Chapter 64

"I can't imagine who the mole could be, though," I said as Charles, for what seemed like the hundredth time, made me lean over and let him inspect my upper arm.

We were on my couch, going over the day with a half-dozen cupcakes.

I let him press his lips against the place where slight bruises had formed, loving that he rumbled in anger every time he saw them again.

"I mean, all the editors and writers seem like they're loyal to the company and the cause. I can't imagine anyone betraying the city workers like that."

Charles shook his head. "You never know what might happen. An accidental slight, a squeeze in the financial situation, resentment and rifts are easy to create."

"But it has to be someone in that room, right? Where else would someone get both information about what was planned the next day and know that I was going to be without Elliot?"

"I'm unhappy to think that it's one of mine, but you're right. There's not many more choices."

He sighed and sat back. "More importantly, Elena, how am I going to be able to let you out of my sight ever again? This is exactly the thing I feared."

"And look," I said, moving so that I was straddling him, looking into his eyes. "I'm okay. The worst thing wasn't so bad because you made sure I was going to be able to handle it."

He frowned and put his hands on my face, pulling me closer for a deep, long kiss.

"I mean, this isn't so bad," I said when he let me come up for air. "If this is what happens when I get in a little trouble, sign me up. In fact," I said, pointing to my neck, "I think it hurts a little right here."

"Oh really?" He smiled. "Let me help." He leaned forward and placed a tender kiss on my neck.

"Maybe here, too," I said, pulling my cardigan off and pointing to skin just above my bra.

He sighed happily and shifted me so he could reach my chest. He kissed my chest, lingering a little longer than before.

"Where else?" he said, smiling at me with sparkling eyes.

"Maybe here?" I said, a little shyness creeping into my voice as I took his hand and put it between my legs.

His eyes narrowed with mischief and he grinned wolfishly at me.

"Oh I can fix that for sure," he said. He turned sideways and leaned me back onto the couch, his hands lifting my legs and he planted soft, playful kisses down my inside of my thighs.

"Look at that, you're shaking," he said in pretend concern. "You must really be injured."

"Fix me, please," I said, teasing, my voice a whisper.

"I'm all over it," he said and his head sank below the hemline of my skirt and I felt his fingers, hot and strong pull aside my panties.

As his mouth closed over my clit, his fingers slid inside me. I gasped with pleasure and leaned back, thinking that those few moments of fear were worth seeing my attacker sitting on the street with a broken nose, but even more, they were most definitely worth this treatment from Charles.

Later that night we were laying together in my bed, having made love twice. Once on the couch. Then we finished the cupcakes. And then came the second time in my bed.

"I've been called to a meeting of Alpha leaders," Charles said, stroking my back as I lay half on top of him, listening to his breathing and inhaling his scent.

"What does that mean?" I said, raising my head to look at him.

"Officials from the State have summoned the major city's Alphas to an emergency meeting. This unrest has them spooked, I think."

I wasn't sure what to feel about that, so remained silent for a moment.

Charles, however, misinterpreted my silence. "I got the call this evening just before we left the office. I didn't want to tell you until the time was right."

I nodded. "I understand. I guess I'm just not sure how to feel about it. Does it mean you're in trouble?"

"No," Charles said, sighing and shifting around to look at me better. "But it does mean that whatever is going on here they don't like. And naturally that's the case. None of us want unrest like this. But sometimes it's necessary to jar the minds of the leaders."

"Do you think they'll ask you to stop it?"

"They might. But there's nothing I as an individual can to. It's the city institutions, and those who are leading the city are those who need to change things, not me. Our company just keeps them honest and it sounds like a lot of people may be feeling pressure."

"Including you?" I asked, worried.

He smiled at me. "Don't worry. I know I'm in the right here. That makes it easier. Now, how about a shower?"

"Together? Yes, please."

He smiled and sat up, offering me his hand. I walked into the bathroom, and started the water. I checked to see that Charles wasn't paying attention as I dropped my robe and stepped into the warm water, enjoying the warmth as it coated my body.

Charles looked behind the curtain at me and his eyes went hungry. "You're so beautiful," he said, and stepped into the shower next to me.

I tried to swivel to let him under the hot stream of water but he was slippery against me and he quickly grabbed my leg and pinned me against the cold tile wall, gripping and raising my thigh with his hand so my opening was exposed to his harness.

His mouth was like a cool suction on my hot skin, and his other hand clamped over my breast. I was instantly wet for him and grabbed his penis, guiding it toward me.

The water made me even more slick but he still was too large and he pushed gently at first, and then more insistently. I groaned and he paused.

"Don't stop," I begged, feeling my entire body stretch up in pleasure to allow him room.

He was cool compared to my hot body, filling me, spreading me out so that it hurt good and felt like he was filling my entire being.

"Charles," I moaned his name in his ear and he began to thrust in earnest. "Yes," I told him. "Right there."

He was hitting something deep inside that sent waves of pleasure. They built quickly and he began to thrust harder, faster as I groaned and gripped his body, pulling him into me.

My mind was leaving me, consumed by the ecstasy that was welling up and escaping my lips in moans of sensation, but in a brief flash of consciousness I thought that I loved it when he lost control like this, when he couldn't stop himself.

He pounded into me, one hand behind my head so it didn't hit the tile but the rest of me creating a resounding slap and thud against the wall, the falling water not able to drown our cries as we both peaked, him shuddering up into me, my own body stretching and writhing in his arms.

We both went still and silent, the sound of the streaming of the water filling the room as he slowly let me down, slipping me down along his body until my foot reached the tub.

It was only then that I realized the water was cold.

"Well, that didn't work," I said, laughing, trying to add more heat.

"Let's wait an hour and try again," he said. "And maybe try another shower, too."

I smiled and kissed him hard. His warm, wet arms circled me and he inhaled. "You smell just as good when you're wet."

As we toweled off my mind returned to his summons. "When do you have this meeting?" I asked, watching him shake his hair dry like a puppy.

He looked at me, his eyes serious. "Tomorrow morning."