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Chapter 10, what's a girl to do?

She took Vidal's call in the comm room. "Hey there."

"Stephanie! Good to see you!"

His tone was warm and affectionate. Smiling brightly she nodded. He'd been pleasant company for the past week and she had to admit she was warming up to him.

What does he want?

"Sloane's having a get together for the locals. Care to be my plus one?"

She almost laughed out loud - that was unexpected! "Are you asking me out on a date?"

It sounded great. Finally taking some time off, letting her hair down. Together with this... charming man. In the back of her mind she was already selecting a dress.

"I promise to be a perfect gentleman."

She couldn't resist. Felt a surge of excitement as she flirted, "what if... I don't want you to be a gentleman?"

"That can be arranged..."

The sexual undertone in his voice was clear and she grinned. He wants me. She knew it. She liked the idea.

She immediately thought of Peebee. The asari had made no move to claim her romantically.

She sighed. No move at all...

Their friendship had been pure fun and sex. And even though that was wonderful it was not the romantic connection her heart was yearning for. She wanted a deeper relationship, she wanted someone to experience the highs and lows with. She wanted it all.

She sighed again. She liked Peebee, could even imagine them being together. Clearly the asari was not looking for that. Should she wait for Peebee to change her mind?

Reyes was a funny, witty guy and she thoroughly enjoyed his company. The feeling was mutual as he apparently couldn't stop himself from flirting and complimenting her. He had been actively pursuing her for nearly a week. She enjoyed all the attention and the idea of starting a relationship with him felt real, genuine.

What's a girl to do?


"You look beautiful! Lovely dress!"

"Well thank you." She giggled as she twirled playfully, showing of her summery blue dress. It showed too much of everything - after all the Initiative drab she felt like showing off a bit. The lower half flared out gracefully, splendidly showing of her toned long legs. Laughing with excitement she ended her spin close to Reyes, close enough for him to catch her.

"I mean it..." his voice trailed off. Besides her stunning looks he adored her happy joyful attitude. He loved hearing her laugh. He couldn't deny it any longer - he was completely blown away. That shocked him. It hadn't happened in a long while. What a wonderful surprise this young pathfinder turned out to be!

He allowed himself a few seconds to drink in the sight. He adored her long, bare golden legs, her slim waist, her alluring cleavage. Lovely auburn hair. The blue dress tastefully accentuated all her curves, her bright smile, her sparkling blue eyes. She was tall and her elegant high heels made her even taller. He had to look up to her and found he didn't mind at all. She was the most beautiful creature he'd ever seen. "Seriously. I'm smitten. You look smashing."

She almost blushed. "You don't look bad yourself." Dressed in black pants, white shirt and a comfy jacket he looked smoking hot - nothing like a smuggler. He smelled good too and she was fighting the urge to pull him even closer.

"Shall we?" He gestured to the large doors.

"Absolutely."

Arms hooked together they strolled into Sloane's hq which had been turned into a dimly lit, well decorated party hall. Most surprising of all was the roof - it had been opened, showing the gorgeous starry night sky. This also meant the outside heat had settled in the room, making it quite warm.

Stephanie made sure to avoid the psychopath, not wanting to get into politics. Or a firefight. She picked a glass of champagne from a tray and scanned the room. Merchants, bodyguards, thugs, prostitutes. A salarian scientist. What a weird gathering! Is Sloane celebrating something?

Reyes had drifted away from her and was chatting with a few Angarans, looking completely at ease with the situation. She looked him over. Over the last week they'd worked together quite a bit. He always seemed to pop up at the most opportune times, helpful and usually with a few flattering words to her.

The feeling was mutual - not for the first time she realized she really liked him. He was funny, sometimes silly, and his suave accent was making her knees weak. Good looking too! She sipped her champagne while studying him, ignoring the rest of the room. He noticed her and mischievously winked. She waved him over, shamelessly inviting his attentions.

He grinned. "You are the most beautiful person in this room."

"Really? She pointed at a young woman dressed only in red lingerie who seductively danced in front of a group of excited spectators. "How about her?"

"She's looks nice, I agree." Taking her hand, he planted a soft kiss. "But your soul outshines all. It's very clear to me."

That made her blush. She had not expected it, but she blushed. She felt her spine tingle. This wonderful man made her all warm on the inside! "Thank you... that's very kind."

He obviously liked her. His body language, his words were even more proof that he enjoyed her company, was interested. She felt her mind aglow with the warm attention.

Time for some truth of her own. "You're a very charming man. What on earth are you doing in this terrible place?"

"Same as you. Seeing what I can get out of Sloane."

She laughed out loud. Raised her index finger. "No. We're not talking about her. Tonight's a night for pleasure... I came here to unwind."

He boldly wrapped an arm around her waist. "That can be arranged. Shall we dance?"

She sucked in her breath, enjoying his strong body as he pulled her much closer. "Absolutely."

It was a lovely evening... they danced and drank and laughed the night away while enchanting music filled the night sky. Andromeda's stars illuminated their world. When the band started playing a slow romantic tune, Steph noticed the hesitation in his eyes. Smiling boldly she pulled him real close against herself. She almost felt all of him and the heat radiating of his body warmed her. Lovely. "Hold me. I want you to."

"Gladly... You're a beautiful woman Stephanie. Mujer Hermosa. I love your humor and I adore your bright smile."

Steph beamed. The sweet words were definitely getting to her. She wanted to feel more of him. He responded in kind - tightening his arm around her waist as they slowly circled the floor to the sensual music.

She wholeheartedly allowed herself to be romanced by this enchanting man who so perfectly seemed to sense her mood. Intimately holding each other they danced the dance of lovers and she couldn't stop smiling.

The dance ended. They didn't let go, wishing to hold onto the enchanting moment. The vast expanse of Andromeda's splendor twinkled in her bright eyes. She finally looked up. "What a lovely night... look at the stars! They're so amazingly beautiful."

"There's only one beautiful star here tonight. And she's dancing with me."

"Oh Reyes!" Her eyes smiled. He smiled back. Damn this was a wonderful man. The butterflies twirled and she felt herself glowing hotly from all the loving attention.

He got even closer - was he gonna kiss her? No. He whispered right next to her ear.

"Mujer hermosa... What a delight to be with you."

She smiled from ear to ear. "Likewise."

His warm hand around her waist intimately pressed their bodies together. She didn't mind at all - she just wanted to merge with this sweet man. "Mmm..." Humming with pleasure she ran her hand over his back, appreciating the strong corded muscles. She loved the feeling of his powerful broad shoulders."I love the way you feel... and I love the way you make me feel."

There was a stutter in his step. "How do I make you feel...?"

"Like I'm the only girl in the world. I don't want this night to end. It almost feels like we're floating."

"We are floating. This is already my best night in Andromeda."

"Already? And you're expecting more?" Her lips brushed over his cheek, nearly kissing him. Her body tingled with expectation and she excitedly bit her lip.

"More would be amazing... perhaps more than I could handle."

"I think you're handling me pretty well so far."

"Mmmm... I'd love to handle much more of you." His hands suggestively trailed her waist, finding a resting spot on her hips.

She could smell his strong masculine scent. It send a shiver down her spine. He was coming on strong and she liked it. He wanted her and it felt sooooo good to be wanted. Excellent! - buzzing with desire she kissed his cheek while grinding her heated body against his. It was completely shameless. She didn't care that she appeared needy. She loved every second of it. "Really? ...how much more?"

His fingers tenderly stroked the curves of her hips, getting daringly close to her behind. Leaning in he whispered in her ear, "You're irresistible. I'm not resisting."

He kissed her, a warm, exploring kiss. She breathed with excitement. "Perhaps I won't stop you... "

"Sounds great... but first - I know of a hidden treasure. Interested?"

"Yeah right. You just wanna get me to a quiet place."

"Then I think we want the same thing!"

She giggled. Feeling excited like a teenage girl she followed him, sneaking through some doors before arriving in a dark cargo compartment. Using his flashlight Reyes opened a crate.

One of Sloane's henchmen appeared at the door and she heard Vidal curse.

"Shit! We need a distraction - quick!"

She didn't think twice. Finding his lips she urgently kissed him. "Hmmm..." He smelled great. She hungrily rubbed his back, pulling him intimately close. Their hot bodies caressed each other in a fiery embrace.

If he was surprised by her eagerness he didn't show it. "Mujer hermosa..." But when he felt her tongue he froze for a second before wholeheartedly kissing her back. Their eager tongues danced together, a scorching tango filled with sexual tension.

"Oh Ryder... " he finally panted, his voice hoarse with longing, "I think we're c-clear."

"Maybe another kiss, just to be sure?"

"Now you're just teasing me."

She giggled.

With a victorious cry he pulled a bottle of whiskey out of the crate. They ditched the party, finding a deserted roof where they opened the whiskey.

"I wasn't just teasing you." She grinned flirtatiously after she emptied her first cup. "I like you Vidal... a lot." His leg was warmly pressing against hers, creating sparks of excitement between their heated bodies. He felt it too and laid his hand on her bare knee. She allowed it.

She poured herself a new cup and the whiskey scorched her throat. He leaned into her and they kissed again, slower, treasuring the intense moment. The taste of whiskey mixed with his strong charm and she purred in delight. "Reyes..."

Pulling him much closer she warmly embraced him, her hands touching everywhere she damn well pleased. His back, his powerful shoulders. "Damn you feel good." Their kiss deepened, their eager tongues yearning for more.

He groaned. She felt his warm hand on her leg. He caressed her calf, rubbing up and down. "Mmm..." He must have heard her encouraging moans cuz after a minute his hand moved up, past her knee.

"I love touching you..." he whispered hotly, "I love touching your sexy long legs..."

She felt his warm, strong hands massaging her thigh and it felt lovely! She was overjoyed to be wearing the skimpy blue dress and sneakily pulled it even higher. She wanted this! Slowly, purposefully he moved his hand up, higher still, stroking the intimacy of her inner thighs. She loved it and moaned softly as she treasured the erotic sensation. "Ohh... ohh..."

Her legs trembled. He had to feel it. Feeling very naughty she parted her legs, inviting him in. He responded in kind, brushing aside the last fraction of her dress to passionately massage her smoldering skin, getting dangerously close to her underwear. Her pussy throbbed and she knew she was getting wet. Damn!

"Yesss..." Hissing with desire she shifted, squirming on the rooftop. Her mind was a furnace of need. "Oh..."

Her body language encouraged him - he felt her trembling, heard her needy whimper. Sucking in his breath he fingered her panties, oh-so-gently stroking the sensual lacy softness. "Is that... is that ok?"

He was so considerate! "That's ok... more than ok." She wanted to be touched. Now.

She wildly kissed this wonderful man while rubbing her inner thighs against his warm hand. It was utterly shameless but she found she couldn't stop. The hot friction heated her groin and she whimpered softly. "Oh... ohhh..."

Knowing he had her consent made him dizzy with excitement. Feeling incredibly bold he touched the thin fabric hiding her sex, gasping as he became aware of the outline of her slit. "Mujer Hermosa..."

They moaned into each other's mouth.

He couldn't believe it! Placing three fingers on her damp, tempting underwear he ever-so-gently rubbed her in slow, tantalizing circles that were making her crazy. For a wonderful minute they kissed while he caressed the scorching flesh of her pussy. She whimpered non-stop, feeling her belly muscles fluttering madly. "Oh... oh..."

Buzzing with pleasure she pulsed with wet, sexual excitement. "Reyes!" Her leg jerked and without thought she pulled her knee up, clearly parting her legs. The bottom half of her dress was bunched around her hips.

"Nghh..." A throaty whimper escaped her. Listening to her aroused noises he carefully pressed the moist fabric inwards and felt it slip inbetween her wet folds. Yes! Cherishing the stunning moment he started dragging his fingertip up and down through her excited slit while rubbing her folds.

She whimpered again and he knew he was doing allright. He felt her heat through her now-soaked panties and continued going up and down, fingering her pussy while she shivered with raw, sexual tension.

"Oh! Oh Reyes..."

That felt so fucking good! She spread her legs even wider. Her cunt was screaming for more and she groaned with need. She wanted this. For a second she considered pulling her panties aside but he beat her to it as he slipped two fingers under her waistband. "Yes! ... touch me... please... I want it!"

She felt him touch her pubic hair before brushing over her clit, sending a powerful jolt through her system. "Gah!" The intense sensation made her gasp for air, made her think of-

Peebee!

... what am I doing? It's Peebee I want... right? What do I want?

He touched her pleasure center again. "Oh!" Her legs jerked.

Her body ached with need, yearning for sex. Her mind was not sure. Did she really want him? What about Peebee?

I don't know! Wait...

She didn't know what she wanted. Feeling horrible conflicted she stammered, "wait... I should..."

Reyes felt her stiffen, heard the hesitation. He stopped touching her, his voice filled with concern. "What is it? Did I do something wrong?"

"No... it's just..." She fumbled for words. "I can't do this right now. I'm sorry..."

She noticed the worry and disappointment in his eyes. "I'm so sorry Reyes. It's not you. It's me." She groaned with frustration as she heard the cliche rolling off her lips. "Damn that sounds lame. What I mean is... I mean... "

He touched her cheek. "No need to explain. I'm sure you have a reason."

She smiled weakly. He was too kind. First she'd encouraged him and now she was letting him down. She felt guilty, confused and conflicted. "I... I should go." She straightened her dress and bolted.