Authors Note: This chapter is rated *thinks for a while* urm … … R (?) or NC-17 (?) … … well adult themes as per normal and rated more for innuendo … … Trying a new style of writing so feel free to be as critical as you like!
And thanks so much for reading and leaving me those wonderful comments as always!
*Yan*: Yes, I'm trying to speed up the story a little! They are actually around fifteen and sixteenish (if there is such a word)! Is the girl Makino? Well … … I actually left some hints in this chapter to answer your questions, but I don't know if they are too subtle! I hope you pick them up … … :)
kensingtonkid: Hi hi! Ah, you suspect the girl is Makino too? Excellent deduction with regards to Shizuka! I didn't know if it was explicit enough that Shizuka was Cleo and in case anyone is wondering why her nickname is Cleo (seeing that J loves giving code names that tie in with their characters), it is the short for Queen Cleopatra in ancient Egypt – the embodiment of beauty, intelligence and regal. Thanks for your kind comments and I'm glad you like angst too!
Piglet: Wow, I really enjoyed reading your speculations. It is interesting to know how others feel and decipher the story. The most asked question this time round: Is SHE Tsukushi? What do you think after reading this chapter? I left a few subtle hints and am looking forward to seeing what you think after reading this! ;) Thanks for your lovely comments!
Shari: Hi! The response to your statement is hinted at in this chapter !!! I hope the answer isn't too subtle because I don't think there will be a direct answer in the story. I will wait until the next chapter or so before providing the answer direct! Hopefully by then you will all have "discovered" it!
ToinKs: And your hunch is ???? Now, you're making me extremely curious as well !!! ;) I hope your hunch is in line with mine!!!
Rui: Sheen stop trying to act mysterious for goodness sake, you are so not succeeding.
Sheen: Can I ask you a question?
Rui: That in itself is a question.
Sheen: Hey, you're right!
Rui *rolls eyes*
Sheen: Is that girl in the last chapter and this Shizuka, sorry I meant Makino Tsukushi?
Rui: I take the fifth … …
Sheen: Come on, you should know very well. Why you actually … …
Rui *turning a little pink* That's enough, I'm not telling! *Sulking off*
Lian : Hi, thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment !!!! And between, when will you be updating? So do you think the lady is Tsukushi or not? You seem to imply that you don't think she is Tsukushi? I hope you'll find the answer in this chapter!!
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Chapter 13 – Shadow in the Night
As time passed, we grew more relaxed. I was downing my fifth vodka (did I mention that I had a rather high tolerance for alcohol because of my drinking stint?) when the door opened and she slipped in quietly.
"Everything went as planned," her voice was a little low but had a calming quality. We all heaved a sigh of relief.
"J says to finish up as per discussed," she said. Then she made a gesture to one of the bodyguards and he brought out three bottles of chilled champagne. "And by the way, J sends his compliments."
We had a bit of a celebration and two bottles of champagne were quickly drunk before the other agents left with two-hour intervals between each departure. Since I had drawn the longest straw, I would be the person staying overnight. I retreated to the bedroom flinging my jacket onto the nearest chair with a careless gesture, before standing in front of the huge window. The moon was a pale silver disc surrounded by hundreds of twinkling stars in the dark cloudless sky – tiny spots of light where I was standing. I lifted the rim of the glass to my lips and sipped the cold sweet bubbly liquid as I continued to look out of the window. Ah delicious … …
"More?" A soft voice suddenly sounded right next to me. I almost jumped out of my skin as I quickly spun around, dropping automatically into a fighting stance. The girl was standing slightly behind me, her long brown hair cascading down her back. She was holding the last bottle of champagne in one hand and her own glass in the other. Startled by my violent reaction, she hastily took a step back with a half-scared, half-apologetic expression in those doe-like brown eyes. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," she explained in a low but sweet voice.
I let my fists drop and said simply, "sorry." Silently, I picked up my fallen glass and held it out to her as a gesture of goodwill. Her hand was shaking a little as she poured the golden liquid into my glass.
"I was hoping that you'll want some company. I'm the only person left in the other room. " She said by the way of explanation. I nodded and gestured for her to make herself at home. Strangely enough, I found her presence rather soothing – she had the type of low-key, calm and pleasant personality coupled with the unique ability to make people feel comfortable around her. I realized why she was such an effective spy. In fact, I suspected that she was probably even more outstanding than Shizuka. I immediately quashed that disloyal thought, feeling that I had somehow betrayed my friend.
"Here's the last of it! I propose a toast – here's to all of us loyal employees." She giggled a little as she touched her glass to mine. We had finished the entire bottle between the both of us as we stood watching the night scene together. I could tell that she was a little drunk, and this champagne in addition to all the liquor I had drunk did nothing to help my slightly fuzzy vision. There was no way I would be able to decipher any codes in my current state.
"To us all." I repeated as I emptied the glass, spilling a little on myself. I cursed softly under my breath and then wiped my face with my sleeve rather clumsily.
"Hey! You've missed a spot." She giggled again, leaning towards me. My body went rigid as soft fingertips brushed the corner of my mouth lingeringly, leaving a tingly sensation.
My eyes followed her every movement as she lifted the slender white fingers to her mouth and licked them slowly and deliberately, her eyes fluttering shut as she savoured the taste of the champagne. I swallowed at the seductive gesture and quickly averted my eyes. I took in a few deep breaths as I tried to calm myself, not wanting to release my inner demons that were habitually awakened by anything remotely sexual in nature. However, there was some magnetic force that automatically drew my eyes back to her face. Just as I was staring at her, the long lashes lifted and I found myself lost in the depths of her dark eyes – eyes that were filled with such promise that I felt, with a sinking sensation in my stomach, my hormones kick in with full force.
My expression must have revealed some part of what I was feeling because the lush rose red lips curved into an extremely provocative smile as she leaned closer. My eyes closed automatically as I felt soft lips brushing gently against mine. Inevitably, I stiffened as the horrible images threatened again to break through. However, she made no attempt to touch me. As her lips continued their gentle caressing movements in an almost soothing manner, my brain started telling me how good it felt and how different it was from … … I mentally slammed a door shut on those memories, letting the alcohol induced haze take over as I focused only on my sharpened senses and the wonderful sensations that she was making me feel. A clinical almost detached voice in my head observed that this was probably the best way of getting over my fears. Then, my brain shut down completely as a soft warm tongue gently grazed my lips.
With a low groan, I parted my lips and kissed her back. Our tongues touched tentatively as I slid my arms around her tiny waist and pulled her against me. I breathed in her sweet scent – jasmine I thought hazily - as we continued to kiss with increasing passion. Hell, I was always an extremely fast learner. Her body was all soft curves as she pressed against me tantalizingly, seemingly undisturbed by a certain body part that was insistently making its presence known. I found my hands running up and down her back soothingly as her fingers tangled in my hair. We were both breathless and trembling when she finally broke the kiss. I gazed into eyes that were darkened with the same desire that was reflected in my own. In one smooth moment, she turned off the lights. All sensations were heightened in the darkened room, the silence only broken by the sound of our heavy breathing.
"Undress me." Her low voice had an almost hypnotic effect. My heart was racing as I slowly reached out with trembling fingers … …
Cold, smooth silk … … soft hands on clumsy inexperienced ones, helping and guiding … … the soft swish of heavy fabric dropping onto the ground … … the familiar sense of fear that came with being exposed and vulnerable to the eyes of another combating the awe that arose from viewing nature's beauty … …
Then her soft hands were holding mine in a firm but gentle clasp, steadying me. "Touch me," she commanded in husky tones as she gently placed my unresisting hands on her small waist, guiding my hands slowly up towards her flat stomach … …
Smooth satin skin, skin that was even silkier than her dress … … soft commands given … … whispered words that enlightened and educated even as soft hands guided - when to touch, how to touch, when to use fingers, tongue, mouth and teeth … … the warmth radiating from her skin and the faintly salty taste … … the unfamiliar but exotic textures … … the wonderful spot between her neck and shoulder … … deepening breathing and occasional gasps … …
We somehow ended on the bed. My breath caught when she started touching me. The fear was quickly overcome by stronger and more urgent feelings as she advanced slowly and carefully, running her fingers lightly over my chest. However, I flinched and pulled back automatically when her fingers finally closed around me, my breathing quickening until I felt rather light-headed. She seemed to understand my reaction and simply maintained a loose grip as she continued to press gentle distracting kisses on my face, lips, neck and chest until I finally relaxed.
"What's your name?" I gritted out a trifle hoarsely.
"Call me Shadow." It was obviously her code name and it suited her to a T. Then her hand started moving and mine followed … …
Roaming, exploring hands and lips … … whispered words and instructions … … soft, lingering touches … … entwined limbs … … the closeness, the exhilaration of sharing, of touching someone else intimately and being touched in turn … … warmth … … softness … … wetness … … darkness … … the music of her moans and soft cries accompanied by my groans … … shifting, moving bodies … … strange but wonderful new sensations…. … her softness in contrast with my hardness … … the building tension … … the thrill of pressing together flesh to flesh … … lips devouring … … clutching fingers digging hard into flesh … … frantic, almost violent thrusting movements … … then voices raising in volume as the world exploded in waves of pure ecstasy, more powerful than any known drug … …
"Thank you," I said softly when I was able to speak, brushing my lips gently over her forehead in a silent gesture of gratitude. My soul felt lighter after the experience. She had somehow succeeded in exorcising certain of my inner demons.
"You're welcome," she smiled and ran a finger down my toned chest. I did not flinch from her touch this time. "Ah, what a heartbreaker you'll be in a few years time," she sighed before winking mischievously at me as her hand moved lower. "If I were five years younger … …" I trapped her wandering fingers in one hand and shut her up effectively by covering her lips with mine … …
I was woken up by the harsh sunlight that was shinning right in my eyes. I slowly sat up in bed, letting my eyes get accustomed to the light as my head pounded with a terrible hangover. Something was different this time. Frowning, I looked down and the events of last night came back in a rush as my eyes caught sight of the messy, rumpled sheets. I jumped out of bed and my eyes quickly scanned the room only to find it empty. I ran to the bathroom, but also found it empty. As a last resort, I opened the door of adjoining room and quickly ducked back behind the door when I caught sight of the bodyguards, fully aware of my unclothed state.
"Good morning, sir." One of the guards saw my quick action.
"Morning." I quickly shut the door. I checked every corner of the bedroom and the bathroom, but there was absolutely no trace of her. The faint lingering musk of sex in the air, the crumpled bed sheets, and my clothes that were strewn messily about the room were the only evidence that last night was not a dream. She had obviously snuck out quietly early this morning when I was still fast asleep.
"Like a Shadow in the night," I grimaced at my bad pun as I sat down heavily in the chair, feeling strangely deflated and a little empty. It was almost as if she had taken a little part of me with her that was not simply my virginity, although it was my first experience with a female. I found my thoughts returning to last night, recalling with something akin to fondness how passionate yet gentle she had been. Her administrations had been almost tender, treating me with care as if I would - my eyes suddenly narrowed at the unpleasant direction that my thoughts had taken … … as if I would BREAK! Why … … My thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door.
"Yes?" I said a trifle impatiently.
"It's ten o'clock, sir. Your chauffeur will be here in half an hour."
"Okay," I replied remembering the debriefing that J was meant to give me at twelve. Perhaps I would meet Shadow there? I pressed my lips firmly together in determination. I was going to get some answers.