Page 10 of Maar's Girl

I smile, warmth spreading through my chest. "Anytime, Raaj. You're not alone anymore, you know."

He nods, a hint of vulnerability flashing across his face before he masks it with a small, appreciative smile. "Goodnight, Alyssa."

"Goodnight," I reply, and watch as he turns and walks away, his steps steady but his posture still betraying a hint of the burden he carries.

I enter my quarters and the door slides shut behind me with a soft hiss. The room is bathed in the soft glow of the ambient lighting, casting long shadows across the spartan furnishings. I kick off my boots and peel off my uniform, letting it pool around my ankles before stepping out of it. The cool air of the room raises goosebumps on my skin as I make my way to the bed.

Lying back on the firm mattress, I stare up at the ceiling, my mind replaying the events of the evening. Raaj's laughter, his attentive listening, the understanding in his eyes... it all makes my heart flutter with a mixture of admiration and desire. He's everything I didn't know I needed – strong, alpha, handsome, and with a depth to his soul that's captivating.

The sheets feel cool against my overheated skin as I let my thoughts drift to Raaj. I imagine the warmth of his touch, thestrength in his arms, the way his eyes would darken with desire if he were here with me. A slow ache begins to build within me, a yearning that demands to be sated.

I slide my hand down my body, fingers tracing the contours of my curves. My breath hitches as I imagine it's Raaj's hand exploring me, caressing me with a tenderness that belies his rugged exterior. My nipples harden at the thought, and I cup my breast, teasing the sensitive peak with my thumb.

A soft moan escapes my lips as I slip my other hand between my thighs, finding the slick evidence of my arousal. I imagine Raaj's reaction, the groan of approval he'd let out upon discovering how much I want him. I circle my clit with my fingers, the rhythmic motion driving me closer to the edge.

"Raaj," I whisper into the empty room, the sound of his name on my lips sending a shiver down my spine. My hips buck as I increase the pressure, the pleasure building to a crescendo.

The first orgasm hits me hard and fast, my body tensing as waves of ecstasy crash over me. But it's not enough – I want more, need more. I continue to touch myself, each stroke of my fingers reigniting the fire within me.

I come again, and then again, each climax more intense than the last. My body is alive with sensation, every nerve ending singing with pleasure. And throughout it all, it's Raaj's face I see, his name I cry out, lost in the throes of passion.

Spent and sated, I finally still my hands, my breathing ragged as I come down from the high. I lie there in the quiet of my room, a small smile playing on my lips as I revel in the afterglow.

Raaj has no idea what he does to me, how he consumes my thoughts. But in this moment, none of that matters. All that matters is the connection we share, the unspoken promise of what could be if only we allow ourselves to reach for it.

With a contented sigh, I roll onto my side and close my eyes, the image of Raaj's smile the last thing I see before drifting off to sleep.

CHAPTER 7

MAAR

Isit in the dark, looking at the dossier on Alyssa.

The glow from the padd illuminates my quarters, casting a sterile light on the metallic walls. I lie back on the narrow bed, the dossier on Alyssa spread out before me like a map to uncharted territory. The photos of her are more than just reconnaissance; they're a siren song to my baser instincts.

She's a vision of strength and vulnerability, her smile a rare gem in the harsh expanse of space. I trace the line of her jaw with my gaze, the defiant tilt of her chin, the soft curve of her lips. My body responds without permission, a surge of desire that's as unexpected as it is unwelcome.

I should be focused on the mission, on the cold, hard directive to eliminate the admiral's daughter. But as I look at her image, all I can think of is the warmth of her touch, the light in her eyes when she speaks of her dreams. The irony isn't lost on me—I'm meant to be her executioner, yet here I am, captivated by the very essence of her.

My hand drifts south, my traitorous body acting on its own. I'm a slave to the image before me, the thought of her—a forbidden fruit dangled in front of a starving man. I stroke myself, each pull a confession of my weakness. My breathhitches as I imagine her hands on me, her laughter, her fierce determination. It's a betrayal of my own kind, a treasonous act that should fill me with shame.

But there's no room for regret as I reach the precipice, my body tense and shaking. I come with a harsh, guttural sound, her name a silent whisper on my lips. The release is a hollow victory, a momentary surrender to the pull she has on me.

As the haze of pleasure clears, I'm left with the stark reality of my situation. I'm attracted to Alyssa, yes, but it's more than physical. She's burrowed under my skin, into the cold, dark places I thought impenetrable. She's a beacon in the void, a call I can't ignore.

I sit up, the padd's glow now a harsh reminder of my duty. I've lingered too long in the fantasy, and the real world is waiting to reclaim me. I dress quickly, the fabric of my uniform cool against my skin. I need to distance myself, to regain the upper hand. But as I close the dossier and prepare to face her again, I can't shake the feeling that I'm on a collision course with destiny—and Alyssa is at the center of it all.

The door hisses open, and I step out into the corridor. It's quiet, the stillness of the Martian night seeping into the bones of the rehabilitation center. I make my way to the common area, the hum of machinery a constant backdrop.

Alyssa is there, her back to me as she gazes out at the Martian landscape. She turns as I approach, her smile brightening the room. "Raaj," she says, her voice a melody that resonates in my chest. "I was hoping you'd come."

I nod, the sound of my alias a reminder of the lie I'm living. "Couldn't stay away," I admit, the truth woven into the words.

She laughs, the sound light and airy. "I'm glad. I wanted to show you something." She gestures to the viewport, where the rust-colored terrain stretches out to meet the blackness of space."It's easy to forget the beauty of it all when you're in the thick of it, isn't it?"

I join her at the viewport, our reflections mirrored in the glass. "Yes," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "It's easy to forget."

We stand in silence, the weight of our shared secrets hanging between us. I'm acutely aware of her presence, the subtle scent of her hair, the gentle rhythm of her breathing. It would be so easy to let myself fall, to give in to the gravity of her pull.

---