Temptations

Chapter 12 : Treading Softly

November, 2268

Over the next few days, they began to attempt to be easier with each other. She came and sat on his couch, and he was able to meditate, her scent in his nostrils working better than any incense he could have burned. Once again she sat down beside him in the mess hall. And sometimes her hand touched his leg, softly. But she did not come to his bed, nor invite him to hers. He waited.

As the days turned into a week, and then two, she came to his quarters more often. She even sat on his lap occasionally, and allowed him to wrap his arms around her, and hold her close. And they talked more, working on their problems. The tension on the bridge was eased. And she kept the link open, but she did not come to his bed. He ached.

Gradually, they eased back toward what they had been before. Before the Romulan commander. She slowly began to believe him, that he had not done anything of free will, but had been forced by orders, and a plan that had not anticipated the gender of the commander. But he sensed her hurt that he had not come to her immediately upon his return, and explained what had happened. That he had kept the link shut down. He admitted his fault. He apologized. And she slowly forgave him. She changed to code on her door back to what it had been, as he discovered when he hesitantly tapped against the touchplate. He entered her quarters, and she smiled at him, and went to fix tea. They sat at her table and talked, and then then sat on her couch, and she lay upon him, and kissed him, and he held his breath, and touched her, and kissed her gently, and treasured her. But she still did not come to his bed. He began to despair.

He escorted her to movie night, publicly, bringing her popcorn. And she sat beside him, and fed him popcorn from her fingers, and rested her hand on his thigh in the darkened room.

They sparred together in the gym, and he allowed her to pin him to the floor, laying subservient beneath her, aroused, while she grinned at him and panted, sweat trickling down her brow. And he felt, through the link, and touch of her hands, that she was aroused as well. And she tugged at him, and mouthed the word 'shower' and sprang up and headed for her quarters. He followed quickly, and joined her, the glory of wet skin sliding against skin overwhelming after so long. She shivered and sighed, and let him put his hands all over her body. And when he lifted her up against the wall, and feasted on her, she fisted her hands in his hair and cried out his name as she convulsed. He held her afterwards, as she shook and cried, his lok hard and hot between them. And then she knelt, and took him in her mouth, and he came completely undone, roaring at her as his thick, hot semen burst out. But she did not come to his bed.

He came, and asked her to walk, and they roamed the ship's corridors, ignoring whoever might watch them. They leaned against the cool sheer walls of the observatory, watching the stars, and she leaned against him, her hand over his heart, and finally, finally, she pulled him after her into her quarters, and led him to the bed. He trembled, as though it were the first time, and he took his time, slowly, slowly pleasuring her, until she clutched at his body and pulled him tightly against her, demanding. And when he finally allowed himself release, it was shattering, the white hot flames devouring him entire.

And the next night, she came to his bed, and held him close, and brought him ecstasy. And he was content again.