Shalia's Diary #3 Page 16

  Clan Seot, they of the seaside home and a mountain retreat on one of Kalquor’s moons, was still at the top of my list. I have a 97 percent compatibility rating with them, according to the computer program. That sounded pretty good. They were rather nice looking guys as well even though the Dramok and Nobek were in their eighties. The ‘youngster’ of the bunch, Imdiko Cifa, is 63. I still have a hard time with remembering that these guys are not even middle-aged by Kalquorian standards.

  They are damned easy on the eyes. Dramok Seot is masculinity personified. His eyes are intense, his jaw square, his demeanor commanding. One thing about him that kind of gives me the willies is that he owns a munitions manufacturing company. I can’t help but wonder how many of the weapons his factories made ended up killing fellow Earthers during the war. I realize that’s not really his fault and that Earth declared war on Kalquor, but still ... it’s weird for me to consider him

  Then there’s the Nobek, Larten. He’s got perhaps the most piercing stare of anyone I’ve ever seen. He has a heavy brow and his nose is as straight as an arrow, features which are kind of out of proportion with his small chin. On any other man, that chin would look weak, but there is nothing weak about Larten. Those corded arms look like they could break a Tragoom in half. This big, bad boy is in charge of physical offensive tactics training at a Nobek training camp. I’d like to say I wouldn’t want to mess with him, but that sense of restrained violence reminds me a lot of Oses. It makes me get that squirmy feeling that tells me I want to mess with Larten a lot.

  Last is Imdiko Cifa. Somehow, it’s impossible to imagine him not smiling. He might have the sweetest face I’ve ever seen on a man ... the complete opposite of Larten. If Betra is has the Boy Next Door look, then Cifa would be his brother. What a cutie with that cherubic face and dimpled chin. I can’t say I would object to his career either. Entertainment and recreational director for a fleet of pleasure cruisers he co-owns with a brother and sister? Sign me up for a lifetime’s supply of that.

  Yeah, I’m keeping them on the roster. I’m even comming ahead to tell them I’d like to meet with them once I make it to Kalquor. Why not? I’ve got to find my baby some daddies.

  January 20

  I’m thinking of going and finding Betra and seeing if he wants to have sex. It’s not that I’m particularly amorous. I’m just bored.

  It’s kind of setting in for all of us. We had an evacuation drill yesterday, and Betra was cranky with the gals since we didn’t take it that seriously. Oh, we did everything we were supposed to, but as we marched to the shuttle bay we chattered and joked, flirted with the crewmembers we passed, and just generally did it as casually as if we were on our way for coffee. As soon as we were locked down in the shuttle, Betra froze the controls so we couldn’t get up. He read us the riot act.

  “Just days ago when that alarm went off, most of you were weeping and screaming, convinced you were going to die,” he said, giving us an ‘I’m so disappointed in you girls’ expression. He did it really well too. Almost everyone was squirming shamefaced by the end of his speech, which went on for about five minutes.

  After that little fiasco, I went with Katrina and Candy to the ship’s main concourse, looking for some way to entertain ourselves. I could scarcely believe it when our freewheeling matriarch gazed with serious evaluation at the hardass-looking Nobeks going into the pleasure club’s black door. Every time the door opened, you could hear people shrieking. I’d swear I heard a shockwhip once too. Those damned things will kill you.

  “Let’s go have a look,” Katrina finally said.

  “You go have a look. I’ll stay here and write your eulogy,” I snorted. I took a few steps away for good measure even though we were at the opposite side of the center.

  “I’ve heard anything goes in that place,” Candy agreed. “Peggy said the other day that she saw a couple of men covered in blood walk out of there.”

  Katrina wouldn’t stop looking at the club’s entrance. “They just play rough with each other. They wouldn’t hurt Earther women. My boys say they have sex toys we can’t even imagine in there, along with ways of tying people down that makes them completely helpless.”

  “Then you can definitely count me out,” I said, though my insides warmed at the thought of being restrained. It gave me naughty thoughts of Dusa’s clan, Betra, Oses ... okay, I’ll admit memories of Nang snuck in there too. He was an ass, but he knew how to give a girl screaming orgasms. Still, I was not going in through that black door. It was one thing to be bound by men I knew, quite another to do it with complete strangers.

  “I don’t think I want to be helpless with guys we don’t know so well,” Candy said. “It’s not just the men we see in our part of the ship, you know. Those are men from all over the transport and the destroyers too. They may not know when to stop with one of us.”

  “It would be fine,” Katrina insisted. “Am I the only one who needs a little danger in my life?”

  “I’m taking care of two these days,” I pointed out, reminded of my little hostage of fortune taking shape in my belly. “Besides, I smell like crazy sex to these guys already. One step in there, and I could be in big trouble.”

  Katrina was ready to concede my safety on that count. “Shalia, you are definitely not going in there with a bunch of horny Nobeks,” she agreed. “Candy, you’ve got no excuse. I thought you were Miss Adventure now!”

  “Adventure, my ass,” Candy snorted. “I get worn out to the point where I can’t walk with the ones I play with. I don’t need anything rougher than that.” She grinned a challenge. “Maybe it isn’t so bad in there. You go in, scout it out, and then tell us all about it.”

  Katrina arched an eyebrow. “Even I’m not crazy enough to go in there by myself. I believe in safety in numbers. Come on, Candy.”

  Candy wasn’t having it, and I applaud her good sense. We may all be getting bored, especially when one realizes we still have over eight more months (!!!) of this trip to go. Still, boredom trumps being maimed during sex any day.

  So Betra was mad, Katrina continues to pout, and I’m still bored. However, I don’t dare wish for something interesting to happen. That never goes well.

  January 23

  This morning I kept reminding myself of how old Oses is when he stopped by my room. I’ve even taken to calling him ‘Old Man Oses’ in my head to try and remind myself of that fact. My stupid pussy couldn’t give a shit as to his age though. I look at him, and all I see is virile mountain o’ man that Shalia wants to climb and claim. Sheesh. I’m such a filthy tramp.

  He came by to let me know we’d gotten the okay to train on shooting percussion blasters. Woohoo! Betra will be seeing who wants to sign up for lessons and then they’ll post a schedule for us. I feel better about things already. I’m not so much a fan of running around armed and dangerous as I want to be empowered to defend myself. Oses also informed me that those of us who do wish to train will be subjected to psychological exams to make sure we’re emotionally stable enough to carry. That sounds great to me ... I keep thinking about what if a woman suffering from bipolar disorder like my mom had access to firearms. Yikes.

  I invited Oses in. I served him a protein drink and thought about crawling all over him the entire time. When I came close I noted how he inhaled deeply. His pupils dilated, and I thought I saw his fangs peek out from behind his normal teeth.

  “Sorry,” I said, not meaning it one bit. “I can’t really help this smell thing.”

  “Be careful around the younger men,” he counseled. “Nobeks under the age of 25 have next to no self-control when it comes to sex. Their hormones drive them crazy.”

  “It’s a good thing you’re so mature,” I replied, sitting across from him instead of wallowing all over his growing lap. “Exactly how old are you, if I may ask?”

  Oses grinned. “One hundred fifty-seven years, in Earth terms.”

  Good heavens. It is so wrong for someone his age to look that damned good. “It’s not just Nobek boys
who have trouble with their hormones,” I grouched.

  “Betra seems to think your pregnancy is enhancing your drive.”

  I stared at him in surprise. “You two are talking about me?”

  Oses’ smile turned sad. “When I can get your liaison to talk to me at all, it’s usually because I bring your name up. He’s quite dedicated to you.”

  “Are you in love with him or something?” I asked.

  Oses cocked an eyebrow at me. “A Nobek does not speak of love for other men. It’s considered demeaning to the objects of their affections.”

  The way he said it made me guess, “I asked an offensive question, didn’t I?”

  Oses shrugged. “To a younger Nobek it would be. My breed prefers to prove our attachments to fellow males through our acts, not our words. It is a poor excuse of a Nobek who cannot demonstrate his love adequately enough so that others are aware of it.”

  “I see it whenever you’re around Betra,” I said. “So you’ve got the demonstration part okay. I just wanted verification. I didn’t mean to insult you.”

  The weapons commander smiled. “I’m aware you meant no harm, Shalia. We Nobeks do try to take into account how little you know of our society. I took no offense from your curiosity.”

  “Good.” I found it interesting that he didn’t refute my knowledge of his unrequited fixation on Betra.

  I chewed on my lower lip as I ventured another question. “Nobeks have no problem voicing their love for women though, is that right?”

  Esak’s quiet but fierce face was very much in my mind right then. He’d spoken the words, words it seemed like I’d heard a million years ago. My heart squeezed tight. I may be trying to move on, but certain parts of me lag far behind the rest.

  Oses nodded. “Females must be reassured of our devotion through word and deed. Every opportunity is taken to let a loved woman know she is the center of that Nobek’s life.”

  “You can’t have a woman without a clan. Does it bother you?”

  “Oh, I could certainly have a woman.” His grin turned naughty. “I could even live with one if I wasn’t on a ship performing dangerous duty. I just can’t clan one.”

  “So is your plan to hop from girl to girl once there are more of us to play with?” I flirted shamelessly, but I couldn’t seem to help myself. Old Man Oses? It’s more like On Me, Oses. Now.

  He laughed at my question. “Matara Shalia, you are the funniest Earther I’ve met. Yes, I am quite free to entertain all the females I want. Unfortunately, most the females I run into are looking for something younger. Even your naughty older friend Katrina prefers the younglings.”

  I shook my head. “Maturity looks pretty good to me.”

  Oses chuckled. “Young lady, if I wasn’t due on the bridge in a few minutes, I’d ask you to prove that.”

  I sighed, rolling my eyes at myself. “Why do I keep doing this? I used to hate sex!”

  “That’s terrible.”

  “Yeah, but it made my life less complicated. Not to mention a lot less heartbreaking.” I stared at him. Damn, Oses looked so wonderful. He was nothing like any of the men I’d had before. In fact, none of the men I’d been with were anything alike. I don’t have a type apparently, unless you count ‘male’.

  “My ego swells when you look at me like that,” Oses told me softly. “Along with other parts, obviously. Do I dare hope we explore our mutual attraction?”

  “I’d be stupid to say yes,” I answered. “Yes, I want to have sex with you.”

  “I’m quite controlling.”

  “You and every other Kalquorian I’ve ever met.”

  Oses chuckled. “I have double shifts today and tomorrow. Would you like to get together the day after that?”

  “Great, now I’m scheduling my sex like a hair appointment. Sure, we’ll see if our parts fit day after tomorrow.”

  Oses rose, still snickering. “You are a funny one. I’ll come and get you that morning then.”

  I stood to walk him to the door. “Come and get me? We can have sex here.”

  The Nobek stopped just short of triggering my door to automatically open. “I’d rather have you in my quarters.”

  He gathered me in his massive arms. I was all too ready for his kiss when his face dipped down to mine.

  At least, I thought I was ready for the kiss.

  It started soft and sweet, an amazing thing from someone who looked made of granite. Oses cupped the back of my head, holding just right for him as his lips drifted over mine. Slowly, slowly, slowly, his mouth settled against me, moving in a delicate testing fashion. When his lips parted, I opened my mouth too. His tongue found mine, sliding over in a quest to get to know its partner better. From there the kiss deepened, going from tender to assured. Oses tasted good, kind of smoky and savory and masculine. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing close to this huge male. I found all that muscle to be terribly exciting.

  Oses’ kiss grew in strength. It became demanding and then devouring. I melted against him as he plundered deep in my mouth, kissing me like he owned me. My senses swam. Overwhelmed, I think I even stopped breathing. Heat and want poured into my mouth and down my throat to make my guts boil.

  He released me just in time to keep me from fainting. I know how wimpy-girly that sounds, but I honestly damned near swooned from the power of Oses’ kiss. Should I consider an older, mature man who knows what to do with his mouth? Oh fuck, yeah. Especially if he knows what to do with the rest of the package.

  “The day after tomorrow,” he promised in a low voice that shivered my bones. “We will go to my quarters and I will make you come screaming for me until you are no longer capable.”

  The moment my door close behind him, I went to the couch and collapsed. It took half an hour before my limp spaghetti legs found strength to stand and walk again.

  January 24

  Did I complain about being bored a few days ago? I’d like more of that, please. Much, much more. Universe, you can bore me until I’m catatonic from it. Please.

  I’m still shaken. We came under attack again. The claxons went off just as Katrina, Candy, and I were finishing breakfast. The moment the blaring started so did the screams, echoing in the dining room. Katrina and I did not scream. Candy squealed a little, but then Candy squeals at the least little thing, both good and bad. I’m pretty sure she does it during sex too. Since she’s traded in her virginity, I’ve heard more than one Kalquorian mimic that distinctive sound when she passes them in the corridors.

  No Kalquorians were teasing her while the alarms went off, however. After the initial jolt of terror, our group rose from the table as Betra reached us. His entire group was there, and we trotted behind him down the halls to the shuttle bay exactly the way we’d drilled.

  We were the first group to board our assigned escape craft. Betra looked proud of us despite the concern that played freely over his expression.

  I ended up in the seat between Katrina and Candy. Secured, the only thing left to do was sit and wait for whatever came next.

  “Hey Betra, any idea who is behind this one?” Katrina asked.

  He sat across the aisle from our bank of seats. The Imdiko shook his head. “They didn’t announce it.”

  Candy gave him a mock pout. “Well, someone needs to get with the program. I hate being left out of the excitement.”

  I couldn’t resist joining in. “Sheesh, you’d think the captain was busy or something. Can’t he give us a play-by-play of the battle while he fights it? What kind of a cruise are you guys running, anyway?”

  Betra chuckled. I think he appreciated us trying to keep things light rather than freaking out all over the place.

  The other two groups assigned to our shuttle filed in and took their seats. No one was panicked, not when we knew exactly how to handle our part in this mess. The drills had served us well.

  Candy started ticking items off on her fingers. “Okay, if we don’t have to leave this time, we definitely need to stock this thing with
distractions for future false alarms. Puzzles, reading material, music players, snacks...”

  “We have rations,” Betra said.

  “Forget it, Betra. I want cookies and chocolate on this tub next time.”

  “Plus a fully stocked bar,” I added.

  “Dildos and lubricant.” Katrina was as shameless as ever, especially when she added, “Or you liaisons aren’t going to get any sleep.”

  Betra laughed. “I’ll see what can be done as far as things to keep your minds occupied, but most of the shuttle’s storage is taken up by survival items.”

  Can people be on edge for almost an hour? We all were, and that’s how long we sat in our shuttle waiting to hear word on what was going on. It was almost anti-climactic when the announcement came and Betra translated: “We are clear. You may return to regular duty stations or your quarters.”