Chapter Seven – Dare

Try as she might to think about Corso's rippling muscles or sweet disposition, all her thoughts came full circle back to Skavak. When she wasn't thinking about killing him and how their final showdown would play out, she was remembering how it felt pressed up against him or the vicious twirl in her stomach when he kissed her. She was frustrated, having gone too long without a man to warm her up, and now that she was losing herself to her fantasies, all of the ones she had featured the man she hated the most.

It was her own fault, she knew. She had obsessed over him for so long, been rendered so frustrated by him, so greatly desired his humiliation, suffering, and demise… that she had unwittingly made him the sole trigger of her desires, sexual and otherwise. No, no. It was impossible. She despised him. And yet the idea of him burying his fingers inside of her gave her the same thrill that imagining sticking a techblade in his gut gave her.

She thought about breaking out the holos just so she could see him again. Purely for research purposes, she told herself. She had a whole chipset dedicated to him now. It could never hurt to review the conversations again. It could never hurt to revisit the curves of his muscular body and the husky sound of his voice to double—triple ensure she would never forget him.

Of course she would never forget him. It was impossible to think about anyone but him. Frustrated and disgusted with herself, she kicked her shoes into a corner. That's when the familiar beep of the holocommunicator started going off. No one but Skavak would call her this late. She picked up the transmission faster than she wanted to.

"You miss me already?" she asked when he appeared before her.

"I was hoping to catch you before bed again."

"You did. I was just about to slip out of my clothes and into the sheets." Alico took her jacket off, exposing the thermal underneath. She felt like teasing him a little. "Tonight, I'm wearing nothing to bed."

"Don't let me stop you."

"I can spare a few moments for my favorite nemesis. We didn't get to talk much between the droids and your ex-girlfriend. How are you, Skavak?"

"Fantastic. Making deals, plotting and scheming, and laying the ground-work for your ultimate demise."

"Ooh, I can hardly wait to see what sort of lame trap you'll catch me in next."

"Trust me, Ali. You'll enjoy it."

"Ali?" She quirked a brow and grinned. "You giving me pet names already?"

"Don't get your hopes up, sweetheart. I was trying it out. Turns out you're the longest relationship I've ever had with a woman."

"That's sweet. Speaking of, I missed you interfering in my last payoff. Did you finally give up on killing me yourself?"

"Don't kid yourself. I can't chase you around all day, sweetheart. I've got my own deals to make."

"Small time in comparison."

"There's nothing you have that I can't steal."

The quick banter back and forth was making it impossible for her to wipe her smirk off of her face. She had to admit when she wasn't chasing him down to recover her stolen starship, Skavak was a lot of fun. She couldn't help but tease him some more.

"They say the best things in life are free…" she murmured, "and I'm the best."

"Don't be a tease, Captain," he purred. "My heart is fragile."

"I didn't know you had one."

"Mm, there's a lot about me you don't know. But we can fix that." He stroked his chin, eyeing her up and down. "Can't say I never thought about you and me together."

"Between the paranoia and betrayals, I'm sure we'd have some real fun."

"Without a doubt. Too bad we'll never find out. Too big a risk."

"You're right," she agreed. "Feylara might try to kill me again."

"Jealous, Captain? It suits you."

"I don't like to share." Alico pulled the thermal off, leaving just her tank top behind. Skavak's eyes lit up with desire. "You know, I was thinking, this ship is big enough and the treasure's already going a few ways. You might as well give up this grudge and join my crew."

She couldn't believe it had popped out of her mouth, but there it was, spoken with all the sarcasm and jesting and flirtation they had become accustomed to speaking with. She wasn't sure she'd turn him down if he agreed, but she knew deep down inside that it was something he would never go for. He was too much like her.

It sickened her how alike they were.

"That's sweet, darling, but I'll have to pass."

"That's cruel. I get lonely, too."

"Yeah?" He smirked. "Have Corso comfort you."

"Are you jealous, Skavak? Afraid I won't have enough cuddle time for the both of you?"

"I don't like sharing, either."

"You can't share what you never had."

There was a moment when Skavak didn't speak. He just looked at her as though processing what she had said like he couldn't believe it. She couldn't believe it either.

"Is that an invitation or a dare?" he asked.

"Take it as a bit of both—if you're man enough. I'll even tell you where I'm going to be. Anchorhead, Tatooine."

"You're serious."

"Guess you'll have to find out."

Alico grinned and hung up, letting his silence be her victory.