Eko hardly had a moment to contemplate her actions. Luke's sudden arrival caught her off guard just after she had finished her class. Without warning, he enveloped her in his usual cute, persistent, and caring manner. It was completely unexpected and not the situation she had envisioned for herself.

Since Matthew left for the war game trials, Luke had practically stuck by her side, and it seemed that the presence of the Commander had deterred many soldiers from approaching her, mostly it was the ones looking to see if she was up for some fun.

While the other lot, despite, Jesse and Mya bluntly telling the fan club girls to 'fuck off' in certain terms. The fan club girls had no qualms about approaching her and asking her why Matthew had been so preoccupied. They saw her merely as one of the 'boys,' not perceiving her as a potential threat.

She found they persisted nonetheless and Eko found it difficult to keep her composure and pretend to be interested in their conversation around fucking their commander. Nonetheless, it fueled waves of jealousy within her. Afterall no one actually enjoys hearing explicit details about their partner's sexual history, especially when the girls incessantly rambled on about him in that manner.

Typically, Madison would intervene at this point, having no qualms reminding Eko of his promiscuous past and considering him a sorry excuse of a human being in her opinion. Eko would then roll her eyes and tuned out the ongoing rant, either walking away from the fan club or covering her face with a pillow to muffle out the lecture from her cousin.

"Have you considered my question for tomorrow?" Luke's charming smile jolted Eko back to attention. His features were accentuated by his bald head, and his thick, old-school English accent was irresistibly charming. He exuded smooth confidence and was delightfully likable.

"Tomorrow?" Eko shot him a puzzled look, her mind scrambling to figure out the significance of the upcoming day. It was Friday, and Matthew would be home tomorrow, which meant...

"The ceremony," she blurted out, suddenly realizing the answer to Luke's question. Despite this, she hesitated to provide the response he was anticipating.

"Correct," he replied, taking a step closer with a mischievous smile. "You nailed it."

"I, uh, don't..." Eko began, stumbling over her words. "My dress..." She felt utterly foolish, unable to form a coherent response to Luke's question, only just now remembering the day of the week.

While she had become accustomed to the straightforwardness of the men here, much like those she encountered in her life, they didn't readily accept 'no' as an answer. Princes always eager to talk her around, and the men she had met during her off-world journeys all played the same card.

Luke was no different, and he interpreted Eko's confusion as being enamored with his proposal.

When really there was a sense of lightness that filled her heart. While she had spoken to Matthew every late night for hours on end, she had also been receiving his cute little text messages via her communication device whenever he had a moment.

A simple, 'Thinking of you out here,' had left her on cloud nine.

"Perfect," the confident man said, flashing a flawless smile that left Eko with no room for a counterargument. "I'll pick you up at your dormitory around five-thirty for the event."

The moment was a whirlwind, and Eko felt as though she was outside of her own body. Luke leaned in, kissed her cheek, and vanished before she could react. Eko stood in the hallway, stunned. What the hell had just happened, and more importantly, what the fuck had she just gotten herself into?

Yes. Luke was undeniably attractive her subconscious was still trying to pick up her jaw from the floor, sharing a lot of the similarities that Matthew had due to their background. Clearly she was attracted to the suicidal kind of men and their field.

Foremost, which always blew her mind the soldiers possessed kindness,  a quality deeply ingrained in their training. The respect and hopefulness cultivated at Allegiant were palpable, and their genuine smiles were a testament to this. Luke, with his undeniable charm, was someone Eko might have considered sleeping with if circumstances were different. Honestly she knew she wouldn't have even hesitated - but, there was something missing about him.

Eko groaned in frustration at her situation and hurried toward the dormitories, clutching her tablet tightly. It pinged with a new message, and upon checking, she saw it was from Jesse, informing her that she was tied up with war game trials.

Fuck!

Who in the world could she confide in about this? The girls were nowhere to be found, and Madison wouldn't entertain any conversation that didn't involve a prince's name at the beginning.

Unaware of her surroundings amidst the chaos of the evening transition of classes, Eko maneuvered through the crowded hallway. She bumped into a body, and a firm grip on her shoulders prevented her from falling over.

"Earth to Eko," followed by laughter. To her surprise, the one person she most wanted to see was there.

"Hey you," he beamed.

"Matthew?" she stammered, her smile growing wider.

"And what have I done to deserve such a beautiful smile?" Matthew asked, trying to resist the urge to step closer. They kept their distance as soldiers passed by them, speaking in hushed tones.

"You're home early," Eko stated matter-of-factly. "Jesse just texted about having to assist with the war game trials or something?"

Matthew shook his head, "Things went a bit pear-shaped, so we cut it short earlier than expected."

"Pear-shaped?" Eko inquired. "That doesn't sound good."

"The team stumbled upon a Wrangler nest, and we lost most of the cadets and soldiers assigned to it."

Eko's mouth fell open; Wranglers were disgusting parasites, and it was alarming that the cadets were facing them. She knew from personal experience when she had stumbled across nests herself.

"How many casualties?" she asked.

Matthew guided her towards the elevators. "Thirty-five dead at this stage, and another fifteen are unaccounted for," he replied.

"Crap."

"Hmm," he offered, and as the doors slid open, he ushered her inside, tapping the control panel. The doors closed, and Matthew leaned in close to her. Eko flickered her eyes up to him.

"I've been thinking about you all day," he whispered, recognizing their limited time. He quickly planted a soft kiss on her lips. "I don't have much time before administration, HR and Cid realize I'm gone; there's a ton of stuff I need to do."

"Well, there are only so many things we can do," she smirked up at him, "especially in public."

"Then let's not be in public," he replied with a grin. "I need you, right now."

Eko smiled back at him, her heart pounding at his words, and her desire ignited at the thought of what she wanted to do to him, causing her legs to clench.

"Well, Madison will be in class for another twenty," Eko's smile widened at his eagerness, and she couldn't resist him.

"I was hoping you'd say that; my room is a bit occupied at the moment.

The pang of jealousy hit her hard, and she masked her annoyance expertly, showcasing the emotional mastery she had developed over the years. "Fan club?" she inquired, keeping her emotions in check.

"They know when I'm back before I do," Matthew chuckled. "I'll deal with them later."

"So, twenty minutes? Is that all you think you need?" She raised an eyebrow suggestively, and Matthew's grin turned positively wicked.

"I'm pretty sure I can make the most of our time," he asserted. As soon as the elevator doors opened, they hurried through the deserted hallways, making their way to the dormitory Eko shared with Madison. Upon arrival, Matthew practically nudged her inside after she effortlessly entered the access code - he was done waiting.

"You really don't have any patience," Eko chuckled, sensing the doors closing behind them.

Matthew closed the distance between them, threading his fingers through her hair and gently tilting her head back. He captured her mouth in a fervent kiss, his tongue exploring hers with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine. Eko gave in to the passion, her senses overwhelmed by the feel of his body pressed against hers, and the unmistakable hardness of his growing erection against her stomach. This moment was the culmination of weeks of longing, a sweet release of pent-up desire that she had been craving.

The distance between them only intensified the longing inside her, and phone sex, while a temporary fix, had only whetted her appetite rather than satisfying it.

Despite the distractions of laughter and banter from those around her, nothing could compare to the way he made her feel alive and liberated.

"God, compared to the really shitty day I've had... I just need you to fix all of this," his words were impassioned amid her fevered kisses. Eko's fingers tightened at the top of his head, her hands entangled in his hair. Then, Matthew's tone changed, a hint of possessiveness creeping in as he said, "You're all mine," as if he feared her interest might be fading.

"Not until you beg me," Eko whispered back, feeling his smile against her lips.

Matthew's grip on her jaw and throat tightened momentarily as their eyes met in a fiery exchange. "I'm going to fuck your sweet pussy until you're begging me to stop," he declared with a possessive moan.

"My body is yours," she countered with equal possessiveness moaning. Her response resonating through his entire body, and his cock twitched, believing the lie that rolled off her tongue so effortlessly.

With that electable moan of his name that followed Eko knew what was about to happen next and her body would honestly beg for it at this point, for she wanted to sedate the hungry beast inside of their core.

"Eko, Eko, Eko..." Matthew thrust his tongue back into her mouth, hoping to elicit her moans once again. Their foreplay was abruptly halted by the sound of chatter outside Eko's dormitory. Wide-eyed, they both stared at each other in fear.

Eko's disappointment was palpable. "That wasn't even twenty minutes," she muttered, feeling robbed of the intense pleasure that had been building between them. "Maybe... maybe if we're quiet..."

"Quiet you?!" Matthew whispered back with a soft chuckle. "That's impossible, babe."

The voices outside became louder, and both of them went still. The voices were almost right outside her door.

"MEEEE?!" Eko whispered back in mock indignation, pointing at herself. "Pot calling the kettle black, mate."

"To be honest, Luke, I'm not sure where she is. Didn't you mention having a class with her just before?"

Matthew's heart raced as he recognized the voice, freezing as he looked at Eko with a peculiar expression. The earlier morning conversation was at the forefront of his mind, but she, still adjusting herself from the hands of the man before her, remained oblivious to the identity of the other speaker.

Taking a cautious step back, Matthew watched as Eko casually flipped her hair, gathering it into a neat ponytail.

"Why is Luke looking for you?" he hissed. What the fuck - absolutely not!

"Do you know what she's wearing?" came Luke's voice, drifting in from the hallway.

Matthew's frustration was evident as he readjusted himself, trying to keep his composure. Eko, on the other hand, was focused on the Commander in front of her, noticing his avoidance of eye contact.

"He, uh..." Eko began, hesitant to reveal the news, wondering how he would react. But then again, why would he care? They weren't seeing each other, and this was just casual. 'Get your head in the game, Eko.'

"Well, since I'm not going with anyone," Eko finally said with an awkward chuckle, "he kinda invited me to Graduation tomorrow."

Matthew's eyes met hers, and Eko felt the air around them sharply divide. She inhaled deeply as he adjusted his posture. Nonetheless, she quickly dismissed the notion that he might feel anything for her in that manner. Afterall his was looking at her the same way he was looking at Jesse - that older brother look of having to watch out for her.

Eko's heart couldn't help but remind her of the legion of fan club girls eagerly waiting for their turn with him. They were all casual flings, and perhaps he regarded them with the same concern for their well-being as he did for her, nothing more.

"Come again?" Matthew's voice rose slightly, and Eko stepped forward, grabbing at his shirt. He didn't resist her; instead, he moved closer to her, allowing her to kiss him. Eko's tongue delved into his mouth as his hands encircled her waist.

Then Eko stepped back, a small smile playing on her lips. "We agreed this was just casual between us, didn't we?" Her smile was seductive and playful, a mask for the vulnerability she felt.

Matthew felt a sinking sensation, suspecting that something had happened between Luke and Eko while he was away.

Without thinking, he blurted out, "So... what's going on between you and him? Casual as well?" He couldn't quite hide the bitterness in his voice.

"No, it's nothing like that," Eko laughed nonchalantly, shifting on her feet, trying to sound as carefree as possible to avoid arousing suspicion. "Luke is just taking me to the graduation ceremony."

Suddenly, Madison's voice echoed from outside the dormitory, interrogating Luke, "She's wearing a teal piece; why is it so important?"

"So I know what to wear to match her. I didn't get to ask her earlier-"

Before he could finish, Madison interrupted, "Wait, you're taking her to the ceremony? Absolutely not! She hasn't discussed this with me, and I do not approve."

Matthew's annoyance was clear, his voice laced with a hiss, "If he touches you or makes a move, I fucking be burying him out back," he declared, stepping back from Eko. His demeanor had changed significantly from the light-heartedness of moments ago.

"Excuse me?" Eko tilted her head, puzzled by his reaction, "Can you relax, please? I'm a grown woman. Besides," she gestured towards the door, "they'll hear you if you don't keep your voice down! And how are we going to explain this?" she added, indicating the space between them.

Matthew exhaled deeply, his hands balling into fists. "Luke only wants one thing! And he's not exactly you know ... when it comes to fucking."

Eko let out a scoff and rolled her eyes. "We all just want one thing here, Matthew. Right now, you and I are just clear on those expectations. I'm more than capable of holding my own."

Matthew muttered trying to maintain his equilibrium, but Eko's presence was increasingly affecting him.

During the two weeks they were apart, they had been in constant contact, and he found himself talking to her for hours every night when no one was around. Never before in his life had he spent so much time just talking to someone like he had with her.

"I fucking know that," he said, his voice tinged with agitation and annoyance. "But that doesn't mean I want him around you, this fucker just comes from no where and now you're fucking going to the ceremony with him? Jesus, seriously -are you sleeping with him aswell? It's a fucking yes or no answer I'm looking for here!"

"Why are you swearing so much?" Eko's eyes narrowed on him, barely hearing Madison's voice from beyond the bedroom wall. The atmosphere in the room shifted, and Matthew took a step back from her momentarily.

"Hey, look at me," Eko said, reaching out to grab him and pull him closer. "Can you stop acting like a child? Nothing's happened between us."

"Like a child," he murmured softly, and impulsively, he pulled Eko into a kiss that was unlike any they had shared before. He asserted his dominance, his hands tangled in her hair, holding her neck firmly in place. The fervor of his touch and the intensity of his lips communicated a possessiveness, as if he sought complete control over her being.

The man before her craved her entirety, immediately. His desire for her had grown over the past two weeks, and as his tongue once again met hers, she reciprocated, entwining her tongue with his in a desperate, carnal act that had consumed her as well.

His hand traveled down her body, grasping her waist, and her hands were immediately at his pants, unbuttoning them, eager to free him. Before she knew it, her pants were loosened, and she was shimmying them down her body.

With her panties quickly following, he turned her around roughly, pressing her up against the wall of the dormitory, and bent her over with her backside exposed and inviting him to take her. Eko felt him thrust into her so deeply that she had to bite down on her lips to stop herself from crying out in pleasure.

As he entered her again, Eko's fingers clawed at the wall, searching for something to anchor herself as waves of pleasure crashed over her. His movements were relentless, each thrust sending shivers down her spine and drawing moans from her lips that she fought to suppress.

He reached around, his fingers finding her clit, and began to stroke it in time with his forceful thrusts. The added stimulation was almost overwhelming for Eko, and she felt her legs begin to tremble as an intense orgasm built within her.

"Matthew," she gasped, her voice a mix of desperation and ecstasy. The sound of her saying his name seemed to drive him even wilder, and he quickened his pace, determined to push her over the edge.

"Come on my cock, baby, that's it," he gritted softly as though a low whispered hiss.

Eko's breaths came in short gasps as she felt herself teetering on the brink of release, "oh god, fuck me harder than this," she commanded him. "Harder, I need to come."

Rising to the challenge, Matthew's hand gripped the back of her neck roughly, pressing her harder against the wall as his speed picked up.

"This is what you wanted, huh?" he moaned trying to maintain his resolve. He needed her to come, he needed her to know it was only him that could do this to her.

"Oh, god yes," Eko was in delirium.

"Say that you needed me." His thrusts became harder, each movement sending waves of pleasure deep into her core. It reminded her of their countless conversations and the phone sex that only provided a fraction of this satisfaction. Now, with him inside her, she felt herself unraveling faster than ever before.

"Ye...ss.." She whimpered a response, "fuck I need you." And Matthew's fingers resumed their rhythmic stroking of her clit, Eko's whimper turned into a low, guttural moan.

"You're going to come," The command he exerted over her body left her astounded, her mind consumed by the raw intensity of their connection. With each deep, forceful thrust, she felt herself being propelled further into a state of blissful oblivion, her body responding eagerly to his touch.

Matthew's climax approached with an intensity that matched Eko's, his teeth sinking into the skin of her neck with a primal need. She gasped as she felt him bite down, the sensation adding to the overwhelming pleasure coursing through her. As his warm release flooded her insides, his cock throbbed with a fervent rhythm, driving them both to the brink of ecstasy.

Eko gasped out into the wall of the dormitory, her legs quivering, barely able to stay upright as his arm wrapped around her stomach to keep her standing, and she pushed forward so that her chest was against the wall, and he was pinning her to it.

She breathed against the wall as he buried his head in the crook of her neck, his lips grazing her skin with a series of slow, deliberate kisses along the side of her neck.

"Fuck, I missed you," he murmured.

"That makes two of us," she smiled into the wall, feeling a sense of relief wash over her, the anxiety in her chest instantly disappearing with the intensity of their connection.

****** ******

Madison let out an exasperated sigh. "If I see her, I'll let her know. Is that clear? Now stop barraging me." With that, she turned on her heel, her initial purpose forgotten, leaving Luke to follow as he continued to ask her questions.

As Matthew stepped back from Eko, she turned slightly to face him, adjusting her pants as he tidied himself up. There, when he looked back at her, was a small, faint smile playing at the corner of her lips. Staring at him, she noticed his own hint of a smile on those sculpted lips.

"Like a child," she smirked, lightly touching the side of his smile. He shook his head at her playful demeanor, appreciating how much she had calmed the beast in his bones.

"I haven't," he suddenly confessed, leaving her confused. Her hand now rested on his chest.

"Haven't what?" She cocked her head.

"I haven't been with anyone else," Matthew admitted.

"And neither have I," Eko shifted at that admission, leaving her insides churning with excitement. "It's nice what we have."

"There's that word again," he smirked.

"Nice," she grinned and leaned forward to kiss him.

"Come join me for dinner," he whispered softly, his breath warm against her lips. "I probably only have about twenty minutes now before I need to rush off to another meeting. Today's been a nightmare, and I have no idea when I'll be finished because of what happened out there."

She nodded slowly, her voice barely a whisper. "Then I'm going to fuck you after it," she murmured, stepping closer to him and kissing him tenderly. When their lips parted, he rested his forehead against hers, his hand gently brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Eko pressed her lips against his again, the kiss unfolding with a deliberate slowness, each moment savored. It held the same magnetic pull and intense passion that had marked their previous kiss on the ship two weeks ago.

Eko pulled back slightly, meeting Matthew's gaze. "I'll see you downstairs," she whispered, swiftly collecting her belongings before slipping out of the room.

In truth, Eko wanted to avoid Madison, Luke, and the fan club. It was going to be hard enough facing them all in the cafeteria. But at least Matthew had come to her first, right? He had chosen her to share his evening, to fill the void of whatever had happened that afternoon. It made her heart soar, and even if this was just a fleeting moment, it felt incredibly good.

***** *****

With his back against the wall, Matthew found himself enveloped in the silence of the room, the absence of Eko allowing his world to slowly return to focus.

A soft frown creased his brow as he acknowledged that she had managed to get under his skin. He recognized that he wasn't acting like himself, and this newfound sensation of jealousy was stirring within him, heating his blood.

How had he ended up in this position?

How did he become at the mercy of a woman that held no further interest in him other than simply fucking him