Road To Rapture

ROAD TO RAPTURE An Ellora's Cave Publication, DECEMBER 2003 Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc. PO Box 787 Hudson, OH 44236-0787 ISBN MS Reader (LIT) ISBN # 1-84360-796-4 Other available formats (no ISBNs are assigned): Adobe (PDF), Rocketbook (RB), Mobipocket (PRC) & HTML ROAD TO RAPTURE © 2003 MARILYN LEE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part without permission. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. They are productions of the authors’ imagination and used fictitiously. Edited by Martha Lee Cover art by Nathalie Moore.

ROAD TO RAPTURE

Marilyn Lee

Chapter One

Mara Manning swore softly. Lately she had done absolutely nothing right. This drive in the heat of anger and hurt had definitely not been one of her brighter ideas. She was hungry, running low on gas, and so lost. If all that wasn’t bad enough, she was beginning to think she was on the road to hell. Just at twilight, she had taken the wrong off ramp from the interstate and ended up on this narrow, seemingly endless road. Although she had been on this stretch at least forty minutes, she had seen no other vehicles moving in either direction. Nor had there been any turn-offs. Dark, foreboding fields bordered both sides of the road.

She had put herself in this position because she had caught Josh with another woman. She tightened her lips. Because they had not yet become intimate, finding him in his apartment with another woman wouldn’ t have stung so much if the female in question hadn’t been so danged blasted beautiful and more than ten years her junior to boot. She should have walked out of his apartment with her dignity intact. Instead, she had burst into tears like some emotional teenager and dashed off in her car. She gave an angry shake of her head. She hadn’t founded one of the most successful real estate businesses in the state by bursting into tears when things didn’t go her way. When seemingly insurmountable obstacles were placed in her path, she overcame them. Period. Even now, instead of driving along this nightmare highway in a major storm, she should be teleconferencing with her top realtors to make sure they were happy with her. Her biggest rival, James Compton, was again trying to lure her most successful realtors away from her. He hoped that the loss of her best and brightest would force her to sell out to him. He would then expect her to become just another realtor under him. That would happen not a moment before hell iced over big time. She had long ago learned to take adversity in stride. Her parents had been killed in an airplane crash that she somehow survived when she was ten. Although miserable, sad, and afraid, she had fought through her devastation. When her father’s only sibling had grudgingly agreed to become her legal guardian, she worked long and hard to knock down the emotional barriers Aunt Martha had erected between them and won her love. When the tall, handsome, fair-haired knight of her early teen fantasies had failed to appear in her life, she had made do with the men who had appeared. When she left her twenties behind, she had abandoned all hope of ever meeting the man who had haunted her dreams and her waking hours for so long. Nevertheless, she’d landed herself in a mess because of a fickle, cheating man. It wasn’t so much that she was in love with Josh as she’d been looking forward to getting laid on a regular basis. She frowned. Who was she kidding? If and when the right man finally came along, she would probably be as happily clingy and needy as the next woman—even if he weren’t the fair-haired knight of her dreams. There was a secret part of herself that she jealousy guarded that longed for that special once in a lifetime love she’d read about in books. To belong fully and unreservedly to a man who met all her emotional and physical needs was her one unrealized ambition. To achieve it, she would go anywhere, dare anything. Instead, she’d suffered through a series of emotionally draining encounters. Her last relationship before Josh had been with a widowed businessman who had moved to Japan. Although Dave Braton had been

neither handsome nor buff, he had been an above average lover and she had almost begun to think in terms of a happy ever after future with him. They used to take long walks along the shore, read poetry to each other, and make passionate love. She had convinced herself he was her prince charming, until their last night together. He took her to a romantic dinner, made desperate love to her all night, and then calmly told her in the morning that he was leaving for Japan. Feeling tired, yet happy from their marathon night of love, she had frowned playfully at him as he’d dressed. “And you’re just now telling me? How long will you be gone?” “A long time,” he’d replied, knotting his tie. She’d rolled over onto her back, stretching her bare body with unconscious ease. “How long is that?” “I’m not coming back, Mara. I’m moving to Japan.” One look at his unsmiling face had assured her of his sincerity. “What about us?” “It’s been wonderful, Mara, but that’s too great a distance to try and carry on a relationship.” And just like that, he had shattered her budding dreams of a happy future with him. Somehow she had managed to smile and congratulate him as he told her how this was the beginning of great things for him. To hell with her. As long as he was happy and headed for great things that did not include her. It had stung and hurt like hell that he had so easily chosen his career over a relationship she had thought was solid and full of promise. Although he had hurt her, she missed the intimacy and closeness they’d shared during their three years together. When she and Josh began dating four months after John’s departure, afraid of being hurt again, she decided to keep their relationship strictly physical. She told herself all she wanted from him was hot, raw, and frequent sex. Looking for love or even affection in a relationship just seemed to lead to heartbreak. Since she had long ago come to terms with her absolute and continuing delight in all aspects of sexual intimacy, she would concentrate solely on that facet of a relationship. There were few things in the world to compare to a naked and fully aroused man prepared and determined to tease, please, and feed her sexual appetite all night long. While she felt the need to be laid frequently, she felt no particular need for a commitment in the traditional sense of the word. Or so she repeatedly assured herself. All she’d wanted from Josh had been satisfying sexual trysts with the occasional dinner out. Hell, she had told herself he didn’t even need to send her flowers on a regular basis or pretend a devotion he didn’t

feel. She just wanted sex with a light relationship on the side. If there was a part of her that didn’t buy her spiel that she didn’t need or want love with the sex, she wasn’t quite ready to admit it to anyone else. She had wasted entirely too much of her life waiting for a man who would never come. She had even turned down a marriage proposal from her college boyfriend, a man who had absolutely adored her, a decision she had come to regret. She had never again met a man who loved her so unreservedly. In any case, she was back where she’d started before she met Josh—horny and lonely. Still, her heart screamed she wanted a little tenderness with the sex. Oh, well, there was always her trusty assortment of feminine toys. She smiled, thinking of her favorite toy tucked into a secret compartment in her shoulder bag. It would never replace a man, but it was okay in a pinch. Of course, she had to get off this damned road first. She sat forward in the driver’s seat, peering intently into the darkened night through the unrelenting, windswept downpour. Summer storms were always the pits, but this one, which had sprung up out of nowhere, gave her the creeps. Through the dim twin circles of light provided by her high beams, she spotted a neon sign on the left side of the dark road. Rapture Inn. She squinted, noting with a great deal of relief that the neon vacancy sign was lit. Also, she spotted a single gas pump to one side of the motel rooms. Finally, something about this hellish night was going right. Feeling the tension and beginnings of fear melt away, she thankfully pulled her car off the road and stopped it in front of the small building with the word office over the door. The one-story ranch building appeared to be made of some sort of brick veneer from which dull reddish paint had begun to peel in several places. She guessed the building would house roughly six fair-sized rooms. Her lips turned up in a smile. Rapture Inn, indeed. Clearly, the owner had delusions of grandeur. What she could see of the building in her headlight beams did not inspire thoughts of rapture. Rather she found herself thinking how much money and work would be required to make the building marketable. But no one had said the building was up for sale and tonight she couldn’t afford to be choosey. The rain continued to pour down and she sat in her car for a moment, preparing herself for the dash to the office. Although the distance between her car and the building was very short, she knew she’d get soaked before she reached shelter. She stiffened, peering through the windshield again. Bolts of lighting struck the darkened countryside in the distance. Oh, sugar! A clap of thunder accompanied the next bolt and she jumped and shivered. Just

what she needed, lightning added in. She’d better get inside before the storm became any worse. Snatching up her handbag, she jumped out of the car and ran as fast as her high heels would allow. Rain pelted down on her with unbridled fury. By the time she reached the door and pushed her way inside, she was soaked right through to her silk panties and bra. Oh, sugar, what a night! Raking the short, wet, dark auburn hair out of her gray-green eyes, she looked around the interior of the room with its faded carpet and unappealing gray walls and unimaginative old-fashioned lamps. She blinked. Her first thought was that she had died and gone to horny woman’s heaven. She sucked in a quick breath and found her gaze caught and held by one of the most attractive men she’d ever seen. Oh Lord. She had never believed in love at first sight, but one look at this man and she found herself thinking that she could easily and happily spend the rest of her life loving and adoring him. Her second thought hit hard and was more of a revelation. It was him. Finally. The man who had ruined her chances for happiness with any other man. Her fair-haired knight—in the flesh. She felt herself going damp as she allowed her gaze to feast on him. He was tall and fit, without being too heavily muscled. He had a classically handsome face with a sensual bottom lip that looked full, wine-colored, and very kissable. He looked at her from the sexiest pair of dark green eyes in existence. Long, honey-blond hair fell over his wide shoulders. He looked about twenty-five or six, roughly eleven years her junior. There was a wild air about him that she found strangely compelling. Standing there staring into his eyes, Mara found herself buffeted by thoughts of nights and days of incredible and endless lovemaking while they shared a mutual and eternal devotion. Here, in front of her, was the reason no other man had captured her heart. It had belonged to him alone since she had first seen him in a dream so long ago. He was every bit as breathtaking in the flesh as she’d imagined him. Still, unlike her, he had not aged. Sugar. She felt like a lustful cradle-robber, but Lord how she wanted to straddle him and ride him all night long. Oh, sugar! Let the cradle robbing begin! But it wasn’t just sex. She felt oddly drawn to him in an emotional way. “Good evening, ma’am.” His voice was deep, warm, and like the rest of him, totally sensual. It rippled over her senses, threatening to intoxicate her.

She gave herself a firm mental shake. “I need a room.” Her voice came out low and raspy, annoying her. Enough with the pre-teen histrionics, Mara. He’s not the first hunk you’ve come across. And he is not your fantasy man. So get a grip, girl. She took a deep breath. She was cold and wet and in need of a hot bath and a good night’s sleep. On Monday morning, she would hold an emergency meeting with her staff, assess their feelings and put right anything that needed fixing. Only then could she turn her mind to getting laid, even if she had to pay for the privilege. But for now— business first. The man’s green eyes swept briefly over her, lingering on her silk blouse. She followed his gaze and realized that the nipples on her rather large breasts were visible through the fine material of her soaked blouse. Ignoring the impulsive urge to put a hand across her breasts, she lifted her chin and returned his piercing gaze. His green gaze flickered over her face. “Actually the motel is being renovated—” “The vacancy sign is lit,” she pointed out. “And I really need a room.” “Well, there is one room available…if you are sure you want it.” “Of course I want it,” she said, then paused. “Why wouldn’t I want it? Does it leak or something?” “There are no leaks.” “Is the air conditioner broken?” She glanced around. It seemed cool enough in the office, but the individual rooms would surely have separate air conditioning units. “No.” “Then why wouldn’t I want the room?” She hesitated. “Rodents or bugs?” “No. The room is called the Gateway Room.” And that was supposed to mean what to her? “And?” she prodded. “And the name is appropriate. The choice to enter the Gateway Room should not be made lightly.” She shook her head. “Oh, come off it, will you? I’m asking for a room for the night, nothing more.” “Then perhaps you might want to drive to another motel.” “Go looking for another motel? In this storm? No thank you. Look, what’s the big deal about this

Gateway Room?” “It’s a very unique room and some of our guests prefer not to stay there.” “Why not? What’s wrong with the room?” “It is a gateway.” “A gateway? To where?” “There are countless possibilities.” Ooookay . “Really? Well, as long as one of those possibilities leads to a hot bath and a warm bed, I’ll be a satisfied customer.” She smiled, expecting him to share her amusement. His expression remained serious. “I’ll take you to The Gateway Room and let you decide for yourself if you’d like to enter.” Mara frowned. He made the room sound like something out of the Twilight Zone. If she weren’t so cold and tired, she might have been tempted to take her chances in the storm until she found the exit off the road to hell. But she was being ridiculous. She gave herself another mental shake. “Look. I’ve already said I’ll take the room. Okay?” “Is your choice freely made?” he prompted. “Okay. If you’re trying to creep me out, you’ve almost succeeded,” she said wearily. “But I am cold, tired, and not in the best of moods. Yes, I freely take this Gateway Room of yours for the night, ghosts and all.” His green eyes flickered with an expression that sent a warm tingle through her. “If you enjoy your experience in The Gateway Room, perhaps you will want to stay longer.” Something in his deep, warm voice almost made her feel as if she were being propositioned. She could think of a lot worse things than having him come onto her, but she needed to take care of business before she could concentrate on her personal pleasure. Perhaps after she’d met with her staff on Monday morning, she would return to this motel to explore the possibilities with this handsome man. But for tonight, she needed to stay focused. She shook her head. “I only need it for the night.” “Perhaps you will have changed your mind in the morning.” She shook her head, smiling slightly. “Not likely. Now about that room.”

He inclined his head slightly. “The Gateway awaits you.” She sighed. Did he have to sound so all-fired melodramatic? “Okay.” “If you’ll sign the register, Mrs.…?” “Mara Manning. Ms.” “Ah.” His smile widened. “And I am Erotica, but you may call me Rotica or Rot, if you prefer.” “Erotica?” She blinked. “As in Erotica with a capital E, erotica?” “Yes.” His eyes twinkled, and an enchanting dimple appeared in his right cheek. “Just like that. I’ve been told that my name is very appropriate.” “Oh, you have, have you?” “Yes,” he replied calmly. “Women seem to find me quite attractive.” He certainly didn’t suffer from a lack of confidence, she thought. Granted he was a tasty looking morsel, but who would name a baby Erotica? She flashed him a brief, polite smile and signed the book on the long, low counter. She didn’t plan to be around long enough to call him anything. She dismissed any thought of returning on Monday. With an attitude like his, he was probably just another heartbreak waiting to happen and she’d had her fill of being hurt by thoughtless, fickle men. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to go to my room.” “Of course. This way.” To her surprise, he held a door behind the counter open. “Ah. That way? Why?” She nodded towards the door leading back out into the rain. “The rooms are that way.” “This is a short cut that will save you having to go back out into the storm.” He frowned. “Have you changed your mind about entering the Gateway, Mara Manning?” She supposed she should have been nervous, but there was something about this handsome, sexy Erotica that made trusting him seem the most natural thing in the world. She shook her head. “No, I haven’t.” He smiled. “This way then.” Conscious of her blouse clinging to her body, she followed him down a long, narrow hall. She noted with appreciation that the dark pants clung to his firm thighs as he walked. His confident stride reminded her

of a sleek, predatory cat. And sugar, but he had a nice pair of buns—tight and sexy. A woman in the grip of passion would find quite a handful to hold onto as he repeatedly thrust into her, sending her straight to sensual paradise. Oh, sugar, but he was a hunk! He turned suddenly to face her. Caught with her gaze down, staring at his buns, her face flushed. Nevertheless, she jerked her gaze upward and gave him a cool, serene stare. “Yes?” He allowed his gaze to linger on her mouth before silently turning and moving forward. She followed, endeavoring to calm her pounding heart. At the end of the passage, he paused in front of a large, oak door and turned to look at her. “The Gateway is through here.” She gazed up at him. “What will I find inside?” “Every visitor finds something different.” She felt a premonition. Good or bad, she was uncertain. “Will I like this something?” “I sincerely hope that you do, Mara Manning. For then you might wish to embark on a journey of adventure and conquest.” Looking into his eyes, she yearned to find love inside the room, in his arms. “I’m only staying the night,” she reminded him. “If the gods are willing, much may happen within the space of a night spent in the Gateway Room, but I am permitted to say no more.” He opened the door and stepped back. “An exciting new world awaits you within, Mara Manning.” About to walk past him into the room, Mara paused, some of her earlier apprehension returning. “Come on. I’ve had all the adventure I ever wanted or needed just finding my way here through that horrible storm.” Tiny winds seemed to whirl deep within his dark green eyes. “The storm frightened you?” “You’d better believe it did. It came out of nowhere and if I didn’t know any better, I’d think it was concentrated just on me.” “It was not my intention to frighten you.” “Not your intention?” She laughed. “You don’t have to apologize. I mean, it’s not as if you’d summoned

the storm out of nowhere to get me here alone with you.” “But that is exactly what I did do, Mara Manning,” he said. She blinked up at him. “What?” “As a son of Aeolia, I can sometimes command the winds and often times, the rain follows.” “So you’re telling me you summoned that crazy storm out of nowhere?” “Yes, but I had no thought of frightening you.” She grinned. “Oh, man, you had me going there! Talk about a poker face. For a moment, I almost believed you.” “I am serious, Mara Manning,” he protested. She laughed. “Sure you are.” She flashed him a wide smile and stepped into a beautifully decorated bedroom. The furniture was cherry wood, the carpeting plush and wine-colored. The rose curtains at the windows matched the material on the shades on the bedside lamps. The centerpiece of the room was a huge brass bed covered by a wine colored comforter with a frilly lace, mauve fringe. The room should be called the pink or the mauve room rather than the Gateway Room, she thought. She looked at the bed. A sudden vision of herself naked and bound there assailed her senses. The man standing so quietly beside her sprawled between her legs, thrusting his cock into her. He bit into her breasts and shuddered as he flooded her with his seed. Whispering words of undying love and endless devotion against her lips, he made her fall hopelessly and endlessly in love with him. Feeling her face flush, she turned to find him staring down at her, an intense look in his green eyes. “Thank you.” She inclined her head slightly to signal her desire to be alone. “If you desire anything…anything at all, Mara Manning, you have but to call and I will come quickly.” “And will you come to me on the wings of the winds?” she teased. “If that if what you wish, Mara Manning, yes. To please you, I can be and do many things.” She met his gaze and her smiled wavered. He was serious. Oh, sugar. She was alone in the middle of nowhere with a handsome, but clearly delusional man who thought he could command the winds and summon storms. Just her luck to meet a man stunning enough to make her lose her heart and head at first glance and he was nuttier than one of Aunt Martha’s fruitcakes. Oh, lovely. Just lovely.

“I see that you finally believe me,” he said softly. She believed that he believed what he’d said. Her heart thumped with the beginnings of fear. “No. No, Mara Manning. You must not fear me. To still your fear, I will quiet the storm.” “You will?” “Yes. You are the one I have spent my entire life waiting for. I have dreamed and fantasized about you for as long as I can remember. There will be many things I will do to pleasure you.” “Oh.” He must be certifiable. And yet she herself had dreamed of him for years. So if he were nuts, she must be too. “Have you not dreamed of me, Mara Manning?” Norma lly she would never have admitted it, but there was something about him that made the admission an easy one. She nodded and forced herself to smile. “Yes. How did you know?” “Because you are the one,” he said simply, as if that would explain everything. And interestingly enough, she found it was explanation enough…for the moment, at least. “Oh,” she said again. “I will leave you now and quiet the storm.” She was really losing it because she began to believe that he really could quiet the storm that raged outside. “Okay.” He walked towards the door and turned to look at her. “When I have quieted the storm, I will bring some towels.” Oh Lord, he was nutty, but she should probably play along. “Thank you. I’ll be in the bathroom so if you could just leave them outside the door?” He smiled and irrationally, her fear subsided. Okay, so he was a big time nut, but she sensed she had no reason to fear him. Her gut instinct, which rarely led her astray, assured her that he would never hurt her. “There’s plenty of hot water. Enjoy your bath and your…stay in whatever world The Gateway leads you to.” Boy, he never gave up. She nodded impatiently and waited for him to leave. When he had, she locked

the door and stripped off her wet clothes. She laid them across the only chair in the room, a dark pink Queen Anne. She looked around, spotted the door to the bathroom and quickly went through it. She paused briefly in astonishment. The bathroom before her might have been from a magazine. It was spotless and intimate with dim lighting. The center of the room was a large, oval sunken whirlpool tub. Surrounding it were cream marble tiles, brass fixtures, and an assortment of lotions and bath oils along one end. As she neared the tub, she saw a series of unlit candles resting in small gold recesses circling the lower quarter of the tub. Smiling, she turned on the water, adjusted the flow, sniffed the contents of several of the unopened bath oil containers until she found one that pleased her, then went back to her room for her shoulder bag. She retrieved her favorite toy, a large, flesh- colored vibrator, and hurried back to the bathroom. After testing the water with her hand, she slipped her weary body into the bath. Perfect. Sighing with contentment, she sank into the bubbles and oil, resting her head back against the built-in cushion at the head of the tub. Oh, sugar. She’d forgotten to turn off the lights. About to get up, she noted a small, discrete control panel at her right side. She pushed a button with a large L under it and the lights overhead winked slowly out. She was startled as the candles surrounding the bath gently flickered and came alive. The room was filled with a gentle, soft scent that soothed her. Nice. Very nice touch, she thought, closing her eyes. Maybe this place was amply named after all. She lay thinking of nothing in particular for several moments, just enjoying the gentle movement of the scented bubbles guided and driven by jets of water against her skin. She moved, in an effort to get just a little more comfortable and several jets of water hit her pussy, reminding her that her trusty toy was waterproof. She picked it up from the tiles surrounding the bath, dipped it in the water to wet and lube it, then she turned it on to a slow buzz and touched it against her clit. She was so horny, she quickly creamed. Nice, but she needed some penetration. She parted her legs and eased the gently buzzing joy toy into her. As it entered her body, her hips lifted slightly and she turned the base, increasing the pressure, making it plunge and vibrate. It was thick and had ridges that simulated the veins evident in a nicely erect penis. Nowhere near as good as the real thing, but in a pinch, her joy toy got the job done adequately enough. She thought of the handsome Erotica as she thrust the vibrator in and out. None of the handsome men she’d had carnal knowledge of had been particularly impressive naked. She doubted he would be either, but she could

dream. She closed her eyes and allowed her thoughts to linger on Erotica. How had the man of her dreams come to be waiting at the only turn-off on the road from hell? Why had he not aged while she had? Was she really awake or was this just another lovely dream of a man she could never have? And if it weren’t, dare she hope that he would not hurt her as her other lovers had? She shook her head. It was too much to take in. For now she just wanted to lose herself in a fantasy world where dreams did come true and her golden knight did come to carry her away. Her golden knight. Erotica. The man she dared all for in her dreams. Erotica…

Chapter Two

Erotica, born of Sensualous, and promise mate of Notize, stood outside of the Rapture Inn, in the midst of the rampant storm. Naked with his wet hair sweeping around his face and shoulders, he raised his arms above his head, glorying in his power over the winds. Here on the original home world of Earth, his power was much more pronounced than it was at home on Aeolia. “By the power of Aeolus, God Eternal of the Winds, I command you to quiet.” As he lowered his arms, the winds began to die down, and finally calm. He turned and walked back towards the inn. Without the winds, the rain fell softly against his skin. He paused and lifted his face to the heavens, his eyes closed. Although he missed the soft breezes carried on the natural winds of Aeolia, being on the original home world was sometimes surprisingly invigorating. Here he felt free to be himself. Free to follow his natural inclinations and desires. Free to love and cherish Mara Manning. And yet he longed for the home and the companionships he’d left behind. He could never think of home without longing for Demi, his boyhood friend. Now that he had found Mara Manning, he must find a way to convince Sensualous and Notize of the righteousness of his stance. Striving to attain his manhood on Aeolia, he had often felt incomplete, almost as if he had somehow lost a part of himself. As a son of Sensualous, Aeolia’s most celebrated and revered lover, he had known from

infancy what was expected of him. Even as he strove against his natural inclination to cultivate a desire for Notize, to whom he had been promised, he had wondered why he had been blessed with the rare and greatest gift an Aeolian’s male could possess. Even Sensualous himself had not been so blessed. Now that he had found his reason for rebelling against Aeolian custom, he could return home with his prize. Mara Manning. His cock stirred and hardened as he thought of her. She was the reason he had been drawn to this small backwater place from the Earth city of San Francisco where Sensualous had sent him in the hope he would develop male lust. Instead, his lust for women had grown stronger and surer. And now he had met the female who embodied that lust along with an unexpected tenderness and a desire to protect and cherish her. Mara Manning. His cock stirred again. When Sensualous saw her, he would understand why Erotica had rebelled and give them his blessing. Even Notize would understand. Once Notize had released him from the promise he found so untenable, there would be no need to live off-world. He would no longer need to fear bringing scandal to Sensualous by his refusal to take Notize as his promise mate. All on-lookers would finally understand his refusal to mount any of the many males who paid dearly for a chance to spend even a night with Sensualous or one of his sons. He had found his destiny and she was Mara Manning. She was the reason he had lusted after pussy and the reason he had been so generously endowed. If he could induce her to accompany him to Aeolia, he was sure he could then persuade her to stay there with him. Forever. He had wanted their first coupling to take place on Aeolia Prime, but he found that he could wait no longer. He had to have her. His cock swelling painfully, he strolled into the inn, intent on claiming his prize.

***** Mara lay moaning softly. With her eyes closed, she could almost feel Erotica’s big body on top of hers, his cock buried deep in her body, thrusting and pumping her to an incredible climax. Her orgasm was just a breath away when she felt a distinct breeze on her body. Sighing and straining to reach her peak, she reluctantly opened her eyes and turned her head. A startled scream escaped her lips and she bolted to her feet, nearly losing her balance. Erotica stood in the open bathroom door with several pink towels casually tossed over his bare shoulder. Mara could see and appreciate the wide expanse of his chest, covered with a mass of fine, blond hair, and sporting a pair of luscious looking nipples that almost made her mouth go dry and other places damper still. The muscles in her stomach clenched. Sugar. His whole body was bare. Her gaze gravitated

to his groin. His erect cock, with a big, thick, dark pink head, beckoned to her from the base of a mass of dark pubic hair. Although she had definitely seen and had bigger cocks, his was a very nice size and just the sight of his tool made her pussy convulse. Oh, sugar, but she wanted him. “I brought your towels,” he said in that deep voice of his that danced along her nerve endings, his gaze centered on her pussy. “Oh my God!” Her whole body flushed as her joy toy slipped out of her pussy and hit the water with a splash. Tossing the towels aside, he strolled across the room and retrieved the vibrator from the water. Face burning, she stretched out a trembling hand for it. Smiling, he pressed the tip of the toy tight against her clit. Surprised, she moaned, stepped back, and lost her balance. She screamed, expecting to hit her head against the bath as she fell. Thrusting out his arms, he caught her just as her body went horizontal and well before she was in danger of hitting the enamel of the bath. “Do not fear, Mara Manning. No harm will befall you while I breathe.” She stared up at him, her lips parted slightly. Cradling her naked, wet body in his arms, he stepped into the tub. “Hey! What are you doing?” Although she shrieked the question, her pulse raced with excited anticipation. He lowered his body into the water, settling her against him with her back to his front. One big hand splayed across her breasts, the other cupped her pussy. She sucked in a breath. Oh, sugar! His thick cock pulsed against her rear end. “What are you doing?” she asked again, her voice coming out in a low, breathless whisper. The fingers of the hand cupping her groin moved and she let out a soft breath as they entered her pussy. The other hand began tweaking her nipples. He pressed his lips against one ear. “You are mine.” “I…I am?” Oh Lord, yes, she was! “Yes. Mine and tonight I will take pussy for the first time with you, Mara Manning of Earth. I am going to thrust my cock deep inside you and couple with you again and again, delighting in your pussy.” “Take pussy for the first time? You mean you’re a virgin?” She couldn’t seem to catch her breath. Her

whole body felt as if it were on fire, even though most of it was submersed in water. The combination of the gentle bubble jets against the soles of her feet and lying on such a luscious morsel of masculinity combined to make thought difficult. But feelings were intense and exquisite. “What do you mean?” But she knew what he meant. His fingers eased in and out of her vagina, while his thumb flicked against her clit. In a matter of moments, she had soaked his fingers. He withdrew them from her and brought them to his face. She turned her head and watched as he inhaled deeply. Then, with his eyes closed, he thrust the fingers, still slightly coated with her juices, into his mouth and began sucking, clearly savoring the experience. Watching the play of emotions on his handsome face—delight in her natural aroma and taste followed by satisfaction—Mara knew a desire to make his first time with a woman completely memorable and totally enjoyable. That meant no-holds-barred. Since he had never been with a woman, it should be safe to indulge in the ultimate delight with him…gloriously naked cock to aching, needy pussy. Oh Lord, let the fucking begin, she thought as he drew his fingers out of his mouth. She tensed. She knew just where they would be welcome. Apparently, so did he. He eased his fingers back into her then, after a few moments, removed them and brought them to his nose, inhaling deeply. “By Aeolus, I have never smelled anything as exciting as your pussy. It is a fragrance you produce just for me. Is it not, Mara Manning?” “Oh yes,” she moaned, uncaring what she was saying. She just needed him. “I will couple with you now.” “Oh, yes! Yes! Do me, please. Now!” she demanded in a shameless, husky voice. “Yes, my lovely. Now.” Before she could turn and eagerly push her pussy down onto his cock and indoctrinate him into the joys of loving an older woman, he gripped her hips and thrust up against her. The breath left her lungs in a startled gasp. She felt his slick, hard length being quickly propelled up into her pussy. Lord. Oh Lord! At last she had a thick, hot cock in her starved pussy again. Oh, sugar, there was nothing in the world as wonderful as a hard shaft wielded by a handsome, luscious man. She closed her eyes, spread her legs as far apart as the bath allowed, and pushed her hips down, wanting to feel every inch of his shaft as deep in her as possible. They thrust at each other and she felt the base of his cock at her entrance and realized she had all of him

within her body. A feeling of warmth and acceptance rolled over her. She had a crazy feeling that she had spent her entire dating life waiting for this one special moment with this man. Lovely. Oh, dear Lord, so lovely and wonderful and he had not yet stroked his cock in and out of her. She ground her behind, feeling his full thickness resting deliciously inside her. Nice, but nowhere near enough. “More…give me more…” she whispered, rotating her rear wildly against his groin, feeling hot and desperate for the fucking to begin. “Oh Lord, I need more. Thrust in me.” “More?” His hands left her hips to cup her breasts. “As you wish, Mara Manning.” Licking the right side of her neck at the spot that turned her body to mush, he withdrew all but the thick, hard head of his cock and then leisurely plowed back into her. Oh Lord. He entered her pussy, pleasing inch by inch, slowly stretching and impaling her on his hard length. “Oh…lovely,” she whispered. “Hmm. That’s it.” She reached down and cupped her hand over the base of his cock and balls. “Go in slowly. Hmm. Slowly. It’s been a long time and I want to savor the feeling of your dick going into me.” “This is my cock,” he told her. “I don’t care what you call it,” she moaned. “Just give it to me.” He shuddered against her and stiffened, his fingers tightening on her breasts. For one horrible moment, she feared he would lose control and ejaculate prematurely before she was ready to come. After all, this was his first time. “Not yet. Not yet. Hold on!” she pleaded. He bit into her shoulder and held his cock thrust-deep inside her for several breath- taking moments. Finally, some of the tension left his body. Taking deep, gulping breaths, he sighed softly, rotated his hips, and continued pushing into her. “Oh. Yes! Yes! Oh, Yes! Hmm. That’s it. Just like that.” His teeth nipped the side of her neck, sending a warm wave of desire through her. “Mara Manning…I knew you were the one the moment I saw you in my dreams.” His voice was low and rough with passion. She thrilled to the tension she felt building anew in his body as he continued spearing her. Each upward movement of his powerful hips sent another series of tingles down her body to her toes. Her pussy creamed and she arched her body and shoved her hips down.

Finally, she felt his groin against her behind again. Oh, sugar, but she was filled more than she’d ever been in her life. He withdrew from her and began another slow, maddening slide home taking care to occasionally rub his thumb against her clit. Hmm. So wonderful. Drowning in delicious sensations, Mara was only vaguely aware that he seemed to be pushing more cock into her than he’d withdrawn just moments earlier. She hadn’t been laid in so long she was giddy. While his cock was a nice size, it was not as long or as thick as she was imagining. And yet, why did she feel so stuffed and full? Lord, he felt so good thrusting inside her. Just the touch of his body made nonsense of past hurts and disappointments. They had all prepared her for this joy. So what did any of them matter? This experience with him went beyond the purely physical. He made love to her soul and her bruised heart. His cock didn ’t just touch her body, it reached every sentimental feeling part of her. Combined with the feel of his lips against her neck, and his big, warm hands alternatively cupping her breasts and stroking down her belly to rub against her clit, she quickly lost herself in the feelings of ecstasy building in her pussy and spreading throughout her whole body. Obviously he was enjoying his first fuck. His breathing had quickened against her ear and his hands, cupping her breasts, almost hurt. Sugar, his dick, feeling bigger and harder with each thrust did hurt, but that was okay because she sometimes liked it a little rough. And he was really giving it to her now. Pulling nearly all of his shaft out of her body, only to quickly propel every delicious hard inch back in her. His hips moved with increasing speed, torpedoing his thickening length in and out of her with a sustained vigor and gusto she hadn’t experienced since her college years. No. She had never had such a glorious, all encompassing fuck. With his sweet cock rapidly setting her pussy on fire and her senses on overload, she burst into an orgasm so intense and prolonged, it bordered on agony. He detonated after her, seeming to come in torrents. Mara, who had never actually felt a lover coming inside her, moaned in lust as blast after blast of seed flooded her and began seeping out to mix with the bath water. And still he came. Thank God for contraceptives. Finally, as she lay limp and immeasurably satisfied and totally happy on top of him, he stroked his hands over her body and whispered in her ear. “You enjoyed our coupling, Mara Manning?” “Oh, yes!” She turned her head and kissed the shoulder nearest her. “Did you?”

He took a deep breath. “It was as I knew it would be with a female…with you.” “I can’t believe you’ve never made love to a woman.” “I have not. I was waiting for you.” Yeah. Right. He’d been entirely too skillful for that to have been his first time. “I have told you the truth, Mara Manning. I have never been with a woman.” She frowned. Why did she want to believe him? More importantly, how did he seem to know what she thought? He cupped his hands over her breasts. “You have such lovely breasts and an excellent pussy. I defy any male on Aeolia to withstand your charms. One look at your loveliness and they will see that there is another way. The way of a male with his female. You will be my female, Mara Manning. My redemption.” “Your redemption from what?” He sensuously licked her neck. “From your Aeolus-forsaken planet.” She laughed and gently squeezed her pussy around his cock. “Hey, it’s the only planet that can sustain life as we know it.” “No. There are others.” He nuzzled her neck. His hands continued to caress her, almost as if he really had never held a naked woman before and found the experience exhilarating. One of her secret fantasies was to spend a long, sleepless night with a man who remained tender and interested after the sex. To have him linger in her and touch and kiss her after he came was a new and highly erotic experience for her. She felt a stirring deep within her heart that she had not allowed herself to feel in years. “You are a female Sensualous himself would covet, but you are mine.” She’d never met a man who talked so strangely. She vaguely remembered that Aeolus was a minor Greek god. Where in Hades was this Aeolia he spoke of? And who was this Sensualous he spoke of with such obvious respect? “Are you not mine?” “Yes.” She sighed contently. At least for the night and maybe the rest of the weekend. Come Monday

morning, she would get back to reality and business. But the night was young and the entire weekend lay ahead of them. She planned to spend every moment of it awake with the handsome, sexy Erotica. And if he were still interested, she would return once she got business out of the way. “Then you will come with me to Aeolia?” Still tingling from the most incredible sex she’d had in ages she was ready to agree to anything. “For another session like that, I’d go to the moon with you.” He tensed under her. “You are certain?” She lazily reached down to cup a hand over their still joined genitals. “Yes. I’ll come with you if we can get there and back by Monday morning.” “We can,” he assured her. He slid his hands down to her hips and lifted her lower body from his. She sighed softly as he eased his cock out of her. When the head cleared her body she felt empty. He was still hard and he moved his hips, allowing his semi-erect shaft to rest along her pussy. Just feeling it against her, made her long to have it sliding deep back inside her. She reached down and cupped her hand over him. He trembled. She smiled and ran her hands over his balls. She frowned as her fingers encountered a circular scar just below his warm nuts. It seemed to pulse and throb against the tips of her fingers. Her heart ached for him injured in such a sensitive place. “Oh, Erotica. What happened?” She gently traced a finger along the scar. He shuddered and moaned. She snatched her hand away. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’m so sorry!” He nuzzled her ear and placed her hand back over the scar. “There is no need. Your touch brings only pleasure and gladness to my body and heart, Mara Manning. I claim you as my promise mate.” She turned her head in an effort to look at him, but he was too close and she couldn’t see his face. “Your heart? Erotica? Are you saying I’ve somehow managed to touch your heart?” “It is with you as I knew it would be. We were destined to be together. I knew that if I held true to the dreams and did not give in to lust for other women, that Aeolus would one day bless me and I would find you. My Mara Manning, you are everything I knew you would be. I pledge my heart and my fidelity to you, Mara Manning.” There was a sincerity in his voice that sent a shiver of delight and wonder through her. She turned so she

lay facing him and could look down at him. His green eyes gleamed with what looked like…love? She swallowed quickly and bit her lip. Oh, sugar! This was a fine time to fall head over heels for a man who was as looney as he was handsome. She touched his face and gently brushed her lips against his cheek. “Oh, Erotica, that’s the most touching thing any man has said to me in ages, but you’re not in love with me.” She touched her mouth against his. “But sugar, I wish you were.” He curled his fingers in her short, dark hair and moved his lips against hers. “Your wish has been granted. My heart belongs to you, Mara Manning. You will come to Aeolia with me. Sensualous and Notize will see you and know that you and I are destined to be together.” “Oh, Erotica. You talk so strangely, but I think I’m going to like you far more than I should.” She settled her body against his and gently kissed his lips. Maybe she might even dare to fall in love with him. “You are going to love me,” he said confidently. She sighed against his lips and kissed him again. “You might be right,” she admitted, nearly breathless at the thought of being in love for the first time in years. “Come, Mara Manning. I will take you to bed and couple with you again. And in the morning when you awake, we will be on Aeolia.” To her surprise, he managed to rise while holding her body tight against his so that her feet dangled slightly off the ground. He was as strong as he was handsome. Surely some lucky woman had already taken such a man. He managed to get them both out of the tub. He sat her on her feet and gently dried her body, taking a long time over her breasts and then brushing sensually against her pussy, making her tingle all over. Then with fire in his green eyes, he extended the huge pink towel. She took it with trembling hands and slowly began drying his hair and neck. Next, she attended to his shoulders and chest. The breath caught in her throat as she drew the towel down his body, along the fine line of hair tapering from his chest over his hard abs to his groin. She took a step back and studied his naked body. Oh, sugar, but he was one lovely specimen of masculinity with his wide shoulders, tight exquisitely sculptured abs, long, muscular legs, and thick, long cock. She frowned, her gaze going to his cock again. Okay. Maybe she was crazy, but the cock standing at

attention with its big, thick pink head pointing directly at her was undeniably longer and thicker than the cock he’d walked into the bathroom with. And he’d been fully erect then. For the first time, she noticed that his cock seemed higher on his body than any man she’d ever seen. He reached a hand down and cupped it around his shaft and balls. “What is wrong, Mara Manning? Does the size and thickness of my cock displease you? You said you wanted more, so I increased the size to please you. Have I made it too large?” “What?” Her lips parted and she started at him. “Are you saying that you can…change the size of your…genitals?” “Yes.” He frowned, then his face cleared. “Ah. I have not explained. I am from Aeolia.” “Oookay. And that means what?” “I can shift.” She held the damp towel pressed against her body. “You can shift what?” “Parts of my body. But because I can command the winds and am a Johnny, my ability to shift is very limited off Aeolia.” Oh, sugar, but he was big-time nuts! “No, Mara Manning, I am not nuts.” She gasped and stared at him. “Can you…did you just read my mind?” He frowned. “I cannot read minds, Mara Manning, but the eyes are the window to the thoughts and your eyes are very expressive. I can see some of your thoughts in your gaze and because you are my promise mate, I can feel some of your thoughts. Does that not please you?” “Okay, this is getting just a little too weird for words.” She paused, tilting her head to one side. “The storm has ended.” “Yes. I quieted it for you, Mara Manning.” She sucked in a breath and ran a hand through her hair. “Where exactly is this Aeolia you keep talking about?” “It is not on Earth.”

“Let me guess. It’s in a galaxy far, far away,” she teased. “No. It is in this galaxy.” He closed the distance between them and cupped her face between his palms. “So you’re telling me you’re an…alien?” “Not entirely. Earth is our ancient home, but we of Aeolia left it many thousands of years earlier.” “And you actually expect me to leave Earth and go with you to this… Aeolia and be back by Monday morning?” “Yes.” He put his arms around her and hugged her close to him. “You must come with me. You are my salvation.” He trembled against her. Instinctively, she slipped her arms around him, holding him protectively. Okay, so his elevator didn’t go to the top floor. No one was perfect. “You will come with me, Mara Manning?” “Yes, but stop calling me Mara Manning. My friends and guys who’ve made love to me in bubble filled tubs call me Mara.” “As you wish.” He swept her off her feet. “Everything will be as you wish.” She slipped her arms around his neck. “I wish to be fucked again.” Smiling, he carried her from the bathroom into the bedroom. Oh, sugar, but things were about to get very interesting.

Chapter Three

She lifted her head from his shoulder. She went damp as she saw the bed was turned down and what looked like soft waves rippling beneath the satin sheet. A water bed. Her gaze shifted to the head-rail and she caught her lower lip between her teeth. A pair of leather restraints adorned the railing. She stared. At least they looked like leather, but in the dim light, she could almost swear they were

moving. She blinked rapidly. Were they…breathing? Surely not. “What are those restraints made of?” “They are Keddi. They will not hurt you. They are strong, but they can also be very supple and yielding.” She raised her gaze to his. The beginnings of fear she felt at the sight of the restraints melted away as she saw the warm, adoring look in his eyes. There was no way this man was going to do anything to harm her. Still, she wasn’t into bondage. The idea of being bound and completely at the mercy of a handsome, but strange man was not something that got her hot and bothered. What a bunch of crock! The mere thought almost had her trembling with lust. “You are my woman, Mara Mann-Mara. I will take complete possession of your body and give you incredible pleasure. When I have, you will surrender your mind and heart, and belong only to me. There will be nothing we will not do to please each other. Yes?” Oh, sugar, she liked the sound of a man willing to do anything to please her. And the thought of just what he might do to her bound body made her damp. Oh, sugar, let the binding begin. “Yes.” “You need fear nothing we will do together, my Mara. As you will be at my mercy, I will be at yours. I offer you my heart and soul to do with as you will. You will treat me kindly?” She stroked her fingers along his handsome face. “You better believe I will, sugar. Now a little less talk and a little more sex is in order.” His eyes gleamed. “As you wish, my Mara.” He laid her gently on the bed and she felt her body immediately cradled in a rush of warmth and comfort. She had paid a fortune for her waterbed, but it didn’t feel this wonderful. He lay on the bed next to her with his erect cock pressing against the side of her leg. It took all of her willpower not to jump on his body and happily and greedily impale herself on his cock. She contented herself instead with reaching out and gently moving a finger over the scar under his balls. Under the skin, she felt something hard and pulsing pressing against her finger. “Does this hurt?” “Your touch brings only pleasure, Mara. Stroke my dick.” She raised her hand and palmed his shaft. “How is this? Feels good, doesn’t it?” she asked, confidently. To her surprise, he removed her hand from his cock and brought two of her fingers back to his scar.

“Stroke my dick.” “I thought that’s what I was doing.” Confused, she began to move her fingers in a circular motion along the contours of the scar. The pulsing increased and she felt something hard and thick under the thin membrane of his scar. For some inexplicable reason, she felt herself becoming highly aroused. She increased the pressure of her fingers against the scar. He began to breathe deeply and push himself against her fingers. Passions heightening, she slid down in the bed, parted his legs, and gently kissed his scar. He groaned. She ran her tongue along the circumference of it. The tissue under his skin tingled against her tongue. Strange, but nice. She continued to kiss and gently lick at his scar until he shuddered and suddenly gripped her arms, pulled her up his body, and wrapped his arms around her. “Mara!” She tensed against him. “Was I too rough? Did I hurt you?” “No!” His voice was brusque with passion. “The pleasure you give is like nothing I have ever felt.” Smiling, she pressed her cheek against his shoulder. “The feeling is mutual, sugar.” He stroked his hand down her back, sending warmth everywhere he touched. He brushed his lips against her hair. “I will give you such pleasure, Mara. Are you ready?” “Do pigs fly?” she demanded softly. “No,” he said, sounding confused. “They do not.” “Oh, but they do.” “Where? When? I have not seen any who could fly.” She laughed and lightly bit his shoulder. “I was only teasing. I am so ready.” “As am I.” He eased her on to her stomach and parted her legs with gentle hands. She sighed contentedly then shivered as something cool and slippery was poured onto her inner thighs and behind. Then, moving to lean over her side, he blew on her thighs and they quickly began to heat up. “Oh,” she murmured. “That feels nice.” He rubbed his hands over her buns and heat leaped into her rump. “Oh, yes! Oh, Erotica. That feels so

good. Don’t stop touching me.” His hands on her butt were replaced with his lips and a coil of heat and desire tightened her stomach muscles. He covered her behind with warm, biting kisses that sent waves of need through her. And when he parted her cheeks and began kissing and reaming her puckered hole, her toes curled. “Prepare yourself for pleasure, Mara.” “Sugar, if I get any more prepared, I’ll explode before you even touch me.” “That is a good thing?” “You better believe it is, sugar.” “Then I too am prepared.” She closed her eyes and smiled. Whatever he did to her next, she knew she was going to love. Big time. Nevertheless, she was not prepared to feel him gently working a lubed finger into her rear end. It had been a long time since John had mounted her and made backdoor love to her. But oh, sugar it felt good. “Do you like this?” he asked, his lips moving against her cheeks as he continued to work his finger into her rear. “Does it give you pleasure?” “Yes,” she admitted. “Oh, yes.” A second finger joined the first one and slid knuckle deep in her. She moaned and pushed her behind against his fingers. “Hmm. Oh, yes.” “Shall I put my dick here and couple with you?” “Oh Lord, yes!” He removed his fingers and she felt cool lube enter her behind in preparation of his shaft sliding into her rectum and filling it up. “Now you will be bound.” She stiffened. The idea of being drilled up her behind while bound wasn’t something she’d ever thought of as erotic or particularly sexy. “I don’t think so.” He slid his big body over hers and kissed the back of her neck. “You must trust me. Nothing can be accomplished if you do not trust me.” It was unreasonable of him to expect so much blind faith and trust on such short notice. Still, she decided

she did trust him enough to acquiesce to his wishes. “Okay, but I’m not into pain,” she warned. “Don’t hurt me.” “I will never hurt you or intentionally bring you pain,” he said, sounding aggrieved. Because she believed him, she made an effort to relax. “Okay,” she said again. “But this had better be good or your tight butt is mine.” “All of me is yours, my Mara,” She smiled. “Oh, yeah, big boy.” He kissed her neck again, grinding his groin against her behind. The feel of his cock, strangely slender and shorter made her go damper. “Extend your arms over your head and spread them slightly,” he instructed, sliding his hands down to hold her hips. She took a deep breath and slowly pushed her arms up over her head. She gasped in surprised shock as she felt the soft leather restraints going around her wrists. He still held her hips. How had the restraints gotten around her wrists? “Do not be alarmed. The restraints are from Aeolia and are intuitive.” “What?” “Extend your legs.” She did as he requested and felt restraints secure her ankles. His hands still had not moved from her hips. She froze under him. “We are alone in this room, aren’t we?” The weight of his body on top of hers severely restricted her movements so that she could not look around for a third person in the room. “There is just you and me, Mara.” “Then who put on the restraints?” He brushed his hands along her hips. “The restraints are in tune with you. When they sense your readiness to be secure, they activate.” He kissed her neck. “Now you will see how wonderful coupling can be. When I move off of you, your body will rise off the bed. Do not be alarmed.” “Rise off the bed? How?!” “Trust me.”

“Hey, you! I’m lying here tied up like a stuck pig only hours after meeting you. I think I’ve demonstrated a high level of trust. Now I want to know what’s going on!” “But, Mara, I have told you. I am going to couple with you.” “Couple, hell! We call it making love or fucking, Erotica. And given the way your cock is throbbing against my behind, I’m betting you’re about to fuck me. I don’t like it rough up my behind. It’s been a while and I need you to go easy.” “Do not be concerned. I will not hurt you. Prepare yourself, my Mara.” Only seconds after he slid off her, she gasped as her body began to rise off the bed. She looked down and realized that somehow the restraints, which felt surprisingly comfortable, held her body suspended above the bed. She must be a good foot or more off the bed and yet she experienced no pressure or tension against the leather binding her. Oh, sugar! She really was in the Twilight Zone. Erotica eased her legs further apart and she felt the restraints around her ankles stretching and adjusting to accommodate her new position. “Is this position comfortable?” Surprisingly, it was. “Yes,” she said. “Then I am about to mount you and—fuck you.” Her pussy clenched. “Oh yeah, sugar, bring it on. Show me what you’re working with.” “Would you not rather feel it?” “Oh, yeah, sugar. Let me feel it nice and slow—all the way up my ass. Give it to me.” She closed her eyes and decided to enjoy herself. She’d worry about how any of this stuff was possible later. “Bring it on, big boy,” she told him. He climbed on top of her, straddling her body with his legs and knees along her thighs. He parted her cheeks. The hard warmth of his cock pressed against her behind. She tensed. “I will not hurt you, my Mara.” She slowly relaxed as he began easing the head of his cock into her rear. He took great care with the

entry, pausing after the head was completely inside her. “Oh!” she said softly. He allowed her a few moments to adjust. Then he continued easing his shaft into her. After several long moments, his groin rested against her buns. His entire shaft was buried deep in her behind. She frowned. Instead of feeling stuffed and too full, his cock felt rather slender and not as long. Lord, she really was losing her mind. First she thought he wasn’t that big. Then she thought he was. Now she was back to thinking his cock was only average in size and width, because she was not ready to believe that he could change the size of his cock. Still, regardless of the size, he felt good in her rear. “Is this position comfortable for you?” he asked. Her eyes misted. She’d never had a lover show such concern for her since the college love she’d let get away. “Oh, yeah.” She was beyond being surprised when he spread his body out on hers and cupped his hands over her breasts. Now, they were both suspended above the mattress. Rolling her nipples between his fingers, he slowly withdrew all but the head of his dick. She moaned in protest, but shuddered as he eased his entire length back inside her. Holding her breasts and licking the side of her neck, he withdrew again. Then slid back in. Out. Leisurely in. Out. He repeated the offense again and again, with exquisite slowness and pussy-drenching tenderness. He possessed her behind as if making love to it was a rare, sweet pleasure he wanted to prolong and fully savor. Nevertheless the sensations quickly built in her. He kept his mouth against that spot on her neck, while his big hands alternated between stroking her body from breasts to pussy. Then as she teetered on the edge of a delicious orgasm, he slipped the fingers of one hand into her pussy and began finger-fucking her. The thumb of the other hand found her clit. She was so excited and hot, she exploded, her pussy gushing and her ass clenching down on his gently thrusting cock. She moaned and cried out as she came, tightening her rectal muscles around his cock. He shuddered and thrust deep into her butt, rotating his hips for maximum penetration. Oh Lord, yes! He continued to finger her and brush against her clit while fucking her ass. Her orgasm was prolonged

and intense. Before she knew what had happened, she moaned, shuddered, and came again. This time she gasped and sobbed with the pleasure of having her ass fucked so deliciously while he thumbed her clit. As she began to recover from her second climax, his hands drifted to her hips. Sighing softly, he clutched them tightly. The movement of his cock in her shifted from slow and long, to quick, short, and forceful. He scraped his teeth against the side of her neck and blasted her rectum full of his seed. She felt the continuous denotations deep inside her. Her nipples hardened in response and her heart filled with joy. She twisted her head. Still shooting into her, his mouth covered hers. They kissed and thrust and humped at each other until he slumped over her, breathing deeply. “Mara. My lovely, lovely Mara. That was beyond wonderful.” “Oh, sugar, honey. It certainly was. And now I need to sleep.” Without warning, the restraints around her body slackened and she began a gradual descent to the mattress. She kept her eyes closed and pressed her face against the cool silk. His big body rested on top of her, his cock still buried deep in her ass. The restraints retracted and she was suddenly no longer bound. Tired, but thoroughly satisfied, both sexually and emotionally, she sighed softly. “I love you, Mara Manning.” His whispered words touched her deeply. “Oh, sugar, Erotica! I think I just might be falling in love with you, too!” “And you are my promise mate? My woman?” After having the two most incredible sexual and emotionally satisfying experiences of her life in such a short time, she knew she was either in love or so close to it that it didn’t matter. “Yes. Oh, yes!” He eased his cock from her behind, but remained on top of her. He brushed his lips along the back of her neck in a gesture that was both sensual and tender. Her eyes misted. No man had ever touched her so deeply. Either her previous lovers got the job done sexually and left her in emotional limbo, or they touched her emotionally, while unable to fulfill her physically. Finally, she met a man who could and had done both—twice. If she were asleep, she didn’t ever want to wake up.

“Sleep, my Mara. When you awake, we will be in Aeolia.” She was too drowsy to dispute his statement. Besides, she was no longer so sure he was nuts. Those restraints had held both their weights and the storm had quieted after he’d said it would. Maybe it was time to start listening to what he said with an open mind. “Tell me about this Aeolia of yours.” “Aeolia is a huge planet consisting of the core world, Aeolia Prime and four fringe planets named after the four gods of the winds from the ancient homeworld here. Aeolia is a planet of many different climates and cultures. There are vast expanses of water, majestic mountain ranges, underground cities, endless expanses of deserts, and forest teeming with myriads of sentient life forms. I am of Aeolia Prime.” She heard the pride in his voice. “Will I like this Aeolia Prime of yours?” “Oh, yes, my Mara. It is the jewel of the galaxy.” As he talked, he held her in his arms, stroking her with a tenderness that brought tears to her eyes. “Prime is a vast beautiful planet with many distinct and varied regions that will delight you. You can have nearly any experience you like there.” “Hmm. What is it renowned for? Its cities, cultures, deserts, technologies? What?” “Aeolia is well-known for those things and more, but it is renowned for being the home of Sensualous.” “Who?” “He is the most celebrated lover in our world’s history. Like his father before him.” “Really?” “People come from all across the known galaxies and pay vast fortunes for the opportunity to couple with him or one of his many sons.” “You mean he’s a prostitute?” He tensed and she marveled at how comfortable his big body felt on hers. This was one hell of a bed. “No! He is Sensualous. On Prime, each Aeolian does what he does best…we bring pleasure by coupling with those of other races. Sensualous couples like no one before him. And the people come.” “So Aeolia is a sort of pleasure planet?” “There is much pleasure there. People…mostly males, come from all over to couple and find immense

sexual gratification.” “Mostly males? Are you saying your planet is mostly homosexual?” “Prime is Prime. Males value males as they have since its founding.” She tensed. “Erotica, are you telling me that you’re…you’re…?” “I am not like other Aeolians,” he told her quietly. “I was promised to Notize, but I have not mounted him. I will not mount him.” “So you prefer women?” “I fear that I…do,” he said. She frowned. He almost sounded ashamed of the fact. “Why fear?” “On Prime, it is not natural for males to favor females.” Great and he wanted her to spend the weekend there. “How do you know this Sensualous?” “I am borne of him.” “Borne…? He’s your father?” “Yes.” Again his voice swelled with pride. She smiled, remembering her own father. Jeffrey Manning had been a big, handsome man with warm brown eyes, and a deep, wonderful laugh that had always made her feel better. She stilled missed him and her mother. She sighed. She supposed she always would. “Do you miss him?” “Yes, and being home. Earth is a strange and exciting place, but there is no place like Prime. It will enthrall you.” She detected an under current in his voice. “Oookay. So what aren’t you telling me about your wonderful, exciting Prime?” “You will face challenges there.” She wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that. “What kind of challenges?” “There will be those who want to separate us and will do everything within Aeolian custom to accomplish

it.” “Erotica, are we talking about physical danger?” “No!” His lips brushed her cheek. “No one would dare harm you physically. I would not allow it, even if they were so inclined.” She stirred under him. He sighed and slid off of her. She turned onto her side to face him. Still, the room was in shadows and she couldn’t see his expression. “Then what are you talking about? I’m not one of those women who want or need to be shielded from the truth. I like to know what I’m dealing with upfront so I can deal with it. What challenges will I be facing?” “I am not permitted to say.” “What?” “I can only say you will be in no physical danger. To meet the challenge successfully, you must trust me fully.” “I think I’ve already done that.” He clasped her hand and held it pressed flat against his chest. “Not really. Not fully. Your trust will be fully tested on Aeolia.” This Aeolia of his was sounding less exciting all the time. “Okay, but just give me an idea of what to expect.” “I cannot. Trust me, my Mara, and learn the rhythm of my heart.” Her eyes widened. His heart did not beat like a normal human. There really was a rhythmic meter to the beat. Sugar! He wasn’t human! “Erotica? What…what are you?” “It is as I told you. I am borne of Aeolia. Lea rn my rhythm. When you face challenges on Aeolia or are uncertain who you are with, reach out with your mind and feel the rhythm of my heart beating solely in response to you, my Mara. This is the beat you inspire in me. It may sometimes be slow as now when we lay together, content after coupling, or it may be fast as when we couple. But the underlying beat will be the same and only for you. When you feel this beat, you will know you are with Erotica, born of Sensualous, who loves you.” “Are you saying your heartbeat is different when you are with other people?”

“Of course,” he sounded surprise. “It beats this way only for you. It is the beat of my love and devotion for you. When you feel it, you will always know who I am.” “Why wouldn’t I know who you were?” she demanded. “Handsome men like you aren’t hanging on every corner.” “I am not permitted to say more. Just feel the beat and know it beats only for you.” Only for her. Oh, sugar, what a sexy and yet sweet thought. “Oh, sugar, you are one intriguing specimen.” “I am your specimen, my Mara.” “Damn straight you are,” she said, her voice filled with satisfaction. Smiling, she curled against him and drifted to sleep with his rhythmic heartbeat filling her ears.

***** Erotica lay in the bed, holding Mara in his arms, listening to the sounds of her soft breathing. The gentle, almost undetectable motion of his personal travel capsule taking them from Earth to Aeolia soothed him. He felt drowsy, but wanted to be awake when they arrived home. He had been gone for some five and a half Earth years and now he was eager to return. He thought of what awaited them. The tests. He didn’t doubt his ability to withstand them, but he was not so sure how Mara would fare. He thought of what Notize would do. His lips tightened when he thought of what Notize was obligated by custom and honor to do. He looked at Mara and brushed the hair off her forehead. Custom be damned. She was his and he would not share her. He thought of Notize again and clutched Mara closer. She would not succumb. He sensed her strength of will, purpose, and character. She would fight for what she wanted. And he knew she wanted him. At least she wanted him as she knew him now. Would she want him on Aeolia? He knew that most Earth women highly prized and desired his body. He had seen it in their eyes as they had tried to entice him into their beds with promises of long nights of unbridled lust. Knowing Mara was somewhere on Earth waiting for him, he had resisted. Now she was his. He frowned. Would she remain firm and faithful to him? He felt his dick push against its slip. She had to. He had nearly revealed to her the prized secret he had kept hidden from everyone else. He had dicked her ass. She had accepted him as her promise mate. Although he knew she had no idea of the full import

of that promise, he knew she would not let him down. She would not be deceived into betraying him. He was certain of it. “No matter what it looks like when you awake, I will never be far away. Nor will I allow any harm to befall you. Trust me, my Mara, and all will be well for us both. Trust me.” He whispered the words against her ear. Although she slept, her presence gave him a sense of purpose and belonging he had never experienced. There could be no doubt that he had been wise to hold out for his dream. Holding her close, he allowed sleep to overtake him. In the morning, the test would begin. And he would again see Demi. Thoughts of his boyhood companion who had become a part of him brought a smile to his face. Demi, I am coming home, he called out across the stars.

Chapter Four

Trust me. Mara came awake slowly, keeping her eyes closed as she did. She lay still, allowing her thoughts to wander. Her physical ache had been assuaged and she felt absolutely fabulous. Recalling the night before with Erotica in the tub and then in the bed with those amazing restraints, she smiled. What a lovely night. She recalled his cock, equally at home and delightful in her pussy and her behind. Oh, sugar, but she had stumbled upon a treasure. A stunningly handsome man who skillfully fulfilled all her sexual and emotional fantasies. He was also the mirror image of the fantasy man she had never expected to really meet. He was almost too good to be true. Nevertheless, she intended to enjoy the weekend with him. She became aware of a gentle breeze brushing along her bare body. She sniffed and a faint hint of some flower she couldn’t identify teased her senses. Erotica must have left the window open to air out the room. Their lovemaking had created quite a sexy fragrance. “Hmm. Last night was wonderful, sugar,” she said softly, reaching around to feel him. Eager for a repeat performance, she opened her eyes, rolled over onto her back, and blinked. The ceiling above her, which had been cream-colored with streaks of rose the night before was now a pale mauve. It was dotted with white puffs that looked strangely like clouds. She turned her head. Oh,

sugar! The room had no walls. And she wasn’t lying on a bed. She looked up again. Oh, no! She bolted into a sitting position and looked down at her bed. Blue. She lay on a pale blue surface that looked suspiciously like grass. Her gaze flew upward. That wasn’t a ceiling at all. She was outside and the sky was mauve! As far as she could see, the pale blue grass stretched miles in every direction. The landscape was flat with no visible buildings. Rust-colored protrusions that she recognized as trees with pale blue leaves sprung up from the ground at intermittent intervals. The soft breeze against her skin reminded her that she was butt naked. “Erotica!” She rose, cupping a hand over her eyes to shield them from the white ball in the sky and its multiple coronas. Oh, sugar, but she had landed herself in another mess! “Erotica! Where are you?!” Silence and an empty landscape greeted her. Her lips tightened. When she found him, she was going to give him enough trouble to last him a lifetime. In the meantime, she had to find shelter and clothing. Oh, sugar, but his butt was going to be hers, big time. She squinted, staring towards the distant horizon. Oh, great. This was all she needed. A large, dark panther-like cat rose from behind a huge tree trunk and began moving slowly through the blue grass towards her. The cat was sleek and more beautiful than any panther she had ever seen on earth. It was also larger. Still, this was not the time to stand around admiring the wild animal as he approached. She turned, spotted a sizeable tree several hundred yards away and began a wild dash for it. Under the lowest hanging tree branch, she turned her head. The cat, still what she hoped was several minutes away, continued to move towards her. She grasped the branch and pulled herself up onto the tree bough. Thank God for all the time she’d made for workouts at the gym. Squatting there watching the cat approach, she realized that she wasn’t sure if panthers could climb trees. Oh, sugar! She glanced upward. The branches above her looked even sturdier and would probably hold her weight. She rose and climbed up to the next branch, ignoring the friction of the trunk against her bare skin. Damn Erotica! She hoped he had enjoyed the night before because hell would freeze over before she allowed him anywhere near her again. “Erotica! Wherever you are, you’d better get here right now or when I find you, your ass is mine!” She warned the mauve sky. “And when I get my hands on you, it is not going to be a pretty sight.”

Naturally enough there was no answer. She crouched on the branch, watching the cat’s continued progress. Finally it paused directly under the tree and lifted a pair of green eyes towards her. “Go away,” she ordered, clinging to the trunk. It lowered its head and let out a low rumbling growl. She shivered. “Bad kitty. Go away! Now!” She watched in dismay as the cat rose on its hind legs and sprang up onto the lower bough of the tree. She screamed and looked around for a means of escape. Before she could scramble further up the tree, the cat sprang upward again. It landed on the end of the branch where she crouched. Fear held her motionless as the cat moved forward until it could look directly into her gaze. Oh, God! Her lips parted to scream. You must not fear me. I will not hurt you. Unable to look away, she stared into the green eyes. Irrationally, her fear subsided. She wasn’t sure why. Trust me. “Trust you? Who are…you?” I will not hurt you. Listen to the rhythm of my heart and trust me. The rhythm of his heart? Oh, sugar! “E…Erotica?” Trust me. “Oh, Erotica!” She bit her lip and took a deep, calming breath. “Please tell me that’s not you. It’s not…is it?” What had he said to her the night before? That she would know him by the rhythm of his heartbeat. To hear his heart beating, she would need to get dangerously close. The cat seemed to present no immediate threat. He had not growled. Nor were his ears held back close to his head. She had to find out if this beautiful animal was her Erotica. She reached out a trembling hand and placed it on his underbelly. She slowly moved her palm up until she encountered his heart. She closed her eyes and listened.

What she heard was unmistakable. The breath caught in her throat and she stared at him. It was the same beat she had fallen asleep to the night before. “Oh, my God! Erotica! It is you!” He purred softly, the green eyes staring intently into hers. “It is you!” She flung her arms around the cat’s neck and pressed her face against his head. “Oh, God! What’s happened to you? Are you all right?” He purred again and broke away from her. She watched in amazement as he jumped out of the tree to the ground and gracefully padded away. “Erotica! Where are you going? Do you hear me? You get your narrow behind back here!” she ordered. Without acknowledging her in any way, he continued moving in the direction from which he’d come. Furious, Mara scrambled down the tree and dropped onto the grass. “Erotica! You stop where you are or you’ll be sorry!” With a toss of his sleek, dark head, he broke into a trot. Mara quickly considered her options and took the only course open to her. Swallowing her indignation, she took off after him. She wanted to hurl verbal abuse at him, but he maintained a pace that required her to save her breath for breathing. Oh, but payback would come and she would make him pay dearly for giving her this grief. As she fled after him, she noticed subtle changes in the landscape. Squinting into the distance, she saw what appeared to be structures of some kind dotting the far horizon. Finally. People. Breathing deeply, she stopped abruptly and collapsed to the grass. Far ahead, the black cat paused and glanced back at her. “I am not following you another step!” she shouted. “So get lost!” Across the distance separating them, she heard a low, plaintive rumbling in answer. “Don’t you growl at me!” she snapped, fighting back angry tears. “Talk to me, damn you! Tell me what’s going on! What’s happened to you and where are you going?” Trust me.

“I will…when hell freezes over! Now answer me!” I cannot. “You’d better! Erotica, I am not taking any damn nonsense from your ass!” she warned. “This has gone far enough. Get back here and tell me what’s going on.” Trust me. The cat turned and continued toward the buildings, his sleek beautiful body rapidly covering the distance, his muscles rippling under his skin. In a matter of moments, he had disappeared from her sight. Mara sucked in an aching breath, glancing around her. He had deserted her again, leaving her naked and alone in this strange world. What was she supposed to do? How was she going to get out of this mess? She overcame the urge to cry. That wouldn’t help and she was not in a position to waste time or energy on useless tears. She pushed herself to her feet and scanned the horizon. She judged the buildings to be roughly a mile or so away. She glanced up at the sun and its coronas. Thanks to the constant gentle breeze, she didn’t feel overheated, although a fine film of perspiration covered her body. She wouldn’t arrive at her best, but she would arrive. Not only would she arrive, she would survive in this damned place—with or without Erotica’s help. Pacing herself, she jogged forward. Now if only her luck held long enough for her to reach safety without encountering any wild animals. Erotica had said that no matter how dire her situation looked, she would be in no physical danger, but she was no longer sure she could believe him. There was no logical reason for him to have left her naked and alone in a world he knew would be frightening and alien to her. As she ran she spotted several small, strange, but seemingly harmless creatures scurrying along the blue floor of the forest on all sides of her. Several of the denizens resembled small, dark bundles of leather. After the first several sightings, she stopped jumping and kept her gaze on the structures in the clearing just beyond the forest. After what she judged to be just over an hour, she cleared the forest and emerged onto a paved stretch with a long low building in front of her made of some materials she’d never seen. Now what? She looked down at herself. She was tired, thirsty, hungry, scared, and naked. She had but one option. If the inhabitants of this place didn’t speak English, she was going to be in big time trouble. Taking a deep breath, she moved forward. She stopped abruptly, realizing she was at the back entrance because there was no visible openings, doors or windows. She frowned, moving around the place, surely a structure this long should have more than one entrance.

Fifteen minutes later, having circled the structure several times, she still had not spotted anything that could remotely be a door or even a window. How in the Sam Hill did a body get in and out of the infernal place? As she stood, longing to sink down to the paved material in front of the building and have a good, gut-wrenching sob, the black cat appeared around a corner of the building. She thrust out a finger. “Erotica, I’ve about seen all I want to see of this horrible place. If you value your peace of mind, you’d better find a way to get me back home. Now!” The cat padded forward. When he was close enough for her to touch, he stood on his hind legs and rose to a length that was several feet taller than her. He rested his big paws lightly on her shoulders and looked down at her, his green gaze locking with hers. “Erotica! What’s happened? What have they done to you?” she asked, staring up at him, no longer doubting that this beautiful, sleek cat was her lover from the night before. Oh, sugar. Her fantasy man was a cat! A big, handsome, sleek cat, but still a cat! Purring deep in his huge chest cavity, he inched slowly forward. Something warm and moist brushed against her leg. She looked down and gasped. His cock, big, thick, hard, and red pressed against her leg. The head was thicker than the shaft and clearly pulsed, as if it had a life of its own. As she watched, he slowly rotated his hips, clearly trying to locate her entrance. She gasped again and tried to jerk back, but he held her still with his paws on her shoulders and continued to thrust at her. “No!” She placed her palms against his underbelly and shoved as hard as she could, but couldn’t budge him. She lifted her head and stared wide-eyed up at him. “Erotica! Stop! Now! I mean it! I know you understand me! You stop right now! I mean it!” To her surprise, the movement against her groin stopped. Taking a deep, relieved breath, she glanced down. His cock was still poised at her entrance. Big, red, and covered with veins. But at least he was no longer trying to spear her with it. Although she could feel the big head pulsing against her. To her dismay, she creamed. No. No! She was not going to let him spear her. “Kindly get your big paws off of my shoulders,” she told him. “And change back to Erotica because you have a lot of explaining to do!” He lifted his paws from her shoulders and still on his hind legs, with his cock protruding in front of his

body, he backed away from her. He dropped down to all fours. Extending his big handsome head, he sniffed at her crotch. “Stop that, Erotica!” she warned, glancing quickly around to make sure there was no one watching them. His tongue, long, thick, and pink sneaked out of his mouth and he quickly drew the rough side against the entire length of her slit and the resultant sensation was so wonderful, her legs buckled and she had to cling to his head to retain her balance. But she would not allow this to happen. She couldn’t. “Oh, sugar, Erotica! Do not do that!” Ignoring her command, he used his big head to back her up against the structure behind her. When she stood trembling with it at her back, he moved in and began eagerly lapping at her pussy. She moaned and helplessly parted her legs. He took advantage of her new position, rolled his tongue in on itself, and darted it into her pussy. “Oh, sugar!” She grabbed at his head and tried to wiggle away. But his tongue was long and thick and impaled her almost as effectively as his cock would have. Moving his head from side to side, he repeatedly stabbed his tongue in and out of her, purring softly with obvious enjoyment. Every so often his whiskers brushed against her clit, setting fire to her soul and turning her entire body into a gigantic pleasure-hungry nerve. Suddenly, she could hear the rhythm of his heart. Or did she feel rather than hear it? She couldn’t be certain which it was. Nevertheless, there was no doubt that it added to her rising excitement, until she felt ready to explode like a star. This was Erotica…her Erotica. The man of her fantasies. Unable to contain the pleasure blazing all through her, she gripped his head in her hands, flung her head back against the structure, and began wildly thrusting her hips forward. Oh Lord, it felt so good. So delicious. So wonderfully forbidden. He plunged his tongue deep into her pussy again and again until she moaned and exploded. He kept his tongue motionless inside her as she slowly came down from one of the most powerful orgasms in her life. When her breathing slowed and her senses returned, she was draped over his back, still impaled on his tongue. She took a deep breath and straightened. She looked down and found his green gaze trained on her, tiny fires seeming to burn deep within their depths. Lustful fires. Oh Lord. “Take it out,” she whispered.

Purring softly, he slowly drew his tongue from her body. Instead of backing away, he began to lick her clean of her juices. After a half-hearted attempt to stop him, Mara stood trembling, feeling heat and need rising in her all over again. Oh, sugar, she couldn’t keep letting this happen. “Erotica! Stop it, now!” she begged, pushing against his head. To her surprise, he growled and raised up on his hide legs, his cock still protruding from his body. Resting his paws on her shoulders, he moved his big body close to hers and thrust his powerful hips forward. “No!” She cried, wiggling wildly to avoid the hot cock trying to spear her. “No, Erotica! Not that. No! That we can’t do. We’ve already done too much.” His cock made contact with her pussy and she thrust a hand down to brush it away. Her fingers closed around him and a rush of heat shot through her. He was so thick and hot against her palm. Heart thumping, she slid her hand down and brushed her thumb against the pulsing head. Her touch elicited a deep-chested growl of pleasure and a spurt of cream covered her hand. Oh, sugar! She knew it was wrong, but this was Erotica and she wanted him as much as he clearly wanted her. She was going to have him. She went damp and began parting her legs to give him easy access to her pussy. “Mara! No!” The deep sexy voice startled her. She jerked her hand away from Erotica’s hard cock and looked up to see him standing several feet away-naked and fully aroused. She blinked at him and stared at the large cat still standing above her with his cock poised at her entrance. Oh Lord! This wasn’t Erotica. How could she have thought this cat was Erotica? And how could she have let it pleasure her? If Erotica hadn’t arrived when he had, she would have allowed this…cat to really fuck her. Oh Lord! She shoved against his underbelly. “Get away from me!” Mara. Mara. You must trust me. She paused and stared up into the green eyes gazing so intently down into hers. Had she been right? Was this really Erotica? No. Because he stood several feet away with a shocked look on his handsome face at what he saw. “Mara, listen to me. Tell him to go away and come with me,” Erotica instructed. “Do it now, Mara.”

She dragged her gaze away from the cat’s to look at Erotica. “Why don’t you tell him?” she asked, confused. “He’ll only go if you insist he does. Tell him to go away. You mustn’t allow him to couple with you.” As she had been about to do just that, she flushed. “Go away,” she told the cat. She told herself she was horrified at what had almost happened between her and the cat, but to her shame, she was not. The cat stared down at her. You must not ask me to go. “I’m not asking. I’m telling. Go. Now.” Trust me. “No.” She shook her head. “I don’t trust you. Go find yourself a nice feline and leave me alone. Now. Go.” He removed his paws from her shoulders and backed away, growling softly. When he had moved several feet from her, she turned and fled into Erotica’s waiting arms. She clung to him, shaken, not by what had nearly happened, but what had not happened. He kissed her hair and held her close, grinding his cock against her body. Surprisingly, the feel of his shaft did not arouse her. “It’s all right. I have you and you’re safe now, Mara.” She lifted her head from his shoulder and stared up at him. “Safe? Safe? Are you nuts? Do you know what he…? He tongued me and was about to…fuck me and you tell me I’m safe? Erotica! Where were you?!” He stroked his hands over her shoulders and down her back to her behind. “I was not permitted to stay with you when we arrived.” “So why did you leave me naked and alone?” “That’s how you arrived and you were not alone.” “Oh, yes. I forgot…the cat was there. Thanks, Erotica.” “We are together now. Is that not enough? And I will take you home and couple with you.” She wanted to scream and rant at him, but she was so relieved to be back with him that she hugged him instead. She’d demand a complete accounting later. Right now she just had one need. “Hold me,” she

told him. His arms tightened around her and his hands closed on her buns. “Were you afraid of the Night Cat, Mara?” “Night Cat?” she looked up at him, confused. Then she understood. She glanced at the cat who stood less then three feet away, its green, intent gaze locked on her. “Only very briefly. Is he yours?” “No!” “Who…? Does he belong to anyone?” “He’s a Night Cat prowling the forest in search of lost visitors to Prime he can couple with against their will.” She stared up at him. “Against their will?” “Yes. He is a menace who often couples without permission.” He paused and his green eyes briefly gleamed with what looked like meanness. “He usually likes to couple with males.” The cat let out an angry snarl and turned its deadly gaze on Erotica. Mara sighed. Oh, great. Even the wildlife was homosexual. Erotica stroked a big hand over her breasts. “Come, Mara, I will take you home and couple with you and then I will explain as much as I can.” She shook her head and drew away from him. “Not so fast, buster. It’s because we coupled first and talked later at the Inn that I’m in this position. We’ll talk first and if I happen to like what I hear, then we’ ll couple…maybe. But there will be no coupling until you explain things to my satisfaction, Erotica.” He sighed. “As you wish, Mara. Come. I will take you home.” She looked around. “How?” “By means of my personal transport.” “Where is it?” He closed his eyes briefly. When he opened them Mara heard a soft, gentle hissing. She turned and saw what looked like a plush futuristic convertible moving towards them. She blinked. As far as she could see it had no wheels and there was no one inside. Oookay. She was definitely not on Earth.

“Erotica. We really are not on Earth. Are we?” “We are on Prime, Mara. Come. I will take you home.” With his hand on her back, she moved forward. As she neared the vehicle, part of the panel of the side slid back to reveal a lush leather-like bench seat. She got in and felt the seat changing to the contours of her bottom. She glanced down and saw the bench seat was now a very comfortable bucket seat that felt so comfortable that it might have been made just for her. Now this was a car. Erotica got in beside her. He leaned over and pressed a long, lingering kiss against her mouth that seemed to burn her lips and take her breath away. His kiss, hard and a little rough, forced her lips apart. As he took another kiss, he pinched her breasts with one hand, while sticking the fingers of the other hand inside her pussy. She clenched a hand into a fist and fought against the urge to pull away from him. Sooner or later, he would stop kissing her and remove his fingers from her body. When he finally drew away from her, he took her hand and cupped it over his cock. Her cheeks burned with heat and anger. She forced herself to wait for a moment before she eased her hand away. Her feelings of revulsion stunned her. This was the man she had planned to dare all for. The previous night, his touch had helped heal her aching heart. Why did it now feel like an invasion? “Erotica…we need to talk before any more sex,” she told him in her coolest, no nonsense voice. “So please keep your hands to yourself.” “Why should I?” he demanded. “You are mine to touch and couple with as I like.” She narrowed her gaze. “Not if I say no, Erotica. And for the moment, I am saying no. Do not make the mistake of thinking I will allow myself to be taken without my full cooperation. I will not.” He stared into her eyes, his gaze cold and hard. She worried that he was about to test her resolve before he finally nodded curtly. She breathed a sigh of relief. He turned away and the vehicle began moving slowly around the building and onto the road beyond. She heard a low angry growl. She turned to see the cat padding easily behind the vehicle, its green gaze locked on her. Mara. Do not go with him. Tell him you want to remain with me. Trust me. A faint hint of discomfort assailed her. She tore her gaze away from the cat’s almost hypnotic one and glanced at Erotica. “What’s going to become of him?” she asked.

“Who?” “The Night Cat. He’s following us.” Erotica muttered something explosive under his breath and without warning, the vehicle, which had been moving leisurely along, giving Mara ample time to survey the surrounding countryside, abruptly shot forward at a high rate of speed. Mara, expecting to get a healthy doze of whiplash, was surprised to find herself held safely in place by what felt like a series of invisible hands. She turned and saw the cat running at full speed. Although he was amazingly quick, he could not maintain the incredible speed at which the vehicle moved. She felt a little twist in her stomach as the cat quickly fell behind. “We’re rid of him now. He’ll never catch us.” She turned back and looked at Erotica. The small satisfied smirk on his face annoyed her. “Are you sure he’ll be all right?” she asked. “Do not concern yourself with him,” he admonished, his voice curt. “He’s just a Night Cat who likes to couple with visiting males against their wills.” “I’m not male,” she reminded him. His right hand shot out and clamped over her pussy. “No, Mara, you are not. I must couple with you soon.” He was so different from last night that she teetered on the edge of fear and revulsion of him. You’ll couple with me when hell freezes over, she thought grimly. “We will have no time to worry about him once we arrive and begin to couple. He is not important at all.” “Well that Night Cat arrived at a point when I was alone and afraid and made me feel safe,” she pointed out. “He was there running interference and making sure I felt safe when you were nowhere around.” “I told you I would explain, Mara. Please do not tempt my patience.” She sucked in a deep breath. “Go fuck yourself, Erotica,” she said and smiled sweetly. “Fuck myself? What is this fuck, Mara? Is it something good?” “Oh, yes. Especially when one does it to oneself.”

“Then I will learn to do it and do it often,” he said with satisfaction. Self-satisfied bastard, she thought. She needed to get away from him so that she could think and decide what to do. Right now, she found herself worried about the cat. She glanced back and sucked in a breath. The Night Cat was but a dark blur well behind the vehicle. Strangely enough, she wished herself back in the forest with him instead of with the man beside her. And that just would not do. She had left Earth for this man. Now was not the time to give into foolish and childish nonsense about a wild animal. This man was the reason she was here. She mustn’t let her strange surrounding make her lose sight of how he had made her feel loved and cherished. Get a grip, Mara, she advised herself and mentally lifted her chin. She turned to him with a smile when he spoke.

Chapter Five

“What do you think of Prime? Is it not a beautiful place, Mara?” A dizzying array of long, narrow structures and tall, cylindrical ones that seem to stretch far into the mauve sky were but an endless series of blurs on the distant horizon. The vehicle’s speed made appreciating the rather majestic countryside they were traversing somewhat difficult. She cast a quick look backwards and could no longer see any evidence that the Night Cat still pursued them. “It’s lovely,” she said quietly. “Soon we will arrive.” Moments later, the vehicle stopped in front of a large, low building. It seemed to be constructed of steel-like metal with no apparent door or windows. As she looked around her, her invisible restraints retracted and her door panel slid open. She waited for Erotica to walk around and offer her his arm. Instead, he slid out of the vehicle and walked up to the building. Mara sat staring at him in disbelief. Okay, so he was an alien. But he had spent enough time on Earth to know that a certain amount of chivalry was expected of a man who didn’t want to spend the night alone.

“Aren’t you forgetting something?” she asked. Part of the smooth surface of the building in front of him slid open. About to enter, he turned and looked at her. “No. I don’t think so. Mara, come inside. I am eager to couple with you.” She glanced around and noted with relief that there didn’t seem to be any other buildings in close enough proximity for anyone to see that she was stark naked. She quickly alighted and ran past Erotica and inside. She barely had time to note that the interior of the building was furnished much like a lavish house on Earth might be with plush leather chairs and beautiful antique furniture before he grabbed her around her waist. He ground his cock against her pussy and bit into her breasts. “You will couple with me now, Mara. I will wait no longer.” “The hell you won’t!” she protested. He responded by pushing her against the nearest wall. Clamping his mouth on hers, he pressed the tip of his cock against her and greedily shoved his dick into her unprepared pussy. Before she could shove him angrily away, a low, menacing growl filled the room. Erotica jerked his cock out of her and they both turned to see the Night Cat spring into the room. Erotica stiffened beside her, his body tense. To her total amazement, he pulled her in front of him and hissed in her ear. “Mara. Tell him to go away. Immediately.” She jerked away from him. “Tell him yourself!” He hauled her back in front him, clamping his arms around her. “He won’t listen to me, but he will listen to you.” He sounded frightened. She supposed she couldn’t blame him, but for some reason, she realized she was relieved to see the big cat was all right and was there. His presence made her feel…safe. The cat growled and padded forward. Erotica’s arms tightened on her waist. “Mara! Do as I told you! Tell him to go away and stay away.” She pressed her lips into a tight line. Erotica was the one she wanted to send away. Permanently. “Take your hands off of me, Erotica. You’re going to leave bruises.” “Mara, do as you are told!”

She sucked in a breath, deciding she’d had enough. She jerked away and swung around to face him. “Have you lost your mind, Erotica? I don’t know how you treat your women here, but I do not appreciate being manhandled or spoken to in that tone. Do your own dirty work. You want him to go away? Tell him yourself!” He blinked at her for several moments before he folded her into his arms and held her tight. “Forgive me, Mara, but after having waited so long to meet you, the thought of losing you is frightening. Forgive me, Mara. And tell him to go away. Please.” Mara sighed in relief and returned his embrace. She had been too hard on him. “It’s all right, Erotica. When I woke up alone and thought I’d lost you, I was frightened too.” She glanced over his shoulder to find the Night Cat staring intently at her. “Please go away,” she asked softly. I cannot. Please, my Mara. Trust me. While she couldn’t deny that she felt inexplicably drawn to the cat, she could sense Erotica’s fear of him. And judging from the way the handsome creature looked at Erotica with near hatred in his gaze, she suspected his fear was justified. For better or worse, she had decided she wanted Erotica. So she needed to be at and on his side. “Please. Go.” Her plea was met with a soft, mournful sound that nearly broke her heart. Tears sprang to her eyes as he turned and bounded out the door, which immediately shut behind him. Erotica kissed her tenderly and drew her through the house into a large bedroom with a huge glass wall. He urged her onto the side of the bed. He knelt between her legs and gently peppered her pussy with warm, insistent kisses. Ignoring the pleasant tingle caused by his mouth, she put a hand on his shoulder. “Erotica, that’s very nice, but all this is a bit much to take in. I need some time to absorb everything. And we need to talk.” He stared into her eyes. “But Mara, I need to couple with you. I ache for you.” She stroked a hand through his hair. “Not now, Erotica. Talk to me. Tell me what’s going on. Tell me why the Night Cat obeys me but not you. Tell me why you left me naked and alone in the forest.” His lips tightened and he rose. “I must go speak to Sensualous to see how much I may tell you.” Great. Just great. “Fine. You do that,” she said coolly.

He pressed a long, demanding kiss against her mouth. To keep her mouth from being smashed into her teeth, she parted her lips and endured the kiss. “Everything you could want is here. If you want to go outside, do not wander far. And if the Night Cat returns, do not allow him to couple with you.” She frowned. “How long will you be gone?” “I will return with the sun.” She exploded to her feet. “What? You’re leaving me here alone all night?” “I must, but I give you my oath you are in no danger.” At the moment his oath wasn’t worth much in her book. “Take me home, Erotica. Now. Please.” “Mara! You must trust me! If you do not, all will be lost for me.” She shook her head. “I think I’ve extended more than my share of trust, Erotica. And now I want to go home.” He squeezed her hand, a desperate look in his eyes. “Stay with me, Mara. I need you. You are my lifeline…my salvation. Please. Stay here. You will be safe and I will return as soon as I can. You must stay with me. I have a great need for you.” She sighed and nodded. She watched him walk out of the room. Alone, she felt incredibly tired. She wanted to explore her surroundings and find something to eat and wear, but the exhaustion from her trek in the forest took its toll. Yawning, she curled up on the bed, which immediately contoured to her body. As she fell asleep, her thoughts turned to the Night Cat.

***** Trust me. Mara opened her eyes and found herself lying on the bed on her back. The big Night Cat stood on the bed over her, licking her face. She smiled and reached out a hand to touch his head. “You’re not going to believe this, but I am very glad to see you. Are you all right?” He purred softly and bounded off the bed.

She sat up and saw through the plate glass window that it was dusk. At least she assumed it was dusk because the space beyond the window was a dusky rose. She stretched and her stomach rumbled. She looked at the cat standing by the door, gazing intently at her. “I need something to eat.” Come. He charged across the room, straight for the window. “No!” Mara screamed and clamped a hand over her mouth, bracing herself for the impact of his big body colliding with the floor-to-ceiling window. Instead the glass slid silently apart and he jumped through. She scrambled off the bed and ran forward. She stopped. The glass that was now one smooth surface again. He had paused on the other side of the glass. Trust me. “Trust you? What do you want me to do?” He backed slowly away from the window. Come to me. Gazing into his eyes through the glass separating them, she knew what he wanted her to do. She shook her head. “I’ll come around to the front door.” Trust me. Come this way, my Mara. She ran a hand through her hair. Why was she bothering to argue with him? Why was she so drawn to him? Why did she want to trust him? Why was she going to trust him? Telling herself she was a fool, she took several steps back and ran forward. With less than a foot between her and the window and her mouth opened to scream, the glass parted and she hurtled through. Instead of tumbling onto the ground, her headlong rush was stopped by the Night Cat’s big body. Gasping to catch her breath, she stared up at him. “Who are you and what do you want?” Come with me. She shook her head. She was hungry, confused, and naked. “No. You tell me what’s going on or I don’t move a muscle.” You must come with me. Trust me. I will feed and take care of you. He moved several feet away before turning to look at her. Come. She needed her head examined, she realized as she followed him into the dark, rose-colored night. She looked up and saw a large, pale, beautiful full moon. That must explain why she was leaving when Erotica had asked her not to.

He led her down a moonlit path, around the building, and back into the jungle. She looked back and saw the building where Erotica would expect to find her was a dark blur. With the setting of the suns, she felt a cool breeze on her skin. “I’m naked and hungry and it’s time you explained what’s going on,” she told the cat padding silently beside her. I will take care of you. “How?” Trust me. She shook her head. “No. I need some answers now.” You must trust me . She glanced over her shoulder. She had come too far to go back through the dark on her own. She had to trust him. “Where are you taking me?” I am taking you to my lair. His lair? They were now in the forest again. His lair was going to be some small, cramped, dark hole in the ground where God only knew how many crawling creatures lived with him. Sugar, but she was one for getting into one mess after another. All around them she could hear sounds of the nocturnal forest life coming alive. And several times, she saw eyes glaring at her from the dusky rose night. She stayed close to the side of the Night Cat, pressing her lips together to stifle a scream. She had been a fool to leave the safety of the building where Erotica had asked her to wait, but she knew that her companion would protect her from all harm. You will be safe with me, my Mara. After what she judged to be an hour, he stopped in front of a huge tree with a hole burrowed in the trunk. She glanced up and shuddered as a pair of glowing eyes stared down at her. “Oh, God, what is that in the tree looking down?” Do not fear. It is Demi. He will not harm you. “What is he?” He is a Keddi. His kind is some of Prime’s greatest treasures. He and I shared many things. I will

call him so you will not be afraid. He lifted his head and looked up. Moments later, she sucked in a breath as a small, flesh-colored version of Erotica appeared in the air and hovered before her eyes. He was about roughly nine inches tall with a handsome face with long blond hair, green eyes, and an erect cock that was as long as her middle finger, but twice as thick. This is Demi, the cat told her. We have been companions since he saved me in the forest many years since. Mara wet her lips and held out a hand. The tiny version of Erotica landed in her palm and looked up at her with beautiful dark green eyes lit with…passion? She stroked his hair with a finger. “Demi, you are so…handsome.” He floated up from her palm to her mouth. Tiny, warm, sweet lips pressed against her bottom lip. His moist tongue touched hers, sending a shock through her. Mara gasped and jerked back. “What is he doing?” He means no harm . “He kissed me!” Did you find it unpleasant? She flushed and averted her gaze. “I’ve had enough adventure for one day. I just want peace and quiet so I can think. Is that too much to ask around here?” No, my Mara. “Why have we stopped here?” This is my lair. Enter and be welcome. She leaned forward and peeked inside the hole, but the interior was dark. “It’s dark.” Enter. She glanced at Demi, who hovered in the air around her, breast high. She could see the tip of his tongue between his perfectly formed lips. She had a feeling that if she lingered outside much longer, his warm lips would latch onto the nearest nipple and he’d suck her breast until her pussy gushed. The thought sent a rush of heat and shame through her. Lord, what was becoming of her? First the Night

Cat turned her on, and now this sexy, naked, miniature version of Erotica was making her damp and aroused. Enter. Oh, sugar, the situations she got herself into. Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside, both hands extended before her so she wouldn’t bump into the other end of the tree trunk. As she passed the threshold, a soft, muted light whispered on and she stood staring in surprise. Before her was a large, lovely room, furnished much like the house she had left with deep, comfortable chairs and what looked liked an exquisitely carved oak dinner table on which was spread out a feast of several dishes under glass-covered containers. Her stomach rumbled at the sight and smell of the food. Go. Eat your fill. She turned to look at the Night Cat and wrapped her arms around his neck. Unlike Erotica, who hadn’t even bothered to ask if she were hungry, he had not only shown consideration for her needs, but had found a way to satisfy them. “Thank you.” You are welcome. Go. Eat. She hurried across the soft, carpet-like flooring to the table. Lifting the lids off the many containers, she found various dishes that appeared to be meat that made her mouth water. Picking up a fork, she quickly filled a plate with a little of the most appetizing-looking dishes. She filled a glass with what looked like green tea and looked around for him. He lay along one wall of the big room, near what looked like a fireplace, watching her with green eyes filled with longing. Demi, tiny, and yet so exquisitely proportioned, and aroused, stood near the base of the fireplace, looking at her with green eyes full of longing. She felt a surge of feminine satisfaction. Two handsome males in addition to Erotica lusting after her. Sit. Eat, my Mara. Demi and I will not disturb you. Both of them disturbed her just by their mere presence. Ignoring the chairs at the tables, she picked up several napkins and made her way across the room to him, aware that his gaze had shifted to her mound. The tip of his tongue emerged and he let out a low, plaintive growl. She knew what he wanted. To her shame, she found she wanted it too, but it was impossible. She sank down next to him on the floor, rested her back against the wall. Demi walked over to her and

climbed onto her body, stretching out on his stomach, so that he lay with his fiery lips touching her thigh. She swallowed painfully and picked up her fork. After the first several bites, she knew that none of what she’d thought was meat was actually animal flesh, but everything was seasoned perfectly and wonderfully delicious. She devoured every morsel with a greedy enjoyment that would have scandalized Aunt Martha. Feeling full and content, she finished her drink, which tasted sweet and warm, wiped her hands, and turned to look at him. “Thank you.” She felt a warmth emanating from him that rolled over her like a sweet, intoxicating wave. Combined with Demi’s lips still moving against her thigh, she felt ready to explode with sexual hunger. Surrendering to her instincts, she moved closer and stretched out so that her head rested against his side. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she told him. I will always be here for you, my Mara. Now you must sleep, he told her. I will guard and protect you from harm. Of that she was sure. She stroked a hand over his flank. “What’s your name?” I am not permitted to say. “Do you have a woman…a female?” Yes. A streak of jealousy flashed through her. She angrily dismissed it. She had no need to be jealous of some feline when she had Erotica. “Do you know Erotica?” I know him very well. “But you don’t like him. Why?” I do like him. “Well, he sure doesn’t like you.” Yes, he does. She sat up and stared into his green eyes. “But he seemed almost afraid of you and you were very threatening in his house.” He was going to couple with you.

Remembering how he had actually penetrated her when the Night Cat arrived, she flushed. “Why should that have mattered to you?” I am not permitted to say why, but it matters. She frowned. “You’re not permitted to say? Who’s stopping you? I don’t see anyone here with us.” I am bound by honor and custom. You must trust me. “You know, everyone I’ve met on this…world of yours seem to place a premium on trust, but never seem to see the need to extend any to others…namely me. Why don’t you try trusting me and tell me what’s going on here and why Erotica keeps leaving me.” Demi abruptly slide along her body until she felt a tiny tongue and a hot pair of lips, pressing against her pussy. He moved upwards and clamped his lips over her clit and sucked her. His feet found their way into her pussy and he began thrusting them inside her. She felt them swell inside her until she felt as if she had a cock…Erotica’s cock inside her. “Oh Lord!” she moaned and felt herself going damp. “Oh Lord, Demi!” The Night Cat’s lips closed on one of her breasts and her world tilted and then exploded. Moaning softly and shuddering helplessly, she lay back against the floor, and came. When her senses returned, the Night Cat lay at her side, while Demi’s small, warm body sprawled against her right breast. She licked her lips and stroked a finger down Demi’s tiny, taunt buns. He shuddered against her and popped the nearest nipple into his mouth. He sucked her slowly and hungrily. She felt his cock hardening against her and flushed. Lord, he was making her hot and hungry all over again. She let him suck for a while, then afraid she’d surrender completely and part her legs for one or both of them to fuck her, she gently lifted him from her breast. As she held him in her hand, his cock, with a pulsing head was pointed at her. She averted her gaze and gently sat him on the floor. “No more, Demi,” she said firmly. He wants to couple with you…as do I. She looked at the cat. “Well, neither of you are going to. About Erotica. Has he changed his mind about wanting me?” No! You must not think that. He wants you more than his life!

“Then where is he when I need him?!” You are not alone and you will never be in any physical danger, but if he is to make a successful case for taking you as his promise mate, he must act within Aeolian customs. He loves you. Trust him, Mara. After the way Erotica had treated him, his impassioned plea on Erotica’s behalf touched her. “I want to, but he’s making it very difficult.” She bit back the urge to say she found it easier to trust him and Demi than the man she’d thought she was falling so hopelessly in love with the previous night. Trust him. “He left me hungry and naked and alone.” You were never alone and now you have eaten. “I’m still naked,” she pointed out. She sensed a surge of desire from him and turned to find him staring at her with burning green eyes. There is clothing in the room beyond, but do not cover yourself yet. She flushed. He wanted to continue to stare at her naked body and to her shame, she was not averse to it. She looked at Demi and found a second pair of green eyes filled with lust turned on her. Oh Lord, but these two made her hot and horny. She settled her head and shoulders against his side and closed her eyes. His tail flicked around her waist, the tip brushing against her mound. She sucked in a breath and resisted the urge to part her legs in open invitation. Seeming to sense the effect his tail was having on her, he removed it. Sleep, Mara. All will be well soon.

She hesitated, then, eyes still closed, she extended a hand to Demi. “Come sleep with us,” she invited. Moments later, he lay on her chest with his lips wrapped around her right nipple, his hard cock throbbing against her. Nice. Very nice. With the soothing feel of his thoughts echoing in her head, and Demi’s lips sucking her nipple, she drifted to sleep.

Chapter Six

He lay quiet and still, listening to the sounds of Mara’s breathing for a long time. He found it soothing and exciting at the same time. Even though he longed to couple with her, just having her lie against him brought pleasure. She is very special, he told Demi. Now you see why I dared all? Why I had to have her? Still sucking contentedly at Mara’s lovely, large breast, Demi did not appear to be in the mood for conversation. In truth, with Notize availing himself of every advantage Aeolian custom allowed, he knew he could not afford the luxury of lying around listening to her breathing or even talking about her to Demi, his oldest and closest companion. I must go, he told Demi. While I am gone, see that you do not couple with her. That is a pleasure I reserve solely for myself. Suck her breasts and eat her pussy if she is so inclined, but do not put your cock or your dick in her pussy. That belongs strictly to me. Demi lifted his head. Exotica looked into green eyes full of lust. He sighed. If Mara allowed it, Demi would shift and couple with her until he was exhausted. He took comfort in the sure knowledge that Mara would not allow it. Being careful not to disturb her unduly, he slid from under her head and shoulders and rose. She lay on the carpet, beautiful and sensuous. He adored everything about her. Her lovely face with the warm, sweet lips, her large, firm breasts, flat stomach, long, shapely legs, and her treasure covered with dark curly hair. He longed to thrust into her warm, welcoming pussy or her tight, hot ass but he knew he mustn’t. Should she awake and find herself impaled on his cock, she would be horrified and angry. Besides, he needed to speak to Sensualous. Allowing himself the liberty of one, quick lick at her mound, he turned and padded across the room to the entrance. The barrier parted as he approached and he went through and out into the night. He glanced up into the glowing eyes of the Keddi inhibiting the upper branches of the tree. Guard, he instructed. He knew Demi would guard her as well…if he could stop sucking her breasts long enough.

He felt quiet acknowledgements. Knowing she would be safe while he was gone, he turned and raced through the forest. He had a long way to go and not much time to get there.

***** The first person Erotica saw as he entered Sensualous’s private living area was a tall, slender man with short dark hair and dark eyes. His gaze narrowed and he was hard-pressed not to rush across the room, curl his hands around his neck, and batter him so badly he would not be able to retain his humanoid form. Putting aside his fury, he turned his gaze towards the big, dark chair in the middle of the large, high-ceilinged room. A big, powerfully built naked man with long, golden hair, and blue eyes the color of a beautiful sea on Earth, and a large cock that men came from all across the galaxy to couple with sat back in the chair. As usual, Erotica was struck by his father’s sheer male beauty and grace. He inclined his head respectfully. “Father,” he said. “I have returned home.” Sensualous rose to his full height of 6-feet, 10-inches, and extended an arm. “Rotica! My son! It has been so long!” He walked across the room and he and his father shared a warm embrace before Sensualous stepped back and looked at him. “Rotica, my son! You are well?” “I am, Father.” Sensualous resumed his seat. He glanced at Notize who stood to his right. “Notize tells me you have brought an Earth female with you.” “Notize,” he snarled, his nostrils flaring. “What is he doing here?” “Erotica,” Notize spoke in a tight voice. “I am your promise mate, I have every right to be in the house of he whom you are borne of.” Erotica clenched his hands into fists and slowly crossed the room to stare down at the man his father had chosen for him as a child. “I have taken the right of refusal,” he reminded the other male. “You have seen Mara Manning. You must surely know now that I will never mount you, Notize, borne of Verte.” “I have no wish to be mounted by you, Erotica, borne of noble and sensual Sensualous. I never have. Like you, I lust for pussy.”

He heard the sincerity in the other male’s voice, saw it in his dark gaze. Could it be true? Was it possible that Notize would honor his right of mating refusal without the standard and obligatory challenge? He frowned. If that were so, why had Notize already made his move? “Then what is it that you do wish, Notize?” “I claim the right of change.” He tensed. “What do you mean?” “Is it not obvious? As you say, I have seen Mara Manning.” Notize’s eyes darkened. “And I lust for her. I wish to have her as my promise mate.” A surge of rage rushed through him. He tensed and shot out a hand to crush Notize’s neck. Without appearing to move, Sensualous intercepted his wrist in a large, powerful hand and drew it away from the other Aeolian’s neck. “No, Rotica! You will not harm Notize.” Sensualous released his hand and Erotica stepped back, breathing deeply, almost painfully. “She is mine! I will not allow you to have her!” he warned. “She values me above all others!” Notize smiled. “Does she? Then you have no cause for concern. And I claim my right to the person who has stolen the devotion of my promise mate as my own.” “I will kill you,” he threatened. “No!” Sensualous rose and looked down at him. “No, Rotica, you will not bring shame to this house by killing your promise mate. Is it not enough that you have already flaunted Prime’s customs by your failure to mount your lawfully chosen promise mate? Because of your actions, Notize has been the subject of gossip and whispers while you have been on the ancient world finding another to take a place that is rightfully his. Have you not brought enough shame and grief to the house of Verte?” “Father, I have spent my entire life on Prime trying to be what you wanted of me, but I could not!” He clenched a fist and pressed it against his chest. “I wish I could bow to custom and further glorify the name of Sensualous, as my siblings have done, but something inside me yearns for a female. I would give anything to make you proud of me, Father, but I can not mount a male. I have spent my entire life struggling to comply, but is not my nature. I must have a female. I must have Mara Manning.” Sensualous’s gaze softened and he placed a hand on his shoulder. “Do not mistake me, Rotica. You are my son and as valuable to me as any of your older siblings. I know no shame where you are concerned. I would wish you to take Notize as your promise mate, but have I not allowed you to follow your own

path, my son? Did I not refrain from claiming my right to have your mind adjusted so that you would be as your siblings are?” Erotica suppressed a shudder at the mind cleansing processing Sensualous could have consigned him to instead of sending him off-world. He bowed his head in gratitude. “You did and I thank you most humbly, Father.” Sensualous placed a hand under his chin and lifted his head. “No thanks are required, Rotica. As one of my sons, you are more valued by me than you will ever fully know. I have lost one son. I will not lose another in you. I will never do anything to strip you of who you are. I value that too much. But in coming back to Prime, you have subjected yourself once again to our customs. Notize has a right to try and win your Mara Manning away from you. I require your word that you will abide by custom, Erotica.” He glanced at Notize, who watched him with a gleam in his dark eyes. Swallowing his rage, he met Sensualous’s gaze again. “You have it, Father.” Sensualous nodded and resumed his seat. “Now, Notize tells me you have spirited Mara Manning away from him. He requests you tell him where she is so he may court her.” Erotica narrowed his gaze and tightened his lips. “I am not required to help him steal my promise mate. If he wants to court her, he can do so after he has found her without any assistance from me.” Notize turned to his father. “Sensualous. I cannot have my rightful chance to win her if I do not know where he has taken her.” Erotica tensed, expecting to be ordered to reveal Mara’s whereabouts. If his father gave the command, he would obey, but only after he had sent a telepathic message to Demi to spirit her away. To his relief, his father shook his head. “There are some things you will have to accomplish without help, Notize, and finding Mara Manning is one of them.” Feeling elated, Erotica inclined his head. “Father, I take my leave.” “When the challenge has been met, you will bring this Mara Manning of yours to us to be welcome into the house of Sensualous, Rotica.” His heart swelled with gratitude. His refusal to follow custom could not have been easy for his father and yet he continued to support him. “I will, Father.” He glanced at Notize. “Follow me at your own peril, Notize. I am not permitted to kill you, but I will gravely injure you.” “Sensualous! Please instruct him that he is not allowed to harm me!”

Sensualous frowned. “I have given Rotica all the instructions necessary. If you want his promise mate, be prepared to take some risks, son of Verte.” Grinning, Erotica left his father’s house. He glanced up at the sky. He dared not let Mara awake and find herself alone again. Even though Demi was probably still with her, he knew she would wake in the mood to demand answers of him. He would need to hurry to reach her in time. “Rotica, you pup! You’re not leaving without saying hello, surely?” He turned. A tall man with long dark hair and green eyes emerged from another section of the house with a smile of welcome on his face. “Cupid!” He hurried forward and they embraced briefly. His older sibling gave a playful tug on his hair. “It is good to see you again, pup. Things have not been the same around here since you departed. You are well?” “Yes, but Notize has chosen to challenge me for my promise mate.” He shrugged. “It is his right.” “I know, but I can not bear to lose her, Cupid.” “Then don’t.” “Father has said I must abide by custom.” “And so you must.” He frowned. He had expected more support from Cupid. “Go to your promise mate, Rotica.” Cupid grinned. “I will keep Notize busy.” “How?” “What does this Mara Manning of yours look like?” As he described her, Cupid shifted his body until he bore a passing resemblance to Mara. “How is this?” He shook his head. “Her lips are fuller and her hair a darker auburn, her breasts fuller and firmer. And she is much prettier.” Cupid shifted again. And then again until Erotica caught his breath. “Yes. That is her, Cupid. But the

voice is wrong.” Cupid tried different intonations and pitches until Erotica nodded excitedly. “Yes. That’s very close.” He nodded. “Go to your female, little sibling. I will keep Notize busy while you solidify your position with her.” He hesitated, glancing back at the entrance to the house. “If father finds out—” “I claim my right as one of your elder siblings to assist you. As I made no promise to abide by custom, I may be as devious as I need be in your behalf. Go, Rotica.” Cupid was some fifteen Earth years older than he and they had never been particularly close. Why he should risk their father’s wrath on his behalf begged an answer. “Why are you doing this?” Cupid resumed his normal humanoid form. “It has taken a lot of courage and strength to do what you have done, Rotica.” He sighed. “There are other sons of Sensualous who had similar doubts about this way of life, but not your resolve. I will not stand by and watch anyone sabotage your efforts after you have come this far. You have borne much for the sake of following your nature. I salute and fully support you, Rotica.” Cupid’s words humbled and touched him. They also disturbed him. How many of his other siblings were living lives that were against their nature? Why had they not rebelled? “Not all borne of Sensualous have your resolve,” Cupid spoke quietly. “And those that don’t are more proud to be your siblings than you can know, Rotica. Go to your female.” “Thank you, Cupid.” “I am your sibling. It is my duty, honor, and privilege to assistant you in any way I can. Thanks are not required.” About to turn away, he paused. “Cupid, father spoke of losing a son. There was such pain in his voice that I did not wish to press him. Do you know what he meant?” “Yes. You had a twin, Rotica.” He took a deep breath. “Had? Where is he? What happened to him?” “It a painful memory for us all. Father had an affair with a Telmiran female on Prime for her woman journey.”

The news stunned him. Sensualous had an affair with a female? Was it possible that his own father nursed a secret lust for females? “Cupid, I did not know father enjoyed women.” Cupid sighed. “He does, but he is Sensualous, borne of Luster. He has a legacy to which he must be true. It is a legacy he has held us all to…all save you, Rotica.” The news humbled him and increased his love and admiration for his father, but troubled him on his sibling’s behalf. “What of my mother, Cupid?” “She bore you and your twin. Father did not learn of your births until she was ready to return to Telmira. When he moved to stop her from taking you both away, she appealed to the Prime Minister, who for the sake of avoiding hostilities with Telmira decided that she would be allowed to take your twin home while you remained. We were all devastated and father, in particular, still grieves his loss. That is one of the reasons he would not have your mind cleansed as the Prime Minister urged. Father bore up under a great deal of pressure to allow you to follow your true nature.” He sighed, glancing back towards the house. He had always loved and revered his father. Knowing what Sensualous had endured to support him, intensified his love for his father. “What of my twin? What is his name?’ “Father called him Eros. I do not know if that is what he is still called.” “Where is he?” “We have not seen him since he left Prime.” Erotica felt as if the air had been sucked out of his lungs. Finally, he understood why he had always felt as if he were missing a part of himself. He was—in the form of the twin brother he had never known, but had always missed. Cupid gave him a gentle push. “There is no time to grieve now, Rotica. I will keep Notize busy for as long as I can. Once father learns what I am doing, I will have to stop, so go now and make the most of the time I will buy you.” His thoughts reeling with the knowledge he had a twin brother somewhere on Telmira, a close planet where males were treated little better than Earth beast of burdens weighed heavily on him. He closed his eyes briefly and called out to the stars. Eros, borne of Sensualous, I, Erotica, your sibling, will come for you. Wait for me my brother. I will come.

When he had won Mara’s heart and devotion, he would go in search of his twin. But first he must convince Mara to trust him fully. When he had his Mara and his twin at his side, all would be as it should be.

***** Trust me. Mara opened her eyes and saw Erotica, naked and aroused, lying on the floor beside her, smiling. Not the miniature and charming Demi, but the full-sized, irresistible Erotica she had met on Earth. Without his having to say a single word, she knew he was the Erotica who had convinced her to leave Earth and not the cold, distant one he had been since their arrival on Prime. “Erotica!” She flung herself onto his body and pressed into his arms, seeking his mouth. “Oh, sugar, it’s so good to see you again.” He enclosed her in a warm embrace and they lay kissing and caressing each other until Mara felt herself go damp and needy. She lifted her mouth from his and stared down at his handsome, beloved face. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re back!” He stroked a hand down her bare back. “What? No words of anger for leaving you alone and afraid?” She shook her head. “I didn’t feel alone or afraid for long. First there was the Night Cat and then there was Demi to keep me company.” She looked around. “Where is he?” “I sent him away. I wanted you to myself for awhile.” She smiled at him. “Wonderful idea. Oh, sugar, let’s couple.” He looked up at her, his beautiful green eyes gleaming. “Couple or fuck, my Mara?” “Both.” She peppered his lips with moist kisses. “But first I want to suck your cock.” “I’d rather you suck my dick. It’s beginning to feel neglected, my lovely Mara.” She nibbled his lips. “Cock…dick…whatever you call it, I want to suck it.” “Please do.” He released her and lay back with his hands at his sides, his breathing slow and deep. Pressing a warm kiss against his lips, she trailed a path of nibbling lip caresses down his chest. She paused to gently suck and tongue his nipples and found them surprisingly responsive. He groaned and

bucked his hips as she lavished them with attention. Still sucking his nipples, she reached a hand down and cupped his cock. “Hmm. Somebody’s happy to see me,” she whispered. “Very happy, my Mara.” She began to slowly pump him. Under her fingers, he grew so big and thick that she lifted her head and looked down the length of him. “Oh Lord!” she murmured. The cock between her fingers was bigger and thicker than it had been on Earth. Sugar! He really could change the size of his shaft. She went wet just looking at it. And she planned to do more than look. But first she wanted to taste that big, bad boy. She gave each nipple a final, nibbling kiss and slid her parted lips down his body, allowing them to come to rest between his strong, parted thighs. She inhaled slowly, enjoying his masculine scent. She loved everything about this handsome, mysterious man. She meant to explore every part of his wonderful body. Nudging his legs further apart, she extended her tongue and found the scar just under his balls. As before, it pulsed and jerked under her lips and tongue. And she was intrigued as before. Pressing closer, she eagerly licked at the scar, enjoying the not so gentle pulsations just under the skin of the scar. “Suck my dick, Mara! Please!” About to tell him she would suck him as soon as she finished licking his scar, her tongue seemed to penetrate the thin tissue covering the wound. Before she could cry out, sure she had hurt him, something warm and hard shot out of the new hole and pressed against her lips. Startled, she parted her lips. Moments later, she had a mouth full of warm, pulsing cock. At first she thought he had made his cock come out through the tear in the scar until she felt something heavy and hot against her forehead and realized it was his cock. She was losing it. She pulled her mouth away and bolted into a sitting position. Gazing down between his legs, she gasped. “Sugar! You have two cocks!” She went damper than she’d ever been. “No, my Mara. One cock…” he touched the larger, thicker organ above his balls. “And one dick.” He fondled the shorter shaft below his balls. “Suck my dick. Please.”

“Oh, sugar! Yes!” She crawled back between his legs and eagerly took his dick into her mouth. As she sucked it, she closed her fingers around his cock and pumped him. The thought that she was with a handsome man with two hard tools was such a turn-on that when he came, ejaculating from his cock and his dick, she nearly came too. While he lay gasping under her, she slid her body up his and slowly lowered herself onto his cock. He had never made it so thick or long for her and she sighed with pleasure as she sank down his silken length. The last few inches slid in slowly, stretching her as they did. Fully seated on him, she moaned and closed her eyes. She ground her hips in a leisurely, circular motion, enjoying the hard, thick length in her. Then, she reached back and palmed his dick. To her surprise, it was coated with a cool, slick substance that turned warm at her touch. Taking a deep breath, she raised her hips and began feeding his second shaft into her rear end. It slid in easily and she realized that his dick was self-lubricating. “Mara. My Mara. I value you so much!” He clutched her hips and eased her down slowly until she was doubly filled with him. She felt happy and complete with him and all before he had so much as stroked into her once. “Oh. Oh,” she whispered, beginning to ride him. “Oh Lord, Erotica! This is too delicious for words. A handsome man with two cocks! Lord! You feel so good.” He reached up and drew her down so that her breasts rested against his chest. Then he made love to her. Slowly. Deliciously. He kissed her lips with a sweet hunger and caressed her with a tenderness that brought tears of joy to her eyes. The delight and wonder of being double fucked by a man she had fallen so deeply in love with years earlier in her dreams overwhelmed her. Her entire body felt like one gigantic nerve ending being mindlessly pleased and teased by his dual cocks. “I value you, my Mara. More than I do the ability to breathe.” “Oh, sugar, Rotica! It feels so good. Tell me you love me.” He bit gently into her bottom lip. “Have I not just said that?” “Say love. I know that’s what you meant when you say value, but I need to hear the word love from you.” She brushed her aching, breasts with the hardened tips against his chest. “Tell me you love me.” “I love you, my Mara.” He cupped his hands over her buns, found her mouth and kissed her

passionately. She clung to him. “Oh, sugar! Oh, yes! Love me, Erotica! Love me! Fuck me, sugar! Fuck me good and hard! Dig your cock and dick deep in me and make me yours, sugar! Forever. Love me!” He devoured her lips and fucked her leisurely and steadily, moving his cock and dick in sweet, gentle rhythm. The twin sensations created by his two shafts were incredible. In only a matter of minutes, she felt her peak rapidly approaching. Surrendering totally, she clung to him while the universe around her imploded. Sobbing with pleasure, she lay shuddering helplessly in his arms as he filled her body with a double load of his come. “Oh, sugar!” she whispered. “Oh, yes! Fill me with your seed! Oh, sugar. Give it all to me. Oh, yes. Oh, yes, love, give me all your seed!” With both his cock and his dick still inside her, he curled a hand in her hair and tenderly kissed her lips. She moaned and returned his kiss, rotating her hips and brushing her breasts against his chest. They shuddered together, deepening their moist, heated kiss. Holding each other close, they began a new and sensually sweet fuck. It went on and on, filling her with a heat so hot and encompassing that Mara felt as if they were becoming two halves of one whole. She was him and he was her. They were inseparable. This was love and sex as she’d always known it would be with the right man. The fair knight of her dreams and fantasies. “Oh, sugar!” she cried out, clutched his tight buns in her hands and they came together in an orgasm that was shared and so intense, it left her bereft of everything except the ability to breathe and feel, both her own pleasure and something else. An overwhelming love from him for her. Suddenly she knew why she’d never been able to love another man because something in her had always known she was destined to meet and love this wonderfully mysterious man. Forever. When they emerged from their mutual high, he kissed her. “I love you, my Mara.” She stroked the damp hair back from his handsome face. “Oh, sugar! I think I love you too, Rotica!” “You are not sure?” She laughed and kissed his lips. “Yes, sugar. I am sure. I do love you.” His eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “And you will be mine and remain with me forever?” She was all right with the being his part. But stumbled a bit over the remaining with him part. “Rotica,

you are my dream man in every way and I love you so much it hurts. I do, but I have a life on Earth I’ve worked very hard to build,” she reminded him. “You are my promise mate.” He lowered his head and gently took turns suckling at her breasts, making her nipples hard, and her pussy come to life again around his cock. “Yes,” she began slowly. “But…” “Did you enjoy being doubled…fucked, my Mara?” She nipped his sensual bottom lip. “Do pigs fly?” she teased. “No! They don’t!” She laughed and sucked gently at his nipples, making him groan and stiffen inside her. “Lighten up, sugar. You’ve spent enough time on Earth to be able to recognize a joke when you hear one.” She cupped his face in her hands and kissed his lips. “I loved it, darling.” “Would you like me to continue coupling with you, my Mara?” “Oh, yeah, sugar, but first I want a little conversation!” He kissed her lips. “I do not want to talk. I want to couple.” “So do I, but I want to know a little something about you…like what you did while you were on Earth.” “Did?” “Yes. For a living. How did you make money to live?” “Ah. I am—was an engineer. I worked for what you call an aerospace company in San Francisco.” “Did you like it?” “Yes. I had lots of time to dream…of finding you.” She rewarded him with a light kiss and a smile. “And did you have a woman?” “No. There were always women who wanted to sleep with me, but I waited for you, my Mara.” San Francisco? She wet her lips. “Did you…have a male friend while you were there?” “I did not mount a male, if that is what you wish to know, Mara. I have never mounted a male or had sex with a woman…until we made love on Earth. I saved myself for you, my Mara. Do you not believe

me?” “Of course I do, sugar.” She sighed. “I only wish I’d saved myself for you.” “You are mine now, my Mara. That is all that matters.” “You don’t mind that I’ve had other lovers?” “No. I am pleased if they made you happy while you were waiting for me.” Her heart swelled. “Oh, sugar, you are the sweetest, loveliest man I’ve ever met.” “And you value me?” “You better believe I do, sugar. Stop talking so much and I’ll show you how much.” He smiled and holding her close, rolled them over. She sprawled on her back, still doubled penetrated. “My Mara, I would give anything to keep you with me and happy.” She looked up at him. “Prove it. Fuck me, Erotica.” He fucked her lowly, but deeply. “Oh Lord. That’s good, but I want more, sugar. Please. Give me more.” In response to her demand, she felt both his cock and his dick swelling in her. Somehow he managed to make his cock and his dick thrust into her on alternative strokes, sending his heated shafts thrusting quickly and forcefully through her. The feelings created by the double shafting were so good, all she could do was lie moaning and shuddering to the most impressive climax of her life. He held her close under him. As he groaned and urgently pumped jets of seed deep into her body, she felt that special beat of his heart, pounding just for her. Oh Lord, lovely. She drifted to sleep with both of his thick, pulsing shafts deep inside her and his lips pressed close over hers. Pure, unadulterated, cloud nine type bliss.

Chapter Seven

Erotica was gone. Mara knew that even before she opened her eyes. She couldn’t feel him or hear the

rhythm of his heart beating only for her. Damn him! She opened her eyes and looked around. She lay alone on a bed in a strange room. There appeared to be no windows so she assumed she was still in his lair. She knew he was gone. And Demi was gone as well. Maybe he had just gone hunting. Or maybe Demi would return to keep her company. The thought of seeing the small, deliciously accurate version of Erotica again, brought a smile to her face. She stretched and rolled off the bed. An open door in front of her revealed a bath. Smiling, she moved forward and into a large, airy room with a deep whirlpool bath. Towels hung on invisible bars or else they were suspended in mid-air. She wasn’t sure which. She walked down the descending steps and slowly lowered herself into water that immediately adjusted to just the right temperature. And when she lay back, the edge of the bath contoured and formed a soft, warm gel-like cushion around her neck. She smiled, closing her eyes. A gal could get use to all the intuitiveness that seemed to reign supreme on Prime. Half an hour later, she stepped out of the bath and wrapped one of the large towels sarong-style around her body. She padded back to the bedroom and looked around. A section of one of the walls slid back, revealing a closet full of clothes. She reached in and pulled out a pale green one-piece pantsuit that looked as if it would fit her. She turned and spotted a bra and a matching thong lying across the freshly made-up bed. A pair of sandals lay on the floor. She dressed quickly and left the bedroom and stopped, staring in surprise into the living room. Both the Night Cat and Demi were there. Demi hovered in the air looking at her with a welcoming smile on his handsome face while the Night Cat slowly moved back and forth along the length of the room. He stopped as she entered and stood gazing at her. Although she was pleased to see him again, she was disappointed that Erotica had again disappeared. She crossed the room to link her arms around his neck. “You are the only one I can count on around here. Where is Erotica? I know you know.” He is near, he told her. And you can also count on Demi. She felt something soft against her face and found Demi hovering near so that he could look into her eyes. She smiled, removing her arms from the cat’s neck. “Hi sugar.” She pursed her lips and he zoomed in and pressed his mouth against her bottom lip. He was still naked and she stroked a gentle finger down his tiny buns. His cock hardened against her chin. Smiling, she drew back to look at him. Her eyes widened as she saw that like Erotica, Demi was

double hung. Under his small balls, sprouted a smaller, erect dick. His miniature body pulsed with desire. She pressed her finger against his chest and closed her eyes. She tilted her head, frowning as she concentrated. Yes. His heart beat with the same rhythm as Erotica’s. Somehow, she knew this tiny Demi was linked to her Erotica in a very special way. She reached out a finger and touched both his shafts and to her surprise, he groaned and shot twin jets of seed at her. She parted her lips and accepted his seed in her mouth. When he had finished coming, he flung himself against her shoulder. Feeling incredibly tender towards him, she lifted him and popped him into the pocket of her blouse. He settled against her, closing his green eyes. She stroked his long hair for a moment before looking at the Night Cat. “I’m very glad to see you both, but why did Erotica leave again?” Please. You must trust him. He had to leave…and so do I. “No!” She flung her arms around his neck again. “Please stay with me.” I can not, but you will not be alone…he will come to you soon. And Demi will remain close. “Last night with him… Was he really here or was it just a dream?” A thought occurred to her and she flushed. “It wasn’t you with me last night…was it?” Would it bother you, my Mara, if it had been me? She knew it should matter. But in truth, it no longer did. Somehow in the space of two short days, her life and her worldview had changed drastically within that time. Whereas mating with the Night Cat and even Demi, just days before would have horrified her, it now seemed “normal” to lust after the majestic Night Cat and the tiny, yet sexy Demi. “No,” she admitted, flushing. It was Erotica. Now I must go. You may leave the lair if you like. There are…sentinels on guard to watch out for you and I will not be far. Erotica…deeply values you. If you trust him and your heart and listen for the rhythm of his heart beating only for you…all will be well. “But when I first saw you, your heart beat only for me.” As it always will. “Are you saying you…lo…value me as Erotica does?”

Can you not tell that I do? She felt stunned by the realization that she shared his feelings, while loving Erotica. And Demi. How could that be? How could she love all three of them? How could she love him at all? He wasn’t even human. But she felt a level of trust and faith in him that rivaled what she felt with Erotica. And she had never trusted her heart with a man as she had with Erotica. Sugar, but she was in yet another mess. In love and lust with three handsome males and none of them human. Lord, but she could get herself into situations. Can you not tell that we all value—love you, my Mara? She smiled, nodding slowly. “Yes. I think I can. And it’s an incredibly heady feeling.” I have to go, but you will not be alone. I will not be far, nor will Erotica. She glanced down at her pocket where Demi dozed. He was so small he easily fit in the palm of her hand, but she felt much better having him near. Even though he couldn’t speak. “Don’t be long, please.” Either I or Erotica will return as soon as possible. She nodded. He pulled gently away from her, turned, and bounded out of the room. She turned and looked at the table filled with various covered dishes. She walked across the room to have breakfast. Just after she finished, Demi woke and climbed out of her pocket. He somersaulted onto the floor. She watched with a smile as he moved across the floor with the gait and confidence of a big, predatory cat. “Let’s go outside and explore, Demi,” she said, following him. She headed for the solid-seeming wall where she knew the door lay. As she drew closer, it parted and she passed through and found herself in the forest. Demi vaulted through the air into her hand. She kissed him gently and placed him in her bodice pocket. They spent the next hour or so moving through the forest. Although she encountered many strange looking life forms, she felt secure with Demi riding in her pocket, occasionally peeking out, frequently kissing the skin between her breasts. “You’re quite the little charmer, aren’t you?” He smiled at her, a tender look in his eyes.

She stroked his hair. “So tell me, Demi. Is there a Mrs. Demi?” He tilted his head, looking confused. “I mean do you have some lucky female Keddi you lo—value?” “I value you,” he told her calmly in a voice that was achingly like Erotica’s. She blinked. “You can talk!” “Of course I can. Why did you think I could not?” She shook her head. She wasn’t sure why she’d assumed he couldn’t. “You didn’t speak when we were introduced.” “You are more beautiful than Rotica and I dreamed. You took my breath away. I had none left with which to speak.” Her eyes misted. “Oh, Demi! You are just as sweet as Erotica!” He gave her a slightly crooked grin. “Do you not think I am just a little sweeter than him?” “Mara! There you are!” Erotica, dressed in a dark, form-fitting one-piece suit that showcased all his assets, rushed across the forest towards her. Demi ducked in her pocket and she tensed. Even at a distance, she could tell that he was different than he’d been the night before. This was not her Erotica. When he took her in his arms, she felt his heart beating against her chest. She closed her eyes and listened. It was close, but it was not the rhythm that beat only for her. What in the name of Hanna was going on? She pulled away from him. “Who…who are you?” He smiled, but for the first time, she noted that his eyes didn’t smile. “I am Erotica…your promise mate.” “No!” She shook her head. “No, you are not my Erotica.” Still smiling, he reached out and hauled her back against him. He locked an iron hard arm around her waist. “I am Erotica and you are my promise mate. And I have waited long enough.” He released her waist, grabbed her arm, and walked her quickly through the forest. In the clearing, she saw his transport. “Where are you talking me?”

“Home to couple with you.” “No!” She stopped and jerked away from him. He stared at her, his eyes cold. “No is not one of your options. In fact, Mara, your only option is to come with me.” “No. I am not going with you.” She turned to head back towards the lair where she knew she’d be safe. She didn’t get very far before he grabbed her arm, and spun her around. The eyes that stared into hers were cold and menacing. The face that looked at her was not that of Erotica. She felt Demi stirring in her pocket. Fear for him rushed through her. She had no doubt that this person confronting her would not hesitate to hurt him. It’s all right, Demi . Don’t come out, she pleaded, hoping he would hear and understand her. After a moment, he settled against her and she breathed in relief before turning her attention back to the male in front of her. She jerked away. “Who are you?” “Your promise mate. I am going to couple with you and make you forget Erotica!” He clamped his hand on her arm. “I said no.” She tugged at her arm. “Release me.” She could feel Demi’s agitation and spoke softly, not wanting to alarm him. “You will come with me!” “The hell I will!” She tugged at her arm again. When he tightened his grip, she flattened her free hand, palm out, and slammed the heel of it against his nose. She saw the surprise on his face and in his eyes. He released her and stumbled backwards. She clenched her hands into fists and hit him several times in the face and upper body. He crashed to the forest floor and she turned and fled back towards the lair. “Come back here!” Demi exploded from her pocket. “Demi, no!” She grabbed at him, but he shot over her shoulder in a blur of movement. Heart thumping, she cast a quick glance over her shoulder. The male charged after her with a look on his face that boded ill for her. At the speed he was moving she knew he would catch her before she reached

the safety of the lair. Demi shooting through the air at an incredible speed headed straight for the other male’s head, smacking into his eye. Roaring with rage, he struck out with a vicious blow that sent Demi spinning through the air. He quickly disappeared in the tall foliage. “Bastard!” she screamed and turned to run for the spot she thought Demi had disappeared. “If you’ve hurt him, I’ll make you sorry.” To her surprise, he opened his mouth and let out an angry, bestial roar. Fear danced through Mara. She looked wildly around, knowing she dared not try to pass her pursuer to try to reach Demi. She turned and fled back towards the lair. “Erotica!” She called out. “Where are you?! Demi’s been hurt and we need you!” She heard a low, rumbling growl behind her. She knew it was him. Thank God! Nearly at the lair, she glanced over her shoulder again and saw the large cat bearing down on the man who no longer looked like Erotica. He was now slender with dark hair and eyes full of lust and fury. Still, he was there and it was going to be all right. Sighing, she stopped and watched. Her relief turned to horror as her would-be kidnapper swung around to face him. She saw what looked like a weapon in one hand. One moment the cat was charging towards the man, the next moment, he dropped silently to the ground. Mara sucked in a horrified breath. A large red stain appeared on the black cat’s coat. “No!” She screamed and ran towards the male. He swung around to face her, leveling the weapon at her. “Stay where you are as I finish off this Night Cat and then I will take you and leave this accursed Prime forever.” Mara glanced beyond him to where he lay on the ground, panting and bleeding. Demi was somewhere probably bleeding or even dead. Oh God, please don’t let either of them die. “I’ll come with you. Just don’t hurt him anymore,” she pleaded. “He has caused me nothing but grief since he left Prime. I am going to kill him and you are still coming with me. You will have no choice.” She’d never been more frightened but she suddenly felt as if she were fighting for her life and his. She narrowed her gaze and stared into his eyes. “If you kill him, I can guarantee that you will be very, very

sorry. If you value your own life, be content to take me and leave him alone.” “Are you threatening me, Mara?” “No. I am making you a promise you would do well to heed. I’ll go with you willingly if you leave him alone. If you don’t, you’ll regret the day you met me.” “It is a tempting offer, but one I must refuse. He must die. As long as he lives, he’ll pursue us. We would never be free of him as long as he breathes. So he must not be allowed to breathe any longer.” Heart pounding, Mara ran across the distance and stood in front of the bleeding cat. “Go ahead, you coward! Shoot, but you’ll have to do it through me. If you kill him, it will be over my dead body. If you want me dead, then go ahead and shoot.” “You are an insolent female, who I will enjoy breaking,” he told her. “I will rut in you and couple with you until you know your place. Now get out of the way.” She lifted her chin and stared at him, trying to project a sense of confidence and malice. “You’ll have to shoot through me.” His dark eyes narrowed. “Do not make the mistake of thinking that I will not. Move out of the way female or I will move you.” No! Get out of the way, Mara. I am not gravely injured. I will recover. She cast a quick glance over her shoulder and noted that he had lifted his head, although his eyes remained closed. And he still bled. Do not fear, my Mara. Together we will defeat him. Her heart thumped with relief as Demi, his small body clearly bruised and bloodied, appeared on the ground next to the Night Cat. Demi placed one hand on the body of the cat and lifted his face and his free hand towards the sky. She frowned. She could feel a build up of energy from them. What were they doing? She had her answer when the wind suddenly picked up and began blowing furiously. She remembered how quickly and unexpectedly the storm that had driven her towards the Rapture Inn on Earth had sprung up. It was Erotica. She couldn’t see him, but she knew he was near. Do not fear, Mara. You will not be harmed.

The words came from the cat, but they felt like Erotica. Eyes widening, Notize lifted his gaze upwards. Mara looked up too and noted the sky had turned a dark rose and abruptly rain fell in torrents. She was drenched in a matter of moments. Demi waved his free hand and lightning flashed in the distance and her fears vanished. Although she had no idea where he was, she knew somehow Erotica, along with the Night Cat and Demi, had called forth the storm. And she had no need to fear any storm produced by Erotica. The lightning flashed closer and Notize swore and brought his weapon up. He pointed it at her chest. “Erotica!” he roared. “Stop it now or watch her die a slow painful death!” You will not kill her, Notize. You desire her too much. “I will kill her before I let you take her from me! She is mine and I will keep or kill her. The choice is yours, Erotica. Make it quickly or I will kill her.” Mara sucked in a breath. Sugar! He looked and sounded as nutty as a fruitcake! She suddenly knew he was serious and he would kill her. Run, Mara. Go back to the lair. Demi and I will guard your rear. He can not enter and you will be safe. And he and Demi would probably be dead. That was not an option she was willing to accept. There had to be another way. She shook her head. If he and Demi were going to die, it would be with her at their side—dying with them. “I give you one last chance, Mara. Die with him and his Keddi or live with me,” Notize told her. “Make your decision quickly…before he and his infernal Keddi gain complete control of the storm.” “I wouldn’t take you if you came gift-wrapped with a million dollars!” He frowned. “Is that a no?” “Damn straight it’s a no!” “Then prepare to die!” “No, Notize. You die!” Demi drew his hand down and then thrust it back up towards the sky. By the power of Aeolus , I command you. Strike!

Erotica’s tone thundered and bolts of lightning danced around Notize. He cried out and threw up his hands. Mara gasped and stumbled backwards as a bolt of lightning crashed down from the clouds and struck him in the chest. He crumbled silently to the ground. As Mara watched, the shape of his body changed and a medium sized beige cat lay where Notize had fallen. Oh, Hanna! What now? She rushed over to him and snatched up the weapon he’d used to injure him. The she rushed over and kneeled beside the big black cat. She cast a quick look at Demi, who had slumped against the cat’s body. “Demi! Are you all right?” He inclined his head, but she could see his heart thumping in his chest. Still, he didn’t appear to be severely injured. She turned her attention to the cat. He still bled and she choked back a sob of panic. That wouldn’t help. She tried to rip part of her clothing, but couldn’t. She pressed the heel of her palm against the small wound. “What should I do? How can we stop the bleeding?” Return to my lair. There is a communication device built into the wall on either side of the door. Place your hand on the wall and say this is a message for Cupid…tell him to send help. “And if he asks who needs help?” Tell him Erotica requires the Medekos. “Oh, God!” Yet, part of her had always known who he was. And now wasn’t the time for questions. “You’re bleeding badly…please…don’t die.” Go…I require assistance immediately… “Oh, God!” She bent and kissed his face and then bolted towards the lair. It seemed to take an impossibly long time to cover the short distance. Once inside, she pressed her hand against the wall. “Cupid…Cupid…are you there? Please answer!” “You are Mara Manning?” A calm voice inquired. “Erotica…he’s bleeding. Notize had a weapon and he hurt both him and Demi—” “Does Notize still present a threat?” “No…they called down a storm with lightning and I think he’s dead.”

“Return to Erotica and tell him help is on the way.” She nodded and rushed back out into the forest. Fear and horror seized her as she noted several small, furry animals, who resembled leather on his and Demi’s bodies apparently feeding on them. “Get away from them!” She considered trying to fire the weapon Notize had used on Erotica, but quickly discarded the idea. She’d never fired a weapon and she had just as much chance of hitting Erotica or Demi who lay panting on his side as she did the creatures attacking them. As she drew nearer, she realized the small creatures didn’t appear to be harming them. Instead they seemed to have somehow stopped the bleeding. She kneeled at his side and the small creatures scurried away, running up a nearby tree. Heart pounding, almost frozen with fear, she placed a trembling hand on his side. She could barely feel his heart beating. But, thank God it beat…and only for her. “Hold on, Erotica. Help is on the way.” There was no response and she spread her body out along his back. She stroked her hand along the uninjured portion of his flank. “You’re going to be all right, Erotica. Help is on the way. Just hold on! Please! Don’t leave me! Hold on!” She stroked a finger down Demi’s body and felt him stir against her hand. His eyes opened and she saw pain in his gaze. “You’re going to be all right, Demi. Hold on with Erotica. Please.” “Mara…my Mara,” he whispered and slumped against Erotica, unconscious. She closed her eyes and tried to project warm, loving thoughts at them. She felt something soft and furry against her. She opened her eyes and saw the small, furry creatures with wide eyes pressing against her, infusing her with a sense of hope and warmth. “Thank you for helping him.” As she was beginning to panic and wonder if she should go back to the lair and call for help again, she heard quiet motion that she recognized as being made by the strange transport Notize had driven. She looked up and saw a tall man with long dark hair and green eyes jump out of a vehicle, followed by two men dressed in some type of uniform racing towards them. The man kneeled beside them and placed a hand lightly on Erotica’s side and then on Demi’s body. Mara heard a soft sigh, then he rose, lifting her with him. “I am Cupid,” he told her. “Born of Sensualous.”

“Then you’re Erotica’s brother?” “Yes.” The other two men kneeled at his side and began examining Erotica and Demi. She turned to watch, but Cupid put an arm around her shoulders and led her back to the first transport he had arrived in. She drew away. “No! I have to stay with them!” “You must let the Medekos do their work, Mara Manning. Come.” He put his arm around her again and walked her to his transport. He seated her inside and then sat beside her, holding her hands in his. She looked at him. “Are they going to be all right?” “I do not know. Clearly, Rotica is gravely injured, but Demi does not appear to have been shot. Notize used a weapon which causes great damage and is forbidden on all of Prime.” “Then I have to go to him! If he doesn’t survive, I have to be with him so he knows that I love him!” She pulled away from Cupid and jumped out of the transport. He followed her and gently drew her into his arms. “You must not get in the Medekos way!” She stared up at him, her eyes filling with tears. “Why won’t you let me stay with him?!” “If they are going to save him, the Medekos must be allowed to work uninterrupted.” She tilted her head and saw that the men had erected a transparent tent around them. Erotica lay on a table within and the men bent over him, their hands moving with incredible speed over his big black body. Cupid tightened his arm around her and led her back to his transport. They sat inside, silent, clasping hands while the Medekos worked over Erotica. Mara felt Cupid tense beside her and turned to see a large, elegant transport rapidly approaching. A big, powerfully built man with long, golden hair, blue eyes, and the most handsome face Mara had ever seen alighted and rushed over towards them. Cupid released her hand and went to the meet the older, much bigger man. “Father!” Mara sucked in a breath. So this was Sensualous. The father of whom Erotica was so proud.

“Cupid. Rotica…he lives?” “Yes, Father. The Medekos are doing what they can.” He turned and nodded towards her. “This is Mara Manning, Father. Rotica’s promise mate.” They approached and Mara found Sensualous’s beautiful, blue gaze turned on her. “You are the reason my son lies near death?” His harsh tone and words made her catch her breath. Cupid placed a hand on his arm. “Father, you must not blame her. The Keddi tell me she is brave and loyal. She had a chance to flee to safety, but she would not take it. She stood by Rotica and Demi.” “And yet he lies near death and Demi is unconscious and battered while she is unharmed.” “The fault lies with Notize, Father, not with her. She did nothing inappropriate.” “And yet if she had not come between them, Rotica and Notize would be happy together as they should be!” Mara’s shock turned to anger. None of what had happened on this accursed planet was her fault. And yet there was Erotica’s father blaming her, as if she had somehow enticed Notize to hurt Erotica and Demi. “How can you say that?” she demanded. “It’s not true and—” “Silence, female!” Sensualous thundered. “If not for your guile and devious ways, my son would have eventually settled down with Notize.” “What? That’s not true! He—” “Silence!” He swung around to face Cupid. “Take her out of my sight. Now.” “Father—” “Now, Cupid!” Cupid sighed and walked over to the transport. “I’ll take you to the lair and—” She shook her head and alighted from the transport. “You’re not taking me anywhere. I’m not leaving here! I came with Erotica and I am staying with him and Demi. Don’t like it? Too bad!” “Father says—”

“I know Erotica respects and loves him, but he had no right to say those hurtful, spiteful things to me or to try to order me around. I am not moving an inch until I know that’s what Erotica would want me to do!” “Are you defying me, female?” Although there was an air of authority and power about him that demanded respect, she was not about to cower to him—even if Cupid did. She lifted her chin and matched him stare for stare. “I am not leaving here unless Erotica says he wants me to go. I’m sorry if you consider that defiance, but that’s the way it’s going to be. So please don’t make me get ugly.” Instead of the anger she had prepared herself to face, to her surprise, Sensualous inclined his head slightly. “I will deal with you later. After Rotica is out of danger.” “Don’t count on getting rid of me very easily,” she warned. His full lips tightened. “There is only so much I will tolerate from you, female.” “Her name if Mara Manning, Father,” Cupid said suddenly. He put an arm around her, giving her a gentle squeeze. “I do not think she likes being addressed as female. And I know Rotica would want her here with us.” Sensualous’s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Cupid. “Are you defying my wishes, Cupid?” “No, Father. I am simply claiming my right to stand for what I know Rotica would want. I am his older sibling. It is my duty and my privilege to stand in his stead. Mara Manning is his promise mate. He has risked his life and status on Prime to be with her. I claim the right of having her remain.” “As you like, Cupid. But this challenge of yours will not go unanswered. There will be unpleasant consequences as a result of this stance of yours.” She felt Cupid tense beside her. “I understand, Father, and I still claim the right.” Sensualous inclined his head. “So be it.” He looked at her and extended a hand. “Come, Mara Manning.” “Come? Where?” “Into my personal transport to await Rotica’s fate.” She sensed that both she and Cupid had somehow passed some kind of test. She saw a look in

Sensualous’s gaze that she recognized as acceptance and admiration of her. She heard a sudden high, keening sound. She turned and saw the small furry creatures who had stopped Erotica’s bleeding, the Keddi, running around the transparent tent with their small tails sticking straight up from their small, furry bodies. She could almost feel their excitement and elation. Then the Medekos emerged from the tent smiling broadly. Cupid and Sensualous let out anguished cries and fell into each other’s arms with tears streaming down their cheeks. “He lives, Cupid! My son lives!” “Yes, Father, Rotica lives!” Damn straight he did! Mara’s eyes filled with tears. They overflowed and spilled down her cheeks. Overcome with emotion, she wasn’t sure which of Erotica’s relatives reached out to her. One moment she stood sobbing with relief, the next, she was practically crushed between Sensualous and Cupid as the three of them shared their joy.

Chapter Eight

Several hours later, Mara sat in a chair by Erotica’s hospital bed, stroking his flank and speaking softly to him as Demi cuddled in her pocket, in his natural form, that of a small, breathing leather-like creature. Erotica lay on a long, low bed in a room with large windows. The view beyond was of a darkening afternoon. The structures visible through the window reached far into the mauve sky. She sighed, wondering if she’d ever get a chance to explore Prime with Erotica and Demi. He stirred against her hand. She turned her gaze towards him. “How are you feeling?” I am all right, Mara. In a few days I will be on my feet. She kissed his face. “Oh, sugar, I was so afraid for you.” I am so sorry, Mara. “For what? None of what happened was your fault.”

I brought you here and then couldn’t tell you what you would be up against. I was bound by Prime custom to have you accept me on blind faith alone. “And I did. I do.” I am grateful to Aeolus for that, but had I known Notize’s intensions, I would have forsaken customs and revealed all to you. “It doesn’t matter now, sugar. It’s over and…” And I will never forget you. “Never forget me?” She didn’t like the sound of that. She stopped stroking his flank and sat up, staring down at him. “That sounds suspiciously like a Dear Mara letter. What are you trying to tell me?” Cupid will take you back to Earth. “The hell he will. When I go back, it’ll be with you.” I am not going back to Earth. Oh, Sugar! She sighed and raked a hand through her hair. “I know you’re in no condition to go back now, but eventually we have to go back. I have a life there I’m not prepared to just abandon.” And she had not yet seen enough of Prime to know if she wanted to live there even part time. I understand and I will forever value and love you, Mara. And I hope you will remember me with kind thoughts. “Okay. This is getting crazy. You’re talking like we’re not going to see each other again.” We are not. Cupid will take you back to Earth and I will remain here…for good. “Okay. Hold on one little damn minute, Erotica! I am not leaving without you! I’m perfectly willing to split my time between here and Earth.” Okay, she wasn’t sure that was true, but she was feeling desperate. “It will probably be crazy, but we can work something out.” We cannot. Mara, I have lost my abilities. “So you can no longer command the winds and call down lightning on bad guys. So what? It doesn’t matter to me! I love you, Erotica.” You do not understand, Mara. I have lost my ability to shift.

“You…have? You mean you…?” I will have to remain as you see me now. I will never again be the Erotica you fell in love with. She gasped, feeling as if all the air had been sucked out of her lungs. Holy Hanna! She bolted to her feet and paced the floor. Oh, sugar! How in the name of God could they live together on Earth with him in his present state? They couldn’t. She closed her eyes briefly. Everything she had worked so hard to achieve would now have to be weighed against her feelings for him. She recalled the empty hollow feeling when she thought she had lost him. She knew almost nothing about his world. What she had seen of it did not bode well for a female with a mind of her own. If she stayed with him there on Prime, life would probably be very difficult and frustrating. If she returned to Earth without him, life would be meaningless and empty…devoid of purpose and love. How could she ever love another man while he lived? She resumed her seat, her decision made. She stroked a hand over his flank. “I fell in love with this form of you too, sugar. We can’t be together on Earth, but we can be together here. I’ll stay here with you.” No! You must go! She shook her head. “Forget it! I’m staying here with you and Demi. I love you both. Without you, there’ s nothing on Earth worthwhile.” There will be nothing worthwhile for you here with me, either, Mara Manning! I am no longer able to… “To what?” To couple with you. My injuries were so grave that…I will no longer be able to…you must go! Cupid will see you safely home. “You…can’t make love anymore?” No. I can’t even feel desire…or love for you anymore…I no longer want you. She bit down so hard on her lip, blood trickled down her chin. “That is not true. I know it isn’t.” It is. I am not like your Earthmen, Mara. I have no wish to hurt you, but I no longer…want you here. Please. Go home and be happy. Forget me. If you wish and will promise to take great care of him, Demi is prepared to return to Earth with you.

She felt a stirring against her and Demi’s fair head popped out of her pocket. He looked at Erotica for a long time before turning his sad gaze towards her. “I will accompany you to Earth where I will value and protect you, my Mara,” he told her. “Oh, Demi!” She stroked a finger down his hair. “I do love you, but—” Though small in stature, on Earth, Demi will have an even greater command of the winds than he does here on Prime. He will guard and protect you with his life if necessary. Demi nodded and she stroked a finger down his cheek through a flood of tears. “Thank you, Demi. Having you with me anywhere would be a great honor and privilege, but I’m not returning to Earth.” She turned her attention back to Erotica. “I don’t believe you Erotica. I know you love and want me. And I want and need you! If you can’t make love anymore…we’ll find another way to be happy together. I know we will, but I can’t just walk away from what we feel for each other.” But I no longer feel anything for you. You must go home and resume the life I interrupted. And forgive me for hurting and endangering you. She shook her head and placed her hand over his heart and listened for the rhythm that would belie his words. A rhythm she knew would be only for her. She sucked in a breath. Oh, God! It was gone. That special rhythm that had made her heart soar and her desire deep was no more. He really didn’t want her anymore. She snatched her hand back and shot to her feet, knocking the chair over. “Erotica! Please.” Go, Mara Manning. Forget me. “I don’t want to forget you. If you can’t make love, it doesn’t matter as much as you think. We can use toys. We’ll find a way to be happy together. I love you!” I regret to say that I can no longer return the feeling. Go and don’t look back. The door slid open suddenly and Cupid stood there. “Mara Manning? Come. I will take you home.” “I’m not going.” Cupid advanced into the room and slipped an arm around her shoulders. “He no longer wants you here, Mara Manning. Come. I will see you safely home.” She looked up at him. “But I love him!”

He kissed her hair and hugged her close. “There will be other loves for you, Mara Manning.” “Never!” She sobbed. He led her towards the door. She pulled away and looked over to the bed. “Erotica! Please!” He didn’t lift his head or look in her direction. Go. Now. She looked down at Demi who stared up at her. “I will accompany you, my Mara and take care of you.” “Oh, Demi!” Sobbing, she lifted him out of her pocket and held him against her cheek.

***** Mara sat around the conference room table long after her brokers had left the meeting. She turned in her seat and looked out the big window behind her. The view in front of her was of other skyscrapers. But as usual, when she had time on her hands, her thoughts turned to another landscape. An alien one with strange trees, a mauve sky, and a big, black cat she still loved and couldn’t forget. During the preceding eighteen months, she had channeled all her energies into her business and had opened two offices on the west coast that were doing exceeding well. She was more successful than ever. She had money and prestige, but no warmth in her life. During the last several months, she had allowed her office manager, Maria Moreno to talk her into going out with several “promising” prospects. Although she was lonely and in need of comfort and love, she could never seem to stop comparing every man she met to Erotica. None of them measured up. And she began to suspect she was going to spend the rest of her life without love. She bitterly regretted having left Demi on Prime. At the time she left, it had seemed the only course open to her. Although she had longed for the comfort of his presence, she had decided that to bring him to Earth where he would be separated from his own kind forever would have been both selfish and cruel. But she soon missed him as much as she did Erotica. So what if bringing him would have been selfish? Selflessness was overrated. “Hey. You okay?” She turned in her chair. Maria, an attractive woman with lovely olive skin and beautiful brown eyes, looked in around the open conference room door.

She forced a smile. “I’m fine.” “Yeah?” Maria came into the room and sat opposite her. “Then why have you been sitting here for an hour after the meeting ended, staring into space?” She shrugged. “I have a lot on my mind.” “I know. You want to talk about what’s bothering you?” She and Maria had become very good friends over the last year and a half. Still, she couldn’t tell her of Erotica. She would probably think she was nuts. She frowned. Maybe she was. Maybe she had imagined the whole dang-blasted lost week on Prime. She had tried in vain to find the off ramp that had led her to the Rapture Inn more times than she could remember during the last year and a half. After all, what proof did she have that any of the week she had spent on Prime wasn’t a figment of a fertile imagination? But if it were only her imagination, why did she continue to dream of Erotica in graphic detail? Why did she ache with an emptiness that threatened to consume her? And why did she feel so compelled to find him again? She had to either find him or forget him once and for all. Since forgetting him seemed to be impossible, that left finding him as her only option. But how? She smiled at Maria. “I’m feeling a little run down. I think I need a break.” “As in the vacation I’ve been trying to talk you into taking for the last year or so?” “Yes.” She nodded. “Everything seems to be under control. I think I’m going to…just take off for a few weeks or so.” “Where are you headed?” If she were lucky to the Rapture Inn. If not, she had no idea. She glanced out the window. The sky had darkened and rain had begun to fall. “I don’t know. I just need to be incognito for a bit.” Maria nodded and rose. “Okay. You go and let it all hang out somewhere. I’ll handle things here. Just don’t stay out of contact too long. Okay?” “Okay.” She rose to give Maria a hug. “Thanks.” Maria frowned. “What was that for?” Just in case she somehow lucked out and they didn’t see each other again. She had made a will leaving

the business to Aunt Martha with the proviso that Maria was allowed to keep her job as long as she wanted. “Just a way to say thank you for being both a great coworker and a friend.” “You sure that’s all it was for? It almost felt like a goodbye-forever-hug.” If she were lucky, it would be. She shrugged. “I’ll see you in about two weeks or so.” “Okay. I hope you find him, Mara.” “Find who?” “Whoever you’re looking for. You always have a far away look in your eyes as if you’re expecting someone who never quite arrives.” That about summed up how she felt. She’d been living with the hope that Erotica would one day come back to her. Having arrived at the conclusion that he never would, it only remained for her to make one last attempt to find her way back to him. If she failed this time, she would never look back. She sighed. “How do you find a man who may or may not exist outside of your fantasies?” “I don’t know, but I think the answer is to keep looking and not to give up hope.” That’s what Erotica had said about finding her. He had held to his dream that he would one day find her and he had. Now she had the dream of finding him again. She kissed Maria’s cheek. “Hold down the fort,” she said and left the conference room. “Hey.” Halfway down the hall, she turned to look back. Maria lifted a dark maroon leather briefcase. “You forgot this.” She shook her head. “I’m going on vacation. I won’t need it. Lea ve it in the office safe. Bye!” She walked out of the building and into the dark, wet afternoon. After having met and loved Erotica, she could never see a storm without remembering him…his touch…his smell…the rhythm of his heart…beating only for her. As her heart beat for him. She got in her car and headed for the interstate. As she drove, the storm clouds in the sky darkened the afternoon until it might have been evening. The rain fell in unrelenting sheets, driven by a soft, gentle wind that reminded her of Erotica, Demi, and Aeolia. She drove onto the on ramp she had taken the night she had gotten lost and met Erotica. Something

about the wind and the rain seemed to beckon to her. She opened her sunroof and sucked in a happy, hopeful breath when the wind carried the torrents of rain away from her. Oh, holy Hanna! That had to be a sign. Erotica was back on Earth. She could feel it…feel him. He was driving the wind and the rain…calling to her. He must have finally realized that even if he were confined to his natural nonhuman form, they belonged together. Forever. “Oh, sugar! I’m coming!” she whispered. “Show me the way!” A gust of wind gently rocked her car. A bolt of lightning lit up the sky for a brief moment and there to her left, she saw a narrow turnoff from the main highway several hundred yards ahead. It only looked wide enough for a motorcycle, but she knew she had to follow the path. Tightening her hands on the wheel, she put on her signal and drove her car towards the shoulder that a road sign warned would end in a hundred yards. Swallowing a faint trace of fear, she drove forward. Just when it looked as if she would run into the side of a small hill an opening appeared and she drove through while the highway traffic shot past her car. Her eyes filled with happy tears as she found herself on a long, deserted road she had once considered the road to hell. Now she knew it led to Erotica and paradise. After what seemed an eternity, she spotted a dim neon vacancy sigh on a small, run-down building with the words Rapture Inn blinking at her. Outside, caught in the beams of her headlights, with his majestic head lifted towards the sky, stood a big, handsome black cat. She stopped the car and jumped out. “Erotica!” She ran through the rain, uncaring of the bolts of lightning dancing around him. When she reached him, she tossed her arms around his neck and kissed his face. “Erotica! Oh, sugar, it’s so good to see you again! I’ve been so miserable and lonely without you!” He projected a wave of warmth and love at her. Mara…my Mara. I too have missed you. I had to come back for you. I can no longer live without you. Will you come with me? “Yes! Of course. I don’t care that you can’t shift or make love! I just don’t care! I love you!” Just as I am? I have learned to couple again. Will you couple with me in my natural form? “Yes! Oh, yes! Oh, God, I love you so much!” Then come inside and show me how much you value me.

She nodded, happily. Shall I quiet the storm for you, my Mara? She lifted her head and closed her eyes, glorying in the power and beauty of the storm summoned by him to lead her…home. “No. Let it rage…it’s been raging inside me since you made me leave you.” Come inside to the Gateway Room, my Mara and we will…fuck. “Yes!” With her clothes plastered to her body, she followed him into the motel, down the hall, and into the Gateway Room. It was just as she remembered except that the bed was much bigger. It would need to be to bear his weight in his natural form. She quickly undressed and stood before him, trembling with need and hunger. He padded forward, panting slowly, his tongue extended. His licked at her, dragging his tongue slowly back and forth along her pussy. Her legs buckled. “Oh, Erotica! Oh, sugar, I’ve missed you!” He used his head to gently urge her backwards. She climbed onto the bed and lay in the middle with her legs parted, her heart pounding with a combination of love, lust, and hunger. She supposed she should have been apprehensive, but she found it difficult to fear coupling with the male she loved so much. He jumped lightly on the bed. She spread her legs further and closed her eyes as he nipped at her. “Love me…couple with me…please.” Extend your arms, my Mara. Show me how much you trust and value me. She obeyed without hesitation and trembled with excitement when she felt her ankles and wrists being tenderly bound. He laid his big body on her and she felt his cock and his dick against her. It had been so long. Her eyes filled with happy tears and she went damp. “Rotica…couple with me.” “I will fuck you first, my Mara…hard and rough, and then we will share a tender coupling.” She felt long strains of hair on her face and her eyes shot open and she looked up into his face…Erotica’ s face…in his humanoid form with the beautiful green eyes, the long, silky-blond hair, and the buff tanned body that had so excited her. “Erotica! You’ve shifted!” She saw his eyes widen. He rolled off of her and looked down at himself, running his hands over his body. He fingered his cock and his dick and balls, a look of wonder on his face. “Praise be to Aeolus!

Mara! I am as you fell in love with again!” “I fell in love with you in your natural form, too,” she reminded him. “Now enough talk. You’ve got a captive, horny woman who needs you more than you can possibly know. Come make love to me.” He slid his body over hers, cupped her face between his palms and pressed his lips over hers. It was a tender kiss that lingered against her lips and seared the taste of his mouth into her. She surrendered heart and soul to him. She longed to wrap her arms and legs around him, but could not as the intuitive leather-like restraints securely bound her. He spent long, sweet minutes kissing and caressing her, touching his lips to hers, fondling her breasts, her thighs, and her neck. He nibbled at her earlobes, blew softly into her ears, whispered words of love and devotion that filled her eyes with tears and her heart with a burst of joy that threatened to shatter her. She felt as if she were floating…weightless…totally surrounded by warmth and love. The depth of feeling he sent through the bond they shared was incredibly awesome and humbling. To think that she could inspire such feelings in him overwhelmed her. Gratitude that he had come back to her wanting her more than ever combined with love and desire. She was damp between her legs and so ready for him. “Please,” she begged. “Please, Rotica.” He pressed a soft kiss against her parted lips. “Cock or dick?” he murmured. “Both,” she gasped. “Please. I want them both…I need them both.” He slowly slid his body down hers and stopped with his lips pressed against her mound. She knew he loved her. There was no doubt about that—she felt it in every loving lick, nibble, and thrust of his tongue as he ate her pussy and drove her to a slow scorching climax that left her gasping and sobbing with joy. Whispering softly to her, he drew his body up hers and kissed her lips. I value you, my Mara more than I do my own life. She opened her eyes and gazed up at him. “I value you too, my Erotica.” Now we couple. “Yes, please,” she begged, her hips jerking upward. Smiling at her, he eased his dick into her rear. With just the head inside her, he paused, a question in his dark green eyes.

“Hmm. More,” she whispered. Instead of continuing to fill her behind, he positioned his cock against her entrance and leisurely thrust his powerful hips forward, driving both of his hot, hard shafts into her up to the hilts. “Holy Hanna!” Her body was buffeted by dual jolts. “Oh, sugar! Oh, sugar!” He lay on top of her, staring down into her eyes and slowly grinding his groin against her. “I love you, my Mara.” She moaned and pushed her hips upward. Oh, sugar. He felt so good. “I love you too, Rotica…now and always. “ “Rise,” he said softly. Her body, with him on top and his dick and cock thrust deeply into her, began to rise off the bed. When she had cleared the bed and was held a foot or so above it, he slipped his hands under her to cup her behind. Still staring down into her eyes, he began to fuck her with long, pussy-drenching slow strokes that touched the deepest depths of her heart and soul. Feeling his lips caressing her face, neck and breasts, while his big hands moved over her behind and back, and his shafts thrust into her with wonderfully timed, alternate rhythms, sent delicious chills all through her and pushed her over the edge of the impossibly high cliff of desire where she hung. Moaning and shoving her body helplessly against his, she shattered into countless bits of joy and bliss and fell over the cliff and into the valley of love and unadulterated desire. Oh Lord, so good. Clutching her against him and thrusting deep into her, he growled low in his throat, bit into her neck, and came in torrents inside her pussy and her stuffed rear end. “Down,” he murmured and they were lowered to the bed. “Release.” The restraints fell away from her wrists and ankles. She slipped her arms around him. Still joined, he rolled them on their side, where they lay kissing and caressing each other. She drifted to sleep with the sound of his heart beating in her ears…just for her. Lord, how she had missed that sweet rhythm. Later when they woke, she snuggled against him and lay with her head on his shoulder. “How is, Demi?” “He is very sad. He misses you.”

She sighed. “Lord, I can’t tell you how much I miss him. I’m curious. Does he have a Mrs. Demi now?” “I told him he should settle with a female Keddi, but he would not. His heart, like mine, beats only for you.” She sighed, stroking her hand down his side. “What about you, Rotica? Have you…been with anyone?” “No, my Mara. My heart beats only for you. For me, as long as you live, there will never be anyone else. Never.” Her eyes misted. Finally. A man who loved only her. “I feel the same way about you, Rotica. I have waited my entire life to meet you. Now that I have, there will never be another man in my life.” “That is as it should be,” he said, hugging her. “We were destined to be together forever.” Forever with the only man she had ever really loved? Hell, it sounded like a beautiful plan to her. “That sounds about right to me. So tell me, sugar, how are your father and Cupid?” “They are well. Cupid sends his affection.” “I’ll deliver mine to him in person. He was very kind and considerate when he brought me back to Earth, Rotica.” “He is my elder sibling and you are my promise mate,” he said, as if that explained everything. She smiled. Maybe it did. She had a lot to learn about Aeolia and its customs. “And Sensualous? How is he?” “He and my other siblings are looking forward to your return to Prime, my Mara. This time you will find Prime welcomes you warmly.” That would definitely be an improvement over her last visit. “So tell me about Demi. Is he fully recovered?” “Yes. He is Keddi. They are resilient…at least physically. He will be better once you return with me to Aeolia and he can see for himself that you are well and safe. He has blamed himself for not returning to Earth to protect you.” She smiled. “Oh, sugar, that little honey is almost as delicious as you are. I missed him almost as much as I missed you. I can hardly wait to see him. I’m going to kiss him until his whole body is covered with lipstick marks.”

“He will love that. He is as devoted to you as he is to me.” “Speaking of devotion, why did you send me away and let me think you didn’t care about me anymore?” He stroked a hand down her back. “I am so sorry to have hurt you, my Mara, but I thought I could never shift again and I couldn’t ask you to accept me in my natural form.” “Why not? It was my choice, Erotica.” “Because although I knew you valued me, I also knew a part of you was repelled by the thought of coupling with me in my natural form.” “Oh, sugar! You’re an idiot!” She hit his shoulder and pulled away from him. She bolted into a sitting position, her eyes giving off angry sparks. He sat up, a chastened look on his handsome face. “Mara? I only did what I thought was best for you. Why are you so angry with me?” “Because I am old enough to make my own decisions, Erotica. And I wanted to stay with you. What right did you have to think you knew better than I what I wanted or needed? You consigned us both to eighteen long, miserable months…all because you though I was too stupid to make up my own mind!” “I did not think you were stupid,” he denied. “I just thought…I wanted you to have everything you wanted.” “Well, that was you, Erotica! Do you realize that I’d begun to wonder if I’d imagined the whole week I was gone? And if you only knew the number of times I tried to find my way back here to look for you.” She frowned. “Why couldn’t I find this place again? Where did it disappear to?” “It did not disappear. It is always here. The road leading here is what appears at the will of the current owner of this place.” “You mean you don’t own it?” “Here in the Gateway Room is a portal that leads to a Way Station where my personal travel capsule, along with those of other off-worlders, are kept.” She sucked in a breath. “Are there…other portals on Earth?” “Yes, there are…as there are on other worlds.”

“Oh, Erotica, I spent so much time looking for this place.” He stroked his fingers against her cheek. “Can you forgive me, my Mara?” She cupped his handsome face between her palms and gently kissed his lips. “I have to…I love you too much to be able to live a moment longer without you.” He engulfed her in his arms and lowered them both back to the bed. “And will you live part time with me on Prime?” She settled against his shoulder. She didn’t yet know how she was going to explain her long absences. Thankfully Aunt Martha was content with hearing from her every two months or so. And Maria was more than capable of taking care of the business while she was gone. “Part time? Where will we live the rest of the time?” “Here on Earth and we will travel to at least one other planet.” Her heart thumped in her chest at the thought of actually living on yet another world. “One of the fringe Aeolian planets?” “No. There is a sister planet we will visit called Telmira.” “Sister planet?” “Telmira is a planet where females couple with each other.” Prime was predominately a homosexual planet. “This Telmira…is it a lesbian planet?” “Yes.” “Then why do you want to go there?” “My brother…my twin grew up there. I must find him.” “Oh, Erotica. How awful to grow up separated from your twin. What’s his name and what is he like? When was the last time you saw him?” “We were separated at birth. I never knew him. I don’t know anything about him…not even what name he uses now. Father called him Eros, but he is almost certain to have another name now.” “Then…how will you find him?” “I’ll know him when we meet because my heart will beat in union with his…almost as it does with you.”

“I don’t doubt that, but how will you find him if you don’t even know his name?” “I have faith I will find him.” She sighed. He was so sweet, but incredibly naïve in some ways. “Sugar, faith is a wonderful thing, but sometimes it’s not enough.” “It is always enough,” he said calmly. “It sustained me when I stood up to Sensualous and told him I would not mount Notize. Sensualous is he who I am borne of. Like my siblings, I longed to please him, but as a young boy I had seen you in my dreams. I use to long for sleep to overtake me so I could again be with you, my Mara. I saw you and fell love with you. I did not know your name or even where you lived, but I knew if I held true to my dreams, I would one day find you. And I did.” It seemed her lover was a man of faith. She liked the idea. “So you did and I am eternally grateful.” “As am I. Tell me, will you come help me find him, my Mara?” “Do pigs fly?” she asked, settling comfortably against his shoulder. “No!” he said, sounding alarmed. She laughed and nipped at his shoulder. “Don’t freak on me, handsome,” she told him. “The pigs flying thing is a joke. Remember? To find your brother, I’d walk barefoot over broken glass shards and hot coals.” “But Mara, I would not ask that of you!” She grinned and reached down between their bodies to fondle his cock and his dick. “Tell you what, sugar, how about we fuck all the way back to Prime, and talk about how we’ll find your brother later?” “I like that plan, my Mara,” he said meekly. She reached down, lifted her hips, and slowly impaled her pussy on his big, thick cock. She closed her eyes and savored the experience. “Hmm. Oh. So do I.” With half his shaft spearing her pussy, she reached back for his self-lubing dick and pressed it against her rear end. He gently lifted his hips and surged forward. The tip of his dick popped into her behind. “Oh!” She moaned and pressed steadily down until she was full of Aeolian cock and dick. Oh, sugar, but that felt sublimely delicious. He wrapped his arms around her body, rolled her over onto her back, and looked down at her, his green

eyes shining with love and desire. “Will you honor me by being my promise mate, my Mara?” “Oh, yes, my Erotica!” “For how long?” “How does forever sound?” she moaned, shuddering as he slowly began sending his dick and his cock into her body with a rhythmic precision and beat that sent a flood of longing and love all through her. “That is not long enough. I must have more time!” He lowered his full weight onto her and captured her lips in a deep, consuming kiss that demanded her complete and unconditional surrender. She tendered it joyfully. Outside the storm raged around them, matching their passion and fury for each other. Inside, in the arms of the man she had spent her entire life waiting to meet, Mara lost herself in the rhythm of the heart that beat only for her. Holy Hanna!

The End

About the author: Marilyn Lee lives, works, and writes on the East Coast. In addition to thoroughly enjoying writing erotic romances, she enjoys roller-skating, spending time with her large, extended family, and rooting for all her hometown sports teams. Her other interests include collecting Doc Savage pulp novels from the thirties and forties and collecting Marvel comics from the seventies and eighties (particularly Thor and The Avengers). Her favorite TV shows are forensic shows, westerns (Gunsmoke and Have Gun, Will Travel are particular favors), mysteries (love the old Charlie Chan mysteries. All time favorite mystery movie is probably Dead, Again), and nearly every vampire movie or television show ever made (Forever Knight and Count Yorga, Vampire are favors). She thoroughly enjoys hearing from readers. Marilyn welcomes mail from readers. You can write to her c/o Ellora’s Cave Publishing at P.O. Box 787, Hudson, Ohio 44236-0787.

Also by Marilyn Lee: Bloodlust (anthology Things That Go Bump In The Night)

Bloodlust 2: The Taming of Serge Dumont Bloodlust 3: Forbidden Desires Bloodlust 4: Nocturnal Heat Branded Breathless In Black Carnal Confessions Full Bodied Charmer Moonlight Desires Pleasure Quest Road To Rapture Shifting Faces The Fall of Troy The Talisman

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