For the next few nights, Jack snuck into Riddick's room. Anticipating this, he began to wear sweats to bed. Each morning, she gave him a kiss on the cheek, and each night one as well. It had become their ritual.

But every morning, when she awoke, he was gone. He was always somewhere on the ship, busy at work.

After dinner one evening, Jack had cleaned up and gone to find out where her partner had gone. He must have been somewhere fixing something, like he did so much. It was like he was avoiding her.

Inside the mess, she sat on the couch in front of the large vid screen and was going to put on a classic disc, when Riddick walked in, dressed in slacks and a white silk shirt. "Wow, what's the occasion? Got a hot date?" she snapped smoothing out the colored skirt she wore. She put her bare feet on the coffee table and put her hands in her lap.

Riddick sat beside her and put down a bottle, two shot glasses and a box. She looked up and noticed that he had put in his contact lenses and she notice right away his efforts and smiled. "Happy Birthday."

"Well fuck me." she gasped. "You clean up nice. I wasn't sure the color of the contacts. Did I get them right?"

"Yeah. It's weird to see all this light and not be in excruciating pain. Thanks." He straightened himself up and cleared his throat. "I don't sing, and there's no cake but I got you this because every girl should have something nice on her birthday."

Pouring the amber fluid into each of the shot glasses, he watched as her eyes danced along the box. It was slender and resembled something small. When she opened it, it was a necklace, with dark red stones and deep intricate designs. Her eyes flooded with tears. He hadn't forgotten about her. She put it down and hurled herself at him and kissed his cheek. "Thank you, it's beautiful."

"I thought about it when I saw you the first night. And when I know that I was not leaving New Mecca without you, I made sure that I didn't forget it. Now," he said handing her a glass, "that you're officially an adult," he said in the low growl that she loved, "there are some things that have been forbidden that you now may feel free to engage in. Like alcohol… This is Valysian fire whiskey, very smooth. Here take your shot and be a big girl. Do it, like this."

He took the fluid, brought it to his lips and downed it slamming the glass against the table.

"Is the whole smacking the glass down part of it?" she asked smiling at him as she watched the alcohol work through him.

"Absolutely." He crooned closing his eyes for a moment and then pouring himself another.

"Is the auto pilot on Riddick?" she laughed.

"Yes, princess we're all right, now drink there, you." he said downing his second and smiling.

"Okay, but I'm warning you. I will not be responsible for my actions if you get me drunk there, Master of all you survey."

He laughed, a delightfully unrestrained laugh that she smiled at. "So noted Jack, now drink." He ordered.

XXX

She lifts the glass to her lips and I can't wait to see her face. The first time I drank this, I wasn't expecting the kick and coughed for a good ten minutes.

One.

Two.

Three.

I cannot believe it. She closes her eyes, downs the shot, and might I add with an expertise I am not expecting, and slams the glass on the table.

"WAHOO. That was great!"

I'm expecting the coughing, the wheezing, but nothing… "Oh," she says smugly, "I'm sorry. Was something supposed to happen? Did I tell you, that in my disobedient phase I had much worse? Pour me another there you." She says licking the glass clean.

Damn, Jack, color me fucked now. That tongue is gonna kill me.

"What other little secrets are you keeping from me?" I say challenging her.

"Shut up and pour. I have plenty, and they're all wicked." She says and there folks, is the alcohol starting to work like truth serum.

"How wicked?" I ask taking another shot. Five is my limit and she's half my weight and going on her second.

"Incredibly wicked, and wouldn't you like to now just how?" she sneers taking the other shot and tossing it back like a pro.

"I'm done for now. Any more and you'll be picking me up off the floor. Thank God we ate. That's fine whiskey Riddick."

That would be fun to watch. Jack, drunk. Hey wait, I need to think straight here.

"Another shot, there Riddick?" she says as I take one and toss it back. "Feeling a little…"

"I'm a perfect gentleman." I lie sitting back on the couch feeling unusually good. Damn that's a fine ass Jack, even if you're hiding it under that skirt.

"Right, like I want to believe that. Where's the fun in that?" she says smiling like I would in the same position. The whiskey is good and I'm feeling very relaxed. I've not been able to let my guard down in a long time and it's very liberating. "So Jack, tell me what secrets you have locked up in that little brain of yours."

I'm tapping her forehead and she's laughing. "I'll have you know, that my brain is very developed." She says putting her bare feet on my lap.

She looks quite sober, except for the flush of her cheeks which I am compelled to stare at. "I look different, don't I?" she asks. Oh yeah, different.

She's wearing her hair back, and it looks sorta nice. Okay, my brain is feeling a little numb but that's actually good. That white shirt she's got on is tight and I'm staring, I can't seem to help that. I nod, because its hard to form a thought just now.

"Riddick? Hello???" she says and I'm doing my best to shake the buzz out of my brain.

"Right." Is all I'm capable of saying.

"I have a game." She says and I perk up. Games are good. "It's an old Earth drinking game. It's called Truth or Dare. You can pick either, but once you pick there's no backing down. Are you game, or are you chicken?" she asks and within about a second she's pinned on the couch.

"I have never backed down from a challenge kid. Start, it's your birthday." I say and smile, inhaling that jasmine and vanilla.

"Then big guy, you'll need to get off me." she coughs and I realize she's pinned on the couch by my hips and arms. How did I do that and not notice?

"Sorry." I say trying not to look like an asshole.

"No problem, king of the beasts. Keep it in your pants." She smirks looking right at my trousers. Hey, that's no fair.

"What do I do?" I ask trying to stay the gentleman. I stress trying cause I'm not really that good at self control now.

"You ask me to take either a truth, which means I have to answer ANY question you ask, or a dare, which means I have to do something."

She's steadying herself and I smile. The fun is starting and the beast within me growls. Her skirt is long and that shirt is skin tight. All I seem to be able to do is stare at her breasts. But to keep my hands off her, I say "Truth or dare? Choose Jack, knower of all things wifely and wicked."

She's laughing now and I think the whiskey has really began to make me a little drunk, but this is good. I need the feel of a good buzz. "Truth, ask away kidnapper of all things naughty."

We laugh again. This is fun, but also dangerous. It could lead to things I need to stay focused.

Who am I kidding, and down goes another shot. "What is the most sexual dream you've ever had that left you with soaked panties and the need of a good long fuck?"

Oh shit, did I just say that out loud?

We're laughing again. Damn this feels good. "Five is your limit and isn't that number four?"

"Talk you." I order.

"Are you sure you can handle it? I mean you're only human." She says leaning in. "I'm standing in my shower, and he comes up behind me. He takes his hands and runs them across my breasts and down to here."

Don't show me Jack, I'm not really able to handle the visual. My eyes are closed you, but keep talking. "Then his hand finds my sweet spot and he takes his fingers, finding me slick and wet. He starts rubbing his hot cock against the cheeks of my ass and sticks it deep and so fast I gasp. Riddick?"

"Hmm." I say cause coherent thought is gone from my brain, the mental image is a bit much and I can't think. What's worse is I'm hard as a rock.

"You're drooling."

"Bull shit. I'm not drooling." 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, the square route of 4 is 2.

I'm looking at her right now and I'm gonna kick her ass. She knows its been a good long while and that image isn't one I can just throw out of my brain. She's giggling. She knows what she just did.

"Okay, you're turn big guy." She smirks. "I held up my end of the bargain. Choose wisely, your well on your way to drunk. And you know what they say. A drunk man's words are a sober man's thoughts."

She did not just say that shit to me.

"I can hold my liquor Jack. I've been doing it a lot longer than you. You just distracted me princess. Truth, I have no secrets from you."

She looks at me and I can see that disobedient gleam I her eye. "Have you ever been in love?"

"Yes." I growl, and she's wondering who it is. Sorry kid, no dice. "You're turn Adeni. Truth or dare."

"Dare, my lord." she mocks. "Do your worst Riddick." she says running her fingers through her hair and cracking her neck. "I'm ready."

But am I? Now that's a good question.

"Show me how the women taught you to kiss. I've been sooo curious since our last conversation."

"I could be mean and ask which kiss you're referring to but I have an idea." She says smiling. Oh, you're good kid, I could have lost out on that one there.

She gets up and smiles. And I realize, I'm in big trouble.

XXX

Jack was fully prepared for this. She actually hoped he'd cave in and ask. If not, she would have figured out how to get him in just such a position.

He looked incredibly hot in the clothes he wore for her. And he had put in the contacts just to please her. The necklace around her neck was beautiful and she felt it as she bit her lip.

He was grinning at her like a fool. "Ah, what's a matter princess, can't take the heat? It's put up or shut up time."

"Take out your lenses stud. Lights, ten percent." She said walking around the couch. "I want to see your eyes, they are the mirror to the soul."

Oh shit, he thought looking at her warily. He was losing control of this fast. He removed his contacts and placed them in the case on the table.

"Am I gonna get a lap dance too?" he asked smug.

"A kiss was all the dare was. Be quiet you." she admonished in mock anger.

She walked to stand in front of him. On the couch he sat back feeling comfortable. "Move please. Towards the middle. You see, the women were quite fascinated by the fact that I was such a good student, in everything. Funny," she said straddling his hips, "that I masqueraded as a boy for so long." And finished by adjusting her skirt to fan around her.

He growled when she settled on his lap. "You dared me and I'm going to show you why Faisal Mohammed will send mercs to bring me back." She told him as she adjusted her skirt to show a little of her leg.

God I can feel those panties. FUCK Jack.

"You okay in there?" she asked smug.

"Do your worst Adeni." He quipped smiling inside and out.

She cupped his face with one hand, stroking it tenderly as her fingers moved from his cheek to the nape of his neck while the other hand caressed his scalp. Even before her lips moved to touch him he sighed with pleasure. She moved her hands underneath his collar, to his neck and Adam's apple. His low growl gave her a power she wanted to exploit. She had him right where she wanted him.

"Jack?" he purred under her touch, "This might not be such a good idea…"

"A dare is a dare Riddick." she smiled softly in his ear. She realized his hands had wandered and were clutching her thighs. "Now, shut up and take your medicine. This was your dare."

He groaned quietly.

She softly kissed his forehead, lingering a moment to gauge his reaction. He sighed at the touch of her lips. She moved to each eye. "Such beautiful eyes, I've always been drawn to them, especially in the dark." He purred like a big cat and she was feeling very, very good. "This is why," she said as she nipped at his earlobe, "they hate me."

Her lips touched his playfully at first. It was a chaste soft meeting and she bit his lower lip to encourage him. The first thing she noticed was that his male scent was so intoxicating that she couldn't help but continue after the first brush against his lips. He responded to her silent request and she coaxed his mouth open and tasted whiskey.

Not bad, definitely different than girls. She thought as his hands caressed her thighs.

As she kissed him, touching his tongue with hers playfully, a whimper escaped her as his low growl reverberated in his throat.

Damn Jack.

His hands moved from her legs to her back as he pulled her into his arms. The feel of her pressed so hard against him sent a warm, fluttery feeling all though her body, pooling at the pit of her stomach.

"Riddick?" she said as his hands moved up her back and stopped at the side of her face. His kisses were making it hard to concentrate and his mouth had found the hollow of her neck and he did not intend on stopping any time soon.

His lips came close to kissing her again and she pulled back but his hands had her pinned against him and all she could smell was his body, and hear his growl as she tried to move against him. He was drunk on her, "Damn Jack." He sighed against her neck. "No wonder…they…hated…you…" he said feeling her breasts against his body, his hands cupping those perfect cheeks.

"Next," he said breathlessly.

"Truth or dare Riddick?"

"Truth. Cause if I say dare, we may have a problem." He admitted feeling her shift slightly against his erection. He groaned holding her hips, looking at her with determined eyes. "Don't move."

She smiled and looked at him with a wicked grin. "What would you do I did this?" she asked grinding slightly against him while smiling and keeping his gaze.

His growl was loud and desperate. "I would punish you for it." he smiled his eyes full of lust and need.

"How?" she quipped.

"Next. You're turn Jack. I answered my question."

She growled moving to get off him. He grabbed her hips. "I said," he told her looking smug. "don't move. Truth or dare Jack."

"Truth… I'm needing a bit of a break." She said feeling his hands on her hips and running back to her legs.

"You want me don't you?" he said smiling triumphantly.

"If I say yes, you're head will get all swollen. If I say no, you won't believe me anyway."

"Princess," he said pushing his hips upward, "my head is already swollen and you need to answer the question."

She gasped feeling his hardness against her and she took a ragged breath in. "You've got to be kidding."

"Nope, put up or shut up."

She sat silent. He growled, then ran his fingers down her torso to get her to talk. He immediately realized how ticklish she was and it getting her to relent was going to be more fun than he thought.

XXX

"Jack?" I ask cause I want her to say it out loud. After that kiss, and her moving on top of me, come on.

She's got resolve I'll give her that. "No. I won't tell you." She smirks. She's mocking me wanting this to go further. Wicked little…

I figure drastic measures are necessary but that could lead to my losing the battle. But tickling her is gonna be fun.

I flip her and she's on her back. "Ohhh." She says in a huff. I'm in a better position anyway. She's pinned.

"Tell me Jack. I'm stronger, faster and a lot harder to handle." I purr in her ear. Damn she feels good underneath me.

Be the gentleman, my rational self says.

Do it, she's right there and she wants you. the beast growls.

"In...your...dreams…" she squeals as I take my hands and poke her sides.

Bet your panties are nice and damp there princess…

"What do I have to do to make you?" I growl moving against her letting her know that she's not the only one hot and bothered.

XXX

"Riddick, you couldn't make me on your best day." She challenged looking up at his silver pools.

"Don't bank on that princess. I can guarantee I'd make you." he countered moving his face to breathe against her neck. "I could do it with a whisper."

"Not likely." she smirked as he lowered himself so she could feel every part of him. He was positioned between her legs and his chest rumbling as he growled in her ear.

For two straight minutes he told her softly, purring and husky in her ear exactly what he wanted to do to her, and what he wanted her to do to him. Her whimpers and attempts at moving were futile as he hands ran up and down her sides driving her insane. "Now, say it."

"Yes, damn it. God, yes." She moaned against his neck.

"Good girl." He laughed evilly. He got up, sat back down and smiled like the devil himself had just won.

"Bastard." She told him sitting up flush and aroused as hell.

"Next." He said pouring himself another shot.

"That would be you Riddick." she said fanning herself and adjusting herself trying to cool off.

"Truth." He said slurring a bit.

"That's shot number 5 isn't it?" she asked him. He nodded and smiled. "When was the last time you paid for it?"

"Over a year ago. There, your turn Adeni." He said smiling.

"Truth as well because I think if I had a dare, I may do something you'll regret." She told him looking into his eyes and caressing his bald head. He moaned as she continued to touch him.

"Princess, I'll never regret that." He smiled looking at her. He was drunk as hell and her touch was putting him asleep.

"Really? That's good to know. Ask your question, Riddick." she crooned in his ear. He growled a satisfied purr.

"Did you fantasize about me in the shower the first night?"

His eyes were closing and he wanted to sleep, sleep with her and hold her tight.

"Yes, every night after as well." She whispered. "Riddick?"

"Hmm." He replied content as a kitten with a plate of milk.

"Why did Imam tell you I was off limits?" she asked carefully.

"He didn't." he whispered in his lowest tones. "Salim did. He said you needed someone worthy."

That did it. She was livid. "Riddick! Open your eyes. That son of a bitch. Who the fuck is he to tell me how to live my life?" she nearly shouted breaking him out of his sleepiness. "If I want to fuck you, I'll do just that."

He broke, laughing hysterically. "Well Jack, that's good to know. I'm so glad I could be of service."

She jumped up and laughed as hard as she could. "You're an asshole."

"Yeah, I get that a lot." He said smiling. "Come back here and put me to sleep. That felt good. Better than I deserve."

"Part of my many skills." She told him smiling. "Listen gorgeous, get up, you'll never rest on this couch. Come on, let's pour you into your bed."

"Are you sure you had enough fun?" he asked staggering off the safety of the couch.

Taking his arm he looked down at her. "You know, I really like having you around. You make me happy." He said slurring and smiling.

"Yeah, a real barrel of sunshine. Come on big guy, let's get to bed."

"Best suggestion all night. Bet your panties are still damp." He said holding onto the wall. "Shouldn't have said that."

"Sh." she tried to tell him but the moment she got him in his room he staggered.

"Go to bed Jack. I'll be fine." He told her. "Jack?"

"Yeah Riddick?" she said in the darkness.

"Where's my kiss goodnight?" he crooned sitting on the bed and removing his boots.

"Will you remember it?" she asked, debating.

"Probably not." He laughed falling back on the bed.

"Good."

She removed his boots and socks, undid his shirt and pushed it off and climbed on top of him. "Sh."

Her lips came down on his with a possessive penetrative kiss. She held his face and coaxed his mouth open and devoured him. His hands cupped her cheeks, his strong hands pulling her onto his hardened arousal. His growl against her throat was an indication he was enjoying it. "Good night Riddick, sleep well." She said as his face went slack and his eyes closed.