“Maybe you’d better sit down, Ebbie,” Gorg said. He pulled out a kitchen chair and urged Ebenezer into it. “Remember last night?”
“Oh, boy, do I! I can’t wait to do it again. Is that what this is about? You think I don’t want to have sex again?”
“No, that’s not it. Please, listen and let me finish. It’s important.”
Ebenezer frowned but nodded. “Okay. Shoot.”
“Remember the time when my penis swelled inside you? Yes?”
Ebenezer nodded and couldn’t resist a smile. It’d been his favorite part.
“That’s what our people call knotting. It only happens during Renewal, and…”
“And what?”
“And it only happens between life mates.”
“Life mates? What does that mean? Like, we’re married or something?” Ebenezer’s smile slipped sideways. “Dude, we just met!”
“If that is what they call lifetime mates in your world. I know we have only just met, but we have mated and joined life forces. We are now connected. If you close your eyes, you will be able to feel me, even if I am far away, and me, likewise. I can send you a thought telepathically, you can do the same. And I do not wish to have sex with anyone else now. I cannot. My body would reject them.”
Ebenezer felt the blood rush from his head. “You mean, we’re stuck with each other?”
Gorg’s beautiful eyes filled with tears. “That hurt me. I thought you wanted me.”
“I do! I just…this is all a little bit sudden. You mean I can’t have sex with anyone else,ever?”
“If you were a Jizmite, the answer would be clear. But you are not. You are human. There is a chance you can have sex with others of your species if you so desire. But Ebbie, it would breakmy heart. That is why I was so happy to hear you say you did not wish to perform in adult films anymore.”
“Gorg, I don’t know what to say. I’m not prepared for any of this. I thought we were just having a good time last night, not committing to a lifelong relationship.”
Gorg staggered a little and leaned against the kitchen counter. “I…I understand. There is something else you should know. It is the reason I cannot leave you or this planet, at least not yet. The knotting serves another purpose. It is our way of impregnating our mates. You are pregnant, Ebenezer. You’re carrying my child.”
Ebenezer burst into laughter. “Oh, man! You had me going there for a while! Life mates, and all that. Pregnant? That’s just hysterical!”
Gorg didn’t smile or laugh. His expression remained grim. “It is true. As we speak, your body is changing to accommodate the new life.”
“Listen, I hate to break it to you, but I’m a boy, Gorg. Only girls get pregnant on this planet.”
“I am not from this planet. Males frequently give birth on Jizm. The knotting provides the necessary means for the body to change to accommodate the new life. When the time comes for birthing, a pocket will appear on your abdomen, and I will be able to assist in the birth.”
Ebenezer jumped up from the chair. “Are you being serious right now? You mean I’m supposed to believe I’m going to have a baby like a fucking kangaroo?”
“I do not know what that is.”
“It’s a marsupial, and they keep their babies in pouches!” He gestured toward his stomach.
“Do not be ridiculous. Our child will not be kept in a pouch. The pocket is only for birthing; it disappears soon after the afterbirth is delivered.” Gorg trembled, and his eyes refilledwith tears. “If it is what you want, I will take our child back to Jizm alone. You can go on with your life here as it was.”
“Except we don’t know if I can have sex with anyone else ever again!” Ebenezer cried out. “Oh, God, what kind of shitshow circus did I land in here?”
“I am sorry. Please do not be upset. It is not good for the baby.”
“Stop saying that! Baby? I can’t have a baby! I’m not built that way!” Ebenezer wailed.
“You will be. Even now, your body is changing inside. You craved blueberry pancakes this morning. That is a sign.”
That stopped Ebenezer in his tracks. Hehadwanted blueberry pancakes, wanted the sugary goodness so much he’d been tempted to lick his plate clean and drink the syrup from the pitcher.
