Page 22 of Tied In Tentacles
“So why haven’t they come to rescue you? They must know you’re missing?”
“It comes down to the noninterference. You’re left to fend for yourself. It limits the risk of discovery. We wouldn’t want atelescope to see alien ships hovering around a planet. My issue is that I can’t find the right fuel source, so until I do, I’ll remain here.”
“But you have friends here now. They saved you and made sure you’re safe.”
“Yes, and I know how lucky I am to have been found by them.” Eteriion stared at his plate, and Justin could almost feel the sadness radiating from him. Even with friends, he was still alone.
“It’s not the same, though.”
“No. I spend my time here alone, but at least I’m not in some lab being experimented on.” Pulling his hand away, Eteriion stood and took his half empty plate to the sink and scraped the food into the trash. Justin sat and watched, his appetite gone. To be alone on an alien world, far away from your own kind. How lonely must that be?
“I’m here,” he whispered.
“For a few days.” Eteriion’s words were quiet, but Justin heard them, and he wanted to dispute them, but Eteriion spoke the truth. He would be leaving after Christmas, and his alien would be alone again. He didn’t want to leave Eteriion, but they’d only met a few days ago. It was far too soon to be thinking of relationships and living together, which meant Justin moving and changing his life around. Plus, there was the whole alien issue as well. “I’ll be fine.”
“Will you? You seem so lonely to me.” Justin stood and walked over to Eteriion, embracing him from behind. The tentacles slid over his shoulders and down his back, and Justin smiled as they stroked him. “I don’t want you to be lonely.”
“Thank you for caring, but you have your life away from here.”
“And we only just met.”
“And you almost passed out when you saw my tentacles.”
“I wasn’t that bad.” Justin stepped back and crossed his arms over his chest. “I handled it well, all things considered. I mean, it’s not like I tried to shoot you.”
“Do you have a gun?” Eteriion arched an eyebrow at him as he turned around and leaned on the counter.
“That’s beside the point. I had a mini freakout, but I got over it. Clearly, because I’m here with you now and we’ve had sex. Me and you. We’ve had sex more than once.”
“And hopefully more before you have to leave.” Eteriion’s tentacles pulled him closer, but Justin stepped back. When he saw the look of hurt on Eteriion’s face, he let his tentacles pull him closer. “I’ve hurt you.”
“No, you haven’t. I just…” Justin shook his head. “I hate knowing you’re up here alone and I know we’re only just met, but it…hurts to think that when I go home, you’ll be here.” Justin shook his head and let Eteriion wrap him in arms and tentacles. “I’ve known you days.”
“Let’s enjoy our time now. It won’t be long before we’re rescued. Once the town is cleared, they’ll make their way up here to the cabins and you’ll be able to enjoy your hot tub.”
“You could join me.” Justin smiled up at Eteriion, then sighed when they kissed. “We could do it naked.”
“And freak all the other humans out.” Eteriion kissed him again, deepening it as their tongues touched. They kissed for a couple of minutes until Eteriion eased back. “What should we do before we’re rescued?”
“Hmm.” Justin reached up and kissed Eteriion’s jaw. “I can think of a few things, but we’re overdressed for those.”
“It is winter.” Eteriion dipped his head and licked over Justin’s lips, then bit his chin. “We have to stay warm if we’re naked.”
“What should we do to keep warm?” Justin leaned back, groaning when Eteriion sucked the skin on his neck.
“Give me a few minutes and I’m sure I’ll come up with something.”
Chapter Twelve
“How long did it take you to adjust to living here?” Justin laid on his chest, naked in front of the fire, the glow shimmering on his skin. He used a hand as a pillow, his eyes on Eteriion as he leaned over and licked along his spine, feeling Justin tremble. “Give me a couple of minutes.”
Kissing his shoulder, Eteriion murmured, “I find you hard to resist.”
“That’s because you haven’t had sex in at least five years.” Justin smiled as he spoke, and Eteriion simply had to kiss him again.
“I’ve seen plenty of attractive males. You’re the first one I approached.”
“You said, and I kind of like being the first man you said hello to.” Justin lifted his hand when Eteriion’s tentacle wrapped around it. “I’ve come to like these. They’re very useful.”
