Shock hit him like a punch in the chest and nearly knocked him down. Liam stood on the platform, naked and aroused.
His hands held the handlebars. The machine blazed a bright white. His amazing mental presence washed through the crowd like an aphrodisiac.
For fuck’s sake, Liam had put himself before the unbonded Urilqii? He’d presented himself as available and demonstrated all he had to offer to a relationship!
Ravenous Urilqii surged closer to the platform.
Mike spotted Sergeant Dylan, in charge of the tank team, move close to the platform, peeling off his shirt as he did to better facilitate his sex-scent into the air.
Mike reacted in an instant. ::No fucking way!::
CHAPTER 13
The bonding ceremony was both fascinating and depressing.
Liam had spent the evening watching the festivities unfold, watching others bond, wincing with each joyful union, and trying to ignore the pain in his heart.
He stood alone in the side section where the human volunteers were seated and studied the platform, especially the handlebars.
They were there for protection, or so he’d been told, and were critical considering the strength difference between humans and Urilqii.
The receptive partner, in this case the human partner, would hold the bottom bars. The machine would take his readings and record it via the receptors embedded in the grips. Any hesitation or concern would be noted and reported, thus stopping the ceremony and any attempted bonding would be rendered invalid.
The dominant partner, the one who made claim to the coupling, was subject to the same checks and protections via the sensors in the grips of the top set. But if everything was a go, then the machine would record the commitment.
The unit’s lights documented the recording of the bonding. It sounded very mechanical and dry, but here, in front of the restless mass and to the delight of so many, it was far from dry.
Of the volunteers, fifteen remained after “full immersion.” The ones who hadn’t “heard” the “noises” after the infusion of chemicals had been sent on their way, their memories wiped.
“Not a good fit,” was the verdict from their mouthpiece, Robertson. He’d also added, “We thank them for the opportunity.”
What could be said to combat that?
That the “fit” was telepathy and a same-sex committed relationship was a topic no one spoke about off base. Probably a wise choice, he thought, considering Earth’s cultural struggles regarding same-sex relationships. But that was who their military allies were. They could not, in fact would not, work with minds that were not on their wavelength or comfortable with their social structure.
Who could blame them?
Liam was brought back to the here and now by another “bonding” couple who stepped up to the machine. He, like everyone else in the audience, was ready for another event.
Yellow-white lights glared from the unit as they gripped the handles.
Exhibitionist sex? Rock! He’d never tried it, but, in truth, it was something he’d fantasized about a time or two. What would it be like with Mike— He shoved away the thought.
Mike had closed that door, not once, but twice. Nevertheless, Liam had been invited to stay. He’d even like to think he’d done well with his new team. The question at hand was would he submit to a bonding at this ceremony?
The E’ssennet commander had been very clear. The Urilqii were not comfortable in sharing their weapons and their people in a blended effort unless they had a way to know the thoughts and intents of their guests.
Liam’s first reaction had been one of indignation. ( What? The fuckers don’t trust us? ) Honesty won out, though, and he admitted the truth to himself. Humanity wasn’t well known for utilizing weaponry in a responsible manner.
Impulse control wasn’t one of his people’s stronger character traits. The Urilquii did well to approach the situation with caution and that included requiring bonded couples.
Speaking of that…yeah! He wasn’t gonna let Mike run him out. Fuck him. If he didn’t want Liam as a partner—the Urilqii term was adnama, he reminded himself—then Liam was free to bond with another guy who did.
What did he have to lose? His life? Maybe, but he could also die on the battlefield to save his planet. He would die as he lived, bold and unafraid. And this was, by far, the adventure of a life.
The guy in charge of the ceremony glanced at Liam. His eyes lingered, the question obvious. What would Liam do? Would he stay off the podium or would he take a solitary step into the unknown?
Fuck it. Mike made his choice.
Liam put his ass into gear and moved to the stairs. The spectators around the area fell silent. He felt their gazes and marveled at the intensity. It felt almost predatory. Fresh meat?
He used the bottom step as a prop and bent to unlace his boots and kick his feet free, one at a time. A moment’s worry chased at his mind. He shrugged it off and climbed the three steps in his bare feet.
Something bubbled through the air around Liam and brought goose bumps to his skin. He heard, like a wolf’s howl in the distance, the interest of the crowd shift from predatory to ravenous.
Beneath the avid, hungry regard, he felt hot, exposed and powerful. Here, he wasn’t refused. Here, he wasn’t rejected. Here, he was desired.
Liam marched across the platform to the middle and stopped.
There, he let the audience take a good look at him, then began a strip-tease. He tossed aside his woodland camo battle dress uniform shirt and eased the underlying T-shirt up his body, showing off his abs and stomach, and finally, tugged it over his head.
Nude from the waist up, he waved the light cotton over his head like a cowboy with his lasso. It went flying into the spectators. One
