Follow Through

Infiltrating the party was easy, so was getting the graybox. The hard part turned out to be getting out of the party. Donovan Hock threw everything he had at them. The worst part of the fight was on the landing platform. Endless waves of mercs and mechs attacked Kasumi and Shepard and they even had an appearance from Mr. Hock himself in a gunship. Luckily, Kasumi had the brilliant idea of smuggling in Shepard's weapons and armor in a "present" they got for Hock. Shepard was very grateful by the time they got the the landing platform to no be fighting in a cocktail dress and heels.

On the shuttle ride back, Kasumi explained that the graybox belonged to her former partner Keiji. She also told her that it had sensitive information about the Alliance but she didn't know exactly what it was. Shepard could tell that the memories of Keiji were more precious to her than anything about the Alliance. She convinced her to keep it but made a note to talk to Thane. If anyone could warn her against the dangers of losing themselves in a memory, it would be him.

Once they were back, Shepard headed straight to her cabin. She was in desperate need of a shower and even though she didn't mind straight hair, she really missed her curls. After a much needed shower, Shepard put on a comfortable pair of shorts and a black tank top. She went over to her private terminal and played one of her favorite 21st century artists, Jhene Aiko. Her calming voice always soothed Shepard after a tough day. As she relaxed on the couch to the sound of her favorite song, Stay Ready (What A Life), EDI let her know that Jacob was requesting entry into her cabin.

"Let him in EDI." Shepard straightened up on the couch and watched as the doors opened to reveal Jacob standing in the doorway with two large chocolate cupcakes.

"Happy Birthday Shepard!" Jacob said, walking down to the small living area to sit beside Shepard on the couch.

"Two questions," said Shepard as she reached for one of the cupcakes in his hand. "Where did you get those cupcakes and how did you know chocolate was my favorite?"

"Two answers," Jacob replied settling back on the couch. "While you and Kasumi were crashing a party, I ordered take-out and you told me how much you loved chocolate the last time we talked up here."

"Nice to know you're paying attention. Thank you very much for the perfect birthday present."

"Not a problem Shepard. Everyone deserves something nice on their birthday." They both took a bite from their cupcakes and ate in silence for a while.

"Oh! This is so good!" Shepard said. She closed her eyes and tilted her head back, savoring the taste of the cupcake.

"You know, if someone didn't know any better they'd assume you were having an orgasm over a cupcake," said Jacob. He was very aware of the effect the moan she let out had on his body. He very much wanted to see if he could get her to make that sound over and over again.

"Well that person wouldn't know me very well then." Shepard turned her head to look at Jacob. She liked the dark look in his eye. "I never have orgasms over food and I'm never that loud when I do have one. Huh. Speaking of orgasms, that would make one hell of a birthday present."

"Really now?" Jacob said, putting his cupcake down on the table and turning to face her fully.

"Uh huh. I haven't had the pleasure of an orgasm in a very long time." Shepard leaned back against the couch, closed her eyes and took a breath. She could feel Jacob's eyes on her and smiled at the thought of him being the one to grant her birthday wish.

When Jacob spoke next, his voice was right next to her ear, his lips brushing against her skin. "If that's what you really want Esperanza, I'll happily grant that wish."

"Are you really offering Jacob or is this the type of flirtation that's gonna lead nowhere?"

He took her chin in his hand and turned her head so she could look him in the eye. "Does it look like I'm joking?"

"What happened to keeping things professional?" Shepard said, never breaking eye contact with him.

"I think you and I both know that was never gonna work."

"When you're right, you're right." Shepard bridged the small gap between them and kissed him. The kiss started out light, almost exploratory but deepened after a few moments. A few frantic moments later she found herself straddling Jacob's lap, her hands under his shirt exploring the chest and abs she'd been daydreaming about for months. Jacob had one hand in her still damp hair and another on her ass. Eventually they both had to come up for air.

"Bed. Now." said Jacob, lifting her up like she weighed next to nothing and carrying her over to the bed. He dropped her down on the mattress and she quickly removed what little clothing she had on while Jacob removed his also. Within moments he joined her on the bed. Either Jacob was a very quick learner or just his touch could set Esperanza on fire. Everywhere he kissed and touched turned her on more than she thought possible. She was left feeling like it was all too much but not enough at the same time.

Eventually, she noticed he started to make his way down. He kissed a trail down to her breast, teasing every inch of it before finally giving her nipple some attention. The first lick caused her to arch into him, a suck caused her to let out a low moan. He lightly grazed his teeth across her nipple and then bit down lightly. That caused her to let out a loud moan that reverberated around the cabin.

"I thought you said you weren't loud?" Jacob said, lifting his head to look at her.

"That wasn't an orgasm so it doesn't count," was Shepard's breathless reply. Jacob just laughed and picked up right where he left off. He gave the other breast the same attention before moving even lower. He gently parted her legs open, kissed, sucked, and licked his way down one thigh and did the same to the other. Once he got back to the center, he stopped.

"Tell me what you want." Jacob said, his voice so deep and quiet she barely heard him.

"Please."

"That's not what I said. Tell me what you want Esperanza."

"You. I want you. I need you." Shepard reached down to run her fingers through the short hair on his head. Jacob smiled to himself and slowly licked around her clit, down to her opening, and back up again. Shepard arched up and tried to buck her hips but Jacob was holding her hips down with his left arm. With his right hand he inserted one finger into her, then two, then three, slowly stretching her out while his mouth concentrated on her clit. In minutes he had her coming harder than she had in years.

"FUCK!" Shepard said as Jacob made his way back up her body.

"Once again, I thought you said you weren't loud."

"So maybe I lied a little bit. Or a lot." At that, they both laughed. Jacob leaned down to kiss her deeply.

"Condoms?"

"Nightstand. Top drawer." Jacob reached over, grabbed a condom, and put it on in what seemed like record time. He positioned himself right at the entrance to her pussy and then looked back up at her.

"Are you sure this is what you want?"

"Yes." He took his time sliding into her. Once he was finally fully sheathed in her, they both let out a breath they didn't know they were holding. He pulled back out just as slowly and then quickly slammed back in. He lost himself in the sound of the sharp gasps and low moans she let out every time he moved against her. The feel of her hands on his back, fingernails digging into his skin as she begged him for more drove him closer to the edge. He rolled them over and allowed her to control the pace. He reached down and found her swollen nub, still sensitive from the attention he gave it earlier. He moved his thumb in quick circles around it, speeding her towards a second orgasm. When Shepard came, she came hard and loud. She leaned forward, biting down on Jacob's shoulder in an attempt to muffle her moan. He immediately reached up, grabbed her hair and pulled her head back.

"No. I want to hear you." He grabbed her hips and held her still while he drove into her at a frantic pace. Her moans in his ear and her warm, wet pussy pulsating around his cock drove him to a powerful orgasm. Once it was over, Jacob relaxed his grip on Shepard and she slumped against his chest, both completely spent. After a moment, Shepard rolled off of Jacob and the threw the used condom in the trashcan beside the bed. He pulled her against him, her back flush against his chest, and softly kissed her shoulder.

"Shit," said Shepard with a sleepy smile. "Happy birthday to me."

"I feel like I got a present and it ain't even my birthday." Jacob said with a laugh.