Alliance: Diplomatic Relations

Since Gaye mentioned my Alliance science fiction series, I thought I'd better post some excerpts! This is the very first installment.

Alliance: Diplomatic Relations

Genres: Gay / Science Fiction / Futuristic / Exhibitionism / Public Places / Ménage (M/M/F) / Series
Heat Level: 3
Length: Novella (19k words)
ISBN-13: 978-1-60272-020-6 (Electronic)

Blurb:
When Rulik answers a distress call from a space ship being pursued by outlawed raiders, he meets the man he's been waiting for all his life. An alliance between their worlds will bring them together, but the ensuing diplomatic crisis threatens to tear them apart. Only Rulik can solve the problem, but will it be at the loss of his hopes and dreams?

Excerpt #1:

Rulik waited impatiently in the enclosed viewing area overlooking the shuttle bay. It was taking longer than he’d anticipated for the Mhajavi delegation to arrive. Then he remembered they'd have to pack up everything needed for the talks, and relaxed. From the little he’d already heard of Arpana, he doubted she traveled light. She sounded spoiled and headstrong, and he reminded himself to be at his diplomatic best, even if she tried his patience.

He was anxious to meet all of them. From his one brief trip to their planet, he knew the Mhajavi were darkly beautiful and exotic looking next to the fair Ziganese. Outwardly, the two peoples appeared much the same, except for their coloring, but there were differences, both internally and, once the clothes came off, externally. Like the almost complete absence of body hair below the neck.

He grinned. That was one of the “rumors” Ensign Vavro had alluded to, that Mhajavi women lacked pubic hair. He’d been unable to verify it personally, but he’d seen pictures. Not that he was personally interested in investigating that particular phenomenon. He’d known from an early age he was only attracted to other men. Unfortunately, few other Ziganese men shared his predilection.

The Mhajavi were much more open about alternative sexuality, as he’d learned to his delight when he was there. That fact was one, unstated reason why he’d suggested a formal alliance between the two worlds and volunteered to act as liaison to the Mhajavi military. Perhaps there he’d find someone he could truly care for to fill the hole in his heart. On Mhajav, two men could even marry, something that would probably never be allowed on his home world.

His musings were interrupted by the arrival of the shuttle. Rulik watched, with approval, as the pilot maneuvered it into the shuttle bay with expert competence. When the outer doors were completely closed and the oxygen level restored, he entered the bay and stood by the door to the shuttle.

When it opened, a dark beauty stepped out. She was dressed in traditional costume. A short blouse fit snugly over her impressive breasts and a loose, flowing skirt in shades of deep purple swirled to her ankles. She had a mane of black hair, dark eyes and golden-brown skin.

“Arpana Toryl?” he asked.

She smiled and held out a slim hand. “Yes, and you must be Captain Rulik,” she said in perfect, if slightly accented and formal, Ziganese.

He took her hand in his and bowed over it, grateful he would not have to attempt to speak her language. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

“The pleasure is mine.” Her voice was husky as her gaze roved over his body.

Rulik kept his smile impersonal. She would cut a swath through his crew, of that he had no doubt. Vavro wouldn’t have a chance with this one.

“You speak my language very well,” he said. “My Mhajavi is rusty, at best.”

She smiled. “There is no need to worry, captain. Every member of our delegation speaks your language fluently.”

Another woman, dressed in green, stepped out hesitantly. She was taller and fuller figured with streaked, dark brown hair and lovely green eyes.

“Ah, there you are, Fala,” Arpana said. “This is our rescuer, Captain Rulik.”

He held out his hand and Fala grasped it in both of hers.

“Oh, captain, I cannot tell you how pleased I am to meet you. If you had not come to our rescue . . . ”

He felt a shudder pass through her, and he squeezed her hands before releasing them. “It was my pleasure. Even though I did have to break interplanetary law to do so.” He glanced at Arpana to see her reaction.

“Do not worry, captain,” she said with a wave of her hand. “I will see you suffer no consequences. This episode was a perfect example of why we need an alliance. I must thank you for making this point clearer than ever. I doubt there will be any objections now.”

Rulik eyed her, wondering if she’d set herself up as a target deliberately. Surely not. He opened his mouth to ask why she was on the science vessel when a figure dressed all in black stepped out of the shuttle. Rulik closed his mouth and stared at the man who’d just emerged. Tall and slender, with black curly hair and deep dark eyes, he was quite probably the handsomest man Rulik had ever seen. Dimly, he heard Arpana introduce the man as Shayan.

“You must be the pilot,” Rulik stammered. “I was impressed by the way you maneuvered the shuttle into a strange bay.” He held out his hand.

Shayan gripped Rulik’s lower arm in the Mhajavi fashion, and Rulik did the same. Hands and arms clasped, Rulik looked into Shayan’s liquid brown eyes and saw curiosity and interest radiating there. Oh, gods, why had he ordered Behrin to vacate his cabin? If not, he'd be bunking with this magnificent stranger, and who knew what might happen.

“Welcome to the Borivoy,” he managed to say as he let go of the stranger’s arm.
 

Lyndi Lamont

buy link: http://www.amberquill.com/AmberAllure/DiplomaticRelations.html

Also available at All Romance eBooks, Amazon Kindle Store, eReader.com, Fictionwise.com, and Sony Reader Store.