Chapter Eight
Chapter Eight
“What keeps beeping? Are the pirates showing up on your long-range sensors?”
Free wanted to growl. Marisol sounded worried. He didn’t like that.
“No. One of your clones can’t seem to figure out that I’ve locked the door and is repeatedly attempting to access the cockpit.”
“I should go talk to them.” Marisol started to unbuckle from her seat.
“No. I need to be the one to speak to them. Do you know how to fly one of these? You told me that you had a few pilots give you basic flying instructions.”
“Yes. I’m the one who has been piloting the other shuttle since we left Clone World.”
“Good. I’m transferring control to you. See how both of our shuttles are flying even with the wings of the biggest one? Blade is in front of us, and Figures is to our right. We’re flying in this formation because it makes us look like an authority fight cruiser on sensors. That will dissuade any pirates from coming our way if they manage to glimpse us. Just adjust our course and speed if Blade does. Can you do that?”
Marisol nodded. “What are you going to say to them?”
“They need to know what to expect to keep them from panicking. That’s the last thing we need right now.”
“I should do that.”
“No. I need to get to know them and make certain they know the rules. Big won’t tolerate them upsetting his female or anyone else living on base. Blade’s female is human, and Rod just picked up her parents, so they are living at our base, too.”
The shock on her face was cute. Her brown eyes widened, and her mouth parted.
“I don’t have many details since we always speak in code and keep our communications short, but I’m kept updated on what’s happening there. I won’t be gone long. I’m transferring control to your console now.”
He did that and stood, releasing the lock on the cockpit door. It opened to reveal the black-haired clone with grayish-colored eyes. Free encroached into his personal space, forcing him back. The male retreated a few steps. Free stopped, closing the doors behind him.
“Who are you?”
“I’m MC-1.”
Free stepped to the side, taking in the other three clones. They stood farther back in the living space. All of them had black hair, but the women had different colored eyes, while the males could have been related with their unique gray eyes. That didn’t surprise him since clone models tended to have similar coloring and looks, seemingly selected for whatever duties they’d been created for. It helped knowledgeable humans guess what they were at a glance.
“Who are they? Introduce me,” Free demanded.
MC-1 put a little more space between them, pointing out his fellow clones. “MC-2 is the other male. The shortest female is MC-3, and then there’s MC-4.”
“My name is Free. I was an F Clone created to work in the finance department of Clone World. The staff named me Freak. I hated being called that, but as you know, humans didn’t care if we were content with the names they assigned to us.” He paused. “I’m guessing you’re all called M’s because Marisol said you were her medical team. What does the C stand for?”
“Medical classified, and we were numbered in the order of being activated from shipment,” MC-2 informed him. “We were solely assigned to care for Ms. Florigo. She is the reason we exist.”
“You have three days until we join other clones. I’d think about changing what you’re called into something you like by then. I’d resent having a number as part of my name, but that’s up to you.” Free took a deep breath. “Never forget that Marisol is the reason you are alive. That won’t change just because you aren’t on Clone World anymore. I won’t tolerate anyone hurting her. Never forget that.”
MC-1 inched closer to the other three.
Free didn’t blame him. He was threatening them. “I’m not trying to be a dick, but I like to be transparent and concise with my words. I’m taking the four of you to my home. There are other clones there, as well as a few humans. They are not like the ones we interacted with on Clone World. One of those humans is in a romantic relationship with a B Clone. Blade taught me how to fight.” He paused for effect. “You do not want to insult or harm his human. He’d make you regret it.”
MC-3 braved speaking. “We won’t cause any trouble. Our goal is to fit in. Where are we going? Is it a planet?”
Free studied her, judging that she was being honest. “We’re going to a mining station built at the core of a moon crater. It housed thousands of human workers when it was still operational. There are only a handful of us living there right now.”
None of the four said a word, just staring at him.
“Some living quarters were designed for solo humans, but there were also families with children who once lived there. I’ve seen units with as many as five bedrooms. You’ll be given a choice of what you prefer. Marisol said you lived in an isolated cottage on Clone World. I’ll assume it was small and cramped. I shared a bunk room with the five clones I escaped with. It was unsettling when we first slept apart. That’s why you have options. No one will tell you when you have to sleep, with whom, what to wear, or when to eat. Freedom is about having choices.”
“I would like to sleep with MC-4,” MC-2 informed him. “Would we be allowed to share the same bed?” He held out his hand to the female.
She instantly went to his side and clasped his hand, appearing almost frightened. “Are we in trouble for asking that?”
“No.” Free wanted to put them at ease. “I’m in love with Marisol. I plan to share a bed and home with her. You can do whatever you like as long as it’s consensual. We have common rules at our home base. We respect and treat each other well. Big is ultimately in charge. He’s a B Clone. Think of him as our leader. He’s fair, kind, and will do what’s best for all of us.”
MC-1 didn’t seem to like that. He walked over to the shortest female and glared at Free. “What kind of orders will he give us? What will he expect of us? I thought we would be without masters once we escaped.”
Free knew his eyebrows shot up. “When I say he’s our leader, I mean he’s the one who will help you settle in and find tasks you like to do. We all pitch in to keep the station running while living there.”
That seemed to make the male calm. “Understood.”
“It’s going to take three days for us to arrive where we’re going. Food is in the kitchen, and you’re welcome to eat as much as you like. There are two bedrooms. The one with the large bed is mine. I plan to have Marisol use it. There is a second bedroom with two bunks for your use. Space is limited on my shuttle. I apologize for that. Maybe you can sleep in shifts until we arrive at the station or share the bunks since you are a set of couples. The bunks should fit two if you sleep closely together. Do you have any other questions? I’d like to get back to Marisol. We have a lot of things to discuss.”
“Do you have any spare clothing?”
He nodded at MC-2. “I’ll get some for you now. I don’t have anything that would fit the females, but you’re welcome to alter the clothing. Feel free to shower. The water tanks are full enough for us to reach home without running out.”
Free showed them to the second bedroom and grabbed some of his clothing from his room for them to share. He hurried, wanting to get back to Marisol. It was highly doubtful that the pirates would find them after all the course changes they’d made, but he wouldn’t relax until they were home.
He entered the cockpit to find Marisol staring at him with a worried expression. “Your clones are fine. I gave them some of my clothing, showed them where to sleep, and they know what to expect once we reach home base.” He retook his seat, transferring flight control back to his console.
“You looked a little mad when you left.”
He didn’t deny it. “They needed to know who is in charge. I didn’t like how pushy MC-1 acted. I understand his protectiveness for the other clones since he’s probably led them since they were activated, but they aren’t on Clone World anymore. He needed to be told that Big is ultimately in charge now.”
“What’s he’s like? Figures was the only one I knew in the group you left with.”
“Big’s code name is Father. It’s the role he took with our team after we escaped. He looks out for all of us and plays the peacekeeper when any of us have conflicts. He’s also the one who stayed behind at the mining station when the rest of us went seeking adventure. Big made certain we always had a home to return to.”
“What have you been doing for the past three years?”
“Existing,” he admitted. “I wasn’t emotionally stable when I believed I’d lost you forever. The others didn’t understand the loss of love. It drove me into wanting to be away from them.”
Sympathy shone in her eyes. “That must have been difficult for you.”
“I wasn’t easy to live with, and I knew it. It’s why I felt I needed to leave. I stayed away because I didn’t want the depression and bitterness I felt to make life for the others more difficult.”
“Do you want to live with them again? You don’t have to make that choice just because of me. I’m happy we’re together. It doesn’t matter to me where we live.”
“I want us to live with the others. It’s too dangerous for us to continue to live on my shuttle and travel around. I refuse to risk your life. The mining station affords us safety in numbers, and we’re able to protect it if anyone ever remembers that it is there.”
“I look forward to meeting everyone, and it will be nice to possibly make friends.”
Marisol had once told Free that she didn’t have any of those when he’d asked if she would miss anyone from Clone World after they left. She’d explained that humans believed she could gain them better jobs and more pay. They only pretended to like her because she was a Florigo.
“I’m certain you will make friends with the other females, Marisol. Everything will be better.”
She smiled. “We’ll finally get the future together we always dreamed about.”
Emotion choked him up, and he had to look away. “Yes.”
Motion had him turn back to Marisol. She rose from the other chair and came to him. It surprised Free when she sat on his lap and twisted to put their faces inches apart. Her hands lightly clutched his shoulders. He liked having her so close.
“Is the cockpit door locked?”
“Yes.” Free had done that when he’d entered, not expecting any interruptions after he’d had his talk with the M Clones, but he didn’t know them well enough to be certain.
Her smile widened. “No one is going to interrupt us. I’m going to kiss you.”
“Wait!” He wanted that badly, but he needed to do one thing first. He reached around Marisol’s body and sent a low signal hail to Blade. The male answered immediately.
“Is something wrong?”
“Can I link auto-control to you?”
The male chuckled. “Of course. Nothing has shown up on long-range sensors. I don’t foresee any problems. Just listen for communications in case that changes.”
“Thank you.” Free had the shuttle’s computer establish a link with Blade’s Varlius model. It took over piloting his shuttle.
“I’ve got you,” Blade informed him.
“I’m out.” Free cut communications, knowing they were in good hands and Blade would let them know if any danger arose. He reached up and cupped Marisol’s face gently. “Now I am all yours.”
She leaned in close and closed her eyes. He remembered that she said humans did that during kissing. Free’s heart raced from excitement as her soft lips lightly brushed against his. His entire body went haywire when she deepened the kiss, her tongue tasting his.
His body began to respond, too. He felt his dick stiffen and sweat break out over his skin. She made him feel hot in the best way. Marisol’s fingers dove into his short hair, tugging a little on it while she massaged his scalp. It all felt amazing. She even pressed against him tighter until he could feel the mounds of her breasts pushing against his chest. She was the one who finally broke away.
“Did you have sex with someone?”
“No.”
Marisol smiled. “Good. I’ve always wanted to be your first.” She slid off his lap and started removing her clothing.
It stunned him. “We should go to my cabin.”
“You need to keep an ear out for Blade in case you have to fly this shuttle again. We don’t need a bed. Trust me. I’ve thought for a long time about all the things I want to do with you. Get naked with me.”
Free didn’t need to be told twice. He bent forward, yanking off his boots. He wore a spacesuit that opened in the front. That was what he wore any time he expected trouble in case there was a battle. It still amazed him that Marisol had been waiting and seeking him.
He almost ripped the protective suit off in his haste to be rid of anything that impeded him and Marisol from touching skin-to-skin. It was a dream come true for him. He couldn’t stop staring as she revealed her beautiful body. Marisol appeared soft all over, and he itched to touch every inch of her.
A question rose, but he refused to speak it. Free didn’t want to know if she’d met someone else while they’d been apart. It would break his heart. He removed the suit all the way and stood bare in front of her, hoping she liked the sight of him.
Her gaze roamed from his feet up to his stiff dick. “You’re the sexiest man I’ve ever seen,” she murmured. She studied his upper body. “You’re also super muscular for an accountant, Free.”
“I do a lot more than sit at a desk now.”
“Let’s pretend we’re back in the office. Take a seat.”
Free normally wouldn’t place his bare ass on the pilot seat, but he instantly sat. He’d do anything Marisol wanted. She stepped closer. He was very distracted with her pink nipples right there in front of him. She took his breath away.
“I want to touch you.”
“I’m yours,” he responded, finding that it was difficult to speak. Her beauty tongue-tied him.
Marisol placed her hands on his chest, lightly exploring him. Free reached down, blindly found the button to convert the pilot seat into a bed, and slid off it. He wrapped an arm around her waist, amused at her surprised expression, right as he lifted her off her feet. He moved them both out of the way as the chair flattened next to them.
“Free?”
“I did research. I memorized everything I wanted to try on you if ever given the chance. Do I have your permission?”
Marisol clung to him. “Yes.”
That caused him to smile. “Good.”
He laid her out on the padded flat chair and pressed his lips against hers. Marisol moaned against his tongue after he deepened the kiss. He let his hands roam her body where he could reach. Her skin was as soft as it looked.
Free broke the kiss to go for her throat next, trailing his lips and tongue down to her shoulder before going lower. He paid extensive attention to her nipples, loving the way they stiffened, and more moans came from Marisol. He knew he was doing everything right from all the indications with the way she shifted and writhed on the chair.
Free kissed her belly. His gaze roamed her beautiful body, and his fingertips brushed over her hips. He froze, though, when he realized what was missing, leaning in to study each side of her hips.
“Marisol, I don’t think you are a clone. It doesn’t matter to me, but later, I’ll be questioning your M Clones.”
“I’m sure DJD was paid extra to remove the normal scar that shows where I was grown inside a vat and to avoid stamping me with the product tattoo so I couldn’t easily be identified as a clone.”
“You’re sure?”
Marisol held his gaze. “I was conscious and watched MC-3 give me a plasma transfusion. I’m a clone since I didn’t die.”
That convinced him. It really didn’t matter though. He loved Marisol regardless of what she physically was. Free leaned in, letting his hands roam her body once more. He loved the taste of her skin, the way she shifted on the converted bed and the soft moans she made.
He focused on her sex when Marisol parted her legs as if she couldn’t stay still. Free used his thumb to explore the seam of her pussy, discovering that she was wet and almost ready to take his dick. He explored the fleshy bud above her slip, growing more excited when her moans became louder. It seemed his research had been correct. A female became highly aroused when her clit was stimulated.
Her scent of need grew stronger, and he leaned in, pushed her legs farther apart, and removed his thumb. He replaced it with his tongue. He loved the taste of her and the way her fingers dove into his blond hair, encouraging him to continue. They both seemed to love oral sex. Her getting it and him giving.
“Free, I’m going to…”
He grew more aggressive with his tongue, licking and sucking on the swollen bud. Marisol’s hips bucked, and it seemed as if she were trying to get away from his mouth. He used his hands to pin her in place, not stopping until she loudly cried out his name and her body spasmed under him. He pulled back, grinning from the knowledge that he’d just made her climax.
“You liked that.”
“I loved that.” Marisol tugged on his hair, which she still gripped, trying to pull him up her body.
He climbed onto the converted bed, getting between her thighs. Marisol welcomed him, releasing his hair to clutch at his shoulders instead. She also spread her legs, bringing them up and wrapping them around his waist. His very hard dick nudged against her sex, and he adjusted his hips, reached down between them to help position his shaft, but then froze. He held her gaze.
“Do you want me?”
“Yes. Claim me as yours, Free.”
That was all he needed as he slowly sank inside her body. A deep groan burst from him at the feel of her heated sex taking him. She was hot, wet, and tight. Clones were told they were soulless beings with no deity, but he suddenly believed in heaven. It was Marisol and the pleasure he felt at being inside her as she wrapped her limbs tighter around him.
They fit perfectly. He braced both hands on the bed to get traction and started to move. It felt incredible, and Marisol seemed to agree as her fingernails dug into her skin. Her moaning of his name urged him to move faster, fucking her deeper. Free let instinct take over until he felt her vaginal muscles clenching and milking his shaft. He cried out her name as he came, emptying his seed inside her body.
“Yes!” Marisol found her release, too.
He had to resist collapsing on top of her as they struggled to recover from the best experience of his life. Every bone and muscle in his body seemed to feel liquified in the aftermath of such extreme physical pleasure. Marisol made him feel strong and ultimately weak at the same time. He wouldn’t change a thing.
Free opened his eyes to find Marisol smiling at him.
She licked her lips. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Marisol. I also love sex.”
That had her laughing. It felt strange but good to have her body shaking that way while they were so intimately still connected. It triggered him to want to do it all over again. Desire heated his blood, and he adjusted his arm to free his hand, cupping her face. He took her mouth in a deep kiss.
Marisol wrapped her limbs tight around him again and started to roll her hips, suggestively rubbing them together. Free began to fuck her again. They had a lot of time to make up for, and he planned to learn everything that pleased his female. He’d read about a lot of different sexual positions. They’d have to try them out to learn her favorites.