Mmm, this bodes well, K'isha thought as she realized she was waking to Andronikos's hand stroking her back. A small girlish part of her was thrilled that he'd stayed in her bed the duration of the night and she scowled inwardly. You'd have thought blowing up Republic ships and cutting down enemy soldiers would have extinguished that stubborn spark, yet it hadn't. She berated herself over it, but it had only become firmly imbedded in her nature - as much a part of her as her silver hair or the tattoos on her face. It was the part of her that still enjoyed a fast speeder or sneaking away from the ship to secluded cantinas for a night of dancing. Saying the Dark Council wouldn't have approved of her "side trips" was putting it mildly; Darth Ravage would have probably encouraged the rest of the Council to fry her on the spot if they found out. He'd have sneered, "Some upstart former slave soiling the distinguished role of the Council?" But while they kept themselves occupied with political maneuvers, she was going to enjoy her power. Good thing she had the perfect partner in crime. Once again, her thoughts had turned back to the dusky skinned pirate beside her.
It seemed like Andronikos enjoyed accompanying her on her sporadic jaunts, and had not breathed a word of where she went to anyone. Of course, she always threatened to kill him if he told anyone, and he would laugh off her threats. They had kept their relationship casual; physically intimate while maintaining emotional distance. He rarely spent a whole night in her bed. She'd admit part of her wished for more, but she didn't want to complicate their arrangement. Besides, she'd finally cleared up the matter with Thanaton and secured her freedom, and she wasn't about to steal Andronikos's.
The business with Rike was also finally over. K'isha had understood why Andronikos had felt the need to track down the man who'd betrayed him and had never stood in his way. She remembered the talks she'd had with him a few times during the hunt. At one point he'd referred to what they had as a relationship. That girlish part of her had jumped at the word but she hadn't pushed him further; she'd let him know he still had freedom, something she knew he'd never wanted to give up. When he'd gotten that last tip about Rike, she'd let him go. She hated admitting how relieved she'd been when he'd returned. He'd let her know that he'd found out someone had already taken care of the sorry sack of dung and that he was done running off. K'isha sympathized with him. He'd never gotten his chance for revenge, but she was glad the matter was finished.
Last night she'd noticed he was in turmoil. Her Force sensitivity had allowed her to feel the maelstrom of his emotions; it had called to her from the other end of the ship. K'isha hadn't been surprised when she'd heard a soft knock at her door. When she'd opened it, he'd stood there with fire in his eyes, letting out a groan as he pulled her to him. His affection had been more fierce than usual, as if pushing her to send him away. Sith thrived on passion, however, and K'isha had returned his affection with vigor. After an exhausting night, they'd collapsed in each other's arms and K'isha had dozed off, curled against his side. Now she was waking to his hands rubbing her spine. This day was starting off well, she thought, as she stretched against him. In a move that surprised her, he clasped the hand she had laying on his chest and appeared to examine it. Her pale skin looked even paler against his darker complexion. Using the hand he held, he gently pulled her up his body to give her a sizzling kiss.
"Marry me," Andronikos's husky voice whispered against her lips, the softly spoken words more a command than a request. The fact that it sounded like a command wasn't surprising. He usually didn't make requests, preferring to ask for forgiveness than permission. The words themselves floored her; she would have been less surprised to see a wampa brandishing a light saber charge into her room. A warm glow flared in her for an instant but it was soon overwhelmed by hurt. A petty part of her remembered the sting of him sliding from her bed on several occasions. Even as she stayed in his arms, she felt her shields going up, pulling her away from him.
"I thought we weren't going to get sentimental," she said dryly. She felt him shrug as she lay across his chest.
"Doesn't have to," he said, "Just like the idea of you and me tearing up the galaxy together on a permanent basis. Anyone this good together should get married." His proposal was in true Andronikos fashion, as straightforward as a blaster strike. Married to her beloved pirate, and death and destruction with him at her side? She loved the idea. She'd longed to hear those words from him but she wasn't sure he was asking for the right reasons.
"It's just the passion talking, you don't mean it." K'isha sighed as her eyes shuttered close, heavy as blast doors. "There'd be too many complications and eventually you would feel trapped. I've always promised you could have your freedom." She felt herself shifted as he rolled her to her back. As he levered himself up to look her directly in the eyes, she could see the truth of what he said written across his face.
"I do mean it," he said, as he cupped her cheek. "I've never asked anyone before or even wanted to. We've spun in each other's orbits since Tatooine - that's not going to stop. And I noticed that you didn't say 'no'. Remember who you are talking to. I know your evasions better than anyone." He leaned down to gently kiss her mouth, running his hand down her throat. He eased his mouth away to nuzzle her ear. "Marry me, Beautiful," he coaxed, "It's what we both want."
K'isha noticed he was using his shadowsilk voice, the one that wrapped her in its caressing timbre. That voice had talked her into agreeing with him more times than she'd like to admit. She smiled and her lips parted slightly. But nothing came out, the words were bound on her tongue. When she remained silent, he raised his gaze to meet her eyes. She saw understanding flood his eyes and she knew he realized why she was hesitating. It wasn't that she didn't want to; it was only her natural barriers keeping her from agreeing with him. A sultry smile crept across his face, and K'isha swore she could see the ideas turning in his head.
Andronikos moved over her to rest between her legs. He spread himself across her body and, before she could realize what he was doing, he captured her hands in his and raised them above her head. With her hands trapped, her body was taut as it arched under his. She knew she could free herself at any time but the shift in his mood had peaked her curiosity. He rubbed himself against her carefully and, as she realized he was hard again, a moan of desire escaped her mouth. He continued to stroke the length of himself along the crease of her lower lips. It would have taken one deft movement for him to have been sheathed deep within her. As comprehension set in, she returned his smile. By using her desire against her, he was teasing her with the promise of fulfillment - but only after he got what he wanted from her.
This would be interesting.