by Kim Baldwin
Alex was equally mesmerized. She couldn’t look away from Ariadne’s breasts, barely covered by her bikini top. The material was so sheer she could easily make out her erect nipples, beckoning her. “I want you naked. I’ve always wanted you naked.” She removed Ariadne’s top with one move. Her head was telling her not to stare like a schoolgirl, but she couldn’t help herself. “I want to feel you against me.” That’s all she could say.
Ariadne moved in and pressed her body against Alex’s. Both sighed, and someone—Alex wasn’t sure which of them—said something, but she was in such a haze of desire that words had ceased to matter.
She grabbed Ariadne’s ass and pulled her even closer, then buried her head in Ariadne’s neck and kissed her there. Trailing her mouth upward to Ariadne’s jaw and along her chin, she took her time, a teasing caress of the smooth, fragrant skin with her tongue and her lips, until she finally reached Ariadne’s mouth.
She kissed her slowly, deeply, and Ariadne returned the kiss in the same rhythm. Alex was getting so worked up she stopped to catch her breath before she came in her jeans.
She moved her mouth to Ariadne’s shoulders, then turned her around and kissed her neck. Her pelvis pressed hard against Ariadne’s ass and they moved together, against each other, for each other, creating a delicious friction that drove her higher. When she cupped Ariadne’s breasts in her hands, their breaths caught, and when she teased Ariadne’s nipples, Ariadne writhed against her.
“Oh, God.” Ariadne sighed. “You’re driving me crazy.”
“I haven’t even started.” Alex sounded breathless herself. She felt Ariadne slump against her as her knees buckled.
“I don’t know how long I can last,” Ariadne said.
“Let’s find out,” Alex whispered in her ear before she licked, then bit her earlobe. She turned Ariadne around and pushed her back onto the bed, then stripped off the bikini bottom, finally revealing all of Ariadne’s magnificent body.
“Now yours,” Ariadne said, as though in a trance.
Alex removed her jeans and boxers and stretched out on top of Ariadne, so they were flesh to flesh along the entire length of their bodies. She reveled in the sensation of Ariadne moving beneath her, in the invigorating scent of her hair and skin, and in that wonderful, provocative mouth as they kissed again.
Her arousal growing by the second, Alex broke the kiss and moved her mouth to Ariadne’s breasts.
“Yes! Suck hard.” Ariadne gasped.
Alex took one nipple, then the other, and sucked as hard as Ariadne instructed.
Ariadne put her hand on Alex’s head and pushed her deeper, harder, onto her breasts. “I love your mouth,” she said.
“I’m glad, because my mouth loves the way you feel.” Alex continued to lavish kisses down her body, skimming over the apex of her thighs and down her legs.
Ariadne moaned and mumbled something unintelligible. “Please,” she finally said, with a desperate urgency.
“Please, what?” Alex was lost in Ariadne’s scent.
“I need you.”
Alex slid up Ariadne’s body, and just as she reached Ariadne’s mouth to claim it with her own, Alex entered her.
The sensation made them moan with pleasure, though they never broke the kiss.
“Yes!” Ariadne gasped against Alex’s mouth and arched her back. “Please, don’t stop.”
Alex penetrated Ariadne with a slow, driving rhythm, taking her time, even when Ariadne pushed against Alex’s hand and signaled with her body that she wanted harder and faster strokes.
“Not yet,” Alex said. She continued to fuck her at her own pace while she slid down Ariadne’s body to lick her center.
“Oh my G—” Ariadne grabbed the sheets.
“Not yet,” Alex said again. Fucking Ariadne, driving Ariadne crazy, and Ariadne’s intense response were going to make Alex come, but she was enjoying her own painful torture too much to let it end. “Turn around,” she ordered, but didn’t wait for Ariadne to comply. Alex flipped her over and lay on top of Ariadne. She rubbed herself against Ariadne and pushed her own groin against Ariadne’s ass.
“Fuck me,” Ariadne begged, and groaned into the pillow.
Alex knelt behind her and lifted Ariadne’s pelvis. She caressed Ariadne’s breasts as she licked and kissed Ariadne’s back.
“Now!” Ariadne said, each successive plea spoken with greater urgency and need.
Alex repositioned herself and lifted Ariadne’s pelvis higher. She licked Ariadne’s already wet center from behind and entered her again.
“I…I’m…” With a loud groan, Ariadne came in Alex’s mouth. Alex continued to fuck her gently until Ariadne came again and dropped onto the bed, facedown.
Alex went to lie beside her and kissed and caressed her shoulders and her neck as Ariadne’s breathing calmed.
After a while, Ariadne turned over, onto her back, and looked up at her. “That was amazing.” She still sounded breathless.
“You’re amazing.” Alex smiled as she got on top of her. “And beautiful, and…and making love to you is all I want to do, forever.”
“I’ve fallen so hard,” Ariadne whispered.
“Show me.” Alex reached down and pushed into her again. “Because I can’t wait any longer.”
Ariadne writhed beneath her as she licked Alex’s throat, her ear, and her lips, before reclaiming her mouth for another deep, passionate kiss.
Her arousal was building so quickly Alex knew she was going to come soon.
Ariadne shifted beneath her and grabbed Alex’s ass with both hands. “Kneel on top of me. I want to taste you, now.”
Alex knelt above her and guided her throbbing crotch to Ariadne’s mouth.
Ariadne looked up at Alex and licked her lips provocatively. The expression of want and need in her eyes drove her crazy with desire.
Alex grabbed Ariadne’s head and moved it to her aching clit. “You’re so sexy.”
Ariadne kissed and licked everywhere but where she needed it most, then entered her slowly with her hand.
Alex almost lost her mind; she let go of Ariadne’s hair, afraid she’d hurt her, and grabbed the headboard. “Harder, baby.” She groaned in pleasure.
Ariadne sucked Alex, as she pumped harder, faster, deeper.
Alex moved in time with Ariadne, and seconds later, she came so hard her whole body went limp in the aftermath. It took a few moments for Alex to orient herself. Finally, she sagged back down onto the bed on top of Ariadne and buried her head in Ariadne’s neck.
“Tired already, stud?” Ariadne laughed.
Alex laughed as well. “Don’t you sound smug?”
“What can I say? I love to see you weak in the knees.”
“In that case, you should know that just looking at you leaves me breathless.”
Ariadne kissed Alex as she caressed her back and ass.
That was all it took.
“Okay, I’m good to go again,” Alex said.
Chapter Thirty-two
Colorado
Two days later
Joanne Grant prepared Monty’s lunch like she had every day since they finally started dating. She had always wanted to take care of the man she’d secretly loved for decades, and now that they could finally love each other without inhibitions and fear, she intended to make up for the lost years in every big and little way she could. Preparing a meal for the person she loved and sharing that time eating together had always been her idea of “home” and “family.” Joanne set their salads and a basket of fresh-baked bread on the tray and made her way over to his den.
She knocked on the door with her foot. “Lunch is ready,” she sang out. “Open up, my hands are full.” When no one answered, she repeated herself. “Monty, open up.”
Still no answer. Maybe he was in the bathroom. Joanna set the tray on the floor. “Bending over isn’t as easy as it used to be,” she mumbled to herself as she opened the door and picked the tray up again.
Monty sat in o
ne of the armchairs, his back to her, facing the large picture window that looked out over their view of the Rocky Mountains. He’d seemed unusually content and relaxed since getting the word that TQ was finally dead and Jaclyn was safely home with Cassady.
“Are you listening to music again?” she asked. Although he was wearing earphones, she could hear the music all the way to the door: a violin solo, no doubt the one Cassady had sent him last month from her performance with the Philadelphia Symphony. “I’m sure Cassady would appreciate you listening to her play without risking your hearing.”
He still didn’t answer as Joanne walked past him and set the tray on his desk. “Lunchtime!” she loudly announced. She hoped that now that he’d seen her he’d remove the earphones, but when she turned around, she saw that his eyes were shut, his head tilted back. Also, he was still in his robe and pajamas, which wasn’t like him, though she’d been nagging him in recent weeks to work less and relax more. “How can you sleep with the music so loud?”
Still no answer. Not wanting to scare him, she nudged him gently on the shoulder. “Time to wake up.” She reached down and removed his earphones.
“Monty?” she said when he didn’t react. “Sweetheart, wake up!” she called out, much louder, and shook him harder. So hard, his head fell forward, his chin resting on his chest.
But he still didn’t move.
A chill ran through her, and her heart started hammering so hard she could hardly breathe. “Oh, my God! Monty, are you okay?” She took his head in both of her hands and only then realized that his face was cold and his skin had started to stiffen.
“No!” Joanna wailed in anguish as reality hit home. “No! No! No! You can’t leave me!” She broke down, sobbing, as she pulled him to her chest, absentmindedly caressing his hair. “We just started.”
*
Colorado Springs
One week later
The church parking lot was already full, so David Arthur pulled the sedan into an open spot at the curb, then hurried around to open Joanne’s door. He’d been her rock since Monty’s death, helping to make all the arrangements and making sure that every op, past and present, had been notified with ample time to make travel arrangements. Ordinarily, their mourning the death of an op was a private affair, conducted within their secret campus and attended only by current staff and students. But Monty’s legacy and contribution to the organization deserved a wider tribute, and it was only fitting—in light of his own appreciation for family—that the spouses and children of ops be allowed to attend.
She’d hoped there would be a big turnout, which was why she’d chosen to have the wake in the massive cathedral, and she was gratified to see so many cars. Many of those who’d come were clustered in small groups on the front steps, visiting and catching up with old classmates. Misha and Kris were admiring Luka and Hayley’s daughter, Landis and Heather were chatting with Cassady, and Gianna and Zoe were catching up with Harper and Ryden. Alex was there, too, with the new woman in her life, and was introducing her around to the others. As she and David neared, the groups split up, and several came over to offer their condolences.
Luka spoke up first. “I’m sorry for your loss. We’re all going to miss him.”
Misha stepped in. “I mean, who’s going to badger me about my speeding tickets and dysfunctional disposition?”
“I can do that.” Cassady patted Misha on the back. “My condolences, Joanne. I can’t even begin to imagine what you’re going through.” Cassady looked like she’d been crying. “I already miss him so much.” Her voice cracked.
Thank you, everyone.”
“He was a good man,” Gianna said. “He was like a father to me.”
“A very strict and stubborn father, but the only father we’ve ever known.” Landis hugged Joanne. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.”
“Thank you, Landis. That’s very sweet.” Joanne had promised herself she wouldn’t have a meltdown in front of everyone, but they were all being so supportive she was finding it hard to hold back the tears. She looked past the group in front of her and saw Jack, standing off to the side, dressed in a black suit, as were many of the others. She was wearing shades and staring up at the sky.
“Excuse me, guys.” Joanne walked past them and went to stand next to Jack. “How are you?” she asked.
“I should be asking you.”
“I’m trying not to have a breakdown.”
“Yeah, I bet.” Jack continued to stare up at the sky.
“He loved you so much.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Do you really?”
“He told me where to find TQ,” Jack replied after a long while, still without looking at her. “He never said so, but he wanted me to…take care of her.”
“That’s right,” Joanne admitted.
“He knew I wouldn’t rest if I didn’t.”
“I guess he realized his time was up, and he didn’t want to leave you living in fear and anger.”
“Uh-huh.” Jack ran her hand through her hair and continued to stare up at the sky.
“He made sure you had plenty of backup.”
“Uh-huh.”
“You were his biggest regret and love.”
Jack turned to look at her finally.
“Up until the end,” Joanne said, “he regretted not telling you he was your father. And he never forgave himself for not pulling you out of Israel.”
Jack looked away. “No one’s perfect. He did what he thought was right. Like the rest of us, he was limited by rules and screwed-up laws. He was just another EOO victim.”
Joanne saw a tiny tear escape to Jack’s cheek.
“He was a good man trapped in a bad situation,” Jack said.
Joanne could see how hard she was trying to maintain her composure. She took Jack’s hand. “Maybe it’s time for new rules.”
Jack looked down at their entwined hands. “Yeah, well…I hope you change things for the new generation.”
“It’s going to take more than me and David to do that. We’re going to need someone with a lot more strength than we possess. Someone younger and more potent.”
Jack smiled. “Good luck with that.”
“It’s time.” David appeared by her side and took Joanne’s arm. “Shall we go in?”
Joanne took a deep breath to steel herself and nodded.
“Join me?” She extended her other arm to Jack.
“It would be my honor.”
The church was packed, and as they came down the aisle, familiar faces reached out to her or offered a few words of sympathy. Many she hadn’t seen in decades and barely recognized; others had several children in tow, some taller than their parents. They’d come from all over the world to acknowledge the man who’d been their first and only father figure, despite the often horrific missions he’d sent them on, which spoke volumes about their respect for him and the ever-loyal unity of the organization.
As they passed the flag-draped coffin, Joanne paused to lay her hand on the side. “Your family is all here, darling,” she whispered. “As I knew they would be.”
Beside her, David swiped away a tear as he escorted her to the podium before taking a seat in the front row.
Joanne looked out over the gathering as the cathedral went silent. She took out the piece of paper she’d found in his desk and laid it on the podium. “Montgomery spent his life living in the shadows,” she said, “but I want his death to reflect his heart, full of openness and generous light.” Her voice trembled. “I know Montgomery was not the easiest man, nor was he the type to wear his heart on his sleeve, but he was a man capable of so much love and respect for the family he created. Not a day went by that he didn’t ask how each and every one of you was doing or performing, including those of you who have long gone from the academy and are living your lives all over the planet or retired.”
She looked down at the casket. “I have loved Monty from the day I first saw him, but that was back in the day w
hen ops were forbidden to express or give in to their feelings. We didn’t express and let our love for each other live and grow until time had started to run out.”
Grief took over as she imagined going on without him in the cozy home they’d built together, and Joanne sobbed aloud. It took her several seconds to compose herself enough to continue, but still, not a sound could be heard in the church. “Our time together as a couple was brief, but our love has existed for decades and will only grow stronger in preparation for when I see him again.” She broke down again and dropped her head, letting the tears fall freely.
Jack jumped up and ran to her side. “What can I do?” She sounded almost desperate.
“I need to finish this,” Joanne replied.
“You sure?”
She nodded. “That’s what he wanted.”
Jack hugged her reassuringly and took her seat again in the front row.
“Please forgive me,” Joanne said to everyone. “I…I.” She looked around the room. “He wanted me to read this.”
She unfolded the paper and reached into her pocket for her reading glasses. “I know this is not the time or the place for professional announcements, but since I’m already dead, I don’t give a damn about what any of you may think.”
Low laughter was heard throughout the church.
Joanne’s hands shook but she didn’t care. “The reading of my formal will, with specifics about my possessions and the future of the EOO, will be conducted by my attorney with only a select few present. That includes the official announcement of who my chosen replacement as chief of the EOO will be. But until that happens, and since I would like to think that most of you made it to my funeral, I want it to be known that I, Montgomery Pierce, hand the position over to my daughter, Jaclyn Harding.”
The collective gasp was so loud Joanne looked up from the paper in front of her. Jack had bolted to her feet in shock at the announcement, and all eyes were on her.
“Please, sit down. There’s more,” Joanne said to Jack, looking over her spectacles.
Everyone immediately hushed, and she waited until Jack had taken her seat. Joanne cleared her throat and continued. “Should Jaclyn refuse the position, I leave it up to Joanne and David to elect a new third for the Governing Trio. I, however, think that there is only one person who can carry my position forward with openness, fairness, and dedication, and that is my daughter. She has been, is, and will always be a much stronger, more capable, and better leader than I could be. I expect everyone to show nothing but respect for her decisions and do everything in their power to make this transition smooth and welcoming.”
