Grady's Awakening (38 page)

The thought was startling and had an oddly comforting feel to it. Maybe Jim was more resigned to this weird threesome than he’d thought. He knew one thing—trying to think reasonably while he was buried balls deep in Gina’s hot pussy wasn’t really possible. Better to concentrate on the way she felt around him and the way he wanted to drive her to the biggest climax she’d ever known.

It was a good goal.

Jim began to move more forcefully, holding her by one hip as he slammed into her hot core, the other hand caressing around front, teasing her clit. He pinched, and she whimpered around Grady’s cock. Her belly clenched, and he knew she liked it.

But he wanted to prolong this a little. He eased his hand away, rubbing her ass, then swatting her playfully while she squeaked. He loved that sound.

He spanked her again, just to hear it, and felt her channel contract around him even as her body produced even more lubrication to ease his way. It wouldn’t be long.

Jim timed his thrusts, driving into her powerfully, moving her whole body. She understood the rhythm, as did Grady, who leaned back so she’d be able to take as much of him as she wanted with each forceful thrust of Jim’s hips.

It worked. Better than Jim had ever expected. The three of them worked together like a well-oiled machine and it was only their second encounter. Who knows what they’d be able to do given a few months to get to know each other better.

Jim reached around, tickling her clit while his hips increased their pace once more. He was close, and he wanted her to go with him. Whether Grady would join them was up to him, but what man could resist Gina’s climax? Certainly not Jim, and he’d bet Grady couldn’t either.

As she peaked, Jim came in a blinding rush, jetting inside her as he pushed into her and held. And held. And held.

Dimly he was aware of Grady’s final groan. As he’d suspected, the alien couldn’t resist an orgasmic Gina either.

The shared climax was powerful. Pushing things beyond even the magnificent orgasm they’d achieved on the lakeshore. Jim held inside her for long minutes as his balls emptied and fire crashed through his veins. Little pumps of his hips drew out the bliss as he shut his eyes and concentrated on the incredible feeling of being inside his woman.

When the final echoes died away, he withdrew, lifting Gina in his arms and laying her on her back on the bed. She was between him and the alien warrior. As it should be. They would surround her. Walk on either side of her through life. Protecting her from all who would try to harm her.

He didn’t know how it would all work out yet, but that was the goal. It was a worthy one and one he’d do his best to achieve it. There were some things to work out between his duty to his people, her allegiance to the alien brotherhood and Grady’s ongoing participation in the alien experiment, but God willing, they’d figure a way to keep this bliss, this nirvana, between the three of them.

Jim collapsed at her side, barely noticing when Grady tossed the covers over all three of them. He faded into a satisfied sleep with his woman at his side.

Dawn underground was more a matter of timekeeping than actual sunlight. The base’s artificial intelligence simulated sunlight in most areas of the complex, including the barracks—for those on the day shift, which included guests.

The lights came up gradually but by nine o’clock in the morning, Jim couldn’t ignore the glare anymore. He stretched and yawned, puzzled to find himself alone in the big bed.

“Where the heck is everybody?”
he ventured telepathically, hoping Gina was in range.

A mental giggle came back in Gina’s distinctive tones.
“You looked so peaceful, I didn’t have the heart to wake you.”

They kept up a teasing telepathic dialog while he dressed, made his way to his quarters, showered and dressed again, this time in fresh clothes. By the time he found her lingering over coffee in the cafeteria, breakfast was almost over. He managed to snag a tray and some food before the kitchen shut down and sat with a beaming Gina until Mike found them about a half hour later.

Grady was off with Bill somewhere, and Gina had promised to teach self-defense moves to some of the women in the gym. When Mike asked Jim to spend the day with the cousins going over plans for potential cooperation between the two bases, he agreed readily.

Jim had lunch with the cousins, reaching out to Gina telepathically from time to time. She was making friends in the gym and had been invited to share lunch with some of the women. Grady was still out, but Mike and Dave told Jim that the Alvian contingent had decided to spend the day together, comparing notes on doings in the Alvian cities and installations.

It was dinner before Jim saw Gina again. Grady was sitting with her at the cousins’ table as on the first night, but this time Jim didn’t feel that same jealousy he’d felt before. This time, he was able to take his seat with calm satisfaction, knowing the three of them had come to at least the beginnings of an understanding. Gina greeted him with a kiss, and he could feel how happy she was to have him—and Grady—by her side.

After dinner, they joined the group in the main hall, where a few couples were dancing. Grady went after drinks while Jim took Gina on a spin around the dance floor.

“I haven’t danced like this in too long,” Gina said wistfully as she rested her cheek against Jim’s shoulder.

“Me neither. I think we’ll have to implement something like this back home, if possible. It’s good for everyone to socialize at the end of the day.”

The music picked up and strains of Glenn Miller’s “In The Mood” came over the speakers. Gina shot him a daring look, and he spun her into a modified Lindy step. In a matter of minutes, they were putting on a show. Both of them were athletic and great dancers. By the time the song ended, they had a small circle around them and several other couples.

The classic music ended to a raucous round of applause, and Jim reeled Gina in close to his side as they made their way off the dance floor. Grady waited for them, on the edge of the crowd, a strange expression on his face. Gina’s laughter died as she went to him, hugging him close.

“What’s wrong with him?”
Jim asked her telepathically. They’d promised not to use telepathy around Grady, but this conversation was for his own good. Jim felt justified.

“He feels left out. I guess Alvians don’t dance.”

“So teach him.”
A gentle waltz had started playing over the speakers.

“You don’t mind?”
Gina’s gaze beseeched him.

Jim walked up to them. “Why don’t you give it a try, Grady? Gina can show you how to waltz.”

“We don’t have anything like this among my people,” Grady hedged, looking uncertain. “I’m not sure—”

“You’ll do fine. Anyone as athletic as you are can pick up a waltz in no time. Trust me.” Gina tugged on his arm, leading him toward the dance floor. She sent Jim a parting look and a private message.
“You’re a sweet, sweet man, Jim.”

“Don’t let that get around. You’ll ruin my image,”
he joked back as they took the floor.

Jim watched as Gina showed Grady the basic steps and after one false start, they were off, whirling around the floor with the other dancers. Gina was right. Grady was an athlete and well coordinated. It didn’t take long for him to pick up the basic idea and start improvising as he watched the other couples on the floor with them.

By the time the dance ended, Gina was wreathed in smiles and Grady looked triumphant. Such a small thing to inspire such happiness. Jim marveled at it as they came back to him. He felt happy for them both. A strange feeling, to be sure, but one he knew he could get used to. It was actually kind of cool to watch Grady learn how to be human—how to feel and react. And it was also a big responsibility to try to help him grow into the emotions that were so new to him.

In a way, Jim felt sorry for the big guy. He seemed so confused much of the time. But Grady was also a warrior—someone Jim could respect. They could probably learn a lot from each other, and Grady would be an asset when making plans for how to best utilize the resources at their disposal should it come to war with the Alvians. He had a reputation as a superior strategist.

But thoughts of war were for another time. Right now, Jim wanted to enjoy the time he had left with Gina before he had to return home. Talks with the cousins all day had helped firm up their plans. They’d be returning to Colorado in a group. He’d take the pod from his facility back and a team from here would follow in one of their own pods. The makeup of the team wasn’t decided yet, but it was a good plan and they’d leave in the next couple of days.

The idle time with Gina would be over soon. Jim hadn’t yet asked whether she’d be returning with him to Colorado. He was almost afraid to broach the subject because that would bring reality all too close. Grady had to be considered. He undoubtedly had a ship secreted somewhere nearby and at some point he’d have to make a choice.

He would either return to the Alvians or go AWOL. If there was some third possibility, Jim didn’t know what it was, but the cousins had counseled him to wait and see. The Oracle said Grady had a role to play, and Caleb O’Hara was seldom wrong. According to his vision, things would work out—somehow. Jim just didn’t know how yet.

“Penny for your thoughts.” Gina smiled at him as she touched his arm.

“Sorry. I was woolgathering.” He straightened from his slouch against the table and pulled her in for a quick hug. “What do you say we blow this popcorn stand?”

“What did you have in mind?” She blinked up at him, and he knew they were on the same page.

“What do you say, Grady? You in the mood?”

“Mood for what?” Grady looked confused. “I don’t understand any of what you just said. What’s a penny, and why would she give you one for your thoughts?”

Gina laughed, turning to Grady and taking his arm. “That’s just an old saying. A penny is a coin we used to use to pay for things.”

“So you were willing to pay him for his thoughts? Shouldn’t such things be free between mates?” Grady frowned at Jim, and he had a hard time not laughing in the alien’s face.

“They should indeed,” Gina agreed readily as she started walking, taking Grady with her. Jim followed along close behind.

“Where are we going?” Jim protested when they neared the main entrance to the underground complex. There was a series of tunnels before they’d reach the outside, but this short tunnel, sealed by two huge, metal blast doors, was the entrance to the facility itself.

“I heard about a special place, just outside, in one of the side tunnels. A hot spring.” She sent him a daring look that immediately fired his libido. It didn’t take much to get his motor running where Gina was concerned.

“You don’t say?”

“It’s secluded and private with an independent water source. The ladies I spoke to swore by it for bathing…and other things.”

“Really?” Jim allowed her to coax him out into the small entry tunnel.

There were guards posted at both ends of the small tunnel—one inside the facility and one just outside, in the tunnels. The man inside gave Gina a wink as he heard where they were headed. The second guard cautioned them to be back before they sealed the facility down for the night at midnight. They had a couple of hours to enjoy themselves.

The grotto was lovely. Jim peeked into the chamber before entering, noting as Gina placed a discrete marker at the entrance.

“What’s that for?”

“So we won’t be disturbed. The ladies came up with this little system.” She winked at him.

“Ingenious,” he agreed, pulling her hips to his as he leaned in for a quick kiss.

He was aware of Grady behind them, but didn’t pay the alien much mind until he brushed past. Jim raised his head and followed the alien warrior into the chamber, letting Gina precede him.

Jim crouched down at the lip of the pool, dipping his fingers into the water as he looked around. A cold waterfall doused the rocky depression, which was filled from below with piping hot water. The result was a mixture of perfect temperature, the mineral content diluted with fresh water filtered through the rocks from above. The mixture cut the earthy scent of the minerals.

Jim would bet the area around the vents was bubbly warm if one wanted to soak. He also imagined the brisk waterfall would be a refreshing way to clean up. The combination in one heavenly grotto was nature’s perfection.

Grady had stripped and was in the water before Jim even straightened. Gina, laughing, wasn’t far behind.

Jim took his time, watching Grady and Gina swim a little, enjoying the water. When they started enjoying each other, Jim stripped and entered the pool. He gave them a few minutes while he swam around a bit, exploring the boundaries and depths of the pool. The thermal vents were toasty warm and bubbly against his feet and legs on one end, the cold water of the waterfall refreshing on the other. If an architect had planned it, nothing could be more perfect in design and function.

But then again, the Great Architect had a hand in this place’s building. Jim wasn’t an overtly religious man, but he believed in the Creator. Especially when he saw someplace like this. Nature’s beauty always had a way of convincing him that somebody up there had a plan for things, and just that small reminder was enough to reassure him.

Finding Gina again made him feel that way too. A relationship that would have been impossible in the old world was not only possible now, but promising. With Gina working with him, they had a chance to positively affect the world for all humans. And Grady might be an integral part of it all.