Disclaimer: Bioware owns the world, but the toys are mine.

A/N: This chapter is rated M to be safe due to some sexual bits. A big thanks to Kudara for inspiring an unplanned addition. Also, a big thanks to my beta, drakontion, and to Sesh for putting up with all my rough drafts. And lastly, thank you so much to all who've favorited, reviewed, or just followed along. Knowing that others find my twisted ramblings interesting enough to read is rather thrilling. And on to the story...

Chapter 19

The simplicity of his kiss was offset by the heat building between us, tension exploding with touch. His hands soon grew hot on my face and he trailed searing lines of desire down my back. I responded to his attentions in kind, torn between safety and lust, between security and desire. I could taste the want on his lips, the need on his breath as the press of his lips became ever more insistent. I complied with his demands, curious to see how far it would go, how long I could maintain any semblance of control.

He pulled me to him, pressing his body firmly against mine and backed me against the half-wall which separated the kitchen from the living quarters. My startled choke of surprise only served to heighten his arousal and he deepened his kiss, tasting of wine and sweets, remnants of caramel still upon his tongue. I became pliant and willing through no conscious thought of my own, the clamor of my warning bells dulled by the torrent of yearning.

A hand slid up my bare thigh, smooth and hot and wanted. Guy lifted me off the floor with a grunt of effort, deep and guttural, hinting at a deep reservoir of ardor within. He parted my legs with alacrity, pressing his body once more against my own, the heat of his passions building inside me. My balance was precarious on the slim ledge of the half-wall, and so wrapped my legs about his waist for stability. At least that was what I tried to tell myself.

In truth, I wanted him. I wanted to feel hot skin against my own, longed for the taste of willing flesh beneath my lips, the rough friction of his body beneath me. I missed the rhythm of a man, the hard press of his body inside me, driving me to impossible heights of pleasure and filling me nigh until bursting. I wanted once more that which I had so desperately missed.

The echo of memory surfaced in my mind and my wrists itched. I ignored the ghost of manacles on my ankles, focusing instead on the passionate heat Guy exuded. He was warm, and desirable, and willing; and despite my promise to maintain control, I wanted nothing more than to have him in that moment.

Damn the consequences.

I pulled him to me, the heat of my lust scorching in its intensity. Lips trailed down my neck and I arched my back in sweet ecstasy, welcoming his kisses as they brushed the low neckline of my dress. The muscles of his back bunched and tightened beneath my hands, his body working against mine, the pace of our desires growing frenzied.

With little thought my hands drifted down his chest to his belt, unbuckling the leather strap with minimal effort. He sighed into my mouth as I slowly pulled the belt from his waist, the memory of leather doing nothing to stem the tide of my passions.

I had only just dropped his belt to the floor when an insistent ringing sounded, the noise at first unrecognizable. Guy halted in his attentions and met my eyes in a moment of confusion, but then abruptly untangled his body from mine, and raced across the floor to the counter. I could barely make out a frown as he picked up a bit of tech, eyeballing it with irritation.

"I'm sorry, Nya." His frown remained plastered to his face even as he ushered me toward the door. "There's been an emergency with work. I have to take care of this."

Guy offered rushed words and hurried apologies and I never had a chance to voice disagreement. The door shut behind me and I was left out in the grimy hall, cold and empty, with yearning unfulfilled. As much as I hated to admit it, I ached with his loss, the absence of his body against my own. It had been many years since a man had caught my attention so thoroughly and I was loathe to see it end upon such a note.

Gathering my wits, I smoothed out my dress and collected myself. I could not walk the streets of Omega flustered as I was, but my options were limited. I made a bee line for my apartment and hoped I would run into no trouble along the way.

I cringed with memory as I walked, at my loss of control. I began to question my professionalism, my ability to maintain an objective outlook and unhindered conscience. For the first time I wondered just what exactly Guy had done to earn Aria's ire and therefore my attention. I shoved the thought aside. It did not matter. What mattered was that I had almost sold out my powerful employer for ice cream and the possibility of satisfying sport.

Hunger had drained from my body to be replaced with a blend of disgust and frustration. I cursed myself and trudged onward, willing my ineptitude to disperse into the void as so much stardust. So wrapped up in my own inner turmoil was I that I was not immediately aware of another man's approach. The Lout had caught me off guard and again I cursed myself and my distractibility.

"Rough night?"

I shot him my most venomous look, not caring if Nya would have done the same. "Not your business."

He grunted, falling into step beside me, but otherwise said nothing. He needn't speak. The smug look on his face spoke volumes.

We walked for a time as I drifted through the alleyways. My plan to head straight home had been thwarted by The Lout's untimely appearance, and I had no intention of providing him with the location of my abode. He said nothing as we continued on, allowing me silence in which to brood and tally the evening's mistakes.

"You look like a woman in need of a drink." His tone seemed an attempt to be cheerful, but his expression was closed. I had no desire to join him for company or intoxication and so curtly declined. "Are you sure? I'm buying."

I cocked an eyebrow and eyed him speculatively. "Why so generous all of a sudden?"

He shrugged nonchalantly. "I need a drinking buddy and I don't know anyone else here."

I shook my head in annoyance and denied him again. "I'm going home. You're capable of drinking alone. You seem to do it often enough."

Another grunt escaped his lips. "That I do."

An awkward silence followed and I shifted uncomfortably.

"Well, good-night," I blurted, starting off once more on my way down the alleys.

He stood for a moment before jogging up to join me, falling into a parallel stride. "Let me walk you home, then."

Warning bells flared in my head, loud and insistent. I hid my suspicion, painting a curious look upon my face instead. Was this brat aware of my identity? Did he know who and what I was? I made a quick mental appraisal of his attributes, potential motives, taking into account our location, exits, blind alleyways. I had very little cover when it came down to it and running in heels was as likely to harm me as any man intent on violence. I was cornered and instead of offering a charmingly bland excuse, an irritated bark of indignation escaped my lips.

"I think I can take care of myself. I don't need you." It seemed I was still flustered from the night's events after all.

The Lout cocked an eyebrow in surprise at my apparent hostility. "So your date didn't go as well as planned then, Nya?"

I increased my pace, irritation flaring in my veins at his insinuation. It mattered not if his comments were true, as his very presence seemed to ignite my aggravation, but the fact that he knew my date went poorly was insult enough. Why did he have the innate ability to annoy me so?

A guttural laugh sounded beside me and I turned to watch The Lout chuckle at my expense once again. "Something funny?" I spat.

He cocked his head and eyed me. "I don't know why you're so pissed off. That Guy's an ass."

"Yes, and you're the epitome of class."

He grasped his chest and stumbled backward in feigned injury. "And she strikes true! My heart – it breaks!"

I studied him in a moment of exasperated disbelief and then abruptly continued on my way.

"What balm shall I use to heal my wounds, dear lady?" He called after me.

I did not care to play his game anymore and so continued forward, ignoring him and his incorrigible behavior. I desired no games this evening, and in the absence of another's heat, I opted for solitude. I was accustomed to aloneness, at keeping myself separate from others. It was necessary for me to complete my duties. Although intimacy had its uses, only once had I taken a lover outside a job for more than purely pleasure.

I remember the first time after Arch that desire encompassed me, trapped me in a web of yearning and hunger so indulgent that I nearly went mad with longing. To this day I still blame Aria as she introduced us, her two new "talented" employees.

Uta was a dancer, lithe and exotic, who oozed charm and sensuality. Her skin was soft, perfect, and I ached to run my fingers along the curves of her body. From the moment we met we were inseparable, and it was not long after that our friendship moved to the bedroom. To this day I still think of the sweet scent of her breath, the softness of her lips and it is difficult not to measure every lover thereafter by her lead. It would be unfair as none could compare.

Her cerulean skin glowed in candlelight and she would oft speak of the similarities between us: both lost and found on Omega, both worthy of something greater. Tangled in her limbs limbs I would nod and smile, unbelieving of her convictions but entranced by her voice. For nearly six months she had been the better part of my day, had taught me of asari culture and their bonding rituals. Never did I acknowledge her subtle hints, knowing the implications of a relationship, knowing that I had naught to give her.

Rounding a corner I shook the heavy thoughts from my mind, focusing on my surroundings and realizing I was only a block from my apartment. The Lout was nowhere to be seen, but I still felt the urge to howl in frustration at his mockery. Why did he keep pestering me and how did he know exactly where I would be at the oddest of hours? I knew he was more than he seemed and while he did not exude danger as some, I was wary of him.

I huffed in annoyance as I keyed in my security code, door panel glowing green with approved access. I completed my scan of the apartment and once satisfied everything was in order, unstrapped the knife from my thigh and plopped down in my favorite chair. The soft cushions hugged my body, drained and emptied of longing. Fatigue took hold as my mind wandered and when next I woke, the blaring alarm on my chrono signaled a new day.