Alien vs. Alien

in my mind’s eye sitting there naked.
    It was a nice view, but I had to force myself to look away or jump his bones in front of everyone, and I knew without asking this wasn’t in the Good Diplomats Handbook.
    Christopher was a head shorter than his cousin, smaller all the way around, being lean and wiry, though he had the family rock-hard abs. His hair was straight and lighter brown than Jeff’s. Christopher resembled his late mother in almost everything, but he had his father’s nose, mouth, and green eyes flecked with blue. They really made them gorgeous on Alpha Four.
    Chuckie was handsome for a human, which these days was both a compliment and damning with faint praise when compared to an A-C. He was tall like Jeff but had a similar build to Christopher—sinewy and smooth. He usually moved languidly, but had the reflexes to make you think he could be part A-C. Dirty blond hair, with a bit of a wave in it, but only when it was a little longer than he normally wore it. Blue eyes that radiated intelligence—no matter where he went, Chuckie was always the smartest guy in the room.
    Speaking of his eyes, Chuckie’s caught mine, and he gave me a look I was familiar with—the “play it cool” look. Know a guy more than half of your life, you know when he wants you to act nonchalant.
    Amy was obviously in on the news, because she didn’t look at all surprised. Armstrong, Gadoire, and Vance, however, clearly hadn’t been expecting this kind of company. I chose not to wonder which one of the three men Guy and Vance would proposition first to share their “bed of love”—it would be a tough call either way. And for all I knew, Amy was going to get the next proposition. Vance was giving her an approving look, so I figured she was his type. I was Gado Se. y wire’s, apparently. I was lucky that way.
    Armstrong, unsurprisingly, rallied the quickest. “Ambassador Martini, how good to see you.”
    “Senator,” Jeff said with a nod. “I didn’t realize you were bringing along additional visitors.”
    Armstrong managed a weak Campaign Smile. “Well, you’ve got additional people too. Nice to see you, Mister White, Mister Reynolds.”
    Christopher gave Armstrong a cold nod. Chuckie smiled without any warmth. “I’m sure you weren’t expecting us, Senator. But it’s more social this way, isn’t it?”
    Armstrong shook his head. “I’m not here on a social call, in that sense. Ambassador,” he said to Jeff, “what I have to discuss affects you and Missus Martini. Are you sure you don’t want to ask your associates to wait outside? I have to stress that it’s a very private issue I need to discuss with you.”
    I always turned right back into Mrs. Martini any time Jeff was around. Supposedly I was the co-Head Diplomat, but no one seemed to buy that story, other than Jeff, who steadfastly insisted I was his equal.
    “If it’s so private, I have to ask why Guy and Vance are here,” I said, before Jeff could respond.
    “We’re here to help,” Gadoire said. Vance nodded. They looked serious and concerned, and a part of me wasn’t so sure it was an act.
    Amy and I looked at each other. “Help with what?” she asked.
    “Again, it’s a private matter for the Ambassadors,” Armstrong said. He gave Chuckie a long look. “Though Mister Reynolds might want to remain, as well.”
    “All of us,” Jeff said. “There’s no one here we need to hide anything from.”
    Armstrong sighed. “When you change your mind, I want you to remember that I requested privacy.” He put the attaché on a nearby table, opened it, and pulled out a large manila envelope. The rest of us crowded around the table. Jeff was behind me and he took and squeezed my hand.
    Armstrong pulled some pictures out of the envelope and spread them out on the table.
    We all stared.
    “Whoa,” Kyle said finally.
    “Wow,” was Len’s contribution.
    Jeff, Chuckie, and Christopher didn’t make a sound. Neither did I. I was still trying to process what I was seeing.
    “Kitty,” Amy whispered, “what did youdo?”

    Yi

CHAPTER 4

    I CONTINUED TO STARE AT THE PICTURES. They showed me and Chuckie having a really good time. An amazingly good time, in fact. A very good, very naked, time.
    These pictures weren’t from our one week fling in Vegas years ago. Both of us looked about our ages now.
    “Now do you see why I wanted this meeting, and for it to be in private?” Armstrong asked.
    Jeff let go of my hand and picked up the