“Hi, Oses,” I greeted him. “What’s going on?”
“I wondered how you did on your first night out of Medical.”
I made a face. “I was pathetic. I ended up spending it with Betra because I couldn’t cope with the nightmares.”
Oses smiled, a rare sight from him these days. “You are not pathetic, my Ma – Shalia. No one can fault you for having trouble sleeping after what you went through.”
“You went through it too.” I pretended to not notice his near slip of calling me his Matara. “Yet here you are, as bad-ass as ever. What I wouldn’t give to have your strength.”
“You give me more credit than I deserve.”
I snorted. “You haven’t been found cringing in any closets so far.”
A devilish light sprang up in the Nobek’s eyes. “In a closet? Hmm.”
I narrowed my gaze at him. “What is happening in that crazy Kalquorian brain?”
He grinned, a glimpse of the old pre-Finiuld Oses. “Why don’t you come with me and find out?”
Ah, easily-led Shalia. Especially when sex with this particular muscle mountain is on the menu.
“Shall we go in?” I asked, gesturing at the door to my quarters.
“I have somewhere else in mind. Unfortunately, we’ll have to be rather quick. I only have a few minutes from my duties, so if you’d rather not—”
I grabbed his hand. “Shut up and lead on. You’re wasting precious time we could be using to fuck.”
Oses chuckled. He tugged me down the deserted hall. I was surprised when we stopped after only a few steps.
He muttered in Kalquorian. I recognized the word open at the end of whatever he was saying. A door I’d never noticed before slid the wall apart, revealing a small room with closed bins. It was just big enough for the two of us to fit inside.
“What is this?” I asked.
“Storage for maintenance and cleaning supplies.” Oses scanned up and down the empty corridor. “Come on before someone sees us.”
I stared up at him. “Are you telling me you want to get it on in the janitor’s closet?”
The Nobek pushed me into the tiny room. He followed and jabbered in Kalquorian again. The door closed, and the lock buzzed.
“Hold on, Wild Thing,” I said as Oses turned to me with a supremely naughty grin. “How many people can access this little hiding place of yours?”
“The cleaning and maintenance staff. Security. Probably Betra.” He wiggled his eyebrows at me, a ludicrous expression for such a scary-looking man. “The danger of being caught adds to the thrill.”
I was ready to point out our amorous activities had been in plain view of others before, but I was in no mind to think about our stay on Finiuld’s ship. I refused to remind Oses of it, not when he appeared– well, happy doesn’t quite fit the description of my best protector. Still, he seemed more Oses than he’s been since we were taken.
Besides, there was a kick of excitement at the notion of clandestine sex. Surely I wouldn’t end up in trouble for banging the big guy in the janitor’s closet, but to get caught – it had me buzzing with adventure.
Pretty tame adventure, but tame was about my speed these days. Plus if it made Oses look and feel like his old self, I was game.
“We’d better make this quick.” I reached under my skirt to send my panties slithering down to my ankles. “You said you don’t have long.”
“I don’t.” His face lit with carnal delight. He opened his crotch seam and two very stiff cocks jumped out, ready for action. “But we must be careful. Doctor’s orders.”
“Yeah, yeah,” I muttered as he lifted me up, simultaneously propping my back against the wall. “I guess your spanking horse is out of bounds these days.”
“There are other modes of punishment.” Oses’s grin had that scary-dangerous quality that made my hair stand on end. “Extremely enjoyable discipline for the giver, but rather unpleasant for the recipient, even though there is no chance for injury.”
If he said the punishment would be unpleasant, he wasn’t kidding around. It didn’t keep me from arousal as I wondered what he might have in mind. When his larger prick bumped my pussy, I was already wet.
He supported me with one hand while adjusting himself with the other. He held his secondary cock out of the way, not allowing it to enter me as he speared me with the primary.
I sighed with a mixture of regret and delight. Oses felt astounding within me, filling me up, yet I suffered an emptiness I was not used to. “No time for prep, huh?”
“It will still be good.”
He pressed steadily into me until our groins met. I gazed into Oses’s bright purple eyes. “Later in the pregnancy we may have to give up rear-end fun altogether. At that point, maybe another woman on board can give you what you enjoy, both with that and discipline games. I’ll probably give birth before we reach Kalquor, but with several weeks of no sex afterward we might not be able to have the kind of fun we’ve enjoyed in the past.”
Oses considered. “As much as I prefer more extreme pleasures, I far more desire a woman who means what you do to me. I have been your Nobek, Shalia. As long as we are together on this ship and I am in charge of your protection, I cannot imagine fucking another woman.”
I gave him my most disapproving scowl. “Do not tell me you’re in love.”
Oses chuckled. “I have the same issues with Imdikos. Since Betra is my chosen caregiver – even as badly as that has turned out for me – I cannot bear to sleep with another of his breed.”
“You have shitty tastes when it comes to people to be monogamous – or semi-monogamous with, Oses.”
“No kidding. I can fuck all the Dramoks and other Nobeks I can find, though.”
I shook my head at him. “Kalquorians and their sexual shenanigans. As disappointing as I must be these days, I appreciate your sacrifice on my behalf.”
Oses snorted and gave my ass a light slap. “There are methods of dominating that will not threaten the well-being of mother and unborn. Trust me, I will be very exacting when we have more opportunity to explore those activities.”
I was happy to hear him say that. To express my delight with his assertion, I lowered my gaze to his armor-suited chest. “Will you please fuck me, Master?”
“Yes, my pet. Keep a strong grip on my shoulders and lock your ankles around my waist. That’s my girl. Stay in position while I fuck you.”
Oses slid in and out of me, moving quickly but carefully. He kept his arm under my buttocks. His free hand plucked at my nipples, sending delightful stings through my breasts and zinging down to my clit. I might have been a feather for all the effort it took him to hold me up against that wall. I moved only a little up and down as he had me.
Within moments, I was moaning. I had no idea how sound-proof our closet was, or if anyone in the corridor could hear me. Most of me could not have cared less. It was incredible to be fucking Oses. In semi-private. Without desperation.
I had a moment where I thought I would cry in the middle of our lovemaking. It was a mix of happy and sad. On one hand, I experienced the joy of being free once more, of not being a prisoner. On the other, I couldn’t help but compare now to then. In a remote part of my psyche, I remained on Finiuld’s ship. A hint of the terror endured.
Perhaps Oses saw that in my expression. Or maybe he felt the same himself. Whatever the reason, he kissed my entire face murmuring, “Safe now, my Shalia. You’re safe.”
Damn it, I wish I could let the past go once and for all.
Oses moved and shifted me until his prick hit the right spot. A cascade of shivering heat ran through me when he found it. My legs clenched around his waist, drawing him in deep. His groan answered my higher-pitched cry.
He rutted harder, shoving against that interior nest of nerves. I got louder. Tendrils of light squirmed all through my belly, snaking to gather in that spot. I ground against Oses to make his groin rub my clit. More sensation. Power and exaltation pulling together, coalescing,
drawing nearer to explosion. Oses crushed against me, snarling low in my ear. I’m pretty sure that same as me, there were no longer any memories in his head to mar the moment. All was crowded out by that straining for ultimate pleasure.
Orgasm started with a profound flexing deep in my core. Then a river of feeling raced from my crotch up to my skull, blazing a fierce path to set me screaming. I was aware of my arms flinging wide, my hands clenched into fists and pounding the wall on either side of me. Oses’s guttural roar added to the din of my shrieks. The cacophony was nothing compared to the heaving riot inside me however. I was gloriously shredded, beautifully torn to pieces.
It was an amazing escape.
Oses must have been late to his duties, because it took us several minutes to catch our breath. Pulling our clothing into place within the cramped confines of the closet shouldn’t have been a big deal, but we were both clumsy in the aftermath. There was a bunch of fumbling and bumping into each other.
At last, we were ready to open the door and rejoin the ship. When the door slid open, we were greeted with applause from three Kalquorians and half a dozen Earther women. I could have died.
The Kalquorian men, all Nobeks, bowed deeply to the weapons commander. I suppose they were telling him that they respected his abilities to get a woman to produce so much noise. With Oses smirking with pride and my face flaming, we went to my quarters. After fetching me a protein drink and asking half a dozen times if I needed anything, that crazy Nobek went to work. I decided it would be far less embarrassing to eat dinner in my rooms.
Now I must com my dads. I’ll do the same with their Matara Joelle, who they’ve kept apprised of my latest calamity. She’s sent me a few messages of encouragement since I returned. It’s apparent to me my parent clan succeeded admirably in choosing the right woman...my opinion wasn’t required after all. I approve of what I’ve heard from her.
But mostly, I have to let Nayun know I’m okay. Dr. Tep has kept him advised on my progress, but I can understand how he won’t rest until he sees and hears from me in all my Shalia-ness. As I contemplate my impending motherhood, I understand more and more how a parent feels for their child. Though Nayun is an honorary dad rather than a biological one, he loves me. Heaven help that man, but he does.
I should have contacted him at least a week ago, except I was such a wreck that seeing me might have done Dad more harm than good. But I’m on my way to feeling more of my old self. Damn it, if I’m frisky enough to fuck for an audience, then I can assume a bit of responsibility too. I have to think of my family and friends. I must consider what’s coming and get ready for my child’s birth. It’s time to rejoin life. I’ve gotten a second chance, so it’s also time to do better than I’ve done before.
March 31
So much for my bid for independence. I’m not as tough as I thought I could be.
I tried my best to stay in my own bed. I relaxed in a nice long bath beforehand. When I climbed onto my sleeping mat, I left the lights on low to keep me from imagining threats in the dark. I put on soothing music so I wouldn’t think every creak and rustle was Finiuld coming after me. I took the light sedative Dr. Feru had prescribed. I curled up to crash out, feeling all warm and pleasant.
Yet when I closed my eyes, I was back on the Ofetuchan ship. The memories crowded in, leaving me in tears and my heart pounding in panic. Even the steady pull of Feru’s sedative couldn’t entice me to let sleep take over. The nightmares were there, waiting for me.
At last I had to admit I would not be able to sleep alone in my room. For the second night in a row, I cried ‘uncle’.
I considered disturbing Betra again. I knew he’d understand. The idea of being warm and safe in his bed was a powerful temptation. Yet I hesitated. Pride and humiliation over my continued weakness warred with the compulsion to go to my liaison for help yet again.
I’ll admit it: I’m tired of men having to come to my rescue. Damn it, I used to be strong. I used to be able to take care of myself. With a baby on the way, I cannot indulge in playing the damsel in distress.
Yet I couldn’t face the night and all its horrors. Not alone. With the sedative pulling on me and the natural demand of my body to sleep, I had to rest.
I compromised – a little. Yes, I caved in and went in search of someone to help me stave off the terrors. At least it wasn’t a man.
Candy’s eyes were wide when she answered my summons at her door. At first, I thought it was only surprise at my late call. I rushed to apologize.
“Sorry to bust in on you,” I said. “Are you, um, entertaining anyone?”
“No.” Candy grabbed my arm and hauled me into her quarters. “Get in here.”
I blinked, not just because of the abrupt welcome. Candy’s rooms always give me pause. They’re set up similar to mine with the same basic furnishings, but she’s put her stamp on her private space. Ruffled pillows, teddy bears, dolls, and lacey throws predominate against a background of pastel blues, pinks, and purples. Candy is a girly-girl to the extreme, too precious by far. I have often wondered how the uber-manly Kalquorians she brought home react when they see her rooms. I worry for her eventual clan’s home.
I got past my usual initial shock at being thrust into Candy’s Wild World of Ruffles. She jabbered breathlessly right off the bat.
“You have to stay with me. After what happened last night, I can’t sleep. I’m scared out of my wits that whatever that thing was will return. Laugh at me if you want, but don’t leave me alone, okay Shalia? I know you don’t believe in ghosts, but I swear I was awake when I saw that – that – whatever it was!”
So that’s why she acted so panicked when she opened the door. She probably believed I was the ship’s restless ghost, knocking on her door in the dead of night.
I smiled as reassuringly as I could manage in my own rattled state. “I’m not laughing, Candy. Truth is, I can’t sleep either. I was hoping you’d let me stay over.”
Realization dawned on my friend. She put her terror aside to wrap me up in a hug. “Oh sweetie, I’m so sorry. It’s the nightmares again, isn’t it? Of course you can stay with me any time you need to.” She giggled self-consciously as she pulled back. “Even when I’m not expecting the bogey man to jump out of my closet, you can stay.”
“Is that your latest sex game?” I joked weakly. “I’m not sure I care to be a part of that.”
Candy burst out laughing. Now that she knew she wouldn’t have to deal with her own terrors alone, she was her bubbly self again. “Don’t knock it until you try it! Come on, you’re exhausted. Let’s get you to bed.”
“I took a sedative.” I let her lead me to her sleeping room. Hot pink and white eyelet fabric was its own nightmare, but I looked forward to snoozing. I wouldn’t be able to see it in the dark anyway.
As loving as an older sister, Candy tucked me in. She ensured I had a cup of water on the stand next to the bed and made me promise to wake her up if I had any bad dreams. “Anything at all,” she insisted. “Don’t be brave, Shalia, because God knows if I see that dark entity again, I will be screaming your ear off.”
I smiled as my eyes began to close, partly because of Candy’s dramatic ‘dark entity’ description, but mostly because in her presence, I wasn’t assaulted by visions of the hellish past.
I guess she was as comforted by my presence as I was by hers, because she didn’t wake me with screams. While sleeping with Candy isn’t nearly as nice as with Betra, I don’t remember having any nightmares. I woke up feeling pretty normal this morning. Even waking to a nauseatingly adorable teddy bear in a pink tutu sitting on the bedside stand failed to bother me.
I was also able to anticipate the day ahead with a sense of motivation. Days are easy. It’s the nights that suck.
March 31, later
Oh boy. I finally noticed I had a message waiting on my room’s com. It was from the number one clan on my lottery list, Clan Seot. I must be getting better because staring at them and listening to them has my motor run
ning, pussy purring, hormonal soup simmering...
I need a cold shower.
Okay, beyond my crazed libido and on a purely platonic level, this bunch is interesting. I keep reminding myself of that. Substance, Shalia. Concentrate on the substance, the stuff that matters. Brains. Personalities. Stability. Even some humor. Nice smiles, even from Nobek Larten, though he’s got a little bit of evil in his gaze. Wouldn’t I love to find out what he’s thinking when he wears that expression! Ooh, when I visualize him looking at me that way, maybe the moment before he rips my clothes off with those big, powerful hands—
Damn damn damn damn damn damn. I’m doing it again.
I told the com to play my message. All at once they stood before me, those three big delicious creatures: Seot, Larten, and Cifa. I had seen their vid pics before, of course. I forgot how amazing they appear. Either that, or the pregnancy hormones are giving me Lust Vision.
Shalia's Diary Omnibus Page 84