Lara Santiago - Menagerie

by Lara Santiago

She yawned again. Remaining on her stomach, she lengthened her body into a deeply satisfying stretch. “I guess so. Why?”

  He reached out and stroked his hand down her back from neck to ass. “You slept quite a long time.”

  “How long?” She twisted to face him and his gaze fell to her exposed breasts. She yawned for a third time trying to get the cobwebs in her brain to clear.

  “Nine hours.”

  Valerie squinted. “Really?”

  He nodded. His hand rested on her hip and as she became more aware, she realized that his touch was having a profound impact. Scooting closer, she placed her hand on his chest, looked into his eyes and registered his amused smile.

  “Now what happens?”

  He shrugged and glanced at her hand still stroking his chest. “That depends.”

  Valerie ran a fingernail across one flat nipple. He didn’t even flinch, but his focused gaze drilled a hole through her.

  “On what?”

  “Your immediate intentions.”

  Valerie felt his cock thicken against her leg. “Perhaps I’d like more.”

  “More?” Dominick leaned closer and whispered, “As in sex?” His warm breath caressed her jaw and sent a rush of heat pounding between her legs.

  Valerie’s cheeks heated. “Maybe.”

  He ran his finger tip down one side of her face and tapped her chin. “No need to be embarrassed, babe.”

  “But we aren’t supposed to have sex more than once, are we?”

  “I don’t give a shit. If you want more, trust me, I’ll give it to you.” He laughed, and as before when they were in the initial meeting room, she thought Dominick was perhaps the most darkly beautiful man she’d ever seen.

  “All you have to do is ask.”

  “I have to ask?” She rolled her eyes in mock offense.

  His grin was contagious. “Or I could just read your mind and ravish you whenever you stare at my cock and blush.”

  “Kiss me.”

  Dominick didn’t respond nor did he hesitate. He cupped her head one-handed and laid a kiss on her that warmed her all the way from her lips to her clit.

  Valerie scooted against his warmth. The crisp hairs scattered across his chest tickled her breasts. She was about to voice her desire and beg for more sex when someone pounded on the door. Startled, she broke the seductive kiss and clutched the sheet to her breasts. Dominick frowned and sent a glare across the room. He rolled from the bed naked and snatched her robe from the floor. Tossing the flannel garment onto the bed he said, “Put that on.”

  As she struggled to cover herself and fight with the uncooperative sheet, Dominick crossed to the door where further pounding had erupted and snatched it open.

  “You’re late.” Blue crossed the threshold and stormed into the room as Valerie tied the belt and slipped from the bed.

  “I’m on my honeymoon.” Dominick crossed his arms and adopted a guarded stance. Standing completely naked as he was, Valerie was embarrassed for him. He didn’t seem to notice or care.

  Blue frowned. “You were supposed to be at your permanent residence two hours ago.” He sent surly gaze over to where Valerie hovered next to the bed. Dominick snapped his fingers, catching Blue’s attention, and the alien looked away from her.

  “She was tired. I let her sleep. Perhaps fucking five guys exhausted her. I’m just guessing, though. Relax. We’ll be on our way in a few minutes.”

  Blue pursed his lips and turned the sharp look from Dominick back to Valerie. “You need to report to the High Committee chambers located on level eight with your partner Mark in an hour. I suggest you refrain from being late to that meeting.”

  “Why?” Dominick asked. Valerie guessed that having sex more than once with each man on the honeymoon was punishable by a trip to the alien version of the principal’s office.

  “That’s between the two of them and the committee members.” The blue alien turned and exited the room without another word.

  Dominick slid an uneasy gaze to her. “Do you know what that’s about?”

  At first she shrugged, but then closed her eyes and heaved a deep sigh. Opening her eyes, she murmured, “I have a guess.”

  He arched an eyebrow in silent question.

  “I broke a rule. And now I’m late on our first day in our permanent residence.”

  Dominick strolled over and took her into his arms. Squeezing her close, he said, “Don’t let them push you around, babe. It isn’t our fault we’re here in the first place.”

  “I keep telling them that, but they don’t seem to care,” she muttered.

  He kissed the top of her head and released her to get dressed.

  Valerie would have asked Dominick to go with her, but didn’t want him to find out about the rule she’d broken with Mark. That would have to remain a big, fat secret. Likely it wouldn’t be the last one either.

  Secrets. That was why it was a bad idea to share herself so many men at the same time.

  Keeping secrets for three years was going to be her downfall.

  Chapter 7

  Valerie dressed in clothing that Dominick had picked out for her. The snug blue jeans and form-fitting pink t-shirt didn’t look half bad. She said good-bye to Dominick with a kiss and was directed to her ‘meeting’ on level eight. He handed her a navigation device to aid her. It was the size of a cell phone and told her left, right or forward at each intersection to help her get to her destination.

  In between twists and turns along her trail to level eight, Valerie considered what she would say to the members of this committee. Kiss my ass, came to mind first, followed quickly by, Stop watching my private honeymoon, you perverted alien kidnappers.

  She couldn’t remember the intimate details of her life before coming on board this alien ship, only that she had one and wanted to return to it.

  Flashes of the past twenty-four hours of debauchery and decadent sex with five different hot, sexy men slid uncomfortably into her mind. Considering she was probably about to be chastised for daring to have sex twice with one of them after being advised against doing so only made her angry.

  Being with the five of them in such a short period of time had been equal parts exciting and wicked. The vortex shower between each interlude was an experience in and of itself.

  Mark was waiting for her outside the chamber doors as she rounded the corner to the last direction. His smile said he didn’t care about this meeting either. He opened his arms and she stepped inside them for a hug.

  “If this is what I think it is, I’ll tell them it was my fault. I got greedy and wanted more.”

  “Is that why you were gone when I woke up?”

  “I don’t know.” He shrugged and a half smile lifted one side of his mouth. “Maybe they were afraid that we’d go for round three. You were so sound asleep I couldn’t wake you up before I was commanded out of the room.”

  Valerie shook her head, closed her eyes and put her hands to her face in embarrassment. If this was what she and Mark were here for, it meant they were being watched. She decided servicing five lovers was only marginally worse than having aliens watch her do it.

  “It’s stupid. Don’t worry about it.” Mark slung an arm around her shoulder and kissed her cheek.

  The double doors to the committee chamber opened and Blue stepped out. His frown of disapproval at their embrace was evident. A blue finger lifted and pointed at her. “You. Come with me.”

  “I’m going with her,” Mark said.

  “No. You’ll remain here to escort her to your permanent residence.”

  Valerie turned to Mark. “I’ll be okay.” His uncertain look made her sigh, but if any punishment was doled out, he didn’t deserve it.

  “I’ll be waiting right here.” He kissed her mouth before she stepped away.

  Blue strode through the hall with a purposeful gait. He didn’t speak, which she found agreeable.

  At a large double set of doors, he slowed and twisted both knobs, pushing them inward. Without
stopping, Blue breezed through the opening and stopped at another door. He turned around and motioned her forward. “They are waiting in there for you.”

  “Who?”

  “The High Committee.” An exasperated sigh punctuated his scornful expression.

  Valerie pulled at the hem of her shirt to straighten imaginary wrinkles and entered through the door without sparing a single glance at the hostile blue alien.

  Once inside, she was surprised to see three unfamiliar alien men seated at a modest table. As with all the other aliens in this place, they had odd skin-tone colors. The three of them had been dipped in sparkly paint the colors of gold, silver and bronze instead of shiny primary hues. They all sported shockingly white hair slicked back, puffed up like a pompadour and secured with a small ponytail in back.

  Valerie remained by the door until the gold alien in the center motioned her closer. He lowered his gaze, picked up a flat device from the table in front of him and said, “My name is Golden. I’ve read your file, Miss Thornhill. You’ve been here less than seventy-two hours and you’ve already either bent or completely broken more than one of our rules regarding transport and management of humans.”

  She crossed her arms in defiance. “Maybe you should quit transporting us. Then you wouldn’t have to manage us. Think of the time and effort you’ll save.” Her sarcasm likely wasn’t appreciated or welcome.

  Golden looked up sharply. “I understand your concerns, but the practice cannot be helped. Our wormhole is located near the gravitational pull of your planet and it’s our only way home. Our forefathers have traveled this way for many millennia. Only recently has your planet developed enough humans to cause this phenomenon. We’ve done the best we can and made elaborate allowances. We will put you back within minutes of when we took you. However, while you reside aboard our ship and in order to keep stability here, our rules must be followed.”

  “So, what rules have I broken that were so horrible?”

  “The most recent one is having carnal relations with one of your partners more than one time on your honeymoon.”

  “How is that any of your business? Were you watching me, you pervert?”

  He frowned until the bronze alien whispered in his ear. His frown deepened. “We keep track of your DNA and when you mate with one of your partners, we record it to ensure the male’s sexual health is maintained.”

  “Great, so every time I’m with one of the five of them, I’ll know you’re out there recording it. That does not make me feel any better.”

  “Be that as it may, we have established these rules for the good of all humans residing with us. Once you go back to Earth on your Return Day, you won’t have any memory of this place.”

  “How does that work, anyway?”

  “Didn’t you pay attention at all in your orientation class?”

  “Not really. I was stressing over having to have sex with five strangers. Could you explain it slowly?” Valerie forced a smile.

  He inhaled deeply and exhaled. “You were brought here onto our ship by accident. Your physical body was placed in stasis as soon as you arrived so that when we put you back on Earth, you’ll look exactly the same. However, a human can’t remain in our stasis compartment for three years without stimuli. Your mind needs input and exercise regularly or you’ll die before we are able to put you back. The environment we have created supplies the needed stimulation that humans require.

  “Additionally, human men brought here need a regular outlet for their sexual needs or they will perish before the end of four Earth months. Unfortunately, the ratio of men to women is imbalanced and men must share women, as it is done in our culture. While on our ship, we ask that you follow our rules.

  “You are sealed to five men. You may only have sex with these five men and no others while you are here. Self love is not allowed and adultery among any other human you are not sealed to is forbidden.

  “The human race is very complex and after centuries of study, we’ve learned that for our environment and rules to be successful, humans also require goals and socialization.”

  “Goals and socialization? What does that mean?”

  “It means that your day-to-day life needs meaning. Men function best when they have an occupation to keep them busy. Women have different needs. Therefore, you will prepare the morning meal for your group of men before they go off to work each day. And you will abide by the monthly sexual schedule you’ve agreed to and signed.”

  Valerie narrowed her eyes. “I’m required to provide sex and breakfast? Is that all?”

  “You will also be required to accompany your partners to a social event a few times per year. All the other humans will also attend. It is a festive event with ritual dancing and food.”

  “Party a few times a year. Got it. Anything else?”

  “We ask that you do not play favorites with the five men you live with.”

  “Favorites?”

  “Yes. For example, giving one of your partners more sexual attention and experiences than you gave the others on your honeymoon.” Golden tilted his head to one side. “If the other men in your household found out, they might be jealous. Jealousy in any household can be very dangerous. You have three years to occupy yourself, to make your lives together work, and we prefer that it be done with consideration and cooperation. Do you understand?”

  Valerie understood, but it didn’t make her a robot housewife or the epitome of a team-spirit cheerleader. “I guess. We’ll have to see, won’t we.”

  “Your goal is to make it to Return Day. If you don’t play nice, then none of the men in your group will make it either. You don’t want them to have to stay another three years, do you?”

  “I think you’re asking for a lot given that you’re the reason we got sucked up onto your ship in the first place.” Valerie didn’t remember if she was a fighter by nature in her life on Earth, but she was sure compelled not to be a doormat here.

  Golden narrowed his eyes. Valerie didn’t want to find out there was a punishment, so she said, “I’ll take it day by day. That’s all I’m promising.”

  The silver alien stood without warning and handed her a small sheaf of papers. “The orientation rules are written here. For your reference,” he said and returned promptly to his seat.

  Golden inclined his head. “You may go.”

  Valerie clutched the papers in both hands and exited the room without saying anything else.

  Outside the committee chamber, Blue waited. He didn’t speak, but led her back to Mark.

  Public displays of affection were discouraged, it was the one thing she remembered from orientation, but Valerie hugged Mark as soon as she got close enough. Burying her face in the curve of his neck, she kissed the pulse at his throat and sighed.

  “Are you okay?” He rubbed the spot between he shoulder blades as they embraced.

  She pulled away, nodded once and together they left the frowning blue alien. “I’m fine.”

  Mark kissed her forehead. “What did they say?”

  “They view what happened between us as favoritism. I’m to avoid it in the future.” She rolled her eyes and shook her head.

  “Fuck ’em. No one else would have even known about it. Don’t let them boss you, honey.”

  Valerie grinned. “That was my assessment as well. Thanks for siding with me.”

  “I’ll always side with you, I promise.” Mark squeezed her once more and they headed away from the committee chambers.

  He led her through the mazes of the administration building, across a long, rounded tunnel an into a different section of the ship. The walls were wider and taller. Plus, there was actual plant life decorating the pathways. The residence part of the ship reminded her of a biosphere. White plastic walls lit from behind towered to at least twelve feet above her head. The loamy fragrance of moist earth from the plants greeted her as they walked along. There were more people milling around, too.

  They turned a corner and entered large open doorway reve
aling a small community of homes. Rows upon rows of cottage-style houses with tiny green yards and flowers greeted her as far as the eye could see.

  They walked straight to the first brick-lined street. The white washed sign on the corner read Main Street. How quaint. Mark guided her forward and they turned at the second right onto a road called Lilac Blossom. Easy to remember, since lilacs were one of her favorite flowers. The street had ten houses on each side and Mark stopped at the third on the left. He pointed down a short brick path lined with flowers to a small house.

  “This is ours. Listen, I’ve got to get to work. Grip the handle of the door and it opens to only our DNA. Can you find your way inside?”

  Valerie nodded.

  He kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning at breakfast.”

  She watched him jog back out of the area then turned to her new home. Before she got halfway down the walkway the front door opened and Dominick stepped out.

  He lingered in the frame once he saw her, an unreadable expression on his face. Was he angry? Delighted? She couldn’t tell.

  “Are you going to give me the grand tour?”

  His lips quirked. “No. I’m headed to the target range for weapons practice and then on to work.”

  “Where do you work?”

  “I’m in security. So I need to keep up my skills.”

  “Are you ever going to teach me any weapons skills?” Valerie was just making conversation. She didn’t actually want to shoot a gun.

  “No. I don’t share what I know with others.”

  Startled at his harsh attitude, she was compelled to ask, “Why?”

  His eyes narrowed. “Too many people already know how to shoot guns. I don’t need to add any more fuel to the mix. Nothing personal, babe.”

  “Right.” Valerie nodded and skirted around his large frame to enter the house. “I’ll just entertain myself alone inside.”

  His features softened. “I’m running late or I’d show you around. Take a look inside. It’s not fancy, but it’s adequate for us, I suppose.”

  “Okay. Have a good day.”

  Dominick nodded without ever really smiling and walked away. Valerie closed the door and contemplated her new existence. She was back to her dream theory, even though a part of her rational brain knew this was truly happening. This life was so strange, she couldn’t let go of the possibility. Perhaps she was in a coma somewhere and until she woke, she was stranded in this fantasy world where she had to have sex with five men in a cottage on a brick-lined street in the middle of a spaceship in a wormhole on the way to oblivion for three years.