Family Ties

A/N: This is a work in progress, more chapters to come. xx 

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“Siha.”

Shepherd leaned against the frame of the Life Support door, feeling weak in the knees. She crossed her arms and flashed a cocky smile.

“Hey.”

Thane sat at the table, fingers crossed under his chin as he studied Shepherd.

“Did you enjoy your shore leave?”

Shepherd nodded, perhaps a little too aggressively. She took a step forward and immediately her knees gave way, only to be swept up in strong arms and placed in the empty chair. Thane held her shoulders and examined her features, then sniffed the air. She took this moment to examine his muscular chest visible under his jacket.

“You were drinking.” It wasn’t a question, but an observation.

“You know… Some of the guides down in engineering, we thought we’d check out that Purgatory club.” She placed her hand on one of his forearms and ran it up towards his shoulder, then traced his neck with her fingers.

“I’ll take you up to your quarters and prepare your bed.”

“Thane…”

Before he could right himself fully, Shepherd wrapped both hands around his neck and pulled his mouth to hers. Soft, cold lips met hers, only with brief reluctance. She let out a soft moan, already feeling the warmth start between her legs. She stood on wobbly legs and pressed her body against his, allowing her tongue to explore the inside of his mouth. Her hands slid into his jacket and pushed them off his shoulders so it fell on the floor.

Thane was ever the difficult one to read, never allowing emotion to emerge from dark, impassive eyes. But tonight, as Shepherd ground her hips against his, she could feel the unmistakable excitement bulging below his belt. Its presence fueled her desire to feel the Drell within her.

Shepherd’s head swam with the intoxicating cocktail of Asari liquor and Thane’s carnal scent. She was overwhelmed by the powerful control of his mouth, which set a commanding pace against her desperation.

She had begun to slide her hand down his front, slipping into his waistband, when a hand grabbed her wrist. Thane pulled his face away from hers.

“I can’t allow you to give yourself to me while you’re intoxicated.”    

Frustrated, she said, “I’m sober enough to know what I want. Let this happen…” She pressed her mouth into the nape of his neck and bit gently. She felt a sharp intake of breath, a sign of weakness, but—

“Siha, no.” He drew away from her entirely.

“Fuck, Krios, don’t tell your Commander what she can and can’t do.” Her body ached with need, she didn’t take well to being denied.

He pressed his lips together and considered her more.

“I… can’t proceed to mate you for the first time in such a state. Let me take you to your room, Shepherd…”

Shepherd turned on her heel, steadied by anger, and marched out of Life Support, leaving a half-naked Thane behind.