Temptations

Posted on 24 Apr 2015 @ 7:09pm by Lieutenant JG Emmarie (E'Ma'ri) & Senior Chief Petty Officer Keval zh'Erinov

2,701 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: Episode 08 - NIMBUS
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 4 Crew Quarters 04-0904 JO
Timeline: MD-02, 0000

ON:
In order to make the best use of their time, Emmarie had planned to cook dinner for Keval before allowing him to pain her. She'd told him to do whatever he needed to do to set up his area, then set out into the kitchen. "What do you like to eat?" She called out, looking through the small pantry of ingredients she possessed. Cooking was a dying art, but not a dead one, and Emmarie considered it her obligation to continue the traditions of her adoptive family.

Keval had been pleasantly surprised when Emmarie had volunteered to cook. There weren't too many people around, who like himself, enjoyed using an actual stove and oven instead of a replicator.

"I am pretty easy to cook for," he assured her as he started sitting up his easel and a palette full of assorted colors. I never did develop a taste for broccoli, but I'm good with anything else. " He then put down a blanket on the floor.

Having finished with his preparations he walked back into the kitchen and said, "What about you, what do you like?"

"Most things. No olives though. I've never been particularly picky." Not about anything, she added mentally. She had always been the sort of person to adapt, and to do the things that she needed to do to fit in. "How about pasta?" Mentally she went through the ingredients for the meal that sounded best, and she figured out what ingredients would need to be replicated.

"I love pasta, great choice." Keval said both antennae curled slightly forward.

A moment later, she walked over to the replicator, and got the ingredients she needed. She was planning on pasta and shrimp in a garlic butter sauce, which was both quick as well as delicious. Ordinarily the garlic might have been a cause for concern, but Emmarie didn't think there would be any kissing going on.

"Mind if I watch you cook?" he asked, "its actually a hobby of mine, cooking that is."

"Sure thing," Emmarie said. She brought out her cutting board, and began cutting up the garlic, onion, and basil. Off to one side the replicated raw shrimp sat in a cooler area of the kitchen. As she finished with the greenery, she started up a burner and began boiling water for the pasta. She salted it and added a bit of olive oil, before setting up a frying pan.

A short time later, the pasta was boiling and the shrimp were both cooking under Emmarie's close watch, and she looked over to Keval. "So, what are you thinking for a painting?"

"Wellll" Keval said drawing the word out, "I was thinking maybe a nude, but tastefully done, but that's up to you. I have other ideas too."

"Works for me, " Emmarie said. She finished cooking, and made up two plates, which she sat down on the small table. "Can you get drinks from the replicator?" she asked. "Water is fine for me." She dipped back into the kitchen for utensils, which she brought in before sitting down.

"Of course," responded as the went to replicator. He got two waters, one for himself that was more ice than water and the other for her. He placed them both on the table. "That smells really good,'he said as he took a seat.

"Thanks," Emmarie said. "Dig in." She speared a shrimp quickly, and took a bite. "This is pretty good," she said. Obviously, she didn't plan to cook bad food, but sometimes things came up. "How long have you been painting for?"

"For as long as I can remember," he told her, but I only got serious with it when I was a teenager. Prior to that it was pretty much doodling with acrylics. What about you, what do you do for fun?"

"Dancing, singing, reading. I'm good at a few games, and I have some decent combat skills too," she said. "I fear I'm not an expert in anything, I am more the sort to dabble at many things." She took another bite of her food, then shot a curious glance over at Keval. "How long have you known?"

Keval cocked his head slightly, "You mean that I was gay?" he asked, "Since I was thirteen or so. We were on a Boy Scout trip and I saw another boy that was a bit more developed than I was. I just felt drawn to it."

"I hope you don't mind my curiosity. It's just... a novelty to me, and not for the reasons you'd think. You see, most people who're objectively attractive for their gender... I'm attracted to. And with effort, I can stretch the boundaries a bit further. It's... unique... to think of those who only really go one way or the other," Emmarie explained. Her eyes studied Keval with interest, resisting a certain urge to push, to see if she could overcome his natural inclinations. Don't be like that.

He gave her a quizzical look, his left antennae almost erect while his right one was curled back almost to the top of his head. A slow smile spread across his face, He took a sip of his water, "If I didn't know any better Lieutenant I'd say you were trying to flirt with me. As i said before you are a beautiful woman."

"Not necessarily flirt," Emmarie said. "Though... admissibly that part is very hard for me to turn off. I'm curious. I like figuring things out; figuring people out. Most times, the best way to do that is a bit of flirting." Still, as she watched him, it was hard not to act in a manner that suggested more of a hunter-prey relationship than a friendship.

His smile widened and he turned a slightly deeper shade of blue. He took another bite of his food. A faint stirring of curiosity had been sparked by her frankness. "Well don't let me stop you then. You know, I wouldn't want all your study efforts to go to waste. Would you like to get something a bit stronger than water?"

"No, water is good. Dehydration is bad for one's complexion after all," Emmarie said. "I wouldn't wish to be a disappointing model." She took a sip of her water before returning to her dinner. She wasn't planning to eat too much, for she didn't want that to show, either.

He gave her a long appraising look, before finally saying, "So, as long as we're being honest here, all cards on the table as the pinkskins would say, "What about you. Do you have a preference between women and men?"

"Nope. Or rather, not overall. Some days I want one thing, some days I'm more inclined another direction," Emmarie said. "It all seems to even out overall. Which is more difficult. It's... hard... to be monogamous when there are so many other interesting people out there. If that number was reduced by half, then perhaps I'd have an easier time of settling down."

Whatever else she'd done so far that evening, she'd planted little thoughts in his head. Thoughts he'd never had before. Not sure whether it was a good idea or not he said, "Well I think I'm done eating. Would you like to carry on our conversation in the other room? We could get started with the painting."

"Of course, I'm finished. Or rather, as finished as my vanity would allow me to be right before I remove my underthings, that is," Emmarie said, grinning broadly. "You can leave your plate there, I'll take care of it afterwards." She was still wearing her uniform, and as she walked into the next room, she began shedding layers. She'd been told by some that Orions preferred the cold, but she had only every known warmth. Ordinarily she kept her quarters warmer, but she'd dropped the temperature in preparation for Keval's arrival.

"Anything you didn't bring that you need?" she asked, scratching at her abdomen through her undershirt. She slipped her skirt off, tossing it haphazardly to one side before turning to look at Keval.

He found himself watching her as she undressed fascinated by her form. At length his eyes focused on hers. Then he moved to the easel standing there for a few seconds. "I have everything I need, "he said, then with a trace of nervousness in his voice he said, "You can finish undressing and lay down on the blanket there."

"Sure thing," Emmarie said. She quickly tossed the undershirt away, but lingered a bit longer before removing her bra. She then sat down to take off her stockings, and to slide off her panties. Sliding from her seat down to the floor, Emmarie stretched out onto the blanket. "This alright?" she queried, her voice practically a purr. Regardless of her intentions, some things were instinctual.

Keval's eyes never left her, they even grew a little wider as she put on her show. He couldn't help but notice every curve of her body and every crevice as well. He had to fight down an urge he'd never had with a woman before. Blood was wanting to pump to all the right areas and he couldn't explain why.

He turned an even deeper shade of blue then he had at the table. "Mo... More than alright," he stammered out before turning to the easel and picking up a brush. He stood there flustered somewhat then began painting,

After a few minutes of concentrated effort he said, "If you don't mind me saying, I can see why people would want to get into your pants."

Emmarie supposed she should have felt bad, and on a superficial level she did. Yet at the same time, it was an intoxicating power to hold over someone, and on a far deeper level, she enjoyed it. The counselors would have a field day with me over this...

"Thank you," she replied, arching her back a little bit more, and arranging her curly red hair to trail down her back. "Is this good?" she queried.

I'm gay, this can't be happening, why is she doing this to me? "Yes, that's good," he replied, searching for the right shade of green, just trying to focus on his painting. Both of his antennae were curled forward then as he concentrated.

"You know," he said after three minutes of painting and not really getting anywhere, "you're really making it hard. Hard to focus I mean."

"Oh?" The monosyllable contained far more weight than she intended for it to have, and she took a deep breath. Letting it out slow, she reminded herself that she was a Starfleet officer.

Still... there was something subtly appealing about the whole situation. This is wrong, her mind screamed at her, but the proverbial devil on her shoulder was in heaven right now, and it was hard to think of anything else. Maybe my injections aren't working quite right, she tried to rationalize, but that was unlikely. She had always been something of a feline, enjoying the fun of the hunt, but losing interest once she'd made the kill.

"Is there something I can do to help?" Even the simplest phrases were extremely loaded.

What the hell what could it hurt He turned so he was fully facing her, "You could let me see more." he said.

Slowly, Emmarie rolled over, her eyes on Keval as she did so. Her expression was carefully neutral, but she eyed Keval curiously. She wasn't a fool, she knew exactly what sort of effect she was having on him. Who needs pheromones, she thought.

He couldn't help watching her. His curiosity turned to fascination. He'd only seen a woman nude once before and that had been years ago in an art class. It had been nothing this provocative.

He shifted uncomfortably as he felt himself growing hard. "This is just wrong," he said, but even he knew the words were empty.

"It's what you requested," Emmarie said. She could tell by his demeanor that he was uncomfortable, and that interested her more than anything else. "I could stop if you're not enjoying yourself."

"That's the trouble," he said after a pause, "I think I am enjoying myself. Its a first for me. You know for a woman to get me aroused. But you're doing it to me and I don't think I want you to stop."

That, more than anything else Keval could do, aroused Emmarie. Mentally, she wondered what her end game was from this circumstance. Slowly, she stood, and took hesitant steps towards the Andorian. "This better?"

"Yes," Keval answered taking all of her in with his eyes. Then, almost of its own volition his body stood and closed the distance between them. He leaned in and rather boldly did something he'd never thought himself capable of, he kissed her.

Emmarie responded to the kiss in kind, slowly wrapping herself around the Andorian's body. The kiss lingered on as her tongue darted forward to part his lips. Immediately after, she untangled herself from him, pushing away with surprising speed and deftness. She turned about, walking away slowly.

Keval had been enjoying the kiss, being a kiss it wasn't much different than what he was used to, thought it had been good, intoxicating even. He was surprised when she walked away though. "That was amazing," he informed her, "is that all you wanted? Because I feel like you've been trying to seduce me all night."

Emmarie shrugged, without turning around. "Flirting is what I do," she said. "It's more about knowing that I can get something and actually getting it." Whirling about, she looked at him curiously. She was certain she was supposed to feel guilty, but she didn't.

"You've been doing more than just flirt, you've been flaunting it in my face. Not that I minded it It was rather fun, but you really should be careful. I'm pretty easy going, not everyone you decide to tease is going to be so forgiving. They'd think you were playing with their emotions and they might try to take you by force."

"They can try whatever they want," Emmarie said, though she generally didn't get naked around people she thought were threatening. "Besides... this isn't what you want, and we both know it. It was an intoxicating game, but little more."

"I know that," Keval admitted, "but I was willing to experiment. Just to see. but you're right, I do prefer angles to curves. Do you want to finish the painting, or are we done?"

"That's entirely up to you," Emmarie said. "Experimentation isn't always bad, but it can cause regrets." Personally, she wasn't quite ready to start sleeping her way around the crew. Much like Trinity, it was hard to keep a secret on a vessel this small. Discretion, she reminded herself carefully. As fun as games were, she needed to keep in mind her Starfleet career.

Keval wasn't sure what to think, but finally let out a small breath. "I'm not really in the mood for painting now," he said," but I don't like to leave things unfinished and I still find you attractive. How about another time, without any interference."

"As you wish," Emmarie said. "Just tell me when." She retrieved a silk robe from a nearby hook, and put it on. She knew she should have felt bad. Wrong. Deceitful. But... she didn't, and that fact scared her, quite frankly.

Keval gathered up his things, "I don't know exactly when, but I'll call you." As he was about to walk out the door he said, "You are a good cook, thanks for dinner."

"You're welcome," Emmarie said politely. After Keval had left, she looked around her quarters. She was still perplexed by how she felt, why she sometimes did the things that she did. Grabbing the dishes, she carried them to the replicator, her actions wooden.

You're a mess.

OFF:
Lieutenant JG Emmarie
Assistant Chief of Operations

CPO Keval zh'Erinov
Operations
PNPC Jared Nicholas
USS Galileo

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