Page 1 of Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind
Prologue
“Well, I will say thisfor you, my prince,” Quintus remarked as they emerged from the surf, “you do inspire passion in those around you.”
Tiberius briskly shook his head, scattering droplets from his shaggy, dark hair. “I thought he was bluffing.”
“Clearly not.”
“Clearly.” Tiberius paused as the water receded behind them. He looked down and wiggled his toes in the grainy, moist sand. Granules caught in the thin webbing between the digits, only to be washed away with the next wave of salty water. “What is this place?”
His companion looked skyward, squinting slightly as he contemplated the night sky. “From the alignment and placement of the celestial bodies, I presume we have been exiled to Earth.”
“Earth,” Tiberius repeated, drawing upon his years of formal education. Intergalactic studies were a requirement for all Aequorians, especially those in the royal house. From what he recalled, Earth was a relatively small planet located on Orion’s arm within the Milky Way. Comprised of both water and land masses, it was inhabited by a multitude of species. That was all he could remember, however, and at that moment, wished he had paid more attention to his lessons. He’d had no idea they would become so relevant to his personal situation.
Placing his hands on his hips, he looked around. The nearly full moon reflected on the waves, providing enough light for his acute vision to take in their surroundings. They appeared to be along some sort of shoreline. Not far away, the flames of a fire crackled and curled up into the darkness, the sound of music and laughter mixing in with the soft, comforting crash of the waves.
Physically, the place seemed hospitable enough. The air and water were pleasant enough and, while they held more pollution than he was accustomed to, could sustain their Aequorian biological systems.
“I feel ... heavier.”
“A combination of the planet’s gravitational pull and the differing density of localized air pockets,” Quintus guessed. “I suppose we shall adapt accordingly. At least the high priest was kind enough to teleport us somewhere with air and water, as opposed to, say, the sulfur mines of Xenos7.”
Tiberius heard the resignation in Quintus’s voice and turned to look at his friend. Not for the first time in their long journey, he wondered what had possessed his friend to jump into the portal with him.
“You did not have to accompany me, Quintus. The punishment was solely mine to bear.”
Quintus chuckled softly and smiled. “With all due respect, Tiberius, you would not make it to the next dawn without me to guide you.”
“It is good to know I inspire such confidence.” Tiberius smiled back, accepting the gentle jibe.
Quintus was the only one who dared speak to him that way, which was one of the many reasons Tiberius had such great respect for him. In truth, he was glad he did not have to face this new challenge alone, though he did bear the weight of Quintus’s decision on his shoulders. No doubt Quintus sensed that and sought to console him in his own irreverent way.
One born of elite lineage and one from humbler means, they were equally matched in most things. Admittedly, Quintus possessed a cunning and skepticism that could not be learned within the palace walls. Survival in this strange new place would be far easier with his flippant friend by his side. Tiberius would not insult him by saying so, however. Quintus had willingly given up everything to follow him into exile, and for that, he would be forever grateful.
“Holy shit, Sugar! You seein’ what I’m seein’?”
Both he and Quintus turned toward the voice to find two females peering at them in wide-eyed wonder from about twenty paces down the beach. One had inky hair the color of night; the other that of a fiery sunrise.
“Praise Jesus, my prayers have been answered!” That came from the fiery one.
“You prayed for two smoking hot naked men to come out of the water?”
“Maybe.”
“Damn. You’re the shit, girl.”
The flame-haired female stepped closer, raking her gaze up and down their forms. “Hey, handsomes, you wanna party with Sugar and Spice?”
Tiberius quickly analyzed the females, concluding they were of no threat. He did notice, however, that they were scantily clad, while he and Quintus were quite naked. Yet another of the high priest’s little jokes at their expense, no doubt.
Tiberius was about to decline when Quintus stopped him with a slight touch on the arm. “We are in a strange place with unknown customs for the foreseeable future. These women could be useful in helping us assimilate,” he said quietly.
As usual, Quintus was correct.
Tiberius offered a charming, princely smile. “A most generous offer, and one we gratefully accept.”
“Well, all right,” drawled the midnight-haired one. “I’m Sugar, sugar. This here’s my girl, Spice.” Her gaze dropped to their manhoods, her lips curving upward. “Don’t you worry now; we’ll takegoodcare of you.”
The flare of lust in the women’s eyes was not lost on him. Nor, he gathered, on Quintus. Despite that, while he was a healthy male and quite confident in his abilities, Tiberius preferred to learn more about the culture before employing his phallus for any diplomatic efforts.
