Jaci's Experiment Read online

  Michael’s tongue played with hers while David’s teased her most secret places. Strong hands spread her legs, making room for him to delve deeper, lick longer, tease her with his skill.

  “Are you enjoying having Dave lick your pussy, sweetheart?” Michael’s gaze was as hot as she’d ever seen it while he watched his cousin go down on her. She could only mutter a muffled agreement as David hit a particularly sensitive spot. A moment later, his fingers stretched her passage, adding to the delicious torture.

  Michael repositioned her in the nothingness around them, situating her between the two men, sitting upright with her legs spread as wide as they would go. David had stopped tonguing her clit in order to pay more attention to her breast. A heartbeat later, Michael did the same.

  Each had one hand roaming up her thigh and their mouth on one of her breasts. Jaci didn’t think it could get any better, but then Michael’s finger joined David’s inside her. Both slid into her from opposite sides, the very extravagance of the act firing her senses. Not only did she have two men to please her, but they were both inside her. Together. The idea made her think of other things they could all do together, but she feared they’d have to wait until they could pursue those thoughts outside of her dreams, in the flesh.

  Michael lifted his head from her nipple to kiss her neck as David did the same. Michael nipped her earlobe as he whispered words of desire that set her senses aflame. She felt her body temperature spike and knew it for a sure sign of sexual intensity. Alvian females were able to regulate their body temperature most of the time. It was critical in population control. Only high internal temperatures would allow the ovaries to expel an egg. In that way, Alvian women were able to control when they became pregnant.

  But these two men drove Jaci beyond all control. When she was with them, she could barely think, much less practice the mental tricks that allowed her to regulate her body temperature. If she were with them outside of her dreams, she’d have to be extra cautious. More than likely, she’d be pregnant within a week if she were ever to be with them for real.

  Suddenly that didn’t seem like such a horrible thing. What could the Alvian hierarchy do to her for gestating without permission? They were already as upset with her as they could be. A little thing like getting pregnant would be a minor trifle compared to what she’d allowed to happen in one careless moment of lab work.

  “Hey, Jaci, are you with us, babe?” Michael stroked her cheek with his lips, whispering to her as she let go of the troubling thoughts.

  “I’m with you. Don’t stop. Make me forget all our troubles.”

  “Happy to oblige, sweetheart.” Michael placed nibbling kisses down her arm as he moved away.

  David moved closer, sealing his lips to hers, taking and giving a kiss so filled with passion and promise, she couldn’t think of anything besides him. It was just what she needed. He maneuvered her around on the dreamplane until she was straddling his body, her core throbbing for the hard cock positioned just out of her reach.

  “Don’t tease me, David. Please!”

  He looked deep into her eyes. “You know this is forever, don’t you? You know I’ll never leave you. Our separation is only temporary. We will find a way to be together. I promise you. I can’t live without you, Jaci.”

  “Oh, David!” He came into her then with a nearly violent shove that made her screech in pleasure on the dreamplane. He pumped into her with hard, desperate movements until she came with a keening cry, shuddering around him as he filled her with his seed. For a brief moment, she wished the seed was real, that the possibility of creating life was real. But it was not meant to be. Not yet.

  Michael lifted her away from David after a few moments, when her body had cycled down from the amazing high she’d just experienced.

  “I’m sorry, love, but it’s got to be fast. I held out as long as I could so Dave could have you, but my strength is running low.” So saying, Michael lay her down on a cloud and pushed into her from above. His face was a study in strain, but the satisfaction in his gaze as it met and held hers could not be denied. “God, you feel good, woman. Like a little slice of heaven here on Earth.”

  Jaci had barely had time to catch her breath before her desire rose once more to meet Michael’s. He tantalized her, stroking deep within her, hitting that spot that made stars appear before her eyes. Within moments, she was gasping and grabbing at his shoulders as he thrust more forcefully within her.

  Michael cried her name as he came with her, the abandon of their lovemaking sending her into a deep sleep almost at the same moment he winked out of existence on the dreamplane, sent back to his own body, thousands of miles away.

  Over the following weeks, Jaci’s leg healed as Mick monitored her progress. Michael and David visited her dreams every night until she finally made Michael promise to get some true rest between visits. They came every other night now, sometimes to make love, sometimes just to talk over their situation. They were growing closer with each visit, gaining knowledge about each other that they hadn’t had time to share before.

  Bill and Sam came and went, doing something to drive the Alvian patrols onto different tracks, away from the ranch. She didn’t ask, but she knew from listening to their talk that they’d shifted the bodies of the Alvian patrolmen to the other side of the mountain, fouling the backtrail. They were doing everything they could to move suspicion from the O’Hara ranch and Jaci was grateful for it. She didn’t want to bring Alvian wrath down on these good people.

  Some of the children had come out to meet her. The older ones had brought meals prepared in the big house, under the watchful eye of their mother. Jane O’Hara visited regularly too, sharing talk and a cup of herbal tea with Jaci most evenings. She enjoyed the woman’s company and her wisdom. Jane O’Hara had been through much in her life and had found a rocky path to happiness with the O’Hara brothers.

  Jaci envied their happiness, though she knew the family was incomplete. Caleb O’Hara was kept in the city, under surveillance as the subject of intense study. When his years of the study were complete, he’d be exchanged for another brother. It would be decades before the family was once again whole. Decades during which the children would grow into adults and perhaps find mates of their own. Even the Alvian aging gene wouldn’t keep them young forever. Their aging only slowed after puberty and the gene became fully engaged when they reached adulthood. By that time, each of the O’Hara brothers would have missed large chunks of their children’s formative years.

  Jaci and Jane often talked of these things and Jane’s desires for humans to live free. Jaci told her what she knew of Mara’s plans, giving the O’Haras as much information as possible. She also shared technical details with Mick about the Alvian genetic modification experiments already underway. She owed these people much and felt a camaraderie with them that she’d never felt with her Alvian brethren. She was so different from most Alvians now, she thought she might as well be human.

  “I think it’s time we took off that cast and see how your leg looks,” Mick said one morning when he brought breakfast over from the big house. “Natural Alvian healing rates are much faster than human, so by my calculations, I think it would be safe to try it out today. What do you think?”

  “I agree completely. In fact, if you hadn’t suggested it, I would have requested removal of the cast today. It’s been long enough by Alvian standards.”

  “Great. I’ll bring over the tools after breakfast. In the meantime, enjoy this.” He laid a platter of cooked eggs and meat in front of her that smelled divine. Jaci enjoyed the rich and tasty foods served on the ranch—so different from the bland sustenance offered in the city.

  “Thank you, Mick. And please thank Jane for this lovely meal. I’ve never eaten so well as I have while being your guest.”

  Mick left her with a wink and a smile and Jaci enjoyed the delicious fare. About an hour later Mick arrived back at the outbuilding with a small saw and some other equipment he’d need to remove the plaster
cast.

  Jaci was fascinated by the process and eager to see the result of such simple, rustic medicine. When her leg was uncovered, it looked well enough, but it was weak compared to the other leg. A few exercises would fix that up, along with a few more days of careful maneuvering, but for the most part, she was healed.

  “Looks good,” Mick commented. “How does it feel?”

  Jaci tested the newly-knit bone’s limits. “Coming along nicely,” she said finally. “A few more days and I’ll be as good as new.” She reached for his hand, clasping it in both of hers. “I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done, Mick.”

  He patted her shoulder. “Think nothing of it, Jaci. You’re one of us now. We help each other. It’s the only way to survive out here in the Waste.”

  “The Deity of my forefathers was watching over my path when it led me to you, and Bill and Sam. Your family and those men have helped me in ways I could never expect and I will hold you all dear in my heart for the rest of my days. I hope you won’t mind if I think of you as a friend.”

  Mick’s smile was the answer she’d hoped for. “You’re definitely a friend of the family, Jaci. Rest easy on that count.”

  Jaci felt as if she’d just been given a tremendous gift. “Again you have my thanks. I will treasure your words and your friendship.”

  Bill broke the mood by entering the room. He threw off his cloak and collapsed into a sturdy wooden chair by the table.

  “It looks like the patrols have given up and gone home,” he reported.

  “Are you certain?” Jaci worried that it might be some kind of trick, but she was no soldier.

  Bill shrugged. “As certain as I can be at this point. They might’ve left a few men on the ground to follow any sign we missed, but it isn’t likely. The ships have moved off. I’ll keep monitoring the area around the ranch to see if this is just a ruse to smoke you out.” He leaned back, surveying the room. “I see you took the cast off. How long before you’re back to fighting form?”

  “A few days,” Mick answered for her. “It healed well, so now all she needs to do is strengthen the surrounding tissue and let the bone finish knitting completely.”

  “That’s good.” Bill nodded, his gaze focused inward.

  “Something bothering you?” Jaci asked, watching his expression.

  Bill shook his head, but his face remained troubled. “I’m not sure. It could be nothing, but I got a feeling in the woods just now…”

  “Trouble?” Mick asked sharply.

  “Nothing immediate. But it would pay to keep vigilant. Something about the path bothered me, but I can’t figure out what it was. I’ll keep thinking about it. Maybe it was nothing, but maybe with time, the puzzle with come clear in my mind. I’ll let you know.”

  “I’ll tell Justin. He says he trusts your hunches more than most people’s facts.” Mick grinned and the ghost of a smile lit Bill’s face for a brief moment.

  “If they’ve truly gone, then Sam and I should go too.” Bill’s gaze moved pointedly to Jaci. “What we need to decide is where Jaci will go.”

  “She could stay here,” Mick offered half-heartedly. Jaci knew her presence here on the ranch for any extended time would put the family in too much danger. It was fine while she was immobile, but she’d be unable to hide from the surveillance forever. Sooner or later she’d screw up and get them all in trouble.

  “It’s kind of you to offer, but that’s not a good solution,” she said, knowing she didn’t need to go into detail about why it would never work. The men knew she was no covert operator. She was a lab tech—a sloppy one at that. If she’d been just a little more observant, she wouldn’t be in this mess to begin with.

  “Then you’ll come with us,” Bill said decisively as he stood.

  She knew that wouldn’t work either. “I’d only slow you down, Bill. You and Sam are experienced outdoorsmen. I’m a lab tech with no experience of the woods or living off the land. I’d be a hindrance.”

  “But what other choice do you have?” Mick asked with kindness in his tone.

  Jaci stood, stretching and placing just a small amount of weight on her newly-healed leg. “I have a few more days yet before I can walk freely. Perhaps some other alternative will arise in that time. If not, I will go with Bill and Sam—for the time being. There’s got to be someplace I can go.”

  Mick came over and patted her shoulder. His gaze was sympathetic. “My brother says everything happens for a reason and I tend to concur after all I’ve seen. I’ll contact Caleb and see if he has any advice for you. I don’t want to believe that your accident was just a fluke. I think there was a higher purpose. We just need to figure out what it is and where you need to be. Don’t worry. Like you said, you have some time yet.”

  “Thank you, Mick. Unlike most of my fellow techs, I was always fascinated by your brother’s writings. If he has any idea about my future, I’d love to hear it, though I’m convinced my own stupidity has doomed me. I just can’t see how dosing myself in a moment of inattention could have any use whatsoever besides screwing up my life and destroying my career. Of course, I’d also never have realized Michael and David were my mates.”

  “Fate works in mysterious ways, Jaci. Having Caleb around has taught me that, if nothing else.” Mick winked at her as he moved toward the door. “Let’s see what he has to say first, before we make any drastic decisions.”

  Out in the forest, very near the treeline that circled the O’Hara ranch, Grady Prime knelt in the dirt, rubbing disturbed soil between his fingers. Something wasn’t right here, but it was very hard to detect exactly what it was.

  Still, something bothered him and he’d learned to always trust his instincts. It was part of the reason he’d risen so quickly to Prime of his line here on the new planet while so many of his comrades were more ready to take everything purely at face value. Grady Prime would not ignore his instincts this time. He’d stay while he sent the majority of his troops back to the city.

  He liked being out in the woods and if nothing else, this exercise would give him a chance to work on his bush skills. He could also look in on the O’Hara ranch from a different vantage point—from above.

  He liked the O’Haras. As much as any Alvian could actually like anyone. But being a soldier gave Grady just a bit more than his compatriots. He felt…echoes…of affection when he saw the O’Haras together, or viewed the littlest members of the family playing. He wouldn’t mind a chance to observe them from afar. They intrigued him and were the main reason he was considering participating in Mara 12’s latest experiment. They’d given him the skinpatch, but he’d have to be off duty to apply it. He could still change his mind. The skinpatch was back in the city, in his quarters, waiting for him to get back and take himself off the duty roster while the experiment ran its course. He wanted to have Jaci’s disappearance tied up before it came to that.

  So he’d stay. For a while at least. He’d watch and wait, and see what happened. Probably nothing would disturb his silent vigil, but vigilance was his calling.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Caleb says to sit tight,” Mick reported back the next day on his conversation with his oldest brother. “Things are happening fast now, he says, and he’s not altogether certain of your future, but it is a pivotal one, Jaci. Your accident wasn’t without purpose. Take comfort—what comfort you can—in that, at least.”

  “I don’t know if I should be glad or scared to death, being the subject of one of the Oracle’s visions.” Jaci stifled a laugh that was on the edge of hysterical. Without her mates nearby to stabilize her emotions, she was feeling decidedly ragged.

  “Things were vaguer than usual for Caleb, but he did tell me that you’ll have a role to play in the ultimate goal we all have for the human race.”

  Jaci wasn’t sure how she felt about that either. “But I’m Alvian.”

  Mick waved one hand in her direction. “You’re more human than alien nowlike Davin’s always been. I’ve gained some understanding
of Alvian culture from him and I can say from my observations, you’re not like them anymore, Jaci. You may look like them, but you’re more human every day.”

  Tears formed behind her eyes. She was at a loss. And she felt lost. Who was she anymore? She had no idea.

  “Look, I can tell you’re having a rough time with all this.” Mick stood from the chair beside her bed. Her leg kept her mostly in the small bedroom set off from the rest of the building by wooden walls and a hand-made door. “Take some deep breaths. Rest a while. Find your center and don’t sweat the small stuff. For now, your job is to heal and you’re coming along nicely. The rest will sort itself out as time goes on.”

  “I wish I had your confidence.” She tried to wipe her eyes surreptitiously, but Mick saw and pulled a clean handkerchief from his pocket. He gave it to her, making her meet his eyes before he handed it over.

  “I know it’s hard, but try not to worry. If even a small part of what Caleb glimpsed in your future comes to pass, it’ll be a good thing for all of us.” He left her then and she tried to take his advice. After a while, she dozed.

  Michael and David came to her in dreams that night, as usual. It was her greatest pleasure and her greatest heartache. She wanted to be with them in the flesh, but if these interludes in dreams were all they had, she wouldn’t trade them for anything. Still, her heart pined for them during the days when she was awake, separated from them by the reality of life.

  They dared not communicate too often by crystal. They didn’t want to take the chance of being found out by some random spy. Davin had been careful to shield all the crystals he gave the O’Haras, but he’d also warned them that since his mating, other crystallographers had been working on ways to crack his protections. The Alvians needed him, but didn’t trust him—with good reason, Jaci realized. As a result, their conversations were limited outside of the hour or so every other night when Michael brought them all together on the dreamplane.