Thanks for all the feedback! You guys are great.
I want to thank aniamifan1988, lala, Elantari2, Danni-2005, The Good Twin, and star_rebel for sticking with me on this one. Your encouragement got me to get this ready to post sooner than I would have otherwise.
This one's for you!!
Part Seven
The passionate explosion that had just occurred should have left Luke content. Instead, he was filled with a heightened tension. Imagining how good it would be and actually experiencing the incredibly thrilling sensations was an entirely different matter. He craved to be inside her again, was already addicted to the euphoria she brought him.
Luke wasn't sure if it was the incredibly chemistry between them, the way they seemed to move in perfect synchronicity, or if it was the way his Force senses resounded with pleasure - a sense of rightness to it all. Perhaps, it was the knowledge that the woman he loved was now his wife and he had a perfect right to be making love with her. He hoped to continue doings so for many years to come. He wasn't sure, but the fact remained that his desire for her did not diminish. For the first time, he wondered if he would ever have enough. Luke was a fool if he thought that by making love to Mara, he would clear his system, freeing himself of this mind clouding need for her. He would never be free, he realized with bittersweet longing, and she might never be his, not really.
Mara's voice interrupted his thoughts, "You know, I have two perfectly good legs."
Luke realized that he had been standing beside the bed, holding her against him.
"I've noticed." He said suggestively and then lowered her to the ground, allowing her body to slid against his. Mara could feel his arousal and was both amused and pleased that she had this effect on him. "But I wouldn't mind checking them out just to be sure."
He dropped down to his knees and placed his hands on her hips. He glided his large, slightly callused palms down the length of them. Mara leaned forward, putting her hand on his shoulder to steady herself. When his hands moved upward, they inclined toward her center and he was satisfied to hear a gasp of pleasure when his fingers met their target. Luke wrapped his arms around her legs, in a hug that kept her firmly in place as he explored with his mouth.
Mara gazed down at the top of his blond head, feeling him delve deeply into her core. She tunneled her fingers through his hair, luxuriating in the feel of its softness and absentmindedly urging him to continue. He was doing incredible things to her. A green glint of the ring on her hand caught her eye, and she turned her hand so that it would catch the light, all the while Luke was causing her to feel wave after wave of cascading pleasure. She brought the gem closer to her face and without thought brought the ring into her mouth.
The pleasure became too intense and she moaned, releasing the ring, feeling her legs give out from under her. Luke guided her back on to the bed, and she fell back without protest. Luke moved up to cup her breasts with his hands and engulfed the tip with his mouth, sucking gently on the hardened nub. He then moved to lavish the same attention on the other breast. Mara bucked in response, lighting streaking from her breast to the aching place between her legs. She grabbed his face and brought it up for a scalding kiss.
Luke joined her unresistingly, moving urgently against her. Mara was surprised at how quickly she needed him, how desperately she wanted him to join with her. She was certain that she would die, right here, right now, if he didn't fill her.
She lowered her barriers just a bit, projecting her burning need to the Jedi. Luke did not hesitate. He moved between her thighs and buried himself to the hilt. They caught their breath, and their eyes locked in one crystal clear moment. Then they began to move, the sensations so intense that Mara closed her eyes, clutching him to her.
They set a frenzied pace, unable to take it slowly. Her skin was on fire, and the sound of their rasping breathing punctuated by an involuntary moan only served to increase her desire. The things he made her feel and the way that even while he was inside of her she ached for more was unsettling. She should have been frightened by her desire for an even deeper joining, but she couldn't fear this intense pleasure, the almost euphoria she felt while they moved as one. Mara absently promised herself that later she would make him beg for her. She would lavish attention on his body, but for now, she was consumed. They moved in that dance, swimming in the sea of pleasure for a long while.
Once she had lowered her barriers, she couldn't seem to maintain them fully. She didn't want to allow Luke access to the most private part of her, and she shied away from delving into Luke's shinning presence. It washed over her any how, and she gloried in him. The beauty of the moment only served to cause her pain, however.
Mara realized that she wanted even more of him then he was willing to give. The sense of his Force presence hinted at what their complete joining would bring, and how even though it would mean a temporary loss of self, they could find joy in a melding beyond the body. She knew this was what she craved and yet it was something that would be denied them. Mara grabbed his face and pulled him in for a possessive kiss. Luke closed his eyes, and surrendered to her unspoken demand. Returning stroke for stroke, he shuddered above her, unable to withstand this onslaught. Feeling his desire peak, drove Mara over the edge as well and she cried out with him, releasing his mouth so that they could breathe.
When Luke tried to pull off of her, she said, "Stay." Urging him to continuing lying on top of her. She gloried in his weight, enjoyed feeling him still joined to her.
He shifted some of his weight on one elbow and wrapped his other arm around her waist and pulled her on top of him. Mara laid splayed out on his chest, one leg falling between his knees. Her breasts were pressed against his finely muscled chest, and a fine sheen of perspiration made their skin slick. When their breathing slowed and their hearts resumed a more leisurely pace, she shivered slightly in the suddenly cool air.
Luke tightened his grip around her, and pulled a blanket from the bed and over their bodies. She settled against him, comfortably warm and reached for his hand. They twined their fingers together. With each breath he took, Mara's face rose slightly on his chest and then fell when he exhaled. This soothing motion, and the compete repletion that she felt made it almost impossible for her to keep her eyes open. She wanted to talk with him, to discuss their future, ask him why he had left for so long. But she was too tired to form words.
Luke's hand trailed up and down her spine and he said languidly, "I don't know how long we have this room for, but I thought we might go to Yavin for the rest of our honeymoon. I have this small place far from the Academy where we can be alone."
Mara's first instinct was to protest. Yavin! It would be just like Luke Skywalker to want to take her to the Jedi home world on their honeymoon. But the idea of spending many days alone with Skywalker was very nice indeed.
"Hmmmm." She agreed sleepily, and then drifted into unconsciousness.
Sometime in the middle of the night, Luke woke up and found it impossible to fall back asleep. He gazed at the woman sleeping beside him, a feeling of tenderness coming over him. He loved her so much, he couldn't quite believe that she was his wife.
He certainly had no complaints about their sexual compatibility. Luke was pleased at the way Mara had responded to him but somehow he felt she was keeping part of herself away from him. She maintained a defensive barrier so that their joining was purely physical. When they were making love, he had tried to reach out to her through the Force, only to be rebuffed. Mara was maintaining her barriers, not allowing him to connect with her on a deeper level. Perhaps he was expecting too much. Only Force users would be able to link on such a level. He laughed derisively at himself. He should be happy with what he had, and there was no denying that it was great
What did he expect? Had he actually believed that he would make incredible, passionate love to Mara and she would be so overwhelmed that she would instantly fall in love with him? Yes. That had been his hope and he saw the futility of it now.
Luke pulled on a pair of sleep pants and made his way to the window. They were on an even higher level than Han and Leia's apartment. He was actually able to make out the faint shimmer of stars in the sky; the lights of the city were so far below them. His eyes gazed long and hard at the small glimmering sparks, usually finding peace when he beheld their light. They failed to comfort Luke; his inner turmoil was too great for those distant lights to provide any solace.
Mara awoke to find the bed empty. Luke's dark silhouette was outlined in sharp relief against the faint stars in the sky. She unconsciously reached out to him through the Force, sensing his sorrow and distress. After what they had shared, his emotions jolted her. Mara doubted he could regret their love making. She knew he had been as effected as she, but was he now lamenting his choice of bride? Did he wish that he were here with someone else? Callista perhaps?
He sensed her questing mind and its quick retreat.
Luke swung around to face her. "Mara."
"Couldn't you sleep?" She asked, coming to join him by the window, dragging the bed sheet as a make shift robe. He smiled tenderly down at her, and Mara couldn't quite believe that he wished that she was someone else. Could he?
"I thought I'd make something to eat."
"Didn't eat at the reception?" Mara asked.
"Nope. And if I recall, you left your plate untouched as well."
"I had things on my mind other than food." Mara answered.
"Oh really?" Luke asked pointedly.
"Yeah." She replied slowly. "I kept wondering if I had paid the docking fees for the Jade's Fire."
Luke smiled slightly and prompted her, "Oh?"
"And then I wondered if I had transmitted the latest meeting minutes to the Wild Karrde."
"Yes, I can see how that could bother you on your wedding day." Luke agreed.
"Then there was the shipping manifests. I might have put down the wrong date on them. Karrde hates it when those things get misfiled."
Luke nodded sagely.
Then Mara smiled, "But I guess I was mostly worried about the coming night with a certain man who was now my husband."
Luke admitted shyly, "I was terrified."
"You were not." She protested.
"I was," he insisted defensively, "Not about making love, although I'd be lying if I said I had no concerns that I might disappoint you."
"Never." She insisted.
He smiled and put his arm around her in a hug, pulling her close against his side. "But I was terrified that you'd decide that you had made a mistake."
"Even after the wedding?"
"Well, I was somewhat reassured after we exchanged vows, but I didn't know for sure that you really wanted to go through with this until after we made love."
Mara didn't quite know how to respond to this. 'We made love.' She gazed out at the stars and then she said slowly, "We made a contract with each other. It was too good a deal to pass up." But Luke's words continued to sound over and over inside her head. 'We made love, we made love.'
Luke dropped his hand from her arm, reminded once again of their arrangement.
Mara wondered why her words seemed to hurt him. She tried to reach out to him, but his barriers were in full force. She smiled tentatively at him and said, "I want to get cleaned up and then maybe we can see what's in the kitchen."
She turned away. Luke watched as she closed the door behind her.
When Mara emerged from the fresher with her hair hanging in damp tendrils and wearing a soft shimmering robe, she saw that Luke had made a picnic for them on the bed. He had placed a tray on the quilt. Precisely cut cheese and fresh bread were arranged on the tray. Fresh berries and cream were in a bowl, and a container of olives, bits of chocolate, and a decanter of honey wine were arranged attractively on the tray.
She slid across the bed. Mara folded her legs, sitting on the other side of the tray. She was unable to contain a smile as she took in the scene. Luke was seated across from her, his shirt still lying in a crumple by the door, his chest bare. His feet were tucked under his crossed legs, his tanned skin gleaming in the muted light streaming through the window of the slowly graying sky. With tousled hair, gleaming blue eyes, and a tentative grin he was irresistible.
Mara commented, "This is quite a spread."
She could feel his pleasure at her words, and the faint lines around his eyes crinkled as he grinned. Luke handed her a piece of cheese, in a gesture that seemed to say, 'help yourself'. She took it and enjoyed the sharp flavor.
Mara picked up a piece of chocolate and held it to his lips. His tongue flicked out, capturing it, and bringing it into his mouth. Her mouth went dry at the sensual way he moved his mouth, and his eyes gleamed knowing full well the effect he was having on her.
"You want to try it?" Luke asked.
She nodded, expecting him to do the same for her. Instead, he leaned toward her and kissed her, the taste of the sweet still lingering on his tongue. His lips stroked gently over the soft flesh of her mouth, tongue dipping tantalizingly within its depths. She responded languorously, drawing the kiss out, savoring the sweetness of this caress. Mara felt the need coil deep in her belly, building a silken tension.
When they pulled back, he felt as if he wanted to sweep away the food tray and make love to her again. Luke had never really thought of himself as a sexual person before. Until he had first touched Mara, he believed that he could not be transported outside of himself, losing himself within the vaulted heights of passion. He had known pleasure before, but never this need bordering on obsession.
Control. control. He must learn control. He could almost hear Yoda's voice admonishing him. He doubted the diminutive Jedi Master would rebuke him for his inability to resist this flame haired beauty.
Mara recognized the hooded expression in Luke's eyes and felt a responding streak of fire flash through her body. The empty feeling in her stomach and the remembered sorrow that she had sensed in the Jedi, tempered her, however. "You keep that up and you're going to starve your new bride. I'll die of hunger before the honeymoon's over."
Luke smiled gently and said, "You'd better satisfy your hunger then, before I decide to satisfy mine."
Mara gaped at him, unused to these teasing jests from the Jedi. "Skywalker? Is that you? 'cause I can barely recognize you in this kind of mood."
Luke suddenly got flustered and blushed.
"Hey, It's all right. I'm not complaining." Mara assured him. "I just didn't expect it, that's all."
"I didn't expect it either, Mara." Luke said, recovering quickly and taking her hand. His voice had taken on a deeper tone, and implied so much more.
Mara felt her whole body begin to tremble and she wondered if he were going to tell her that he loved her. Could he really feel something more for her than friendship and lust?
But what if she were wrong?
Luke would never tell her that he didn't share her feelings, that he still pined away for a love that had left him long ago. Thoughts of that time he spent with Callista still haunted her. Luke had loved Callista, and had told Mara that on more than one occasion. When Callista had left he had been devastated. Mara's heart had bled for him, unwilling to see him so hurt. Yet she was glad too, feeling that Callista had been unworthy of the Jedi Master.
How would Luke react if he had an inkling to the feelings that were becoming more and more difficult for her to control? If he shared them, there would be no problem. But if he was still in love with Callista . .. .Would he regret their marriage? Or would he merely hide his true feelings? He had such a noble heart; she knew that if he had any idea of the emotions that were coursing through her, that he would try his hardest not to hurt her. She could not stand dishonesty between them.
Suddenly wary of him sensing her thoughts, she narrowed her eyes and reinforced her shields.
Luke mentally flinched when he felt Mara retreat from him, feeling as if he had been slapped. He tried not to let the hurt show, but his heart felt like an aching wound. He made an effort not to share his pain with the red haired beauty.
When a shuttered expression closed over Luke's face, Mara wondered if he had sensed the train of her thoughts. Sith! This was too much. She jumped up, and began to wander the suite.
She started speaking, saying inane comments about what a wonderful place they were in. She began to point out features in the room, knowing full well that neither of them were taking any heed to the senseless words pouring from her mouth. Mara mentally despised herself, wondering what had come over her.
Skywalker had turned her into a babbling idiot.
Luke sat unmoving on the bed watching her as she paced the room, suddenly talking about the various amenities of their suite. He narrowed his gaze, studying her. Then he cautiously stretched out with the Force toward her. He caught a fragment of her emotions and relaxed slightly. Mara was nervous. He tried to think what had happened to suddenly set her off. Why was she acting so strange?
'I didn't expect it either, Mara.' He had said.
Luke swore to himself, realizing that it sounded like he was about to admit his love for her. He almost had too. Luke had come so close to admitting everything that was in his heart. She must have suspected this and wanted desperately to stop him.
She didn't want his love. Mara was a fiercely independent woman, and she didn't want to be entangled by clinging emotions that she could not share.
Mara swung around to face him, her face flushed and she opened her mouth to speak. "Look at me. I'm a fool, Skywalker."
Luke rose to his feet. "If anyone's the fool, it's me."
Mara narrowed her gaze at him and said, "We said we'd be honest to each other. You are beginning to regret this marriage aren't you?"
Luke's frustration made his anger rise quickly. "We both knew what we were getting in to the moment we agreed to this arrangement. My goals, my needs have not changed, even though . . ." Luke paused.
"Go on, say it! Even though you're in love."
Luke's face contorted, and he clenched his hands into fists. "I can't control my heart Mara." Luke said. "But I promise you that my feelings won't interfere with our happiness."
She knew it, and it was like a blow to her. He was still in love with Callista. He had just admitted it. He knew that he could not have the one he truly wanted so he had settled for her. They had been truthful with each other from the very beginning, and she had asked for honesty.
Sometimes the truth hurt.
(More to come soon. Thanks again for your feedback! (
It really means a lot! ---- Rhea)
I want to thank aniamifan1988, lala, Elantari2, Danni-2005, The Good Twin, and star_rebel for sticking with me on this one. Your encouragement got me to get this ready to post sooner than I would have otherwise.
This one's for you!!
Part Seven
The passionate explosion that had just occurred should have left Luke content. Instead, he was filled with a heightened tension. Imagining how good it would be and actually experiencing the incredibly thrilling sensations was an entirely different matter. He craved to be inside her again, was already addicted to the euphoria she brought him.
Luke wasn't sure if it was the incredibly chemistry between them, the way they seemed to move in perfect synchronicity, or if it was the way his Force senses resounded with pleasure - a sense of rightness to it all. Perhaps, it was the knowledge that the woman he loved was now his wife and he had a perfect right to be making love with her. He hoped to continue doings so for many years to come. He wasn't sure, but the fact remained that his desire for her did not diminish. For the first time, he wondered if he would ever have enough. Luke was a fool if he thought that by making love to Mara, he would clear his system, freeing himself of this mind clouding need for her. He would never be free, he realized with bittersweet longing, and she might never be his, not really.
Mara's voice interrupted his thoughts, "You know, I have two perfectly good legs."
Luke realized that he had been standing beside the bed, holding her against him.
"I've noticed." He said suggestively and then lowered her to the ground, allowing her body to slid against his. Mara could feel his arousal and was both amused and pleased that she had this effect on him. "But I wouldn't mind checking them out just to be sure."
He dropped down to his knees and placed his hands on her hips. He glided his large, slightly callused palms down the length of them. Mara leaned forward, putting her hand on his shoulder to steady herself. When his hands moved upward, they inclined toward her center and he was satisfied to hear a gasp of pleasure when his fingers met their target. Luke wrapped his arms around her legs, in a hug that kept her firmly in place as he explored with his mouth.
Mara gazed down at the top of his blond head, feeling him delve deeply into her core. She tunneled her fingers through his hair, luxuriating in the feel of its softness and absentmindedly urging him to continue. He was doing incredible things to her. A green glint of the ring on her hand caught her eye, and she turned her hand so that it would catch the light, all the while Luke was causing her to feel wave after wave of cascading pleasure. She brought the gem closer to her face and without thought brought the ring into her mouth.
The pleasure became too intense and she moaned, releasing the ring, feeling her legs give out from under her. Luke guided her back on to the bed, and she fell back without protest. Luke moved up to cup her breasts with his hands and engulfed the tip with his mouth, sucking gently on the hardened nub. He then moved to lavish the same attention on the other breast. Mara bucked in response, lighting streaking from her breast to the aching place between her legs. She grabbed his face and brought it up for a scalding kiss.
Luke joined her unresistingly, moving urgently against her. Mara was surprised at how quickly she needed him, how desperately she wanted him to join with her. She was certain that she would die, right here, right now, if he didn't fill her.
She lowered her barriers just a bit, projecting her burning need to the Jedi. Luke did not hesitate. He moved between her thighs and buried himself to the hilt. They caught their breath, and their eyes locked in one crystal clear moment. Then they began to move, the sensations so intense that Mara closed her eyes, clutching him to her.
They set a frenzied pace, unable to take it slowly. Her skin was on fire, and the sound of their rasping breathing punctuated by an involuntary moan only served to increase her desire. The things he made her feel and the way that even while he was inside of her she ached for more was unsettling. She should have been frightened by her desire for an even deeper joining, but she couldn't fear this intense pleasure, the almost euphoria she felt while they moved as one. Mara absently promised herself that later she would make him beg for her. She would lavish attention on his body, but for now, she was consumed. They moved in that dance, swimming in the sea of pleasure for a long while.
Once she had lowered her barriers, she couldn't seem to maintain them fully. She didn't want to allow Luke access to the most private part of her, and she shied away from delving into Luke's shinning presence. It washed over her any how, and she gloried in him. The beauty of the moment only served to cause her pain, however.
Mara realized that she wanted even more of him then he was willing to give. The sense of his Force presence hinted at what their complete joining would bring, and how even though it would mean a temporary loss of self, they could find joy in a melding beyond the body. She knew this was what she craved and yet it was something that would be denied them. Mara grabbed his face and pulled him in for a possessive kiss. Luke closed his eyes, and surrendered to her unspoken demand. Returning stroke for stroke, he shuddered above her, unable to withstand this onslaught. Feeling his desire peak, drove Mara over the edge as well and she cried out with him, releasing his mouth so that they could breathe.
When Luke tried to pull off of her, she said, "Stay." Urging him to continuing lying on top of her. She gloried in his weight, enjoyed feeling him still joined to her.
He shifted some of his weight on one elbow and wrapped his other arm around her waist and pulled her on top of him. Mara laid splayed out on his chest, one leg falling between his knees. Her breasts were pressed against his finely muscled chest, and a fine sheen of perspiration made their skin slick. When their breathing slowed and their hearts resumed a more leisurely pace, she shivered slightly in the suddenly cool air.
Luke tightened his grip around her, and pulled a blanket from the bed and over their bodies. She settled against him, comfortably warm and reached for his hand. They twined their fingers together. With each breath he took, Mara's face rose slightly on his chest and then fell when he exhaled. This soothing motion, and the compete repletion that she felt made it almost impossible for her to keep her eyes open. She wanted to talk with him, to discuss their future, ask him why he had left for so long. But she was too tired to form words.
Luke's hand trailed up and down her spine and he said languidly, "I don't know how long we have this room for, but I thought we might go to Yavin for the rest of our honeymoon. I have this small place far from the Academy where we can be alone."
Mara's first instinct was to protest. Yavin! It would be just like Luke Skywalker to want to take her to the Jedi home world on their honeymoon. But the idea of spending many days alone with Skywalker was very nice indeed.
"Hmmmm." She agreed sleepily, and then drifted into unconsciousness.
Sometime in the middle of the night, Luke woke up and found it impossible to fall back asleep. He gazed at the woman sleeping beside him, a feeling of tenderness coming over him. He loved her so much, he couldn't quite believe that she was his wife.
He certainly had no complaints about their sexual compatibility. Luke was pleased at the way Mara had responded to him but somehow he felt she was keeping part of herself away from him. She maintained a defensive barrier so that their joining was purely physical. When they were making love, he had tried to reach out to her through the Force, only to be rebuffed. Mara was maintaining her barriers, not allowing him to connect with her on a deeper level. Perhaps he was expecting too much. Only Force users would be able to link on such a level. He laughed derisively at himself. He should be happy with what he had, and there was no denying that it was great
What did he expect? Had he actually believed that he would make incredible, passionate love to Mara and she would be so overwhelmed that she would instantly fall in love with him? Yes. That had been his hope and he saw the futility of it now.
Luke pulled on a pair of sleep pants and made his way to the window. They were on an even higher level than Han and Leia's apartment. He was actually able to make out the faint shimmer of stars in the sky; the lights of the city were so far below them. His eyes gazed long and hard at the small glimmering sparks, usually finding peace when he beheld their light. They failed to comfort Luke; his inner turmoil was too great for those distant lights to provide any solace.
Mara awoke to find the bed empty. Luke's dark silhouette was outlined in sharp relief against the faint stars in the sky. She unconsciously reached out to him through the Force, sensing his sorrow and distress. After what they had shared, his emotions jolted her. Mara doubted he could regret their love making. She knew he had been as effected as she, but was he now lamenting his choice of bride? Did he wish that he were here with someone else? Callista perhaps?
He sensed her questing mind and its quick retreat.
Luke swung around to face her. "Mara."
"Couldn't you sleep?" She asked, coming to join him by the window, dragging the bed sheet as a make shift robe. He smiled tenderly down at her, and Mara couldn't quite believe that he wished that she was someone else. Could he?
"I thought I'd make something to eat."
"Didn't eat at the reception?" Mara asked.
"Nope. And if I recall, you left your plate untouched as well."
"I had things on my mind other than food." Mara answered.
"Oh really?" Luke asked pointedly.
"Yeah." She replied slowly. "I kept wondering if I had paid the docking fees for the Jade's Fire."
Luke smiled slightly and prompted her, "Oh?"
"And then I wondered if I had transmitted the latest meeting minutes to the Wild Karrde."
"Yes, I can see how that could bother you on your wedding day." Luke agreed.
"Then there was the shipping manifests. I might have put down the wrong date on them. Karrde hates it when those things get misfiled."
Luke nodded sagely.
Then Mara smiled, "But I guess I was mostly worried about the coming night with a certain man who was now my husband."
Luke admitted shyly, "I was terrified."
"You were not." She protested.
"I was," he insisted defensively, "Not about making love, although I'd be lying if I said I had no concerns that I might disappoint you."
"Never." She insisted.
He smiled and put his arm around her in a hug, pulling her close against his side. "But I was terrified that you'd decide that you had made a mistake."
"Even after the wedding?"
"Well, I was somewhat reassured after we exchanged vows, but I didn't know for sure that you really wanted to go through with this until after we made love."
Mara didn't quite know how to respond to this. 'We made love.' She gazed out at the stars and then she said slowly, "We made a contract with each other. It was too good a deal to pass up." But Luke's words continued to sound over and over inside her head. 'We made love, we made love.'
Luke dropped his hand from her arm, reminded once again of their arrangement.
Mara wondered why her words seemed to hurt him. She tried to reach out to him, but his barriers were in full force. She smiled tentatively at him and said, "I want to get cleaned up and then maybe we can see what's in the kitchen."
She turned away. Luke watched as she closed the door behind her.
When Mara emerged from the fresher with her hair hanging in damp tendrils and wearing a soft shimmering robe, she saw that Luke had made a picnic for them on the bed. He had placed a tray on the quilt. Precisely cut cheese and fresh bread were arranged on the tray. Fresh berries and cream were in a bowl, and a container of olives, bits of chocolate, and a decanter of honey wine were arranged attractively on the tray.
She slid across the bed. Mara folded her legs, sitting on the other side of the tray. She was unable to contain a smile as she took in the scene. Luke was seated across from her, his shirt still lying in a crumple by the door, his chest bare. His feet were tucked under his crossed legs, his tanned skin gleaming in the muted light streaming through the window of the slowly graying sky. With tousled hair, gleaming blue eyes, and a tentative grin he was irresistible.
Mara commented, "This is quite a spread."
She could feel his pleasure at her words, and the faint lines around his eyes crinkled as he grinned. Luke handed her a piece of cheese, in a gesture that seemed to say, 'help yourself'. She took it and enjoyed the sharp flavor.
Mara picked up a piece of chocolate and held it to his lips. His tongue flicked out, capturing it, and bringing it into his mouth. Her mouth went dry at the sensual way he moved his mouth, and his eyes gleamed knowing full well the effect he was having on her.
"You want to try it?" Luke asked.
She nodded, expecting him to do the same for her. Instead, he leaned toward her and kissed her, the taste of the sweet still lingering on his tongue. His lips stroked gently over the soft flesh of her mouth, tongue dipping tantalizingly within its depths. She responded languorously, drawing the kiss out, savoring the sweetness of this caress. Mara felt the need coil deep in her belly, building a silken tension.
When they pulled back, he felt as if he wanted to sweep away the food tray and make love to her again. Luke had never really thought of himself as a sexual person before. Until he had first touched Mara, he believed that he could not be transported outside of himself, losing himself within the vaulted heights of passion. He had known pleasure before, but never this need bordering on obsession.
Control. control. He must learn control. He could almost hear Yoda's voice admonishing him. He doubted the diminutive Jedi Master would rebuke him for his inability to resist this flame haired beauty.
Mara recognized the hooded expression in Luke's eyes and felt a responding streak of fire flash through her body. The empty feeling in her stomach and the remembered sorrow that she had sensed in the Jedi, tempered her, however. "You keep that up and you're going to starve your new bride. I'll die of hunger before the honeymoon's over."
Luke smiled gently and said, "You'd better satisfy your hunger then, before I decide to satisfy mine."
Mara gaped at him, unused to these teasing jests from the Jedi. "Skywalker? Is that you? 'cause I can barely recognize you in this kind of mood."
Luke suddenly got flustered and blushed.
"Hey, It's all right. I'm not complaining." Mara assured him. "I just didn't expect it, that's all."
"I didn't expect it either, Mara." Luke said, recovering quickly and taking her hand. His voice had taken on a deeper tone, and implied so much more.
Mara felt her whole body begin to tremble and she wondered if he were going to tell her that he loved her. Could he really feel something more for her than friendship and lust?
But what if she were wrong?
Luke would never tell her that he didn't share her feelings, that he still pined away for a love that had left him long ago. Thoughts of that time he spent with Callista still haunted her. Luke had loved Callista, and had told Mara that on more than one occasion. When Callista had left he had been devastated. Mara's heart had bled for him, unwilling to see him so hurt. Yet she was glad too, feeling that Callista had been unworthy of the Jedi Master.
How would Luke react if he had an inkling to the feelings that were becoming more and more difficult for her to control? If he shared them, there would be no problem. But if he was still in love with Callista . .. .Would he regret their marriage? Or would he merely hide his true feelings? He had such a noble heart; she knew that if he had any idea of the emotions that were coursing through her, that he would try his hardest not to hurt her. She could not stand dishonesty between them.
Suddenly wary of him sensing her thoughts, she narrowed her eyes and reinforced her shields.
Luke mentally flinched when he felt Mara retreat from him, feeling as if he had been slapped. He tried not to let the hurt show, but his heart felt like an aching wound. He made an effort not to share his pain with the red haired beauty.
When a shuttered expression closed over Luke's face, Mara wondered if he had sensed the train of her thoughts. Sith! This was too much. She jumped up, and began to wander the suite.
She started speaking, saying inane comments about what a wonderful place they were in. She began to point out features in the room, knowing full well that neither of them were taking any heed to the senseless words pouring from her mouth. Mara mentally despised herself, wondering what had come over her.
Skywalker had turned her into a babbling idiot.
Luke sat unmoving on the bed watching her as she paced the room, suddenly talking about the various amenities of their suite. He narrowed his gaze, studying her. Then he cautiously stretched out with the Force toward her. He caught a fragment of her emotions and relaxed slightly. Mara was nervous. He tried to think what had happened to suddenly set her off. Why was she acting so strange?
'I didn't expect it either, Mara.' He had said.
Luke swore to himself, realizing that it sounded like he was about to admit his love for her. He almost had too. Luke had come so close to admitting everything that was in his heart. She must have suspected this and wanted desperately to stop him.
She didn't want his love. Mara was a fiercely independent woman, and she didn't want to be entangled by clinging emotions that she could not share.
Mara swung around to face him, her face flushed and she opened her mouth to speak. "Look at me. I'm a fool, Skywalker."
Luke rose to his feet. "If anyone's the fool, it's me."
Mara narrowed her gaze at him and said, "We said we'd be honest to each other. You are beginning to regret this marriage aren't you?"
Luke's frustration made his anger rise quickly. "We both knew what we were getting in to the moment we agreed to this arrangement. My goals, my needs have not changed, even though . . ." Luke paused.
"Go on, say it! Even though you're in love."
Luke's face contorted, and he clenched his hands into fists. "I can't control my heart Mara." Luke said. "But I promise you that my feelings won't interfere with our happiness."
She knew it, and it was like a blow to her. He was still in love with Callista. He had just admitted it. He knew that he could not have the one he truly wanted so he had settled for her. They had been truthful with each other from the very beginning, and she had asked for honesty.
Sometimes the truth hurt.
(More to come soon. Thanks again for your feedback! (
It really means a lot! ---- Rhea)