"I know your secret, Shepard."

Lia smirked. "Oh yeah? You been snooping in my panty drawer again, Kaidan?"

"You of all people should know to clear your extranet search history if you're going to let some one use your private terminal."

Oh shit...

He stalked toward her, a predatory gleam in his warm chocolate brown eyes. "All you had to do is ask, love."

"You don't think it's weird?"

"You carry the weight of the entire galaxy on your shoulders. It makes sense that you would want...release from that burden."

She shivered, his low, raspy voice doing dangerous things to her mind. "I don't know how."

He caressed the side of her face with the backs of his fingers. "Shhh," he whispered, the corners of his delicious mouth turning up in a small smile. "I'll take care of you."

She could feel every ounce of tension flowing out of her body. "I never knew how to tell you. I'm sorry."

"Do you trust me?"

"Implicitly."

The smile faded and his eyes grew serious. "Good. Now get undressed and bend over the desk. I want to see your ass bared and ready for my hand in 30 seconds."