Excerpt from ALLIANCE: CLANDESTINE DESIRE

Gay Science Fiction Erotica

by Lyndi Lamont

After eating, Behrin again squeezed his bulk into Tai’s car and they sped off into the night. Tai turned off the air conditioning and lowered the windows, allowing the balmy evening breeze to blow into the vehicle. “What a pleasant evening. Your climate reminds me very much of my home on Algott. Except we were further inland, not so close to the ocean.”

“Do you miss your home?”

“Not really. My parents are gone now, and my brothers and sisters are married with families of their own. The Borivoy has been my home for the last five years.” Until today.

“Where you happy on the ship?”

Behrin sighed. “It was a great vessel to serve on under Captain Rulik. I was his second-in-command and trusted him implicitly.”

“You said was. I take it things have changed.”

“Yes, Captain Cheslav has a different command style.” And an obvious prejudice against anyone from Algott. It had been humiliating to be snubbed by an upstart ten years his junior. He grinned to himself, wondering how Cheslav would fare without an experienced second officer to see to the smooth running of the ship. If there were any justice, he’d fall flat on his face.

Behrin stared out the side window. They were traveling parallel to the shore. He opened the window to let in the balmy air. Moonlight glinted on white caps as the waves rolled toward shore. It was beautiful, but not as stirring as the vast reaches of space. “I’ve been promised a ship of my own if our mission is successful.”

“If that is what you want, then I hope you get it,” Tai said.

“Thank you. I believe you mean that.”

Tai turned to him, and even in the dim light, Behrin could see his surprised expression. “Why would I not wish the best for you?”

“No reason. Forget I said that.”

Tai pulled the car into a small parking lot beside the water and turned off the engine. “I keep forgetting that you are a minority on your world. You have not always been fairly treated, have you?”

Behrin shrugged. “I’m overdue for promotion, that’s all. Unlike Captain Rulik, and many other officers, I don’t have aristocratic connections.”

“So you must work harder and longer than everyone else.”

Behrin turned to Tai and nearly melted at the tender look on the other man’s face. He fought the urge to pull Tai to him and kiss those full lips. “What doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger. Is this where you live?”

“Yes.”

Tai got out of the car and Behrin followed suit, grabbing his bag from the back seat. He followed Tai along a narrow wooden walkway to a medium-sized boat. The name Lehar was painted on the stern. Others docked nearby appeared to be luxury yachts, but there were a few others similar to Tai’s.

“You live over the water?” Behrin asked in surprise.

Tai grinned as he stepped onto the boat. “Yes. Land is at a premium in Mahdesh City. I spend so little time here, I decided to live on my boat instead. Besides, it’s cooler on the water.” He unlocked the door to the cabin and led Behrin down a short flight of stairs.

The main cabin had a sitting area at one end and a small galley at the other. A door off the galley led to the sleeping area. “You can have the bed. I’ll sleep on the sofa.”

“That sofa isn’t long enough even for you,” Behrin objected. He eyed the large bed, picturing Tai lying nude across it, a come hither look on his face. “It looks plenty big enough for two.”

At Tai’s raised eyebrow, Behrin added, “Don’t worry, I won’t ravish you in your sleep.”

“Would you like to?”

A flash of desire ran through Behrin, concentrating in his groin. “Are you sure? I thought you liked women.”

Tai chuckled and moved closer. “Because I flirted with the waitress? You do know we Mhajavis are bisexual?”

Behrin reached out to touch Tai’s face. “I’d heard that but didn’t dare to dream it might be true.”

Tai rubbed his cheek against Behrin’s palm. His skin was only slightly prickly, his beard softer and sparser than Behrin’s own. He pressed his lips to the palm, his lips warm and wet. Lifting his head, he stared into Behrin’s eyes. “It is true, in theory, but there are some of us with decided preferences.”

Behrin’s heart kicked into high gear. “And in your case?”

Tai grinned, his eyes taking on a mischievous gleam. “I have a liking for big, strong men.”

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© 2008 by Lyndi Lamont

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED