Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 69936 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69936 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Twink stared at me blankly before saying, “Okay, while I appreciate you sharing that—and really, Daddy, I do; that sounds like a lot—that wasn’t the kind of thing I was thinking about. How about I go first and you can see what I mean?”
I appreciated his patience with me. “That would work well.”
“So, I like to hit the gym about three times a week, though I’ll probably go twice and make a big fuss about why I wish I would’ve gotten that third one in. If you were a human guy, I’d probably say some bullshit about being outdoorsy and liking going on hikes, when really I’d rather spend the day in bed, watching TikTok videos, maybe cuddling with my man. Does that make more sense?”
“Hmm…so humans engage in deception to mate, same as Furkers.”
“I think sometimes we’re only deceiving ourselves, but sometimes we tell little white lies because I don’t think anyone would be interested in knowing that I’m still hung up on my ex. That’s not a very attractive quality to humans. You’re supposed to get over assholes and move on.”
“The cheating asshole?”
He nodded.
“From things I’ve heard, it doesn’t sound like you’re the only one who has experienced something like this. Wouldn’t being open about your feelings mean you were more likely to encounter someone with similar experiences, which would ultimately lead to bonding?”
“Maybe…but that’s not how people typically talk about stuff like that. You’re not supposed to mention that on first dates, or at all, even if all you can think about are the excuses he made to get out of spending time together, only for you to find out he was spending his time with someone else.”
Instinctively, I reached across the table and rested my hand on his, the way he’d done with me. I barely had time to consider it; it was something I’d intuited as part of how humans bonded, and I was assured by the way he relaxed into my hold.
“I thought I wasn’t supposed to touch you.”
“I didn’t mean you couldn’t, only that you might prefer that, and if this makes you feel better, I don’t mind what it does to me.”
He licked his lips, and my gaze settled on them, fixated as I considered the many ways I could explore his mouth.
I pushed those impulses aside, focusing on our conversation. “I’m sorry Cheating Asshole treated you like that. It isn’t the way a mate should be.”
“On Earth, it’s not exactly a rare experience. My dad cheated on my mom when I was younger, and sometimes I wonder if it can be anything else. Is there a lot of cheating with Furkers?”
“We don’t really have that capacity.”
“Sounds too good to be true.”
“If we had not severed ties with our previous mate, we would spend the rest of our lives in agony and despair as the sting of loneliness overtook us. Our links are very strong when we partner.”
“Sounds clingy. Is that what all the tentacles are for?”
Once again, I could feel he did not mean to be taken literally. Still, my logical brain wouldn’t allow me to reply other than: “They’re best against predators, but they do have their advantages when mating.”
A sharp sensation, like electricity, moved from Twink through me, pulsing in a way that intensified the energy between us so that I had to release him once again, but I noticed his surprise at my pulling away.
12
TWINK
It was hard to accept I was on a date with an alien, even when things like Daddy using tentacles on me during sex came up. When I first found out about his hidden appendages, imagining them had freaked me out, but now, sure as I was that this was a weird-ass thing to think about, I couldn’t help wondering what they would feel like sliding along my flesh.
Would I cringe?
Would I be afraid?
Would I be aroused?
I tried to push those thoughts away, but it was even more difficult when I considered that maybe I would want Daddy to come back to my place with me.
In the meantime, I attempted more typical conversation with him, which I was beginning to realize was more of a challenge than I’d considered when I’d suggested going out together.
“You know,” I said, “normally, if I was talking with a guy, I’d bring up movies or TV shows, maybe books or podcasts, but you don’t have any of those references.”
“I have enjoyed entertainment on other planets, so I understand the concepts.”
“What’s something similar to movies for you?”
“There was a recorded series of choreographed dances that would play when I lived on Hotfut.”
I assumed Hotfut was one of those placeholder words.
“It was essentially a nonstop dance between these creatures, swapping out as soon as one died.”
“Died?” I asked, horrified.
“Oh, yes. Part of the piece was this reflection on the nature of death and dying, and it was an honor to be selected for it.”