Chapter Three –
Looking out through the observation portal, Hoshi sighed. They'd been in orbit around Earth for two days, having just taken Soong back to prison. Two days of waiting…two days of wondering about Malcolm. Add those two days to the stress of the last month tracking the Augments.
"We're not finished," were his parting words to her. Hoshi felt like cornering him and asking him when they were going to finish.
Surely two days was enough time for him to make a move. Enterprise had been patched up and the crew was leaving the ship in droves to reclaim what they could of their interrupted leave. The ship was almost deserted. They could hole up in his or her cabin and not come out until it was time to be underway again.
Maybe he changed his mind.
Malcolm watched as she stared out the window, lost in thought, oblivious to his presence. He had spent the last hour tracking her down. Truthfully, he wanted to make love to her right now, but he didn't want to rush it.
This was new to him. His track record with women was dismal. He knew Hoshi. He just hadn't realized what an integral part of his life she had become. They would risk so much if they became involved. What if she had changed her mind?
If she had, he would just have to change it back. Clearing his throat, he asked, "How's Yoshiko?"
Hoshi jumped, but quickly recovered. She smiled. "He's fine," she replied, tempted to ask if he wanted to come over for a slumber party and help her sew his eye back on.
An uncomfortable silence stretched between them.
So! Shall we go to my quarters and shag till we can't walk? Malcolm wanted to say. "I was wondering."
"Yes?" Hoshi asked hopefully. Maybe he would drag her to his quarters and have his wicked way with her.
"Since our leave was interrupted, we've got another week before we break orbit. I was wondering if you would accompany me to Florence."
"Florence…Indiana, California, Italy?" she asked, trying to keep from laughing. Was he sweating? He looked nervous…and cute.
"Y-yes," Malcolm replied softly.
"So we're going to Indiana, California and Italy?"
"No. I mean yes. Florence, Italy," he stammered.
God, he was cute when he was flustered. "I'd love to," Hoshi said, her mind already going into overdrive.
Grabbing her hand, Malcolm tugged on it for her to follow him.
"You mean right now?" Astonishment filled her voice.
Malcolm chuckled. "The next shuttle leaves in fifteen minutes."
"I…um –"
"I dare you," he challenged. "Throw caution to the wind and come with me."
She grinned. "Okay."
--
It had taken a few hours and several shuttle transfers to get there, but Malcolm's taste in restaurants was impeccable. It was a bit difficult adjusting to dinnertime when it was only lunchtime by Enterprise standards, but Hoshi didn't mind. The night air was filled with the smell of spices, and the pleasant chatter of Italian calmed her nerves.
Why she should be nervous was beyond her.
Malcolm pulled her chair out. Was he humming? Did she actually hear him humming? "This is beautiful, Malcolm," Hoshi said as she sat down.
Grinning, Malcolm sat down, uncorked a bottle of wine and offered her some.
"No, thank you," she whispered huskily. "I want to remember everything about this night."
He put the cork back in without pouring any. "So do I."
Ah ha! So this was his game. Plan the big romantic trip to Italy for the big seduction. It was so working!
Malcolm poured both of them some water. He lifted his glass and motioned for her to lift hers. "Here's to children's games," he murmured softly, looking into her eyes and tapping his glass to hers.
Hoshi took a sip from her glass and set it on the table. "Speaking of children's games, truth or dare, Malcolm?"
"Truth," he replied quickly, not adventurous enough to choose one of her dares in public.
Hoshi quirked an eyebrow at him in amazement. "What else do you have planned tonight?"
Setting his glass on the table, the smile fell from his face and his tone become serious. "I'm going to feed you, then make love to you until you beg me to stop."
The timbre of his voice sent a cool shiver down her spine. "I'm not hungry," she announced slowly, wanting so much to run her toes up his pant leg. Damn Starfleet boots!
"Truth or dare?" Malcolm asked mischievously.
Blushing, Hoshi said, "The way we play, better make it a truth. I don't think the public is ready for our dares."
"What do you want?"
"That's a pretty broad question. Are you asking me what I want for dinner? Are you asking me like I'm a contestant on a game show? Are you asking –"
"What do you want?" he repeated softly, enunciating each syllable.
Suddenly his meaning sunk in and she giggled. "Truthfully…"
"You did pick truth," Malcolm stated.
"I want to skip dinner, throw away any and all com devices, and make love to you until you beg me to stop," Hoshi replied with a sultry sigh.
"Perhaps we should order something to go then," Malcolm stated.
"I'm not hungry."
He heard the challenge in her voice and smiled. Scraping his chair back, Malcolm stood and offered her his hand.
--
Their lips met as soon as the door closed. Their hands tangled as they reached for each other, divesting each another of their cumbersome Starfleet jumpsuits. Strangled grunts and moans filled the room as the strained against the constrictive material.
Finally realizing they were being counterproductive, Malcolm pinned her hands to her sides and kissed what skin he had managed to expose at the nape of her neck. He nipped her skin and gasped when Hoshi thrust her hips into his.
"That's not your communicator, is it?" she purred.
His jumpsuit hanging around his waist, he pulled away and reached for the com device. "I'm going to kill whoever it is. I left strict instructions with Ensign Mathers. I was not to be disturbed. I even threatened to kill –"
Her lips pressed against his, silencing him. Pulling away, Hoshi broke the kiss and smiled. "I meant is that your communicator pressing against my hip or –"
Malcolm laughed, crushing her lips with his. The sound of their laughter died away, replaced with expressive sighs and moans.
Peeling away her Henley and bra, Malcolm's eyes lingered on the creamy orbs of her breasts. "Finally," he whispered, taking one of her breasts in his hands and teasing it lightly. He smiled as Hoshi arched into his hand, shakily whispering for him to hurry.
"Relax, luv. We have all night," he assured, nuzzling her breasts and sliding his hands down her torso. Wincing as she pulled his hair and dug her nails into his back, Malcolm finally took her into his mouth.
Hoshi groaned, needing more. "Hurry," she pleaded again.
Malcolm pulled away, his gaze lingering on her body as he uncovered it. Once she was completely undressed, he tore at the remainders of his uniform. Exposed, he stood before her, quelling the need to take her. Instead Malcolm settled between her legs and pressed light kisses on her forehead, over her eyelids, both cheeks, and finally her lips.
Hoshi strained against him, rocking her hips in welcome. "Please, Malcolm," she cried breathlessly. "Hurry."
He could feel the heat emanating from her body, yet resisted the urge to warm himself. There was something missing…something inherent. This felt rushed and desperate. It wasn't what he wanted. He needed more.
He needed her to know…to know he loved her. Shivering with the effort of holding himself over her, Malcolm rolled to his side.
Confusion and hurt marred her features. "What is it? What's wrong?"
Running his hand along her cheek, he gazed into her eyes. He loved her. How did he tell her? This had never happened to him before.
Straddling his waist, Hoshi pushed against his chest. "What's wrong, Malcolm?"
He could drown in her eyes, but looked away, unsure as to how to tell her.
Seeing his was struggling with something, Hoshi placed a soft kiss on his forehead and tried to lighten his mood. "I dare you to tell me," she whispered.
"I…I…love you," Malcolm groaned, grabbing her hips, positioning her above him, and finally claiming her as his.
--
Two days down and three more to go. Hoshi smiled, feeling Malcolm's grip tighten around her waist. He had surprised her with his declaration, one she had readily reciprocated. He was an attentive lover and hardly slept. Not that that was a bad thing, but she really did need to get some sleep.
She didn't mind being exhausted and waking up to his warm touch, but there was something missing. She needed to sleep.
Removing his arm from around her waist, she scooted off the bed and grabbed her communicator, praying Travis was still on board Enterprise.
After pulling a robe on, Hoshi stepped onto the terrace and flipped her communicator open. "Sato to Mayweather."
She looked out over the village below and inhaled. It was beautiful and begged to be explored, but it was highly unlikely they would ever leave the room. Exploring each other was enough for now.
"Mayweather here," a curious voice called over the com.
"Hello, Travis," Hoshi stated with relief. "Please tell me you're on Enterprise. Otherwise I'm going to need a bigger favor than I originally needed."
"I'm on board," Travis replied sluggishly.
Hoshi practically jumped with excitement. "I need you to go to my quarters, get Yoshiko, and transport him to these coordinates."
A few minutes later, Yoshiko materialized a few feet away, and Hoshi gave a grateful sigh. Clasping her favorite sleep aid tightly to her, she turned back to the bed and Malcolm.
Fin