Forging Day (Crucible of Change Book 1) (24 page)

His lips twitched into just the hint of a smile. “I suppose I could cooperate, in the name of science. But I want to say up front, and no offense to you, I’m not looking to jump into a long-term relationship with anyone. There’s too much about my life that’s a big unknown right now.”

“I understand, Frank. I’m not looking to pick out curtains either. But that doesn’t mean we can’t spend some time together.”

This time I snuggled into his lap, and put my arms around his neck. I kissed him, and finally, he kissed me back.

His kiss was chaste and gentle at first, but then his arms came around me as it deepened into something more.

I felt warm all over, and pressed my body against him. He pulled me tight, kissing me more aggressively until I could feel that he wanted me, too. I stroked his erection through his pants and he groaned, grabbing my hand. “I’m not going to get caught making out on the couch like a teenager. If you’re sure about this, let’s go to my room.”

“I’m sure.” I kissed him again. “But maybe we should go to my room. I have some rubbers in my nightstand.”

“I have some too,” he whispered between kisses. “Let’s go, or I will embarrass myself.”

He scooped me up and carried me the short distance down the hall to his room. He elbowed the door closed and locked it behind us. “I think we can use the privacy,” he said.

He held me, my legs wrapped around his waist, and we kissed long and deep. I loved his spicy, masculine scent.

“Put me on the bed,” I finally told him. “I want more.”

I sat on the end of the bed, and watched his face as I slowly peeled off my T-shirt. I wasn’t wearing a bra today. I definitely earned a smile.

“Now it’s your turn,” I said. “Take off your shirt. I want to see you.”

He revealed what I’d already suspected. He had an amazing body. I’d been with guys that worked out every day. They would have killed to have half the muscle that Frank had been hiding. I ran my hands over his bare chest, enjoying the way his breath caught at my touch.

“My turn again,” I said. I turned away from him, looking at him over my shoulder as I stepped out of my shorts and my ivory silk panties.

He let me divest him of his shorts and underclothes, revealing a truly magnificent piece of manhood. I admit, I was a little wide-eyed at his stature, but I reveled in his moan as I stroked the length of him and kissed the sensitive head.

“Don’t do that, Olivia. I don’t think I can hold off if you do.” He pulled me up and kissed me again, finally skin to skin.

Mindful of the somewhat alarming nails he had, I asked, “Where do you keep your supplies?”

“Top drawer on the left,” he said.

“Allow me.” I smiled at him, pushing him to lie down on the bed.

I quickly found his supply of rubbers, happy to see he used quality stuff. I straddled him, and slowly rolled the condom over his erect cock. He quivered under my touch, and then moaned when I caressed his silky skin.

He grabbed my hips and carefully rolled us over until I was on my back, looking up at him. His touch was surprisingly gentle on my breasts. He kissed his way down my belly. I was already wet when he tasted me and just that close to coming.

“Frank, stop,” I said, and he did, with alacrity.

“No, not
stop
stop. I want to feel you inside of me. Don’t make me ravish you,” I told him.

“Olivia, are you sure?” he said. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I promise you’re not going to hurt me. Sure, you’re blessed with nature’s bounty, but it’s not exactly bigger than a baby’s head. Get over yourself.”

That made him laugh a little.

“Just take it slow. If you stop now, so help me, I’m going to be the one that hurts you.”

He smiled again, and let me guide him to just the right spot. “I’m ready if you are,” I said.

Slowly, achingly, he buried himself inside of me. Yes, he was big. I’d never felt so filled by a man. I held my breath the entire last two inches until our bodies finally locked together. I wrapped my legs around him, and just held him there, while my heart pounded like a jackrabbit. I rubbed against him and my muscles clenched, making him jump.

I leaned up and kissed him. It was much easier from this angle. As one of my favorite characters often remarked, the height difference wasn’t really an issue when you were lying down. He started to move, just a little, and the feeling was exquisite.

“Oh yes,” I moaned. “Don’t stop.”

He was careful not to rest his full weight on me as he slid in and out of my eager body. I rose to meet him, pushing hard every time our bodies met. I worked my hand between us. “I want to come while you’re taking me, and I want to feel you come. Go faster.”

I stroked myself, coming almost instantly. My body clenched repeatedly around his cock. He grabbed my hips, moving faster and faster. He buried himself one final time, and yelled as he came. He slowed, easily gliding into my body now, smaller but still firm. I think he was as surprised by his new capacity as I was.

When he would have pulled out, I locked my legs around him, holding us together. “Roll over. I want to be on top.”

He did. The sensation was incredible as I rode him slowly. The look on his face was rapturous, and I couldn’t stop smiling.

“Play with yourself again,” he said, “Please. I want to watch you come again.”

I was more than happy to oblige.

I don’t know how late it was. Barely awake and dripping with sweat, my whole body tingled in the most delightful way as he pulled a sheet over us and spooned around me. I was still smiling when sleep claimed me.

Capitol News

(AP)In a rare show of bipartisanship, legislation is moving through both the House and the Senate with unprecedented speed. The legislation will ensure any references protecting citizens from discrimination due to race be expanded to include all types of sentient bipedal former Humans. The President has indicated he will sign this legislation as soon as it reaches his desk.

While most of the Changed have returned to their jobs, some professions remain resistant. Educators, medical professionals, and those in the food preparation and service industries continue to be placed on extended leave, awaiting this new legislation.

Construction and manual labor has become the single most integrated trade due to the enhanced strength and size of many of the new races.

Analysts on every network have speculated that the speed of this legislation is due to the number of elected representatives who have turned into what are being referred to as Goblins due to the Change.

Neighborhood Watch—Take Two

Frank was gone when I woke up, but he’d left a small bouquet of wildflowers on the pillow next to me. I took the flowers, grabbed my clothes, and made a quick run for my room. I put the flowers in a vase, took a quick shower, and finally headed downstairs for something to eat.

Sharon was the only other person in the kitchen when I came down. I noticed a new addition, though—a white board attached to the pantry door. Everyone in the household was listed. Mikah, Berto, Cordie, Kat, and Tessa were all marked as At Work. That was odd. I thought Kat was staying with Gracie, and when had she gotten a job? John and Stacy were on yard work. Henry was on housework. May and Razaini were on meal patrol. Frank had
stuff
written next to Free Day. My name had a question mark next to it. I laughed when I got to Korembi’s name. It said
surfin’ raptor porn
.

I didn’t know about Sharon, but I felt marvelous. I was surprised that she didn’t look the least bit hung over. She’d been drinking pretty heavily up to the point I left. To be honest, I was feeling a little annoyed at her constitution. I always got a hangover.

“I guess you called it an early night,” she said. “I think your brother poured me into one of the guest rooms.” She finished eating and quickly washed and dried her dishes. “I’ll see you at the neighborhood watch meeting tonight, unless I can get you to change your mind?”

“Nope. I want to help.”

“Olivia, I saw the files on what’s been going on at the park. The only reason they’re allowing civilians to help patrol is because we’ve loaned out a number of officers to help contain some issues in Commerce City. Everyone has to do their part to protect the power plants and keep the lights on. And I tell you that, not so you’ll go have a look, but so you’ll stay out of the area. Am I clear?”

“Yes, ma’am. No exploring in Commerce City. Guess we’ll see you tonight then.”

“Stay out of trouble in the meantime,” she said as she headed out.

I waved goodbye to Sharon and had barely closed the door when I turned around to see Ted coming down the stairs carrying a couple of duffle bags. “Now that you’re back, I think it’s about time I went home to my place. I’m only across the street if you need anything. Plan on me dropping in for dinner on a regular basis.” He dropped his bags in time for me to give him a hug.

“I’ll miss seeing you around here, Ted. I must say, you make a stunning Elf.”

He hugged me back. “I am breathtaking, aren’t I?” He grinned at me. “I’m glad you’re back. It wasn’t the same without you around. Stay out of trouble, young lady.”

I walked him to the gate, watching until he disappeared into his condo across the street.

As long as I was out here, I decided to make a few changes. I’d been spending so much time outside lately, practicing magic, that it seemed silly to keep hauling stuff out of the shed every day. Leo came out and helped me set up a shade pavilion, camp table, and a couple of chairs. He even hung out with me for a while and watched me work on my magic skills. When it got too hot, we both went back inside.

“Have you seen Frank around anywhere,” I asked him, trying for nonchalant.

He gave me that look he does, with one raised eyebrow. “He was up in the workout room earlier. He said he needed to keep in shape. After that he had to study. He’s still working on his thesis, as I understand it.”

“Oh, he’s already in fantastic shape,” I said, and then clapped my hand over my mouth. “Tell me I didn’t say that out loud.”

He gave me his best poker face. “I heard nothing. Thus I won’t have to promise not to break nothing’s legs if nothing makes you cry.”

“Don’t you dare!” I told him. “And besides, Frank could probably bench press you with one hand.”

He held up his hands. “I’m as innocent as a lamb, sis. I’m going to go work on your phone. See you later.” He kissed me on the top of my head and jogged off upstairs.

While he was doing that, I had my own plans. I felt weird about it, but I finally raided our old desktop gaming supplies for the books on magical spells. I was working my way through the beginner spells when I felt someone watching me. I marked my spot, and looked up to see Leo sitting there.

“I fixed your phone, sis. Like I promised, I backed it up before I did the fresh install. I wasn’t snooping, but I couldn’t help seeing some stuff you probably didn’t intend for anyone else to see.”

I tried to think of what he might have run into. I hadn’t taken dirty pictures with Kat or anything. And then I remembered Colby. Oh, god. He’d liked to take pictures of me when I was sleeping, and sometimes during sex—and send them to me so I knew he had them.

“Just to be clear, I wasn’t snooping when I found the pictures. I saw them copying to my computer. After that, I snooped through everything. I’m not going to apologize because I’m not sorry. Is Colby that gym rat you were going out with who was supposed to come camping?”

My cheeks were burning and I couldn’t meet his eyes. “Yes.”

“If you tell me those marks were consensual, and that you like to play rough, well, I won’t like it, but you’re an adult and it’s none of my business.”

“Sometimes Colby got carried away, but I didn’t say no either. And no, I didn’t ask him to take those pictures. He just did it.”

“Those text messages were pretty disturbing too.”

“I didn’t do any of those things. I think he just liked to make up stuff to shock me. I get it now. He was a jerk and he thought I was a slut. And he has a girlfriend. He’s in the past.”

“I still don’t like that he has those pictures. He’d better not come sniffing around here again.”

“I’m pretty sure he won’t. I got him arrested right before we went camping.” I explained the whole parking ticket thing. “Now that you’ve completely embarrassed me, what did you think of my magic?”

“Pretty impressive. Glad to see you’re putting in the practice time. I’d hate for you to get mad at me and give me a hot pocket.”

“Kat’s boss was completely an accident, and I didn’t technically set him on fire.”

“Actually, I was talking about your candle demo. You set Kat’s boss on fire?”

“No, I did not. He was just smoldering.”

“Think you could teach me how to do that?”

“I could try, I guess, but I don’t know how I got the power in the first place. It came with the Change. I focus anger and will and concentrate on what I want to happen. Want me to get you a candle, bro? Grammy doesn’t allow magic in the house.”

“Sure.”

He had another camp table set up when I got back with a large box of tea lights.

He tried a really long time. I’ll give him that. A vein stood out on his forehead and sweat ran down his face. He got a cold look and a gun appeared in his hand. I heard a faint
poppoppoppoppop
and five tea lights went flying.

The gun disappeared and he smiled at me. “I win.”

A tea towel appeared in midair and snapped Leo across the back of the head.

“I think Grammy wins.”

* * * *

The neighborhood watch meeting was after dinner, so we had time to clean up and shower. Leo and I went, along with John, Frank, and Henry. Nobody said anything about me and Frank over dinner, so I think Leo was probably the only one that knew.

The group at this meeting was much smaller than the one at the last public meeting. The board members—Vivian, Gerald, and Udell—were all there. There were also a number of police officers present, including Sharon, mixed in with the neighbors. Leo and I got looks from the other attendees.