STF

Quarters: Captain

Posted Jan. 19, 2021, 4:47 p.m. by Lieutenant Commander Zef Rollo (Counselor) (D Grisham)

Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Quarters: Captain

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Zef Rollo (Counselor) in Quarters: Captain

Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Quarters: Captain
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Alex sat next to her and smiled. “I’m glad. The heat will go well with dinner. We are having lamb vindaloo, a dish from India on Earth, but with a Cochrane twist. My mother adds diced mangoes to her dish and the heat coupled with the sweet is amazing. I hope you like it.” and he leaned back and smiled at her. “I’m glad you are here. And if I am totally honest… I’m more glad than I expected to be. Which is no small feat considering how much I enjoyed our last evening together.”

Alex

’…I’m more glad than I expected to be…’ Language was a funny thing. That almost sounded like he thought he wouldn’t be happy about her coming over, but Zef realized that when Federation Standard wasn’t your native tongue, even slight nuances could mean major misunderstandings. Alex’s body language and easy manner let her know that he didn’t mean it negatively, so she let it go.

“Yes, that was one for the books—I believe the saying goes?” She smiled as the memory of that evening slid past the viewer in her mind. As always, she tempered her thoughts about what she and Alex were doing, with care. This was just supposed to be an easy going, physical and secret thing between them. She studied his profile and wondered if she could really keep it that way.

—Zef

Alex chuckled and said “That it was. Definately one of my more… memorable… evenings, for certain.” and he took a sip of the wine. “So tell me…” and he stretched one arm around her so that it lay on the back of the couch, “… what do you like to do in your off-time? Any hobbies or anything? Or have you been so consumed with work and fending off over-zealous relatives that you have no down-time?” and he laughed softly.

Alex

“I’ve had the same hobby for most of my life. I’ve just honed my skills over the years and gotten better at it. There’s even a place in the market near my home that sells some my work.”

She watched him try to figure out what she might be talking about and then chuckled. “I micro carve art. It can be anything; jewelry, statues—tiny ones, religious items, fantasy creatures—whatever. It doesn’t take much room to do it so I have adapted one corner of my bedroom for it, and it helps me relax by concentrating on an inanimate object instead of my day to day life where I deal with so many emotional feelings from others.”

Leaning a little closer, Zef put her fingers behind one of her ears to angle the earring to a better position where Alex could see it. “I carved these out of animal bone.” The half inch square contained a star and a flower, surrounded with gold.

—Zef

Alex leaned closer, his face a few scant inches from hers, and he reached up and brushed her fingers with his own as he looked at the piece. “They are absolutely beautiful, Zef…” and his gaze shifted from the earring to her eyes. “Stunning, even. I doubt I have seen many things more so.” and he looked from her eyes to her lips and back again. He grinned and then leaned back slowly and said “I have to check on dinner. If I continue down this particular path… we may never eat.” But his fingers remained on hers.

Alex

Tempted to lean in and kiss him, Zef fought the urge. His words about her earrings were particularly satisfying. “Thank you. The flower is a Baoran, native to my world. My mother used to wear one in her hair all the time, so these are a reminder of her.”

She was rethinking the kiss when he took the opportunity to lean back and comment about dinner. “Well, not eating right now wouldn’t be so bad—we do have all night this time.” She laughed, suddenly a bit giddy about the coming hours.

—Zef

Alwex smiled and said “Very astute observation, my dear doctor. So… if you will allow me, -” and he stood slowly, “- I will endeavor to appease your appetite in whatever fashion I can devise.” and he winked at her and then turned slowly and went to the kitchen.

The clicking of dishes and a cloud of steam accompanied an aroma filling the room. The smell was earthy and herbal, but the spice was evident even in the aroma. Underneath was a hint of sweetness.

A few moments later, Alex walked towards Zef carrying two plates. Setting them down on the carved wooden table; each was filled with saffron rice covered in a rich, brown sauce. In the sauce could be seen chunks of lamb and bits of onion, peppers, and various finely chopped vegetables.

“Would you mind filling the glasses? I’ll go get dessert.” and he went back to the kitchen and brought back two small bowls filled with a white, creamy, dish. “Yogurt with honey and chopped dates. I hope you this suits you for dinner.” and he sat down, his hip touching hers.

Alex

Zef set about topping off their glasses just as Alex had asked. By the time he was seated next to her, her mouth was watering at the aroma coming off the plates. “Well, if it tastes as wonderful as it smells, then I’d say it’s a definite hit.” They busied themselves eating, each bite revealing something new to the Counselor. There were several things she’d not tasted before, like lamb, saffron, mango and yogurt, so she concentrated on the flavors.

The more she ate, the more the heat built up in the back of her mouth. That resulted in drinking more wine than usual in an attempt to lessen the effect. Eventually, she set her fork down so she wouldn’t eat any more. “Whew! It’s delicious, but it’s hot!”

—Zef

Alex chuckled. “It is, yes. Try alternating bites of the main dish with a taste of the yogurt. That will ease the heat back down and let you keep going. Here, like this.” and he took his fork and stabbed apiece of lamb and held it up to her mouth.

Surprisingly, Zef looked a little disconcerted and swallowed hard before she took the chunk of meat. This wasn’t Baj with its unusual traditions. As she processed the bite, Alex would be able to see her visibly relax again.

Once she had taken the bite and chewed a bit, he set he fork down and took a bit of the yogurt and repeated the process, lifting the spoon to her lips and saying “Now, the fat in the yogurt tones down the heat of the lamb, and the bite of the gravy is mixed with the sweetness of the honey and dates to bring you a complete profile.” and he withdrew the spoon from her lips and then leaned in and kissed her.

Alex

There was no hesitation taking in the yogurt, and as soon as the sweet, coolness hit her tongue, she smiled and swallowed. “Ohhhh, yes, that’s be…” And then his lips were on hers and the rest was left unsaid. After a moment, their lips parted. “I don’t suppose you’d like to end every bite that way, would you?” The sparkle in her eyes added to the tease.

—Zef

Alex, his face still a hand’s breadth away from hers, smiled and said “I’d definitely like to try… but I don’t think we’d be able to finish dinner before it got cold.” and he slowly leaned in and kissed her again, long and lingering, before parting and slowly leaning back.

“Yeah… dinner would definitely get cold.” he said with a teasing grin of his own.

Alex

Zef harrumphed and settled back into her own space. “Well, we’ll have to remember to start out with cold food the next time, just in case we don’t want to wait.” With raised brows, she stabbed another bite of the lamb and popped it into her mouth.

—Zef

Alex laughed softly and said “I’ll make a note of it.” and likewise took a bite of the lamb. After a brief silence, he looked at her and said “I have to say… this is probably the best meal I’ve had on the Manhattan… company-wise, that is. I’m really glad you are here, Zef.”

Alex

Looking down at the bowl of yogurt, she closed her eyes slowly, letting the sincerity of his words wash over her. When she raised her gaze to look at Alex, the corners of her mouth were raised in the barest of smiles but he would be able to tell that she was emotional. “I’m glad too. I knew I wanted to get to know you the first time we met, Alex, but I wasn’t sure how we’d really get along.” Placing her hands on either side of his face, she pulled him very, very close, so that when she spoke, her lips brushed his. “I’m stupid happy that we worked.” Then she kissed him.

—Zef

He kissed her back, and pulled her close to him so that they were pressed against one another. He held her for a long time before finally parting from her lips, resting his forehead against hers and smiling. “I’m happy, too. I have to say, our first few conversations didn’t leave me feeling like we connected… at least in a way that would us to here… but I’m really glad neither of us quit.”

Alex

Knowing when he pulled her close, the dish of yogurt in her lap was likely to smoosh between them, Zef didn’t hesitate to let it happen. “I’m glad we didn’t quit either. Those first conversations were rousing, but not game changers.” As their bodies separated, she saw the damage—her dress was smeared with creamy, white, yogurt over the left side of her lap.

“Uh oh…”

—Zef

Alex looked down and grimaced. “Well hell… smooth, Cochrane.” and he moved to stand up. “Im so sorry. On such a gorgeous dress, too. Fortunately it will wash off easily. Let me get you a damp towel.” and he turned to move to the kitchen.

Alex

She quickly stood and followed him, pulling the dress off over her head while being careful not to get yogurt on anything else. “Its alright, I’ll just rinse it out in the sink.” When she stepped up next to him, she was completely naked except for the golden body jewelry that hung delicately around the trunk of her body.

—Zef

Alex didn’t see the dress come off. Nor did he see the end result of the removal until he turned and faced her… mouth agape and towel in hand, stunned by the sight before him.

Recovering (somewhat), he said “Uh… well. That… that is certainly a nice piece, there. Jewelry… a nice piece of jewelry. I can’t say I’ve ever seen anything like it… especially not on such an exquisite model.” and he stared a bit longer before slightly shaking himself free of the effect and he said “Please, allow me.” and he stepped next to her and placed his hands on hers under the water. “Mom’s summer home has no real luxuries. We do laundry in the creek, so I know my way around this.”

Cochrane, CO

She hadn’t thought too much about taking the dress off before it was a done deal. The last time they’d been together, she had been totally comfortable without clothes in front of him, so there wasn’t any embarrassed hesitation this time. Zef started to giggle as he stammered his way through complimenting the graceful jewelry and once again as their hands slid against each others under the running water. “I didn’t mean to surprise you like that. It just seemed the natural think to do in the moment.” In a quick movement, she ducked and slid beneath his arm so that she was in front of him and against the counter, with his warmth caressing the back of her body. “Oh yes, this is much better.” Turning her head to the side and looking up at him, “Don’t you think so?”

—Zef

Alex smiled and leaned forward slightly, pressing himself against her and half-pinning her to the counter. “Mmmm… much.” and his head lowered and his lips caressed her neck. “But I think this is even better.”

Alex

“I’ll see your ‘even better’ and raise you a ‘how about this…” Dropping the saturated dress in the sink, Zef turned and slipped her hands between their bodies, loosening the fastenings on the trousers he wore before turning back around and presenting her back to him once again.

—Zef

Alex placed his hands on her hips and pulled her against him and leaned his lips against her neck. “Maybe the kitchen is for round two…” and he cast a glance to the open bedroom door. “There may be a surprise or two in there… depending on how adventurous you are feeling.”

Alex

A surprise or two? She was immediately intrigued. “Oooooo, really?” Following his gaze towards the bedroom, Zef bit her lower lip with anticipation. She turned in the circle of his hands, feeling the contact with her skin, and tip toed to kiss his chin, an unusual spot, granted, but a favorite of hers. “Well, let me just say that I am feeling adventurous, so keep that in mind.”

Zef hugged Alex, enjoying his scent and the feel of his body. “There’s something about you that makes me feel nothing is off limits.”

—Zef

Alex hugged her back and said “I am yours to do with what you will.” He looked down at her and said “My safe word is Maui.” with wicked gleam in his eye. He stepped away from her and looked her body up and down in an appraising fashion. He then looked at her face and said “Race you to the shower.” and bolted to the bedroom, shedding clothes as he went.

Alex

Zef squealed and tried to run past Alex. She already had a head start since she didn’t have to undress. As he paused to remove a shoe, she batted him out of the way with her hip and took the lead. Once in the bathroom, it was quick work to take off the body jewelry and step into the stall. “I WIN!!” He could hear her yell, followed by the water turning on.

“What do I get as my prize for beating you? There has to be a prize, right?”

—Zef

The door opened and Alex stepped in. “Oh… I imagine I can think of something.” He grinned at her and turned on the steam.

For moments, nothing could be seen, but the odd giggle and moan floated out of the shower along with the steam. Then, suddenly, a loud gasp and two pale hands slammed against the glass of the shower wall and the steam filled the room…

Alex

Later on, Alex reclined on his bed, the sheets a tangled mess at his feet, while Zef sat cross-legged next to him, her knees making contact with his left side. She traced lazy figures on his chest and stomach while they talked. “I honestly never thought I could feel this comfortable living on a ship. I mean, I understand that everyone has good times and bad times, but day to day life for me has been fairly solitary.” She leaned over and planted a lingering kiss right above his belly button, then sat back up.

“But this crew has been quite welcoming and open. The Captain’s not half bad either…” She grinned.

—Zef

Alex chuckled and said “Its the partner that makes the pair good, not just one dancer. So much of the credit goes to you being receptive.” and he dropped a hand on her leg, his fingertips tracing small lines on her inner thigh.

Tucking one arm under his head to prop it up slightly, he looked up at her and said “I don’t take you for one to suffer in solitude long. Is that an erroneous reading on my part?”

Alex

She squinted as she thought about it. “I don’t mind my own company—within reason. I mean, I’m not the kind of person who hates to be alone. As a counselor sometimes I need to decompress from the day depending on what happened. But when its a forced isolation, like what happened after I returned from celebrating the Cho Khai on certain ships, its hurtful.”

Her eyes lost their focus as she got lost in a memory. It only lasted a few seconds and then she was back in the room with her full attention on Alex. “I was quite social back on Baj, had a lot of friends and got involved in things just for the shared experience. The Manhattan is the first ship where I’ve felt some of that life returning.”

Her fingers moved from his chest, down his side and to his thigh where they settled. “It feels good.”

—Zef

Alex looked at her for a long time before saying, quite out of the blue, “I am really happy you are here, Zef. Both on this ship… and here… with me. And I am very happy that you feel comfortable on the ship. I hope that continues to grow.” His hand left her leg and his fingertips brushed her cheek. “Very happy you are here…” and he sat up and kissed her softly but with an intensity that hadn’t been there before.

Alex

’…very happy you are here…’ It was the third time he’d told her that since she’d arrived a few hours earlier. Was he trying to tell her something more than that he was just happy she was there? Or was she over thinking the entire thing?

The feel of his lips on hers was exquisite. Lost in the passion, it took a few seconds for her to realize that this kiss was different. It was as if he was trying to share something…some part of himself, through the embrace. When they drew apart, Zef smoothly moved across his body to straddle his hips. Looking into his beautifully, blue eyes, she tried to decipher the message.

“I’m happy I’m here too—right in this exact spot. In fact, I can honestly say there isn’t another place I’d rather be at the moment.”

—Zef

Alex’s hands landed gently on her hips and he said “Nor I.” and then he smiled broadly. “Except maybe a cabin, high in the mountains. No one for miles.... Snow on the ground outside… Good fire in the fireplace… Thick layer of blankets on the floor just in front of it… and you and I… just… like… this…” and he leaned up and kissed her just below her throat, moving up in small increments until he kissed her lips again; the same intensity echoing from the previous one.

Alex

She was getting an odd feeling from him but couldn’t put her finger on it, so once again, Zef let it go. “Mmmm, yes, that does sound wonderful.” As a Bajeen, she’d never experienced snow, but she had heard about it. Maybe the two of them would have an opportunity some time in the future for him to show her what it was.

“You…” She kissed his eyes slowly. “Make…” his cheekbones. “Me…” The chiseled jawline. “Very…” His chin. “Happy, Alex.” The last kiss was on his mouth, drawing in his bottom lip only to let it slip back out slowly through gently positioned teeth, her hands cupping his face between them.

—Zef

A soft moan escaped his lips and his eyes closed in pleasure before they opened to look directly at hers. “Very happy, huh? How happy, exactly, is ‘very’ then? Happy enough to… say… make this a regular occurrence?” he asked, a sparkle in his eyes as his hands began to roam slowly across her skin, finding themselves in various sensitive and pleasurable locations.

Alex

Between sighs and moans of luscious, indulgent, pleasure, Zef began to move strategically on his lap. After all, she wanted to tease him too—tit for tat. Wasn’t that the saying? What did he want to make a regular occurrence? They were already involved in an intimate relationship with the only boundary being that no one find out about it. They could be together whenever opportunity allowed.

As she pulled his upright body to hers and raked her nails softly across his back, the words she spoke were breathy. “Define ‘this’…”

—Zef


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