~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Even as she walked silently down the corridor next to Obi-Wan, Sari's heart was beating wildly in her chest, her lips still warm and tingling from the touch of Obi-Wan's mouth on hers. Their kiss had been absolutely electric, sparking every neuron in her body to life. Her mind was working fast and furious to comprehend the meaning of what had just happened. Her spirit was soaring after two long, torturous months of being stuck in emotional limbo. Now she knew how he felt, but..... what next?
Neither spoke a word as they walked, but Sari knew they were headed back to his quarters. Every few steps, he would glance over at her with a small smile and brush his fingers across her hand. She couldn't help but feel a silly grin spread across her own face each time he flashed her those twinkling eyes. Several passersby cast curious looks at them. Sari assumed they weren't used to seeing another Jedi smile so much. She chuckled to herself.
Obi-Wan could feel his blood coursing through his veins just knowing that Sari was next to him. It had been such a release to finally let his penned up feelings be known. Even if no actual words had been spoken, he was pretty sure that Sari had gotten the message. However, being found by Anakin had been..... awkward. He always tried to be a perfect example for his padawan, and now it would be difficult to look the boy in the eye.
These raging emotions were new to Obi-Wan Kenobi, and he wasn't quite sure what to do next. Out of habit, he was headed back to his apartment, but what would happen when they got there? A few images popped into his mind, but he tried to shake them off with a Force brush that was the equivalent of a cold shower.
It didn't work.
He looked over at Sari for the hundredth time. She took his breath away... so genuinely beautiful on the inside and outside that he could scarce believe she was real and there with him. Her wavy, brown hair softly framed her delicate face that was flushed pink from ..... him?, he wondered. //I like that,// he proudly admitted to himself. He had spent so many years concerned only with being a devoted Jedi that realizing he could have such a pleasant effect on a woman was a welcome discovery.
Suddenly, there it was.... the door to his quarters. Both stopped dead in their tracks and swallowed hard. After a few seconds of silence, Obi- Wan spoke.
"Well, here we are." He hoped desperately that she couldn't sense how nervous he was.
"Yeah.... we're here all right," she replied taking a deep breath and shifting her gaze from him back to the door. Using the utmost care, he pushed the button, and the door swished quickly open causing them both to jump.
"After you." He stood aside and let her enter first.
Sari didn't think it was possible for her heart to beat any faster, but it did. Could he hear it?
Obi-Wan stepped in behind her and they both turned to face one another. He gazed down into her big, blue eyes and felt himself falling deeper and deeper. //Patience, Obi-Wan,// he muttered in his mind. Without even using any Jedi mind tricks, he could tell that she was eagerly anticipating his next move. Keeping his eyes locked on hers, he slowly raised his hand and tenderly caressed her face with the back of his hand. She gasped softly and trembled beneath his touch. Then he smoothly lowered his mouth to her waiting lips and kissed her deeply, sending as much pleasure to her via the Force as he could.
It worked. Sari unknowingly let slip a little moan of ecstasy which drove Obi-Wan to further distraction and urged him to pull her snugly to him. Her arms instinctively wrapped around his neck, and she began running her fingers through his hair, all the while lavishing kisses upon his strong, warm mouth. Had anyone ever experienced something as wonderful as this?, she wondered.
What was she doing to him? He had never in his life felt something so.... so.... so sensual, and he liked it-- a lot! Without thinking, he began moving her toward the couch, making sure not to separate himself from her lips in the process. She quickly got the message and backed up until she reached the sofa and eased herself down, Obi-Wan still attached to her face.
Now seated, Sari moved in closer until she was practically sitting in his lap. Finally, out of breath, she forced herself away from him, albeit unwillingly. Obi-Wan, too, was struggling to regain some semblance of composure. Never before had he felt so out of control of himself and his actions. By the Force! It was amazing!
Staring into Sari's sparkling eyes, he felt the urge to reach out and take her in his arms again, but, sensing her apprehension, he somehow managed to restrain himself. He was moving too fast.
"I'm sorry," he whispered breathlessly. Sari shot him a surprised look.
"Don't be sorry," she replied gently touching his hand and giving a reassuring smile. "I'm not."
Bzzzzz! Bzzzzz!
Nearly jumping a few feet in the air from the startling sound, Sari threw her hand over her heart and tried to calm her racing heart. Obi-Wan chuckled and rose from the couch.
"The door," he added moving to open it. Anakin peeked inside as if to check to see if the 'coast was clear.' With a mischievous grin he stepped in looking quite smug. Sari felt as if the boy could tell what had been transpiring just moments before, and quickly turned away from his gaze as her hand moved to her mouth. Only now did she notice how warm and slightly raw her lips felt, and then she realized it had to have been from Obi-Wan's tender assault.....and beard. How long had they been alone together? Her sense of time had fled as soon as he had touched her.
Anakin cleared his throat dramatically. "Are you two ready?" They looked at him oblivious to anything but what had just happened between them. "For dinner with Miss Lon?" he explained.
"Oh, of course," Obi-Wan finally muttered. "I had forgotten."
Anakin couldn't resist. "Well, you had... 'other things' on your mind, Master." He gave his old friend a sly wink and a pat on the back. Obi-Wan stood speechless, and Sari felt her face heat up from embarrassment. "I'll be in my room when you're ready," the boy added, and then he was gone.
Sari jumped up from the sofa and started back to the refresher. "I'll... just.... go get changed," she said, trying to avoid Obi-Wan's eyes. He watched her leave and couldn't help but heave a deep sigh of contentment and grin from ear to ear like a fool.
He was in love.