Note: Fans of my previous work might do well to skip straight to the Author's Note on page four before reading. Otherwise, hope you enjoy!
Chapter One: It Really Wasn't My Idea
"So Alyssa told us to ask you what you did in the Navy without telling you that she told us to," the very pretty woman in front of me at the table grinned. "Said it was pretty macho but you wouldn't brag about it unless we prompted you, which I have to say is really kind of charming."
Naturally I blushed. My eyebrows went up as I looked over at my roommate and lifelong friend, who glared at Stacy with her jaw visibly clenched. Stacy just kept on grinning, glancing at Alyssa only for a moment before leaning forward on the table with interest. She batted her eyelashes at me from underneath her curly blonde hair. Another man would've had a hard time not staring down at the inviting cleavage presented by the plunging neckline of her dress. It wasn't entirely easy for me, either, but I was always more about faces. Hers was delicate, vibrant and gorgeous.
"Specifically, what she said was to not make it obvious that she told us to bring it up," elaborated Monica, who sat on my left directly across from Stacy. She was every bit as much of a knockout as Stacy, with short, boyishly-cut black hair and perfect mocha skin. Like Stacy, she was dressed to kill, clad in a flattering green dress that didn't reach all that far down past the hips. Like Stacy, she was hard not to stare at.
Alyssa had hinted at introducing me to a couple of her college friends awhile ago. I had seen pictures, but I didn't realize she was talking about these college friends. Moreover, the pictures hadn't done them justice. I knew her friends were pretty, but I didn't know they would be the sort that were so hot that men were often too intimidated to approach them. Hell, I would have been too intimidated, had Alyssa not invited them out to dinner with us.
Thank God I had shaved and thrown on a decent shirt. I had thought this was just casual.
Monica casually waved her spoon at Alyssa's glare. "And see, that glare she's giving right now? That means she's pissed at us for blowing it, but she knows it's funny so she's not really that mad. But you probably know that look, huh?"
"Oh, I know the look," I smiled. "I've gotten it a lot." I glanced over at my lifelong best friend, who in turn promptly kicked me in the shin under the table. I knew that was coming, too, but I took it in stride. I would have said she was even more beautiful when she was angry if I didn't still have the scar from the first time I told her that in high school. "That's her 'don't blow my scam' look. Mostly I got it whenever I talked to her parents."
"Yeah, we know about her family," Monica said with obvious disdain. "They all sound batshit crazy." She caught another glare from Alyssa. I wasn't even looking Alyssa's way at that point. I knew what it felt like to be next to the glare. Monica nudged my arm a bit, saying, "Anyway, the Navy thing."
I wasn't sure what to say right away. I paused, looking down at the remnants of the warm, deep-dish pan cookie between the four of us as all my nerves came back to me. Harassing Alyssa was second nature. Being the center of attention from stunningly hot women (Alyssa aside) wasn't. I don't think I was ever so nervous in all my life. It was all I could do not to let it show.
"I was a corpsman. That's the Navy's word for 'medic.' I ran around with a bunch of Marines, 'cause they don't have their own medics. Not a big deal, really," I shrugged.
Alyssa kicked me in the shins again. "Way to sell it, baby bro," she frowned. At twenty-five, she was all of four months older than I was, and we weren't at all related. But she had called me that from the beginning. It was a constant reminder of how I was categorized in her life. "He's got like a fat stack of medals in a drawer at home."
"Aw, half of those are for tying my shoes correctly," I countered, "and a lot of the rest are like group awards."
"Oh, now I know you must be a war hero if you're all shy about it," Monica grinned. I blushed again. She noted my color with a simple "Mm-hmf."
"Alyssa said you got hurt," Stacy said. "That's why you're out now, right?"
"Well..." I trailed off. "I got some shrapnel in the arm and leg from a bomb, but that's totally not why I got discharged. See, one night at a forward operating base, I'm hanging out with some of the guys and this one Marine manages to slice his hand open while he's opening a beer bottle -- don't ask, I still don't know. My gear is further away than one of the supply closets, so I drag him off to get him patched up. I just sit him down at a table in another room where there aren't half-drunk Marines being stupid so nobody would mess with him until I'm done fixing him up.
"Only when I hit the supply closet, I find the C.O. of the base standing there in the dark with one of the platoon leaders there, um, on his knees in front of him and the C.O.'s trying to pull up his pants."
"Both guys?" Monica blinked. I nodded. "Wow," she smirked.
Stacy giggled. "What did you do?"
I shrugged, unable to hold back my own grin. "Well that's really something I don't want to see, right? I mean I know instantly that there's just no way that turns out well for me, but it's too late now and I gotta admit, it's really funny. So I just say, 'I don't have to ask and you don't have to tell, sirs,' grab the peroxide and a bandage kit and head out to do my thing."
My company laughed appreciatively. I poked at the cookie with my spoon. "So then, three weeks later when I'm in the infirmary with my arm and leg cut up and they're deciding what to do with me and whether I can stay or if I have to go, the C.O. walks in, takes one look at my chart -- and I know damn well he doesn't know how to read it -- and he decides it's time for old Petty Officer McLoughlin and all his inconvenient knowledge to move on. Turns out he knew an awful lot of pretty influential people who got to decide stuff on my behalf."
"Do you regret it?" Stacy asked.
"What, not ratting them out?" I blinked. "Of course not. Whole problem is that they have to hide it in the first place. C.O. may have been a bit paranoid, but I can't say I blame him."
"No, I mean getting out of the Navy."
I shook my head. "Not really. On the one hand I felt bad about leaving the guys I was with because they were still going to be in a war zone without me, but past that I was about done with the military. I thought about trying to stay. I mean I'm really not crippled or anything. But while I was in the hospital, Alyssa sent me an email that just said, 'Come home!' in all caps, so that was that."
"Awww!" the two ladies responded. I blushed.
"Home didn't mean California?" Monica asked.
Again, I shook my head. "No, Alyssa's the only family I've really got. My family disowned me for being a fascist baby killer when I joined the Navy. Turns out I delivered two babies in Afghanistan and one in Iraq, so the joke's on them, I guess."
I put a spoonful of moist cookie in my mouth, expecting laughter. I got sympathetic stares instead. That made me self-conscious all over again. "Um," I mumbled, "I didn't mean to make that sound like a cry for help. Now I feel all emo."
Stacy smiled, reaching out to take my wrists and pull them down onto the table. She slid her hands up to my elbows as she looked them over. Her eyes looked up at mine. It was God. Damn. Sexy. "No scars here," she said very smoothly. "You don't seem emo to me."
"You've got scars, though, right?" Monica asked. She revved up the purr in her voice, too. "Do we get to see your scars?"
I blinked. I was, in fact, quite intimidated by these two women now. "I dunno," I said with all the courage I could muster, "is this a date? I usually save them for dates."
Monica's smile was sly. "Could be," she answered.
"We're pretty adaptable," Stacy agreed.
I swallowed. Alyssa gave my leg a nudge under the table. "He's coming home with me tonight, ladies," she said.
"Killjoy," Stacy said.
"Cockblocker," Monica concurred. I blinked. She winked at me. I chuckled as if she meant it as a joke, but I wasn't entirely sure.
"Bite me," Alyssa told them lightly. "And don't tease him. You've both got other plans for tonight."
The other ladies sighed. "We do," Stacy admitted, looking at Monica's nod of agreement. "We should get going, too. But it's very nice meeting you, Kyle."
"We'll see you again soon," Monica smiled.
Alyssa gave her the glare. I wasn't looking her way, but like I said, at this point I could feel it. The glare faded into an approving smile when both of the ladies rose and planted friendly kisses on my cheek before they sauntered out. I stared in longing awe as they left. Alyssa was very understanding about it, and didn't speak until they were gone. "Well?" she asked.
"I'd kill or die for either of them," I said flatly.
"You'd do that for big, sweaty Marines, too. And total strangers. I want to know what you think of them." Her grin was triumphant. "Don't hold back. Which one did you like best?"
Not to put too fine a point on it, but Alyssa was every bit as smoking hot as either of them. She had big, beautiful brown eyes, dark brown hair and a smile that literally improved my day every time I saw it. Debate all you want about whether a guy can be friends with a woman without wanting to sleep with her. I really don't care. She's a heart-stopper, and I love her, but she was my friend. I long ago stopped being jealous of other guys who went out with her. Now I sincerely wanted her to find good ones.
So when she asked me which one I liked "best," the honest answer would have been her, but I knew better than to say that.
"Good God, do I have to choose?" I chuckled.
Alyssa's smile only intensified. "Not really."
My chuckle turned into a genuine laugh. "What, you think either of them would want to go out with me? Seriously? I can't keep up with that. Both of them would break me."
"So you're saying you wouldn't date either of them?"
"No, I'm saying that I expect I'd go down in flames trying," I told her. "Seriously, they're really nice, but I really don't think I've got a chance there. They're both way out of my league. I don't want to doubt your resources, but you really don't think you could get either one of them to actually go out with me on a real date, do you?"
"Why not? You're a good guy. You're cute. You're funny. You just totally aced that interview. And you've got a great reference," she added pointedly.
"What, that? That was an interview?" I smirked.
"What else did you think it was?"
"Alyssa, I'm a twenty-four year-old guy with no job. I'm a month out of Afghanistan. I'm sure they think I'm going to collapse under PTSD any minute."
She shrugged. "You'll start college next semester. You're not going to wind up on the street. I won't let you," she winked. "Anyway. They like you. I can tell." Her grin faded a bit, but didn't disappear as she picked up her drink. "So you really don't have a preference?"
"Not really. They're both amazing. Wish I had a real chance with either one of them."
She sipped her drink. "Good."
* * *
The first thing I did when I got home that night was to sit right down in front of my computer and get right back onto the job search. There's nothing like meeting a couple of phenomenally attractive women and having to admit that you have no job to motivate you -- which isn't to say that I hadn't put in a couple hours on the search before dinner (and every night for days on end before that), but still.
Unfortunately, my best job skills just weren't in demand. Seattle had plenty of paramedics and EMTs. Nobody within a reasonable commute range was hiring. And I have to say, when you've got such a specific set of training and experience, it can be really hard to look good to employers who want something completely different.
Which isn't to say I was interested in giving up, but I was already at a point where I was looking well below my own standards. I just wanted a job. Any job. Know what the difference was between me and the guy flippin' burgers at McDonald's? That dude had a job.
I was interrupted by a knock on my door. "Kyle?" Alyssa sang out, jarring me out of my frustration. "Can you come to the door?"
I smirked. She probably figured I might want some "private time" after dinner. Alyssa had been getting ready for a weekend road-trip, but that was ordinary. It was the main reason we had to call it a night so early after dinner with Stacy and Monica. I was already half-undressed, so I paused to throw on a t-shirt.
When I opened the door, I found Alyssa wrapped in her terrycloth bathrobe but still all made up to go out. She seemed a bit on edge, and a little urgent. "I didn't wake you, did I?" she asked.
"No, Alyssa, what's up? Something wrong?"
"No, no," she said, shaking her head and taking my hand in hers. "There's just...someone downstairs I'd like you to meet."
I hadn't heard anyone come in. Her hand trembled a bit, and she bit her lip now and again. She was very nervous. "Okay, sure," I shrugged, and squeezed her hand a little bit. Holding hands was a bit new. "It's cool." She smiled, nodded, and tugged my hand to lead me downstairs. "Have you been seeing someone special?" I asked with a wry smirk.
"Uh," she blinked, "you could maybe say that." She took a deep, steadying breath as we rounded the corner to the living room...
...and came face to face with a seven-foot-tall, muscular green guy with small nubby horns on his forehead, yellow eyes and an odd assortment of what looked like armor over his clothes.
I blinked. This was no costume. You could just tell.
"Kyle," Alyssa said, her voice quivering just a bit, "this is Lord Kruune. Of the Konlogath Empire, which is...um...a ways away from Earth. We've known each other for a long time."
I blinked again.
Lord Kruune bowed deeply. "Hello, Kyle," he said with a full baritone voice. "I have awaited this meeting for several of your years."
I looked at Alyssa, who alternately blushed, glanced around, and tried not to breathe heavily. She seemed nervous and excited.
Alyssa was my closest, dearest friend. There were times in my life when I felt like she was my only friend, and the further away the Navy took me, the tighter she held on. I kept no secrets from her. I honestly thought she kept none from me. We had lived together for a month now, and yet...there was an alien standing in the living room. No shit, really. A fucking alien.
"I apologize for this uninvited entry into your home," Lord Kruune continued, still bowing. "I submit that I followed Alyssa's suggestion, and while I have learned to trust her judgment in many things, honor demands that I offer sincere apologies."
"Uh...it's...her...house," I managed through my awe. "I just moved in."
"Ah - that's what Lord Kruune is here to talk to you - we're here to talk to you about," she said. "Um. Tell him he may rise," she hissed into my ear.
"You may rise?" I repeated.
He did, and looked on with those narrow, gleaming yellow eyes. You could hardly make out irises or pupils. They were there, but it was mostly all just yellow.
"See, you, uh...well, I've known Lord Kruune and many of his people since about when I started college," she said, "and I've wanted to tell you from the beginning, but you were in the Navy and your life was crazy enough, so I figured you didn't need anything this...weird."
I swallowed. "You don't say."
"And there was some stuff you really weren't ready to hear yet and I didn't want to have to lie to you," she added.
"My people abhor lies," Lord Kruune stated firmly. "To lie to one as honored as you or Alyssa would be a grave crime."
"That's...good to hear?" I managed. Apparently, everything I was saying came out as a question. Then I blinked away a bit of my shock. "So, what, you just didn't tell me at all? You had to wait 'til I moved in?"
Alyssa tugged at her hair. "I had to wait until you were twenty-four," she said guiltily.
"This was out of respect for my own culture's standards of adulthood," Lord Kruune elaborated for her. "The differences are slight, but worthy of address. Among my people, females mature within roughly three-quarters of the years that males require. Now that you are returned to your home, an adult and especially a warrior, the Konlogath see you as the Lord of House McLoughlin."
"Uh. Okay." I looked at Alyssa. "So what's that mean?"
"It means you're in charge of your own House now," she said. "Your own family. The Konlogath are a little like...you remember back when we had that term paper on ancient Rome in Mr. Rizzi's class? And how there was the father figure who was in control of the home?"
"Yeah." That class would've seemed like ancient history, except it was where we first met. I never forgot it.
"The Konlogath are a lot like that, but they're actually a really peaceful culture. They've always been very good to me. Women in their society can break off if they want to...it's a bit of give and take, there's good and bad in doing that and it's all complicated. Point being that a woman chooses to be traditional or not, but it's not an equality thing.
"In a traditional family, the Lord of the House has that kind of complete authority within the House like fathers had in Rome. An unmarried female like me would be under that authority. Up until now, I've been basically emancipated until I could find a House that would adopt me...and I didn't want to be part of a Konlogath family house."
"Alyssa is of such renown that her choice of any one Konlogath house over another would surely have caused great political strife among rival Houses," Kruune said gravely. "The great Houses have all vied for her adoption, which would be a magnificent political coup. Resentment and bitterness among those she turned down might well follow. Adoption into a House of her own people, though, would be accepted by all."
My jaw dropped. Again. I looked at Alyssa in awe. "You've been leading a double life between going to school and running around in outer space?"
She just shrugged, allowing herself a half-amused, half-embarrassed smile. "I guess I'm just awesome," she said.
"So you want me to have a House? So you can be part of it?" I blinked. She nodded emphatically. "So that makes us a House of two. Is that a good thing for you?"
"It lays to rest certain cultural and political concerns with regards to Alyssa's celebrity and personal connections in our society," Kruune nodded. "She needs not be of a prominent House, merely an honorable one. Her own prestige will grant your House great standing. Again, however, you are a warrior, and as Alyssa has told me, you have also been a healer and a midwife. These are all matters of great honor in our culture. Such personal achievements lend great credibility."
"Anyway, I'd need to join a House," Alyssa said. "Meaning yours. And since you're the Lord of the House," she went on, increasingly more delicate with her words, "I'm technically -- traditionally -- going to need your permission for certain...things."
They paused, probably to let that sink in for a moment, though Alyssa was clearly waiting to tell me more. It was a little like the time in high school when she had to tell me she had spilled paint thinner all over my freshly-painted motorcycle. Only worse.
"You don't need my permission for anything," I frowned. This seemed a bit crazy.
"I do," Alyssa pushed. Her teeth gritted as she spoke. She gave me the glare, but this time it didn't cover any laughter on her part.
"Okay, fine," I said. "So, what, you're here to ask me if you can go out on a date with Lord Kruune here?"
Alyssa let out an awkward laugh then, glancing at Kruune—who merely raised his hairless eyebrows and looked at her expectantly.
"Well, I've...kind of already been...seeing...Lord Kruune. For awhile now."
"I got that."
"Alyssa," he said.
"I'm getting there," she responded.
"You might as well just tell me," I sighed, wondering if she wanted to get married to him or something.
"I've been, um, seeing...a lot of the Konlogath."
I blinked.
"Professionally, sort of."
I blinked again. "You're a prostitute?!"
"Not exactly," she said, and bit her lip again.
"If I may," Lord Kruune broke in. "The term you use in your language applies only in that there is an exchange of goods or services for sex and companionship. The term 'prostitute' or any of the more derogatory terms bear little further resemblance. To us, there is no vulgarity or shame in this. A quislanan is a much honored female—indeed, Alyssa is one most honored and even revered."
I didn't know what to say to that. He just called my best friend one of the greatest whores in the galaxy. As he was left uninterrupted, he continued, while Alyssa shifted on her feet awkwardly and folded her arms around her belly.
"Among the Konlogath, there is no stigma to female promiscuity. It is, in fact, a trait held in high esteem to us. But it is unfortunately very rare, as our females are typically both more reserved and more monogamous than those of your species by nature. This has both biological and psychological factors. Our females form very strong bonds with their mates, while males are often not quite so focused. That said, there is virtually no stigma to sexual promiscuity; in fact, we hold quite the opposite view."
"So you're saying your women don't cheat and ours do?"
"In a sense," he nodded. "The desires to enjoy one's sexuality are very much respected, but unfortunately it is rare to find a female other than a male's own partner who shares this desire. We occasionally turn to outsiders from our race, yet even this is a challenge.
"My people are dramatically more psychic than the vast majority of your own. It is rare to find an individual among your species with both the physical and psychic appeal to satisfy our males... and, on occasion, our females. Alyssa has proven over the years to be remarkably appealing on both levels."
I looked at Alyssa in disbelief. "But you hardly even go out!"
"I never go out with human men," she said, looking away a bit guiltily. "They don't really excite me all that much anymore. And it's so hard to find one that isn't a jerk or doesn't have huge problems...and I really don't want to give up being a quislanan."
She seemed sad when she said it, and fearful. It was only after the words had escaped her lips that she could look me in the eye.
My surprise and sense of culture shock were overridden in that moment by my loyalty and love for her. Alyssa was effectively my only family. I wanted her to be happy, no matter what. And it dawned on me then that maybe I really was the only (human) person she knew who wouldn't judge her. Her family had thrown her out years ago because she wasn't the wingnut religious conservative they wanted her to be. Hell, in those first couple of years, I practically supported her myself.
"So why would you have to give it up?" I asked tentatively.
"Because..." she began, almost pleadingly, and then stopped as if afraid to say it.
"Because you are now the Lord of House McLoughlin, Kyle," Lord Kruune said. "It falls to you to bless this, and to act as her lord, or to refuse and keep her within your House. The Konlogath will honor this decision, whichever you should choose."
"You need my permission to be a pr—" I stopped myself. "A quislanan?"
"Yeah, and...um...your involvement."
"Woah," I said, "what do you need me involved for?"
"A quislanan must be the honorable daughter of a House," Lord Kruune said. "Alyssa has acted without a House for too long as it is to satisfy concerns of tradition and culture. Were she to continue to do act on her own, she would very quickly find the Konlogath unwilling. It would fall under several taboos. To be in a House, however, all honor, tribute and wealth in the Empire comes through the lord. In this case, that would be you."
"The simple way to say it is that you've...got to be sort of my...pimp," Alyssa said, eyes downcast.
That didn't seem right at all. "You mean I get paid while you're the one doing...stuff?! How the hell is that okay!?"
"Surely you would come to an honorable arrangement within your own House," Lord Kruune shrugged.
"Kyle, I've already made a fortune," she said. "I never said anything before because I couldn't tell you everything. But now that it's all out in the open...I'm rich, Kyle. And it all goes to the House, which means we're rich. Or we will be as soon as we start converting things to cash. And I'm -- we're already owed favors and boons and protection from noble houses and generals and..." she stopped. I was staring.
"How many aliens have you slept with?!" I blinked.
"Oh, Alyssa hardly sleeps while performing!" Lord Kruune declared with beaming pride and total innocence. He reached out his hands in a wide, grandiose gesture. "She is exalted throughout the Empire!"
My jaw dropped. Alyssa blushed and looked away again.
"So this is totally up to me, and I have to participate in...in negotiating? And everything she gets paid comes to me?"
"Correct."
"Why can't I just say she's free to do what she wants?"
"Again, there are deep cultural concerns. Alyssa must abide in good faith by these traditions, or her time with us is ended. We cherish her, but we cannot bend our traditions any further than we already have. She must be part of a proper House, and must act properly within that House. It requires a proper Lord. She has waited for years hoping that you would be the one, Kyle of House McLoughlin."
"What if I say no?" I asked. Alyssa looked at me then, desperation and a pleading look in her eyes.
"Then, beyond honoring what is already owed to you," Lord Kruune said gravely, "my people shall be gone and trouble you no more."
I couldn't take that look from Alyssa. "What, you already said you're rich and stuff already! Why would you have to keep doing it?"
"I don't 'have' to. I want to, Kyle. It's...it's..." she searched for the words. "It's wonderful. It's amazing. I really like being a quislanan. I'm practically the quislanan. They treat me like royalty, and they're all so genuine. I'm already fine with you sharing everything that comes with it if you want it. I want you to share the rewards, Kyle. You're the only family I've got. If I can keep doing this and be in your House...I'm fine. I'll have everything I ever want anyway."
I swallowed. I guess it wasn't hard to imagine that she just really enjoyed the job if they treated her that well. So Alyssa likes big green dudes. Who am I to judge, right? "So...what's all this entail?"
"Do you want details of the acts we--?" Kruune began.
"No!" Alyssa cut him off. "I don't think we have to go there quite yet. Kyle, if you're okay with it, I'm going to go away for the weekend to...see...Lord Kruune's liege."
"Alyssa. We must be honest."
She sighed, and stammered. Her face flushed a bit as she said, "I'm going to have sex with his lord. And probably some of his household. If you'll permit it."
"I should also like to fornicate with Alyssa during the journey," Kruune said hopefully. "And the trip back." Alyssa gasped a little, and stifled a nervous smile. It was dawning on me just how she felt about this.
"You're getting horny just talking about this, aren't you?" I asked.
She nodded, but it was Kruune who spoke his mind. "Alyssa and I are psychically arousing one another as we speak. I should dearly like to see her shed her robe."
"Kruune!" Alyssa objected, her cheeks flushing more.
"Oh, well go ahead," I said, but I wasn't serious. Before I could point out that I was joking, Alyssa disrobed, revealing a very sexy white lingerie set—silk and lace bra and panties, matching garters & stockings, and a more amazing body than I had ever expected. I had seen Alyssa in a swimsuit a few years before, but...damn. I could see her breathing get even heavier, her full breasts heaving noticeably under my surprised gaze and Kruune's appreciative narrowed eyes. "I didn't mean just do it!" I blurted out.
"Kyle. You're the Lord of House McLoughlin," she explained, rolling her eyes. "If we're gonna do this, we have to do it for real. I have to do as you say from now on. Whatever you say. That's part of the deal." She looked me squarely in the eye. "And I'm fine with that."
That, like everything else that had been said, practically floored me. "Alyssa...this is really what you want? And this is safe?"
"Oh, yes, Kyle, it's totally safe. Neither of us really could be any safer than with me being quislanan."
I couldn't believe what was happening. Seeing Alyssa dressed like this, though, and hearing how much she wanted it, I have to admit that my suspicions gave way to temptation. It was getting me more than a little horny, too.
Finally I just figured, y'know, fuck it. This is what she wants. She's already been doing it for years. I was never jealous of her boyfriends in the past. It's not like I felt jealous here -- maybe a little envious now that I see her like this, but not jealous.
And it's not like I had a problem with prostitution. I have (and had) a problem with exploitation. That part of it's just fucked up. People who force others into this sort of shit should be thrown in jail or shot. But in the abstract, if someone's cool with selling sex? If it's really a matter of personal choice? I say let 'em. You have a problem with it, you offer 'em a better job yourself. I asked, "So other than being in charge, what's in it for me?"
With that little question, Alyssa's eyes lit up, and a mischievous grin spread across her face. "Well, like I said, we've already got lots of money stashed away. Gold and stuff. We just have to liquidate it, but there's...millions."
"Wow," I blinked.
"That's just the start, though. The really good stuff is...Lord Kruune?"
"As we have a vested interest in your continued survival and good health, Alyssa has already arranged and implemented certain chemical and psychic treatments on you both," Kruune said. "Your youth will dramatically outlast that of your fellow humans—and moreover, you have been immunized to viral disease and harmful bacteriological infection, and a number of potential genetic maladies have been corrected in your DNA."
"When the hell did this happen?!" I blinked.
Alyssa rolled her eyes. "Aliens! Duh. They took care of you because I told them to when I was your...um...guardian. While you were still a child." She smirked. "Like, last year."
"I got visited by aliens when I was in fucking Afghanistan and I don't even remember!?"
"Uh-huh. And probed," she grinned evilly. Alyssa reached down to her discarded robe -- and the view was gorgeous, by the way -- to pull a small pill out of the robe's pocket. She handed it to me. "Swallow this," she said.
"What is it?"
"It's a biological activator," Alyssa smiled. "There's some other adjustments I had made on you as part of payment for this weekend. They took care of it while you were sleeping the other night."
"Your wounds from battle shall trouble you no more within the next few rotations of your planet," Kruune added, "and the last few adjustments to protect you from infections will be fully effective."
Figuring I was already all in at this point, I went ahead and swallowed the pill. Alyssa's grin broadened. "Isn't it cool? No STDs!"
"On that note," Kruune said, "as your enhancements take hold, you will find yourself able to control some bodily functions more directly. As a case in point, the Konlogath only become pregnant when both partners are deliberately willing and intending on such. While you were still under her guardianship, Alyssa directed that you be rendered highly functional but sterile. That is still your current condition, which will come to fruition as the biological activator does its work. Does this meet with your approval?"
Highly? What did that mean? "Um. Yeah?" I blinked. My head was swimming. "Well, I guess I don't really know what I can ask for anyway. Is that everything?"
"I might've arranged some surprises for you for the immediate future," Alyssa admitted with an expectant but bashful grin, twisting around entirely too enticingly in her excitement. "But it's not really anything outside of what's been covered. You'll see soon enough."
"That is all that has been agreed upon up until now," Kruune said. "As I bring the entreaties of the Emperor himself with me, there is a great deal to be offered. As you say, though, you are not yet familiar with what is appropriate or within our means. The Emperor can and will offer as much as to make you the ruler of this world."
My jaw dropped. That was crazy. Alyssa looked like she was about to say something, but I replied, "I think that might be going a bit far. I don't know if planet Earth is ready for all that."
"There's no other catch?"
"Nothing that can be foreseen," Kruune nodded. "And nothing intended. On my honor and that of my liege, all is as we have stated."
"And all I've gotta do is whore out my willing...House member?"
"Daughter," Alyssa corrected.
"Oh, 'cause that makes this so much less perverse," I remarked dryly. "Okay. So all I've gotta do is whore out my 'House daughter' to space aliens who are honor-bound to treat her with deep respect and humility?" Yes, thank you. I caught the irony in my statement. If my desk wasn't so far away, I'd have slammed my head into it many, many times already.
"Uh-huh," Alyssa said. Kruune only nodded.
Alyssa's eyes were still pleading. It was what she wanted. (And holy FUCK did she look hot!) I couldn't say no. "It's a deal."
"Okay. Cool. Thank you, Kyle. We should probably be going," Alyssa added. "This, uh, job is already all worked out. You won't have to do anything until the next one comes up."
"May we take our leave, Lord McLoughlin?" Kruune asked.
"Wait, hold on. I'm not going with you?"
"No!" Alyssa burst. Then she quickly calmed herself. She gave me the glare. "No, you've got that other thing to do this weekend, right?" With her head turned away from Kruune, she indicated him with a roll of her eyes and glared at me again. Kruune, for his part, simply seemed eager to get going. He also seemed to really like the view of Alyssa from behind. I couldn't blame him.
"Oh, what, that thing that's better than going into outer space with you?" I hinted heavily.
"Yes," she gritted her teeth. "That thing that wouldn't be nearly as weird as watching me work before we've had a chance to talk privately. And like I said, I left you surprises."
"Alyssa! I didn't mean watch, I just...um...oh wow. Yeah. Sorry." I took a deep breath. I totally wanted to see outer space, but really, she had a point. This was bound to be really awkward. I guessed the stars would have to wait for me this time.
"When are you gonna be back?"
"Tuesday night. I promise, Kyle, I'll tell you everything else you want to know. Look, my wallet's on my desk and my PIN numbers are the last four of my license plate. Just go nuts with it, okay? What's mine is yours now. I mean that. And have fun with your surprises. Go nuts with those, too." She quickly gripped me in a hug and a kiss on my cheek that, given her current state of intimate dress, very nearly made me explode. "Thank you so much, Kyle!"
"Uh, yeah, sure, I guess," I muttered, not feeling crestfallen or forlorn at all nearly so much as just not really knowing what I was supposed to do with myself as Alyssa took Lord Kruune's arm and walked out toward the kitchen and back door with him. My eyes immediately tracked straight to her ass. Tight, pouty, bubble-shaped perfection accented by lace and...holy crap.
I stopped myself. I had to stop following her. There were boundaries. I was only going to drive myself crazy. However they took off, be it spaceship or beaming out like Captain Kirk -- reversing who wore the green body paint, of course -- I totally missed it in my effort to get a grip.
Then I was alone in the house.
All alone.
I looked left. I looked right. Nothing. The only sound was the hum of the refrigerator doing its refrigerating thing. My hands curled into fists that softly punched against one another pensively.
I went back to the couch in the living room. Even that felt pretty out of place. Really, though, what was I to do? What do you do when your dearest friend -- your only family, really -- what do you do when she bounces out to some alien orgy in outer space?
Honestly, Alyssa hadn't turned me on like that in years. Like I said, I was conscious of how attractive she was. But I'd been in the close-enough-friends-to-be-siblings box more than long enough to have accepted it. I hadn't thought about wanting to be with her myself in years. I thought more about other women I wanted to be with, and when I thought about Alyssa, it was in terms of hoping she'd find a good, solid boyfriend.
Apparently, she preferred the green kind that paid a fortune up front. Which, you know, was cool, I guess? I mean I guess they were nice to her. She enjoyed it. And I certainly couldn't blame them for wanting her, 'cause now that I'd really seen her work it, I was insanely turned on.
Turned on and all alone. 'cause Alyssa just took off with some aliens. Leaving me there. At home. All alone on a Friday night.
The doorbell rang. I went to the front door, opened it and found the answer waiting for me outside.
Monica leaned on the doorframe in a white outfit that was mostly just thin lacy straps. There were "cups" around her breasts that were mostly present to give only the teasing pretense of covering the wonders underneath. There were stockings, too, held up by garters attached to those straps I mentioned. For the most part, though, Monica was all smooth mocha skin, breathtaking curves and a confident gaze.
Just past her was Stacy, whose ensemble showed a little less skin but broadcast sex appeal every bit as loudly. Her black lace bra and panty set didn't need to do much to enhance her assets. She wore black stockings without garters along with a quiet, knowing smile.
They stood on the front porch of the house that Alyssa and I shared dressed like porn stars without a care in the world.
It was Stacy that spoke first. She stepped up, past Monica, to move where she could drape one arm around my shoulder without crowding Monica out of the way. "We really like you, Kyle. A lot. We were both wondering...How would you feel about skipping the first date," she suggested coolly, leaning in close enough to say it straight into my ear, "and all the handholding and all the small talk, and instead going straight to the really fun stuff?"
"I don't..." I swallowed. I was so horny I was shaking, and I really did want to just tear what was left of their clothes off, but at this point part of me was waiting for the punchline or the guy with the video camera to show it was all a prank. That, or something worse. Mainly, though, I was a little bit afraid of myself in that moment. "I don't know what to say."
Still leaning casually -- sexily -- on the doorframe, Monica reached out with her free hand to trace her fingers down my chest. "Alyssa told us everything. Showed us everything. We know about the aliens and what she's doing." I blinked in surprise, and she just nodded. "She also told us you're the greatest guy she ever knew...and that you would really need a couple of attentive, adoring, slightly slutty girlfriends right now."
Stacy leaned in and kissed my neck. Monica stepped in close as well, taking up the space on my right just as Stacy was on my left. Both of them had a hand on my chest. "She set this up?" I breathed.
"Yeah," Stacy murmured, "but we agreed to it."
Monica's hand slipped under my shirt. She explored my abs and obliques, clearly liking what she found. I'm not a bulky guy, and I might not have been ready to go modeling, but I was still in pretty damn good shape. "Did you...did you say girlfriends?" I managed. Somewhere in my head I thought it was still necessary to be witty. "I don't want to...to complain, but isn't that a bit rushed?"
"Those green dudes are really good at helping you get into the right headspace for a night like tonight," Monica smirked.
"You don't think they did something to you? That doesn't bother you?"
Monica's hand roamed up my chest, and her nails trailed their way back down. "Do we feel like we're bothered?"
"We're here to have a good time with you," Stacy said. "Now you can either send us home...or you can play with us like a guy who deserves to have two hot sluts take care of him all weekend long."
I let out a long, unsteady breath. Monica's hand came out from under my shirt to reach up to my face. She guided it down to hers and then kissed me hotly and hungrily on the mouth. "C'mon, Kyle," she grinned. "You'll feel a lot better about this after you've fucked us both a turn or two."
I stepped back, my arms still around their waists. They both grinned a bit more, clearly understanding that I wasn't about to argue. Monica reached behind herself to close the door and throw the deadbolt.
Stacy's hand went to my crotch. Her touch slid down in a very friendly manner across my bulging erection, then back up again to grab the top of my fly. She put her other hand to work as well, freeing me from the fastened buttons in a single jerk. "You probably can't really think with anything but your cock right now anyway, can you?"
"Not really," I admitted.
"So don't," Monica grinned. Her hands were under my shirt again, but this time she was pulling it off. "We already know you're a nice guy. Don't worry about our feelings. We're not here for that tonight. Tonight, we're here to be used."
I almost gasped. I'd never heard women talk to me like that before. Honestly, if I hadn't already seen how confident and independent the two of them were, it might've freaked me out...but all I saw in their eyes was playful, horny, informed consent.
I slipped my hand up Monica's bared back, which brought her up against me. My hand came to rest around neck, and then I gave just enough pressure to guide her downward. Her eyes were on mine as her legs bent at the knees. Stacy stayed all but painted against me on my left side. Her hand slipped into my boxer briefs, finding my cock and stroking it slowly and luxuriously even as Monica tugged my unbuttoned jeans down and out of the way.
As I looked down at Monica's beautiful face and alluring grin, Stacy drew my cock out from under the black fabric. She stroked it again, twice, three times very slowly, before guiding it to Monica's face. Monica licked one side of it, then swirled her tongue over the head. It was so good I shivered. She still had her eyes on mine as her mouth came open and she slowly, generously enveloped more and more of me.
I never really worried about size. Either I was at least average, or it's true that size doesn't matter, because my few previous partners had never had any reluctance at all toward sex. But from the moment I had Stacy's hand around me, I felt like I had grown. There was more of me, and I felt amazingly good in her hand, and much, much better than that in Monica's mouth.
Monica pushed forward to take me in, covering about half of my length, and then pulled back until only the head was in her mouth. Her teeth brushed gently along my shaft as she looked up at me. The expression on her face as her lips stayed wrapped around me just about stopped my heart. I swear to God in that moment I was absolutely convinced that she wanted my cock in her mouth every bit as much as I wanted it there. Those eyes sold it for me. My body came alive with energy as her mouth sank hungrily back down on me.
Stacy was watching, too. She still had her hand on the base of my cock. "God, that's hot," she murmured to me. My left hand drifted down to her ass. She snuggled up to me, half-giggling and half-whimpering her approval as my grip became more possessive. After a moment, I managed to turn away from Monica's beautiful face and heavenly work to find Stacy's lips. We kissed for a long while, her grip on me becoming every bit as possessive as my hand was on her flesh.
In that moment, I went from feeling like an undeserving charity case to feeling like a sex god. That was ego, I know -- hell, I knew it then -- but they were here to give my ego a treat, too, and they were doing a damn good job. Apparently my body language had shifted just enough to let the ladies know that I was getting into the spirit of things, because Stacy began to whimper and Monica let out a low moan of approval even as her mouth was stuffed with my dick.
"My slutty girlfriends, huh?" I asked when my kiss with Stacy finally parted.
"God, yes," Stacy breathed. "I'll wait my turn. I'll share. I'll do whatever you want, just promise me you'll fuck me."
Monica broke off long enough to chime in. "Both of us."
"Then let's go upstairs," I suggested. Monica pulled away from my cock just long enough to get me to step the rest of the way out of my clothes. Stacy's hands were still all over me. Before long, Monica's lips were sliding down my dick again and those hungry eyes were once again on mine. I couldn't help but let out a long sigh of surrender.
Stacy grinned. "We've got one other gift from Alyssa."
"What's that?" I asked.
"Her bed," she said.
Once again, I blinked. Stacy had an awfully big bed, which I had thought was just an indulgence. After tonight, I wondered how many guys -- aliens, funny enough -- she'd had in that bed. But now she was offering it to me, through her friends, which she had also plainly offered up to me.
With a clear look of reluctance, Monica released her liplock on me, rose and took my dick in her hand to lead me up the stairs with Stacy close behind. It was a moment of surreal anticipation in which I accepted the fantasy that they offered.
In Alyssa's bedroom, Monica turned back to me, guiding me to the bed until I sat down on the edge. She sank to her knees again, slowly swallowing my cock once more. Stacy slipped around me on her knees, her breasts heavy against my back as she caressed my chest and shoulders and trailed her lips up and down my neck. It was absolute heaven.
"I'm not going to last like this," I warned. Monica just stared up at me as her head bobbed up and down. "If you don't stop, I'm going to finish fast."
"Go for it," Stacy whispered into my ear. "Just let go. You won't be finished. This is just a warm-up." Her whispers turned to nibbles, and before long her hands guided mine to Monica's head. Monica gripped the base of my cock with one hand, jerking it as she worked me over, but her other hand held my wrist approvingly.
It was more than a man could take for long. Tension and pressure built, yet Monica kept up her work while Stacy kept up her attention. My legs began to tremble softly. Moments later I erupted, cumming fiercely down Monica's throat. She made no move to break off and in fact her grip on me only tightened and she bobbed down more fiercely than ever. She even began to whimper in sympathetic pleasure.
"All weekend, baby," Stacy hissed at he as I came and came and Monica dutifully swallowed.
It was the most satisfying orgasm of my life...but not for very long. I felt gloriously spent as Monica's tongue swirled around my still very erect cock, and then I quickly felt hornier than ever. Monica grinned at me and beckoned with a finger to Stacy, who eagerly slipped around me and down onto the floor to trade places with Monica. She enveloped my sex with nothing but a hungry look in her eye.
Monica promptly shoved me onto my back. A moment later she was straddling my chest, looking down upon me with a cocky grin. I couldn't blame her for the grin; I wanted her badly. I discovered that the thin panties of her outfit were tied on independently of the rest, allowing me to slip them free without undressing her. Through all this, Stacy energetically worked my cock.
I took hold of Monica's hips, pulling them up along my chest until her now unobstructed crotch was right at my face. My first licks were soft, tender, and had her whimpering almost immediately for more. "You're supposed to let us take care of you, baby," she murmured. "This is what I want," I told her with a grin. "I want to know you're both enjoying me." With that, I went about my loving work.
Her fingernails running across my scalp as she grabbed onto my short hair conveyed as much approval as the sounds from within her throat. I loved the taste of her, maybe almost as much as she loved being tasted. I licked up the whole length of her labia and over her clit, which left her eyes crossed and then shut with pleasure. "God, yes, baby," she whined softly as I continued over long minutes. "Yes. Ohpleaseyes."
I was in no rush at all. Not only was I enjoying the hell out of Monica's pussy in and of itself, I was being expertly entertained by Stacy's mouth. I had the thought, somewhere in that small part of my brain that still functioned, that focusing on pleasing Monica would help draw out the pleasure Stacy gave me.
It was a very good call. Monica needed a long, slow draw toward orgasm and Stacy would have very gladly gone on for hours if I had allowed it. Stacy's every bob and stroke and breath came as if I were the one doing her the sexual favor here. We were a happy, lustful trio.
Monica finally began to sway. Her thighs trembled. She reaching back to lean on my stomach for support. It had the effect of pushing her pussy a little harder against my mouth, which I accommodated adoringly. Finally she all but burst, screaming out as her juices ran through her and her sex convulsed in climax. I continued licking, drawing her through her long climax and finally down into a serene state of satisfaction.
"Oh God," she huffed when she could finally talk. "You're really good at that." She slipped off of me, rolling onto the bed to catch her breath. "Stacy, you...you gotta try."
"Mmmmhhh," Stacy intoned. She was still busy with her own oral task. It had been heavenly to begin with, but now that there was nothing to distract me, I was completely in her power. All I could do was lie there and experience her mouth. Hearing what was going on, Monica rolled back over, draping herself against me to watch.
Monica's affectionate kisses and caresses only made it better. How I lasted long enough to really enjoy it for awhile I'll never know, but eventually I felt myself trembling in all those relevant spots in my groin. "Let it happen, baby," Monica encouraged me hotly. "Just give in. Give it to her." Stacy took the cue -- she shifted and deepened to coax me to orgasm, then pulled back to suck on me more shallowly to help her swallow.
I had to lie there just breathing for a long moment. It was so incredibly good. Stacy slid up from between my legs, kissing along my stomach and chest just as Monica had been. They broke off after a moment to share a long kiss between them, right where I could see it.
When the kiss parted, they both looked at me and grinned, both as if it had been done for my further entertainment and as if to let me know that it was a genuine naughty secret. "So, Kyle," Stacy crooned, "how are we doing?"
"Wow," I breathed. "I want you both so bad." I was completely ready for more, too. That whole "highly functional" thing was becoming very obvious now.
"I've already gotten off once," Monica smiled. "Twice, considering how good it is just sucking you off." She reached out to pull on the drawstrings of Stacy's panties, saying, "So maybe it's time to even things out."
I shifted further up onto the large bed, giving us all plenty of room to lay without hanging off. Stacy gladly let Monica pull the lace free from her crotch, caressing her (girl?)friend's hair lovingly and inhaling in deep pleasure as Monica stole a kiss between Stacy's legs. They looked at one another naughtily before Stacy turned her attention back to me, crawling up over me with wanton need in her eyes.
She had a nice, well-groomed blonde landing strip between her legs. Monica had much the same, actually. Given my own preferences, I hardly considered it a coincidence. We were both more than slick and warmed up enough, but just the same she made a point of sliding her lips up the full length of my dick before she reached down to guide it into her. Prepared or not, I was certainly large enough that she needed a moment to accommodate me. The process itself had us both grinning with eager pleasure at one another.
When she was ready, she slowly rocked back and forth on my cock a few times. Again, Monica slid in to drape herself against me, favoring me with her lithe body and her sensual touch. I glanced at her eyes, saw the self-satisfied grin, and felt utterly spoiled. "Thank you," I murmured as Stacy fucked me.
"Just enjoy. We're only getting started," Monica said in low, lusty tones. "And it's only Friday night. We're all yours until Alyssa comes back. And after that...we'll see," she grinned with much more promise than ambiguity.
I kept one arm around Monica while I held onto Stacy's hip with my free hand. Stacy's pussy was every bit as incredible as her mouth. More, really, seeing as this was what it was made for. She kept a tight grip on me even as she slid up and down, rocking us both to mutual ecstasy. Eventually, the sight of her got too hot for Monica to focus her attention on me alone; she slid forward, kissing Stacy deeply and then trailing her hands down onto Stacy's breasts to squeeze, fondle and finally free them from her bra. Even with all the sincere affection they shared, the show never ended for me.
It was the feel of Monica kissing and sucking on Stacy's ample breasts, coupled with the relentless hardness keeping her split open, that set the blonde off. Where Monica screamed as she came earlier, Stacy was quiet, but the heaving breaths and convulsions were beautiful. I could feel her tighten around my cock and soak it with her release, heightening all of my own sensations until I finally let loose within her.
The smile Stacy flashed me was one of giddy intimacy. "No one's ever gotten me off like this," she confessed. The pouty glance the comment drew from Monica was soothed with that same grin. "We get to share," she said.
"We do," Monica nodded, turning back toward me to kiss me deeply. Our lips and tongues wrestled as Stacy ground me back to a state of heightened need before she finally slipped off of me.
"This is insane," I chuckled. "I can't believe how horny I am."
My eyes locked with Monica's again. It was definitely time. She put a finger on my lips and said, seriously, "Selfish."
I nodded. I didn't tell her how I wanted her so much as I pulled her over as I rose, turning her away from me and placing my hand on her shoulder to give a clue. Monica let out a low purr of approval as she complied, bending down to thrust out her ass while on her knees. It was a lovely ass. Hearts could break just staring at that ass.
My own began to beat with hungry need as I took up my position behind her. It was Stacy, though, who made it even more indulgent. She slipped behind me, took my cock in her hands, and guided it through a tour of Monica's backside before she finally slipped it between the kneeling beauty's legs. The feel of Monica's natural silky wetness distracted me from any further interest in toying with her. With my hands already around her hips, I pushed forward.
"Aaaahhh," Monica sighed loudly. I thrust in and out of her slowly, again and again, looking down in wonder at the sight of my cock plunging inside that gorgeous body. Stacy's hands were all over me, her mouth trailing kisses wherever her fingers weren't. In another moment of reciprocity, I turned to Stacy and joined her in a long and luxurious kiss even as I self-indulgently fucked her best friend.
"Like she said," Stacy whispered hotly into my ear, "we're all yours. All weekend long. Feel free to be as selfish as you want. We're having a very good time."
I accepted her offer. When I finally came inside Monica, releasing even more than I should possibly have had in me and knowing that there was still, incredibly, much more yet to enjoy, I was very selfish indeed. I didn't let her up. I just kept fucking her.
Pleased with the way she was being so thoroughly and lovingly used, Monica gave herself up to me and found herself climaxing again and again, much to our shared enjoyment and Stacy's entertainment.
It was a very long night.
* * *
There was more sex. More affection. Laughter. Intimacy. Cuddling, but consistently the sexy kind. Monica and Stacy spoiled me absolutely rotten that night, and I let them. I made sure that they were plenty well satisfied, too. I couldn't have lived with myself if I hadn't. But when they said they were gonna work me like a guy who deserved their complete attention -- and I'm not for a second arrogant enough to say I actually did -- they weren't kidding.
It wasn't long before dawn when we finally collapsed. Monica was out pretty quickly. Stacy curled up close to me, murmuring affectionate nonsense before she finally fell asleep.
I realized before I fell asleep that I was very thirsty. I slipped off the bed, pulled the comforter up off the floor (there had been a laughing conversation about wet spots) and gently put it over both ladies with great care not to wake them up (and yes, I made sure that it was dry on the bottom side). Then I staggered into my room, found and threw on my gym shorts -- I hate walking around with my junk flopping around -- and went downstairs to grab a glass of water.
Once that was filled, I figured I should make sure there was a hot pot of coffee for whenever my companions woke up. I didn't know if they were coffee drinkers, but hell, I was so swept away that I wanted to make whatever shows of consideration and appreciation I could.
It was on my way back through the living room and toward the stairs that the lights came through the windows. The curtains were drawn, so I wasn't worried about being spotted, but the colors were sure weird. Reds, purples and orange, with some white lights thrown in. They flashed in an odd pattern.
"Holy shit," I frowned as my shoulders sagged. "You gotta be kidding me."
I knew. I just fuckin' knew.
"Lord McLoughlin!" a strangely deep voice called out.
Yep. Like I said. I just fuckin' knew. I set my glass of water down on the coffee table and went to the door. The lights washed over me in the doorway. I'm pretty sure I looked either really bad ass or totally comical from behind, had anyone been there to look. The brightness of the lights had me squinting for a moment until my eyes fully adjusted.
There, assembled under a sleek, thin craft with swept back wings made entirely of what looked like either obsidian or opaque black glass, were a half-dozen big green guys. They knelt as if in some sort of formation or honor guard. At their center, standing with his head bowed and his arms crossed over his chest with fists held to the shoulders, was one that looked slightly smaller than the others.
He looked up at me and said, sounding like a kid stepping up on a big stage for the first time in high school debate club, "Lord McLoughlin, I am Prince Orrtraan of Artrulth, come to humbly inquire and negotiate the company and services of the most honored and revered quislanan, Alyssa of House—"
"Stop," I sighed, waving my hands out wide. "Stop, just. Okay. It's cool. You can come in. Just...just get rid of the alien dudes and the spaceship before the neighbors see, okay?"
* * *
Author's Note: So I feel like a few things should be said.
I've had this chapter partially done and sitting on my computer almost as long as the first four chapters of "Angels, Demons and Alex." Pretty sure that's why it hits some of the same sexual themes/fantasies -- lonely guy jumped by lots of women, women who are remarkably self-confident and comfortable in their sexuality, humor mixed in with extensive smut. And yes, the sex is superhuman, but that's because sex in erotica seems to ALWAYS be superhuman; I just like to have a little something to explain why.
As Kyle here is another character with a military background, I think I should just come out and say that I really like using that as a character angle. It's a great starting off point. Willie Nelson's heroes have always been cowboys. Mine have always worn combat boots, at least at some point in their lives. Hope that doesn't feel redundant.
I have ideas for where this could go. It's fun, to be honest. But I'm not sure how it'll be received. Again, I don't know if this seems a little unoriginal after "Alex." I'm trying first-person as an experiment here, since I usually go with third person. And, you know. Green dudes.
I would absolutely LOVE feedback on this, private or public. I am certainly not giving up on "Morgan's Genie," but this has been sitting around long enough that I wanted to put it out there and see how I felt about it. Hearing from readers would also be really nice. Thank you!