Electric With The Possibility

“You know, I’m allowed to spend time with people you don’t like,” Shira said. She gazed directly at him, not avoiding his eyes for the first time in days.

He looked back for a long moment, keeping his face as dead steady as he held his hands when he bet high stakes. He looked at her long and hard, just enough to unsettle her, to make her shrink back a little, enjoying her wide eyes, her slightly moist lips, her cheeks flushed with anger or perhaps with…

She was about to turn away, to head back to Mical and her meditation like a good Jedi, but he barred her path by leaning his arm against the wall.

“You can waste your time with whoever you want,” he said. “But I’m sure you know that there are better ways to spend an afternoon than what you’re doing in that med bay.”

“Like what?” she whispered, her lips daring him to try.

He leaned over her, his face hovering dangerously close to hers. “You want me to write you out a list or shall I just demonstrate?”

Her eyes closed, her dark lashes fanned out against her cheeks, as she arched her neck backwards and tilted her face up towards his, expectant. The air around them was electric with the possibility. He knew it was just a matter of closing the space between his lips and hers - but he’d take his time. He wanted her to wait for it, to wonder for a tantalizing, heart-dropping second if she was going to be left standing there, more exposed than she’d ever been on Peragus, her face poised for a kiss that might not come. Inching closer, hovering over her, he watched her face, counting the moments down until…

“Shira?”

Atton silently cursed Mical’s high-toned voice as the Jedi’s eyes shot open and she swiftly wriggled away from him.

“Mical? I’ll be right there.”

Her cheeks were livid, her features frozen into a mask of shame. She’s remembering the Code, he thought. She darted back into the med bay like a shot from a laser cannon

“Why don’t you go have some nice, clean fun?” Atton grumbled.

The look on her face had been unmistakable. It was the same expression he’d seen on the faces of countless Jedi just before he’d won. It used to give him a rush, a high better than spice or stims or anything else you could smoke, shoot or guzzle. It had felt good to see them cut down, panic-stricken, lost.

Seeing it again, watching it contort the solemn, flower-like face he’d wanted to kiss, was enough to make him nauseous. All at once, he felt the sudden urge to wash his hands, to change his clothes, to do anything rid himself of the stains that always seeped through his skin.

I’m a real lady-killer, he thought. It was an ugly joke.

~~~

Excerpt from:

SUN & MOON
Chapter 5: The Fool Rushes In
by Dove-Feathered Raven
of Kotor Fan Media.

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