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"We'll just go on burning bright…"

"Somewhere in the Night" - Barry Manilow

She looked at me for a moment, eyes wide. I held my breath.

Then she smiled. "Most guys don't bother to ask; they just assume their charm will do it. I guess maybe you're more than just a pretty face, so… yes, I'll take that chance."

I exhaled in a long sigh. I had all but known she was going to say no. Did she really want me? I pushed her back a little more, searching brown eyes that had gone even darker, searching for the truth. I found it.

"Where?" I croaked.

She seemed to shake herself a little. "I suppose we could find a hotel, but…." Her voice was unsteady for a beat and then grew firm and decisive. "I have an apartment above Grace's bar."

The smile almost split my face. I took her hand, relishing the electricity that flowed between us. What was it? I didn't care. I only wanted to be somewhere close by and alone with her.

We made it back to the street before I just had to stop and kiss her again. For me, our surroundings had taken on the ethereal quality of a dream, and I wanted to make sure she was real. She seemed to give herself completely to the kiss, clinging to me tightly, which excited me more than I would have thought possible. She wanted me. Oh Gods, she wanted me. Reluctantly, I let her go, still claiming one small hand, and we made our way down the still-crowded street. If passersby noticed us, I neither knew nor cared.

I was headed for the door alongside the bar, but before we reached it, she stopped me and pointed down the alley, where I could see the scaffold of a fire escape, its ladder dangling a few feet above the pavement.

"This way," she whispered, "private entrance."

Still hand in hand, we walked down the surprisingly clean alley. She went and stood on tiptoe under the metal ladder, her fingertips barely touching the lowest rung, then she made a little leap and caught it, looking over at me with a grin. The ladder extended with a muted clang.

Moving closer, I used one finger to lift her face gently, looking down into those beautiful deep brown eyes. She looked back at me, breathing fast. I claimed one last kiss, and then she turned, grasped the ladder, and started upward, giving me an inspiring view of the play of her muscled legs, her jeans tightening around the curve of her hips with each step. When she had gained the platform, I followed.

Two windows opened on the metal landing. It took her a moment to unlock one, by some means I didn't see. I was busy pulling the ladder back up behind me.

Inside was a comfortable living area, consisting mostly of rugs, large pillows, and a generous number of potted plants. The only light came from the street outside, but I could see a kitchenette tucked in one corner. I waited while she secured the window, then followed her down a short hallway which led to two closed doors. She laid a palm against my chest.

"You go in there." She pointed to one of the doors. "Make yourself comfortable; I'll be right in."

I nodded, a little nervous now, in spite of my eagerness. Could I please her?

She entered what was obviously a bathroom and the door closed behind her.

Cautiously, I walked into her bedroom, feeling like I had stepped into a scene from the Arabian Nights. The walls were white, festooned with colorful translucent draperies, the large bed platform strewn with a rainbow of pillows and dressed in linens of white and bright yellow. Drapes covered the windows as well, muting the lights and sounds of the streets below. There was an oak dresser against one wall and several other chests and low tables, each holding at least one candle. I glanced back at the closed door to the bathroom and then quickly lit each candle, not bothering to use matches.

The flickering points of light added to the fanciful atmosphere, and I looked around in wonder. This was the inner sanctum of the woman I wanted so much. Her spicy scent was everywhere; it made me dizzy.

Make yourself comfortable, she said. With a last look down the hall, I began to remove my clothes, neatly placing them in a corner. I didn't need to look down to know that my erection was as hard as it had been ever since our first kiss. It throbbed in tempo with my heart.

I felt slightly more relaxed, just being here, but only slightly. She had said yes, but at any moment I feared I might hear the outer door slam as she ran away down the hall. Sighing, I turned back the bedcovers and lay down to wait.

I knew it would be wrong to reach out for her mind, but could I eavesdrop with a clear conscience?

Extending my attention, I heard a toilet flush followed by running water, then various rustling sounds. Finally, her voice muttered, "Girl, what are you thinking?" and there was a long silent pause, during which I held my breath. Then she whispered, "Okay, ready or not, here I come." There was the click of a light switch, and finally the bathroom door opened.

It was only two steps from one door to the next, and I heard slow footsteps and another rapidly beating heart. Then I saw her: hair loose now, shoulders bare, a crimson gown flowing down to brush the floor.

I sat up suddenly, the sheet pooling in my lap. She was so beautiful I forgot to breathe. Candlelight and red satin brought out all the warm tones in her skin. Her tiny feet moved, bare and silent across the soft carpet, until she stood almost within touching distance. Our eyes locked, and I had to hold on tight not to reach out for her mind; I wanted so much to know what she was feeling. Instead I lay back, lifted the sheet invitingly, and was thrilled when she slipped in beside me.

"Hey," she whispered. "I thought about asking you to leave, but then I couldn't decide which one of us would be more disappointed."

I swallowed hard. "I would; I'm certain of that."

She laughed, a brief puff of sound. "I might believe you if I didn't have a mirror."

I smiled. She had to be joking. "You must know how beautiful you are."

She snorted. "Save the flattery. I already let you in."

She reached out and put one small hand on my arm, stroking it lightly. I couldn't help but moan.

"Your skin is so warm," she said, "it's almost hot."

I didn't answer, just shivered and put my arm over her side. Her hand slipped around my back, and I felt it wander down past my waistline.

"And you're naked," she said, her voice hoarse.

She scooted closer to me, and I pulled her in until my erection was against her belly.

"Mm…," she breathed, pressing her satin-covered hips to mine. Her hand snaked down between us to brush a fingernail delicately over my length, from root to tip. I gasped.

"Nice one," she said breathlessly. She moved to lift her leg over my hip and, suddenly, stopped.

"Goddamn it, hold on," she said, rolling away from me. I could barely make my hands let her go.

Standing, she pulled the red gown off over her head, so quickly I thought I heard cloth tearing. My eyes widened, pupils dilating. Her body was a uniform golden-bronze with no tan lines at all, just smooth taut skin highlighted by the candlelight, her full, firm breasts crowned with large dark nipples, her pubic thatch trimmed to a neat triangle.

For a moment, she stood smiling and let me look. Then she reached down and pulled away the sheet. "My turn," she said.

I felt her eyes travel over my skin, so pale in contrast with hers. She studied me from head to toes, her glance seeming to linger on my center, on the hard shaft from which I could feel a steady stream of moisture dripping onto my stomach.

Then her nostrils flared, and she all but threw herself on the bed. My hands found her waist, supporting her as she pushed me back and knelt over me, legs spread. I caught the scent of her arousal, and without warning she rose up and lowered herself onto me. I gasped as all of my length was accepted inside her in one smooth movement. The electricity that was a part of every touch between us, intensified.

I groaned and heard an answering moan from her. She rose up on her knees and lowered herself again, grinding her pelvis against me. Suddenly I couldn't stand it. I clasped her to me with one hand and rolled until she was beneath me. She didn't seem to mind, and raised her hips to meet my first thrust, bringing our bodies together much more forcefully than I had intended. Her aggressiveness was wonderful, something I would never have expected. I'd planned to take things very slowly, making absolutely certain she was enjoying it, but she changed all that. Her sheath was tight, but warm and very wet, letting me slide in easily. It was beyond wonderful that her tiny body held the depth to take all of me.

I stopped worrying that I might be too fast or too rough. Her movements told me what she wanted, and I was only too happy to comply. Her legs wrapped over my back and her arms went around my neck. We moved together in a dance as old as the universe.

I was so aroused that a climax could not be far away. I didn't even try to hold back, just continued the intoxicating movements that she echoed and aided, my mind filled up with ecstatic sensations. Suddenly I peaked, hearing myself call out her name, and I felt her spasm around me, giving her own wild cry, both of us caught in the splendid release and transcendent agony of sex.

I felt myself spurt inside her, and with that my body suddenly released a tremendous flood of heat and energy in an act unlike anything I had ever done or felt before. The electric tide flowed into her, spreading out to bathe every nerve and cell, and her body absorbed it all. Somehow, the power that flared from me to her made my orgasm more intense. I thought it might go on forever, but finally I relaxed, barely remembering to support most of my weight with my arms.

Unconsciously, my body quickly replaced its depleted energy reserves from a convenient source and then returned to rest, balance restored.

I didn't understand what had happened, but everything about Gaelen seemed to be different. This must be only one more delicious oddity of making love with this incredible woman. Lazy, I smiled down at her.

"Whoa," she sighed. "I feel like I've had a great night's sleep and three cups of strong coffee. Has sex always been this good? I don't remember." She grinned and pinched my ass lightly. Her face was transformed, fairly glowing with her smile, and I couldn't help but smile back.

"So," she began, conversationally, "I take it that you weren't a virgin?"

I had to laugh, surprised and pleased by her playfulness. "Well… not anymore," I replied, doing my best to keep a straight face and failing.

She smiled and brought a finger up to trace the contour of my eyebrow. "Uh huh. How old did you say you were again?"

I leaned into her gentle touch. "Older than I look," I teased. I felt wonderful.

"Annoying bastard, aren't you," she said lazily. "I hope you're older than you look, 'cause right now, you look about twelve."

"I'm old enough to appreciate the most wonderful woman I've ever been with."

She shook her head, frowned, and squirmed a little. Since we fit together perfectly, it felt very good.

"Um… you're still hard," she observed.

"Yes, because I'm with the world's sexiest woman." I moved my hips, just a little, and she gasped. I shivered. "Do you like that?"

She nodded and thrust against me. Gratefully, I began again. Once was seldom enough for me, and I knew I'd need much more of her to even come near feeling sated.

This time she moaned and cried out almost constantly, and our second shared explosion was even more powerful than the first, accompanied by another tremendous flow of pure biological energy from me to her. The transfer was smoother somehow, as though a connection had been established. I noticed it, of course, but ignored my body's unconscious care, again reaching out for the energy it needed. I was busy concentrating on the unbelievable sensations, loving every instant of the experience and not wanting it to end.

Time passed, and we made use of every moment, scarcely resting between ecstasies, except to shift position or exchange a smile or a kiss. I have no idea how long we went on. We were in the moment, and it was only ever now. Finally, Gaelen pushed me away and fell back against the pillows, panting.

"Jesus, man, I don't know about you, but I'm starving."

I took a deep, contented breath, stretching back on the bed, happy just to feel her warm body close beside me. I knew I'd never felt this relaxed and happy before, but I realized I was hungry too. And why not? The clock in my head informed me that we'd been together for hours, and it was a long time before that since I'd had lunch. I'd been too nervous about our "date" to even think about dinner.

I rolled up and sat on the side of the bed. "Let me get you something."

She looked up at me, then reached out to rub a hand along my back. I felt like purring. She nodded. "Sure."

"What do you want?"

She grinned, looking down toward my momentarily flaccid organ. I smiled back. Her appetite for sex was all I could have hoped for, and her sense of humor made everything perfect. Her answer was slow and sultry. "Surprise me." Then she grinned again. "On second thought, it's too late for that. Most guys are good for once, twice if you're lucky, but you… did you come every time I did? I know you did that last time." She licked her lips. "I can still taste it. A little more of that and I might not even be hungry." She laughed.

I didn't say anything, just got up and headed for the kitchen. How was I going to explain the reason I wasn't like "most guys"? She obviously thought I was a Terran. Should I have told her before we coupled? What sort of etiquette was involved in telling a potential sex partner what planet you were from?

Would she notice that there were no "wet spots" in the bed? It had become my habit to mentally clean up such things for comfort's sake, and I did it without thinking.

I enjoyed cooking and would have liked to fix something special for this special lady, but maybe that would be possible another time - at least I hoped so. There wasn't a lot of food in her kitchen, and in the end, I settled for a platter of cheese, bread, and a couple of sliced apples. I also brought a large pitcher of water. I figured we undoubtedly needed the fluids.

There were times when only a rare steak would do, but simpler, lighter things were the food of lovers.

Lovers… love. Of course I didn't mean that in any personal sense, though some odd ideas were flitting around in the far corners of my mind. I had fucked, had sex with, and even made love to many people, but, sooner or later, I always moved on, except for the few who remained in my life as friends. I'd loved intensely before, Star being a case in point, but I wasn't sure I'd ever been really "in love." I supposed that special feeling just didn't happen to some people.

We shared the food and drink, sitting cross-legged on the bed. By the time there was nothing left but crumbs, the faint light of dawn was dimming the streetlights.

"It's morning," I said. "We haven't slept."

"I know, but I'm not tired." She reached for me, and we fell back on the bed. I took the time to explore her body, discovering all her sensitive spots, including the ticklish ones behind each knee, and laughing when she showed me how much I liked her warm breath in my ear. I felt like a child again, the world a new and wondrous place and the future full of endless possibilities.

We made love once more and then cuddled together, content, watching out the windows as the sun claimed the sky.

It was after noon when we heard Grace's voice at the hall door: "Hey, Gaelen, is Evan in there with you?"