Soft beeping interrupted them.

  Erica pulled back slightly and stared at Carlos. The disappointment in his big, blue eyes reflected what she felt.

  He sighed and reached for the communicator he’d taken from Ian that rested on the nearby table. He stood so abruptly that Erica gave a little shout and nearly fell on the floor.

  “A human is approaching,” Carlos said.

  “Oh no they’re not.” Erica snatched the communicator from his hand and stared at the readings. “Shit.”

  They strode to a window and stared out at the forest. The storm had stopped and sunlight shone through the trees.

  Ian stood a short distance from the ship, staring at it. His torn black coat, jeans and boots were covered in mud.

  “Great. Just great,” Carlos said.

  “No one else is with him,” Erica replied, glancing back to the communicator.

  “We’d better bring him aboard,” Carlos said.

  “You think that’s a good idea?”

  “What choice do we have? Do we want him reporting back to his superiors?”

  “He might have already done that. What would Wyatt say about us bringing a human aboard?”

  “Wyatt’s not here.”

  “Yeah so that means Tiana is in charge.”

  “And as the ship’s doctor I’ve removed her from duty until she’s recovered from the transfusion.”

  Erica curled her lip. “That means I’m next in the chain of command.”

  “Do we bring him in or not?”

  Erica glanced out the window again. Ian had moved close enough to place a hand on the side of the ship.

  “Lower the ramp,” Erica said.

  Carlos did as she ordered. By the time the ramp fully lowered, Ian had backed away from the ship again.

  “Hey,” Carlos called. He walked down the ramp while Erica remained aboard, watching them. “How did you find us?”

  “I told you I knew your ship’s location.”

  “Who else knows about it?”

  “Just me.”

  The men faced each other, feet braced apart, their stances relaxed but ready for action. Even from a distance Erica could feel the tension between them.

  After a staring match that seemed to last a full minute, Carlos said, “You came this far. You might as well satisfy your curiosity.” He turned and gestured toward the ship.

  Ian looked skeptical. “Why do you want me to come aboard?”

  “You’re the one who followed us here, remember?”

  Erica strode down the ramp and approached. She offered her hand to Ian.

  He glanced at it, but didn’t reach for her.

  “Come on,” she said. “You’ve kept our secrets so far. You haven’t given us a reason not to trust you.”

  “But can I trust you?” Ian asked.

  “You can walk away now,” she said. “You can report us and most likely watch us die, just like Brock. Or you can get to know us. That’s what you really want, isn’t it? Think about it, Ian. If our kind wanted to invade Earth or harm you in any way, we’d have done it by now.”

  She hadn’t moved her hand. It still hovered between them, an open invitation to something he’d dreamed about but probably never expected to experience.

  He took her hand and they walked toward the ramp, Carlos behind them.

  Once aboard, Ian glanced around, his expression unreadable as usual. Keeping emotions in check must have been a qualification for agents. Erica couldn’t help wondering if he was restrained in bed as well.

  “We’ll show you around,” Carlos said, glancing toward Tiana’s quarters, then sick bay. “But keep it down. We have a crewmember recovering from an injury.”

  “I expected the ship to be bigger,” Ian said. “I don’t know why. Brock’s was tiny.”

  “He had a two-person vessel,” Erica explained. “Called an exploration pod. This is an exploration ship.”

  Ian stepped toward the cockpit and glanced at the monitors.

  “This is mine,” Erica explained, pointing to the navigational board.

  “You’re the pilot?”

  “Yes.”

  Ian glanced at Carlos. “And you really are a doctor then?”

  “Is your arm feeling better?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then you had to ask?”

  “Are you always this difficult to get along with?” Ian turned to him. They stood almost chest-to-chest.

  “Guys, this is supposed to be a peaceful meeting.” Erica stepped between them. She placed a hand on each man’s chest. A little thrill shot through her. They were both gorgeous, though in different ways. Carlos was fiery and Ian cool and collected. Or was he? She felt his heart pounding beneath her palm. Being aboard with them excited him more than he let on.

  “Why did you come here alone?” Erica glanced up at Ian.

  His blue eyes thawed the slightest bit.

  “Why haven’t you reported us?” she pressed.

  “I don’t want what happened to Brock to happen to you. I believe he was here for exploration and that his intentions were peaceful. He didn’t deserve to die… like that.”

  “And you were willing to copulate with him to save his life?” Carlos asked, folding his arms across his chest. “Was that the only reason?”

  “It was the most important reason.”

  “And the others?”

  Ian curled his lip slightly. A hint of anger sparked his eyes. She glanced down and saw his hands were curled into fists.

  “I shouldn’t have come aboard,” he said. “I’ll go. I don’t suggest you stay long. Someone hiking or camping is bound to find this ship.”

  He turned and headed for the ramp, but Carlos stopped him with a hand on his sleeve. “What’s the hurry? You wanted to learn about us. Now is your chance.”

  “Trust is the first step in any real relationship,” Erica said softly. “We’re here because we want to learn about Earth. You’re here because you want to learn about us. So why don’t we all get what we came for?”

  “What are you suggesting?”

  Erica stood on tiptoe. She looped her arms around his neck and touched her lips to his.

  Ian lightly grasped her wrists, but he made no attempt to break the kiss.

  When Erica slowly pulled back, he stared at her, his brow furrowed. “What was that for?”

  “I’d say she’s asking for a cultural exchange,” Carlos said.

  Erica looked over her shoulder at him. Knowing his temper, she’d expected him to be angry at her overture toward Ian. Instead arousal smoldered in his eyes.

  “I can’t,” Ian said.

  “Yes you can,” Carlos stepped closer. “Unless you don’t find us appealing. I understand if you’re still thinking about Brock. Don’t look so surprised. It’s obvious you had feelings for him and not just because he was a specimen to you.”

  “He wasn’t,” Ian said, a rough edge to his voice.

  Erica felt a twinge of compassion for him. Having visited Earth before, she knew it was easy to form ties with people you met. She’d always felt a connection to the humans’ way of life, the strong social bonds they formed.

  She kissed him again and this time he wrapped his arms around her and surrendered -- or rather she surrendered to his passionate kiss. She opened her mouth to his searching tongue and moaned softly, pressing closer to his big, hard body.

  No sooner had their kiss broke than Carlos cupped the back of Ian’s head and stared into his eyes. Ian initiated their kiss, roughly claiming Carlos’ lips.

  Carlos grunted and grasped Ian’s hips, tugging him so close that their pelvises ground together.

  Watching these two gorgeous men stirred Erica more than she imagined possible.

  Their eyes closed, Ian and Carlos deepened their kiss. When it broke, they were both breathing heavily.

  Erica’s heart beat faster. She wanted Ian, but just as much she wanted to see him with Carlos, their big, naked bodies pressed close. Just thinking about it ignited her passion.

  “Come on,” she said, taking their hands and tugging them toward her quarters.

  Unfortunately on such a small ship, the sleeping quarters were rather cramped, even for two people.

  When they started undressing, there was quite a bit of bumping and stumbling.

  “There’s a better way to do this,” Ian said in his deep, smooth voice. Lust glinted in his blue eyes and a smile tugged at his lips. “Ladies first.”

  He stood behind Erica and lifted her shirt.

  “Nice idea,” Carlos said with a grin. He unfastened Erica’s pants and slid them down. She lifted one foot at a time for him to pull off her boots and finally her pants.

  Ian had already discarded her shirt and tossed it aside, leaving her naked from the waist up. He cupped her breasts and gently squeezed them, then brushed his fingertips over her nipples. They stiffened to hard peaks and she leaned against him.

  Kneeling in front of her, Carlos caressed her through her panties. He kissed her legs and ran his tongue along her inner thighs before covering her clit with his mouth. He licked, drenching the thin material and teasing her swollen flesh through the panties.

  Moaning, she leaned against Ian and let him support her. His heart beat hard and his stiffening cock pushed against her from behind.

  In front of her, Carlos continued teasing her through her soaked panties, running his teeth gently over her tingling clit. He slid down her panties and she kicked them off.

  “Oh!” she breathed when Carlos’ mouth found her clit again -- this time bare flesh against bare flesh. It felt so good that Erica wanted it to last forever.

  Ian abruptly lifted her in his arms and placed her on the bed. Glancing past him, she saw Carlos quickly shed his clothes.

  Her gaze shifted to Ian’s and the arousal on his face made her heart skip a beat. She hadn’t expected the restrained agent to look so passionate.

  Grasping the front of Ian’s shirt, she tugged him toward her for a kiss.

  Ian’s tongue thrust against hers.

  Carlos approached. Clutching Ian’s hips, he thrust his cock against his ass. Ian grunted and turned swiftly, grasping Carlos and jerking him onto the bed.

  It seemed this human was fiery enough for two Pixiens. It was almost too bad they weren’t in cycle, but hopefully this wouldn’t be the last time they’d play this game with Ian. Erica was already growing rather attached to the agent and she knew Carlos well enough to realize they wouldn’t have arrived at this point if he didn’t have more than a passing interest in Ian too.

  Ian stood to undress, but Carlos grasped his belt and unfastened it. He unzipped and pushed down Ian’s trousers. His erection pressed against his white briefs and Carlos wasted no time before shoving his underwear down and fondling his cock.

  His gaze locked on Ian’s, Carlos knelt and took his cock deep into his mouth.

  “Ah, fuck,” Ian panted, grasping handfuls of Carlos’ dark, wavy hair. “Don’t you use protection?”

  “On our world we use contraceptive, disease-control shots,” Erica explained. “We’re very clean.”

  “What about me?” Ian panted, his eyes almost closed against the sensations rushing through his body. Carlos had his cock snug in his fist while his tongue flicked the underside. “You don’t know if I have something.”

  “Carlos examined you, remember? You’re clean. Perfect.”

  “Baby, I’m far from perfect.”

  “I meant in perfect health and condition.” She pulled off Ian’s shirt, baring his powerful chest, shoulders and arms. “But I didn’t need to scan you to see that.”

  She caressed his chest, running her fingertips over several scars. He had some on his ribs too. They looked old, but the result of serious injuries. The wound on his arm that Carlos had fixed was still fresh, but very fine. It would leave just the faintest scar.

  “Where did these come from?” she asked softly.

  “Military,” he said, but didn’t elaborate, so she didn’t push him. They had time to learn about each other.

  She rose onto her knees and kissed him, her hand trailing lower. The muscles in his stomach jerked, clenching and unclenching.

  Ian cupped the back of her head and thrust his tongue against hers, tasting every inch of her mouth.

  His hips jerked as Carlos pushed him closer to the point of no return.

  Groaning, Ian pulled away and again placed Erica on her back.

  “Didn’t I say ladies first?”

  “Trying to make me look bad?” Carlos teased.

  Ian’s passionate gaze swept him. “Nothing could make you look bad.”

  “Good answer,” Carlos replied, sweeping his hand over Ian’s chest.

  Erica cleared her throat and they turned back to her. Two pairs of smoldering blue eyes made her feel almost as hot as if she was in cycle.

  Ian kissed and fondled her breasts while Carlos settled between her legs and lapped her with the same enthusiasm as he’d sucked Ian. The man loved to use his mouth and he was exceptionally good at it. What a fool his relief partner had been to give him up, but his loss was Erica’s gain -- and now Ian’s as well.

  Ian’s warm, wet tongue rolled over her nipples. While he teased them, Erica caressed his silky black hair. As much as she enjoyed this, she desperately wanted something else -- something she was sure both men would enjoy.

  “Carlos loves butt play,” she said.

  Ian lifted his gaze to hers. The nostrils of his hawkish nose flared and the intensity in his expression made her heart skip a beat.

  “So do I,” Ian said in a husky voice.

  “And I like to watch,” Erica admitted.

  A faint smile flickered around Ian’s lips. He kissed her breasts, then climbed behind Carlos, who was still lapping her.

  Carlos groaned as Ian caressed his bottom. Ian squeezed the firm flesh, then lightly swatted it, making Carlos moan again.

  “More?” Ian demanded.

  “Fuck yes,” Carlos breathed, his breath fanning Erica’s sensitive clit.

  Ian smacked Carlos’ ass again. He moaned and continued teasing her with his lips and tongue while Ian alternated between spanking and stroking his ass. Carlos’ breathing roughened and sweat glistened on his forehead, but he didn’t stop pleasuring Erica, though she knew the sensations bombarding his body must be hard to control.

  Erica stretched toward the bedside table, and removed a container of lube from the drawer. She tossed it to Ian, who smoothed it over his cock, then used more to prepare Carlos’ bottom.

  “Oh, fuck,” Carlos panted, his eyes closed.

  “You’re okay with this?” Ian asked roughly.

  “You have no idea,” Carlos said, his voice almost a growl.

  Erica wove her fingers through his hair, guiding his mouth back to her clit.

  “Almost there,” she breathed.

  “So am I,” Carlos admitted.

  Ian grasped his hips and entered him slowly. Carlos groaned, his breathing ragged, though his tongue never left Erica’s clit. A few more delicious licks and she came hard, her hips bucking and her heart pounding.

  While thrusting into Carlos, Ian reached around and fondled his cock. That was all Carlos could take. He gasped and moaned as he came, his muscular body trembling.

  It took just a few thrusts for Ian to come too. His head thrown back, he stiffened and lunged into Carlos.

  All three lay in a sweaty tangle, catching their breath. After a few moments they shifted to a more comfortable position, Erica nestled between her lovers.

  “Why did you come here?” Ian asked, raising himself on his elbow. “I don’t mean why has your species visited Earth, but why did you personally accept the mission?”

  “It’s a complicated answer,” Carlos said.

  Erica glanced at him. “Not really. We’ve talked about it before.” She turned back to Ian and said, “It has to do with evolution. Pixiens have advanced in technology and medicine, but at a price. In ancient times, we were ruled by our sexual cycles. Males had harems for which they fought to the death. If the male leader couldn’t fully satisfy his females, he would be killed by his own wives.”

  “Pixiens curbed their violence and passion through the development of cycle-controlling meds,” Carlos explained. “Those who wished to experience sex, whether for pleasure or procreation, took relief partners to quench their monthly fire.”

  “Yes, Brock told me that. He didn’t mention the harems, though.”

  “They’ve been outlawed on our home world and marriage is rare,” Carlos said.

  “In our quest for peace through control, we’ve lost something important,” Erica said. “Like love and sharing. Family. Most Pixiens live with their mothers until they’re ten years old, then they’re sent to school and see their parents only once or twice a year. Some Pixiens still marry and raise families, but it’s very rare. That’s why I’ve been fascinated by Earth studies. I know the members of this crew feel the same. You wanted to know why I’m here, that’s my reason.”

  “Mine too,” Carlos said and chuckled. “Told you it was complicated.”

  “No, it’s actually not,” Ian said. “It makes sense.”

  “Hey! Carlos! Erica! Open up.” Tiana pounded on their door.

  “Oh great,” Carlos muttered.

  Ian raised an eyebrow. “Who’s that?”

  “Just stay put and be quiet,” Erica said, placing a fingertip to his lips, then she called, “Give us a second, Tiana.”

  Erica pulled the sheet off the guys and wrapped it around her middle.

  “Thanks,” Carlos said, arching an eyebrow. He and Ian stood and reached for their clothes.

  Erica opened the door and faced Tiana.

  “The captain just contacted me. He’s on his… way.” Tiana’s voice faded and her brow furrowed. She nodded toward Ian. “Who’s this?”

  “Tiana, Ian. Ian, Tiana.”

  “You brought a human aboard?” Tiana didn’t bother hiding her rage.

  “It’s a long story,” Carlos said.

  “Wyatt is going to be pissed off,” Tiana snapped. “And you didn’t consult me about this because?”

  “Because you needed to recover from the transfusion,” Carlos said. He picked up his medical scanner and pointed it at her.

  “Get that thing out of my face,” Tiana said. “I’m fine.”

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15