Chapter 9

CHAPTER NINE

Turmoil

Warmth engulfs my cock, a delicious suction pulling me from the depths of slumber.

Fluttering my eyes open, I lift my head to find Seraphina's golden-brown hair splayed across my lap, her luscious lips wrapped around my hardening shaft.

What the hell?

After the mind-blowing sex we had all night, she's hungry for more already?

Not that I'm complaining.

A groan escapes my throat as her tongue swirls around the sensitive head.

She glances up at me through her lashes, slate gray eyes smoldering with lust.

The sight nearly makes me blow my load right then and there.

I tangle my fingers in her silky tresses, guiding her mouth up and down. "Damn, baby. You're insatiable," I rasp, voice still gravelly with sleep.

She releases me with a wet pop, lips curving in a wicked grin. "I woke up craving your cock. Hope you don't mind."

I flex my hips, pushing myself deeper into her welcoming mouth. "Mind? Sweetheart, you can wake me up like this anytime."

Sera takes me to the back of her throat, humming with pleasure.

The vibrations send shockwaves straight to my balls.

I throw my head back against the pillow, losing myself to the feel of her hot, wet mouth working me like a pro.

Fuck, this woman will be the death of me, and what a way to go.

Just when I'm about to explode, Sera pulls off and straddles my hips in one fluid motion.

Gripping my cock, she sinks down inch by delicious inch until I'm buried to the hilt inside her tight pussy.

"Oh fuck," I groan, hands flying to her waist.

Her slick walls clench around me like a vice.

Sera starts to move, rolling her hips in a sinful rhythm.

She braces her hands on my chest, using the leverage to ride me hard and fast.

Her perfect tits bounce with every thrust, begging to be touched.

I sit up and capture a rosy nipple in my mouth, flicking it with my tongue.

She cries out, fingers digging into my shoulders.

I lavish the same attention on its twin, reveling in her breathy moans.

"Abe... I'm so close," Sera pants, picking up the pace.

I can feel her start to flutter around my cock.

I slide a hand between us to rub tight circles on her clit. "That's it, baby. Come for me."

With a keening cry, her body goes taut and she comes apart in my arms, shaking and clenching.

The sensation rips through me like a freight train and I follow right after, spilling deep inside her with a guttural moan.

We collapse back on the bed, sweat-slicked and sated.

Sera curls into my side, head pillowed on my heaving chest.

For a moment, there's only the sound of our ragged breaths as we float down from the high.

"This doesn't change anything, you know," she murmurs after a stretch of silence. "We're just having fun. Blowing off steam. Don't go getting any ideas."

I chuckle lowly, carding my fingers through her damp hair. "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I know the score. We're friends who like to fuck, that's all."

"Good." She traces idle patterns on my abs. "I'm glad we're on the same page then."

Friends with benefits.

I can handle that.

No feelings, no complications.

Just two people enjoying each other's bodies.

So why does the word friend sit so heavy on my tongue?

Why do I crave more than just her sinful curves and wicked mouth?

I shove the traitorous thoughts aside.

Don't be a pussy, Turmoil.

You're not built for more, and this is an undercover op for the club.

This couldn't be more even if I wanted it to be.

We lay tangled together, heartbeats slowly returning to normal as the sweat cools on our skin.

Sera's slim fingers trail over the ink adorning my bicep, tracing the intricate Aztec patterns.

The simple touch ignites fresh sparks of desire, but I tame it down.

Fuck, I need to at least give the girl a minute to recover.

After a stretch of easy silence, Sera sits up abruptly, running a hand through her tousled golden-brown locks. "All right, up you get. I'm going to make us a proper breakfast."

She slides out of bed, all long limbs and luscious curves, and saunters over to her wardrobe.

I prop myself up on my elbows, unabashedly admiring the view as she slips into a short silk robe the color of ripe cherries.

It clings to her figure, hinting at the delights underneath.

Noticing my appreciative gaze, Sera smirks and tosses my boxers at my face. "Eyes up here, Casanova. Kitchen, five minutes. Don't keep me waiting."

I flash her a mock salute. "Yes, ma'am."

She rolls her stunning slate eyes and glides out of the bedroom, the scent of her perfume lingering behind her.

Shaking my head with a grin, I haul myself out of the tangled sheets and tug on my underwear.

This woman will be the death of me, I swear.

I find Sera in the penthouse's massive chef's kitchen, already pulling ingredients from the gleaming Sub-Zero fridge.

The space is all sleek lines and top-of-the-line appliances, fit for a fucking Food Network show.

I stop in the entryway, leaning a shoulder against the wall and drinking in the sight of her puttering around in front of the stove.

Domestic goddess is a good look on her.

Sera throws a cheeky glance at me over her shoulder as she sets a frying pan on the gas range. "You gonna stand there gawking all day or you gonna make yourself useful, hotshot?"

"Hey, you're the one who wanted to cook. I'm just here to provide the eye candy." I cross to her side and peer at the array of foods spread across the granite countertop. Eggs, sausages, beans, mushrooms, tomatoes... "Damn, princess, you preparing for the apocalypse or something? There's enough here to feed an army."

"It's called a full English, you uncultured swine." She bumps me with her hip, a playful glint in her eyes. "And I'll have you know it's the breakfast of champions. Figured you could use a hearty meal after our little cardio session."

"Oh, is that what we're calling it?" I loop an arm around her waist and nuzzle her neck, nipping at the tender skin below her ear. "In that case, I wouldn't mind seconds... or thirds..."

She shivers, head falling back on a breathy sigh, before swatting at me with a dishtowel. "Behave yourself or no breakfast for you!"

"Fine, fine, I'll be good." Holding my hands up in surrender, I put some distance between us and lean back against the kitchen island. "Gotta say though, I wouldn't have pegged you as the domestic type."

"I'm full of surprises." Her lips quirk as she expertly cracks eggs into the pan one-handed. "Contrary to what you might think, I'm not just a spoiled girl. I happen to enjoy cooking. Picked up a few tricks from our family chef growing up."

Huh. Guess there are hidden depths to Seraphina Bernard.

Depths I find myself eager to explore, despite my better judgment.

I watch, equal parts captivated and turned on, as she moves around the kitchen with fluid grace—frying sausage links to golden brown perfection, sautéing mushrooms until tender, grilling tomato halves to a nice char.

The mouthwatering scent of the feast-to-be fills the air, making my stomach rumble in anticipation.

Damn, I could get used to this.

"Hope you've worked up an appetite," Sera says as she plates up two heaping servings and carries them over to the breakfast bar. "Bon appétit!"

We dig in, and holy fuck is it good.

The flavors explode on my tongue—rich, savory, satisfying.

I practically inhale the first few bites, grunting in appreciation.

Sera watches me, a smug little smile playing about her lips. "Good?"

"Your Majesty, if you cook like this all the time, I might just have to wife you up." The words slip out unthinkingly between mouthfuls of egg and sausage.

Her smile falters, eyes shuttering. "Don't start."

What the hell was I thinking?

She's my target, and I'm just a convenient fuck to her, nothing more.

I force a cocky grin.

"Just joking. We both know I'm not the marrying kind anyway." I stuff another forkful in my mouth to keep from saying something else stupid.

The tension broken, Sera digs into her own plate, humming contentedly.

We eat in companionable silence for a few minutes, just enjoying the food and the moment of peace.

Sera pauses, fork poised over her eggs, and looks at me thoughtfully. "You know, cooking has always been a passion of mine. Ever since I was a little girl." Her voice takes on a wistful note. "It's one of the things that calm me, centers me. No matter what chaos is going on in my life, I can always find peace in the kitchen. What about you?"

My mind immediately flashes to the roar of my bike beneath me, the rush of wind, the freedom of the open road.

But I can't tell her that, not without revealing too much about my true nature.

I settle for a half-truth instead. "Riding around, I guess." I shrug, keeping my tone casual. "I like to see the scenery, travel, check out the national parks. Just get away from it all for a while, you know?"

It's utter bullshit, but Sera seems to buy it, nodding thoughtfully. "That sounds lovely, actually. Peaceful."

A mischievous glint enters her eye. "We should go sometime. To a park, I mean. Go for a hike, get some fresh air..." She trails off suggestively.

An image rises unbidden in my mind—Sera in tiny shorts and a sports bra, all long legs and glistening skin as we trek through the wilderness.

I nearly choke on my toast.

"Yeah," I manage hoarsely. "Yeah, that'd be good."

She flashes me a playful grin, clearly enjoying my flustered reaction, then turns back to the stove to dish up the rest of the food.

"So tell me more about yourself, Abe. What's your story?"

I hesitate, chewing slowly to buy myself time.

I can hardly give her my whole history.

"Not much to tell, really," I murmur. "Just your typical uninteresting guy, I guess. Work, go for a ride in the Stang, repeat." I flash her a grin, hoping to charm my way out of any deeper probing.

But Sera is relentless. "What about your family? Are you close with them? I know from last night you're not close with your father."

An image of my old man flashes through my mind.

The scowl that never seems to leave his grizzled face.

The perpetual disappointment in his eyes when he looks at me.

I shove a forkful of eggs in my mouth, swallowing past the sudden tightness in my throat. "I have a mother and two little sisters. My relationship is better with them, but I hardly ever get to see them. They live in California."

Sera's face softens with sympathy. "I'm so sorry, Abe. That must be really tough to be so far away from them."

She reaches out to lay her hand over mine, her touch gentle and soothing.

I have to resist the urge to turn my palm up and lace our fingers together.

"What about you?" I ask gruffly, desperate to shift the focus off my own messed up family dynamic. "You close with your folks?"

Sure, I already know everything I need to, but she doesn't know that.

Something flickers in Sera's eyes and her hand withdraws.

For a moment I think I've overstepped, but then she sighs. "My mum and I are quite close, yes. She's an incredible woman. Strong, brilliant, determined. I admire her more than anyone."

Pride suffuses her voice and I can't help but feel a pang of envy.

I wonder what it could be like to think of my father in that manner.

I prod gently. "And your dad?"

Sera's smile fades and she drops her gaze to her plate. "He passed away. When I was very young."

"Shit, Sera. I'm sorry."

"It's all right." She waves off my condolences, but the brightness has dimmed from her eyes. "It was a long time ago."

An awkward beat passes as we both poke at our food.

I scramble for something to say, hating the sudden sadness that hangs between us.

But then Sera clears her throat and when she looks up at me again, her expression is clear and calm. "Anyway. My grandfather helped my mum a lot after that. He's a good man. They're both quite well off, and they've made sure I want for nothing. I'm very fortunate, really."

I nod, a little thrown by the abrupt switch in gears. "That's great that you have that kind of support system."

And I mean it.

Even if a small, shameful part of me resents her a little for it.

Still, hearing Sera open up like that, letting me in even just a little bit—it settles something in my chest.

Makes me feel like this is real, despite the reason I'm here in the first place.

It almost makes me feel like maybe there's a chance for something true between us after all, but it wouldn't be possible.

I have to keep reminding myself she's a means to an end.

She can't be anything more.

I finish up the last few bites of my breakfast, feeling pleasantly full and utterly satisfied in more ways than one.

Sera's an amazing cook, and the combination of good food and even better company has me feeling more content than I have in a long while.

But all good things must come to an end, and I know I need to get back to the apartment.

With a sigh, I push back from the table and stand up, stretching languidly.

"That was delicious, but I should probably get going."

Sera stands too, a playful glint in her eye as she saunters over to me. "Mm, I suppose you're right. Wouldn't want you to wear out your welcome."

She runs a finger down my bare chest and I shiver, desire sparking through me despite the night we just spent thoroughly exploring each other.

I grab her hand, bringing it to my lips to press a kiss to her palm.

"Trust me, Your Majesty. The welcome is definitely still there." I give her a heated look, letting my gaze roam over her silk-clad curves. "Last night was...otherworldly. I'm damn sure we'll be doing that again. And again. And again..."

Sera laughs, low and sultry, and leans in close.

Her breath ghosts over my ear as she murmurs, "Promises, promises. You know where to find me, Abe. Don't be a stranger."

Then she pulls back with a wink, leaving me aching and more than a little frustrated.

I shake my head, knowing she's just playing with me.

And damn if I don't love every second of it.

I head to the bedroom to grab my clothes, my mind whirling.

The way Sera affects me, the way she makes me feel—it's dangerous.

I can't afford to lose focus, not when the stakes are so high.

But as I pull on my shoes, I can't seem to wipe the smile off my face.

I can't stop replaying every moment of the last twelve hours in exquisite detail.

I'm in trouble. And for once, I'm not so sure I want to get out of it.