Corso leaned against the tree, panting. He was so hard he was having trouble thinking straight. If he didn't take care of it now, he'd be in some serious pain soon.

This spot was secluded, two giant tree roots shielded him from anyone looking and the sun was starting to set. He knelt on the ground, his hand running the length of himself, tugging slightly at the end. He tried to bring back the feel of her hand on him, drifting along his shaft, her grip wet and gentle. The way her wet shirt clung to her breasts and ass. Pulling those wet underwear aside, lifting that perfect ass in his hands and lowering her down onto him. How hot and wet she'd be on him. He was groaning now, his hand stroking faster. Her green cleft spreading for his fingers, his cock thrusting into her, her moaning his name as he made her come again and again. He erupted then with a hoarse grunt, into the dirt, his hand roughly tugging once, twice.

This is what you've been reduced to. She's such a tease, he thought to himself sourly, pulling his clothes on finally. More than a tease. Maybe I should just leave, find a nice girl and get married. He was so mad. Oh right, because a nice simple girl who just wants a normal life is going to quench you after knowing Ryli.

He sighed and headed back to the campsite. Risha was the only one there.

She eyed him in a newly aware way and he found himself blushing without being real sure why. "Uh, where's the Captain?"

"I thought she was with you."

"She was coming on kinda strong; I left her at the lake." He felt a surge of worry.

"She's fine," Risha shrugged. "What's going to happen on Dantooine?"

"Still..."

Risha eyed him, "What happened when she came on too strong?"

Corso blushed. "Ah, nothing." He changed his mind almost instantly. Risha was a good source of information. "Actually, I tried to play her game against her."

Risha grinned, "And?"

"I ended up having to bolt," he rubbed the back of his neck. "She's too good at teasing."

Risha's eyes widened, "Let me get this straight, you got Ryli all hot and bothered and took off?"

Corso swallowed, "I didn't really think of it like that."

"Well, I feel bad for any other farm boys within walking distance."

Corso froze, "She wouldn't."

"Of course she would!" Risha got to her feet, shaking her head, "Dammit, Corso!"

"I'll go look for her," he stammered.

"The hell you will," Risha caught the look on his face and sighed. "Just stay right here."

Risha took off swiftly, leaving him by the packs. He stared at the sky, wishing he'd just reached out and pulled her to him in the lake. And what if Risha gets into trouble. Why are you just sitting here?

He got to his feet, hefting the packs and figured he'd start by the lake, maybe pick up some tracks. He ran into Risha on his way, her having had the same thought. She frowned at him, but didn't argue.

"From what I can tell, she headed this way," Risha said.

"Alright, then we go that way."

"Corso, are you sure you want to come?"

He looked at her, confused and she shook her head.

They walked through the grassland and came upon a small herd of iriaz. Corso heard a soft giggle and Risha froze. "Corso, go back to the campsite," she said.

Corso moved forward without answering her. Before he got too much further, he caught the silhouette of two people sitting together under a tree. He heard Risha breath a sigh of relief from right behind him.

"Hey," called out Ryli's voice. "You guys bring everything from the camp?"

She's not even affected by what happened. Corso clenched his fists in frustration.

"Yeah," he answered. "Got everything."

He and Risha approached the duo under the tree. The man was tanned, had a well trimmed beard, but he was young.

"Nice to meet you," he said in a deep voice, "I'm Trynr."

Corso mumbled something about it being nice to meet him too and then heard Risha pick up the conversation and run with it as he set the packs down, pretending to settle them.

"Were you planning to come back and get us?"

"Oh yes, of course. We just got caught up talking."

"I ran into Captain Ryli while she was drying her shirt," came the man's amused voice.

Corso clenched his jaw.

"Lovely," said Risha sarcastically and Corso felt momentary affection for her. "Okay, so are we camping here?"

"Sure," came the Captain's voice.

Corso gritted his teeth and started unpacking their bedrolls.

"Here, Trynr," said Risha. "You can help me set up food." She lead him away to a spot and started directing him in building a fire.

Ryli walked over to Corso, not looking at his face and silently helped him unpack.

After a bit, Corso couldn't stand it anymore and blurted out, "Do I not have an affect on you at all?"

Ryli sounded wary. "What do you mean?"

"I mean the lake, do you not get..." he turned a few words around in his head. "Affected by me at all?"

"Of course I'm affected by you," she said, that purr starting up in her voice again. "We can go behind that tree and I'll show you exactly how much you affect me."

"No, Captain," he forced a breath out. "I meant how I feel about you. Does it affect you at all?"

She stepped back like he'd hit her and he winced.

"You know I can't be like that Corso." She stalked off away from the other two, but he followed her. She managed to get around a tree, but he put on a burst of speed and caught up to her.

He grabbed her elbow and spun her to face him.

"You didn't answer my question."

"You want me to settle down with you. I can't do that."

"Are you affected by how I feel about you?"

She drummed her hands against the tree and faced him, furious.

He caught her hands in his and pulled her a little close.

"Captain, I love you. Does that make any difference to you at all?"

She was silent, glaring at him and he pulled on her hands, dragging her into him a bit closer.

His voice deepened, "Captain. Do I affect you?" Another pull. She was almost against him.

"Corso..." her voice was a yes.

He bent his lips to hers, trying to put all of his feelings into one kiss, which was of course impossible, but he tried awful hard. When she kissed him back, with just as much ardor, he thought he would die a happy man. His arms went around her, pulling her close and his mouth hesitantly opened on hers.

The feeling fell when she shoved him off her and took off back towards Risha and Trynr. He burned the memory into his brain of how she'd whispered his name.

When they hit a village the next day and she took the first guy who winked at her into bed, he played back that memory until it soothed him to sleep.