Chapter 6
Gemma: I want us to be transparent and real with each other. Let’s talk about our bodies.
Luna: Ooh! I think I like where this is going! Also, talk bluntly to me, baby. I fucking love it.
Gemma: *snort* Ahem. Good to know. First of all, I’m a full-figured woman. Not everyone I meet is down with that. But I’m healthy and happy just the way I am and refuse to participate in Diet Culture for anyone or anything. That shit is toxic.
Luna: Honey, I prefer luscious women with plenty of curves. It’s sexy as hell and the cuddling is so much better. Besides, I’d never ask you to change who you are.
Gemma: Excellent. Glad we got that out of the way. Now, what do I need to know about any potential physiological differences between your species and mine? Particularly anything that could prove relevant in the sexy times department.
Luna: My people are similar to humans on a lot of levels. However, we do have some unique differences that are—heh—out of this world. First and foremost, I have eight extra appendages to pleasure you with. Bow chika wow wow!
Gemma: I’m fanning myself right now. Do tell me more.
Luna: *waving tentacle emoji* Absolutely. Tentacles on female Dravethians do differ slightly from those on males. Ours are designed to vibrate for our mutual pleasure.
Gemma: Shut the front door.
Luna: That’s not the only part of me that vibrates either. *grinning face emoji* But you’ll have to wait to find out about that up close and personally.
—Sent via FLIRTT (Frequency Link for Interstellar Real-Time Transmission)
One day until Christmas…
Luna
When we enter Earth’s atmosphere again, I’m equal parts excited and scared shitless.
I have no idea what Gemma’s going to do about the whole Najar and Felix situation.
As I predicted, those two are now a permanent item, but there’s no way any of us can live on Earth safely.
In contrast to some other species that can retract them into their bodies, our tentacles are extruding appendages at all times.
Granted, there are some species who live incognito among Earthlings and can pass as human.
Some even have hidden tentacles, like the Iyarans. My people could never pass, alas.
“Jingle Bells” plays over the ship’s comm system as part of the nonstop Christmas music playlist Kheph and I put together. Kheph hums along as he navigates the ship in preparation for landing.
“Felix still doesn’t know we’re returning early, right?” I ask.
Sasha, who’s lounging sprawled out on a cushioned bench, snorts. “Nope. He’s oblivious to everything but Najar right now.”
“And Najar is super skilled at keeping a secret when necessary,” Kheph adds cheerfully.
My tentacles twitch. Gemma knows we’re coming back today so we can all spend Christmas together tomorrow. But beyond that, I have no idea what’s going to happen.
“It’s time,” Kheph announces, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
“Let’s get this party started, babe,” Sasha agrees.
Kheph cuts the music and uses the PA function on our comm system. “Attention, crew. Ho, ho, ho, and Merry Christmas Eve to you all. Tonight, we have a very special surprise in store for our very own Felix Taylor. Felix, please report to the bridge ASAP.”
A few minutes later, the elevator doors to the ship’s bridge open, and Najar and Felix step out arm in arm.
In his free arm, Felix cradles their new pet, an adorable blue-haired little foxhound.
Felix rescued the poor abandoned creature when he found it scavenging for food on the last space station we visited.
Kheph beams at them. “Good, you’re here. Strap in. We’re going to be landing momentarily.”
Najar studies the ceiling in a poor attempt to convey his lack of awareness about this whole situation.
I roll my eyes at him, and he scowls.
Felix frowns, still looking confused. “Landing where? I didn’t think we had any stops on our route back to Earth.”
Khephren waves a finger and a tentacle in admonishment. “Uh-uh. That’s part of The Surprise. You’ll see very soon. Have some patience.”
In minutes, we’re on solid ground again, and I’m sweating bullets. I practically catapult out of my seat and head to our cargo hold, adjusting my fun and festive Santa hat on my head on the way.
Kheph follows and activates the ship’s ramp, then Najar takes the lead and guides Felix out into the cold desert night air, the rest of us trailing behind them.
Felix glances around in clear bewilderment. “Uh… wait. Are we back on Earth?” He frowns. “I thought we weren’t arriving until closer to New Year’s. What’s going on?”
We’re lucky he still doesn’t know how to read the ship’s navigation system or else he would have figured out our secret plan already. No doubt Naj has been keeping Felix a bit… preoccupied. In bed.
Kheph and I high-tentacle one another. Mission accomplished!
“Fuck, it’s cold out here,” Sasha grumbles.
He’s wearing a bright green and red Grinch T-shirt, one of many in the Christmas apparel collection Kheph bought him, and being his usual slightly surly self.
Kheph softens him a whole hell of a lot—and it’s so fun to watch.
To be fair though, there are few who can resist Kheph’s sweet nature and happy-go-lucky personality. It’s his superpower, for sure.
“I’ll warm you up, my love,” Kheph offers, wrapping Sasha in his arms and several of his tentacles.
Dear Goddess Thekmis, I want to do the same to Gemma.
Felix stares off into the distance and squints. “Wait, what is that?”
We all turn in that direction in time to see, in the distance, a pair of headlights coming ever closer.
My hearts pound double-time and the butterflies in my stomach go wild.
The automobile comes to a stop a short distance away from us, and the lights go off.
Then the driver’s door opens and out steps a vision, the one woman I’ve been dreaming about every night for the past three weeks.
Her curly auburn hair cascades over her shoulders, and I hope I’m not drooling as I take in her stunning figure.
Green leggings cling to her thick thighs and sweetly rounded hips, while a snug fuzzy white sweater showcases Gemma’s prodigious bosom.
But it’s the enormous smile on her face that turns her from beautiful to utterly stunning.
Oh fuck.
I am seriously in trouble. The tips of my tentacles are tingling and every cell in my body screams at me to take Gemma into my arms and make her mine. At the same time, I’m somehow rooted to the spot, entranced and barely able to breathe.
Kheph moves closer and whispers, “Love at first sight? Well, at first in-person sight?”
I don’t entirely know. But the lust component is most certainly the real deal, as the need-filled throbbing sensation between my legs can attest to.
None of us are surprised when Felix lets go of Najar and runs toward his sister, sweeping her up in a tight embrace as they both laugh in joy.
The rest of us follow but remain a short distance away.
“Gemsy, is it really you? Oh, my God. I know it hasn’t been that long, but damn have I missed you.”
She lets out a tear-filled laugh. “I missed you too, bro.”
Felix pulls back, holding her shoulders. “What are you doing here?”
Gemma grins and dashes away her tears. “Ask your friends.”
Keeping an arm around her shoulders, Felix turns back to us, and we move to stand closer to the reunited siblings. “What on earth—no pun intended—is going on here?”
“Merry Christmas from all of us,” Najar says, his eyes glowing with affection.
Kheph removes one of his tentacles from around Sasha and we high-tentacle one another again. The crew of the Sleigh Belle knows how to rock this holiday like the bosses we are!
Gemma lets go of her brother and tosses her hair over her shoulder, then turns and pops open the trunk of the vehicle. “Nice to finally meet you all in person. Now, can you guys help me get a couple of things out of my Subaru?”
She eyes me with a knowing smirk. “After all, you have quite a few extra appendages on you, so I say, all the better to help carry my bags with.”
“So feisty,” I whisper in appreciation.
“Be careful, I think you might be drooling,” Najar warns, his tone sardonic.
I scowl at him but wipe my mouth surreptitiously—just in case.
Then we all help Gemma empty her car and carry several heavy suitcases and boxes toward the ship.
“Wait, hold up. What the hell is going on here?” Felix demands as he watches all of us, looking beyond bewildered.
I can’t help but grin when Gemma puts her hands on her hips and levels him with a confident gaze. “I’m saying sayonara to Earth, big bro, and coming along for the ride of a lifetime to explore the universe with you, your hubby-to-be, and all your new friends. That’s what’s going on.”
My lips twitch as I fight back a laugh. Galactic gods, this woman is so fucking cool.
Felix’s mouth drops open. “Say what now?”
Gemma rolls her eyes at him, but I can tell it’s with obvious fondness.
“Stay focused, will you, Felix? Here’s the dealio.
Your fiancé and the rest of the crew reached out to me a couple of days ago and told me of your predicament.
” She shakes her head. “Honestly, you should have called me yourself as soon as possible. We could have figured this out together from the start.”
Felix’s eyes glisten with unshed tears. “I didn’t know how to tell you I wanted to stay, and I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving you alone.”
“I don’t know, maybe you could have done what they did and invited me to join you? Duh!”
Preach, honey! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Men can be so dumb sometimes. Sigh.
Felix bites back a sob. “I thought about it, but I didn’t want to unintentionally pressure or even guilt you into doing something you didn’t want.”
Okay, I can relate to that. I had similar concerns when I brought up the subject with her, and I’m sure Najar did too when he spoke with her after I did.