Hi there everyone. This is my first fic, so please forgive me for any rookie mistakes, and don't hesitate to let me know if you see anything too ridiculous. I'd appreciate any help, so please review. On a side-note I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 1: First Impressions

This was it - Rona's chance to escape- to survive.

To start a new life away from the struggles of royal politics and Darkspawn raids. The ship to the Free Marches was her last hope and it was already docking, if only her feet had gotten the memo earlier. Running now she pleaded for her life, yelling for someone to stop the ship, for someone to show her some mercy and not leave her to the darkspawn. Much to her surprise someone did.

A man- from what she could make out of the bulky silhouette- had turned her way and was now extending his arms out in an effort to convince her to jump into them. As he stood waiting, a new figure appeared, curvier then the man, but just as persistent to urge her on. Not having much else of a choice Rona got a running start and leaped over the water and into the man's arms- knocking them both down from the force. Rona couldn't have prevented the fall even she wanted to, she had never been a delicate person, and her taut body was too firm to not push him down. She heard a violent thud as they smacked the ground.

Then there was only silence.

For a few moments Rona just laid there catching her breath as her head rested on the man's chest, which was big and strong, and yet paradoxically comforting.

As she slowly recovered from the blow, she took in the rest of her surroundings, letting herself feel the heat of the mystery man's arms around her back, and that of his thick right leg that had been captured between her own legs when they fell. She felt his muscles and heard his rapid heartbeat, felt his manhood harden from her contact, and his hands begin to go to her waist, pausing there for a few seconds to feel her, and enjoy her shape, before he lightened his grip and attempted to lift her up off of him as respectfully as possible.

Noticing his attempts Rona hoisted her torso up from his chest and started to climb off of him; removing his leg from the prison hers had them in, only to stop midway and let them wrap around his middle as she realized she wasn't done with the man just yet.

She needed to show her gratitude, and after seeing his eyes all over her body she knew exactly how she could.

Rona leaned down to his face to place a much deserved kiss on his cheek, pressing her lips through the coarse beard and onto the skin.

"Thank you" she whispered, huskily for his pleasure, before turning to his other cheek, and doing the same causing his breath to hitch involuntarily.

His hands went tense again on her waist, but he held back. For reasons she did not know, he waited for her next move. Any other man would've taken advantage of her directness, but he didn't. He just waited with his hot hands. However, he did not have to wait long.

Rona knew she did not have enough money to thank the man properly, but she also knew that a couple of pecks on his cheeks wasn't sufficient enough of a payment for her life. She needed to turn up the heat a little, which should be easy enough.

She thought as she saw the change in the man's eyes, they had gone from shocked caramel to ecstatic amber as their gaze dropped down to her lips. A look that said he was hungry. A look that said he'd take her right there if she made another move. Fearless as she was she'd make it count.

Recognizing his desire and wanting to sample a little more of the rugged man- she leaned down one last time, and dared to taste the lips that had saved her life. She sparked something in him then for he no longer held back, and she was grateful.

His hands- once realizing they had permission to move- didn't hesitate to entangle themselves in her thick blonde hair and his tongue did not stop for manners as it invaded her mouth and went on a hunt for her.

The feel of his tongue around hers was not something she had expected. Few men had ever been that passionate with her, and it frightened her a little- what had she gotten herself into?

Curiosity kept her moving, returning the passion she was receiving with her own greedy mouth. Her hands moved to his chest now keeping him in that laid down position as her hips began to rock to the rhythm of his dancing tongue onto his sinfully hard member.

The man moaned into her mouth then, her grinding causing his head to arch back and his hips to thrust upward uncontrollably.

He felt amazing, but as much as she liked the feeling Rona knew she wasn't quite ready for this. Kissing was harmless, but sex was another thing entirely, it could bring attachment that she did not need right now. This trip would grant her a freedom that she had not before had, and no man would threaten that- at least not yet. However, the stranger didn't know that, and he had other things in mind.

Making use of his massive muscles he put his hands to her arms and pushed her up so that they were now in an upright position where he could feel more of her. He moved his mouth from hers, and before she had time to protest any further action, he found her neck.

Rona was slowly losing control of the situation as the man sucked and nibbled on her sensitive skin, she wanted him to stop, but her moaning told him otherwise.

His mouth traveled south until he was at her collarbone then he stopped for a second to let his clever- or rather experienced- hands reposition her hips so that her core was now pressing even deeper onto his heat.

She moaned then instinctively, his lips felt lovely where they were and his thick beard felt even better in comparison as it was indirectly tickling her chest. Rona was once again surprised by the man, he was just as concerned with giving her pleasure as she was with giving it to him, but he did not owe her his life. However ,she was growing slightly scared of his urgency and his size- the man was a brute- so when they were interrupted she couldn't help, but feel relief.

"Brother, I'm standing right here!" a startled and- from what Rona could tell- embarrassed young woman had cut them off.

His movements slowed as the voice willed him to. His hips thrusting forwards one last time into her, as his mouth bit down hard on her shoulder as if it was angry that it would have to leave. Then he lifted his face and stared into her crystal blue eyes as his right hand went up to gently brush her hair behind her ear, before he grunted. " We'll have to continue this later". He grinned then as his eyes traveled down to her lips again liking the idea that the future promised. Then continuing he added," Bethany is a little shy with such things, you'll have to forgive her, she's still a virgin" the man said shamelessly.

Taken aback by his bluntness and what she had just done with him, Rona had to fumble for her next words. " Bethany... Beautiful name... for a beautiful woman" Rona responded honestly turning away from the man's intense gaze to eye the young lady looking down at them. Only to see Bethany blush from the flattery.

The girl was so innocent, it was adorable.

Refocusing her attention to the man who had not yet looked away from her, she asked what had been on her mind for a while now. " So is it safe to assume your name is as handsome... " pausing she averted her eyes to the mans ginormous chest,"... And as strong as you are?" The man shifted then, his hand removing itself from the resting place it had taken on her neck, to go down and retrieve her own, lacing his brawny fingers through her small delicate ones, while answering. "Garrett Hawke, at your service". The last words purred out of his mouth with a hum, as if he was an animal who had just experienced beastly pleasure. Then without warning he brought her hand up to stick one of her delicate fingers in his mouth to suck on for a moment before he began to speak again in a husky, aroused tone. "And is it safe for me to assume your name is as..." licking her finger now,"... Delicious as you?"

Coughing now to stop the moan that was about to escape her mouth the woman managed to spurt out one word, "Rona".