#tarais

Chapter 1: First Meeting

Chapter 2: Respect is Earned

Chapter 3: A Token for the Commander

Chapter 4: Holding Her Own

Chapter 5: General Down

Chapter 6: She Thinks Highly of You

Chapter 7: Here for You

Chapter 8: Boarded

Chapter 9: After the War

Chapter 10: Undercover Kiss

Chapter 11: Sparring

Chapter 12: Eyes on Me

Chapter 13: A Gift in Exchange

Chapter 14: The Bounty Hunter

Chapter 15: I Trust You

Chapter 16: The Plan

Chapter 17: Secret Revealed

Chapter 18: The Temple

Chapter 19: He’s Gone

Chapter 20: Silence

He wanted to spend the last hour or so before they arrived at Coruscant to take this all in. His gaze traveled up, taking in Tara’s slightly parted lips and closed eyes. Here, sprawled out on the piles of thick blankets they had stolen from a supply closet, she was completely relaxed and looked a picture of serenity. At peace.

Something warm blossomed in his chest and he leaned forward, balancing precariously on one elbow, to press a gentle kiss to her forehead. Her skin was warm and he lingered for a moment to savor the sensation.

When he pulled away just enough to see her face, he was met with the tired gaze of the woman he loved and respected looking up at him. The corners of her lips turned up in a soft smile and she reached up to trace her thumb across his cheek.

“Good morning,” he breathed, shifting so he was a bit closer so he could brush his nose against hers. The way she looked at him then made a blush creep up his neck.

“Hmm,” she hummed contently, letting her eyes slip closed and settling into the blankets more. “Afternoon, I believe.”

Rais stole a glance at the thin window across the room and wasn’t surprised by the blurred blue and white still streaking across the glass.

He turned to look back down at her. “Technically, it’s neither. We’re still in hyperspace for at least another hour.”

Her eyelids fluttered open again and she regarded him with a twinkle of amusement in her eye. Humming again, her hand went to hold the back of his neck.

“Good,” was all she muttered before drawing him down into a long, deep kiss. Her lips parted for him almost instantly, guiding his movements so his tongue could slip in and explore as her fingers tugged lightly at his tight curls.

His chest grumbled in pleasure and he moved to cover her body with his own, arms slipping down to wrap around her waist and hold her close as her other hand trailed up his bare back languidly.

Their lips moved slowly, seeming to eb and flow as their tongues danced together. She tasted like the herbal tea she always drank and he committed it to memory.

A breathy moan escaped her when he tugged gently on her bottom lip with his teeth, but before it could go further, Rais pulled back and looked down at her.

Chest heaving slightly, cheeks flushed, lips wet, eyelids heavy, she looked perfect in every way.

Her hands dropped to lay beside her head as she caught her breath and held his gaze. He smiled softly at the words left unspoken in her eyes.