Ellie Lelaney stepped into the ballroom at NFR not quite sure what to expect. She’d seen the help wanted ad on the holo and finally gotten the nerve to come down here and apply. What she hadn’t expected was there to be a full-scale gala in swing. She’d been afraid the dress was a little much for a job interview but now she was glad she’d convinced herself to wear it.

She recognized a few people as she scanned the room. A few hovered around a drawing pad and a game board of some sort and were whooping and hollering. Lando was one of them and was engaged in a very animated conversation with a woman. Next thing she knew Lando took off running around the room, yelling, "I love to mate with Tribbles!" at the top of his lungs. Normally, I would find that odd, but it was Lando and it was a party so he was probably already three sheets to the wind. There was another man sitting with her, and as they both began laughing I thought I recognized that voice. The one that always made my knees shake… If he would just turn around so I could be sure. I stood as tall as my 5’11 frame would let me but couldn’t quite see.

"Trying to imitate a ronto, or just looking for me?" Someone prodded me with sarcasm.

"Excuse me, just who do you think you are," I began in defense, but as I turned to see who was antagonizing me I was cut short by that look. That ‘I think annoying you is the same as flirting’ look. I turned around with all intention of ringing the person’s neck that was bothering me, but when I saw that face it took all of 30 seconds to melt my mood into laughter. Standing before me was none other than Talon Karrde. Of course, most people would be impressed by that name and women would quiver under that glare but me, well, he just made me laugh. "Well, what are you doing here you old pirate, and why are you trying to provoke me? You know I can snap your neck faster than you can say sabacc."

"Whoa, there girlie, I was only teasing. You’ve got to be the last person I expected to see here, so when I saw you over here craning your neck to glimpse at me I couldn’t resist."

"You, whoa there cowboy, better roll that ego back in, I wasn’t looking for you. I didn’t even expect you to be here. I mean you’re practically sworn to celibacy."

He was shaking his head. "No way, I have tons of women…"

"You come on to tons of women but how many have you actually taken to bed? Or had a meaningful relationship with? Tell me that! You’re just chicken. You’ve got all the smooth talk and moves but nothing to back it up." We’d had this conversation a thousand times. We’d been on many missions together and forged a somewhat normal friendship. We tended to trade more insults and punches than handshakes and hugs but the relationship served its purpose. He had a large ship, and I had a lot of equipment and crew. I was a naturalist; I tended to focus on wildlife, the large predatory kind. A lot of the time the worlds I needed to go to weren’t exactly on regular traveling routes, and didn’t exactly welcome outsiders. But I took my job very seriously and so did he. He had a profit to make and I had a job to do. Being a smuggler took him all over the core worlds, and occasionally I even convinced him a trip to the Outer Rim would be profitable. I didn’t always travel with Karrde but I had enough in the past few years to consider him a friend. I continually turned down his advances when we first met, and eventually they cooled down to occasional jokes. We talked freely most of the time but neither of us ever had anyone serious. Our jobs wouldn’t allow it, and it didn’t bother either of us. To be completely honest though, I’d never seen him actually seduce a woman. Oh, I’d seen him seduce women, wearing away their defenses with his smooth voice and rugged good looks, but I’d never seen him follow through.

"Hey, who told you that!" He turned defensive and reached out to wrestle with me. As I stepped back out of his reached and turned to evade his ‘attack’, I saw him. Karrde punched me in the arm, and when I didn’t budge or remark he did it again.

"Hey, you fightin’ back or what, come on!" I couldn’t hear him and I couldn’t feel my arm as the muscles started burning under his fist fire. Just as he figured he could just wallop me and stretched way back to get some force, I turned and looked him straight in the eye.

"It’s him," I whispered. He lowered his arm slowly and looked in the direction of my gaze and his smile faded.

"Oh, Solo. Is that why you’re here? You still have that crush?"

"I’m not a 16 year old girl, Karrde. I am a grown woman with adult urges and that man is the sexiest man I’ve ever seen!" He stood across the room talking with a woman. I felt a pang of envy. To be so close to him, to smell him, to feel the energy radiate off of him.

"Okay, I’ve got to talk to him. How do I look?" I fidgeted with the simple, strappy gown I wore. The entire gown was entirely of Corellian silk. The color shifting kind. I just hope it wasn’t shifting to match the flush in my cheeks. The front was high and hung over my shoulders with thin straps, then swung down low, all the way down to the small of my back. Small ears of a tattoo peeked above the line of fabric. A small predatory cat from Naboo crouched just above my ass, ready to pounce. He studied me as I stood up straighter and fluttered with the gown. I never was any good in a dress and I was hoping it didn’t show. He looked me over as if to say something rude then took my hand instead. The gentle gesture startled me but I didn’t pull away. His hand was warm and soft. I guess I always imagined it cold like his heart.

"Why did you come here tonight, Ellie?" He asked quietly. A little unnerved at his use of my first name, I finally spoke up.

"To apply for a job."

"Ah, then you’ll need to meet Mary and Gill. I could introduce you." My mind temporarily shifted thoughts, and I agreed.

"All right, then. I guess since you avoided the question I must not look that good, eh?" I pulled my hand out of his grasp and hardened my stance, glaring at him teasingly, breaking the tension between us. He responded with a sly smirk and pointed me in the general direction of the punch bowl where a lively woman was arranging glasses. I headed off with Karrde behind me but didn’t quite hear him utter under his breath, "Actually, I think you look like an angel."

Talon sauntered up to the woman at the refreshment table and interrupted her mid-conversation with a serving droid.

"Hey, boss lady, can I steal your ear for a minute?" She gave him a leveling glare and he immediately repented. I liked her already. "Okay, okay, sorry, how rude of me. I just wanted to introduce you to a uh, an, uh, associate, yeah, an associate of mine." I looked at him strangely and extended a hand.

"Hello, I am Ellie Lelaney." She took my hand and smiled.

"Please to meet you, I’m Gillian Taylor, one of the ones responsible for this little tirade. Mary is the other, but I’m not sure where she’s waddled off to. You can’t miss her though. She’s the very pregnant woman in the stunning blue dress." She smiled even wider and added, "your accent…I’ve heard it before. Ah, yes, you must be Corellian. My uh, I have a friend who is Corellian, he’d love to meet someone from his homeworld. Come I’ll introduce you." She took my hand and almost skipped her way over to a large group of people surrounding a sabaac table. I immediately recognized Lando, but didn’t know any of the people standing behind him rooting him on. But as I got closer I recognized the thick brown mop in front of me, and the confident tilt of his head. Then I heard that laugh. My heart fluttered.

Gill jumped ahead of me and wrapped a friendly arm around his shoulder. "Han, I’d like you to meet someone. Han Solo, this is Ellie Lelaney, she’s from Corellia, too." He turned from their intense game of sabaac to face me with a huge smile.

"Hey, there kid. Always good to meet a fellow Corellian. Ah, see, she knows the best Corellian wares. That’s Corellian silk. Looks great." I could feel myself start to flush. It took all my control not to lose my composure. Ellie Lelaney did not get this way about men. Don’t get me wrong, I liked men and I’d had my fair share but something about this man melted my ice. I straightened up and enjoyed the look of surprise as he realized I was almost his height. I didn’t play that helpless female bit. Some liked to think I was a cold fish, but I just knew how to take care of myself.

"Thank you, Captain Solo."

"Ah, call me Han, the other just makes me feel old. You know, I can’t shake the feeling that I know you well. Have we traveled together."

"Yes, my group and I traveled with you to Kashyyk. I was so busy with the expedition I never really had a chance to speak with you other than the thanks and farewells. Not to mention that I looked much differently. I don’t often wear dresses."

"Ah, I think I remember. Lelaney, yes the wildlife expedition. How did that go?"

"Wonderful, thank you. We were able to salvage both species we were worried were close to extinction. Not to mention the informational stories your copilot told me. I studied wookie for the trip but wasn’t sure I’d get to use it. He’s quite a character."

"Well, excellent," Gill chimed in. "It’s great that you guys know each other. I’m sorry Han it seems we’ve interrupted your game with Lando. Shall we let you continue?" She seemed a little offset by the fact that Han and I were prior acquaintances, but I let it go as Calrissian stood to offer me a chair.

"Lelaney, it is always a pleasure." He bowed and I took a seat.

"Always nice to see you again, Calrissian."

"So," Gill said sweetly, "you two know each other as well?"

I explained, "Yes, we’ve met a few times on board the Wild Karrde."

"We were just getting started, would you like to join the game? Perhaps a lady at the table would keep the old scoundrel from cheating," Lando teased.

"Hey, I always win fair and square. Besides, you’re the scoundrel, you old charmer you." He piped back nodding obviously to me sitting comfortably beside him. Gill was instantly at my side.

"Now, I can’t remember Talon telling me why you were here. Are you here to make a purchase?" Gill smiled sweetly at me which actually made me feel a little uncomfortable, somewhat out of my skin.

"No, I’m sorry, I’ve gotten sidetracked. I’ve come about the job advertised in the holovid. Is the position still available? My crew and I are grounded for a while and I need some work to pay off the grants and place to stay."

"Well, I’ll have to speak to Mary, she’s the head cheese around here, and then set up an interview. It’s tough, tedious work. And as you can see, it’s completely unpredictable." She moved her arm about the table indicating all the mischievous grins.

"Yes, of course, perhaps I should come by after the gala, when it is not so busy. Tomorrow maybe?" I looked at her hopefully. I had gotten the feeling we hadn’t gotten off on the right foot and I didn’t want her to have already formed a negative impression of me.

"Alright, enjoy the rest of the night, and I’ll see you around 2:00." She sent Han a look and excused herself. Han soon made his own excuses and followed off in her direction. My heart sank but soon there were reassuring hands on my shoulders. I turned defensively, but it was only Karrde.

"Whoa, easy there, it’s just me. Always have your defenses up. Do you ever relax? I heard you said you needed a place to stay. Now don’t go thinking that I’m a nice guy, but I just got a place just outside of downtown and could use a roommate. Rents covered, just need some company and someone to help keep the ship in repair till we’re off again." I glared at him, not sure whether I trusted him or not. I wasn’t afraid of any sexual advances cause like I said before I’ve never seen him actually take a women to bed. Sure he’d flirt and make them all fall head over heels, but he never followed up on it. Frankly, I didn’t care what he did. Sometimes though, I wish he would get laid so he wouldn’t be such tightass with his ship and crew.

"Well, Karrde, as long as you don’t have some kind of trick up your sleeve it sure would help me out." Still seated at the sabaac table I pulled my shoe off and began rubbing my feet. "Man, I sure do miss my boots."

Karrde piped up on cue, "What do you say we get out of here? I could use a good stiff drink at a smoky bar. Gill’s so busy I doubt she’d miss me."

"That is a great idea. Let me stop by the hotel to get my things and take care of something. I’ve got to get out of these shoes." Karrde swaggered egotistically as always and I practically limped my way to the door. I turned around for one last peak and locked eyes with someone across the room. Someone with a lopsided grin and a Corellian bloodstripe down his pants. He gave me a wink as Karrde pulled me out the door.

We took Karrde’s speeder through downtown Coruscant avoiding the busiest byways as best we could. We finally arrived at the hotel I was currently calling home. One of the older buildings, dating back to the time of Palpatine’s rule, it loomed above us. A combination of durasteel and a special reflective glass, it looked as though it should have been condemned years ago. In it’s day it might have been one of the finer establishments but time and battle with the rebellion had taken its toll.

"This is where you’re staying," Karrde exclaimed as we both stared up at the massive building.

"Well, it’s all I could afford. I’ve got to pay for storage of all the equipment, plus keep the crew convinced that we’ll have an expedition soon and a new grant from the Coruscant Conservation Consortium. Besides, it was one of the few places that would allow animals." I said quickly and started up the ancient steps.

"Allow what?" Karrde scrambled after, not catching up till we reached the repulserlifts. "Wait a second, you never said anything about animals."

"You didn’t ask." I said evasively as we made our way up to my room. Karrde went on about how I was always trying to bring some stray back from a mission and why couldn’t I ever have normal pets. He was still lecturing as I keyed the door to my room.

We stepped inside the dim quarters and immediately Karrde was scanning the room for this ‘pet’. You’d think he was expecting me to have a full-grown cole claw fish in the bathtub, as if it would even fit in the whole hotel!

"Ah, call it off." Karrde shrieked as a black felinx twined in and around his ankles.

"Oh, come on Karrde, you’re a tough smuggler. You’re not afraid of a harmless felinx." I leaned down and clicked my tongue. The little felinx eagerly ran over looking for affection. "See, she’s harmless just wants to be petted. She’s not smart enough to want much else. Don’t get me wrong though, they’re excellent hunters. But, you’re a little out of her range." Timidly, Karrde squatted and held out his hand. The felinx trotted over to receive a scratch behind the ears. Karrde was rewarded with a deep rumbling sound within the felinx’s throat. He began to retract the hand in terror and looked to me for reassurance. "It’s alright, she’s purring that’s all." He continued petting the felinx. Satisfied that neither of them could hurt the other I headed to the sleeping quarters to get these horrible excuses for shoes off my feet. I pulled the pins from my hair and let the long dark curls free down my back. That definitely felt better. Now to get out of this dress. I opened my duffel just to stare at the usual array of clothes. I didn’t have much life other than my work so I didn’t bother to keep much with except what I could use to work with. That meant mostly earth-toned tunics, pants and an occasional duster. I opted for the black sleeveless tunic, and matching pants, laying them out on the bed. As an afterthought I grabbed the white duster I’d used on Hoth last year.

"So," Karrde yelled from the main room, "how’d you end up with the felinx."

"It was our last mission, before the triple C revoked our grant. We were on Malastare. They were having some kind of political or cultural conflict, fighting and the such. It was an adventure just getting in the system and getting ground clearance. We’d actually gone for Tabaga, a predatory cat originally from Corellia, but they’d been wiped out. We found that little girl all by herself. She’s a species from Yavin IV I think, but it’s hard to be sure. She must have been someone’s pet or the like cause she’s all there was." I yelled over my shoulder as I slipped off my dress. I hung it delicately on the door of the refresher unit. I didn’t usually splurge over such extravagant amenities so I planned on making this one last.

"You do a good thing, you know that right." Karrde’s compliment bounced off the thin walls of the sleeping quarters, lingering untouched until I turned around and found him standing in the doorway.

"How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough."

"So now you’re adding spying to your list of winning attributes?" I said dryly, whisping past him. I was having the hardest time getting all the stray strands of dark curls up and into a binding. Then I felt a touch on my bare shoulder.

"Don’t. Leave it down, you never wear it down." I felt my skin tingling under his touch and I pulled away abruptly. I started back with a sour retort but cut myself short.

"Sure." I lowered my hands and set the binding aside. "Well, are we going to get a drink or what." I broke the tension as I pulled on the duster. "I know the perfect place. Do you like whiskey?"

Within a few minutes we’d arrived in one of the lower levels of the city. I glanced up at the lights over the doorway. ‘Glow Spider’, one of the better bars in Coruscant, at least by my opinion. They were one of the few to carry my personal favorite.

It was smoky and dark, the best place to hold secret conversations and business deals. All sorts of shady looking characters milled about, looking over their shoulders, twitching nervously when someone walked too close. Karrde and I took a small table in the corner. The serving droid descended from its perch on the ceiling above the table and politely asked us in its programmed voice what it was we desired.

"Whiskey, Whyren’s Reserve. Do have a bottle?" The droid beeped an affirmative. "Good, just bring the whole thing, and a glass." As I said it I placed a large hand of credits in view of the droid and it beeped and twittered in approval.

Karrde smiled. "A woman with a taste for the finer things," he remarked with approval. Whyren’s Reserve was a very exclusive and very expensive whiskey from Corellia. A particular reason I liked the bar; they always carried it. "I’ll have an Alderaanian Ale." With that the little droid whisked away to fulfill our requests. I turned my attention to Karrde.

"Alderaanian Ale, huh? You’re getting right to it, huh?"

"Always." He said seriously. "Now that you mention it, there is something that I want to get right to."

"Karrde, please. Don’t start this stuff; I’m not in the mood. I’ve had a long day, a million things are running through my head, I just want to relax a have a drink."

"Of, course, I’m just kidding with you, would you have it any other way?" He grinned and leaned back in his chair. Taught muscles outlined through his shirt as he stretched.

The droid arrived with our drinks and I rewarded it with a generous tip. I poured a glass of the thick brown liquid and drank it down. I enjoyed the burn in my throat, then the smooth feeling that followed. Gods, it was damn good. Karrde sipped his tasty ale and chattered on about his crew and some job or another. He got me talking of my crew and what was next. He knew that would keep me talking for a while.

"Right now we don’t know what is next." I said as I finished another glass. I poured another from the vastly emptying bottle. "The CCC is supposed to contact me, but I haven’t heard anything. Figures." I said haughtily and took another sip. Karrde kept me chattering and after I couldn’t get the bottle to the glass any longer he poured them for me. The more I drank the louder I got.

"And what’s wrong with me," I said louder, swinging my arms out in large unsteady motion. "What’s wrong with Solo. Maybe I should just throw myself at him. And you, making advances again, like it’s some kind of joke. Men!" I yelled and grabbed for my glass, spilling liquid over the table. The server droid came bustling down to wipe up the spill then turned to converse with Karrde privately. I could just make out something about disturbing and other customers.

"Alright, Ellie, just calm down, I think you’ve had a little too much."

"See, Karrde, there you go again; calling me by my name. Don’t try all that sweet, charming crap on me. It won’t work, you know who I want."

Karrde looked down at the table then spoke quietly. "Yes, I know. But I can’t help who I want." With that he looked up at me, straight into my eyes. I felt my breath catch in my throat. What was he saying? This had to be more of his jokes, the half-hearted passes that he made at women, it was just the way he was. So how come when I looked into those eyes I knew he was sincere?

"I’ve got to go. It’s late and I’ve got things to do tomorrow." I stood and stumbled from my chair.

"Let me help you." Quickly, he was at my side, steadying me. I resisted at first, but as the room started spinning I thankfully latched on to the friendly support. What was my problem after all? He was a friend, a good and trusted friend. A little company wouldn’t be so bad. I looked up at his face, filled with concern. I don’t know what came over me. I leaned a little closer, putting my arms around his neck. He shifted uncomfortably. That’s when impulse won over-

Our lips met, slowly at first, neither of us knowing what to expect from the other. His were soft, tasting of sweet ale. I kissed them harder, parting mine, inviting entrance. He excepted and his tongue entered, sweeping around mine in a slow dance. I could taste his sweetness, stronger now. His smell, his touch, it was overwhelming-

With that, I pulled away abruptly, stumbling quickly from his arms. I faced away from him and tried to make some sense of what had just happened, to regain my composure.

He broke the tension first, brushing the occurrence aside. "Come on, let me get you home."

________________________________________________________________________

Talon tried to gracefully lift me from the transport to rest half-standing, half-leaning on his broad shoulder. ‘When had I started to think of him as Talon and not just Karrde?’ I thought to myself in my drunken state. I hadn’t spoken since that moment at the bar. I was only half conscious for the ride back from the tavern, only enough to be aware of my immediate surroundings, alert for danger. Though I’m afraid my physical reflexes probably wouldn’t have cooperated with my mind. Talon might have thought me passed out drunk but my mind never stopped reeling.

"Alright, we’re almost there," he said assuringly as we headed up the repulsorlift. I leaned harder on his shoulder and breathed in his heavy, musky smell. Yes, Talon was most definitely a man. Why had I refused to consider him? He was most definitely attractive and women most definitely thought so. So why had I pushed these very thoughts of him out of my mind? Why did he like to play the charming, seducing vestigial virgin! Yes, what I wanted from him was most definitely carnal. Animal, like the ones I spent my life studying, protecting, yearning to be like.

We reached my room and he keyed it open. He took me hesitantly to the sleeping quarters and lay me on the bed. He tried not to look uncomfortable as he removed my boots and pulled down the top covers. I just stared at him with glassy eyes and hint of a smile. I liked the way it felt to have him be so kind. To care… Is this what it felt like to care? Had it been so long since I had cared for someone and not for just my work? To feel it in return? I shook my head of the past and gazed up at Talon again. I ached at his visible uneasiness.

"The offer still stands you know. If you need a place to stay; my offer is still open." He stood for just a moment looking down upon me tucked in bed. As he turned to go I grabbed his wrist in a futile attempt.

"Please," whispered from my mouth. "Stay with me." I pulled on his arm till he knelt next to the bed, his face inches away. Again I could feel the need, the fire; he wanted me. I sat up and pulled him to me. I tasted his mouth again, soft at first, still hesitant. He responded first this time pressing into me hard with wanting. Pushing his way into my mouth, engulfing me in his sweet taste. I moaned into his mouth and he moved from the floor to the bed. I pulled him to me so that he was lying upon me and received a satisfied groan from his mouth into mine. "Talon, please, I want you. I want you inside me." He pressed harder against me, his mouth becoming more forceful. I could feel his hard need through the sheets and responded with wet need of my own.

Abruptly he pulled away, looking down at me.

"No, not like this. Not with you…" He trailed off and moved away.

"Drunk," I finished for him. I shook my head. "I know what I’m doing, Talon."

"Ellie, you know how much I want this, want you. Every ounce of my being, every waking minute. Every time I’m with you I can feel it like fire running through my veins. How I’ve wanted to taste you, to reach out and feel you, but…not like this. I …"

"No, don’t say it, just go." I turned away from him and stared at the Corellian silk hanging from the door where I’d left it earlier. The chill in the air had turned it a dark bluish-black. ‘Fitting’, I though to myself. I felt him still standing beside the bed. "Please, Karrde, just go." A few moments passed then I felt the air stir as he whisked away from the bed and moment later I heard the main door slide open then closed again.

My head was spinning. I felt like the world had gone topsy-turvy. I felt the bed shift as the felinx hopped up to comfort me. I reached a hand to her silky fur, felt her lick at the back of my hand. I smiled to myself. ‘To have her life’, I thought to myself. So easy. But with pain comes triumph, right? It’s not supposed to be easy. Now I knew why I avoided men.

I huffed to myself as I turned my thoughts from pity to sleep. Yes, sleep, I’m going to definitely do some of that. Something else was nagging at my mind, trying to inch its way past the ale and the recent events. Was there something I was supposed to do tomorrow? Someone to meet? Ah, well, maybe I’ll wake in time, if not…ah, well.

That was later. Sleep. Now.

I awoke to the sound of the horrible beeping of a message waiting. I grabbed the chrono beside me and groaned at the site. It was after 3:00. I rolled out of the bed to find I was in the same clothes as the night before. The felinx stirred at the end of the bed.

"I’m sorry did I disturb you?" I said sarcastically. She just purred and went back to sleep. I envied her as I headed for the holo. ‘One message waiting.’ I don’t know who it could be. Little bits of the night before drifted through my mind and I could have just smacked myself. ‘Oh,’ I moaned to myself, ‘I hope this isn’t Karrde.’ I had made a fool of myself, that much knew. Funny thing was I didn’t regret it. I almost couldn’t admit it to myself, even alone in my room. "I want Talon Karrde." Whew, that sounded even stranger spoken aloud instead of rolling around in my fuzzy brain. But I knew it was real. I hadn’t cared for someone in a long time. Promised myself I never would in fact, but I had to admit it. "I care for Talon." I said it aloud again to give it more meaning.

But did I ruin it last night. I know he wants me too, and for more than a one night stand. He’d been advancing at me since the first mission I worked with him. How could I have been so blind?

I stopped mentally kicking myself and focused back on the immediate issue, the damn holo beeping insistantly at me. I pressed play and prepared for the worst.

"Dr. Lelaney, this is Kristé Oabon, from the Coruscant Conservation Consortium. We are pleased announce to you that there has been a grant made available for your research program. Please plan to attend a meeting tomorrow in my office to go over the formalities and such. You may leave as soon after that as you wish. See you then, Ellie. Good day."

Well, that was not what I expected. Kristé was a nice enough being to work with. Lord knows she’d worked hard to get where she was. Twileks were stereotyped to be flighty and of a lower intelligance, which she was neither. I was surpised to hear from her so soon, though. I hadn’t expected a grant to become available for a while. This put a damper on my other problem. Karrde.

**********************************************************************

I sorted my thoughts as I stood in the refresher. I dressed simply in tan tunic and pants and sighed as I looked at the beautiful dress hanging on the door. It had changed from the black color to a bright purple. I smiled to myself knowing what I had to do.

I stopped for a moment to scratch behind the little felinx’s ears and upon hearing a reassuring meow I scurried out the door.

***********************************************************************

It was a little bit of a ride out to the compound Karrde had mentioned to me. They were beautiful glass architecture, spires reaching to the blue sky of Coruscant. From the beings milling about it was apparent most of his crew had put up residence here as well. I threw the driver some credits and stepped out into the afternoon.

"I hadn’t expected to see you join the living so soon." Karrde’s voice rang behind me. Fighting back instinct to whirl around and deck him, I held my ground and spoke without facing him.

"I wanted to make sure that your offer was still good, even after," my voice faltered, "after the mess I made last night." He circled around me, eying me like prey. I’d never felt so vulnerable yet so safe at the same instant. He stared seriously at me for a few more moments then burst into a hearty laugh.

"Of course it’s still good, Ellie, I don’t judge you on one mistake. We’re friends right?" He walked over and placed a loose arm around my shoulder. Before I could answer his question he continued. "Come one, let’s get some dinner into you, you’re looking a litte peaked."

After dinner at the very exclusive Clarendox restaurant we headed back to my hotel to gather my things. One bag was all and of course the little felinx and her things. Karrde had really taken to her and whispered and coddled her the whole ride to his complex.

"Let me give you the grand tour." He raised his arms a mock grand gesture as we entered to front door of his flat. "Here is the main room, and there is the public refresher. In there is the kitchen, and in that direction are the bedrooms; both have their own refresher units." He stood in the middle of the main room and pointed to each door as he named them off. Everything led off of the main room and from what I could see so far was modestly decorated. Nice reclining areas, a few artifacts acquired on a journey, nothing too elaborate. Karrde had a taste for fine things but he wasn’t gaudy.

"It’s nice. I’m impressed, smuggler. I expected a pit of a bachelor pad or the lair of a wealthy smuggler. But this is nice."

"Thank you, I’m so glad you approve," he said sarcastically. "Come on I’ll show you your room." After Karrde released the felinx to sniff and peek at its new surroundings he led me to the two doors at the back of the main room. He opened the first one to reveal a beautifully decorated room. The bed was purple and surrounded by a canopy with long flowing…

"Corellian silk," I gasped as I stepped into the room. I grabbed a handful of it and watched as the color changed where my fingertips grazed the fabric.

"You’re not the only one who can find such beautiful rarities you know. I am a smuggler after all." I grinned at him then frowned a looked away.

"Karrde, I need to talk to you about something. I got a call from the CCC today. They’ve got another grant for my team. I’m not sure where we’re going yet but it will be soon."

"I don’t know what you’re getting at. You need a ship? Well, I’d planned on staying grounded a little longer but I’m sure we could find something profitable wherever you’re going…"

"Talon," he looked at me in surprise as the use of his first name registered. "Listen to me." I crossed the space between us and looked in his eyes. "I came here because there are some things I want to say and do before I go. I’ve been so foolish the past years, hiding behind my work, pretending I don’t care about men. It was all out of fear, I let someone hurt me before but that doesn’t mean I should hide from it. Do you hear what I’m saying Talon, I don’t know what is going to happen after this trip but I want you to know I that I do care. I want to be with you." I stepped forward and placed my hand on his face. "I want you here, now." I leaned forward catching his mouth with mine. He resisted me at first. I let my hands move across his hard chest and around to circle his neck. I leaned harder against him pushing our bodies together. His resolve broke and his arms surrounded me hungrily, pulling me off the floor. His tongue wrestled with mine and he groaned his approval into my mouth.

"O, gods, Ellie, how I’ve wanted you."

I left kisses across his neck to his ear and whispered throatily to him. "Then take me, I won’t fight it anymore."

With those words he swooped me up from the floor and laid me on the bed. He explored my neck with his tongue gently moving his hands over my breasts. He knelt beside me on the bed and began to remove my tunics. I gasped as the air hit my bare skin and Talon looked upon me.

"O, Ellie, you are so beautiful. He bent down and took a nipple in his mouth and sucked gently. I arched into him and he bit down lightly. Another moan escaped my lips as he paid the same homage to my other breast before moving lower, placing kisses down my stomach.

"Gods, Talon, please I need you." He leaned back and preceded to remove his clothing as I watched, breathing heavily. His hard body was so tantalizing. I had imagined how’d he’d look before but it had never been this good. He lifted my legs and removed my boots and leggings till both of us were staring upon each other longingly. I couldn’t control myself any longer. I rose and pushed him to his back. I was on top of him in an instant. I kissed his chest moving my way to his mouth. I could feel his large cock pressed against my wetness, I couldn’t wait much longer. "Talon, I want you inside me."

With that he flipped me over in one swift motion and sheathed him self inside me. I groaned as I stretched to fill him. He moved slowly against me, filling me fully with each stroke. I opened my eyes for a moment to see the silk had turned a fiery red all around us, feeding my passion.

"Harder," I breathed, "faster, please." I gasped. He bucked against me harder now, our hips slamming together in exquisite pain. I was nearing climax as his he hit my spot over and over again with each thrust.

"I want to hear you come, Ellie, please." Hearing his words sent me over the edge and stars flashed by my eyes. My whole body clenched and spasmed as I came with such amazing pleasure.

"Oh, gods, yes, Talon, yes!" I sent him over the edge with my orgasm and he moaned as his seed exploded into me, riding me till the last spasm went through our bodies. He lay there for a moment then rolled onto his back and pulled me to him.

I layed my head on his sweaty chest and breathed in his musky smell. I smiled to myself at the scent. His hand brushed stray curls from my forehead and I could feel his breathing slow and his body relax.

"I’ve stalked you for so long my little cat. I’ve finally captured you." He pulled me into an embrace and kissed me passionately. "Now, I’m not going to let you go. I love you."

I smiled at the words then turned away before speaking.

"I told you we’re leaving soon."

"But Ellie…"

I silenced him with my hand.

"We’re leaving, and I want you to take us. Not because I want your ship, because I want you. I never want to lose you. I love you, Karrde."

"Hey, what happened to Talon. Why can’t you call me by my first name?"

"Oh, you’re so easy, that was just to get you into bed." I punched him playfully.

"Oh ,really!" He retaliated my tackling me. We rolled off the bed in a fit of laughter.

"All right, all right, maybe I’ll call you Talon but just as long as you remember who is boss."

"Meow," came the answer from the doorway right before the felinx pounced us.

Giggling I told Talon, "See, the boss says so herself."

Talon laughed then captured me for another sweet kiss.