Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

HOPE

H ope didn't remember much about the ride home in the car or getting into the townhouse. Truth to tell, she didn't remember much about anything after he gave her the most delicious orgasm at the club.

"Seth," she started as he carried her up the stairs, taking her into their room and getting the black dress off her body.

"Shh," he whispered against her lips before claiming them in a kiss that was both passionate and tender.

She felt herself melting into him, the world narrowing down to the firm press of his body against hers. In his embrace, in the midst of their enemies, she'd found an unexpected oasis of safety, and she allowed herself to sink into the feeling, to be enveloped by his strength.

"You're beautiful," Seth murmured, his voice rough with need and each word laced with awe. "Are you with me, Hope? Is this what you want? Do you know what you want? Shit. You're in no shape to give informed consent. Come on, baby, let's get you in your nightie and ready for bed.

Hope laughed. He was so cute. Why had she never noticed how adorable he was? Well, it was hard to get past all those gorgeous muscles and masculine swagger. His concern for her was the most soothing balm to her soul.

"Seth, I am in full possession of all of my faculties. So much so that if you don't agree to fuck me, I swear I'll go find an all-night chemist shop and buy a vibrator and make you watch while I get myself off."

That ought to convince him he wasn't about to take advantage of her, at least not in a way she didn't want him to. Stripping out of his clothes, he joined her on the bed and then did something unexpected: he kissed her belly, sending a flutter of butterflies dancing throughout her system. A shiver raced up her spine as he moved lower, parting her thighs with a gentle dominance that belied his fervent gaze.

"I've been dreaming about eating your pussy for years."

"Years?" she laughed.

"Just go with me on this, will you?"

"I'm sorry. I'll behave."

"See that you do," he said with mock severity, "or I'll spank your gorgeous ass and not in a way you'll like."

"Oh, you might be surprised what I like," she teased.

He grumbled something she couldn't quite make out as he began to explore her nether region with his tongue. Hope sighed. She remembered this from that aborted night in London. She'd have to remember to apologize to him for that but not to Fitz. He was still a bastard.

Seth's hands were a soft whisper against her heated skin, grazing her nipples and sending waves of pleasure coursing through her. She basked in the feel of him. Something about Seth made her forget everything else and just revel in the feelings—both physical and emotional—he evoked in her.

Hope moaned quietly, her hands fisting in the sheets. The tension within her coiled tighter, each pull of his lips drawing her closer to the same precipice he'd sent her over earlier in the night. He was patient, methodical, and relentless in pursuit of her pleasure and surrender.

"Seth," she gasped, her voice breaking on his name.

"Come for me, Hope," he murmured between kisses, his voice raw with desire. "I want you to come undone for me."

And she felt it, the build-up of something monumental. With shaky hands, she reached for her own nipples, pinching them to ramp up the maelstrom brewing within her. Seth slapped her hands away. "You don't touch yourself without my permission. You belong to me, Hope."

A part of her brain said she should disabuse him of that notion, but the other part of her brain that was enjoying the way he made her feel told her to just shut up and let him have his way. As long as he could make her feel the way he did, she really didn't care. The growl that rumbled from Seth vibrated against her core, his dominance stoking the fire within her even further.

"Seth, I, I can't…,"

"Yes, you can," he assured her, his dedication to her pleasure unwavering.

The world narrowed down to the sensation of his mouth, the mastery of his touch, and the overwhelming certainty that she was about to shatter into a million pieces. And when the orgasm overwhelmed her, it was like a supernova went off inside her, dazzling and all-consuming. Her back arched off the bed, every muscle tensed as wave after wave of ecstasy ripped through her body.

"Seth," she cried out, a testament to the wonder he had coaxed from within her depths. It was amazing, a revelation that left her breathless and clinging to the remnants of the earth-shattering bliss—now and earlier in the evening.

As the aftershocks of her climax subsided, Seth's movements became a languid crawl up her body. Her hands reached between them, finding him hard and insistent. She wrapped her fingers around his length. His breath caught as Hope began to stroke, a rhythmic pull that matched the still-rapid beating of her own heart.

"Seth," she murmured, feeling the raw power of his need pressing into her palm. "I want you. All of you."

The corners of his mouth lifted in the half-smile she had seen him bestow on so many others. Directed at her, it was filled with promise before his lips crushed against hers. The kiss was a maelstrom, devouring any remnants of restraint. There was only the two of them, the heat of their bodies entwined and the thundering pulse of desire that demanded fulfillment.

The head of his cock nudged the entrance to her core. With a strong, sensual push, he entered her, causing her to gasp in wonder. The fullness sent ripples of pleasure coursing through her.

"Seth…" The word was a sigh, a prayer, as she wrapped her legs around his waist, drawing him deeper. He moved within her, each thrust punctuated by a shared breath, a shared heartbeat. They moved in sync, a dance as old as time yet as fresh as the new desire blooming between them.

The world outside their bedroom ceased to exist. Nothing could touch her here, not the shadows of past doubts nor the whispers of former pain. In Seth's arms, entwined with his soul, she felt invincible.

Their pace and rhythm increased as he began to pound into her, a crescendo of motion and emotion that spiraled tighter with every thrust. The heat of his body created an inferno that promised to consume them both. Hope clung to Seth, her fingers digging into the cords of muscle along his back, each movement driving her closer to the edge yet again.

"Seth," she gasped, her voice hitching as the building pleasure coiled within her. With every stroke, he hit a depth that sent stars bursting behind her closed eyelids, and she cried out.

"Let go, Hope," he urged, his breath hot against her ear, his voice a rough whisper that wove through the haze of her senses. "I've got you."

And then, as if his words were the key to release the lock, the tension snapped. The explosion of bliss was blinding, all-consuming. Hope's body shook with the force of it, waves of ecstasy rolling through her in a relentless tide. She cried out again, the sound echoing off the walls, raw and full of wonder.

"God, yes… Hope," Seth groaned, his own release following close on the heels of hers.

She felt him shudder, his body tensing above her in powerful spasms and then collapsing, his weight a comforting pressure that anchored her to the here and now.

Lying beneath him, she held him close, feeling the aftershocks trembling through them both. A profound stillness enveloped the room, their mingled breaths the only sound. In that moment, wrapped in the sanctuary of Seth's arms, Hope dared to believe they might be given another shot at never being alone again.

"Stay with me," she whispered, almost hoping he didn't hear.

"Always," he answered, his lips tracing the curve of her shoulder, sealing the vow as he rolled from her body, dragging her close.

Hope lay in their bed, staring up at the ceiling, the events of the previous night playing on a loop in her mind. The sheets were cool against her skin, but the memory of Seth's warmth, the way he had held her so close, still lingered. She could feel the remnants of that connection, a deep-seated warmth that had nothing to do with the blanket wrapped around her.

It wasn't just the intensity of the scene they'd performed or the way Seth had looked at her with such fierce protectiveness when he'd helped her down from the cross. It was something more, something that went beyond the roles they were playing. She could still feel the press of his lips against her temple, the reassuring strength of his hands as he had wrapped her in the blanket and carried her to the private room.

But there was something else gnawing at the edges of her memory, something that had been obscured by the haze of exhaustion and endorphins. She remembered a knock on the door, the sound of it cutting through the quiet intimacy of the room. And then… a man. A man who had stepped inside, his presence unsettling in a way she couldn't quite define.

Had it been real? Or had it been some strange, residual dream tangled up with the aftermath of the night's events?

She needed to know.

Turning her head, she found Seth already awake, sitting at the edge of the bed, his back to her as he pulled on a shirt. The early morning light filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over his muscular frame. He looked calm, composed—everything she wasn't feeling at the moment.

"Seth," she said, her voice still rough with sleep. "Did someone visit us last night? After the scene?"

Seth paused, his hands stilling on the buttons of his shirt. He turned to look at her, his eyes dark and serious. "Yes," he said quietly.

Hope sat up, the blanket pooling around her waist as she focused on him. "Who was he? What did he want?"

Seth finished buttoning his shirt, then moved closer to her, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I'm pretty sure he was the owner of the club," he explained. "But more importantly, I think he's one of the higher-ups in the Obsidian Cartel."

Hope's heart skipped a beat, a surge of excitement flooding her veins. "Are you sure?" she asked, leaning forward, her voice filled with a mix of disbelief and anticipation.

Seth nodded; his expression serious. "It's not confirmed, but everything about him—his demeanor, the way he spoke, the way everyone in the club deferred to him—points to someone with significant power. And the fact that he came to see us personally… that's not something you ignore."

Hope's mind raced, the implications of Seth's words sparking a fire within her. This was exactly what they'd been hoping for, the ‘in' they needed to get closer to the cartel. If they had caught the attention of someone that high up, it meant they were on the right track, that their cover was working.

"This is it, Seth," she said, her excitement palpable. "We've got his attention. This could be our way in."

But Seth didn't look as thrilled as she felt. His brow was furrowed, his mouth set in a grim line. "I think it's more you who's caught his attention, Hope," he said, his voice carrying a note of concern. "And that's what worries me."

Hope frowned, dismissing his concern with a wave of her hand. "So, what if it's me? We need to exploit this, Seth. We've worked too hard to get this close, and we can't back off now."

Seth's jaw tightened, and she could see the tension in his shoulders as he leaned closer to her. "This isn't a game, Hope. This man—whoever he is—has taken a particular interest in you, and that puts you in a dangerous position."

"Dangerous?" Hope scoffed, shaking her head. "We've always known this was going to be dangerous, Seth. That's the nature of what we do. But we're professionals. We can handle it."

Seth's eyes flashed with frustration. "Neither of us have been field operatives for a while now. It's different this time. You're not just a pawn in some larger game—you're the target. And I'm not willing to put you at risk just because we think we're close to something."

Hope felt a spark of irritation. "I'm not some helpless damsel in distress, Seth. I know what I'm doing. We've got his attention, and we need to use that to our advantage."

"You're missing the point," Seth said, his voice low and controlled, though she could hear the underlying tension. "This isn't just about the mission anymore. If you become too important to him, if he decides he wants you for something more than just a club scene, we could lose control of the situation."

Hope stared at him, disbelief and frustration warring within her. "You're overreacting," she said, her tone dismissive. "We've both faced worse than this, and we've had people lose their lives because of the mole at Cerberus. We need to get this bastard."

"Because this time, it's you who's in the crosshairs," Seth snapped, his patience clearly fraying. "You're not thinking straight, Hope. You're too focused on the mission, and you're not seeing the bigger picture."

"The bigger picture?" Hope echoed, incredulous. "The bigger picture is that we have a chance to take down one of the most dangerous criminal organizations in the world. We can't let this slip through our fingers because you're getting cold feet."

"It's not about cold feet," Seth shot back, his voice rising slightly. "It's about keeping you safe. We can't afford to be reckless."

"Reckless?" Hope repeated, her temper flaring. "You think I'm being reckless? I'm doing what needs to be done, Seth. We can't afford to play it safe anymore."

Seth's eyes were stormy, his frustration and concern battling for dominance. "I don't want to lose you, Hope," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "Not to some power-hungry cartel leader who sees you as nothing more than a conquest."

Hope's heart clenched at the raw emotion in his voice, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the mission. "You won't lose me," she said, her voice firm. "We're in this together, and we'll see it through. But we have to take risks if we want to succeed."

Seth stared at her, his jaw clenched, his eyes searching hers as if he was trying to find some way to make her understand his fear. But Hope's mind was made up. They were too close to back down now, and she wasn't about to let anything—or anyone—stand in their way.

"Fine," Seth finally said, his voice tight. "But if this goes wrong, if you get in over your head, I'm pulling you out. I don't care what it costs us."

Hope nodded, though she knew in her heart that she wouldn't let him do that. "Agreed," she said, knowing that the tension between them was far from resolved but unwilling to back down.

Seth sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "Just… be careful, Hope," he said, his voice softer now, the fight leaving him. "Please."

"I will," she promised, her voice gentler as she reached out to touch his arm.

He looked at her, his eyes filled with a mixture of worry and something deeper, something that tugged at her heartstrings. But she forced herself to stay focused, to remember why they were doing this. They weren't the only ones at risk. They were so close. And she wasn't about to let anything slip through her fingers—not when they had a chance to finally bring down the Obsidian Cartel.

But as she looked at Seth and saw the concern etched into his features, a part of her couldn't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, he was right to be worried. The stakes were higher than ever, and the risks… the risks were more personal than she had ever imagined.