A/N: I'd like to thank everyone for sticking with me through this. It's definitely taking me longer to write it than I planned on, so thank you for your patience with me.

This chapter just seemed to come together. It didn't end exactly where I thought it would be it's definitely progress. Hope you enjoy it!

Flirting with Desire

Chapter 26

K'agan's POV

"K'agan," I heard someone shout as I stepped out of the car.

"Nalan," I greeted the other lady with a warm smile. The Twi'lek looked gorgeous tonight. Of course, when wasn't she? She was wearing a stunning long, white, sleeveless sheath dress. The V-neck line dipped dangerously low between her breasts, and the bottom of the dress was slit up the side, nearly to her hip. She had on a matching gold tiara and belt. High heels finished off the outfit.

"I wasn't sure you'd really come," the Twi'lek said, hugging me gently in greeting.

"I almost didn't," I admitted, "Nearly told the driver to turn around more than once."

It had seemed like a good idea when Nalan holo'd me earlier. I could get out of the apartment, dress up, hang out with friends, have a few drinks (or a lot of drinks) and forget about my pain and troubles for a time. Just forget about it all — the Republic, Havoc Squad, my responsibilities and my family... everything. Just pretend it all didn't matter. Most of all, it would give me a chance to forget about Aric; what he'd said and more importantly what he hadn't said to me.

Not your mate…

The words still echoed in my head, bouncing around and ripping me apart slowly and painfully. None of it mattered… nothing did. If my mate denied me, what did I have left in life? Duty? Honor? Sacrifice? I barely stopped myself from laughing at that. It seemed I'd already given the most important thing in my life to the cause… my love. I'd lost Aric. He was gone… and he'd been the most important thing in my life…

"K'agan?" Nalan asked, her voice laced with concern. She held on to my upper arms and looked into my eyes, searching for an answer as to what was going on. "What's wrong?"

Taking a deep breath, I swallowed my tears, before answering. I would not cry… not here… not now… not anymore. "Nothing," I said. At her doubtful look, I added, "I don't want to talk about it. I just want to forget for a few hours."

Nalan gave me a sad, almost knowing look, her lekku drooping. Finally, she plastered on a smile and said, "We can do that." Threading her arm through mine, she held on to my hand and patted it, while she added, "Come on, I've got lots of people for you to meet."

"Nalan," I said, gently trying to pull away from her hold. "I don't think…"

"But I do," she interrupted me as she kept walking toward the front door of the club. "You need this. This evening is for you. Tomorrow, after you have some distance, you can get back to dealing with life's problems."

"For me," I echoed her sentiment with a small smile.

"Yes," Nalan agreed, smiling at me radiantly. As we approached the well-dressed guards, they lowered the velvet barrier without a word and allowing us to pass. I heard a few shouted protests from the queue of people waiting to get in, but they were ignored. The large glass doors slid open silently and we walked inside.

The club was stunning. The far wall was completely glass, giving a breath taking view of the Coruscant skyline at night. The lights of the surrounding buildings, traffic, and stars above created a beautiful tableau. A large, black marble dance floor dominated the center of the large room. A large number of dancers dotted the floor, but it was nowhere near crowded. A huge crystal chandelier hung above the floor. Lights hit the crystals and danced around the area. The walls were painted a soft grey, and a few pieces of artwork were displayed on the walls. Bars were situated strategically around the space. Tables, chairs and large red booths were arranged for the discrete privacy of their patrons. Nalan was heading for a group in the far corner… under one of my paintings, of course.

"Nalan," I sighed loudly, but she chose to ignore me.

"Now," she said, smiling radiantly. "I have some people I'd like you to meet."

"Of course you do," I groaned in protest. I hated meeting people in these types of social situations, which was why I hired her to be my agent. If they didn't recognize my family name, they knew me from the news stories on the holo-vids. I rarely got a moments peace. At least I painted under a pseudonym. I couldn't imagine what it would be like if they realized I was an artist too.

"K'agan," she said, trying to reassure me. "I haven't really given them much information about you, only that you're a good friend and you're on planet for business." Stopping, she turned to look at me before continuing. "I'd never out you to strangers. You're my friend and client. Plus, we've worked too hard maintaining your anonymity." She smiled and finished, "Plus it adds to the mystique of your work driving up prices."

It felt wonderful to laugh at the pronouncement. Leave it to a Twi'lek saleswoman to think of the bottom line. "Thank you, Nalan," I said after the laughter subsided.

"You're welcome." She turned and started walking toward our table. She held on to my arm and gave me no chance to escape the inevitable. "Now come on, I promise you'll have fun."

"I better," I teased, letting the smaller woman pull me along.

"You better what?" asked a smooth, deep voice. He was sitting at the table, his back towards us. All I could make out of him was a head of short spiky brown hair in a faux hawk.

"Have fun," I answered with a small smile.

"I can make sure of that," the human male said, standing up and turning toward us.

He was my height, maybe an inch or two taller with a slim build. He had golden brown eyes, a small implant around his left eye and his lips were quirked in a small smile. He was wearing a tight royal blue collarless shirt, black jacket, black pants tucked into knee high black boots.

"Theron Shan," Nalan said, motioning to the man. "My friend K'agan."

"A pleasure to meet you," I greeted him with a small smile and offered my hand.

"A chance to meet such a beautiful woman," Theron charmingly replied, "the pleasure is all mine." Taking my hand, he turned it over and leaning in, he placed a small kiss on the back.

"Flatterer," I accused him, but I was unable to stop the blush from coloring the tips of my ears, giving me away.

"Only when it's true," Theron returned, his gaze locking with mine.

We stood staring at one another for a few long moments. An electrical current seemed to be sparking between us, connecting us on a level we couldn't see but we could sense. It seemed to pulse up my arm from the hand he was still holding, filling something inside of me. The moment was finally shattered when Nalan took my hand from him.

"Shall we let the others meet her?" Nalan asked, shaking her head at us.

"If I must," Theron agreed reluctantly, releasing his hold on me.

"You must," Nalan told him with a nod. Trying to turn away with her arm still threaded through mine, she started introducing me to everyone else in the group, "Daltre," she added stepping towards a human couple, "Tait, I'd love you to meet me dear friend K'agan."

'I'll be back,' I mouthed at Theron, smiling at him as I allowed Nalan to introduce me to everyone.

I made my way around the group with Nalan, shaking hands and exchanging names. I was pleased; no one seemed to recognize me or my name. Lucky for me, when I finished, there was an empty chair next to Theron. Dropping into it I said, "I'm back."

"Welcome back," he smiled at me.

"Thanks," I replied. "That's always exhausting."

"Tell me about it," he agreed, flagging down a passing human waitress. She was wearing a low cut pink top, short black skirt and tall black boots.

"How can I help you sir," she asked, leaning in and giving Theron a free show of her plentiful breasts.

To his credit he, didn't turn his gave from me, instead flashing me a saucy grin as he ordered, "I'd like a Tarisian Ale and you?"

"A Corellian Red Wine please," I said, watching the woman as she again tried to capture my table mate's attention.

She gave me a quick look of disgust, but didn't say anything. Instead, she gave Theron another look of longing before leaving to presumably fill our order.

"She liked you," I commented, once the human was out of ear shot.

"Who doesn't?"

"Confident much?" I laughed.

"Only when it's warranted."

"Which is?" I asked, curious as what he'd say.

"All of the time," Theron said, sitting back in his chair with a grin.

I just shook my head and laughed at him. I couldn't tell whether he was serious or not, but it didn't really. He was distracting me from my own issues and gods, it felt good to laugh again.

Theron opened his mouth to say something, but our server returned with our drinks. After she sat them on the table in front of us, he handed her a couple of credit chips. "Thanks and keep the change," he told her before turning his attention back to me.

I smiled when she pocketed the chips and walked away in a huff, without ever saying a word.

"Now," he said, picking up his drink and taking swallow of his ale, "has anyone told you how your eyes light up when you laugh?"

"Not lately," I said, taking a sip of my wine. "But it's nice to hear."

"They do," he reassured me, "the light fills them up, turning them the prettiest shade of blue."

I could feel the tips of my ears turning pink again and Theron smiled knowingly, but didn't comment on it. I took another drink of my wine, before I changed the subject. "How do you know Nalan?"

"Work," Theron answered, but didn't elaborate. "You?"

Choosing to ignore his evasive tactic... for now, I answered, "She's a family friend." It was true, even if it wasn't the full answer.

Leaning back in his chair, he quirked an eyebrow at me and asked, "Taking a page out of my book, Major?"

"What?" I sputtered, sitting up sharply in my chair and nearly spilling my drink. "I don't know what…" I trailed off.

He laid a hand on my thigh, seemingly to keep me from jumping from the chair. "Don't worry," he said, "Your secret's safe with me."

"It's not a secret really," I sighed, "Nalan knows who I am. I just don't want to deal with all of that tonight."

"Understood," Theron said, removing his hand and sitting back in his seat. "My lips are sealed."

"Thank you," I replied, drinking the last of the wine. I managed to get our waitress's attention and motioned to the empty glass. She nodded her understanding and started for the bar. "Since you know my secret," I said, making him sit up straighter, "It seems only fair I know yours."

"What… I," it was his turn to sputter. "No idea…"

"Are your related to the Grand Master Satele Shan?"

"What makes you think that?" he scowled. "Shan is a pretty common name."

"True," I allowed, as the waitress returned with my refill and ale for Theron. She sat them down on the table and left without a word. "But I've met the Grand Master and you look like her."

Picking up his drink, Theron swallowed what was left in the first, before answering, "She's my mother, but like you I don't want to talk about it."

"Noted and I won't dig," I replied, sipping my second wine. "But there is something else familiar about you. I just can't put my finger on it."

Theron shook his head and chuckled softly. "Not many people know and even fewer see the resemblance," he started. "And for safety reasons we'd like to keep it that way, but I think you can be trusted. Jace Malcom is my father."

"That's it!" I said, pleased that I'd seen the resemblance. "I've met your father too... he's a good guy."

"He is," Theron agreed, smiling. "I don't get to see him as much as I'd like. We lead busy lives."

"I'm sure," I said. "I don't get to see my family as much as I'd like."

"And what do your parents think of your choice in careers?" Theron asked in an obvious attempt to change the subject.

"My mother isn't thrilled," I admitted to him, taking another sip of wine. "But my parents always encouraged us to chase our dreams and find a career that fulfilled us."

"They sound like great parents."

"They are," I agreed.

"There's that shine in your eyes again," Theron teased, moving closer to me in his chair. "If they make you that happy… tell me about them?"

"You asked for it," I teased him with a grin. "So, I grew up on Coruscant…"

Time became meaningless as I shared details about my life. We laughed... we talked, we drank and we laughed some more. We had fun and I forgot — just for a few blissful moments — I forgot all of the problems weighing on me. I enjoyed connecting with someone. It was wonderful and after the last few weeks that I'd had, I refused to feel any guilt about it. Choices were made that were outside my control, now he had to live with those consequences.

"This has been fun," Theron said, an unknown amount of time later.

Looking around, I realized most of the people I'd been introduced to earlier were gone. Nalan sat a short distance away with two or three other people. "It has," I answered him honestly.

"I don't want it to end," Theron commented. Suddenly standing up, he offered me his hand and asked, "Dance with me?"

Talking was one thing, dancing was something else. My confidence seemed to wane. "I don't know if... " I started, but he cut me off.

"Just one dance," he promised, offering his hand again.

"Theron," I sighed, shaking my head. "I…"

"Please," he interrupted me, giving me sad, puppy dog eyes.

"Just one," I finally relented. Taking his hand, I let him help me stand up.

He held on to my hand and led me toward the large dark, marble floor in the center of the large room. As I followed behind him, I appreciated the way the dark fabric of his pants framed his butt perfectly. Taking deep breath, I tried to rein in my rampaging hormones and chased those thoughts from my head. I had a man… whether he knew it right now or not! But damn! Theron was fine! And I could look… just not touch. I was mated, not dead!

Like the rest of the nightclub, the dance floor was busy but not packed with couples. Groupings of couples dotted the floor, but each had plenty of room to move around. Rocking my head to the beat, I thanked my lucky stars it was a fast song. I could put some space between us. Just as we were about to start dancing, the song ended.

"This next one is for all the couple out there," the DJ said over the speakers. "And K'agan, Nalan says this one is for you! Have fun!"

Glancing back in the direction of our table, I scowled at my friend. She was standing at the edge of the group, laughing and waving jauntily at me.

"I'll get you back," I promised her, as a slow, romantic song started to play.

She shrugged and motioned toward a dance partner. Turning, I found Theron watching me.

"Is dancing with me so bad?"

Damn Nalan.

"No, not at all," I rushed to reassure him. "I just don't want to disappoint you."

"Just follow my lead," he said, not understanding why I was worried.

"Okay," I said, offering him a small smile. How bad could this be, I tried to reassure myself. It wasn't working. The closer Theron got, the faster my heart beat.

"Relax," he chided, as he carefully wrapped his arms around me and we slowly started to move to the beat of the music. "I don't bite," he added with a grin, "… much."

"Ha, ha," I replied, as I let him lead me around the floor, but softened it with a small smile.

After a few moments, the other dancers seemed to disappear and it was just Theron and I, moving around the floor. He really was a wonderful dancer, easily moving around other dancers, making it seem easy. I gave all control, closed my eyes and lost myself in the music and Theron.

When he sensed the change in my demeanor, I felt Theron's heart raise through his thin shirt. He was only slightly taller than me, so we were pressed together from our chest to our thighs. Theron had one arm wrapped around me, while he held the other hand tightly in his. The heat of our bodies seemed to seep through our clothes, feeding the growing fire between us.

Reaching out, he gently touched my face with his fingertips and cupped my cheek in his hand. Our eyes locked and he whispered, "See? Not so bad, right?"

"No, it's not," I whispered. Throwing caution to the wind, I fell into his fiery gaze. At this moment, there was nothing else, no one, no problems and no galaxy waiting for me to save it. It was just us and the music.

"K'agan," he started, "I... " he trailed off. Instead he leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. For just a moment, I thought about resisting… for just a moment, before I was returning the tender kiss….

TBC

A/N: **Runs and Hides from irate readers** Mahahaha! That was fun! I hoped you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it!