The 3rd district hanging gardens were a beautiful sight to behold: tiers upon tiers of flowers native to planets all over the galaxy, ancient trees belonging to every culture, a tranquil stream flowing down the sides of the garden in a series of waterfalls. It was a popular tourist destination when arriving on the Citadel, and the site of Garrus' first assigned patrol as a C-sec agent. At night time C-sec agents had to weed out couples coming for a romantic roll in the flowers; it had not been the most rewarding of patrols.
The top tier of the gardens had been converted into a stage for the ceremony that day and an enormous crowd of people had gathered to watch as the brave soldiers who had fought in the Battle of the Citadel were awarded one of the Council's highest honors. Garrus didn't fool himself into believing that anyone was there to see him. Most of the crowd, including the hundreds of reporters in the front few rows, were there for two things: to see the first human Spectre -and perhaps the most famous face in the galaxy at that moment- receive her award, and to watch humanity make history with a Council seat.
Shepard stood closest to the podium where the Councilors were delivering their speech, wearing the face of ambivalence she always put on when facing superiors…or praise. For the occasion, she had worn her dress uniform, the edges embroidered with golden thread, her Star of Terra pinned to the front.
Next to Shepard stood Kaidan and Joker, also decked out in an Alliance dress uniform. Garrus stood between the Alliance officers and Liara, who had worn a brilliant purple suit inlaid with silver jewels. Tali wore decorative shoulder plates, which the quarians often wore to formal events. Wrex had made no attempt to dress up, instead arriving in his battle-worn armor, a mix of different colored blood spattered across the front of it.
Garrus, himself, had dressed in his dress blues from his time in the military. He hadn't worn the suit in years, so he was just pleased it had still fit.
Behind the line of them, more Alliance soldiers stood with a squadron of asari commandos and a handful of turians. All of them had been instrumental in the air fight against Sovereign, or, as the official Council line went: the geth.
The Councilors were droning on about the great bravery and sacrifices made by all of the races represented on the stage, placing particular emphasis on commander Shepard's decision to rescue the Destiny Ascension and ensure galactic civilization's future. A lot of empty words full of political importance were said about the humans that had died protecting the Council.
In front of them, recording drones were capturing vids of the entire affair. Garrus glanced down at the reporters holding their tablets, trying to keep up with what other news networks were reporting as they reported themselves.
"And so, thanks to the valiant actions of commander Shepard and her crew, we feel it is time for humanity to finally join us with a seat on the Council. The human ambassador Donnel Udina comes with high recommendation from commander Shepard herself, with many years of experience in politics that will surely guide his decisions as a member of our Council," Councilor Tevos said. "Please join me in welcoming Councilor Udina to his new position."
The crowd burst into applause, with a bit of booing issuing from the back. Most of the naysayers were non-Council races that felt they deserved a seat on the Council more than humanity. After all, humanity had barely been part of galactic civilization for twenty-six years. Some of the booing, however, was coming from other humans. Back at the hospital, Shepard had confided privately that she didn't want to be associated with the decision to make Udina a Councilor. He was not well liked, but he was a ruthless politician. Garrus understood why she'd made the choice. Shepard, of all people, was probably the least fond of the man, but it had been the right decision.
Udina accepted the praise with as much grace and dignity as a krogan in a ballgown, always wearing that sour expression of his. It seemed he couldn't even smile as he finally got what he'd been gunning for all these years.
When the applause had died down, Councilor Sparatus stepped up to the podium. "We would now like to take a moment to honor those who fought on the front lines here during the battle. Because of this brave group of soldiers, many lives were saved. For their gallantry in battle and level-headed decision making, we award the Palladium Star to the following individuals: Commander Rembley Shepard, N7, Alliance Navy, and Citadel Special Tactics and Reconnaissance agent."
An asari in a stunning crimson dress stepped forward holding a small chest containing the awards. Captain Anderson joined her and pulled the first Palladium Star from the chest, pinning it next to Shepard's Star of Terra. The captain was teary eyed as he did so, blinking away any signs of his emotions quickly. Shepard kept her cool, but Garrus was sure she was feeling emotional as well.
"Lieutenant Kaidan Alenko, Alliance Navy," Sparatus continued reading as Anderson pinned the awards onto each squad member. "Flight lieutenant Jeff Moreau. Garrus Vakarian, former Citadel Security."
Anderson pulled another medal from the chest and pinned it on Garrus' suit. Garrus scanned the crowd and noticed his father standing at the edge of the garden's first tier. His mother and sister hadn't made it, it seemed. He was relieved; he didn't want his already ill mother to make herself worse just to see someone put a fancy pin on his shirt. They would be able to see it on the news.
"Doctor Liara T'soni," Sparatus read. "Tali'Zorah nar Rayya. Urdnot Wrex."
Having nowhere to pin Wrex's award, Anderson simply handed it to the krogan. Wrex seemed unimpressed with the medal. Garrus wouldn't be surprised if he sold the award for credits later.
The ceremony continued for over an hour, awards being handed out to the naval forces that had fought against Sovereign. When all of the medals had been distributed, there was a moment for reporters to ask any questions. Nearly every question was focused on Shepard. Did she feel bad for letting innocent humans die to save the Council? How did she feel knowing she was now a galactic hero who had made an effort to save non-human lives? What were her plans after this?
Shepard stood silent, not responding to a single question. Anderson stepped forward to answer for her.
"The Council and the Alliance will be working closely to ensure that any remaining geth threat is eliminated. No decisions have been made yet on an assignment for the Commander. We would prefer to keep such sensitive matters private. Thank you."
More questions erupted, but it was time to go. The Council was ushered off the stage to a waiting shuttle that would take them away from the crowd. Another shuttle was waiting for Shepard and her squad, though where they would go, Garrus was unsure.
They all climbed in, feeling a bit like royalty, and enjoying the ample room in the back of the car; much more space than the mako ever afforded. Garrus was glad the old hunk of junk had been destroyed during the battle against Sovereign.
Shepard collapsed in her seat, rubbing her forehead and groaning. "God, I thought that would never end."
"Where shall we go now?" Liara asked, tears forming in her eyes.
"Liara, are you crying?" Kaidan cocked his head.
"I'm sorry," she bit her lip. "I just…I have come to care for you all so much. I have spent so much of my life devoted to studying the Protheans, eschewing traditional social patterns in favor of a pursuit of knowledge. You not only gave me the chance to see Prothean technology and culture beyond my wildest dreams, but you…you're my friends. I have never had such close companionship before. I don't know what will happen next and I hate to think of never seeing you again."
"I thought you were staying with us on the Normandy," Joker said, as though any other option were absurd.
"I…what?" Liara's eyes lit up. "Would I be…allowed to continue traveling with you?"
"I'm a Spectre," Shepard shrugged. "They have to let me do whatever I want. You don't have to stay, but we'd really miss you if you decided to go."
Liara shocked everyone by moving across the shuttle's cabin and throwing her arms around Shepard's neck in a hug.
"Thank you, Shepard. You don't understand what this means to me."
Shepard patted Liara's back comfortingly. "Didn't have to think twice about it."
"Well, as much fun as I had killing geth with you," Wrex said. "I think it's time I returned to Tuchanka. If the Reapers are coming, the krogan need to unite more than ever. Maybe I can be the one to do that." He examined the medal in his hand. "I'm holding you to your promise too, Shepard. If I find a way to cure the genophage, you're going to help me do it."
"I promise," Shepard assured him.
"I should return to the fleet," Tali said. "But…maybe I could stay on a bit longer. It would be nice to have options of gifts to bring back."
"What about you, Garrus?" Shepard asked, turning to him.
"Well, someone has to cover your six," he told her.
She smiled. "There you go, Liara, you're only going to miss Wrex."
"I doubt she'll miss me much," Wrex chuckled.
Liara placed her hand gently on Wrex's arm. "I will miss you."
"All right," Wrex tore his arm away. "Enough mushy crap. We've all been through hell and we look like it. I say we send this shuttle up to Purgatory and get blitzed. Garrus is buying the first round."
There was a round of laughter and cheering as Wrex entered the coordinates for the bar into the shuttle. Garrus couldn't even be mad that he had to pay for the first round; he only felt happiness, surrounded by people he was glad to call his friends, allowed a brief moment of respite after all they had been through.
Shepard discreetly squeezing his thigh didn't hurt either.
When the squad arrived at Purgatory, there was a long line to gain entry. Many of the Citadel's residents dealt with chaos by ignoring it and drowning their fears in alcohol and sex, so it was naturally busy. Shepard was prepared to wait in the line, but as soon as they stepped out, the crowd was in an uproar. Clips of the ceremony were still playing on vid screens above the door.
Shepard and her squad were ushered past the line of people, some of whom were shouting for autographs, others who were shouting for her to throw herself off of the roof. The turian bouncers allowed them entry inside and they quickly found a booth to sit at, all of them requiring at least a little alcohol before they would hit the dance floor.
"This is fun," Joker said. "Hanging out with the squad. I don't usually leave the Normandy much when we're docked."
"You would marry that ship if it were sentient," Shepard said.
Joker made no attempt to disagree. "She's my baby."
"She's technically my ship."
"Technicalities," Joker shrugged.
"What is everyone having?" Garrus asked. "I'm ordering the first round."
"I want a bucket of Tunchankan jackwick," Wrex said. "Extra potent."
Garrus made an unpleasant face. He tapped the orders down on his omni-tool as each of them spouted off what they wanted, so he would remember everything, then took off for the bar.
"Maybe I'll let loose more than last time we were here," Liara said. "I could even…perhaps I could even kiss a stranger!"
"Don't get too crazy, kid," Wrex laughed.
"I'm sorry. I've never been the type to uh…have casual encounters…" Liara's cheeks tinged purple as she said it. She was so intelligent and, comparably older, that Shepard sometimes forgot she was still very young by asari standards. Her naivety came through most often in discussions of sexual matters.
"You can kiss me, Liara," Joker offered. "As practice."
"I think it might be awkward to kiss one of the crew," she replied, gracefully deflecting the advance.
"Whatever happens, we're going to have fun tonight," Shepard said. "We deserve a little rest and relaxation after all the shit we've been through."
"Amen to that," Kaidan agreed.
Garrus returned from ordering the drinks and sidled in next to Shepard. A group of turian women across from the bar eyed him as he walked past, watching him from the corner where they stood.
"You've got some admirers, Garrus," Tali said, nodding to them.
Garrus looked up. "Hm? …Oh."
Shepard felt an unwelcome prick of jealousy. "Where are the drinks, Garrus?" she asked, subconsciously attempting to deflect his attention.
"The waitress is going to bring them. Wrex's drink alone cost me five hundred credits, by the way," he looked pointedly at the krogan.
"I'll need ten more of those if I'm going to get sloshed tonight," Wrex shrugged.
"So, are you going to talk to any of them?" Tali asked, redirecting the conversation back to the turian women across the room.
"The turians?" Garrus looked up at them. Shepard wondered what he was thinking. Of course, it wasn't like they were dating. They'd slept together once, twice counting the morning after. He could go after whoever he wanted, right? So why did she feel so annoyed? "The one with the purple facial markings has a nice fringe. And strong looking arms." Garrus shrugged.
"You should tell her that," Joker laughed. "Charm her pants off."
"Turian women don't respond well to platitudes about their beauty," Garrus said. "If I walked over there and told her she was sexy, she'd punch me in the nose."
"I know plenty of human women who would do that too," Kaidan said.
"I'm not here to meet anybody, anyway. Look, here's the waitress with our drinks. Let's just spend some time together and not worry about other people. If they're interested they can come talk to us. We are the heroes of the citadel, after all," Garrus said with a grin. Beneath the table, his hand brushed Shepard's knee.
The waitress came by and passed around the drinks. In addition to everything they had requested, Garrus had ordered them a round of shots. For the levos, it was some type of asari liquor, incredibly potent. Joker nearly gagged on it and even Shepard coughed as it burned down her throat. Only Liara seemed to think it tasted good.
"Getting things off to a good start," Shepard laughed. "Good choice, Garrus."
"Only the finest ten credit rocket fuel for my squad mates."
"I've got a question," Kaidan said, sipping on his beer. "I see quarians at the bar sometimes, dancing and flirting and everything, but…do you guys do anything with each other when you go home?"
"There are ways to show affection that don't involve exchanging fluids," Tali replied tersely. "Just because the rest of the galaxy doesn't know how to have fun any other way doesn't mean we don't. Maybe if you're lucky, you'll find out some time, Alenko."
Kaidan didn't know how to respond, so he took another sip of his drink.
"You know what I think?" Wrex barked. "I think since Shepard's this big hero now, we should be her wingmen tonight. Help her get laid."
"I swear, Wrex, is that all you think about?" Liara demanded.
"Well, mostly. That and shooting things." He shrugged. "Come on, Shepard, I bet you could have any man…or woman…in this bar. We've spent so much time cooped up on the Normandy, when's the last time you even got lucky?"
Shepard knew that Wrex knew very well when the last time she'd gotten lucky was. He was being intentionally provocative, hoping to goad either her or Garrus into admitting to the entire squad that they had slept together.
"It's been a while," Shepard said, "Not that it's your business."
"Maybe those turians are checking Shepard out," Wrex suggested.
"Actually," Garrus cocked his head. "The one with the red clan markings might be."
"What would a turian see in a human?" Joker asked. "You two are the only turian and human I've ever seen on friendly terms."
"Yeah, what would a turian see in a human, Garrus?" Wrex asked, a big stupid grin plastering itself on his face.
"Who wouldn't be interested in Shepard?" Liara asked. Everyone turned to look at her and Joker raised his eyebrows. The asari turned bright purple as blood rushed to her cheeks. "I just mean…well I mean, Shepard's so level headed and strong and assertive…I just think plenty of people would find those traits attractive."
"It may surprise you to learn that a lot of human men find those traits intimidating and emasculating," Shepard told her. "Their words, not mine. Too bad for them, they don't know what they're missing."
"Hey, how about this game?" Joker interrupted. "We pick someone in the bar, and you have to say whether or not you'd take them home."
"Hot or not, Joker? Really?" Kaidan sighed.
"Aw, come on. I used to play it with the recruits all the time."
"That's very demeaning," Liara scolded him.
"Man, no wonder I never hang out with you guys."
The topic mercifully shifted to fashion trends, so instead of playing Joker's game, they picked people in the bar who were wearing the most outlandish outfits and tried to decide who looked worse. Of course, they were all dressed in their military dress uniforms, so they weren't exactly pinnacles of fashion themselves, but it was fun all the same; more fun after two more rounds of drinks.
After another set of shots had been ordered and painfully downed, Tali sidled out of the booth and walked over to Kaidan, grabbing his hand and pulling him up out of the seat.
"Come on, lieutenant. Let's dance."
"Oh, uh…" Kaidan, even tipsy, was unsure of himself. "Well, I can't really dance…"
"Neither can I," Tali shrugged. "You coming, Liara?"
"Yes, I think so!" Liara hopped to her feet. "What about you, Shepard, Garrus?"
Shepard was buzzed and feeling pretty good at that point, so she stood up and followed them, beckoning Garrus to come with. He hesitated for a moment and then got up, leaving Wrex and Joker alone to continue drinking.
The dance floor was full of writhing, sweaty bodies, and plenty of heat. Tali surprised everyone with the fluidity of her motion when she began to dance. Shepard wouldn't have guessed anyone could be so graceful in such a large suit.
Garrus danced in an awkward little shuffle, unperturbed with how stupid he might look, a content, tipsy smile on his face. Kaidan's dance moves were almost as horrendous as Garrus', but none of them cared how they looked to everyone around them; they were getting drunk and having a good time, which had been a long time coming.
Shepard and Liara danced with each other a bit. She hadn't seen the asari so open or comfortable since they'd met. As they danced, she kept glancing over to Garrus. All around them, couples writhed against each other, bodies pulsing as they attempted to touch every inch of one another; she wished she could have done the same with Garrus. She was remembering the firm grip of his hands on her thighs, the rough feeling of his skin against hers. She always got a little bit more interested in such things after she'd been drinking, but it had been on her mind before then anyway.
One of the turian women who had been eyeing him down in the lower bar sidled up next to him on the dance floor, placing a hand on his shoulder and whispering something in his ear.
Shepard hated the ugly feeling of jealousy flaring up in her chest. Was Garrus handsome compared to other turians? She still had hard time differentiating that. His looks had certainly not been what attracted her to him; it had been his companionship, the comradery they had built, though there were things she'd begun to find attractive about him over time. Those bright blue eyes, for starters, and his tall frame, his broad chest and shoulders; even something about his skinny little turian waist was appealing. But she didn't really know what turians looked for in one another. Maybe a large crest of horns meant more than a pair of nice eyes.
She had been hoping to go home with Garrus that evening and possibly pick up where they'd left off last time, but now she worried he preferred someone within his own species. She thought about what his father had said to her in the hospital. She wasn't a turian. What had he seen in her?
It wasn't long before her fears were alleviated. Garrus exchanged some words with the turian woman, then she walked away, back down to the lower bar. Shepard danced over to him while Liara joined Tali and Kaidan.
"You're a regular ladies' man, Garrus," she told him. "You weren't interested?" It had been the turian with the purple clan markings who'd come to talk to him, the one he'd said was attractive earlier.
"She was only interested in me because I was on the news," Garrus shrugged. "I mean, only being interested in me for my looks isn't that different, but at least that way I know I'm not just going to be a story for her to tell her friends later."
"I'm getting warm," Shepard said, "Let's go sit down."
He followed her back to the table where they sat down in the booth. Joker was talking to some Alliance recruits by the bar and Wrex sat alone, guzzling alcohol from his bucket.
"Hey, lovebirds." he greeted them by smacking his hand on the table. "I know what you did and I want details."
"Do you need me to explain the birds and the bees to you, Wrex?" Shepard asked.
"No, I need you to explain the turians and the humans. I've never heard of such a thing. Besides, I can't imagine Garrus doing anything that a woman would find attractive. It must have been incredibly awkward and that's why I want every detail."
"Apparently, we're not the first," Garrus shrugged. "You didn't hear it from me, but Dr. Chakwas has had her own interspecies affair."
"You're shitting me!" Wrex laughed. "Didn't know the old bird had it in her."
"There's nothing to tell, anyway. Turns out it doesn't matter who the parts are attached to, they still work together," Shepard said.
"Shepard, humans would never be a krogan's first choice for mate. You're fleshy and squishy and you've got so much hair."
"Gee, thanks." Shepard glared at him.
"That being said," Wrex continued. "I think you could do better than this one. You should have a little more self-esteem than that. Turians all look like they've run their face through a jet engine."
"Thanks," Garrus hissed.
Liara returned from the dance floor and the conversation ended. She sipped at unsupervised drinks on the table, grasping at them eagerly. Garrus kept handing Shepard all of the dextro drinks to keep them away from her.
"I only have two hands, Garrus!" Shepard complained, rushing to set the drinks on the opposite end of the table.
"Liara, are you all right?" Garrus asked.
"I feel wonderful!" She cried. "I still haven't kissed anyone though."
"I'm sure Joker would still…" Garrus started. He was interrupted as she planted a kiss squarely on his lips. She backed away from him when she was done and wobbled where she sat.
"Blegh." Liara stuck her tongue out. "Your skin is like stone."
Garrus blinked at her, still in disbelief at what had happened. Shepard let out a loud laugh and smacked Garrus on the back.
"Maybe I'll see if someone on the dance floor is interested." Liara stood back up. "Not a turian," she added.
"Hey, Tali, Liara's headed back your way," Shepard said into her comm link. "Might want to keep an eye on her."
Tali responded, but whatever she said was drowned out by the loud music on the dance floor. Shepard saw Joker leave the bar with one of the recruits, a cute girl who couldn't have been older than twenty. He gave Shepard the thumbs up as he left, a stupid grin plastered on his face.
She typed a message to the pilot on her omni-tool. 'Don't break your femur.'
"First time you ever kissed an asari?" Wrex asked Garrus.
"Smashing your lips against someone's face barely qualifies as a kiss," Garrus replied.
"She was just curious. And for the record, your lips don't feel like stone," Shepard told him.
Wrex rested his chin on his hand. "You two are stupid."
"Thanks again, Wrex."
He waved his hand dismissively. "No use explaining it. I've been around for hundreds of years. You guys are just dumb, oblivious kids. You'll see eventually."
They drank for a while longer, Tali, Kaidan, and Liara returning periodically from the dance floor to retrieve more drinks. Garrus eventually started switching out their liquor with water, but the three of them were too drunk to notice. Shepard was just glad they were having a good time; they had all needed it so much. She was especially glad Kaidan was enjoying himself; he hardly ever let loose.
It was nearly two in the morning by the time Liara, Tali, and Kaidan returned to the dance floor after their seventh trip back for drinks. The artificial atmosphere outside the windows on the Presidium had long since shifted to a starry sky with fake moonlight shimmering down.
Shepard stretched her arms and yawned dramatically. "I'm starting to get tired. What about you Garrus?"
Garrus shrugged. "Actually, I'm not as tired as I thought I would be."
"Really? I'm very tired," Shepard said.
"If you're that tired, you should probably head back. But you might want to take a shuttle, the docks are pretty far from here," He suggested.
She slumped her shoulders forward and Wrex snorted.
"The docks are far," she agreed. "But your apartment is pretty close to here. Maybe I could just stay there."
"You might not like my bed," he told her, completely oblivious to what she had felt was a less than subtle move. "Turians sleep on firm surfaces usually. I mean, it's still a mattress, but it's not soft like what you'd be used to. I don't know how well you'd sleep on it."
"Garrus," Shepard growled. "What if we went back to your apartment to have sex and you understood what I was saying?"
Garrus' mouth opened and closed a few times before he finally said, "Oh. You're not really tired."
"No," Shepard shook her head.
Wrex howled with laughter. "You've got your work cut out, Shepard."
"I expect to see you before you leave the Citadel," she told him as she and Garrus stood up.
"You will, I promise. Now go on. Before one of the others sees you."
She and Garrus left the club, slightly tipsy. Now that Garrus realized why she'd wanted to leave, both of them were eager to get to his apartment. She could feel that familiar electricity between them as they walked. All she could think about was touching him again.
The walk to his apartment wasn't a long one, but it seemed to take forever. Once they were in the building, the ride up to his floor seemed to last a lifetime. His fingers brushed hers and even that small act was enough to give her goosebumps.
When they reached the door to his apartment, it took him several minutes to stand still enough for the access interface to recognize him, then the doors flew open and they stepped inside.
She hadn't been back to his apartment since the last time they'd gone to Purgatory, when she'd awoken on his couch with a terrible hangover. She was nowhere near that drunk now, thankfully. The place was as immaculate as it had been the first time she was there; the building must have had a cleaning service maintaining it while he'd been away.
He had her pressed against the wall before the doors had even finished closing, their lips coming together roughly. She grabbed his hips with her legs and he held her up, his talons tugging eagerly at the buttons on her dress uniform.
"Don't rip it," she said, helping him with the buttons. "It cost too much money."
"You can rip mine if you want," he told her before their mouths came glued back together.
When her buttons had been unfastened, she shrugged the jacket off her shoulders and tugged at the buttons on his suit. He moved his mouth down her neck, his tongue dragging across her skin. Shoving impatiently at the hem of the tank top she wore beneath her jacket, she lifted her arms to let him pull it over her head. As soon as the shirt was off, she shoved his suit jacket from his shoulders and it fell to the floor.
Still gripping his hips, her arms wrapped around his neck as they kissed, he carried her into his bedroom, dropping her onto the bed, which was as firm as he had promised. He yanked her pants off of her and nearly tripped out of his own in his eagerness to remove his clothing. Turians didn't wear any undergarments, having heavy plating to protect what humans laid bare. The plating on his lower body had shifted though, revealing just how eager he was.
He climbed on top of her and they lay kissing for some time, his hands roving up and down her body with interest. As his talons wrapped up around her back to her bra, his kisses slowed, eventually stopping altogether as his mandibles flared in his frustration.
"Do you have a firewall on this thing?" he demanded. "How does it come undone?"
She reached her hands up behind her back and unhooked the latches. It fell from her shoulders and he tossed it on the floor. He seemed to remember what she had told him before about breasts and foreplay, because he kissed his way across her chest and moved his tongue in slow circles over her nipples.
"Garrus," she breathed heavily.
"Shepard." He kissed her collarbone.
"I appreciate you taking your time," she told him. "But I'm really ready for the main event."
"Not yet," he said, kissing down her stomach and removing her last article of clothing
He grabbed her thighs and placed her legs on his shoulders, kissing up her inner thigh and bringing his hand between her legs to gently part her lower lips. His tongue snaked out of his mouth and flicked experimentally against her. She let out a gasp and grabbed his head.
"Yes," she said sharply.
Spurred by her response, he licked her again, gently at first and then applying more pressure, tracing shapes against her with his tongue.
Every single thought left her brain except for the pleasure she was feeling then. She tightened her grip on his head and grabbed a pillow with her free hand, the feeling mounting, coursing through her body.
Suddenly, and unexpectedly, his tongue shot inside of her while his thumb replaced it on her clit. A turian tongue, it had to be said, was far more dexterous than a human's.
She couldn't think. Every action was involuntary: his name escaping her mouth in a low moan, her body arching against him, desperate to feel more of him. She was about to explode, she felt so good, so close to the edge…
His tongue returned to his mouth abruptly and his lips moved back to her stomach and up her chest until he was on top of her again.
"Why did you stop?" she asked, her face red and warm.
"Did it feel good?" he kissed her neck.
"Garrus…I wasn't finished…" she groaned.
His hips moved between her legs and she forgot her complaints.