The Daily Adventures of Zash

[Valkyrie]

Aretsky's Patroon

She had to admit, the place was beautiful, the open air a welcome change from being inside all the time in the city. And the fact that clearly he'd arranged it so they had the whole roof to themselves? He really was so thoughtful, yet it still surprised her every time. The sun was going down and it bathed him in the most wonderful light. It occurred to her that they should go to Rome, where they could sit outside all the time in lighting like this.

But she reached out for his hand, wanting to make sure he knew that she didn't care about expensive restaurants, or clothes, or wine. She just wanted to be with him.

"Yeah, I know that. I just.... I don't want you to ever think I don't want to treat you to a nice date, or that I think all you're worth to me is Netflix and chill. I love you, more than you know--"

She smiled warmly.

"I love you too. And I like Netflix and chill."

She laughed as the server brought the wine Zach had ordered. He did that thing where people taste the wine as if they might not drink it if it doesn't taste right. But she guessed it did because they both were poured a glass.

"And if you're ready, I'll let you know what we'd like for dinner. Ah, good. So for appetizers we'll do the Lamb Tartare and Rock Shrimp Tempura. For the main course, it'd be a crime to get anything other than the 40 day Dry Aged Ribeye."

Ashley raised an eyebrow at him ordering for both of them, but this was his night, so she let him do whatever he wanted. And he knew she wanted steak, so it wasn't a big deal. The server thought they were going to split a dinner and Ashley scoffed.

"No no, I'm not making her share my steak. She gets her own, I'd like midrare."

"Medium well."

The server left, and they were blessedly alone again. She smiled at him, but something looked off. She took his hand again and she could have sworn it was shaking. Maybe she'd worn him out with all the sex? Maybe he needed a drink. She picked up her wine glass and held it up to him, then took a large sip. It was really good wine.

Zach looked like he was about to pass out, and was being really quiet, but then he cleared his throat.

"I know this is only our first date, but -- hmm, check that out."

Zach pointed, and she turned around.

"That plane.... looks like an old warbird. Is it doing aerobatics over the city?"

It was an old plane, from the last big war. She sighed, Ah, war.

"It's sky writing a message."

"Or it's about to crash into the river."

She tried to decide if she thought the pilot was drunk, or just bad at flying. She was about to ask Zach what he thought when she realized he was right, the plane was spelling out words. Her brow furrowed as she tried to work out what it was saying.

S-A-Y-Y-E-S

"Sayyes? Is that a store or something?"

A-S-H-L-E-Y

"Oh no, I've got it - 'Say yes'."

She paused.

"Ashley."

Confused, she turned back around to see Zach on his knees in front of her.

"Will you?"

She stared at him blankly.

"Will I what?"

 

[Orion]

Aretsky's Patroon -- Rooftop Terrace

"It's sky writing a message."

He hinted, but she countered that he might be about to crash into the river. At least she didn't disregard it totally, she started paying attention to it.

Ash: Sayyes? Is that a store or something?

No, he almost said, but she figured it out on her own as he knelt and got the box out of his pocket.

Ash: Oh no, I've got it - 'Say yes'.

Please, for Gods sakes.

Ash: Ashley.

She turned. He took a deep breath.

"Will you?"

She stared at him, while he looked up at her expectantly.

Ash: Will I what?

He smile faltered. Was his heart still beating?

"Will.... you.... say.... yes?"

He asked, his gaze falling to the little robin's-egg blue box in his hand, and then back up at her. Surely, she knew what this was. The box was iconic, and he was kneeling. Maybe he shouldn't have taken a shortcut with the question, but Gods, this was brutal. He shook his head, chuckling at himself.

Thats what you get for rushing. Now get a grip.

He started to pull on the ends of the white ribbon. If he had to get explicit with it, he'd do just that. He took another deep breath. It felt like his chest was compressed. He set the lid on the table, and then pulled out the black box inside the blue one, and set the empty Tiffany box on the table. Finally, he looked back at her. He opened the ring box and turned it towards her.

"Ashley, will you marry me? The sky god wants you to 'say yes'. Also, so do I. Fuck, this is awful, it went sooo much better in my head."

 

[Valkyrie]

Aretsky's Patroon

Zach was kneeling on the ground, and, she now noticed, holding a small blue box.

"Will.... you.... say.... yes?"

She smiled, still not comprehending but wanting to make him happy.

"You know I'll say yes to anything you want."

The question didn't really matter. Would she say yes to more wine? Would she say yes to dessert? Would she say yes to fucking in the car? All yes.

Zach started to unwrap the box. She felt like she was supposed to know what it was. Oh, maybe she was supposed to have unwrapped it. It was a gift. Oh well, too late now. There was a little black box inside the blue one. Like those Russian dolls. But then he opened it, and showed her what was inside.

It was a ring.

A ring with a huge diamond. It was beautiful. The band was covered in smaller diamonds, and the whole thing sparkled. Could it really be for her?

"Oh, Zach..." she said in wonder.

She was about to say how pretty it was, and thank him, when he finally spoke up.

"Ashley, will you marry me? The sky god wants you to 'say yes'. Also, so do I. Fuck, this is awful, it went sooo much better in my head."

Her mouth went dry, and she swallowed hard. Her hand went to her chest. Marry her? He wanted to marry her? This couldn't be real. It was some elaborate joke, some weird date thing she didn't understand. He couldn't possibly be serious.

She looked down at him, and at the ring, and then back at him. And then she slid off her chair to the ground, her hands grasping the side of his face as she pulled him into a long, deep, slow kiss. When they parted, she looked him in the eyes, searching them, only finding sincerity there.

"Yes."

 

[Orion]

Aretsky's Patroon -- Rooftop Terrace

Ashley: You know I'll say yes to anything you want.

Well, but it doesn't count if you don't know what you're saying yes too....

He thought, and then he had to laugh at himself, because he was botching this thing BAD. What a story this would turn out to be. He prayed for at least a happy ending, as he opened up the boxes and showed her the ring.

Ash: Oh Zach....

Did she like it? Did she not like it? Usually he could tell these things, but right now he was so twisted up he wasn't sure what he was sensing was accurate. He finally just came out and asked if she'd marry him, and then he rambled on with some other comments, like he couldn't stop the stream of words coming out of his mouth. She was stunned. Good stunned? Bad stunned?

"Is it the ring? Because you can have any ring you want, or if it's too small, it won't offend me if you want to go to Tiffany's and pick out -- oh, is it not that, I mean, is it like a cultural thing, with Vikings? Should I have gotten you something else? Because I can do that too, if, you just say yes, and--"

She left her chair and came down in front of him, and pulled him into a deep kiss. He kissed her back, needily.

She's going to say no. She's trying to let you down easy. It was too soon. You'll have to try again in a couple of months. Don't take her out next time. Cook for her at home. Let her be naked. Light candles. And give her dick when she fucking asks for it, you moron!

She pulled out of the kiss, and searched his eyes for something, and he just stared back, desperately trying to will her not to say no. At this point he thought he'd be more comfortable back in that scary place where the Unloved lived, because the pause was killer.

Ash: Yes.

"Yes? Are you sure? Because I'm talking about marriage, you know, il matrimonio, le nozze..." (matrimony, the wedding)

He said, just to make sure she really knew what had just happened.

"I mean like, 'until death do us part', we're going to be together, husband and wife. Permanently. That is what you just said yes to, right? You're not just... saying yes to anything I want? I want you to actually want it, don't do it just to make me happy."

 

[Valkyrie]

Aretsky's Patroon

She vaguely realized he was rambling as she sat there, looking at him, stunned.

"Is it the ring? Because you can have any ring you want, or if it's too small, it won't offend me if you want to go to Tiffany's and pick out -- oh, is it not that, I mean, is it like a cultural thing, with Vikings? Should I have gotten you something else? Because I can do that too, if, you just say yes, and--"

But he was her Zach. And he wanted to marry her.

She got down on the floor with him and did the first thing that came to her, which was to kiss him. Because she loved him, and that's what you did when you loved someone. And then she said, simply, yes.

"Yes? Are you sure? Because I'm talking about marriage, you know, il matrimonio, le nozze..."

"Yes."

She said it again.

"I mean like, 'until death do us part', we're going to be together, husband and wife. Permanently. That is what you just said yes to, right? You're not just... saying yes to anything I want? I want you to actually want it, don't do it just to make me happy."

"You fool, we were always going to be together permanently."

She smiled, and bit her bottom lip, pausing, giddiness bubbling inside of her.

"Yes, Zach, I want to marry you."

Though she wasn't quite sure why he wanted to marry her. But for some reason, he did.

"I love you, Zach. You are everything to me. I've never met anyone like you. I never thought-"

Tears were coming to her eyes.

"I never thought anyone could ever care about me. I never thought I could love someone again. And I've never loved anyone as much as I love you. I would be proud to call you my husband, Zach."

She paused, smiling through her tears.

"And the ring is perfect. Just perfect."

 

[Orion]

Aretsky's Patroon -- Rooftop Terrace

He asked if she was sure, and clarified his question in two different languages. He would've used three, if he knew her language, but he knew she spoke Italian so that would have to do. When she said yes the second time, he still kept going, just in case, because that little hiccup of misunderstanding back there was terrorizing.

Ash: You fool, we were always going to be together permanently.

He finally relaxed when she said that. Oh, his heart WAS still beating. Or it just started again.

Ash: Yes, Zach, I want to marry you.

He pulled her into a hug. He thought his heart might explode, he loved her so much.

Ash: I love you, Zach. You are everything to me. I've never met anyone like you. I never thought-

Her voice sounded like it did that one time she was crying, and he pulled back from the hug with concern, checking to see if she was okay.

Ash: I never thought anyone could ever care about me.

"Who couldn't care about YOU? Only a complete Neanderthal would be unable to appreciate how perfect you are!"

Like the Red Knight of Hellfire. He's obviously a complete caveman.

Ash: I never thought I could love someone again. And I've never loved anyone as much as I love you. I would be proud to call you my husband, Zach. And the ring is perfect. Just perfect.

"Yeah? Okay, but don't cry, because Zizi wants pictures."

He said, excited and happy again. He held the ring box up.

"You get to wear this now."

He said, as he gently extracted the ring from its display foam, and held it between his right thumb and forefinger, so she could slip her finger into it. Their waitress came in with their appetizers, and stopped in mid-step when she saw them kneeling on the floor. She seemed to be determining whether or not she should drop the plates on the table while they were hot, or just slowly back away. Zach never even noticed she was there. His gaze was locked on his fiancée. He grinned from ear to ear.

 

[Valkyrie]

Aretsky's Patroon

He hugged her tight, and she felt more loved in that moment than she had in the twelve hundred years before she'd met him. She opened her heart to him, the words just pouring out, trying to tell him how much he meant to her life.

"Who couldn't care about YOU? Only a complete Neanderthal would be unable to appreciate how perfect you are!"

She smiled shyly.

"Well, most people are idiots."

She sniffled.

"Yeah? Okay, but don't cry, because Zizi wants pictures."

That statement threw her a bit.

"Zizi?"

But then he was holding up the ring.

"You get to wear this now."

"I'm not sure, but I think you have to put it on me."

She hadn't really paid attention to the customs surrounding weddings over the years, and they had apparently changed a lot. But that was one she thought she'd seen in the movies. He held up the ring, and slipped it onto her finger. It fit perfectly. She held it up so she could see it shimmer in the light.

"It's so beautiful, Zach. It looks like a snowflake."

She put her hand on his chest.

"I'll never take it off."

She almost never wore jewelry, and now, this would be the only piece she ever wore. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the server coming with their appetizers, trying to decide whether to stay or go. God help the girl if she took those plates away. To be on the safe side, she issued her a command, not looking at her.

"Leave the food."

Zach was grinning at her, and she gave him a look.

"What? I'm hungry."

She pressed her forehead against his, kissing his lips softly this time.

"I think we should get up off the floor now."

 

[Orion]

Aretsky's Patroon -- Rooftop Terrace

He advised her not to cry, because Zizi wanted pictures.

Ash: Zizi?

"Oh, yeah, Zizi knows. She helped me."

He replied, and then told her she could wear the ring now. She offered that she thought he was supposed to put it on her, and he nodded excitedly, holding it out, and then slipped it on her finger. They both took a second to admire it. Damn, did the thing shine, even in the soft lighting around them.

Ash: It's so beautiful Zach. It looks like a snowflake.

He smiled warmly at her and mentally thanked Zizi. He'd have to send that woman some flowers or something.

Ash: "I'll never take it off."

His smile took over his face as his hand landed on top of hers. Gods, he hoped that was a true statement. He took her hand in his, kissed it, then kissed it again, and in fact might have kept on blissfully, if she hadn't spoken.

Ash: Leave the food.

Zach stopped, raised and eyebrow at her, and then realized they weren't alone, and that she was talking to the server.

Ash: What? I'm hungry.

He chuckled at that, and then wrapped her up in his arms when she pressed her forehead to his.

"Well, they way I'd planned it, we should've already had our appetizers before the plane turned up, but we were running late, you know, because I..."

He tossed a cursory glance at the girl delivering their food, stopped himself from mentioning the appetizer he'd chosen to have before the drive, and then looked back at Ash with a devilish smile. No doubt she remembered why they were late. She kissed him gently, and he sighed happily.

"I love you."

Ash: I think we should get up off the floor now.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, probably."

He laughed and helped her up, then pulled out her chair again for her before sitting down himself. He finally remembered the wine, and drank some of it. It tasted even better now than it had before.

"So, if you'd rather stay in from now on.... we can. I just wanted to do this at least once."

He said, sampling the Lamb Tartare.

"Oh, by the way, if there's anything you want, please get it. Everything they serve here is excellent."

He said, offering her a shrimp.

"But Gods, save room for the greatest steak you'll ever have. And dessert too."

 

[Valkyrie]

The Roof

She questioned why Zizi would want pictures.

"Oh, yeah, Zizi knows. She helped me."

"Oh, did she? And she didn't tell me?"

She would have to have words with Zach's little confidant. But her annoyance was quickly forgotten as Zach placed the ring on her finger. She smiled, bursting with excitement, seeing it there. She told him how beautiful it was, that she'd never take it off her finger. Zach seemed very pleased at that, and took her hand and kissed it. She laughed, reaching up with her other hand to run her fingers through his hair. She told the waffling server to leave their food, surprising Zach who had realized she was standing there. She touched her forehead to his and he wrapped his arms around her.

"Well, they way I'd planned it, we should've already had our appetizers before the plane turned up, but we were running late, you know, because I..."

"Needed a snack?"

She arched an eyebrow at him, matching his smile.

"It doesn't matter, it was perfect. Everything is perfect."

"I love you."

"I love you too, babe."

She kissed him again softly. Then she suggested the get up off the floor, because her knees were starting to hurt. Zach helped her up, and pulled out her chair for her again, causing her to shake her head and smile. When he sat down, she slid her chair closer to him.

"So, if you'd rather stay in from now on.... we can. I just wanted to do this at least once."

"I'll go with you anywhere, Zach, you know that."

He offered her a shrimp, and she made a show of eating it off his fork.

"Oh, by the way, if there's anything you want, please get it. Everything they serve here is excellent. But Gods, save room for the greatest steak you'll ever have. And dessert too."

She reached out her hand and covered his.

"Zach, calm down, you sound like you're about to hyperventilate. Everything is wonderful - you don't have to fuss."

She smiled at him warmly.

"I'm sorry for being difficult earlier. I love it here, I really do. Everything you did - it's perfect. Everything is perfect."

 

[Orion]

Aretsky's Patroon -- Rooftop Terrace

He realized he might've accidentally gotten Zizi in some kind of trouble.

"Well, to be fair, I swore her to secrecy...."

He tried to cover, not sure how effective how that attempt might be. He put the ring on her finger, and they admired it for a minute. Ash said she'd never take it off, and that simple assurance made him so happy, he kissed her hand until he realized they weren't alone.

They started a soft kiss, and Zach would've been just fine doing that for quite some time, but Ash suggested they get up from the floor, and so he helped her up, and into her chair. When he sat down she scooted closer to him, making him smile warmly again. He promised he'd never force her to go out on a date with him again, but she said she'd go anywhere with him. He chuckled at that.

"I'm sure you would, but trying to get you to agree to do it should be an Olympic sport."

He teased, offering her a shrimp, and watching her eat it. He told her to order anything she wanted, and to make sure she saved room for steak and dessert, and she reached across the table to put her hand on his again.

Ash: Zach, calm down, you sound like you're about to hyperventilate. Everything is wonderful - you don't have to fuss.

His smile turned a bit sheepish behind the rim of his wine glass.

Ash: I'm sorry for being difficult earlier. I love it here, I really do. Everything you did - it's perfect. Everything is perfect.

"Alright, alright. I just want to make you as happy as you've made me. And you weren't that difficult.... it's not like I had to use a cattle prod or anything."

He joked, as if that may have been something he'd have resorted to eventually.

"Hey, let's take that picture for Ziz, yes?"

He said, using that as an excuse to slide his chair all the way next to hers, as he reached into his pocket for his phone. He pulled out her panties, and then smirked as he pushed them back down into his pocket again.

"Whoops, wrong pocket."

He said, and then felt around until he found his phone, and wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her smoothly onto his lap for the photo op.

"And now that we've both been acutely reminded that you aren't wearing those, let's take this picture before you have to ask if that's a flashlight in my pants."

He teased, taking a couple of pictures so he could be sure to have a good one.

 

[Valkyrie]

The Roof

Zach told her he'd never make her go out on a date with him again, but she told him she'd go anywhere he wanted.

"I'm sure you would, but trying to get you to agree to do it should be an Olympic sport."

She gave him a look.

"Well, I can't help it if I like to be in a place where I can be naked and in bed. With you."

He was talking a mile a minute, trying to make everything perfect, make sure she had everything she might want. So she told him to clam the fuck down. Everything was just perfect. And she apologized for being difficult about going out.

"Alright, alright. I just want to make you as happy as you've made me. And you weren't that difficult.... it's not like I had to use a cattle prod or anything."

She put her hand on his leg and gave him her most sultry eyes.

"Maybe we should consider it for later."

Zach very astutely changed the subject before things got out of hand.

"Hey, let's take that picture for Ziz, yes?"

She nodded, happily.

"Maybe we could get it framed?"

They didn't have a picture of the two of them anywhere in the apartment. Ash thought for a moment how nice it would be to add one. Zach was checking his pockets for his phone, and pulled out her thong instead.

"Oh those definitely should be in the picture."

She gave him a sarcastic smirk. He pulled her into his lap then, his arm around her waist, and she couldn't help but look at him instead of the camera. There was such love there, she wanted his arms around her forever.

"And now that we've both been acutely reminded that you aren't wearing those, let's take this picture before you have to ask if that's a flashlight in my pants."

She looked into his phone.

"Flashlight? Yule log, at least."

She smiled for his phone camera, leaning in to kiss him on the last one. She scratched his beard with her index finger, staring into his green eyes.

"You've made me so happy, Zach."

She kissed his lips gently again, then her face slipped into a mischievous smile.

"But I will be even happier once that steak comes."

 

[Orion]

Aretsky's Patroon -- Rooftop Terrace

He made a joke about a cattle prod, and then she suggested they could consider it for later. He may not have directly commented about it, but didn't miss it either. He asked if they should take the picture for Zizi.

Ash: Maybe we could get it framed?

"Oh that'd be great."

He agreed as he searched his pockets for his phone. He 'accidentally' pulled her panties out of his pocket when he felt them there, and she didn't miss a beat suggesting they should be in the picture, which provoked a laugh from him as he pulled her into his lap for the picture.

"And now that we've both been acutely reminded that you aren't wearing those, let's take this picture before you have to ask if that's a flashlight in my pants."

Ash: Flashlight? Yule log, at least.

The first picture he snapped had the most obscene smirks. The second was more Zizi-friendly. When he saw her turn to kiss his cheek he beamed. Every single shot was his favorite. She scratched his beard, and it felt so good his eyelids fluttered.

Ash: You've made me so happy, Zach.

"My love, I'm glad to hear it. I intend to do so for the rest of my life, so brace yourself."

She kissed him then, and his hand fell to her thigh, while he used his other arm to pull her in close and keep the kiss a little longer. She pulled back with a naughty smile, one of his favorites.

Ash: But I will be even happier once that steak comes.

"Oh is that right? That's where my rank is, then? Just below steak?"

He replied playfully, and then kissed her neck.

"Well, it IS a damn good piece of meat. Can't say I blame you there."

He allowed with a shrug. Right on cue, the waitress came in with a large tray and a stand for it. Zach patted Ashley's ass lovingly and let her slide out of his lap.

 

[Valkyrie]

The Roof

She sat in his lap while they took pictures together, and then she told him how happy he'd made her.

"My love, I'm glad to hear it. I intend to do so for the rest of my life, so brace yourself."

She kissed him tenderly, and Zach cuddled her close, extending their kiss until she pulled back to comment with a smirk on how much happier she was going to be when the rest of their food arrived.

"Oh is that right? That's where my rank is, then? Just below steak? Well, it IS a damn good piece of meat. Can't say I blame you there."

He kissed her neck and she giggled.

"You've known me long enough to know not to get in between me and my food."

As if on cue, the server appeared with their steaks, and she slid out of his lap, not embarrassed in the slightest to have been sitting there. She cut in to her steak, stealing glances at Zach as she did so, a smile on her lips. When she took a bite, her eyes rolled shut in ecstasy.

"Oh my gods - that is the best fucking thing I've ever eaten."

She hurriedly cut another bite.

"We can come here any time you want, babe."

She attacked the rest of her steak, pausing only briefly.

"How is yours?"

When they'd both finished, the plates were taken away and the server brought a tray of desserts. Ash selected a chocolate caramel torte with sea salt. The dessert was just as good as the steak, and she put some on her fork and held it out for Zach.

"You gotta taste this."

 

[Orion]

Aretsky's Patroon -- Rooftop Terrace

Ash: You've known me long enough to know not to get in between me and my food.

"No kidding."

He deadpanned, as she moved into her own seat. Their main course was delivered, and more wine was poured for them, but Zach waited to see her impression before cutting into his.

Ash: Oh my gods - that is the best fucking thing I've ever eaten.

He smiled widely, pleased that she liked it, and cut into his own steak.

"Isn't it so tender? And perfectly seasoned."

Ash: We can come here any time you want, babe.

He nodded eagerly as he chewed, dipping his fork into the pomme soufflé for his next bite.

Ash: How is yours?

"Even better than I remember."

For a few minutes it was mostly quiet, as they enjoyed the meal. Zach was, as usual, impressed by how much she could eat. It was almost to the point that he wanted to brag about it, but who would appreciate it? Next came dessert, and Ash selected a torte, while Zach savored another glass of wine.

Ash: You gotta taste this.

"Mm, excellent."

He said, afterward. They stayed for a while, finishing off the bottle of wine and making eyes at each other, until Zach was about ready to have Ash on the table next. He paid for the meal and the service, and as they walked out, wrapped his arm around her shoulders. When they got down to the sidewalk, where his Ferrari was shining in the streetlights, Zach fished out his keys and started to walk her towards it.

"So, do you want to drive -- WAIT."

He said, with narrowed eyes, pulling the keys back out of her reach.

"Do you even know HOW to drive?"

 

[Valkyrie]

The Roof

She raved to Zach about how damn good the steak was. She would never doubt him again when he ordered food for her.

"Isn't it so tender? And perfectly seasoned."

"I don't know about that, but it's like an orgasm in my mouth."

She got dessert, while Zach opted for wine, but she made him taste the caramel thing she had ordered because it was amazing. Then they each had another glass of wine, talking about nothing, while Ash rubbed the back of her foot on his calf under the table. When the evening was over and Zach had paid their bill, they walked out to the car together, Zach's arm around her. She leaned her head on his shoulder, sighing with pure bliss and contentment.

When they reached the car, Zach held out the keys to her.

"So, do you want to drive -- WAIT."

He pulled them back out of her reach.

"Do you even know HOW to drive?"

She rolled her eyes at him. This guy.

"Of COURSE I can drive. I didn't freakin' time travel."

She grabbed the keys out of his hand.

"I AM a police officer, after all. Get in."

She walked around to the driver's side, sliding in to the seat and putting the keys in the ignition. She adjusted the mirrors and revved the engine as she turned to Zach and gave him a smile that should have made him very, very concerned. She peeled off the sidewalk and into traffic like a formula 1 driver, weaving in between cars, shooting in and out of the bus lane, up and downshifting like a pro. She spared a look for Zach as they passed McDonald's but kept on going, howling at the moon as she found an open stretch of road.

Finally she turned sharply into the garage entrance of Zach's building, flying into his parking space and coming to a squealing stop. She switched off the engine and hopped out, tossing Zach back the keys.

"See? I don't know why John never lets me drive."

 

[Orion]

Midtown

Ash: Of COURSE I can drive. I didn't freakin' time travel. I AM a police officer, after all. Get in.

She said, with an eyeroll for good measure. Zach chuckled and released the keys, but not without giving her ass a slap first.

"Okay, but this isn't your typical squad car, she's got 730 fiesty horses, does Zero to Sixty in 3.1 seconds, and over 500 pounds of torque, all in rear-wheel drive, so the back end can get very slippery."

He warned as he walked her over to the driver's side, opened the door, and then shut it again when she slid in. He watched excitement gleam in her eyes as she adjusted the seat and mirrors, and smiled to himself as he looped around the back to get in on the passenger side.

This was his first time riding in this seat, so it was a little weird pulling his seatbelt from over the other shoulder, but overall he seemed comfortable. She revved the engine and flashed him a smile that gave him a thrill, and the left long black streaks of rubber on the sidewalk as they left the restaurant. The Ferrari seemed to come alive in her hands. Zach reached for the button that brought the soft top down, and then the windows, and suddenly they were buffeted by open air, with the sounds of the city whizzing by.

"Take FDR Drive so you can stretch her legs!"

Ashley howled at the moon, and his car roared through the tunnel. The exhilaration border-lined on terror. By the time they got back home, Zach was shaking his head and laughing. She drove like he did.

Ash: See? I don't know why John never lets me drive.

"He probably doesn't want to have to hide his raging hard-on afterwards."

He replied, gesturing down at his lap.

"Either that or he's trying to avoid having a HEART ATTACK."

He finished with a smile as he got out, catching the keys as she tossed them.

"I've got to take you to Watkins Glen. We could make a day of it! Put some track tires on, run the Grand Prix Circuit. Ooh, question. If you could race me in any car in the world, what would it be?"

He asked as they got in the elevator together.

 

[Valkyrie]

Midtown

Zach let her have the keys, but slapped her ass in the process. Oho ho, the one who objects when she does it doling it out? She could tell Zach was having second thoughts as he ran down the car's specs for her (eyeroll).

"Okay, but this isn't your typical squad car, she's got 730 fiesty horses, does Zero to Sixty in 3.1 seconds, and over 500 pounds of torque, all in rear-wheel drive, so the back end can get very slippery."

"Oh I know how that is, my back end can get very slippery."

She arched her eyebrow at him, touching his bicep as he escorted her to the driver's seat and opened and shut the car door for her. She let the car have its head (but didn't get any head from the passenger, which she pretty much thought was the new rule), driving fast and nimble through the streets to the parkway, where she really let it out. It was over too quickly when she pulled into the garage at EOS Nomad. She got out of the car, audibly wondering why John never let her drive the Navigator.

"He probably doesn't want to have to hide his raging hard-on afterwards."

She gave him a look like she'd just smelled something rotten.

"Zach, this is John we're talking about. Don't be gross."

"Either that or he's trying to avoid having a HEART ATTACK."

"Very funny. I'm a good driver."

She threw him the keys as he got out of the car, and they walked together to the elevator.

"I've got to take you to Watkins Glen. We could make a day of it! Put some track tires on, run the Grand Prix Circuit. Ooh, question. If you could race me in any car in the world, what would it be?"

She screwed up her face as she was thinking.

"If I was going to race you in that car? 918 Spyder."

She absentmindedly wondered if Zach had taken some drugs while she wasn't looking, because he was still really hyper excited. But, she went with it. And she was confident she could use up all that energy. Now in the elevator, she put her hands on his lapels, smiling up into his face.

"A day at the races sounds fabulous. I was thinking, though, that we should take a drive out of the city one of these days. Get lost on some deserted back roads? I'm sure I'd have to get into your seat with you just for warmth."

She bit her bottom lip, looking at him with lowered eyelids. The elevator doors opened, and they stepped out and walked to the apartment. When they went inside, she told him not to turn on the lights. Moonlight was streaming through the windows, and she took his hand and led him into the bedroom.

"There's one thing we didn't get to do at the restaurant."

She thought about that and then qualified it.

"Well, one other thing."

She smirked, reaching over to turn on some music, then slid her arms slowly around Zach's neck. She started to sway to the music, looking up lovingly into his face. They danced, her cheek to his, her lips grazing his neck. After a while she turned around so her back was to him, unhooking the clasp on her dress behind her neck, letting the top of the dress fall to her waist so she was nude from there up, like a Renaissance statue. She leaned her head back on his shoulder, feeling his hands on her, her dress falling the rest of the way to the floor.

She turned back to face him and knelt down, taking off his shoes and socks one at a time, then coming up on her knees, her eyes looking up at his. She unclipped the suspenders from his pants and then her hands went to his waistband, unclasping and unzipping his pants, then pushing them off his hips. She pulled down his shorts in quick succession, her breath hitching in her throat as she saw him.

"Log, definitely."

Teasingly she planted a soft kiss on his tip but did no more, standing to face him. She pulled at his bow tie, then reached down to undo the cuff links. Her hands were then on the front of his shirt, undoing the buttons, loving the feel of his chest through the fabric. Finally she pushed it off his shoulders, revealing his naked body body to her, looking like marble in the moonlight.

Her eyes closed as she planted a kiss on his chest, then opened and locked with his as she slowly stepped backwards towards the bed. She climbed onto it, lay down so he could look at her, placing one arm behind her head.

"Come to bed, Zach."

She parted her knees, and waited for him to join her.

 

[Orion]

Eos Nomad

Ashley couldn't fathom any possible reasons why Steele wouldn't let her drive, so Zach said the first thing that came to mind, which was that maybe he got a little turned on by too much exhibition of speed.

Ash: Zach, this is John we're talking about. Don't be gross.

"He's not a eunuch, Ash."

He replied, and then suggested the other likely reason, which was that John might be trying to avoid a heart attack.

Ash: Very funny. I'm a good driver.

Zach held his hands up innocently.

"Hey baby, nobody suggested you weren't a good driver, I'm just saying, not everyone maniacally enjoys pulling 3 sideways Gs in a right turn from the highway off ramp."

He said, and then he got the bright idea to veer into something like a subject change. He mentioned taking her to The Glen, and asked her what car she'd choose.

Ash: If I was going to race you in that car? 918 Spyder.

"A Porsche? Nice choice."

And Challenge Accepted.

Ash: A day at the races sounds fabulous. I was thinking, though, that we should take a drive out of the city one of these days. Get lost on some deserted back roads? I'm sure I'd have to get into your seat with you just for warmth.

She said, with her hands on his chest. He smiled down at her, gently pushing the windswept hair back into place.

"If you wish."

He replied simply, getting lost in her eyes until the elevator doors snapped them out of reverie. He let them in the front door, but as he reached for the light switch, she said she wanted them off, and led him into the bedroom under moonlight.

Ash: There's one thing we didn't get to do at the restaurant.

Zach licked his lips in anticipation.

Ash: Well, one other thing.

Zach raised an eyebrow, intrigued. She went to put on some music, and then came back to him, sliding her arms around his neck and starting to sway. He put his arms around her, smiling softly.

"I didn't think you'd care to dance."

He said, in a low tone of pleased surprise. For a long time they moved together, through how many songs, Zach couldn't have said, but he had no interest in counting. He just enjoyed being there, with her in his arms. Everyone now and then he lifted her chin for a kiss. He could've gone on like that until sunrise, but she turned, laying back against him and unclasping the top of her dress. Zach kissed the back of her neck, and then the side, his mouth traveling along the top slope of her shoulder and then back again. His fingertips grazed her front until his hands found her breasts, which he massaged gently, his body hardening behind her as her dress hit the floor.

She turned again, and started to slowly undress him, almost the exact reverse of the way he'd dressed earlier. He watched her progress, a steadily building need growing into an ache. He sharply inhaled when she kissed him and stood up, smiling at her comment, his hands beginning to caress her as she worked on his shirt and tie, because he was incapable of keeping them to himself. When she was done she appraised him for a moment, and then kissed his chest. To his surprise, she did not pull him to bed with her, and though it felt like torture to let her back away and not follow like a shadow, he waited, because she was leading them now.

Ash: Come to bed, Zach.

He obeyed immediately. As soon as she was within his reach, his hand was sliding up the inside of her leg, and his mouth was on hers with passion.

"I love you,"

He said, his lips barely leaving hers, and then he kissed her again, deeply.

"I want you,"

He added, as if it weren't the most obvious thing in the world, but still he had to say it, as he felt between her legs and found her to be as ready as he was.

"I need you."

He finished breathlessly, pressing against her as he searched her gaze.

 

[Valkyrie]

EOS Nomad

When they arrived back at Zach's, she put on some music so they could dance in the moonlight, which surprised Zach.

"I didn't think you'd care to dance."

She smirked up at him as his arms came around her and they began to sway.

"There are still some things you don't know about me."

But in truth, in this case, the partner made all the difference. It was his arms she wanted around her; it wasn't about the music. They stayed like that, Zach leaving delicate kisses on her lips every so often, until finally she turned her back to him, revealing her body to him. She felt his hands on her breasts, sighing at the feel of his touch, her pulse quickening at his lips on her shoulder. She could feel him against her, and so turned to face him again. She undressed him slowly, admiring his body as she did so, before laying back on the bed herself. And then she told him to come to bed.

His hand slid up the inside of her leg, his mouth pressed against hers passionately and her arms went around his neck.

"I love you,"

"I want you,"

"I need you."

"Zach..." she moaned, her back arching, her hips searching for him, wanting him. Her desire was palpable, her body felt as if it was on fire. Their eyes met, bodies already starting to move.

"Make love to me...please...do it now...take me..."

 

[Orion]

Eos Nomad

Laying beside her, propped up on one elbow with his mouth on hers, Zach pulled his hand up the front of her body as he told he loved her, wanted her, needed her. He had never in his life been more honest than he was now. She moaned his name, as he pressed against her earnestly, searching for her gaze.

Ash: Make love to me...please...do it now... take me..

Again, he obeyed instantly, bringing them together with ease, as if that was what they were both created to do, fit together and become one. He moaned, fingertips grazing over a breast, trailing down her left arm, finding her hand, and the strange but wonderful new feeling of the ring there as his fingers intertwined with hers.

"Ash..."

He moaned again as her desire flooded over him, his mouth falling, his kiss landing on hers. On top of her now, he rolled his hips against hers, his left hand slipping under her back, pulling her closer, as his tongue explored her mouth.

"oh Ash,"

He rasped when he pulled back to find her hazel eyes again.

"I could do this forever, with you, with you only."