Blacksite #13 a.k.a "Fyr" - Undisclosed Location, Norway - July 14th, 1999

Slate grey eyes flitted along the expanse of Raymond Reddington's chest, interestedly observing the glittering rays of sunlight which shimmered along the swath of curls dusting the man's pectorals. Lone digits light as feathers traced the length of his torso as he slept, memorizing the feel of his warm skin rising and falling beneath her fingertips with every breath.

The storm had finally receded, leaving a soft fog rolling over dew-strewn hills and a sky alight with vivid pink, palest yellow, and moody lilac. The magnificent landscape beckoned, but the woman's eyes were only for her lover. The man's naked frame was drenched in golden light from the returning sun, allowing Rosalie an unrivaled opportunity to explore every inch of him.

She now knew the hairs on Raymond's chest rode the finest of lines between blond and light brown, much like the hair on his head. The curls were delightfully soft to the touch and bore the faintest aroma of eucalyptus and basil. Rosalie lifted her head, nestling her chin against Red's sternum and swirling her nails through the warm down.

Was there anything as soothing or enticing as the scent of a lover?

She didn't think so.

On any given day, Rosalie could pick up a variety of lovely scents on Red's person. His aftershave, a touch of scotch, occasionally a whiff of cigar smoke, they all mixed with the unmistakable scent of warm male, those pheromones which were uniquely his. Today, she could also distinguish the tiniest hint of sex clinging to his skin, flooding her mind with all kinds of steamy recollections from the night before.

The tip of Rosalie's nose traced the plains of Red's torso, affectionately nuzzling here and there. Her wanderings took her across his nipple once, they tiny bud reacting instantly to the contact. The sight made her smile, knowing even as Raymond soundly slept, his body responded to her every touch.

A soft moan tumbled from his mouth as the woman brushed the dusky pebble once more.

A deep-seated urge to lick the tightening flesh came over her, but she abstained, determined to let the man sleep.

They had enjoyed a truly incredible week together, culminating in a seemingly endless night of erotic endeavors. The storm had roared outside while the air between the pair crackled with passion and meaning within the dark confines of the four poster bed.

Rosalie had been genuinely upset to find their time together rapidly approaching its close.

Raymond, however had known precisely how to soothe the melancholic ache they were feeling. He had calmed every corner of his lover with his warmth and affection, holding her in a lover's embrace throughout the night.

Rosalie still couldn't shake the way he had looked at her. Those green orbs had sparked with new emotions at every turn, each flash of lightning giving the woman a glimpse of the man within. She had been practically paralyzed by the man's gaze. Raymond looked at her as though he knew, knew who she was, who she is, knew those closely guarded corners she wanted to give to him.

Their connection had been tempered with every touch, every look, every word. They had whispered and purred their ardent praises, their all-encompassing desire in the darkened room. Each ensured the other knew, regardless of the loss of their quiet sanctum, that they would not be facing their unpredictable world alone.

Rosalie felt steady once again, ready to jump back into their wild life with both feet. She glanced surreptitiously at the small clock on the nightstand, noticing Horace and Dembe would not be at the house for a few hours yet. The realization made her smile broadly.

Her wandering fingers trekked away from the torso she had been so studiously perusing, migrating south toward her lover's hips while her lips headed north.

Raymond awoke when he felt a pair of velvety soft lips graze his left nipple, followed by a warm, wet little tongue, flicking the tightened bud playfully. He carefully maintained the facade of sleep, waiting to see where this little bout of exploration would take his companion.

Rosalie caught the subtle twitch of his nose, knowing he was awake. She grinned, continuing her playing as though nothing were amiss.

Soft hands trailed down Red's torso, along the sensitive skin of his sides, making the muscles beneath twitch.

The woman fought to maintain her silence, realizing she had found one of Raymond Reddington's ticklish spots. This discovery was nothing short of thrilling, making Rosalie bite her lip with suppressed delight.

Red, on the other hand, was biting his tongue to keep from laughing. He wasn't ticklish per se, he told himself, merely sensitive to such teasing strokes to his more sensitized areas.

Rosalie couldn't help but ghost her fingertips along the spot again, sighing her enjoyment when the muscles of his abdomen pulsed spasmodically.

Raymond heard the soft sigh of excitement at her findings, knowing in his gut he had been found out. A grin threatened to take over his features when the hands continued their movement down toward his pelvis.

Reaching her desired locale, Rosalie rubbed warm, gentle palms along the man's hips and thighs.

Red let out a soft hum of enjoyment, relaxing into her ministrations. She carefully kneaded the muscles in his legs, making him grunt with pleasure as each tense spot gave in to her gentle coaxing. He became more and more aware of her touch the closer she got to his manhood, the silky soft hands skirting elusively around its base, never getting quite close enough for his liking.

Raymond didn't have to open his eyes to know his wayward cock was rising to attention. The damn thing had a mind of its own these days. Having no desire to listen to the likes of him, the twitching appendage had become finely tuned to the needs and whims of the voluptuous blonde straddling him. The man couldn't very well blame it, the picture she must be painting nearly coaxed him to open his eyes to the bright morning sun.

Instead, he lay perfectly still, waiting, listening intently for what Rosalie would do next.

Slender fingers swirled and danced around his straining flesh, teasing and exciting the fattening length, never quite taking him in hand. Soft sighs and delicate mews of arousal abounded as the woman between Red's legs sought to drive him spare.

"You're making me hard." His deep voice finally grumbled, sleep-addled and gravelly.

The sound of his rumbling drawl brought a broad smile to Rosalie's lips. "What a crying shame." She murmured sympathetically, tugging the loose sheet slowly down his nude frame.

"It's too early for you to steal my sheets." He complained, stretching like a dozing lion as he was bared to his lover's attention.

A feminine giggle could be heard from the vicinity of his feet, the sound making Red smile.

"I thought this might be a better way to wake up than that noisy alarm clock." Rosalie admitted, continuing her playtime.

Raymond moaned softly, his eyes still closed, avoiding the blazing sunlight and simply enjoying the pleasurable wakeup call.

"It's a shame you stopped feigning sleep," Rosalie added idly, "I've always wanted to wake a lover with oral sex."

A guttural sound issued from Raymond's throat, the very thought of waking up to her luscious mouth wrapped around his cock made the man's pulse race.

"And now?" He asked, eager to hear what she planned to do with him since he had unknowingly foiled her dubious plot.

"Now I plan to slowly work you into a frenzy." Rosalie informed him in a sultry little purr which sent goosebumps down the man's frame.

Red could certainly live with such criteria.

"I'm at your mercy, my dear," he crooned, settling deeper into the plush bed, threading his fingers behind his head and spreading his legs a little further. "Do with me what you will."

A husky sigh reached the man's ears, widening his smile into a broad grin. He had known submitting to her desire to play would yield utterly decadent results. He wasn't disappointed as the young woman set about exploring him with gusto.

Petal soft lips met his legs, peppering the stocky limbs with affection as Rosalie moved slowly back up his body.

Raymond gave a relaxed sigh, focusing on the lovely sensations occurring all over his body.

The hot little mouth mapped him inch by inch, never moving faster than absolutely necessary. Several minutes passed and the man was practically purring his enjoyment, content to allow his lover's every whim, however, Raymond simply had to look. He had to see the curvaceous figure straddling his thigh, trailing her loving mouth everywhere but where he most desperately needed to be touched.

The man opened his eyes slowly, wincing a tad from the bright sunlight. As his vision adjusted, Red was greeted with a most delectable scene.

Rosalie knelt, straddling his thigh, full breasts skirting his hip as she kissed her way up his torso. The valley between her legs was radiating heat, her dark eyes were watching him avidly, and those honeyed curls were in a right state, flowing wildly down her delicate shoulders.

" Son of a bitch ." Grunted Raymond, thoroughly pleased with this wake up call. "Any time you desire to double as my alarm clock, you will find me quite amenable to the idea."

Rosalie tittered, glad to find him in a good humor and seemingly enjoying the attention. "Careful, I might just take you up on that." She took his bulging shaft in hand, sliding up and down the heavy length without a care in the world.

"Please do," Red moaned, lurching into her grasp. He watched intently as she swirled her palm over his heated flesh, memorizing the sensation.

Rosalie observed her motions intently, her little pink tongue catching between her teeth periodically.

"Don't even think about it." Raymond's deep, graveled voice cut right through her musings, seeing the devious plot taking shape in her mind.

"Why not?" She whined, placing an open-mouthed kiss to the very top of his member.

"Because," Red hissed, feeling the soft kiss in every nerve ending from his head to his toes. "We are in for a very long flight and I'll be hard pressed to behave myself if I haven't had you at least twice."

Rosalie giggled, "You are perfectly capable of controlling your urges. Besides, I wouldn't leave you in such a state." She insisted, pressing her warm, wet tongue to the underside of his shaft and licking slowly upward.

A carnal moan shook the man's frame at the action. He needed to sideline this little expedition or he would be locked into a fifteen hour flight with this insatiable ache gnawing at him. "Able and willing are two very different adjectives, Rosalie."

The woman tutted at the retort. "Come now, where's this infamous Raymond Reddington control I've heard so much about?" She teased, her tone an impish one.

"Surely you've realized by now, I have little control where you are concerned." He readily admitted, his head lolling backward as Rosalie's lips left a trail of kisses along his cock.

The admission gave the woman pause, she looked up to his face with something akin to wonderment. "I didn't realize I had garnered such a lofty position in your eyes." She whispered, touched by such an admission.

A corner of Red's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly. He had not intended to say such a thing aloud, thinking it a tad too revealing. Rosalie seemed to appreciate his honesty, though, and the man soon found himself gazing down at her in open affection as she continued to touch and stroke him.

"I'll relent on one condition." She murmured seductively, her wet tongue darting out to lick her plump lips.

Red grunted at the action, watching with pained arousal. "Name it."

"I expect to continue this later, uninterrupted. You'll be a good boy while I have my wicked way with you."

Raymond couldn't help the naughty grin which lit his features, a rampant shiver running the length of his body.

Rosalie realized he looked like anything but a good boy.

"You can have me in whatever way your little heart desires as soon as we reach Hong Kong." He growled, enjoying the quiver of delight the words sent down her frame. "As long as you're a good little dove for me, right now."

"Promise?" Rosalie breathed, her voice belying her need.

"I promise," Red chuckled, "Now come here ," he insisted, reaching for those wandering little hands.

Rosalie willingly abandoned her pastime, aroused to the point of distraction after her all too brief Tour de Reddington.

Raymond wrapped his arms around her naked frame, rolling them both so his lover was pinned beneath him. Her legs spread welcomingly, making room for the hot-blooded male nudging his way between her thighs.

His rigid length was nestled against her sex, brushing periodically against the sensitive pearl at its peak.

Rosalie mewled heatedly, feeling the wetness of her center coating his bare shaft. The sensation of his smooth, heavy cock dragging along her clit had her quaking beneath him.

"Don't keep me waiting." She pleaded, claiming Red's mouth and rocking her pelvis forward, catching the hard head of the man's penis between her velvety lips.

Both their breaths hitched audibly, the desire to complete the union sans protection hanging heavy in the air around them.

Deep gray orbs sought out clever green, finding them locked on her with a ferocity Rosalie found thrilling.

"You're playing with fire little dove." He warned, reaching for the nightstand drawer. The leaning motion pressed his head against the slick opening, garnering a wanton whimper from its owner.

Rosalie brought her index finger to her lips, her teeth catching the tip of the digit, suddenly nervous she was being too forward.

Raymond chuckled darkly, the expression on her features deceivingly innocent. He decided to give her a reprieve, saving this particular discussion for a later date when they could both think straight. As it was, the man's cock was painfully hard and in dire need of its tight, wet little playmate.

Once the condom was firmly in place, he realigned his throbbing crown with the sodden hole, inching forward at a torturous pace.

The woman gasped as her tight heat captured the rounded head, gratified by the intrusion. His girth moved steadily into her, ensuring Rosalie could feel every rock hard centimeter filling her up.

A wild, whimpering moan left her lips, this slow possession making her climb the walls.

Raymond snarled in response as her fluttering sex gave way to his thick member. Helpless spasms massaged his length perfectly as he pushed forward, seating himself in one long, slow movement, deep within his lover's body.

They both huffed with the exertion as their connection was completed and Raymond's heavy manhood was nestled as far as possible in Rosalie's silky depths.

"You're so damn tight ." He moaned, pulling out a fraction of an inch and snapping his hips forward.

The woman yelped, having just enough time to register the delicious slide of his length between her lips before the head of his cock butted intimately against her cervix. "Oh God," she whimpered, feeling the familiar tingling at the base of her spine.

"You like it when I do that, little dove?" Raymond cooed, dropping his mouth to her pert nipples, the straining pebbles practically begging for his attention.

"I love it when you do that." Rosalie admitted with a soft shiver, "It's so, so intense."

The man smiled around the tormented peak he was suckling, continuing his slow thrusts, alternating between tantalizingly shallow and impossibly deep.

Rosalie was damn near losing her mind, canting her hips upward to meet him as his shaft plundered every inch of her quivering pussy in fluctuating depths.

"Jesus, woman," Red rasped his arousal, feeling how incredibly wet she had become. "This just drives you wild , doesn't it? Not knowing if I'm going to stay shallow or have you take me right to the hilt?"

Rosalie nodded feverishly, the variations truthfully holding her to an excruciating edge. "Yes, yes, don't stop , Raymond." She pleaded, swiveling her pelvis to meet his thrust.

" Holy- " Red's brow furrowed and his mouth dropped open at the sensation. "That feels so good..." He groaned, grasping the woman's shoulders and pulling her lithe body downward into his driving force.

Rosalie swiveled her hips in the same motion, her head falling back as Raymond's thrust coincided at just the right moment, the rigid tip of his penis connecting soundly with her g-spot. Stars burst behind the woman's eyes and her entire frame set to trembling.

"Oh...oh shit, oh shit. " She moaned, arching greedily into his thrusts, urging him to a faster tempo.

"That's it," Raymond coaxed, snapping his hips forward into her clenching heat, feeling her rapidly relent to the pleasure he gave.

" Raymond !" Rosalie cried out, the coil which had been winding tightly within her snapped with a vicious force, making her writhe and buck in desperation beneath her lover.

" Yes , honey, come on my cock." Red husked, nipping and kissing and teasing every available inch of her. He drew out her orgasm in every way possible, leaving the woman panting and quaking in his embrace.

Raymond slid his hands up under Rosalie's shoulder blades and threaded his fingers intimately with hers. He pulled gently downward, so their hands were nestled together alongside her neck. One of his fingertips stroked the sensitive skin there, his mouth leaving a trail of warm, wet kisses along the hollow.

Rosalie mewled when his hips rolled forward again, her over-sensitized sex thrumming its delight.

Red groaned, feeling her feminine frame undulating beneath him, meeting his movements in a desirous rutting motion.

"You like when I arch into you, don't you, darling?" His lover cooed, dipping her hips to complete their connection once again.

Raymond grunted, the rippling tunnel dragging him closer and closer to the euphoria he craved. "Oh, yes," he purred, ear hovering over her eloquent mouth, waiting to hear more of her arousing murmurings. "I love it when you do that."

"I don't think we've gone fifteen hours without sex in the past week… How you think I'll manage such a long flight without touching you is beyond me." Rosalie teased, nibbling his earlobe and circling her thumbs along the backs of his large hands.

Red let out a sultry laugh, nuzzling the silky skin of her chest and shoulders to his heart's content. "Should I expect to be accosted on my own plane, little dove?" He grinned, nipping the junction at the base of her neck.

Rosalie sighed melodiously, her inner muscles tightening of their own accord when the man hit a particularly delicious sweet spot. " Ohhh… Yes, right there." She managed to squeak out the entreaty, her legs tightening around his hips, pulling him deeper.

Raymond watched her face glow with pleasure for a moment before he shifted back to shallow thrusts.

A sexy little growl of frustration left her lips, making the man grin wickedly.

" Fuck me , Raymond." She begged, bucking her hips forward, soft needy pants pulsing from her lungs.

"Such a naughty request from someone so sweet." He replied, kissing her cheeks before moving to her mouth, sliding his wet tongue seductively between her lips.

Rosalie moaned throatily, "You aren't dealing with my sweet side." She insisted once he released her mouth.

"No?" Red beamed cheekily at her, inching forward in a slow, deep movement. "Which of your many sides am I playing with, my dear?"

"The wanton one," she growled, trying like hell to establish a satisfying rhythm.

A warm, boyish grin lit the man's features, "Oh, I like her. She's an ill-behaved little minx who likes to torment me."

"If you don't satisfy this ache, she's going to be the one tormenting you right into the mile high club, mid-flight, security be damned." She retorted, squealing when Red thrust deep, only to return to his disciplined tempo a second later.

"Is that so?" He growled, rocking in an agonizingly slow pace. "My God, I had no idea you had exhibitionist tendencies."

"Says the man who pinned me to every window in this house." Rosalie quipped right back, impishly reminding him of his own proclivities.

"Yes I did." Red agreed unabashedly, recalling each of those couplings with an overwhelming fondness, "How could I resist? I had the opportunity to take you in a deeply compromising fashion without truly compromising you…" His eyes trekked lasciviously down her naked frame. "I have no desire to let anyone see you in such a beautiful, vulnerable state. Those moments are for my eyes alone."

Rosalie felt a burning affection for the man flood her chest. It meant a great deal for her to know he respected their right to privacy, more importantly, to know he considered their lovemaking sacred, something not meant to be bandied about or shared with others.

"Is this the part where I find out you have a fetish for getting caught mid-act by security?" He joked, drawing Rosalie out of her besotted train of thought.

She had nearly forgotten about Dembe and Horace, rather preferring to keep them out of this particular fantasy, thank you very much. "No, we'll just the boys a time out with Edward. Put your tie on the doorknob." She remedied with a mischievous grin, a tinkling laugh escaping her.

The action made the tight tunnel of her sex ripple mercilessly around Red's shaft.

The man groaned a helpless moan of delight, " Christ , it's intense when you giggle." He gasped, easing the ache in his member by thrusting a bit deeper into the fluttering warmth.

"How would you do it?" Rosalie breathed against his ear, "Would you bend me over the desk in your office?" Her voice was thoughtful, painting the erotic image for him, her lips brushing periodically against his hypersensitive flesh.

"I bet it would be terribly fun, wouldn't it? You'd have to put your hand over my mouth, though, you know I'm not a quiet lover." She giggled in a silky purr.

"Thank God for that," grunted Raymond, establishing the rhythm they needed for an earth-shattering orgasm. He very much preferred a vocal lover, and Rosalie had been thoroughly satisfying in that regard from the start of their relationship. "Keep going." He fairly demanded, lost in the delectable imagery she was conjuring and the wet slide of his shaft deep inside her.

"I can just see these big, warm hands of yours." Rosalie cooed, wriggling her slender digits, bringing his attention to where he held her. "Tugging my skirt up over my backside, eager to see if I've even bothered to wear panties."

" Shit ," husked Red, thrusting into her with abandon.

"I'll probably wear them, knowing your penchant for stealing such things." She teased playfully, kissing his neck and releasing a needy little moan as his cock stroked her rhythmically.

"You'd like it if I stole them." He countered, "I bet I could get you to ask me, ever so nicely , to take them from you." Raymond purred, making his lover quiver from head to toe.

Rosalie nodded feverishly, knowing he could bring her to such a state with little effort.

"You could. You'd like carrying the little piece of lace around in your jacket pocket." She murmured knowingly with a pointed, clever glint in her eyes. Her whole body shivered with pleasure at her next statement.

"You'd enjoy it even more being the only one knowing I'm wandering about your plane perfectly bare and freshly fucked ."

Rosalie bit her lip mischievously, placing an impish peck to the man's cheek as he snarled his involvement. She had struck the necessary chord to bring him to his breaking point, and she damn well knew it.

Raymond moved forcefully against his lover, burying his throbbing shaft mercilessly in her fluttering depths. Dipping his hips just right, he dragged the fat length along her clitoris, giving the woman the jolt she needed to grip him like a vice.

A feminine cry clawed its way out of Rosalie, her body bowing with her release, clenching greedily around the powerful cock driving endlessly into her. " Raymond ," she gasped, "I'm-" her breath hitched, " Oh, I'm coming ."

The whimper which quavered from her throat tugged the man along with her, his body relenting to the incredible embrace of her tight nirvana.

" Jesus , Rosalie," Red gasped and shuddered, riding out the wonderful high as deep, rumbling moans of ecstasy were coaxed from his mouth. His thrusts slowed minutely as his heavy orgasm pulsed into the waiting warmth, the silky passage milking every last drop into the latex sheath. " So. Fucking. Good. " Raymond panted, punctuating each word with a shallow thrust, easing the last ripples of his release into oblivion.

Exhausted, the man burrowed into Rosalie's waiting arms, nearly purring as she immediately set her fingertips to carding through his hair and stroking his back and shoulders soothingly.

She felt his warm, ragged breath in the crook of her neck, a deeply soothing sensation. "I adore you," she whispered, unable to hold back the admission.

Red smiled softly to himself, kissing the woman's neck before smoothing his palms along her curves, quieting her racing pulse as well as his own. "The feeling is very much mutual, my dear." He assured, tilting his head up to caress her lips with his own.

Raymond had thankfully taken on the duty of making breakfast for them as Rosalie set her associates to readying their next location. In a rare stroke of coincidence, a bit of business in Hong Kong was necessary for both Raymond and Rosalie.

Raymond had a deal lingering in the ether with a rather persnickety arms dealer named Mengfu, who was irritably digging his heels in. The man was unwilling to move Red's product further without meeting Reddington in person. Red had rolled his eyes at this, agreeing and setting their movements in play.

Rosalie was bent on securing another penthouse in their short stay, two if she could manage it. The burgeoning locale was a hot bed now the British monarchy had relinquished the city back to the People's Republic of China. There was a great deal of money to be made in a place like Hong Kong, and the woman was determined not to leave revenue lying on the table.

The next three days would be extremely busy for both, but they were truthfully, looking forward to getting back into their usual rhythm.

Packing their belongings should have been a rather dull affair, but Raymond and Rosalie found themselves making lighthearted fun of the mundane process.

A playful goose here, an affectionate peck there, they were bound to forget half their belongings, but at least their spirits were high.

When Horace and Dembe were an hour out, Rosalie made her way to the master bath, showering leisurely before applying a bit of makeup and meandering back upstairs.

She was immediately confronted by a wily looking fugitive, his sudden appearance setting her to giggling.

"Yes?" She asked innocently, the fluffy towel she had wrapped around her leaving little to the imagination. The corner of the plush linen was tucked in the cleft between her breasts, accentuating the full bust, much to Raymond's distraction.

"Aren't you supposed to be dressed by now?" He chastised, feeling the appendage between his legs pulse excitedly at how little it would take to leave her naked before him.

"Aren't you supposed to be showering?" She countered slyly, a lone brow raising questioningly in his direction

"I was going to join you, but alas, you're no longer wet." He retorted, gesturing grumpily at her towel.

"Now who said I wasn't wet ?" She intoned, holding his gaze with one of utmost innocence.

Raymond certainly couldn't tolerate such cheek from someone so scantily clad.

"Come here, you little minx." He growled, snatching at the woman's towel.

Rosalie laughed gaily, scrambling just out of his grasp, "I'm supposed to be getting dressed, remember ? I'm terribly busy at the moment."

"Busy being a tease." He accused, wanting nothing more than to take her in his arms just once more before their security arrived. "Besides, I think you'll find the task rather difficult." Red insisted, eyeing her figure with interest.

Rosalie's mouth dropped open in indignation. "What did you do?"

"I'm a criminal, my dear," the man sauntered toward her with all the confidence of a bantam cock, "I'm not saying I had a hand in it, but someone absconded with every last stitch of those garments you left hanging in the master closet."

The man was blatantly improvising, but he figured she couldn't call his bluff as long as he kept her out of the bedroom.

The woman narrowed her eyes playfully, "Oh dear, what will it cost for you to return said items?" She questioned, allowing the fluffy towel to slip a few inches down, baring the tops of her full breasts to the man's attention.

"Well, as I previously indicated, " he affected a tone of distinct peevishness, "I'm not saying it was me, but I may have information I could be persuaded to part with regarding said petty theft."

Rosalie shook her head in amusement, a broad grin commandeering her features. "In exchange?"

"I would require chocolates, a rather rare Hank Mobley record," his expression turned wistful, "and another round of stolen cigars from Fidel Castro, if you please."

"Hmmm…your price is pretty steep, and I'm fresh out of chocolates." She wrinkled her nose, turning toward the bedroom. Her towel fell to the floor with a soft thump , giving him a lovely view of her tight backside.

"I guess I'll just have to fly naked then."

Red watched the bare hips sway this way and that as Rosalie walked across the living room. She turned coyly over her shoulder, "I don't suppose you've seen my cashmere robe, either? It's going to be a tad chilly outside."

The man shook his head, his face the epitome of nonchalant, though truth be told, he was barely holding himself in check.

"Ah well," she shrugged, making her way to the bedroom. Something told her she would find her attire safe and sound exactly where she left it.

Rosalie hardly made it another step before a pair of warm, masculine arms wrapped around her, lifting her momentarily off the ground.

The woman squealed, wriggling helplessly in Red's strong grip.

His lips sought her neck, chuckling playfully in her ear. "I suppose I could be persuaded to accept sexual favors in lieu of payment."

Rosalie cackled with laughter, ceasing her squirming. "Oh you're ever so generous. " She replied scathingly, before her curiosity got the better of her. "...What kind of sexual favors?"

Raymond smirked, nipping the woman's earlobe and pulling her into his lap in one of the wingback armchairs.

Rosalie settled against his chest, leaning so her head rested on his shoulder. One of her hands reached up to card through his short hair, the other rested atop his arm, which was wrapped securely around her waist.

"Aren't we supposed to be settling down and getting dressed?" She accused, thinking it would be a poor greeting for their bodyguards to find them mid-coitous.

"We will, after a brief interlude." Assured Raymond, trailing warm, wet kisses along her breast before capturing her chilled nipple in his scorching mouth.

Rosalie moaned, arching into the delectable pull of his tongue and teeth, her entire frame relaxing into his ministrations.

"I take that to mean you are content to indulge me in one more little idiosyncrasy?"

The woman gasped when his warm hands cupped the backs of her knees, draping one of her toned legs over each of the chair's arms, spreading her wide for what he had planned. A delicious little whine was pulled from her throat as Red circled his fingertips over her already throbbing sex.

"I want an answer, little dove." He purred darkly, reaching to pluck at the opposite nipple with his right hand.

" Yes ," she hissed, bowing into his touch with obvious pleasure. "Yes, Raymond."

A deep, warm chuckle vibrated against her back, adding to Rosalie's excitement.

"Good girl."

Something about the phrase made Rosalie shiver, a sensation which was heightened tenfold as she heard the familiar sound of Raymond's belt buckle being disengaged.

It was nearly noon when a chime rang throughout the tower, alerting the couple to the presence of others on the property. With a low murmur of dissension, they disengaged from their cuddling session on the plush sofa.

Raymond was back in his three-piece suit, his sunglasses and fedora waiting patiently on the coffee table. The stormy grey color looked good on him, pairing beautifully with the crisp white shirt and bold geometric tie, which Rosalie straightened for him before ascending from the sofa.

The woman was once again in a smart pencil skirt and comfortable pumps. The chocolate brown wool skirt was warm and decadent, contrasting nicely with the pale taupe of her cashmere blouse. The overall effect was timeless and incredibly flattering to her figure.

They moved sedately toward the stairs, descending the polished steps without a word.

Red had turned introspective as they'd lay curled together in those final minutes of freedom. The weight of a new relationship in their tumultuous world had made itself known. The man had realized with a jolt, it'd been years since he'd been this happy. Raymond had been content, certainly, and on occasion his life had been great fun, but he now realized general contentment and bone-deep happiness felt quite different.

Rosalie made him very happy, and he didn't have to ask to know she felt the same way. The radiant smiles and laughter which poured from her being when they were together were ample evidence of her happiness.

He was determined to keep this joyous corner of their world, this one untarnished haven in which they could both retreat.

As the pair reached the base of the stairs, Raymond turned, grasping his lover tightly. Cradling Rosalie's face in his hands, he searched her eyes. He was desperate to convey what needed to be said. They would be okay, there would be time for them, he would make absolutely certain of it.

He found the grey orbs bright with affection and just a dash of excitement.

" Us ." She whispered, placing a gentle hand to his chest. "All that matters is this, right here." She kissed him soundly, driving the point home. "We will learn, we will botch the job on occasion, but we will make this work for us ." She promised, beaming confidently up at him.

A soft smile tugged at Red's lips, and he leaned forward, kissing her passionately as he guided them toward the front door. When his hand met the polished brass handle, he released her mouth, resting his forehead against hers for a beat.

Rosalie crinkled her nose and grinned, swiping a smudge of lipstick from the corner of his mouth.

" Us ." He agreed, throwing the door open wide.

Dembe and Horace stood waiting on the threshold with completely different expressions on their faces.

Dembe was serene as always, though fighting a losing battle with a broad grin. He had thoroughly enjoyed his role in bringing Raymond and Rosalie together, and was terribly pleased at the obvious connection which now radiated from them.

Horace, on the other hand, looked like the kid who didn't get what the wanted for Christmas but was still trying to be polite about it.

"My god, did the two of you do anything but have sex all week?" The surly bodyguard whinged in disgust, ascending the staircase from the en-suite. He had happened upon the waste bin in the bath, which turned out to be rather incriminating.

Raymond and Rosalie sat across from each other, looking at one another with matching expressions of heated smugness.

The group had settled in the living area, enjoying a cup of tea and hearing what Dembe and Horace got up to in their absence.

"Stratos send his regards," Dembe inclined his head toward Raymond, carefully gliding over Horace's outburst. "He needed to stay and finalize the changes to the shipping routes in Athens, but he will meet us in Sri Lanka in the spring. He hopes you had a relaxing getaway."

Red nodded, catching the spark of mischief in Dembe's smile. Stratos no doubt said something a scant more colorful, which Raymond would hear later when other ears weren't present.

Rosalie watched their silent communication, quirking a lone brow at the two. The young woman's cheeks glowed a vivid pink as her mind unhelpfully supplied a reminder regarding the particularly spirited coupling which occurred in the wingback chair Red was now occupying.

The man caught her blush and seemed to read her mind, dragging his fingertips along the supple leather of the arms where her legs had been draped a mere hour ago, his gaze never leaving hers. The green eyes darkened, his head tilted, an eyebrow lifted suggestively.

Rosalie swallowed thickly around a mouthful of piping hot Darjeeling. "Do we have to leave?" She questioned in a quiet voice.

Raymond winked playfully at her, his expression bearing a wealth of risqué promises.

Dembe grinned slyly, watching the exchange and sipping his own beverage regally. "You both look quite well rested. I take it you slept soundly?" He asked innocently, perfectly concealing his amusement in his teacup.

Raymond flashed a wolfish grin at his friend, knowing full well what he was playing at.

"Hardly left the bed." He intoned, rather lasciviously.

Horace rolled his eyes, leaning one hand on the kitchen island's marble top.

Rosalie beamed at Red and Dembe before adding an innocuous, "Horace, dear, could you make a note in my construction folio? I would like all the countertops remodeled to be the same height as these." Her dark eyes traveled pointedly to the counters and then to Raymond, offering a solicitous wink.

Red struggled not to snort with laughter as the Egyptian pulled his hand back from the surface as though he'd been scalded. "Got it, boss." He murmured in a tone of deep revulsion.

Rosalie shook her head for his petulant manner, standing to bring their cups to the kitchen sink. "Well, shall we?"

There was a soft murmur of agreement, followed by the movement of several feet.

Horace was the first into the stairwell, not waiting for the others to follow.

Raymond took a couple steps, waiting for his companion, who made a beeline for Dembe.

The young man looked taken aback as the blonde threw her arms around his broad shoulders.

"I can't thank you enough for your hand in this, sweetheart." She whispered in his ear, "This time together meant the world to both of us."

Red grinned as he watched the scene play out, hearing the muffled thank you the woman whispered in the other man's ear, his heart skipping a beat at the endearment she used.

A bright smile lit Dembe's features as he returned the affection, squeezing the woman tightly and telling her it was no trouble at all.

Rosalie placed a gentle kiss to her friend's cheek before striding toward Raymond, happily taking his warm hand in hers.

They had been in the air only twenty minutes when the innkeeper had reached her limit.

"If you have something to say, Horace, I suggest you spit it out." She snapped heatedly, "I'm not enduring another fourteen hours of this."

The sullen bodyguard whipped around his beetle black eyes narrowed peevishly, "You owe me an apology."

"For what ?" Rosalie balked incredulously.

Red and Dembe sat in their usual seats watching the drama unfold. Both had been aware of the bodyguard's sour mood, and had remained in the main cabin to ensure Rosalie wasn't subjected to a lecture for the shenanigans they had planned.

"For not keeping me in the loop and just traipsing off without security. Yet again!" Horace retorted peevishly, his arms crossed in a huff.

"I'm sorry, I don't see the problem here." Rosalie sighed, snapping her book closed. "We were perfectly safe, you saw the tower, it's literally a stronghold, we could have held out there for a month and not have a problem."

"The problem?" snapped Horace, "You disappeared!"

Rosalie shrugged her shoulders, "To be fair, I didn't know. I was merely a participant."

Raymond cleared his throat, doling out a rather pointed look in her direction.

"I was merely a very willing participant." Rosalie amended immediately, garnering a snort of amusement from Dembe.

"There seemed to be some fun going on, so I just went with it. Really, Horace, at best, I was an accomplice." She turned to her companion in a stage whisper, "What would I get for being your accomplice?"

Raymond grinned impishly, leaning toward her in a conspiratorial manner. "From the Federal Justice System...fifteen years?" A cheeky smirk tugged at his mouth, his voice dropping to a low, seductive purr. "From me ?...A nice firm hand across your-"

"Do NOT finish that sentence!" Bellowed Horace, utterly beside himself.

Rosalie couldn't help but giggle softly, having entirely too much fun at her guard's expense.

"Oh it's funny now, just you wait," warned Horace in a snarl, "Florian is going to have both your heads."

"Excuse me?" Asked Rosalie, her tone immediately sharpening.

"Yeah," growled her guard, "Florian knows. When I thought you were being chased all over Athens by hostiles, I contacted him, as per your breach instructions."

The young woman's mouth was agape, "You didn't." She breathed, eyes going wide.

"Oh he most certainly did, Fille." Florian's deep, sullen drawl rumbled from the door to the plane's office.

Rosalie's eyes closed and her lips pursed when she heard the sound.

" Shit ."

"What are you thinking , Rosalie?" Florian questioned in a whispered hiss. "All of this time, all of the work you have put into your empire, and you are going to throw it away to be with Raymond Reddington."

The woman's father figure had demanded to speak with her privately, tugging her into the private office without so much as a glance at Reddington.

"I thought you had no objections to Raymond, you said it yourself back in Bulgaria. You said as much as a criminal can be a gentleman, so he is." Rosalie accused, her roaring temper firing up at once. "What possibly could have changed?"

"I said I had no objections to you working with the man." Corrected the old mobster staunchly, "I never expected you to fall into bed with him. Really, Rosalie, what has gotten into you?"

The woman's cheeks flushed despite her best efforts, confirming she and Raymond had become intimately acquainted. "How is pursuing a romantic relationship tantamount to me throwing my empire away?" She fought back, shifting the conversation away from her sex life.

"You have love in you, Rosalie." Florian reminded, his voice despondent, "A love you once held most covetously. People know this, can sense it in you. It makes them think you are soft, vulnerable. It beckons to our criminal brethren. Many want it. The possibility of touching it, feeling it, basking in all that is a whole and untarnished human being is too good an opportunity to pass up. Even more wish to snuff it out. They hate the knowledge there are still criminals in our world not as broken and tainted as them."

"There is nothing about me I don't hold covetously, Florian," murmured Rosalie in a deadly purr, "and, do you honestly think Raymond is either side of that coin?"

"You don't know him, Rosalie, no one can truly-" he began, but the woman cut across him.

"I know him." She insisted, rather offended he thought her so short-sighted and naïve.

"Mon Tresor, I want you to be happy, I do, but not like this. Not with him. Do you have any idea what you've walked into?"

"I find your question an insult to my intelligence. I know better than anyone what I've walked into, Pére , I've spent nearly every waking moment with the man for the past year. Every. waking. moment. If he were more nefarious, if he had ill intent with me of any kind, I would have found out by now. He would have made a mistake in this amount of time, there would have been a red flag, a warning sign, something , and yet there has been absolutely nothing !"

The young woman stood from her chair, digging her heels into the carpet and matching Florian's ire ounce for ounce.

Raymond sat glaring pointedly at Horace, who was seated next to another Frenchman with short dark brown hair and vivid green eyes who went by the name of Cedric. Rosalie had been quite peeved at the sight of the younger man and utterly terrorized by the sudden appearance of Florian before being unceremoniously dragged into Red's office.

"This was hardly necessary." He growled at the men, listening to the dull roar of the older mobster's booming voice in the other room, interrupted regularly by his protégé's fiery retorts.

"I was following the protocol my employer instilled." Defended Horace, quite annoyed with the turn of events as well.

"You didn't need to sneak two stowaways on board to berate her at 30,000 feet." Red called him out, "Once Dembe made you aware of the situation, you should have called off the Corsican brigade."

"Florian would have come to investigate regardless. You're lucky he didn't just show up one day while you were in Norway. If you had told me what you were planning this could have all been avoided." The man added, "You can't just run off with her."

"Like hell I can't." Reddington assured, crossing his legs and settling comfortably in his chair. "If that woman and I decide we want to disappear to the goddamn moon for a few weeks there's not a damn thing you or Florian will be able to do about it."

The Egyptian lifted baleful black eyes toward his charge's fugitive boyfriend. "I won't begrudge the two of you your time alone, but next time you need to tell me. It is my job to protect her, and I can't do my job if I don't know what the hell is going on."

The two men sat in an uncomfortable silence, neither willing to admit the other had made a reasonable point.

Dembe simply sat reading his book, occasionally shaking his head ruefully.

Cedric simply watched, eerily quiet and listening intently.

Raymond was just about to argue another point of irritation when the voices in the office reached a volume incapable of being ignored, the conversation descending into rapid, snarling French.

"You don't get to decide this for me, Florian! " Rosalie snapped, at her wit's end with this conversation.

"You are coming back to Marseille and this is final! Your network can stand to have you two separated until you get your head on straight, since Reddington can't seem to keep it in his trousers."

"Do not talk about Raymond as though he's some common thug." Rosalie hissed viciously, offended on the man's behalf.

"He is little more than." Barked Florian, his temper getting the better of his tongue.

"You must truly think very little of me, Pére ." Bit back Rosalie, appalled by the man's response.

"What I think of him has nothing to do with what I think of you." He insisted, cheeks flushing minutely.

"It does. If you truly think Raymond Reddington is half as horrible as you are saying he is, what does it say about me, being his lover?"

Florian winced at the word, displeased by the unabashed confirmation of the pair's involvement.

" Yes ," Rosalie nodded, "I've taken him as a lover, a confidant, a romantic partner. In every sense of the word. You may not like it, I certainly can't make you accept it, but I can tell you my opinion of Raymond will not change simply because you don't approve. You've made your feelings known, but unfortunately for you they hold no weight in how I live my life. I will not go back to Marseille and I will not walk away from him."

Raymond had quietly opened the door, catching the tail end of their conversation. He fought to keep his features neutral, eventually settling on his usual polite although mischievous smile.

"What in the hell do you think you're doing?" Florian's robust French accent growled the words dangerously.

Any normal criminal would have the common sense to be afraid of Florian Armel, but he supposed Raymond Reddington was not an average criminal. The younger man stood before him supremely unconcerned with the deadly territory he had just waltzed into.

"I believe I'm headed to Hong Kong." Reddington quipped in a tone bordering on nonchalant.

A challenge was being issued with his eyes, however. The young buck was daring Florian to say something, anything about the fact he and Rosalie were obviously an item.

"Little dove, there's a nice big cup of earl grey waiting for you in my usual seat, put a spoonful of that wonderful wildflower honey in it, you've nearly shouted yourself hoarse." He said fondly, tucking a stray curl behind her ear, "I'll take up the next round of witty banter in your stead."

Rosalie glanced wide eyed between the two formidable men. She did not want Raymond fighting her battles for her. She nearly said so when the man's flashing green eyes met hers meaningfully, willing her to trust him in this instance.

Reluctantly, she nodded, leaning forward to kiss his cheek before striding from the room.

When the door closed with a snap behind her, the younger criminal turned, suddenly much more foreboding than he had been moments earlier, to the only remaining person in the room. "My father considered himself a bit of a disciplinarian." He began, setting the stage for one of his parables. "He was a robust man, I always felt him akin to that old cartoon character Bluto. He was who he was, so at least we were never taken by surprise when he acted the part of a complete bastard." Clever green eyes swiveled to stare down Florian's icy blues, "You, on the other hand, have come as quite a surprise."

"Do you have any idea what kind of danger you're in, boy ?" The Frenchman snarled, "You have overstepped. You have tread into my world and I do not take kindly to anyone breaching my boundaries, especially when it is a member of my family they seek."

"Make no mistake, Florian, I know exactly what lines I've crossed and whose toes I've stepped on." Red's voice dropped to a deadly rumble, "I wouldn't have tipped your canoe if I wasn't confident me and mine would stay dry."

"You're certain of that fact?" The old mobster's tone was incredulous.

Raymond smiled benignly, "Few things in life are certain Florian, but this, you can hang your hat on," he quipped, setting his fedora carefully on his knee. "I am no one's ' boy .' You are done berating Rosalie for choosing what makes her happy."

"She is too young, she doesn't know what she wants, what she needs." Insisted the older man, admittedly grasping at straws now.

Raymond shook his head, "Rosalie is a capable, formidable woman, Florian." He reminded, ensuring not a drop of lasciviousness dripped into his voice. "She is perfectly able to date whomever she pleases, and you should give her more credit than this. Do you honestly think I haven't been vetted against her own standards for a romantic partner?" Raymond found himself offended on her behalf, "If something about me had triggered any concerns for her, any at all, there's no doubt in my mind she would have turned me away. Yet here we are."

"How long has this farce been going on?" Florian asked, the betrayal evident on his face.

"Don't call my relationship with her a farce." Raymond growled.

Florian scowled heatedly, " Relationship ? You think this is a relationship you've entered into with her?"

"It sure as hell isn't a one-night stand." He spat, "Rosalie and I are dating, Florian, and your disapproval isn't going to change things. You can demand to speak with her, you can shut me out of the conversation and you can even blame me for your discontent for all I care." He conceded flatly, glowering at the other man. "However, you will not berate or belittle that woman in my presence or anyone else's again. Should you do so, I'll have no qualms about bouncing you from my plane at the nearest broken down dirt patch calling itself an airstrip and ask for her forgiveness later."

Florian's mouth closed with a snap. He had not realized how angry he had become while speaking to his young protégée. The older man suddenly felt a tad abashed.

"Considering how much Rosalie cares for you, I will instead drop you off at a lovely little airport just east of Helsinki. We will need to stop and refuel for our next leg, so the timing is perfect." Raymond stood, "I'm going back to the main cabin, if you choose to join us, I expect you to keep a civil tongue in your head."

The young criminal straightened his suit, giving Florian a curt nod before striding purposefully from the room.

They did indeed make a quick stop near Helsinki to refuel for the main leg of their journey and to drop off Florian and Cedric. The older Frenchman sat swirling his drink as they taxied, and disembarked without so much as a word or a glance at the lot of them.

Rosalie had watched the plane's door slam behind him, flinching at the noise as though she'd been slapped in the face.

Raymond watched her carefully, waiting for her to find her voice.

The lithe figure stood, making herself a drink before stepping into Red's office.

The man mirrored her movements, closing the heavy door to give them a moment's privacy.

Rosalie rested her backside against the edge of the desk, staring moodily at the man's empty chair. "That couldn't have gone more poorly." She sighed, taking a long sip of her gin.

"Oh, I don't know," murmured Red, taking the seat in front of her and resting his warm hand on her knee. "He could have caught me bending you over this particular piece of furniture." His knuckles rapped the hard surface, a wry smile lifting the corners of his mouth.

Rosalie couldn't help a reluctant snigger. She rose only to settle again in the man's lap, burrowing her face in his neck and wrapping her arms around him.

"That… is definitely true." She conceded in a muffled voice.

Raymond set his drink aside, squeezing the woman in a tight embrace. "I know it wasn't how we had planned to let him know, but now at least he can start coming to terms with it."

Rosalie sighed heavily, " If , he comes to terms with it. I was rather pointed with the man. He definitely didn't appreciate it."

"You handled him well." Insisted Red, having caught a fair bit of their argument through the door.

"Not well enough to keep you out of the fray." She needled playfully, lifting her head to cast a sly glance at him.

The man shrugged, "How a man speaks to a woman says a great deal about that man. What a man allows to be said to a woman in his presence is just as telling. I was not about to tolerate Florian bellowing at you like you were some rebellious teenager."

Rosalie kissed his cheek, appreciative of his reasonings for intervening on her behalf. "Such moves will garner you Marietta's undying affection." She tittered fondly.

"I've already absconded with the man's daughter, I think I'd be pushing my luck to turn my charms toward his wife." Raymond crooned mischievously. "He very well might try to kill me."

Rosalie wrinkled her nose adorably, "Ew. New subject."

Raymond let out a hearty laugh, tucking another curl behind her ear. "Very well, where are we staying in Hong Kong, then?"

"The Peninsula." Rosalie inclined her head toward the glossy black folio sitting on the desk, showing a gleaming building and an opulent living room.

"Tell me you don't own the penthouse." Questioned Red, utter disbelief etched in his expression. The Peninsula Hotel was a long-standing icon of luxurious accommodations in Hong Kong.

"Not outright, no. I have contracts in place with the top three luxury hotels in Hong Kong and Beijing. I take on the upkeep of their penthouses and they conveniently look the other way as top tier criminals wander into their lobbies. They get a cut of the client's stay but only ever do business with me, ensuring I take on all the risk. In the unlikely event a client is found and arrested, they can plead ignorance and point the finger at my organization, which of course, doesn't exist."

"What's their cut?" He asked, thoroughly intrigued.

"According to the contract? 60/40."

Red flashed a mischievous grin, "What's the actual split?"

"After my upkeep and network security fees, it's more like 80/20." Murmured Rosalie in an undertone.

Red chuckled dryly, "My, my, you are a little racketeer, aren't you?"

The long flight passed quietly and without incident. The exhausted group mostly used the time to catch up on some much needed sleep. Dembe and Horace dozed in their usual seats while Raymond and Rosalie were nestled in the nearby loveseat.

The pair passed the hours quietly, drifting in and out of sleep and occasionally murmuring to one another in soft whispers. They had needed the closeness and simple intimacy after their altercation with Florian. They soothed and assured each other with gentle words and comforting caresses.

They thankfully landed in the dead of night, allowing the jet's occupants to head straight for their lodgings to bathe and catch a few more hours of sleep.

The glimmering skyline of Hong Kong was partially obscured by a dreary haze, casting a drowsy, jet-lagged pall over the car's occupants even as they pulled up to the shining exterior of the Peninsula on high alert. Ted Beaumont was waiting for them, having already done a preliminary sweep of the building. It was not usual for their little group to be in a location with other people, and they therefore took several extra precautions.

Seeking to remain as inconspicuous as possible, they moved quickly and quietly toward the elevators upon reaching the hotel's resplendent lobby.

With Red's fedora pulled low and Rosalie's face hidden by an intricate fan, they stealthily made their way into the penthouse elevator. The young innkeeper already had a copy of the necessary keys so they needn't bother with the front desk. The elevator door had nearly closed when a large hand jutted into the space, stopping the group from making their escape.

Rosalie sighed her annoyance as a suave-looking fellow in a pale grey suit appeared in the re-opening doorway, stepping inside and allowing the doors to close.

"Welcome back, Ms. Øllegaard, we've been expecting you." He glanced surreptitiously at the woman while she neatly folded her fan.

"No problems, I trust?" She asked, keeping her expression schooled and the man's attention off of Raymond.

"None at all, madam." He nodded, stepping out to guide them into the magnificent apartment.

Raymond and Dembe settled into the penthouse as Rosalie dealt with the man who turned out to be the hotel's manager. Horace and Ted lingered in the background like vigilant sentinels, neither seemed to be fond of the man.

Red watched the woman go about running her empire, his seat in the lounge providing the perfect vantage point into the parlor where she stood talking.

She handled the manager with kid gloves, allowing her warmth and vivacity to soothe and bend his will to her own. Rosalie was tactful, calculated in her dealing, her focus not faltering once from the man before her. Raymond found the entire setup of her Hong Kong operations immensely interesting. The woman could very well have bought or booked the penthouses in perpetuity, but instead she kept the hotels in on the deal. It was rather clever, really. By keeping the middle man in on her shenanigans, she gave the companies and men like this incentive not to rat out her clientele.

By the end of their lengthy conversation, the manager was in a boisterously good mood, apparently quite thrilled for them to be there.

Rosalie nodded and smiled brightly, finally coaxing him out of the suite and back down to his office. She slumped against the door with an exasperated sigh when she was finally rid of him, making Red chuckle. Her dark eyes turned and winked at him before she set about her nightly routine.

While Rosalie was occupied, Raymond stepped into the kitchen grabbing a beer before setting out to locate the woman's security.

Horace was fastidiously unpacking, seemingly intent on getting to sleep as soon as possible.

Red knocked on the door frame, silently requesting to enter.

The Egyptian nodded stoically, gesturing him into the room.

The fugitive held out the cold bottle of the other man's preferred beer. "You were right." He murmured, willing the bodyguard to take the drink.

"About what?" Horace questioned, eyeing the beverage warily.

"If I were going to poison you, I wouldn't do it myself when we're alone in a secure safehouse. I have people for that sort of thing." He reasoned, wiggling the bottle at the serious man until he finally took it.

"I should have included you in my plans for taking Rosalie to Norway." Admitted Red, only a little begrudgingly. "Your job is to protect her and it is extremely important to me that you do that job."

Horace sat on the edge of his bed, twisting the top off the bottle and taking a long drink from its contents.

"I could have called off Florian." He conceded, meeting the other man halfway. "I'm happy for you both, really and Rosalie is obviously very happy with you. I just need you to realize her safety must be my number one priority. Even if that means you running your plans by me before absconding with my charge."

"I can live with that criteria, I would expect nothing less from the head of her security." Agreed Raymond, doing his best to bury the hatchet with the man.

"What can I do to help set things right?" Horace asked, glancing down the hall as his charge headed for the penthouse's kitchen. "I didn't mean for Florian to react the way he did. He was harder on her than was strictly necessary."

Red looked thoughtfully after the woman as well, an idea coming readily to mind. "Do you know how I can reach the Armel's?"

Rosalie was sitting atop the kitchen counter minutes later with a small pint of lemon sorbet and a spoon. "My body has no clue what time it is." She confided, hearing familiar footsteps wandering into the kitchen.

Raymond stole a spoonful of her confection with a wink before silently pressing a satellite phone into her hand.

Rosalie looked curiously at the object as the man placed his lips to her temple and strode from the room.

Rosalie watched him go, lifting the receiver to her ear. "Hello?"

"Bon Soir, Mon Fille. " Came the warm, gentle voice of Marietta Armel.

"Bon Soir, Mamon ." Rosalie immediately sniffled, surprised to say the least.

"Don't listen to this grumpy old buffer." She quipped dryly, scowling at her husband who was seated across the room. Her heart ached when not so much as a titter came through the other line.

"Pére is so disappointed," Rosalie whispered in a small voice. She hated being at odds with the man.

"C'est un peste , and he will get over it." Stated Marietta matter-of-factly, receiving a look of indignation from the man. "If he does not, I will slap him around."

The mental image brought a soft smile to Rosalie's lips. "Oh, Mamon, what issue could he possibly have with Raymond? He does business with the man for God's sake. Up until that whole mess in Munich, Florian had absolutely adored him."

Marietta smiled wryly, placing a hand to her husband's cheek, "You are the closest thing we have ever had to a child, mon rose sauvage . Secretly, I think he believes no man will ever be good enough."

The icy blue eyes misted the man's frustration, a curt nod confirming his wife's assessment of the matter.

"I can't stand them being at odds." Admitted Rosalie, fidgeting with the hem of her skirt.

"They won't be for long, Florian will give up his tirade just as quickly as he took it up."

The man in question crossed his arms rather petulantly.

"He just needed to make his displeasure known. Tell Mamon, how long has this been going on?"

"A week," Rosalie answered honestly, "though he didn't believe me when I told him so."

"Non ? Well, I suppose not, he mentioned the two of you were cozy at Marcello's, but who am I to judge, if you say it has been only a week, I believe you."

Florian shook his head minutely, disbelief etched in his features.

"What brought this all about? Pére mentioned something about you disappearing."

"Raymond took us on a little getaway." Rosalie confessed, an unavoidable smile tugging at her lips. "You know how difficult it is to get a moment alone when you have around the clock security."

Marietta laughed a throaty, genuine laugh. "I certainly do, I take it he took you to one of your secure sites?"

The older woman would be lying if she said she didn't want to hear every last detail, with her younger years now firmly behind her, it was always thrilling to hear the wild tales of young love. A joyous sigh poured through the other line, making Marietta's features brighten considerably.

"He took me to the tower in Norway." Rosalie confided, "It was spectacular, Mamon , we were completely safe, comfortable, and perfectly alone."

The old Frenchwoman was nodding her approval, "You would not be with Reddington if he was not a good man. I have taught you too well in this regard. Florian seems to have forgotten he wasn't the only one teaching you a few tricks." Her tone turned a hair chastising while recollection dawned on her husband's face.

Rosalie had been taught the perilous art of tangoing with criminal men by Marietta herself, and the older woman damn well knew what she was doing.

"Raymond sounds like a perfect gentleman. " The woman continued in a carefree voice while her sharp hazel eyes held her husband in a vice grip.

The fight left Florian almost immediately, his head nodding reluctantly. He stood from his seat, kissing the fiery love of his life on the temple before heading to his office for a drink to salve his wounds.

Marietta watched him go, blowing a kiss to him as he turned to leave.

Meanwhile, Rosalie's thoughts were firmly fixed on the man down the hall. "He is a gentleman, and a good man. He's clever, kind, someone I can easily trust with my life."

"Good." Sighed Marietta, her relief evident.

"What do I do, Mamon?" Asked Rosalie, feeling very much like a child in that moment.

"Go , enjoy your lover." She retorted mischievously, "Bask in his attention, his affection, and return it tenfold. He is the one who called me , after all. He was worried for your happiness after all that transpired. I like that in a man. Florian is old and soft," She insisted quite fondly, "he will sort himself out or I will do it for him. For now, my dear, simply enjoy what life has brought you."

The younger woman beamed a watery smile, " Merci, Mamon ."

"Au revoir, mon fille. " Marietta murmured, ending the call with a soft click.

Rosalie set the phone on the countertop, making her way immediately toward the master bedroom.

She found Raymond seated in one of the comfortable armchairs with a glass of scotch and a questioning expression.

Rosalie perched herself in his lap, draping slender arms around his neck. "You are wonderful," she insisted, kissing him softly on the cheek.

"I take it Marietta managed to talk sense into her husband?" He asked, wrapping his arms around her waist.

Rosalie crossed her legs, easing the heavy crystal glass from his fingers and stealing a sip. "No," she murmured, "She reminded me Florian's discontent has a notoriously short shelf life, and there was a perfectly lovely gentleman awaiting my attention down the hall."

A genuine smile plucked at Red's lips, "Well, as pleased as I am to have you in my arms, I am sorry Florian is still bent out of shape."

Rosalie carded her fingertips through the man's short hair, as was her custom. "I'm content just as we are. Florian will come around. Until then, I won't be robbed of enjoying your company and showering you with affection."

Raymond breathed a sigh of relief, relaxing fully into his seat as the woman stood, beginning her nightly ritual. "You're sure you're alright?" He asked, seeing the heavy weight pressing on those delicate shoulders.

Rosalie smiled warmly at him, stepping out of her pumps and unzipping her skirt. "I am, though I might need a little cheering up." She admitted honestly, throwing him a playful wink.

"I would offer you gold and rubies, but you don't seem the type." Red joked, standing and swaggering toward her, twirling one of her silky curls around his finger.

Rosalie wrinkled her nose, "You're right, I'm more of a platinum and sapphires kind of girl." She quipped, unaware Raymond was actually making a mental note of her preferences.

"What would you like? Name it and it's yours." He replied immediately, "You will learn, along with panty theft, I also have a penchant for doting rather heavily on those I care for."

"I want more important things than gems and jewelry." Rosalie intoned, discarding her clothing piece by piece.

"Such as?" Raymond pulled her into his arms, needing to feel her warm, silky skin beneath his fingertips.

"I want this spot, right here." Her hand traced the crook of his shoulder, the spot she liked to curl up against when they cuddled.

Red halted his movements, watching the woman nuzzle her cheek into the alcove, greeting it like an old friend.

"I want these," Rosalie trailed warm hands down his masculine arms, paying special attention to where his sleeves were rolled up, giving a peak at his tantalizing forearms, "wrapped around me, at every available opportunity."

"And these," her hands moved down to grasp his, bringing both palms up to her lips. Her fingertips lingered on his trigger finger, feeling the rough callous residing there from years of carrying a weapon. "I want these to touch and tease, to calm and soothe, I want them to pull me close when I get too far for you to reach."

Raymond's eyes glinted their surprise, his mind committing her requests to memory as though they were the only thing in this world worth memorizing. "Anything else?" He whispered, his voice gruff. He hadn't expected her to be so open with him, to make these sweet, genuine requests.

"I want these," she caressed the expanse of his button down, "The moment they leave your frame, they become mine. I like wearing them, and I know you love watching me wander the house in them."

Red chuckled, immediately removing his tie and getting to work on the many buttons standing in her way.

Rosalie assisted, tossing his waistcoat onto the nearby chair.

The man divested himself of the shirt, leaving the sleeves rolled up, and wrangled the beautiful woman into the still warm fabric. He buttoned only two of the buttons, leaving a large swath of her naked torso open to his viewing pleasure.

Rosalie mewed contentedly, burying her nose in the shirt's collar and inhaling deeply.

The action was truthfully adorable, causing Raymond's throat to tighten almost painfully as he watched the tension bleed from her shoulders.

"Tell me what else you want, little dove." He coaxed, clutching the feminine frame flush against him.

Rosalie wriggled a hand between them, bringing it up to the man's cheek. Her thumb dropped to gently trace his lips, " I want these." She purred, tilting her little face upward to gaze ardently at the soft, rosy lips, smiling broadly when the man kissed her thumb in response. "These are mine and mine alone, mine to nip and kiss and part with my tongue." She murmured, leaning in to do just that.

Raymond sighed blissfully, deepening the contact and taking Rosalie with him toward their bed.

They kissed until they were gasping for breath, swaying precariously on the spot and clinging tightly to one another.

"Show me, little dove." Red voiced his insecurity when they finally broke, his hand still cupping her cheek. His breath fanned over the woman's lips, bearing the subtlest hint of his preferred vintage, a scent and flavor Rosalie would forever associate with kissing him.

"Show me nothing's changed now we're boldly out in the light."

Raymond needed to know she was still in this with him, despite Florian's vehement disapproval.

Those gray orbs lifted serenely, unflinching as they met Red's expectant stare. Her dark lashes batted away the mist threatening to overflow, the truth finding its way to the young woman without pause.

Rosalie found the stability she sought in Raymond's broad frame. The cock of his head, the ever so subtle lean of his body to the right, the way he held her close, he soothed her simply by being in the same room.

Nothing had changed for her, not one iota.

Rosalie pulled Red toward her, grasping the back of his neck and tugging him with her onto the bed. Her lips sought the sweet spot beneath his jaw, peppering the hollow of his throat with nips and kisses while she reached to undo his belt buckle.

Raymond grunted his approval, opening further to the affection. "I love when you do that." He purred, grasping her upper arms in a firm but gentle grip.

Rosalie laughed a soft, warm laugh, tugging the heavy leather belt from its loops, tossing it toward the bench at the foot of their bed.

Red growled, pinning his lover's lithe frame harder into the plush surface. He huffed his surprise when Rosalie rolled them both, pinning him so he was laying diagonally across the spacious mattress.

She made quick work of his slacks, unbuttoning them and tugging the fabric down his toned legs. His boxers went the same route, leaving him as naked as she in a matter of seconds.

Rosalie turned her attention toward the rapidly lengthening and thickening appendage between his legs. She trailed soft fingertips along his shaft for several long minutes before taking him fully in hand. Her small fist gripped his length firmly, pumping the rod in a smooth, steady rhythm.

"Oh God ," husked Red, watching as though in a trance while the beautiful woman kneeling between his knees swirled her hand deftly over his aching head. His cock was rigid and pulsing with a bone-deep need, responding to each and every stroke of her slick grip.

"So hard for me," Rosalie cooed thoughtfully, "I wonder, do other women get you this hot and bothered?"

A smug smirk plucked at Red's mouth, "Already feeling possessive, are we?"

A sharp sting on his right hip made him gasp and chuckle. The little minx below had taken it upon herself to leave a deep red love bite on his skin in retaliation. The sensation enticed, drawing Raymond's attention to the fact Rosalie's warm, wet little mouth was a mere hair's breadth from his shaft.

"You're damn right I'm possessive." She purred darkly, tightening her grip for a few strokes before loosening entirely, her palm just barely skirting the hot surface of the girthy appendage. "Though, it's not like you have a leg to stand on in that department." She reminded, unbuttoning his shirt and glancing pointedly down at her feminine frame, riddled with the fading evidence of Raymond's possessiveness.

The man cocked his head in open appreciation of her nudity and his handiwork, idly thinking he would have to nip a few of those places again, if only to hear those delicious noises she made.

His complete lack of repentance made Rosalie laugh. "Shameless," she chastised.

"Tease." Growled Red, closing his eyes again and lifting instinctively into her touch only to have her release him. The man growled his frustration.

"Don't worry, darling," Rosalie soothed, a hint of a smirk in her voice, "I wouldn't leave you in such a state."

For the second time, he was surprised with a soft little peck to the very tip of his cock.

Rosalie smirked impishly up at him when his eyes flew open at the sensation. "You promised." She reminded, placing a fuller, open-mouthed kiss to the straining shaft.

" Shit ." He hissed, watching the action with unbridled delight. "I did promise." Raymond recalled, mouth dropping open in arousal as her little pink tongue flitted over a vein, following the sensitive ridge to the base of his shaft, then back up to the tip.

Rosalie found the sight of him leaning forward, hopeful desire pouring from his features to be rather endearing. "I've been wanting you in my mouth for a very, very long time." She confided, blinking sweetly up at his shocked face. It took the woman a great deal of effort not to giggle at his gobsmacked visage.

"You have, have you?" Red rasped in an impossibly deep voice, utterly riveted by the declaration.

" Mmhmm ," she hummed, drawing the rounded tip of his erection between, plump, rosy lips.

"Oh, fuck me," Husked Raymond, feeling her wet tongue flick playfully across his sensitive head.

"I thought you might like this," she sighed, continuing her sensual play. "I've been wondering if I can make you half as desperate for release as you've made me." She admitted, eyes never leaving her pastime.

"Is there even a question in your mind?" Red grunted, arching to meet her and grasping the sheets in a death grip.

Rosalie knew very well Raymond was unusually prodigious at making her shatter with the slightest touch, therefore there was a question in her mind. The woman couldn't help but wonder if she lived up to his fantasies, too.

"I want to make you come undone." She whispered sincerely, watching entranced as her fingers gapped around his straining girth.

"You are," he assured on the end of a moan, her grip tightening deliciously around him. "God, you're making me loose my mind." He groaned honestly, a shuddering gasp leaving his mouth as Rosalie suckled his cock again, humming contentedly.

" Jesus ," the vibration made kaleidoscopic colors dance in Raymond's vision, his body already toying with an excruciating edge. His head fell back, eyes closing to everything but the delectable sensations rippling in waves from his groin.

The talented little tongue trailed the length of his twitching member, flicking and swirling along its surface. Rosalie memorized each reaction Red gave, listening intently for which strokes made him gasp and moan, what touches made his body buckle with pleasure.

Raymond slowly opened his eyes, taking in the incredible show. If his lover was focused when putting her empire to work, it was nothing compared to the way she focused on him now. She watched her movements with intense scrutiny, making the man's dick twitch excitedly.

"I think he likes me." She teased, tracing the pulsing appendage with a lone digit, making Red shiver.

"You're his favorite place to be." Raymond replied lasciviously, earning another love bite on his hip. The sensitive skin tingled pleasantly from Rosalie's rough attention.

The woman giggled before finally taking his rigid length deep into her mouth, garnering his undivided attention once more.

His lover mewed her enjoyment as his turgid shaft slid all the way to meet the back of her throat.

"Oh fuck, Rosalie." Red panted, working to keep his hips from thrusting into her willing mouth with abandon.

Her suckling made his knees weak. Rosalie was wickedly calculated, alternating between intense suction and soft, barely-there strokes, slowly building the man to a spine tingling peak. She diligently teased the taut skin of his shaft and the swollen bulb of his head without stopping, losing herself to the act of making him climb the walls.

Raymond doubted there was a man alive who could withstand such delectable torture for long. In a matter of minutes, Raymond was arching into her in desperation, hoping for that last little lick to drag him over the edge.

"Please, little dove,"

Rosalie pulled away slightly, flicking her tongue languidly against his testicles, feeling the bundle tighten beneath her assault.

"God …damn !" Raymond snarled when she took him deep into her mouth once more. His forearms braced against the bed, the bottom of his fist connecting with the soft mattress with a despondent thud.

"I need to come." He pleaded, hips rocking into the delectable cavern, feeling her tongue ripple beneath his length.

"Then come , Raymond." Rosalie told him, releasing his aching member just long enough to make him moan plaintively.

"I want to come with you, inside you," he insisted, attempting to pull her from the foot of the bed.

Rosalie lifted reluctantly, placing a gentle hand on Raymond's chest, pushing him to his back on the pristine sheets. "So do I," she assured, returning to her excruciating pastime, "but you promised you'd be a good boy, so you getting between my legs will have to wait until I've thoroughly had my way with you."

" Rosalie ," Red all but begged, legs unconsciously spreading to better accommodate her slender frame between them.

A giggle escaped her, "Your body is in agreement with me, darling." She intoned knowingly, not missing the subtle spread of this thighs, the way his hips kept arching into her touch. "Your cock wants to come inside my warm, wet mouth." She stated confidently, licking the man's shaft as though he were a particularly satisfying lollipop.

"Fuck , honey, is that what you want?" Red gasped, opening his eyes to watch Rosalie's pouty lips inching slowly down his member.

Those gray eyes scorched him from the inside out as they held his gaze, the soft feminine features of Rosalie Øllegaard nodding innocently up at him. " I'm not stopping until you give me what I want, Raymond. " She purred, her lips releasing his bulging head with an audible pop.

"Mother of God ," Red husked, his Adam's apple bobbing heavily at the scene.

Rosalie's small fist continued to stroke him, pumping and squeezing the slick rod without stopping.

"Let go, darling," she coaxed sweetly, "Let me make you as wild as you make me."

"Yes." He growled, fisting the sheets beside him as she took him deep into her mouth. The silky waves of honey blonde hair tickled his hips and thighs as Rosalie bobbed steadily on his twitching erection.

She could taste the warm precum beading from his slit with each swipe of her tongue. The taste was enticing, intoxicating, a mix of salty sea, a hint of sweet, and a heady musk that was all Raymond.

Red's entire body was rigid and primed for release, exciting the hell out of his partner. The man's toes had curled and a barrage of ragged groans tumbled low and deep in his broad chest. One of the muscles in his neck bulged with tension, just begging for his lover to nibble her way along it.

"You're going to make me come." Raymond panted brokenly, drawing his lover out of her reverie, finding him watching the arousing show she was performing with undisguised lust.

Rosalie mewled her arousal, writhing her tongue pointedly over his frenulum, pulling a snarl from his open mouth. She sucked hard, taking him to the very hilt and swirling her tongue along his velvety length. She felt the thick shaft flex between her lips, signaling how very close he was. Her small hand reached down to cradle his testicles, rolling the heavy sack with nimble fingers.

" Don't stop , keep- Fuck , keep sucking." Red rasped, barely able to choke out the plea as his grip on reality slipped several notches.

To her credit, his lover did not pause, suckling at his rock hard head before taking him deep into her hot little mouth once again.

" Shit… Oh shit…" Red gasped, one of his knees giving an involuntary spasm. The point of no return rapidly bore down on him, his control unraveling before his eyes. Raymond's hips bucked without rhythm, chasing that razor's edge with every fiber of his being.

When Rosalie wriggled her tongue insistently against the underside of his cock, drawing heavily on the twitching member, the man completely lost it.

" Rosalie !" He howled through a guttural moan, " Fuck…I'm…coming !" He roared, arching into the delectable slide of her waiting mouth.

Hot, heavy spurts of Raymond's seed pulsed from his throbbing slit deep into his lover's throat, coating the hollow and her tongue with his orgasm.

Rosalie hummed, making the man's eyes roll backward as the soft vibration combined with the swallowing motions the back of her throat made against his hypersensitive head.

"Christ , little dove," he moaned, threading his fingers through her long blonde hair, slowing her movements as he shattered into a million pieces. Her touch left him quaking, his body deliriously sensitive and rutting the dying embers of his release into her hot, wet little mouth.

The man's whole body lurched forward when Rosalie drew on him one last time, releasing his spent cock with a husky, feminine moan. "Have I thoroughly convinced you?" She purred in an impossibly warm voice, nuzzling his nose and brushing her lips with his.

"Honey, you have no idea," husked Red, thrilling at the taste of himself on her tongue as she doled out teasing flicks to his mouth.

He had been on the receiving end of some incredible oral sex in his lifetime, but this woman had taken to the task with such sensuality, such desire, the man was a shivering wreck at the moment.

Rosalie, on the other hand, looked like the cat who caught the canary, "I like having my wicked way with you." She tittered, quite pleased with the state of her lover.

"So do I," quipped Raymond, "Should you feel another insatiable urge to have me at your mercy, I will happily make myself available for more of your methods of persuasion."

"Will you, now?" Rosalie giggled, settling herself on the man's lap. She could feel the heavy appendage beginning to stir beneath her.

"Mhm," he nodded, cupping her cheek and pulling her back to his mouth. "I've spent a very long, tiring day waiting to be alone with you in this room. Our room."

Rosalie sighed melodiously, immensely enjoying the words he uttered. This was their room now, their bed. There would be no sneaking back and forth in the early morning light, no more hiding their involvement, a fact for which Rosalie was immensely grateful.

"Ours ." She agreed, pulling him close.