Standard Disclaimer: These characters belong to G. Lucas and T. Zahn. In other words: not mine.
Dedication: To anyone who loves hot chocolate.
Rating: M
Spoilers/Timeline: After The Corellian Trilogy but before "Vision of the Future".
A/N: Do read and review.

Lightheaded
Chapter 13: Are Your Intentions Honourable?

Luke's mind pretty much shut down during that kiss. It was all about sensation… about her tongue, thrusting into his. Licking, sucking, kissing. Pausing only to take breath, continuing on their oral dance.

Mara's hands twisted about the back of his head, tangling through his hair, pressing his mouth closer to hers. Luke's hands scrabbled for purchase on her dress, now hanging perilously low on her breasts. His hands wrapped around her ribs and caressed her body.

She moaned, and panted into his mouth, pausing her kiss to exhale. He took the opportunity to suck at her lower lip. She caught the hint and dove back into the kissing.

Luke caught both of her hands in his and put them out, away their bodies. This had the effect of pulling their chests together, and Luke could only envy the fabric of his robe.

Blue met green. Both deepening in desire.

"Where were you tonight?" He questioned, holding their gaze.

"Nowhere." She held it, no hesitation in her reply.

"Where's Isaar?" Squashing the queasiness he felt, his heart pleaded with her to tell him the truth.

Green eyes turned up and glinted with amusement.

"At home, with his mommy."

Luke's eyebrow quirked. "I didn't know you liked mama's boys."

"You'd be surprised at what I like." Her voice low with hidden promises.

"You'd be surprised at what I know you like. Are you going to see him again?"

Her head tilted, her eyes still not breaking their gaze. "Is his name Luke Skywalker?"

His eyebrows quirked again. Stating the obvious, Jade.

"Then the answer is: No."

"Why'd you bring him to the reception tonight?"

"Because he wanted to meet Karrde."

"Any other reason?"

"No."

"Why didn't you let me leave with you?"

"Because I had to see him home."

"Why?"

"Because, Skywalker!" She broke their stare, and her even tone had disappeared as she got exasperated with his questioning. Good. "He's just a child! His mother wanted him home! I did the responsible, adult thing and made sure that he got back in one piece!"

"One last question, and then we can get back to…whatever." She stilled, and waited.

"Do you want me as much as I want you?" Her eyes flared at this question, and she gave him a feral, sinister smile. Leaning forward, she brought their intertwined hands close to their bodies, pushing up her cleavage and giving him a heavenly view.

"Probably more."

Suddenly, in a series of swift movements, Mara kicked off her shoes, stood up, and yanked Luke to his feet. Pushing him against her door and pulling herself against him, she whispered in his ear. "Now, Jedi, are your intentions… honourable?"

Luke swallowed. Trying very hard to match her tone, he looked her in the eye, and said very clearly, "No."

She smiled.

"Good."

And pushed him through her suddenly-open door.

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Luke did not get a chance to see much of Mara's apartment once he fell through the doorway. Mara had attached herself to his lips again, and they were strip-walking to where he presumed her bedroom was. She pushed his new Jedi robe to the floor, where it lay crumpled and forgotten. Next to go was his cream tunic, which was discarded in a similar fashion, leaving his chest exposed to her very hungry gaze. Her hands mimicked his movements from earlier, even as her mouth devoured his.

Luke was not idle either. His hands roamed wildly along her body. Caresses called forth sighs from her, and as he moved more, she moaned louder.

"Get… to… the… main… event… Jedi…" Mara managed to string together a coherent sentence at last, communicating her desire to Luke.

He was determined to get to know this woman, now that he had been let in. He'd never dared to dream that Mara and him would ever happen… but now that it has, Jade, I'm determined to spoil you for any other man.

And so he set out to seduce her.

"The main event will be served soon enough, Jade." He whispered into her ear. "But appetisers whet your anticipation."

Still holding his head in her hand, her eyes gleamed in the moonlight shining through her transparisteel windows. "As you wish." And she ran her fingers down his spine.

Luke's eyes shut and his neck snapped back. His knees buckled, and he sat down abruptly on Mara's carpet. He felt, rather than saw Mara climbing over him, pushing him down flat, and stretching out on top of him. He opened his eyes after that sudden rush of pleasure, and gazed into two heavy-lidded green orbs which were regarding him. She was stretched out on top of him, her tube dress not allowing her legs much movement. Her feet were in the air, swinging back and forth, a gentle movement wreaking havoc on Luke's nether regions. Her fingers were tracing patterns on his chest, occasionally tangling with his chest hair, and tugging gently at them before letting go, and repeating the pattern.

"Are you sure you want this, Skywalker?" She looked him straight in the eye and asked him.

"Isn't that my line?" He cocked his head, and looked right back at her.

Tapping his chest, she sighed, a small exhalation of breath. Lowered her eyes. "You know that we've got a good thing going."

"What, this? Now?"

"No, like… we're friends."

"Aaaand?" Luke waited for her answer.

"If this doesn't work out, don't you think that will be a waste?" She looked back at him.

Luke took a deep breath. "Mara Jade, if you expect me to say anything that will stop what we're doing right now, you're insane."

She chewed on her lower lip. "So, we're both agreed, screw tonight first, no strings attached, talk tomorrow. If it doesn't work out, we're still friends. Right?"

Luke nodded. "Right. Whatever." And he reached behind her back for the fasteners.

"Wait!" Luke stopped cold, and Mara took his face in her hands. With a serious look in her eyes, she asked him again.

"Luke, I need to know that you can do this. I'm really hoping that you can, because I am really hot and bothered right now, but I need to hear it from you."

"Gods, Mara!" Luke couldn't believe his ears. He dry-scrubbed his face with his hands. "Couldn't we have discussed this a little earlier? Before I got hot and bothered? I can't really think right now, in case you haven't noticed!" Sitting up, he pushed Mara off him and stood up.

"You're my friend, and I love you to bits in that way, but you're also a woman, and gods, that is hard for me to bear. You know what we feel like together, you know we work well together, and you know that once we start down this path we can't go back." He was pacing on her carpet, almost yelling at her. "Why are you asking me for something you know I cannot give you?" He stopped, folded his arms, and looked at her, hurt in his eyes.

Mara was still sprawled out on the floor, watching him rant. He felt her probe at his senses, trying to get a feel for his emotions. He shook his head impatiently.

"Han and Leia are at home right now, and I'm giving them some privacy, so you're not getting anywhere inside until after…" he trailed off, looking at his chrono. "One o'clock or so."

He squatted down, and cupped her face in his hand, noting with some satisfaction that her hair was tousled and her mouth was swollen with his kisses. He caressed her cheek with his thumb. "Mara, dearest, what is going on?"

Her green eyes calm and alert, almost challenging, she mumbled something.

"What?" Luke bent forward to hear her a little better.

"Exit strategy," she breathed.

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A/N: Please note that this chapter has been censored to fit the 'M' rating for posting on f-f dot net. Please also note that I appreciate imaginatively-phrased feedback. :)