be kept.
Keyno and I were in the Rec Room early that morning. He was teaching me to use a popular fighting weapon on their planet.
"Can we take a break?" I grumbled. "I'm tired of being thrown around the room."
"You're just mad you haven't bested me yet." Keyno grinned, offering me a towel. "You said the hast is similar to your nunchakus."
"Well, yeah, I just don't have your strength. So every time you get your hands on me, I go flying." I flopped down on the floor to rest as he stretched out beside me.
"Maybe so, but I'm the one that's going to end up with a few bruises." Keyno laughed. "Besides, I like having my hands on you."
I blushed at his words. He had used every excuse to touch me he could find. And... I had enjoyed it. I'd managed to slip under his guard a few times, and landed a few good hits. I hadn't realized I was stronger now than I was before all these changes started.
"I'm sorry. You should've warned me that my strength would increase."
"Don't worry about it, Dale. I'll run by Dosstkal—that's our medical center—and have them treated." With a gentle pat to my knee, he crossed his arms behind his head. "So, what do Chad and you have planned for the rest of the day?"
"Nothing much. He wants to show me the Astrophysicists' Lab and some other stations. We'll probably eat lunch and then maybe go to the Optical Rec Room." This room could recreate scenery or just about anything else. Chad wanted to show me what the Tah'Narians' planet looked like.
"I'm going to be busy for the rest of the afternoon. It'll be late before I get back to our quarters." Keyno stood, offered me his hand to help me up, and we headed back to our quarters to shower.
"Why don't you go take a shower while I fix us something to eat?" Keyno moved toward the kitchen.
I showered quickly and just sat down when he served our breakfast. Keyno had about an hour before he started his duty shift. We ate, and then he went to get ready.
"Buzz me when you return to our quarters so I'll know you're back." Keyno quickly kissed me as he headed out. "I'll be back by midnight."
"Okay."
Chad showed up shortly after Keyno left for duty. There were areas I hadn't visited on the ship, and I wanted to explore. One of my favorite areas was the Botany Lab. My interest in exotic plants surprised me, and the lab had samples from all the planets they had visited. Several hours later, we ate lunch and decided to visit the retail shops on level thirty. I had dinner with Chad in the Lounge, where several other mates joined us. By eleven that night I was back in our quarters. Shortly before midnight, Keyno returned, looking exhausted. Wordlessly, I pulled the covers back as he eased into bed next to me. Wrapping that big body around mine, he held me close as we slid into sleep. Several thousand crew members would be leaving in the morning to oversee the Harvest. Tomorrow would be a long day for everyo
ne involved.
I didn't hear from Keyno during the Harvest. Chad and I kept ourselves busy most of the day while we waited for everyone to return. Late in the day an all-call went out through the ship warning that the Harvest was concluded and transport ships would be arriving shortly. Again, the warning that only ship personnel were allowed in areas fifteen through twenty went out.
"Now the fun really starts," Chad said quietly.
"Fun isn't how I'd describe it," I snapped. "There's nothing fun about this, dammit."
"Exactly. The next twenty-four hours are going to be gruesome." Chad took a deep breath. "This isn't easy on anyone, Dale."
"Yeah well, it's less easy on some than on others."
"Look, I know you have a huge problem with this. I'm not going to debate the issue with you, but when Keyno finally manages to get a break, take a minute and look at him. Can you just do that?"
I returned to our quarters to wait for Keyno. I decided to study; their written language would take several hours for me to cover. I must've fallen asleep because the next thing I knew Keyno was shaking me awake.
"Dale? Dale, come on, wake up."
"Hey." I yawned as he slipped the headphones off me. "Are you just getting back?"
"Yes. I need to sleep for a couple of hours before returning to duty." He held his hand out to me. "I just wanted to hold you for a while."
As I let him pull me up, I remembered what Chad had said about really looking at him, and I finally understood what he meant. Keyno looked awful. His body was so tense I could see ridges in his muscles. He had dark circles under his eyes, and he was growling softly. His shoulders were slumped, and his tail swished restlessly. He had such an air of melancholy around him.
"Go lie down on the bed. I'll be right back." I had an idea, one I thought he'd like if I could get him to cooperate.
"Dammit, Dale..." Keyno sighed, moving toward the bed. "What are you doing?"
When I walked back to the bedroom, he was face down on the bed. The only thing he had removed was his shirt. Almost perfect.
"Take your pants off. You'll rest better without them." I climbed onto the bed and managed to get his boots and socks off.
Without a word he removed them and lay back down, leaving him in just his silky boxer-like underwear. I quickly straddled his hips and poured lotion on his back. Before he could say anything, I started the massage, working at the hard knots.
"Mmm. Gods, that's feels so damn good," Keyno moaned. "But it's my duty—"
"Hush. Let me take care of you, just once." I dug into an especially tight knot at the base of his neck. The low growling he'd been doing when he first entered our quarters was slowly changing into soft purrs.
"Did something happen today?" I spread more lotion on him, wanting him to talk about whatever was bothering him.
"We've never had such an aggressive group before. There are about thirty males that refuse to adapt. I'm worried they'll never adapt." Keyno's voice drifted.
"There's something else, isn't there?"
"Yes. Remember my Chief Medical Officer, Doc? He requested a certain mate. The young male finished his medical degree and had been practicing about a year." Keyno sighed. "They are a perfect match."
"So what's wrong?"
"The human is scared out of his mind—won't even speak. He panics whenever one of us moves toward him, and fights us. He refuses to eat or drink. He's one of the more severe cases. I had him moved into Doc's private quarters hoping a one-on-one atmosphere would help calm him."
"Maybe Chad and I could try to talk to him, if he's that afraid," I whispered. What he was describing was the actions of a trapped animal. Why couldn't these Tah'Narians see that? I seriously doubt moving this guy would help, either. It certainly hadn't reassured me to wake up and find myself in a damn bed. These aliens needed sensitivity training in the worst way. I kept working at the knots in Keyno's back and neck. He was almost asleep.
"Maybe..."
Within minutes, Keyno was face down and snoring with me sitting on his hips. Mission accomplished, although I was surprised he allowed me to care for him in such a manner. They made such a big deal of taking care of their mates. I eased off him, intending to get up, when a strand of his hair gently wrapped around my arm. The strand was loose around my bicep, and moved up and down almost like it was caressing me. Even in his sleep, he searches for me.
Sighing, I set the alarm to go off in a couple of hours. I petted him, listening to his purrs while he slept, and I kicked an idea around in my head. There wasn't much I could do about the unrest with all the new mates, but one scared human was something I thought I could handle.
Chapter Seven
Keyno was up and gone before I got up the next morning. I quickly fixed myself something to eat and buzzed Chad. After about five minutes of fast talking on my part, he finally agreed with my plan. He also made it clear that if we got in trouble for this, he was putting the blame on me. Almost an hour later, we were both on our way to Doc's private quarters.
"I'm not kidding, Dale," Chad warned. "If we get in trouble for this, I'm throwing you to the wolves—in this case, Keyno."
"Damn, will you stop acting like such a wimp?" I smirked.
"What did you just—? You did not just call me a—" Chad gasped.
"Yes, I did, and if you don't stop acting like one, I'll call you that again."
Chad raised his hand, acting like he was going to punch me on the arm—something he'd done a million times before—and then froze. Slowly, he lowered his arm.
I raised an eyebrow at him. "What the hell was that about?"
Chad shook his head. "Ah, nothing... nothing. Oh, goodie, look, we're here. Tell you what, you buzz Doc."
"What the hell's up with you?" I asked again. I knew I'd just missed something, something very important. I wanted to know what.
"I said 'nothing'," Chad griped, but I noticed he avoided my eyes.
"Yeah, right." I buzzed for permission to enter Doc's quarters. I planned to come back to what had just happened, and real soon. What the hell? Why is he all of a sudden acting like he's afraid to hit me like he's done half our lives?
"Dale?" Doc's voice came through a speaker next to the sliding door.
"Um, yeah. Can we enter?" I shifted from foot to foot.
"We? Who else is with you?"
"It's just Chad and me."
"Enter." Doc granted us permission and the door slid open. When Chad and I walked in, immediately I saw that his quarters weren't as large as mine and Keyno's. Doc looked very tired and defeated... and concerned. Quickly, I told him of my conversation with Keyno, and my decision to try and help.
"Do you have permission to be here?" Doc moved restlessly around his quarters.
"Well, let's just say I was not told I couldn't come here," I hedged, not really wanting to answer that.
"I should buzz your mate and have you both escorted back to your quarters," Doc declared, catching what I was not saying loud and clear. "Instead... instead, I'm going to cover as best I can when Keyno finds out. Gods, I'm that desperate."
"Can we talk to him?" I asked. "Maybe if he spoke to someone who's been through this, it would help."
"I don't see what it could hurt. He hasn't had any liquids since he arrived, and who knows when he last ate. I'm worried." Doc sighed. "If I enter the room where he is, he cringes. The longer I stay, the more he panics. I understand why, but it still worries me. He won't speak to me. Maybe if he sees you and Chad, that would help calm him. His name is John."
Chad and I entered the bedroom, and a guy was huddled in the bed. That certainly brought back some uncomfortable memories of my own. Why these Tah'Narians thought plopping us down in their beds was a good idea was beyond me. John was definitely a cutie, with his messy auburn hair and soft, big blue eyes. Those eyes widened even more when we entered the room. Doc introduced us, and then quickly left.
"Hey John, can we come in? We're not going to hurt you, I promise. My name's Dale. My mat
e is Keyno. This is Chad, and his mate is Gibor."
I spent several minutes telling John about myself, how I came to be here, and about what was wrong with me when I had been harvested. I left the part out about how I was harvested under age. There was no point in bringing that up. John leaned forward, eyebrows slightly puckered as I spoke. That let me know the doctor in him was listening, at least. Mainly I wanted him to know that he was safe, and that he wouldn't be hurt.
Chad joined in, explaining who he was and who his mate was. Never once did John speak a word to us, but his body relaxed and his muscles unclenched. I was making some headway.
Then Keyno arrived.
"The shit's going to hit the fan now," Chad whispered to me.
Keyno entered the room and glared at me, his hands on his hips. No doubt about it, he looked imposing. I introduced John to Keyno. Keyno immediately softened his posture when he noticed the whimpers coming from John, who clutched the sheet while frantically glancing back and forth between Keyno and me.
"Dale, I thought I told you to stay away from levels—"
"Yeah, but I thought—"
Chad jumped in the middle of the conversation. "Um, Keyno... see, here's the deal. Dale thought we could help John. Dale commed me this morning. And, and... well. He said that you said that John wasn't doing too well, and he thought... I meant we thought... well, maybe..." Chad hemmed and hawed.
While Chad tried to explain what we were doing here, I moved a little closer to John. "Did I mention I have a nickname?" I wanted him to focus on me, and not the conversation between Keyno and Chad.
Slowly, John shook his head.
"You're going to hear it any minute now." Chad was losing the discussion with Keyno.
"Hold on—wait for it," I smiled at John. About that time, Chad admitted that this was all my idea, while Doc tried to defend me.
"Dammit, Dale," Keyno growled.
"And there we go—my nickname!" I shouted, as though yanking a rabbit from a top hat. John looked at me in utter shock. I gave him a bland smile in return and jerked a thumb at Keyno. "Most of his sentences start that way when I'm in the room."