Lambda-class T-4a Shuttle enroute to Coruscant
Mara was impressed with Skywalker's custom-built Lambda-class shuttle. Three-fourths of the rear passenger section of the ship was stripped out and replace with a private cabin complete with a full-size bed, closet and a latrine with toilet and a fully functional water and sonic shower.
She was currently lying in bed listening to the soft snore of the man lying next to her. Their last few hours together were mind-blowing...almost magical, but after taking some time to think about what they have done she was getting worried. She didn't regret making love to the man. He was a handsome and eager lover capable of anticipating her every need and desire. They had the most amazing chemistry together...and that is what made her uneasy. She knew Luke believed this magical night of love making would change everything. He probably expected her to quit working for Karrde and run off with him and become Mrs. Mara Skywalker...and she didn't want to see the disappointment in his face she when told him that wasn't going to happen.
She spent almost two decades under the control of a Force-user. She didn't want to be tied down to another. She liked her freedom and anonymity. If she openly dated Skywalker, her life would become public fodder. She blew out a breath, frustrated that she was stuck with Skywalker for another day before arriving on Coruscant. If this happened on the Redeemer she was sure she would have snuck out of his cabin and blasted off on the Wild Karrde as soon as he fell asleep.
"Good thing we aren't on the Redeemer," Skywalker muttered half awake.
She turned in bed and glared at the man outlined in the dim light. "Get out of my head, Skywalker!"
He rolled over, the sheet falling to his waist exposing his well-toned bare chest. "Mara, I am not in your head. You're in mine. You're projecting."
When she didn't respond he reached out, his hand skimming down her side before resting on her hip. "You don't want to stay with me?" he asked sadly.
She shrugged a shoulder. "It's just not a decision I want to make right away. Normal people date and the relationship evolves naturally. You warned me that we might become addicted to each other, and you were right. What happened last night wasn't simply the joining of bodies. I could feel your essence in the Force running through me. It was like we were joined spiritually."
"And that's a bad thing?"
"No, not if it happens naturally. This is going way too fast."
He sighed deeply. "So, instead of going back to 'just friends' we are...what?"
She thought about it. "Lovers that are taking it slow. I don't want to quit my job to be the Supreme Commander's wife."
That got a laugh out of him. "I haven't even asked you to marry me and I'm getting rejected."
"You thought it," she mumbled under her breath.
"Get out of my head, Jade!" Luke shot back before chuckling softly. "Don't get yourself all worked up. We had sex...which may have been a bit premature in this stage of our relationship, but what is done is done."
"True," she whispered before smiling reminiscently. "And it was done so well. Kriff, I must be addicted because I wouldn't mind having it done to me again."
"I think we'll be safe from addiction if you use your sexy Supreme Commander in moderation." Luke grinned as he reached around her waist and pulled her snug against his body. "They'll be no doubling up on doses in the morning if you miss your nightly prescription of hot farmboy turned seductive Imperial."
She made a face. "Ack, is that your idea of pillow talk? That almost made me cringe."
He gave her an apologetic look. "Sorry, I haven't had many women on my pillow to practice." He nuzzled her ear before pressing a line of kisses down her neck. "Don't worry, Mara. We'll go as slow as you like."
She leaned into his embrace as he molded his rock-hard body to hers. "No pressure?"
"No pressure at all," he reassured her before he began a tortuous trail of kisses along her jaw line and neck. When his mouth brushed against her ear he whispered. "I'll let you set the pace."
"Maybe a little faster," she moaned as her hands plunged into his hair and pulled his head closer until their lips met in a searing kiss. As he savored the taste of her lips, Luke could feel the invisible threads of the Force that bound them together tighten ever so slightly. He was positive Mara was his one true love. He only hoped she would eventually come to the same conclusion. Until then he would let her set the pace for the relationship and enjoy what she was willing to offer.
.
.
Lambda-class T-4a Shuttle enroute to Coruscant
Mara was nervous and that was one feeling she absolutely abhorred. She wanted to blame Skywalker for her case of the nerves, but she knew that was unfair. Her uneasiness was because she was now facing a situation that she was not trained for...romance. She felt highly unqualified for the task and exceedingly vulnerable. Those unwelcome feelings seeped into her brain and woke her up hours before the end of the rest cycle. Knowing sleep would continue to elude her, she quietly rolling out of Skywalker's bed and slipped into the cabin's 'fresher to shower. When the water reached the desired temperature, she stepped in and relished the feel of the hot water loosening the knots in her muscles.
Another reason for her disquiet was the upcoming meeting with Darth Vader. Luke was accustomed to being around the Sith Lord, but she was sure she would never feel completely comfortable around Emperor Vader. It was bad enough that she was traveling to Coruscant to ask for guidance from the most dangerous and hot-tempered man in the galaxy, but she knew that she would never be able to hide from Vader her growing affection toward Luke. Darth Vader would sense through the Force that she had fallen in love with his son...and that might bring some very unwanted attention onto her. It was obvious that Vader was protective of Luke. What if he didn't approve of their relationship? She doubted he would do anything outright if he did not condone the relationship...but she wouldn't put it past him to hire assassins to take her out of his son's life, if he so desired.
She placed her hands against the shower wall and leaned forward, allowing the stream of water to flow over her hair and down her back. Why did she have to fall in love with Skywalker? This just made her life more complicated. She never loved anybody before...so why did it happened now?
She felt a spike of emotion coming from the other room causing her to groan in frustration. She knew he sensed her thoughts. She hadn't verbally expressed her love to him in the last two days, but the joyful emotion she now felt exuding through the Force let her know he heard her inner voice loud and clear. She wasn't surprised when his nude form slipped into the shower with her. He pressed his body against her back and snaked his arms around her waist pulling her close.
"I missed you," he said as he ignored the spray of water to place kisses along her neck and shoulder.
She turned around in his arms and pulled him out of the direct blast of the water. "I've been gone for about five minutes." She raised an eyebrow waiting for him to ask her about what he sensed in the Force, but he only stood there looking sexy and with a very goofy look on his face.
She rolled her eyes as she pushed him away. "Don't hide the fact that you heard my thoughts."
He was trying his damnedest to keep that grin in check, but he couldn't manage it. "Mara, you know I don't eavesdrop."
She sighed. "But sometimes I project my thoughts and you just can't help it."
He still didn't admit why he was so happy. He reached out and grabbed her hips with firm hands and pulled her against his body. "Is there something you want to tell me?" His expression was one of innocence.
She shrugged nonchalantly. "I can't think of anything, off hand."
His eyes narrowed as his hands went from her hips to dip down and clasp her buttocks. "Nothing at all?"
Mara gave a mock expression of deep thought before shaking her head. "Nope, nothing comes to mind."
He nipped lightly on her earlobe making her shudder. When he rubbed his open mouth against her throat her knees began to get weak. "Really?" he asked again. "Nothing?"
He moved his hands up her back before his mouth consumed her in a rush of frantic kisses. When every cell in her body erupted with need, he released her and stepped back, making her moan at the loss of contact. "I guess I'll leave you to your shower, then." He wasn't mad, she could feel his amusement through the Force. This was a ploy to get her to admit the words she felt but was reluctant to verbalize.
As he moved to exit the shower, she reached out and caught his hand in hers, pulling him back inside. "Damn it, Luke. You are going to finish what you started."
She saw a twinkling in his deep blue eyes. "Why would I want to do that?"
She gave him an expression of aggravation before turning off the water. "Because I love you. That's why. You know it, I know it, and I might as well say it out loud."
Joy burst forth from him in a brilliant glow of love. He stepped forward and caressed her tenderly before he lowered his mouth gently to hers. Mara was lost as the kiss touched her deeply, spilling through her very soul. After a prolonged moment they broke apart to get some air. He smiled at her lovingly. "I love you too, Mara." He took her hands in his and pulled her out of the shower and led her to his bed.
She broke free and tried to reenter the 'fresher. "I need a towel. I'm wet."
"Yes, you're wet." He caught her around the waist and gently guided her toward the bed. "And that's because I am a skilled moisture farmer."
She rolled her eyes at his cheeky comment. "That line did make me cringe."
He laughed as he lowered her onto his mattress and crawled onto the bed next to her. "I told you pillow talk was never my forte." He smirked brazenly as he ran a hand down her side. "But why don't you give me thirty minutes and I can demonstrate a few of my strengths."
She surprised herself when a girlish giggle escaped her lips. "How about I give you an hour and you can exhibit all of your many talents?"
"That definitely will take more than an hour," he teased.
"Well, that is something you are going to have to prove."
"Challenge accepted," he whispered huskily as he lowered his lips to hers.