Alien Tango

really didn’t enjoy it?”
    “With Brian? Um, no.”
    “I’ve heard from Christopher that I’m just like your old flame.”
    “Hardly.”
    “Possessive, jealous, overcommitted . . . I could go on.”
    “You are. I don’t care.” Well, not all that much, I added for virtue’s sake.
    “Why not?”
    I thought about it. Great sex was certainly a reason. Fabulous kissing, too. Being the most gorgeous thing on two legs was also a factor. But they weren’t why, just added benefits. “Because you treat me like an equal. You think I’m funny and smart, and you listen to me, even when no one else will. You run toward danger to save me, even if you’re mad at me.” He chuckled. “And I love you.”
    He kissed me. “And here all along I thought it was the great sex.”
    “Well, not only the great sex.”
    “Works for me. I was willing to be happy with great sex as the answer.”
    “I’m willing to have more great sex if it’ll make you feel more secure.”
    “I love how you think.”

CHAPTER 60
    WE LOADED EVERYONE INTO THE Hummer limo. Why the A-Cs even had such a beast was beyond me, but I couldn’t argue. It was huge, but even so, we all just made it inside.
    Tim was driving, and Hughes and Walker both rode shotgun. Lorraine had done some major medical on Gower and Martini, and she wanted them quiet. So Reader and I were holding them, and we were all lying down in the back, on a thick foam pad, complete with pillows. I found myself wondering why this was in this vehicle and chose to believe it was because it functioned as a rescue van as opposed to the A-C cruisin’ love machine.
    Randy and Claudia were in the middle section nearest to us with Lorraine and Joe. Lorraine was still working on Serene, and Brian was right by her side. Lorraine and Claudia both were far more jazzed about this experience than Joe or Randy. The guys were trying to be cool, but I could tell they were freaked out.
    Kevin, Jerry, and Christopher were in the middle portion of the car closest to the front. Kevin was making a lot of phone calls, and so was Christopher. Jerry was functioning as adjunct and passing information back and forth to and from the rest of us as needed.
    I had Martini cuddled into my breasts, and Reader had Gower in pretty much the same position. We were prone but not so much that I couldn’t see over the seats. “So, what now, girlfriend?”
    “I want to go home.”
    “I want to never come to Florida again.” Reader sighed. “But we have to rest before we fly home. I’m not leaving the jet, and Tim and I, as well as the others, are too tired to fly safely.”
    Martini fumbled in his pocket and pulled out his cell. “Dad, sorry to wake you. Oh? Really. Sorry they called and worried you. No, we’re okay. No, really. Well, yeah, okay, not perfect, but alive and functioning. All exhausted, yes. You’re sure? No separate sleeping quarters when we show up, no arranged marriages waiting to be performed? Yeah, then every room, including the guesthouse.”
    He was quiet for a minute or so. “Yeah, sounds good. But figure lunch, at the earliest. Okay.” Another long pause. “I love you, too.” He hung up. “Going to my parents’.” Martini turned his face back into my breasts and promptly went to sleep.
    Reader and I looked at each other. He gave me a wink. “Nicely done.”
    I passed our destination on to Claudia, who sent it on up to Tim. I was still tense, and I could feel the rest of the car’s occupants were, too. I wasn’t sure if Martini had any blocks left or if he was completely burned out, and I just wanted something to help us all relax.
    Tim seemed to read my mind. I heard the Wallflowers’ “Three Marlenas” start up. No one grumbled or complained, and the tension seemed to be dissipating somewhat.
    “So, James, where did you find that Beetle?”
    “It was parked at the Lighthouse.” He shrugged. “I didn’t argue.”
    I decided not to question. “Did we pay for it?” I looked toward the middle of the car. Claudia was asleep, leaning on Randy. I thought he was snoozing, too. Lorraine finished with Serene, sat back, snuggled next to Joe, and was out like a light. He’d been waiting for her, clearly, because as soon as his arm was around her, he leaned his head against the window. The Wallflowers’ remake of David Bowie’s “Heroes” came on.
    “No.” There was something about the way he said that word that made me look back at him.
    “Why not?”
    “I think it