Mal climbed down the ladder to his bunk. It had been a long day and he was looking forward to a quiet night in his own bed. He really wasn’t paying attention as he descended and so, when he reached the bottom and looked up, he was rather surprised. Standing directly in front of him, in all her glory, was Inara. His mouth dropped open, “Huh.”

“Hello Mal. I think this little dance of ours has gone on quite long enough. I haven’t had a decent night’s sleep in months and I don’t think you have either. So I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands, so to speak.”

Mal looked her up and down, he sure did like what he saw. He had imagined her naked but his imagination had not done her justice. She was one beautiful woman and she was his. He’d known it for some time, he just had never wanted to admit it. It would cause way too many complications, but now that she was here...

Inara walked over to Mal, smiled up at him sweetly and started unbuttoning his shirt. “Do you like what you see, my turn.”

Mal reached up, unable to resist, took her face in his hands and kissed her. Inara slid her hands under his shirt and up around his back and just held on. That kiss was all she imagined it would be and more. Tender and yet strong, filled with passion. Inara felt like she was melting, it was all she could do just to stay on her feet. She had kissed many men, but not one had made her feel like this. She briefly wondered what making love to him would be like, but then all thoughts slipped from her mind.

She was on his bunk. Inara wasn’t even sure how she had gotten there, he must have carried her. She opened her eyes just in time to see him, now naked himself, slipping in next to her. She turned to him, ran her fingers through his hair, and leaned against him. Their bodies touching, his arm came over and around behind her and he pulled her close. Then he kissed her again.

The kisses continued and their hands began to explore each other bodies. Mal found all her most sensitive spots and w