by Honor James
“You are my everything, David,” she said as she looked over her shoulder at him. “When I am worried, I turn to you. When I’m scared, I turn to you. I’m able to always turn to you. You are my rock. You are my everything,” she said with a smile. It was the honest-to-goodness truth, too.
“I didn’t know you felt that way,” he said, his voice softer and so very serious. “Shit, you really have to start telling me this stuff, Hope. Did I mention I’m a dense man when it comes to you? Notes, skywriters, dancing elephants with mimes acting out what you need to tell me. Need this shit in my face and seriously not subtle. I don’t get subtle.”
“Well now you know,” she whispered just for him. This was for them, not anyone else. “Just know that you are now and always mine. You are always going to be my rock. You are always going to be my forever. We are good as long as we are in this together. I’m your rock and you are mine.” Always and forever more now that she knew how he felt as well.
Kissing her gently, David held her tight to him. “Damn it, woman,” he muttered. “You always say the sweetest things and throw me right off balance.” Brushing a kiss to her cheek, he let out a slow breath against her neck. “You got me through the aftermath of that mission,” he admitted quietly.
“Without you there, talking to me, bullying me, I likely would have just said fuck it and given in. You kept me going and made me want to get better just so I could paddle your fucking ass for the language you used and the damn insults,” he mumbled.
Hope grinned and bit her lower lip. “Promise? On the paddling my ass?” She was teasing, mostly, and he knew it. He knew that she would never turn down anything that would bring them together. “Now, wash me, husband,” she demanded. “Please?” It was a purred sound, that was true.
“Always,” he said quietly. Pressing a kiss to her shoulder, he drew back and took the soap and cloth from her. Rubbing the cloth to it, he turned her a little and began to wash her slowly. The cloth brushed lightly over an abrasion on her skin and he seemed intent on getting every inch at least twice.
Hope turned so that she could brace her hands on the wall of the shower and let her head drop so she could simply feel. Biting her lower lip, she whimpered, licked her lips and then shuddered once more. “That feels so good.” Everything that he did to her made her happy, everything he did to her excited her in every possible way that there was.
David stopped on her back, just when she was enjoying it, too. But he started on her feet and ankles, which quickly led to her legs and even more interesting sensations. He was teasing her while washing her up, getting close, but not close enough each and every time he slid the cloth up her inner thighs.
Spreading her legs for David, she shivered, from her toes to her hair, and bit her lower lip. “David.” She moaned his name. She couldn’t stop from doing just that. This felt too good to let go of. “Don’t stop,” she whispered. She might be a masochist, but she loved what he was doing to her, teasing her and holding her on that edge.
“Wasn’t planning on it, darling,” he said with a husky laugh. Then he bit her left buttock. Not hard, but with a bit of force and slight scraping of his teeth. At the same time, he flicked his cloth-covered finger very lightly to her swollen clit.
“Oh God, that felt so good.” It was so weird, but she really liked the way that had felt. She began to move on him, she began to rub her body against his cloth-covered hand and pressed her forehead to the shower wall. “More, I need you with me, David. Come on.” She was so close. So very, very close.
His hand, and the cloth, fell away. It left her vibrating right on the edge of an orgasm. She could feel it pulsating through her body, the need clanging away. But there was hope, she could feel his cock at her opening, rubbing through her slick heat slowly.
Lifting up on her tiptoes, Hope pushed back against David. “Please,” she whimpered. She was so very close. She was riding that edge, needed to fall over but she couldn’t, no, she wouldn’t without him there with her. “You want me as much as I do you, David. Please.” He was holding back, though—why? Why was he holding back?
Catching her hips, David held her in a tight grip, his cock poised at her entrance, just penetrating her. “I love you,” he whispered in her ear, his voice low and so intimate. Then he bit her shoulder and shoved his cock into her in a deep, hard stroke.
Hope literally lifted from her toes for just a moment as David slid deep into her body with that one hard stroke. It was perfect, and had her crying out as well. He knew she loved him, so right now all she needed to focus on was breathing. Pushing back against him, using the wall for leverage, she gave as good as she got from her lover.
It was hard and fast, lots of moaning, grunting and little pleas to have more. David gave her everything she wanted and she gave back to him all she had. When they reached the pinnacle, it was an explosion. No other word for it and, if not for his quick thinking, they might have had concussions on top of it all. But he kept them from taking a tumble by some miracle and they held one another tight as they fought to breathe.
Hope was panting right along with David. Finally, a smile curved her lips and she was able to move slightly. “Perfect. Remind me to want this again when we get home, David. That was utterly remarkable.” It was beyond remarkable. It was amazing. “I will never get enough of you, husband.” And she wouldn’t, either. She would never have enough of loving him.
Chuckling, he gave her a slight squeeze. “I can’t wait until we do this as actual man and wife the first time,” he said. He kept his voice really quiet for that, so much so she had to strain to hear it, but hear it she did. Kissing her cheek, David straightened up enough to brace one of his hands on the tile, his other still holding her up.
Hope nodded, her heart swelling. “Me too.” Her voice was just as low as his. This was their shared moment, their time. It was not for anyone but them and them alone. “I hope that day does come sooner rather than later. It would be wonderful, honestly. I truly do want to have that day as soon as we can.”
Pressing a kiss to her cheek, he slid from her body and turned her around in his arms. “When we get home, we’ll work it all out. But, for now”—he made a face—“I think my toes are starting to prune,” he said, just a little bit above normal. “You getting out, too, darling?” he asked, moving to the door and pressing it open slightly.
“I am.” She turned in the water and looked up at him. When he offered her his hand, she lay hers in his trustingly and stepped out of the shower, both of them grabbing heated towels so that they could start to dry off. “Are you feeling better now?” she asked hopefully.
“Much, thank you,” he said, wrapping the towel around his waist. Leaning over, he brushed a kiss to her lips. “What are your thoughts on doing a casual dinner out? Maybe one of the pubs so we can get a pint and something like the bar food back home.”
“I think that sounds wonderful. Somewhere that has real German beer and not the stuff that the hotel is trying to pass off as German beer.” Yeah, there was a difference. “Casual sounds good. I will get changed, do you want to call a car for us?”
“We’ll walk, there’s a place only three blocks away and it’s a gorgeous night out. Just dress comfortable and bring a jacket. I think I heard the concierge mention the temperatures are supposed to dip a bit this evening.” Padding into the bedroom ahead of her, he went into the closet and pulled out one of two pairs of jeans he had. Her wardrobe was the same. Even their casual clothing was high end and way outside her usual budget. Thank you FBI for that!
Once she was dressed, Hope brushed her short brown hair until it shone once again and smiled. “All right. I’m ready,” she said, after putting on just a swoop of lip gloss. After all no über-rich woman would be caught dead anywhere without at least some makeup on.
Pocketing his phone and wallet, David took her hand in his. “As gorgeous and sexy as ever.” He smiled at her. Winking, he tucked her hand through his arm and they left the suite. In the hallway, they ha
d a little breathing room, and they knew for a fact there were no listening devices out there. Unfortunately, the elevator and their room were another thing entirely.
Very quietly, she whispered to him. “I feel eyes.” She was sure that he felt them as well. They were being watched. By whom, she didn’t know, but she did know that someone was watching them and it didn’t feel like their guys either. Hugging his arm close, she smiled up at him adoringly and laughed randomly.
Dipping his head to kiss her, he brushed his nose over hers in a nod. “I feel them too. We’ll stick together at all times. No matter what, we don’t get separated.” Another kiss and he leaned his head back in a loud laugh as he looped his arm around her shoulders.
“Agreed.” She wrapped her arm around his waist and hugged him close. “Now then, I’m starving. I really am. I think that we should totally find the closest place that we can and duck in for food. Oh, maybe they will have some of those deep fried chips for me.”
“It’s not far,” he said, holding her close to his side. They were walking along like they were window shopping, but she knew that David was using each excuse to pause and look at something closer as a way to try and identify who was watching them. Just as she was doing. “See.” He finally pointed ahead of them. “Told you it wasn’t that far from the hotel.”
“Oh you are very good. And I can smell it, too. It smells wonderful.” She leaned in closer and whispered, “Nine o’clock, glasses and plaid hat.” She rubbed her cheek to David’s shoulder and hugged his arm tightly. “Come on, feed me.”
“Like you even need to state the obvious,” he said, tapping her nose with a light finger. “Couple to your three, blond in the red dress and he’s got that hideous plaid tie,” he said quietly. “How about that table there?” he asked, pointing out an empty one that gave them about six to ten options for departing in a hurry. Twelve, if she got really creative.
“Looks like that’s our table.” She slid into the booth and waited for him to choose to sit at her side or across from her. Either way, it would leave them vulnerable looking, and that was what they wanted people to think. That they were harmless.
David slid in across from her, which was likely the best call. It let them each see roughly half of the pub and, hopefully, would give them a bit of an advantage. Not a great one, but a little. Grabbing up a menu, David passed it over before taking the second one. “So, thoughts on food? Should we just get a big appetizer platter or go for an actual meal?”
“Big appetizer platter to start with and if we want, we will get food in a bit. I think we should settle in and spend some time here. It might be worth our while to do so?” The question was there in her eyes. She had a feeling they wouldn’t be approached while the place was as busy as it was right now.
“Might be a plan,” he nodded and waved down a server. Switching over to halting German, he pointed out what they wanted and asked for two jumbo pints of cold beer. Just bad enough to sound plausible, yet not so bad that anyone would know it was all faked. Like her, David spoke fluent German and a few other languages they’d both needed over the years. Like her, he also knew how to fake a touristy appearance when required.
“I’m so glad that you ordered for us, darling, because I don’t think I could have said one word that you did.” She knew the role she played, and she played it well. This wasn’t their first time playing as they were, just the first time she played his wife. “I really hope that they have ketchup here.” A major faux pas for anyone in any country other than America, she knew, and one that she pulled out pretty often. It seemed to set people at ease, which was completely weird, she knew.
“Highly doubtful, my love, but we shall inquire when the server returns. Unfortunately that isn’t in my vocabulary,” he added, digging out his phone he began to muck with it. “Ketchup,” he said into the microphone. “Ha! There is a word for it in German. Though how you say it…damn, no clue. Maybe I’ll save what little dignity I still have and just show the man the word on my phone.”
“I think that would be a good idea. We would have gone to one of the American places, but they don’t seem to have the better food. Too bad that the waiters here don’t speak English. Really, everyone should, don’t you think?”
“Now, love of my life, we can’t be putting our standards on everyone we meet. Especially when it is their country. We expect people to speak English in ours because that’s our language, but in their country, they should at least have the respect of us attempting their native tongue. Though, they probably wished I hadn’t.” He laughed and threw her a wink.
“This is a very good point. I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be so crass but it would simplify life immeasurably if we all spoke the same language, wouldn’t it?” She stroked her hand over his, a smile on her lips and her eyes watching everything that was going on around them.
“It would, but then how would we ever talk about someone right in front of them if everyone could understand us?” he asked. Lifting her hand, David kissed her palm gently before nipping at the heel of her hand. Just then, the server returned with their beers and set them down. Catching his attention, David, again in horribly mangled German, asked him about the ketchup. The look on the server’s face was pained, to say the least, but he gave a slow nod before darting off. “Well, I guess they do get the occasional American in here. I’m pretty sure they have it, darling.”
“Wonderful. That will make the fries so very much tastier,” she mused aloud and smiled. Tapping the tabletop twice with her ring finger, she signaled to David that they had two people that were very, very interested in what they were saying, two people that were behind him. “I do so hope that you are able to find me what I would like to have. You know it is my birthday coming up,” she mused, teased aloud.
“Really? Already?” He grinned at her. “Didn’t you just have one last year around this time?” He laughed when she smacked his fingers. Catching her hand, he squeezed her fingers lightly. He’d gotten the message. Sitting back, he tossed his arm up over the top of the booth seat, hitting the guy there. “Oh, sorry. You all right, my man?” he asked, turning to look at the pair there.
“It’s fine,” the guy grunted.
“Let me get you both a refill for me and my flopping wings, the least I can do,” David offered, already signaling the server.
“It’s fine, no need,” the other said, his eyes darting around.
“No, really, that was too rude of me and I need to make it right.” To the server David mangled the request for two new drinks for the guys behind him. As the server nodded, without a wince this time, he smiled. “Again, sorry about that,” he told them before facing Hope again.
Winking at her, he took her hand in his and kissed her fingers. Sneaky man had ensured they’d both gotten a good look at the two men. “So, where were we? Oh yes, your birthday. What would you like to have, my darling wife, for this year’s celebration of you being brought into this world and making it a better place?”
“Diamonds. I want diamonds this year. I know last year was emeralds, but this year I want diamonds. Black, or clear, I just want diamonds,” she said smoothly, with a soft smile that was far easier to pull off than she dared to dream.
Smiling slowly, he nodded. “I can do diamonds,” he said with a chuckle. “Now, how many do you want, and in what sort of setting? Necklace, bracelet, earrings or a combination of all three?” he asked in a low, intimate tone.
“All of the above, please. You and I both know just how much you love to see me in jewels and nothing more than that.” She all but purred. “The more the better. After all, this is my thirty-fifth birthday and those only come around once in a lifetime, right?”
“Depending on the woman, they can come around three or four times.” He grinned. “You are right though, I do love seeing you in nothing but a few glittering gems. Or nothing at all,” he murmured for her ears only, and the guys behind him. “We’ll have to do some intensive shopping, I think.”
“I do b
elieve that you are right. I would dearly love a necklace, bracelet and earrings all that match. Perhaps even one of those belly chains with a diamond drop on it, if you could find one that was large enough? Diamond, that is,” she added playfully, both of them playing up to the crowd, so to speak.
“Darling, you just tell me what is big enough and I will source it out. Nothing is too good for you and, as always, don’t even waste a moment of worry about the cost.” Lifting her hand, he kissed each of her fingers lightly. Nipping at her forefinger, he sucked it lightly into his mouth and teased her skin lightly.
“That sounds so very nice to me,” she said with a happy smile. “I look forward to it, actually. I think that we should ensure that our jeweler knows what we want. Or is there someone here that we could work with? What do you think, darling?”
“My sweet love, no matter where you are in the world, if you speak to the right people you can always find what you need.” Smiling, he squeezed her fingers and let her hand go as the server approached. Clapping his hands together, David grinned up at the young man as he set everything down and even presented them with a bottle, small though it was, of ketchup.
She clapped her hands and smiled. “Wonderful! I knew that you would be able to do this. I knew that just asking you for something would mean that I would get it. And look.” She held up the ketchup as if it were a prize. “They even gave me ketchup. Wonderful.”
Shaking his head at her, David took a drink of his beer, rolling his eyes at her. Licking his lips, he set the glass back down and then leaned forward on his elbows. “Well, dig in. Just remember, leave some of the fries untouched by that, would you, dearest?”
“Of course I will, darling. I know that you don’t care for it as much as I do.” She truly hated ketchup, to be perfectly honest, but it always worked in the past to get them what they needed while on foreign soil. “All that matters is that I will have my ketchup and you will have your…whatever it is that you put on yours.”
