Rory's kiss was soft at first. He was filled with surprise that she accepted him so willingly, but as the kiss continued it deepened. His fervor to taste her on his lips was intoxicating. Aspen herself was surprised by her own reaction. She was a shy person and never forward. Rory would occasionally withdraw for breath but her own lips would seek refuge in his quickly. Bringing him back under in the same intoxicating state she had succumbed to.
Rory was eager to please her wishes and demands within the kiss. His hands began drifting from her back to her round rump. This is what brought Aspen back to her senses. A kiss was harmless but if she wasn't careful she would succumb to this sweet seduction. Pulling away finally Aspen could feel the heat of embarrassment flood her cheeks.
"I.....I" she stuttered out. Rory was still in the haze of the kiss and went back for another only to be slapped into reality. Smack! "I'm not like this!!!" shouted Aspen backing away. "I don't know what came over me." she looked around panicked. How could she lose herself at such a critical time. His kiss was like a drug and she eagerly awaited her next dose. However, right now was not the time.
"I don't know either." Rory replied coolly "I'm willing to partake again if you want to conduct an experiment and see if there is another outcome." his blasé attitude was off putting to say the least. Aspen shook her head for clarity.
'He probably does this with dozen of women and you are just another notch he wants on his belt. You have to remain cool and calm. Do what you came here to do Aspen.' she thought to herself pushing aside all feelings she may have felt in that moment with Rory. "Besides what if you did kiss him. The likely hood of seeing him again is small after the escape. Enjoy kissing a god while you have the chance." she assured herself standing up straight and looking Rory in the eye.
"No?" Rory replied to his own question, seeing a resolution of seriousness come to her face. "Well then Miss Aspen . Let us not waste yours or my time." Rory gestured toward the table of food. Aspen once again assessed the diner table and tried her best to concentrate on it as she passed by Rory.
Aspen at last had made it to the mountain of food on the table. "I'm afraid Captain, I have something to confess." she said as she sat down.
"Pray tell." he replied as he sat across from her.
"I'm afraid my companions and I..." Aspen took a deep breath. 'Why is it so hard to deceive him' she thought "My Companions and I wish to know if there is some tasks we can accomplish for you here on the ship."
"May I ask why?" Rory leaned in closer locking her gaze in his.
"Umm.....boredom" squeaked out Aspen trying to evade the eyes of the God whom sat before her. To her dismay Rory burst out into a roaring laugh. "That's a first."
"There is nothing to do on the ship. You wish to make our lives easier. This would be the quickest way to meet our needs as we need a distraction from the sadness of leaving our families." she pleaded. This was a true statement. More time meant time to reminisce on the absence of the ones you loved. This may not have been true for Aspen but it was true for her companions. Aspen knew Xochitl's tough exterior covered the pain and panic of being so far away from her family. She knew that both her and Bill would never give up. They would always try their best to return home to their families. "Besides, who says no to free labor." Aspen repeated Bill's line to her in hopes it would sway Rory. Rory placed a hand under his chin and thought. A mischievous smile appeared on his face.
"Alright, I agree to your terms." Aspen breathed a sigh of relief at her success. "A few stipulations though." Rory said as he stood up and strode away from the table going to a small cabinet in the far end of the room. Aspen's face fell instantly but she followed him hoping for some sort of easy resolution.
"And what might those be?" she asked hesitantly. She watched his broad back and he rummaged through the cabinet.
"My first stipulation is, as you work here for me...." Rory at last produce 3 small bracelets. Each was made of a silver chain with a a large emblem placed in the center of each bracelet. The emblems were all the same, each had a rose with a pointed star surrounding it. At the very bottom was inscription that read 'Colores Libertatis'. Aspen was busy focusing on the inscription trying to decipher its meaning before she realized that Rory had come to stand directly in front of her. "You each will wear these so I know where you are at all time while aboard my ship." Aspen nodded absently hoping that they would figure out a way to ditch the bracelets before the escape.
" My second stipulation...." he continued. "Is that you will come every evening to be my company until we dock on my home world." Aspen instantly froze, no longer interested in trying to decipher the meaning behind the inscriptions.
"What....why?" asked Aspen taking a step back. But with every step back she took Rory took a step forward closing the distance between her and him. Once again Aspen found herself cornered on a wall. Rory took the same pose before trapping her between his arms his lips once again dangerously close to hers. His breath on her face once again had her slipping into oblivion. Aspen shifted her head down to avoid his gaze. However, Rory was quick to anticipate her moves and lifted her chin. Their eyes interlocked.
"Because Aspen. You belong here beside me. Don't pretend you don't feel it too." Rory leaned in closer brushing his lips against hers.
"I'm not that kind of girl." Was all Aspen could manage to breathlessly say. Her breathe seemed to flow out of her body every time he was near her.
"I didn't say I needed you to give me your body now did I." He replied his eyes capturing her brown ones. "Your my new addiction." Rory leaned his head cautiously on her shoulder but she didn't move or shy away. "Please don't go away" to both of their surprise Aspen reached her arms around his neck and gently stroked the back of his head with her fingertips. It felt incredibly warm and safe in his arms. Aspen had never felt anything remotely like it in the past. She didn't know if she could part from him when the time came, despite just meeting him.
"Okay" is all she could reply. Rory wrapped his arms tightly around Aspen and they were locked in an embrace akin to two dancers wrapped in each others embrace before the finally of a performance.