When Zaeed received intel that Vido was sniffing around Arcturus, he wasn't quite sure why it had him so concerned. Ella was a marine could take care of herself. Not to mention she was surrounded by other military personnel. That didn't stop him from handing a rather lucrative bounty over to an associate and taking the first available transport to the station. He spent two days searching the seedier underbelly of the station before he was certain Vido hadn't been near her.
He was preparing to message her when a slightly ridiculous blue fedora perched on top of coppered colored hair caught his attention. She bought the hat on her last shore leave. One he couldn't spend with her. Dark jeans and a black and white swirled shirt meant she was off duty. He stuck to the shadows as he trailed behind Ella and the other man. Her arm was intertwined with his. A coil of jealousy wound through Zaeed when he thought of her spending it with the unnamed man.
It intensified when Zaeed realized he had seen the two together before. The younger man had initially escorted Ella to the gala months before. He had watched the two split almost immediately, but Zaeed noticed the way the man's eyes followed her around the room. The two moved through Arcturus swiftly, in and out of a few stores, both carrying bags. He followed behind the two, impatiently waiting for them to separate. When they arrived at an apartment and both entered, he had to stop himself from grabbing Ella and throwing her over his shoulder. He figured neither of them would enjoy answering those questions.
He was contemplating hacking the door when it opened and the other man strode out. Zaeed watched him turn a corner before he approached and bypassed the rather flimsy security. The apartment was small, decorated in dark woods and creams. He scowled at the sight of Ella's favorite boots sitting next to a man's pair of dress shoes.
"I know you're good Lincoln, but you can't make it back quite that fast."
Zaeed followed the sound of her voice into the kitchen. She stood barefoot, back to him, chopping vegetables. He admired the sight a moment before responding. "Wrong godamn man sweetheart." The knife paused mid slice before it dropped to the board. Ella spun to look at him. His jealousy and frustration morphed quickly into lust.
"Much later, we're going to discuss why you're here and exactly how you got in." She was on him in moments. His leather jacket pushed off his shoulders onto the floor and her legs wrapped around him. His arms banded around her as she swooped down to a rough kiss. She nipped along his jaw and neck as his hands found their way under her shirt. Ella pulled away long enough for him to lift the shirt over her head. "Second door on the right," she whispered against his ear. His hands slid to her ass as he carried her into the room.
Zaeed spun them, her back pressed against the door. His hands kneaded her ass, making her arch against him. Ella pushed at his shoulders until he stepped back, giving her room to untangle her legs and stand. She yanked his shirt off and went after the zipper of his jeans. Zaeed pushed her hands away. "Impatient sweet Ella?"
"Shut the hell up Massani and get naked."
"Bossy bitch."
"You say that like it's a bad thing." Ella flicked the clasp of her bra, letting it drop to the floor. They both removed their jeans. As Zaeed reached for her, her biotics flared and he found himself pushed backwards onto the bed. She straddled him, pinning his arms above his head. Ella placed small, biting kisses meant to mark him across his skin as she trailed down his body. She slid her pussy against his cock, the head dragging across her clit repeatedly. He groaned out her name, making her smile.
His hands tensed under hers as she finally slid down his length. She began to roll her hips above him when a knock on the door broke the silence of the room.
"Go away Linc!"
"But-"
"I will castrate you if you don't go the fuck away."
"Okay, okay!"
Zaeed used her distraction to pull his hands away from hers. One hand settled on her hips, the other anchored on her neck as he began thrusting up into her. Lips and tongue mimicked the movements of his cock until she was writhing on top of him. He pulled her down hard onto his cock until she came with a cry.
He rolled, pulling her under him. This time his hands pinned hers to the bed. Her ankles hooked behind his thighs as he picked up speed. Ella's hips arched up off the bed to meet him. He reveled in the small hitches of breath and whimpers he pulled from her. His forehead fell against hers. "I don't fucking share sweetheart," he growled as her body tightened around him a second time, finally coaxing his own release from him.
He rolled them again, so they both lay on their sides facing each other. His hands tangled in her hair as he pulled her close for another kiss.
"Zaeed?"
"Hmmm?"
"What do you mean 'you don't share'?"
He pulled away with a slight scowl, his earlier jealousy flaring. "I saw you with that whelp from the gala."
Ella sat up and stared at him. "Saw me? Were you following me? How long have you been on the station?"
"Long enough to see you with another bloody man."
Her hand slapped against his chest. "Listen here Massani. You don't get to tell me what I can and cannot do. We've spent a few of my shore leaves together sharing some very mutually satisfying orgasms. There was never discussion of commitment. And even if there was, I wouldn't stop spending time with the people I care about. I don't belong to you."
She hopped from the bed and headed towards the bathroom. He stood to follow and found himself unable to move. "Goddamnit Ella. Where did you learn that?"
"None of your fucking business." She disappeared through the door. The stasis field was weak and only held a few minutes. He stormed into the bathroom and had her pinned against the shower wall.
"You want goddamn words? I haven't been with another bloody person since that night on the colony. It's you I think about at the end of a long goddamn day and you who I keep coming back to. Just because I want you to be mine doesn't mean I want to goddamn own you."
She pushed the damp hair off her face. "Explain why you didn't tell me you were here."
He saw the hurt in her eyes and sighed. His hands gentled on her. "I got intel that the bastard who shot me was somewhere on the station. I couldn't risk letting him know about you. I wasn't going to make you a target."
"I'm not helpless Zaeed. You could have told me."
"I'm not bloody risking you Ella."
"You are a hard headed bastard. And for the record, there hasn't been anyone except you since that night in Ireland."
"Is that right?"
"Don't let it go to your head. Are we done fighting now?"
"I bloody well am. And Ella? I don't plan for there to be anyone with me but you."
"The feelings mutual Massani."
"Good to know sweetheart. Can we move on to the part where we make up?" His hands slid down her body.
"I believe we can."
The two stayed in the shower apologizing to each other until the water ran cold. They dried each other off and got dressed. Zaeed frowned at the oversized alliance hoodie she was wearing. They had just wandered into the kitchen when an irritated voice called out from behind them.
"What did I tell you about stealing my clothes doll?" Zaeed turned to find the still unnamed man standing in the doorway. The two eyed each other before the stranger let out a low whistle. "Is he why you keep refusing to let me set you up with a nice officer? Because if he is, I completely approve."
Ella let out a snort. "You have horrid taste in men."
"I wouldn't say that. Strong and silent over there definitely seems my type."
"I saw him first Linc." She popped open three beers.
"But I can be so persuasive."
"What the bloody hell is going on?" Zaeed interjected.
"Zaeed, meet Lieutenant Lincoln Marshall, general pain in the ass and my roommate. Linc, this is Zaeed Massani."
"Don't give the man the wrong idea doll." Linc grinned at confused man. "I'm perfectly charming when given the right motivation. Want to motivate me?"
Zaeed eyed Ella, then Linc, realization finally dawning. "I was a bloody idiot wasn't I sweetheart?"
She handed him a beer with a kiss and a laugh. "Yes you were. It's okay though. I forgive you. And stop flirting with him Linc."
"You never let me have any fun. Why don't you go order some food while strong and silent and I have a little talk."
She eyed both men. "If you two destroy my apartment, I will kill both of you." She brushed a kiss against Zaeed's cheek before heading to the terminal in the living room.
With Ella distracted, Linc pointed at Zaeed with his beer bottle, eyes no longer bright with humor. "You hurt her, I will come after you," he promised.
Zaeed met his gaze. "Not planning on it."
"Good. I'd hate to kill such a pretty man, but I'd do it for her."
He watched Ella move around the living room. "You're not the only who would."
