Frost Fire

by Emma Layne

  “So you’ve never heard of an alien taking over a host?”

  “No species comes to mind, but it doesn’t mean there isn’t a possibility.”

  “It might not happen in space, but it occurs on our planet. Not with humans of course, but in the animal kingdom.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, in my freshman biology class, one of my professors did a Halloween presentation on bizarre phenomenon in the natural world. He told us about a jewel wasp which injects cockroaches with a neurotoxin, turning them into zombie slaves.”

  “And a zombie is…?” It must be one of those pesky cultural references.

  “A supposedly supernatural creature which is somewhere between dead and alive. We make movies where these dimwitted, shuffling creatures attack humans and eat their brains.”

  “It sounds gruesome.”

  “Oh, trust me, you don’t even know. Anyway, the wasp makes the cockroaches watch over its larvae, and feed them when they hatch.”

  “Feed them what?”

  “Itself.”

  That is repulsive. “Please don’t tell me any more.” This was the stuff of nightmares, and Blaze had an awful feeling he wouldn’t be able to get the images out of his head.

  “I won’t.” She giggled, and he was grateful to see her smile. Blaze couldn’t stand to see her in pain, and she was clearly troubled.

  “Can you check for me? I know it’s an extremely remote possibility, but I want to rule it out, so I don’t do anything hasty, like you said.”

  “Yes, but I need to consult with someone else. Do you trust me to get to the bottom of this?”

  She thought it over for a moment. “Yes, I do, and can I ask another favor?”

  “Yes, you may.”

  “Will you meet her, and tell me what you think?”

  “You want me to meet your mother?” Blaze had never met any of his paramour’s family members. He’d always been there secret lover, a source of embarrassment, and scandalous pleasure.

  “Yes, but not like that. I want you to evaluate her.”

  “To see if she’s harboring a secret alien in her chest cavity?”

  “Yes.”

  He sighed. “All right, I’ll go with you, but you owe me.”

  Blaze wagged an admonishing finger, acting as though the quest she’d sent him on was a burden when in actuality, he was pleased she’d come to him for help. He had a strong urge to protect her, see to her needs, and make sure Molly was safe and happy.

  “I’m not going to sleep with you because you agreed to help me.”

  “Wait until you’ve been propositioned, to turn a man down.” Even though he was dying to take things further with her. “Never let it be said Blaze refused to come to the aid of a damsel in distress.” He kissed the back of her hand. “I’m at your disposal, dove.”

  “Thank you, kind sir.”

  He placed a fingertip beneath her chin and lifted it.

  “I promise you, Molly, if she’s been affected, I’ll do everything in my power to save her. Do you believe me?”

  “Yes, I do.” Molly took a deep breath before exhaling, and the tension leaked from her body.

  “Then try not to think on it anymore tonight, you need your rest.”

  “Will you stay with me a while? I could use some company.”

  “My pleasure.” Blaze could think of nothing he’d rather do than devote his time to her. “Would you like some hot buttered rum?” A drink might help her unwind even more.

  “Yes, please.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  In a few moments, Blaze returned with two glasses. She took a sip, and drew her legs to her chest, settling back in the chair.

  Blaze was distracted by her bare legs, peeking out from beneath a chaste white nightgown. He thought about lifting the hem slowly, kissing every millimeter of bared flesh, working his way up until he reached her inner thighs.

  Before Blaze could stop himself, he leaned over and captured her mouth, in a quick kiss. She opened for him, letting him in. When he withdrew, her eyes were glassy, and the pupils were blown with desire.

  “Do you mind if we talk about something else? I need a distraction.”

  “I’d be happy to provide one, dove.”

  She cleared her throat. “Earlier, when we were talking, I wasn’t quite honest with you.”

  “Honest about what? You’ll have to be more specific.”

  She flushed. “When we were discussing sex the other night, and you were massaging me.”

  “Do go on, you have my undivided attention.”

  The sexual tension was thick between them, a torpor which wouldn’t be denied.

  “I do enjoy sex.” She bit her lip. “While I haven’t been with anyone in a while, I take care of matters myself.”

  “This conversation gets more and more fascinating. Please continue.” Blaze propped his chin on one hand, giving Molly his undivided attention.

  “Sometimes, after I’ve had a long day, I touch myself to relax.” As Molly spoke, she grew more and more flustered, the blush on her cheeks deepening into a rich crimson. Blaze longed to touch her cheek, feel the heat in his palm. However, he had to play this very carefully.

  “I don’t understand, perhaps you should demonstrate.”

  Her nostrils flared. “You do understand.”

  “All right, I admit it, you caught me, I was angling for a show. A man can dream, can he not?”

  Her eyelids fluttered closed. “And sometimes, when I stroke myself, I think about…”

  She trailed off, and he couldn’t bear it—Blaze had to know more.

  “Think about what?”

  “You.” Molly met his gaze.

  Blaze sucked in a breath as both of his cocks hardened.

  “And what do you fantasize about?”

  “Touching you.” Her voice was husky, strained.

  “Would you like to?”

  “What?”

  “Caress me. Right here. Right now.”

  Molly didn’t immediately respond, and the offer hung there, unanswered, as she pondered it. Blaze knew better than to rush her, she was so skittish.

  “Yes.” It was the barest whisper, but all the invitation he needed.

  “Come here.” Molly stood and swayed toward him. Blaze gripped her wrist and tugged her close.

  “What do you have on beneath that voluminous gown?”

  “Nothing.”

  Blaze groaned.

  “I want to touch you again, but I’m not sure…”

  “If you’d like me to return the favor?”

  She nodded. “I want to be in control this time.”

  “Your terms are acceptable.” He wouldn’t let anything stand in his way.

  And then Molly was on his lap, straddling his leg, lifting her nightgown and he could feel the warmth of her sex through his jeans, heating the denim.

  “There you go, my dove, take your pleasure from me.”

  Her knees sank into the seat cushions as she glided up and down the length of his thigh. Molly braced her hands on his shoulders and touched her forehead to his.

  This was sweet torture, he could feel her, but couldn’t touch.

  “At least let me see you. Please don’t keep such beauty from me.”

  With hesitant fingers, she undid the long line of buttons at her throat, ever so slowly exposing her creamy pale skin to his avid gaze. The firelight flickered over her body, creating a blend of light and shadow.

  She parted the edges of her nightgown. Despite her deceptively slender frame, Molly had large breasts with big areola, and stiff pinkish-tan nipples he longed to suck.

  Blaze licked his lips. One day very soon he’d get his mouth on those. He’d suck each nipple, rim them with his teeth and bite them gently. He’d weigh her big tits in his hands, feel their soft plushness and then Blaze would slide his cock between them. Blaze imagined anointing the pale globes with his seed, seeing it drip down, coating her nipples.

  Biting her lip, M
olly moved on him, sliding up, arching against his thigh, faster and faster. Her breasts bounced in time to her movements.

  She was truly a sight to behold.

  He was mesmerized by the gentle shake. His cocks hardened further, straining against the tight fabric, as though ready to burst through their cloth prison. Blaze ached to touch himself, to ease the burden, but he promised her he’d remain still.

  Blaze gritted his teeth and kept his hands welded to the arms of the chair. He refused to abuse her trust, even if he perished from want.

  This was an exercise in abject suffering.

  All he could do now was watch and wait.

  The heat of her ripe quim warmed his thigh. Perhaps it was a cheat, but he captured some of her wetness with the tip of his fingers, and brought it to his mouth, tasting the salty sweetness of her.

  Blaze wanted to bury his mouth between her thighs and lick her, ravish her with kisses, part the folds, and see every inch of her.

  And then he wanted to penetrate Molly, possess her.

  She made the most glorious, guttural sounds low in her throat, then these high-pitched whimpering sobs, and he wondered what noises she’d make when he was inside her, balls deep.

  And then she leaned forward, pressing her breasts against his face, resting her chin on the top of his head. She surged against his thigh, riding him to completion, unabashed about taking her pleasure.

  Blaze needed to fuck her, claim her, and then own her.

  He wanted to tangle her hair in his hands and kiss her mouth until it was bruised. Blaze had never felt anything like it, this need to possess another.

  It was all-consuming, almost frightening in its intensity.

  Blaze needed to lay her down on the rug in front of the fire, and swive her, slide into her again, and again until she screamed his name.

  This was only a taste, a glimpse, but he was hungry for more.

  And with this sharp cry, she came and then collapsed against him.

  Blaze gripped the armrests for dear life to keep from grabbing her. Instead, he pressed kisses to her brow.

  “Mmm, thank you.”

  “You’re most welcome, sweet dove, but you’d best go up the stairs, now.”

  “Hmm? What?” She was sleepy, and languid, lying in his lap.

  A few minutes more and Blaze would be lost. He wouldn’t stop until they were both exhausted, dripping with sweat.

  But he refused to cheat.

  He wouldn’t overwhelm her in such a vulnerable state. When he made his move, Molly would want him as much as he desired her—it would be mutual, untamed pleasure.

  “It’s time you headed to bed.”

  “Okay, good night.” Molly brushed her lips against his, a whisper of a kiss, and then she stood on unsteady feet, and then padded up to her room.

  He sat there for endless, agonizing moments, waiting until she was safely upstairs, and out of reach.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Hot. Hungry. Hard.

  Blaze was blinded by need, almost mindless, desperate by the time he got to his room. He tumbled onto the bed and then unleashed both of his cocks, they were wine-dark, and ravenous, pulsing with unquenched desire. He could feel the blood throbbing through the veins, beating a rhythm, a fierce need.

  But which should he relieve first?

  This problem had a two-fisted solution, but not just yet.

  He was already on edge, panting from the tease earlier, and Blaze knew he wouldn’t last long. What was it about Molly that robbed him of control?

  Blaze had a quick fap whenever he needed a release, and there wasn’t a willing woman around, but this was ridiculous. He’d never been so on edge. He was tortured by the thought of Molly in her room, wet and ready for him. It would be so easy to creep upstairs, talk her into letting him in.

  And yet, he wanted to resist temptation. Had to, more like.

  He lived for the pleasures of the flesh, craved sensation, and the release of skin on skin contact. Denying himself was a torment, so Blaze did the only thing he could, he had to satisfy himself. He stripped off all of his clothes and laid down on the covers.

  Blaze lost himself in sensation.

  He ran a hand down his body. Blaze started at his mouth, running the pad of his thumb over his lips, and then down his chin. He felt the scratchy hair along his jaw, the angular planes of his face, the slope of his neck, and the hollow of his throat. Blaze could feel the collar bones, jagged beneath his fingertips.

  He knew the climax would be spectacular.

  And then his hand slid down further, over the ridges of his abdominal muscles, and along the trail of hair which ended at his balls.

  His cocks were swollen, distended, the skin stretched tight, as though it could barely contain him. With a sigh, Blaze took himself in hand. His upper cock was larger, longer, and wet for want of her. He stroked slowly at first. All the while, his smaller dick pulsed consistently, begging for his attention.

  Blaze ignored it—one prick at a time.

  He fondled himself, starting slow, and then growing harsher, clenching his teeth, hips arching off the bed as he strained.

  Just before he climaxed, Blaze stopped.

  Finally, he gripped his other cock, simultaneously pumping himself, heels digging into the mattress for leverage.

  In his mind's eye, he was inside Molly, had her legs spread wide, and thrust deep inside her ripe, swollen quim. Her head was thrown back, eyes closed in ecstasy. She was fully in the moment, wanting every thrust.

  Blaze moaned.

  Come leaked from both heads, and he used the moisture, slathering it around. The friction was driving him insane, and he was almost there—on the edge of coming. He needed the release badly, but it was merely an appetizer, a distraction from the real thing.

  Sooner or later Molly would be his. Completely.

  Blaze called her name, thrust once, thrust twice and with a wail, Blaze came, shooting his seed all over his chest and hips.

  ***

  “How’s Vixen?”

  Blaze asked the question as he boarded the shuttle. He refused to let Molly down, and he hoped her problem had a simple solution, which is why he’d dropped by to visit Link, font of information.

  He’d woken up invigorated by the release last night, masturbating had taken the edge off his hunger, sated him for a time.

  Although he couldn’t wait for the next step in this courtship.

  Courtship? Where’d that thought come from?

  Link scowled.

  “Wait. Are you angry?” Blaze had never seen an irritated expression on the android’s face before, and it was alarming.

  “I’m annoyed, yes.”

  “Why?”

  “When I was performing a round of diagnostic tests on myself, Vixen turned me on.”

  Blaze chuckled. “Is this some sort of euphemism?” Perhaps he should’ve knocked before he entered the ship. There’s no telling what he might’ve walked in on.

  “No, I mean my emotive center, she switched it on.” Link laid a hand on either side of his head, and shut his eyes, as though pained.

  “I see, and you can’t shut it off?” Blaze sat down next to him at the controls and swiveled his chair around to face Link.

  “No, I’ve tried several times, but nothing has worked.”

  “She appears to be quite determined.” Blaze couldn’t help but be amused, despite his friend’s discomfort. He’d always thought it was foolish for Link to plod through his days, without experiencing anything real.

  “I do not find it amusing.” He glowered.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “No, you are not, but you did not come here to mock me. What is the purpose of your visit?”

  Hmm, Link with feelings is kind of an arse.

  “Very well, I’ll get to the point. Do you know of a humanoid species capable of possessing a host body?”

  Link shook his head. “I have never heard of one, but it is a possibility.”

  “Woul
d you check for me?”

  With a nod, Link shut his eyes, searching his inner database once more.

  He nodded. “I have found one notable entry. There is a consortium of beings who have the capability, called The Intellective.”

  “A consortium?” Blaze had never heard of them, which wasn’t surprising since he spent the vast majority of his time on the front lines or in the arena.

  “Yes, a collection of humanoid species who have been working together on a scientific, and cultural revolution. Together, they have formed a matrix of minds, all interconnected like a living, breathing computer.”

  “What kind of revolution?” In his experience, those were always chaotic and fraught with unintended consequences.

  “According to their manifesto, they seek the best minds in the galaxy, but from my understanding, they take volunteers. Their ranks include famous scientists and artists, and people from other fields who have donated their minds to The Intellective.”

  “For what purpose…?”

  “They are trying to escalate their evolution. The Intellective desire to become beings without form.” He nodded. “A worthy endeavor.”

  Blaze didn’t understand the impulse at all, but then again he was a sensual creature, at home in his own body. Why would anyone sacrifice those pleasures? The sweetness of vine-ripened fruit? The slide of satin against one’s skin? The mingling of two hungry mouths?

  But I digress.

  Blaze shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Perhaps he was thinking about getting his hands on Molly once more.

  “Are they on Earth?”

  Another long pause, as he checked.

  “They have come here to harvest superior brainpower for their collective.”

  “And the Parliament signed off on this?”

  Some species intended to collect earthly humans for all sorts of nefarious purposes. For example, the Venalians had a thriving business providing concubines throughout the galaxy, preying upon backwater planets, and offering women “employment” on other faraway worlds, but in actuality, they made slaves of them. And sometimes, they outright abducted women, especially on Tertiary worlds like Earth.