The scent of freshly cooked pasta fills the vast industrial kitchen, tickling my nostrils. I smile, inhaling deeply the wonderful aroma and relax in the comfortable chair. I can definitely get used to that, coming home from work late in the evening to find Adam cooking one of his culinary delights. They are always finger licking good. Watching him fuss around the stove is even better. I'm still in awe of how attractive he is.

   The kitchen is my most favorite place in the house. I created the design myself. It is really cozy because of the natural materials, despite its huge size. I like open spaces and hate cramped rooms, so I made it exactly the way I liked, choosing raw oak sawn timbers for the big dining table and beams of the same material for the ceiling. The concrete counter with the sink and all the chocolate-colored kitchen cabinets are mounted on the maroon background of an exposed brick wall. The twelve chairs around the table and the huge sectional sofa in front of the fireplace are upholstered in soft, rusty brown, faux leather. I am proud of the modern, mountain hut look, but consider my masterpiece the all-glass wall, overlooking the garden. 

   The iridescent autumn colors outside are like a stunning work of art. I would probably be gazing through the window the entire time, if I was alone. The strong wind is tossing the falling leaves into beautiful swirls of red and gold. The soft illumination of the garden lanterns turns everything into a play of light and shadow. Nature is a brilliant artist, even when it is artificially recreated on a spaceship. 

   Although I am so fond of my garden, I have a much more captivating occupation now. I can't take my eyes off the man, skillfully stirring the fragrant Bolognese sauce in a deep skillet. He is a piece of art himself and I dare not take credit for it. His charm is not due to the physical traits I have selected. What makes him remarkable is the whole package of gorgeous looks, combined with unique personality. 

   Adam is half a foot taller than me which is impressive since I am a little over six feet myself. He is a big, strong man with defined muscles. His every movement exudes power and resilience, making him a little intimidating, but it is all balanced by his constant disarming smile. He has the most staggering smile I have ever seen. It makes my heart race every single time he aims it at me. I admire his flawless, dark brow skin, the big, expressive eyes and the lips... Oh, my God! He is handsome, so handsome that I have to look away from time to tome, to stop myself from doing something really stupid, like taking my clothes off and throwing myself in his arms. He would surely love to see me out of control. I think, he even made it his goal...

   "Haru!" His deep voice startles me out of my daze. "Stop staring at me and get moving. The water is already cold. I need thirty more minutes for the pasta, just enough for your bath."

   "You're too good-looking," I mutter. "I can't stop ogling you. Is it annoying?"

   "Yes," he laughs. "You look like a puppy, begging for a treat. I offered to join you, remember? We could be cuddling in the bathtub right now, if you weren't so stubborn. Anyway, I can't leave the sauce once I've started it. It will burn. A cold shower might be a good idea to help you simmer down after all."

   "I'm not touching you until you stop pretending and making me go through that shit every day," I grumble. "You're not a slave and I'm not your master. If you think I'm going to sleep with someone without being a hundred percent sure it's mutual, you're very wrong and you don't know me at all."

   "I know you pretty darn good," Adam smirks. "Besides, you're touching me all the time. You're like a little, groping octopus..."

   "Shut up!" I bite my lip to stop the giggle. I won't give him the pleasure of making me laugh when I'm so hopping mad with him.

   "I never know where one of your tentacles might appear," he goes on and peeks at me with sparkling eyes, waiting for my self-control to break. "Wasn't one of them right on my ass a minute ago? Oh, wait! I must be mistaken. My cuddly, grumpy octopus wouldn't dare... Haruuu, you're cute when you're pulling that face."

   "Idiot," I pout. "You know what I meant. Do you actually like me?"

   "Ugh, when are you going to stop this?" He turns his back to me again and focuses on the food.

   "Answer me," I insist. "Tell me how you feel."

   "You know how I feel, Haru," Adam retorts without looking at me. "I do not only like you. I am smitten. I want you. How many times do I have to say it? How about a bouquet of roses and heart-shaped candies? Will that convince you?"

   "No. I don't believe you," I huff in frustration. "Prove it."

   "How?" He abandons the skillet and leans on the counter, squinting at me. "What more can I offer when you are obsessed with things you shouldn't even think about?"

   "Stay with me." I jump up from the chair and approach him, staring insistently into his eyes. "Don't go back into that narrow chamber tomorrow. Let me give you a tour around the ship. Let's spend the day together. You might even see an alien. Fuck the protocols! Tell me what would you look like, if I didn't make all the choices. Would you still like me? Would you still want to bathe with me and sleep in my bed."

   "I don't sleep in your bed," Adam fakes a sad face, "because you're heartless and always leave me on the sofa, alone, longing for you..."

   "Enough," I chuckle. His attempts to look desolate only make him hilarious. "Brandon..."

   He suddenly grabs my hand and squeezes hard. His expression becomes serious. "Mr. Jett is a genius. He is also your friend. I am here because he wants you to be happy. I am happy when you are. Do not try to read more into this. Leave Brandon Jett out of it."

   "But he must have..." I try to make a point, but Adam covers my mouth with his palm.

   He pronounces slowly, emphasizing each word, "Haru, I am not what you think."

   "Fine!" I pull my hand away and take off my shirt, spitefully throwing it on the floor. "Tell your precious Mr. Jett to fuck off! You have no idea what is going on in my head, so there's no way to know if you're what I think or not. You are also not allowed to kiss me from now on."

   With this I turn my back to him and stride to the door.

   "Haru, wait!" Adam catches me a second before I manage to slam it in his face and turns me abruptly to look at him, hissing in my ear, "Are you ordering me what to do? Imposing limitations, huh? What happened to me not being a slave? One thing I can tell you for sure, you'll eat burned pasta tonight."

   I am pinned to the wall, unable to protest or escape. His lips are almost touching mine. I should be startled and even more worked up, but I am not. All I feel is excitement. I love the fact that he is stronger than me, the way his muscles strain the fabric of his clothes, almost tearing it to shreds. I can make him so hot under the collar that he just can't keep calm and it thrills me. His hands on me make my skin burn. He makes me so damn hot for him. 

   "Say it again," Adam growls through gritted teeth. "Say one more time that I am not allowed to kiss you and I will never do it again."

   His mouth is so close. I can almost feel it on mine. He flicks his tongue over his upper lip and I have to muffle a moan.

   "Say it, Haru!" 

   "You are not..." I take a sharp breath and grab him by the lapels. "Adam... I... You are not allowed..."

   "What? What am I not allowed?" His dark eyes are making me struggle for air. Why can't I stop overthinking and grasp the one thing I crave for? He is right here, offering heaven to me and I just can't take it. 

   "Let go!" I whisper. 

   "I am not holding you," Adam shakes his head. I realize I'm the one clutching his lapels while he is  just leaning against the wall with his palms on both my sides. "You are not fighting me, baby. You are only fighting yourself."

   "Adam, don't you understand?" I groan. 

   "I do." His palm gently cups my cheek. "I understand."

   His lips touch mine. It is like an explosion. I see stars and feel fire. My body bursts to live. I pull him closer and wrap my arms around his neck. We both lose ourselves in the kiss. It is savage, messy, burning. This sensation can't be described. Hot waves are coursing through me. The universe is vibrating as if two colliding suns are folding the space and time. I tremble and wither. My skin is tingling. I need him to touch it. I need his body on mine. I want him to ravish me. 

   His tongue slides over mine and I suddenly realize how wrong this is. I don't have the right to do it. A desperate whimper escape me, but I put my hands on his chest and push him off me.

   "Why?" He is puzzled and disappointed. I am happy to see the dissatisfaction on his face. It hurts, but in a good way. His voice is quiet. "Haru, why?"

   "The sauce," I barely pant out. "Smells like burnt."

   Adam is hesitant, but finally heads to the stove.

   "I told you," he murmurs.

   "I will like it anyway," I smile.

   "I like you anyway too." 

________________________________

A/N

Hello at the end of Chapter 4.

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Adam seems quite infatuated with Haru.

Do you think it is because he was programmed this way?

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