Sex, Cyborgs, and Champagne

by Tl Reeve

  The cyborg’s penis grew erect within seconds—whether from the stimulation of being stroked or the gel applied, he didn’t know nor did he care. Next, the scientist slid the tube over his length then started the machine. Lincoln was left dumbfounded. For hours, they made his comrade spend himself, making notes, touching his sac. Rage burned through him as he viewed the stream.

  Hours later, he led the small group of cyborgs through the lab, searching for each and every scientist and assistant, until they had killed them all. He’d had a momentary twinge of fear for what might happen to him and the others.

  However, after he rescued all those who were being held captive, including human women who were used as breeders, any hint of fear he thought he’d experienced didn’t matter anymore. An interplanetary investigation had been opened in the days following the liberation of the lab. He’d been given a medal, along with having his face plastered on every news stream imaginable.

  Space wasn’t a forgiving place, so within months of the scientists’ convictions, they were executed.

  As Lincoln moved up to the bar, he heard the most exquisite laugh. He glanced around the open area as the sound rang out again. There, across from him, sat a beautiful woman and a man. She reminded him of the birth of a star, bright with bursts of color flaring to life. She took his breath away. His groin tightened and his heart gave a hearty thump, reminding him he was alive and not completely machine.

  After the incident at the lab, women had flocked to him. He could have a different one every night if he chose. In the beginning, he had. However, after a year or so, he’d decided he yearned for more. He wanted to experience love, the one human emotion no one was sure he could feel. The concept of celibacy didn’t appear to be hard to master, yet putting it into practice had been a test of his willpower. And right then, he was losing the battle.

  “What can I get for you, Mr. Lincoln?” The bartender appeared in front of him. His happy disposition was infectious.

  “Gren, please. Chilled.” He slid his gaze back to the joyous couple. “They say this is a swingers cruise.”

  The man grinned. “Yes. Is this your first time?”

  Lincoln gave the man a onceover. His iridescent skin shifted from shades of salmon to hues of dark green and blue. His wide-set yellow eyes were almost reptilian. He had webbed hands with long, thin fingers, which didn’t detract from his unique form. He wore the same festive shirts as the other employees along with blue khaki shorts.

  When the man placed the beer in front of him, Lincoln accepted the beverage and took a sip. “Yes.”

  “Oh, you are in for a treat, Mr. Lincoln.” He turned slightly, following Lincoln’s gaze. “Excellent beginning.”

  “Are they here to swap?” He couldn’t imagine it. They appeared so happy and in love. Their body language was in sync. They leaned toward each other. He twirled a lock of her curly, brown hair around his finger. She gazed adoringly into his eyes. When he said something, her breath hitched, her pulse increased, and she bit her full, plump bottom lip.

  “Of course.” The bartender rested his elbows on the frosted glass bar. “It’s their first time as well. An anniversary present.”

  “Oh?”

  He nodded.

  “Humans have strange customs.” Yet, the more he watched them together, the more he wanted a bit of their happiness. “What are they drinking?”

  “Champagne. Krillio vintage.” The bartender showed him the bottle on his e-pad. “It was made in 2085.”

  Lincoln glanced at the price. He had enough credits. More than enough, in fact. As a cyborg, he didn’t need much. Every night, he replenished his nanos with a cocktail infusion supplied by the government that created him, and food was a surprising treat when he experienced hunger. “Send them a bottle to their room. Have the note say, ‘Congratulations on your anniversary.’”

  “You don’t want to leave your name?”

  He shook his head. “I will introduce myself later.”

  The man smiled. “Very well.”

  Lincoln continued to watch the couple off and on for an hour. No matter how much he tried to pull his attention away from the woman, he found himself inexplicably drawn back to her. Maybe it was her laugh or the attentive away her husband doted on her that captured his attention. He didn’t understand it. He wanted to. If he was going to be a normal, integrated part of society, he had to learn their subtle nuances. He needed to know how people ticked, not just in a battle-ready type of way, but in their day-to-day living.

  While others mingled around him, he sat on his stool at the bar and observed everyone. A couple—Wrens, he believed—danced so close together he couldn’t tell where one began and the other ended. Another human couple was engaged in a mating ritual. He believed the slang term to be “swapping spit.” Though a lead-up to heavier foreplay, he never understood why it was called swapping spit when he never exchanged salivary fluids with a female.

  The chimes in the lounge rang out, and the small stage near the back of the room was lit in brilliant multicolored shades. A man wearing a sequined jacket which caught the light perfectly, casting mini-prisms around the room, strolled across the stage. “Good evening, everyone! Welcome to the first night of the Vega Space Vacation’s Swingers Cruise.”

  Anticipation crawled through Lincoln as he tensed with expectancy. Whatever happened this weekend, he hoped to find a suitable, welcoming partner or partners.

  “Tonight, we’re going to take it easy on you. Many are new to the swingers lifestyle and aren’t fully aware of what they are getting themselves into or what expectations others might have for them. There are singles here who wish to share with couples, and couples who wish to exchange partners. There is no judgement here.”

  The curtain behind him parted, unveiling a screen with a list of activities for their weekend. No one had to participate in all, but there were trust-building exercises included to allow people who didn’t know each other to get to know one another before taking the plunge and fucking. Lincoln had no illusions about why he was there. Still, he couldn’t get the woman and her husband off his mind. He glanced up to where they were sitting, and both were enthralled by the presentation.

  Would they allow him to join them?

  Only one way to find out, and he promised himself it wouldn’t be tonight. He’d sent them the gift. A first step to showing his intentions. Tomorrow, he would join the couples on a small retreat to the Allustria Falls off the Cape of Jenus, number two on the list behind the speaker on stage.

  According to what the man said, there were mineral springs dotting the area, along with spectacular views of the island and hidden treasures meant to be discovered by everyone. Lincoln hoped the hidden treasure he found had curly brown hair, sparkling hazel-green eyes, and a melodic laugh.

  As he finished his beer, a human female sidled up next to him and rubbed her hand down his arm. The scent of her arousal was pungent, fake. His hands curled into fists.

  “Hello, handsome.” Her lilting voice did nothing for him. Her presence repulsed him.

  “Not interested,” he replied through clenched teeth.

  She pouted. Her nails dug into his flesh. “Why not? Aren’t I beautiful?”

  He didn’t dare look at her. He kept his gaze fixed on the woman and her husband who’d garnered his attention. “No. I would greatly appreciate it if you’d remove your hand from my arm. Please.” Rage boiled in his veins. The visceral reaction surprised him. He only had eyes for one person, and this woman wasn’t it.

  “You’ll do what I want,” she snarled, leaning into him. The overwhelming scent made him nauseated, if a cyborg could get sick to their artificial stomachs.

  “Is there a problem, Mr. Lincoln?” The bartender, whose name he hadn’t yet learned, came back over to him to replace his empty glass.

  He glanced at the nametag on his shirt. “I don’t believe so, Jimmy. I was explaining to this lady that I wish to be on my own tonight. She w
as just leaving.”

  She abruptly let go of his arm. “You don’t have to be rude about it.”

  He snorted as she stomped away. The minute the air cleared of her perfume, he breathed easier. “Thank you, Jimmy. I owe you one.”

  “Nonsense.” He held up his hand. “It was my pleasure.”

  “Thank you.” He grasped the beer in front of him and brought it to his lips. “For what it’s worth, her perfume was hideous.”

  Jimmy gave a solemn incline of his chin. “It did have a cloying scent about it, didn’t it?”

  Lincoln gave a wry chuckle. “And then some. Are you sensitive to smell as well?”

  In a coy gesture, the bartender tapped the corner of his mouth. “I can decipher millions of scents. It’s all part of my Exluxian biology.”

  So, he was reptilian after all. “Impressive.”

  “Thank you.” He grinned. “The bottle of champagne will be waiting for the lovely couple when they arrive at their room.” He grabbed his e-pad and stepped over to another customer.

  It would be tempting fate to ask what else could go wrong after his little debacle with the female, but he didn’t. For now, he’d plan an opportunity to bump into the couple that caught his attention and see where the road took him next.

  Chapter Three

  The bottle of champagne left for Flora and Conner had been a pleasant surprise when they arrived back at the room. Instead of drinking it, though, Flora put it aside to save for their trip to the Cape the next day.

  When she woke the next morning, Conner had her wrapped in his arms. His big body consumed her. He heated her to the point of suffocating her, but she’d been comfortable and didn’t want to move.

  They’d talked the night before about the outing to the falls, and a niggle of trepidation wiggled down her spine. She worried about unwanted attention. Stumbling upon lovers in compromising situations or, worse, getting caught herself. Conner soothed her fears and reminded her there’d be no judgement there. Everyone would be sharing and partaking, she only had to relax to enjoy it.

  “You’re thinking again,” he whispered against her neck. The warm tendrils of his breath skimmed her flesh, leaving goosebumps in its wake.

  “Not really.”

  He wrapped his arm around her middle and tucked her closer to him, if it were possible. “Oh?”

  “Okay, a little.” She sighed and wiggled against him.

  “The trip to the falls?”

  She nodded.

  He trailed his hand up her belly to cup her breast. His thumb teased the hard point. “Were you thinking about everyone naked and fornicating?”

  She grimaced at the word she’d used last night. “I don’t want to stumble into something unintentionally.”

  He laughed while tweaking her nipple. “Believe me, darling, they might ask you to join them.”

  “Conner.”

  “It’s true, darling. I’ll be right there with you.” He kissed the sensitive spot below her ear. “Watching. Touching.”

  She shivered in his arms. “You are devilish.”

  “I aim to be.” He nipped the lobe of her ear.

  “Well, then, we should get ready to leave. Won’t be long now.” She untangled herself from his embrace and hurried for the shower.

  “I’ll get you, wench!”

  She giggled as she slipped into the bathroom. As she programmed the water, he stepped behind her. His arms banded around her as he guided her into the shower. “Conner, we’re going to be late.”

  “Shh.” He kissed the back of her neck while lowering his hand.

  His finger glided along her slit before delving inside to tease her entrance. She gasped and grabbed onto his arm in hopes of keeping herself steady. She loved this about her husband. He took charge of her, giving her exactly what she needed whenever she wanted. If she allowed herself to think about what bothered her most about the trip to the falls, it was the idea of someone else knowing what she craved, and then where it would it leave her and Conner?

  He smacked her hip. “Stay here with me.” He speared her with two of his fingers, pushing her to her toes, and groaned in her ear.

  Sparks of pleasure rolled through her as she shuddered in his arms. The delicious storm of sensations he created within her drove her insane. He pulled partially from her, then filled her again while rocking his hips against hers. The slick trail of his precum and water from the shower slid along her lower back.

  She whimpered his name, rubbing her ass across his groin, silently pleading with him to give her what they both craved. He liked it when she begged. Liked it even more when she told him what she wanted. It was his way of liberating her.

  In the beginning, all she’d say was stick it in me. Do it. Touch me down there. Now, she could tell him to lick her clit. Eat her out. Fuck her.

  Fortunately, this time she didn’t need to say anything. He bent her forward slightly. Instinctively, she reached for the wall to brace herself as he entered her with one thrust. His pace was quick and unrelenting, almost starved, though they’d spent the whole night loving each other. She came apart in his arms, unable to control the tide of bliss rushing through her. His grunts and moans only spurred her on, turning her on as much as the feeling of her husband fucking her in such sinful way.

  Her nails dug into the tiles, and her toes curled as he continued to push her. Endorphins seeped into her bloodstream, adding another layer to their lovemaking. She could never describe this aspect of their relationship, other than he could take her to another level of existence. She cried out as he began grinding his hips against hers; the delightful friction across her sweet spot added another layer to her desire.

  “That’s it, darling. I love it when you’re my naughty girl.”

  The first flutters of her second release surprised her. She gasped, and a soft whine fell from her lips. He continued to shift his hips, increasing the pleasure building inside of her. She tensed, awaiting the next thrust that would push her over the edge. Conner found her distended clit and began milking the tight bundle of nerves, sending her toppling over. She cried out, and jerked in his arms as her climax rocked her.

  Behind her, he groaned her name then stilled. “Good morning, darling.”

  “Good morning.” She giggled.

  * * *

  Flora and Conner joined the others going to the falls for the day. The expedition would be on foot. Nothing like a little adventure to get the blood pumping, as Conner would say. She, however, had her doubts. A small peak stood out in relief from the palm fronds, elephant ear leaves, and all different types of foliage. Birds called out across the vast expanse and were answered in kind.

  “The Tipi-Tipi volcano erupts once every seventy-five years,” the guide, Ka’eo, stated as they hiked toward the jungle foliage.

  “When did it last explode?” A woman across from them paused, almost hesitant to enter the trail.

  Ka’eo chuckled. “Twenty years ago, so we have plenty of time.” He waved them forward. “Instead of depleting the ground nutrients, the ash settles and mixes with nitrate-rich soil, making everything grow lush and plentiful. However, there are downsides. When we get closer to the hot springs and fresh water pools, please stay away from the chained-off areas; the pools there are filled with sulfuric acid, and you will die if you go in one.”

  “No pretense with him, huh?” A man a least three or four inches taller than Conner stepped beside her. His unusual grey eyes and friendly smile drew Flora in, followed by a sense of safety and tiny bit of fear.

  “I suppose not.” She rubbed her arm, unsure about what she experienced with this man. His short brown hair reminded her of all those military men she’d seen as a child, yet nothing else about him screamed Armed Forces.

  “My name is Lincoln.” He held his hand out to her.

  “Flora,” she replied, accepting his introduction. When their skin touched, she swore she felt electricity race through her body. She glanced
up at him, squinting as the bright sunlight obscured her vision, causing orange and yellow halos to surround Lincoln.

  “It’s good to meet you.”

  “Conner,” her husband said, coming up beside her. “It’s good to meet you, too, Lincoln. Are you here on your own?”

  He nodded. “Yes. I thought I might be a part of this little…adventure.”

  She glanced over at Conner, who appeared to size up their new companion. “You’re welcome to join us.” She didn’t know why she said it, but it was as if her mouth had a mind of its own.

  “No need in you being alone,” Conner added.

  “If both of you don’t mind?”

  “No, we don’t mind,” she replied. “We’re all here to have fun, after all.” She tried to disguise her nervousness with a small laugh. Instead, it came out as a breathy giggle, and she cleared her throat. “Well, we don’t want to be left behind. We should catch up.”

  Lincoln gave her a reassuring smile and took the lead. Conner came up beside her and tucked her close. “He’s handsome. What do you think?”

  “I like him,” she whispered. “Can we, you know?” Her gaze darted toward the man.

  “Say it.”

  “I want you to watch him fuck me.”

  Conner groaned. “As you wish, temptress.”

  They followed the trail deeper into the jungle, the thick canopy of trees cutting out most of the light. Where there’d been a soft breeze on the beach, thick humid air clung to her. She couldn’t think, only watch. Sweat dampened Lincoln’s shirt, causing it to stick to his body. Each step he took, the muscles in his back stood out in relief. Flora’s mouth watered. This man had been built for battle. Broad shoulders gave way to a tapered waist and powerful legs. His shorts gave her a glimpse of his muscular physique as he climbed the trail. His calf muscles bunched with each step, tightening his sun-kissed skin.