Chapter 4
Later in their cabin, Kaidan watched as Shepard went through a series of stretches.
"I need a long, hot shower, it's been a while since I did any hand to hand and my muscles will feel it in the morning," she said, rolling her shoulders.
"I'd give you a massage but I seem to recall you saying something about kissing my Shepard inflicted injuries better." He grinned at her.
"Didn't think you'd forget that. But there's no reason we can't have both. " She walked over to where he was sitting and dropped a light kiss on the tip of his nose. "There, your injury is kissed better."
"I have more injuries than just that one. I have some nice bruises developing in several places."
"Really?" she smirked. "Show me."
"Here." He pointed towards his chin. She responded by leaning forward to kiss it.
"Here." He pointed to a spot on his chest. She laughed and kissed his chest. He pulled her onto his lap; an act that he immediately regretted as she came into contact with some of the bruises on his thighs and without thinking he pushed her off his lap and onto the floor. Given the recent uncertainty of her temper it was with some relief that he realised she was laughing as she lay on the floor at his feet.
She stood up rubbing her bottom. "I think I have a few bruises myself that may need to be kissed better now."
He laughed. "Is that your subtle way of telling me to kiss your ass? It's your fault for kicking me in the first place. Are you ready to concede defeat now, or do I need to throw you on the floor again?"
"You know I was going to let you off the cold shower regime and model what I bought today on my shopping trip, but now I don't think I will." She stood with one hand on her hip and grinned at him.
"I'd forgotten about that shopping trip. What did you buy that needed Lawson's help?"
She walked over and opened a drawer, pulling out several scraps of lace and silk which she held up for him to see. "Now the interesting thing is that you'll never know when I have any of this on under my armour." With that she turned and headed for the bathroom.
He groaned. She was definitely trying to shorten his life. But she's not going to have it all her own way he thought as he stripped and followed her to the bathroom.
He entered the bathroom to find that she was already in the shower. She didn't seem to notice his entry for she had her back to him and was washing her hair. He stood for a moment to admire the view before joining her in the shower. He began massaging her shoulders and was rewarded with a sigh of relief
He stopped and she leaned back against him. He grinned and picking up the soap allowed his hands to stroke and slide down the front of her body as he bathed her. She wriggled with pleasure under his hands. Recognizing his own body beginning to respond he drew in a breath, willing himself to maintain control and as her breathing became ragged he stopped, stepping back from her.
"Why are you stopping?" She turned to face him.
"Well I thought I was on cold showers." He drew in another calming breath, working to keep his voice normal. This is going to take more will power than I thought.
"It's a bit late for that now don't you think?" She put her arms around his neck, rubbing her body against his own.
He took her hands in his own, holding her away. "Well I wouldn't want you to back down on your principles. It's not like you to back down once you've taken a stand."
"Oh, so this is payback because I beat you today? Don't think that I don't know what you're up to. I thought you were bigger than that." Still breathing hard she looked down noting with satisfaction that he wasn't as unaffected as he wanted her to believe.
"Well I think you'll find it will go down as a draw." He leaned forward, whispering suggestions into her ear that he would never say out loud, just in case Joker was listening in.
"You are a very devious man Alenko." She pulled one of her hands free from his grasp and reached out to stroke his face.
"I have to be to keep up with you." His hands began another slow exploration of her body.
" Uncle! Uncle! I give up! You win. You are by far the best marine ever to don an Alliance uniform. Or take one off for that matter. The Alliance is very lucky to have someone with your many attributes." She eyed him appreciatively. "I love you to distraction Kaidan, but if you don't finish what you started soon I am going to get very mean."
Kaidan laughed. "What, as opposed to the mild mannered, patient person you normally are?"
"Just don't forget, two can play this game. I might demonstrate that later."
"I'll look forward to it. I still have a few injuries you haven't kissed better yet." He reached behind her and flicked the shower off.
"You talk way too much Kaidan. Shut up and get over here," she said, pulling his head down to hers.
He picked her up and carried her to the bed where the only talking heard for quite some time were whispered endearments.
Later he lay with his head on her chest as she ran her fingers through his hair.
"Ouch. What was that for?" He said as Shepard pulled a hair from his head.
"You had a grey hair. Look." She held the offending hair out for his inspection
"Yeah I wonder how I got that." Kaidan looked at her pointedly.
"Hey don't look at me. I've been dead for two years so I'm not to blame." She sighed dramatically. "Guess I just have to face the fact that my lover is old. I've got a sugar daddy."
"I'll give you sugar daddy. I'm not so old that I can't keep up with you. Well not yet, anyway."
"How about you prove that right now?" She wriggled out from under him and propped herself up on an elbow so she could see his face.
"What, you don't think I've proved it enough already tonight?"
"Well a girl can never have enough proof you know."
Kaidan sighed. "And you used to be so trusting. The things I have to do for you Shepard."
"Well if you'd rather not…"
"Oh, I didn't say that." He wrapped his arms around her pulling her closer.
"See that's what happens to sugar daddies, they can't keep their much younger trophy girlfriends happy."
So if I got a trophy what did I win a prize for?"
Her eyes rolled at his use of the word prize. "I thought you were just about to show me, but you old people prefer to talk, or sleep, so I'm told."
"Well I am carrying injuries."
"Hmm, well I didn't notice them slowing you down earlier."
He grinned. "That was before I started to stiffen up. You may have to take the lead. But be gentle, I'm old and injured you know."
She raised an eyebrow at the word 'stiffen' and laughed before taking him up on his suggestion.
Much much later Kaidan lay on his back awake, thinking about Shepard. He didn't know what the future had in store for them but one thing was sure, it wouldn't be dull. He chuckled and placed a kiss on the top of her head before closing his eyes and falling asleep.
