His Virtual Bride (9 page)

"At home?"

"See for yourself." She paced away, scanning the room as she went. An ordinary room with a couch, tables and chairs, a bar, a few pictures on the wall. A communications console with a book at its side, probably advertisements for things to see and do. Maybe menus for room service.

"Central Park," Geoff said from the window.

"Pardon?"

"The view reminds me of vids taken of Central Park before the interplanetary war. Isn't that what you saw?"

"I've never seen Central Park. Where is it?"

"Earth."

"I figured that much!" She shrugged a half-hearted apology for snapping.

"New York City."

"Not ringing any recognition bells here, Geoff." She tapped her head as she plopped down on the couch. "How much will you bet this doesn't open into a bed either?"

"Keely, honey." He had his arms around her, her head pressed to his shoulder before she could move. "What did you see?"

"Not a thing. Nothing at all."

"Jonathan Jacob Jones," he softly swore.

"Care to explain the etymology of that phrase?"

"No. Not now anyway. You're hurting, honey, and I hate it."

"So do I." A small sigh escaped her lips.

 "I hate that I can't take away your pain. That I can't--"

"Restore my memory?" Easing from his arms, she swiped at an errant tear that had escaped her control. "Careful, Snake. You're starting to sound as if you care."

"I do."

"Not what I need to hear right now." Covering her face with her hands, she burst into tears.

* * * *

For several interminable minutes, Geoff just let her cry. Even kept his hands to himself until, unable to stand her soft sobs any longer, he pulled her into his arms. Feeling more helpless than he'd ever felt, all he could do was rock her a little. Rub her back a little. Hand her a tissue someone had put on a nearby table.

"I thought we left you on
No-Name
," he griped to a solidifying Herma-Frodie.

"You need us here," Herma said, shoving another tissue into Keely's outstretched hand.

Frodie looked as uncomfortable as Geoff felt, watching Herma's mate square his shoulders and pat her back.

"Go away. All of you." Even as she spoke the words, Keely burrowed into Geoff's tear-soaked chest. Fortunately his flight suit material could absorb even more moisture.

"We have to talk," Frodie murmured, almost whispering.

Nodding, Geoff murmured, "Later. For now… Please go."

"You too," Keely mumbled, sounding stronger.

"I'm not going anywhere," he vowed, wondering if Herma-Frodie had taken up residence in the walls. He couldn't see them or any space dust smoke trail they might have left.

Keely reared back, taking a quick glance at his damp chest. Grabbing the container of tissues, she turned her back and blew her nose. "I hope this bathroom is half as nice as the one on Saturnalia."

"Why don't we take a nap first? You're tired. I'm tired. At least get into bed. Maybe your body will take the hint. Being prone, et cetera."

"It's not my body that needs rest, Geoff. My mind seems to be going in a thousand directions."

"I have a suggestion."

She looked at him. A tiny glint of humor lit her eyes. "I'll bet you do."

"A bath, Keely. A nice long bath. If you want, the tub can provide those perfumed bubbles women seem to enjoy so much. It can also massage you. That should help you relax."

Keely hummed. "I read that sex is relaxing. That is, once a person reaches climax, she feels relaxed. Even sleepy. And--if you remember our conversation--a woman has to be--"

"Taught how to climax. I remember."
Triple J!
He remembered it all too well. Every time he thought about teaching Keely
how to
, he got hard.

"It's okay, Geoff. I can see you don't want to do it. At least, not with me."

"That isn't the problem, Keely. It's just I've never made lo--had sex with someone who's never climaxed."

"Oh." She chewed her lower lip. "I'm not asking you to deflower me--if that's the right word."

"It'll do."

"I just want to learn how it feels. Then I'll know what to do for myself and I won't bother you about it again. Please, Geoff."

How could a man refuse? Keely wasn't asking him for a commitment or even a short-term relationship. She just wanted relief and a chance to sleep. Hell, he needed that, too.

"Okay."

"Thanks."

They looked at each other. Keely obviously expected him to make the first move. He felt anticipation and reluctance. He'd never done this in such a clinical way before. Sure, he'd sometimes set out to seduce a woman. But usually the woman knew that and was willing to be seduced.

"Why don't you start with the tub?" he suggested. "I'll join you when you're ready."

"Does the tub work the same as the shower? Do I just say 'on'?"

"Try that. If it doesn't work, shout. And Keely… If you want bath oil or bubbles, I don't mind."

"Thanks." She went into the bathroom.

Geoff heard her order the tub to do its thing. But taking a bath proved more complicated than taking a shower. The bath needed to know if Keely wanted oil or bubbles? What scent? Apparently the selections went from floral to woodsy. He could hear the frustration in Keely's voice. Frustration apparently had banished any remnants of self-pity, which eased his own misgivings. Continuing without drawing breath, she explained to the tub that she would be bathing with a gentleman--a gentleman, hah! --and the tub should provide something suitable for both sexes. That settled, the discussion continued. What temperature? Did she want the massage jets on or off? Did she want candles and music or only one? Perhaps she preferred the lights on full.

"Jonathan Jacob Jones!" Keely swore. "I'm going to learn how to climax! You decide what the scene should look like!"

The next thing he heard was a splash and a grateful sigh.

With a sigh of his own, Geoff stripped off his clothes, padding into the room and joining Keely in the tub.

In the candlelight, Geoff could see the cap of red-gold curls rioting around Keely's wary face. Just as he'd imagined. Since bubbles covered the rest of her from ears to toes, his imagination filled in the rest. In fact, his imagination ran rampant. Her skin would feel like silk. His hands knew that much. Now they would learn her contours without any barriers between them. Now his fingers would feel her heat. Now…

"Geoff?"

Her soft voiced called him to reality. "Sit up," he said, sounding curter than he'd intended.

Apparently not taking umbrage at his tone, she crossed her arms over her breasts and sat up. She scooted forward so he could ease in behind her. He slid his legs down hers and lay back against the slope of the enormous tub. Keely seemed reluctant to lean against him. He let her set the pace.

"Is the temperature okay?" She looked at him over her freckled shoulder. "Is the scent too strong?"

"Keely." He touched her lips with his fingertip. "Everything's perfect. We don't need to rush anything. We'll take this as slow as you want." Goddess willing, he intended to retain control over his raging testosterone. He'd ignore the scent surrounding them. Pretend they bathed together simply to conserve water.

"I…I don't know what to do," she confessed, sounding miserable. Not teary--praise Jove--but really sad.

"Leaning back might help. Unless you want me to wash your back first."

"Wash. Back. That seems a good place to start. The soap's in the… Ahh."

The bubbles reacted to the soap, seeming to melt away. He rubbed soap all over her back, gently kneading the tense muscles in her neck and shoulders. She moaned, a grateful sound that had him imagining how she would sound when she came. He moved his hands lower, down her back to her waist and up again.

"That feels really good."

"I aim to please."

Leaning against him, she looked up at him. "We could change places. I can wash your back."

"Later." He tilted her chin. "I'm going to kiss you, Keely."

Her pale jade gaze focused on his lips. "Oh. O-kay." She licked her lips, then puckered.

"Smile for me, honey. Just a small smile. That's it. Relax."

Her lips felt like velvet--soft with a slight nap he savored with his tongue. She pulled back, her lips parting on a breathy sigh. He took advantage and slid his tongue between her teeth. And waited. What felt like an eternity later, she touched his tongue with hers.

She tasted like mint, cool and refreshing. As their tongues began an ancient dance, her mouth heated. She twisted in his arms, straddled his hips and pressed her breasts against his chest. Her rigid nipples felt like little pebbles boring into his flesh. The heat of her nether lips brought his cock to attention faster than he'd ever imagined possible.

She pulled back, her eyes wide. She glanced down at his groin. "Does that happen often?"

"Yeah. Usually not this fast, but…yeah."

A smile, shy yet full of feminine power, curved her lips. "Does that mean you like me a little?"

He grinned. "A little. But I think you better turn around. Otherwise you might get more than you asked for."

"Oh? Oh!" She tried to slide over him but, to Geoff, the tub seemed to have shrunk.

"Maybe you should stand up and then sit down again."

"Close your eyes."

He did. But as she moved, he leaned his head back and watched her through his lashes. For a relatively short woman, her legs seemed remarkably long. Her knees had cute little dimples while her thighs looked firm and strong. Red-gold curls covered her mons. He imagined stroking those curls away, revealing her swollen clit and the lips guarding her core. He almost could taste her juices as shyness slipped away, replaced by passion. He continued his inventory of her body. Up her flaring hips to her slender waist and full, firm breasts. Dusky rose areolas surrounded her nipples--still slightly pearled from the cooler air. At least he suspected the air had caused that little pucker.

"Um, Geoff, could you spread your legs?"

His eyes popped fully open. There stood Keely, one hand on the tiled wall, one foot in the air. The tub
had
shrunk, leaving her no room to put her suspended foot. He wasn't certain that spreading his legs would do much good, but he would enjoy seeing her face when his cock sprang free.

He opened his legs. As he'd expected, his cock popped up, almost fully erect. Her eyes, already wide, seemed to open wider. Her pupils dilating, she licked her lips. He could almost feel those lips around his erection, her pink tongue driving him wild as it glided up and down and around his engorged shaft.

She lowered her gaze, carefully placing her foot between his legs. He half expected her to step out of the tub, but she turned her back and sat down. Her buttocks settled several inches from his crotch.

"Keely." Her spine stiffened. "If you've changed your mind, we can stop right now."

Her short curls shook in time with her head. "No!" Her ribcage expanded as if she drew a deep and painful breath. "I want to learn. I want you to teach me, Geoff."

"Lean back, honey." She inched back, reclining against him. "Jets on." Gentle bubbles caressed them from shoulders to feet.

She sighed. With his hand on her neck, he felt some of her tension release with her expelled breath. He rubbed her neck, nuzzled her ear and laved the shell. She giggled, shrugged as if she wanted him to stop. He moved to her neck, nibbling, licking, tasting. He trailed his fingers up and down her arms and relearned the incredible softness of her skin.

"Soft," he muttered. "Firm flesh. Soft, soft skin. I want to touch you everywhere. Taste you everywhere."

She shivered. "Touch me."

Slipping his arms under hers, he cupped her breasts. They filled his hands and her nipples pebbled in his palms.

"Goddess, you're responsive." His chin on her shoulder, he gently pinched her nipples. They tightened into rigid little peaks. Her breath shuddered. "You like this."

"Hmmm."

He slid one hand down her torso, over the slight roundness of her belly. Of its own accord, his hand lingered there, soothing as he might one day quiet his restless baby growing in Keely's womb. He squelched the idea, stroked lower.

"Open your legs, honey. Let me touch you there." He stroked her clit, stilled his fingers when her thighs squeezed his hand. "Don't close me out, Keely. You want this. You want me to touch you here. You want to have my fingers deep inside you."

She made a little mewing sound deep in her throat. Her legs fell open and her hips arched upward. The tub widened, allowing Geoff to ease her onto his lap. Allowing him to stroke and suckle her breasts as he stroked her clit. As he eased his finger into her tight channel, he felt her body gather for release. Felt her fight it back with an element of fear in her shiver.

"It won't hurt. I promise you'll like what happens when you just let go. You'll fly. Let go, honey. Come for me."

Moaning, she raised her chin. "Kiss me, please."

He did, plundering her hot, avid mouth, giving back every ounce of passion she put into kissing him. He thumbed her nipples. Thumbed her clit as his finger thrust and parried in her spasming cunt.

"Oh. Oh, oh, oh! Goddess, yes! God-dess!"

She went so limp, he thought she'd fainted. Her eyes fluttered open. He found her smile the most beautiful smile he'd ever seen, her eyes those of an angel who'd fallen--willingly and without regret--from innocence to carnal knowledge.

"What a lovely gift." She sighed. Her eyelids drooped. "Thank you."

"My pleasure." Odd, he felt as proud as if he'd given her a
Honey
-load of pleasure. Still inside her, he wiggled his finger while he rubbed her clit with his thumb.

Her eyes popped open. "Goddess!"

"The biggest advantage women have is their ability to come and come and come. We poor men need recovery time."

She tilted her chin, her eyes flashing pure mischief. "Prove it."

"Which? That I need recovery time or that I can make you come and come and--"

"Come again?"

"Exactly."