Chapter Two: The Ethiopian Standoff
---
The conference hall at the Sheraton Addis gleamed under the bright sun of the Ethiopian afternoon. Delegates from across the globe--diplomats, business magnates, intelligence operatives masquerading as "trade consultants"--mingled, their conversations a symphony of guarded words and half-truths. Ethiopia, the gateway to the Horn of Africa, had become a focal point for competing geopolitical interests. China's Belt and Road Initiative and the U.S. Agency for International Development were both pumping billions into the region, and every major power wanted a piece of the pie.
Li Yiming leaned casually against a high-top table near the back of the room, his tailored suit immaculate, his tie slightly loosened to give the impression of ease. His sharp eyes scanned the crowd, cataloging faces, movements, and conversations. He wasn't here to mingle. He was here to secure China's position in the region--and recover from the embarrassment of Paris.
Then he saw her.
Ester Tadesse glided into the room like she owned it, her fitted white dress standing out against the sea of dark suits. Her 14K white gold Star of David pendant glittered with a bedazzling glow against her smooth mocha-colored skin. Her presence commanded attention without trying, her striking Ethiopian features accentuated by her confident stride. She smiled as she greeted a few dignitaries, but her dark eyes scanned the room with precision. When they locked with Li's, she didn't look away.
They already knew each other, of course. Their "working relationship" stretched back for a while, born of necessity and mutual benefit. She represented Ethiopian-Israeli interests--though Li suspected Mossad's influence ran deeper than she let on--and often acted as a liaison between various governments. Their interactions had always been layered with intrigue and flirtation, a dangerous but irresistible combination.
"Li," Tadesse said as she approached, her voice smooth and rich like the finest coffee. She held a champagne flute in one hand, her other hand extended in greeting. "I didn't think you'd make it all the way here after Paris."
Li took her hand, his grip firm but not too tight, the ghost of a smile playing on his lips. "Business waits for no one, especially not in a place as... complicated as this."
Tadesse arched an eyebrow, her lips curving into a knowing smile. "Complicated is one word for it."
Their conversation was brief--too brief to attract attention but long enough to convey the familiarity between them. They both knew better than to linger in public. With a subtle nod, Tadesse gestured toward the exit, her meaning clear.
---
The cocktail bar was tucked away in a corner of the hotel, dimly lit and sparsely populated. Jazz music played softly in the background, and the air smelled of aged whiskey and polished wood. Tadesse and Li sat in a booth near the back, their drinks untouched as they faced each other.
"You didn't tell me you'd be at the Bagneaux warehouse," Tadesse said, her tone light but her eyes sharp. "Or that your friends at the MSS would let it burn to the ground."
Li's jaw tightened ever so slightly, but he kept his expression neutral. "You assume I let that happen."
Tadesse leaned forward, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass. "I assume nothing. But it's not like you to lose to the CIA. That's their specialty, isn't it? Chaos for the sake of disruption."
Li let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head. "You think this is a game, don't you?"
"Isn't it?" Tadesse countered, her smile playful but her tone sharp. "A very expensive, very dangerous game. And here we are, the players."
He didn't answer, instead letting the silence settle between them. Tadesse reached for her glass and took a sip, her eyes never leaving his. Finally, she broke the tension.
"Come on, Li. Let's not waste the night talking about who burned what. I'd much rather enjoy the company."
Li's lips twitched into a smile. "You're as subtle as ever."
"And you love it," she replied, finishing her drink. She stood, smoothing her dress. "Shall we?"
---
The suite was luxurious, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of Addis Ababa. The city lights glittered like a sea of stars, and the faint hum of traffic below was a reminder of the world outside.
Tadesse dropped her clutch on the desk and turned to face Li, her gaze smoldering. She stepped closer, and he met her halfway. The space between them disappeared in an instant, their lips meeting with the kind of urgency that came from years of unspoken tension.
Their hands roamed across the others' bodies, grasping at the fabric hungrily. Tadesse broke from their kiss and looked up pleadingly at Li. "Be a gentleman, will you?"
"My pleasure," Li replied.
He shifted around and unzipped her dress. Tadesse's body lithely slipped out of the dress, revealing a fine set of expensive lingerie. Li deftly removed the clasp from her bra, letting it unceremoniously fall to the ground.
"You're all mine," Tadesse cooed.
She ripped at the buttons of Li's dress shirt. Within minutes, they were in the nude, warm embrace of each other. Tadesse turned her back towards Li and climbed on top of his chest, shaking her juicy, round ass in front of his face.
"Like what you see?" Tadesse suggestively asked.
"I'm not here just for a museum tour." Li cooly responded.
Tadesse backed up her glistening pussy in front of Li's face as she took his thick yellow cock into her mouth. Li's tongue darted at her shaved, chocolate-covered folds. He sucked at her clitoris before tracing his tongue around her labias, occasionally darting his tongue inside her vagina. She started to moan delightfully.
Tadesse swirled her tongue around the head of Li's penis, bobbing her head up and down. She would occasionally sink her head deeply and take his penis into her throat while fondling his balls. Li's dick started to leak salty precum as he groaned.
They continued to sixty-nine each other. Li probed two of his fingers inside of Tadesse and fingered her while gently nibbling at her clitoris. He rubbed at the inside of her vagina, eventually finding her g-spot after she moaned suddenly, her moan muffled by his dick stuffing her mouth. He continued to rub that area until Tadesse's orgasm reached a climax. She shrieked as her thighs and body started to shake, her pussy juices dripping onto Li's chin. Li's orgasm burst too as he shot streams of salty, thick cum into her mouth and throat. Tadesse coughed some of his cum onto his balls, but soldiered on and swallowed the rest.
Li said breathlessly, "Wow, that was amazing. Did your handler teach you that?"
Tadesse remarked, "Some things you can only learn by doing."
After wiping themselves off with a towel, Li unfurled a condom around his hard again cock. "Ready for the main course?", he suggested.
"What else did I come here for?"
Tadesse laid down on her back. Li climbed onto the bed before mounting her from above, his face dripping sweat onto her face. He slowly pushed his cock into her pussy, starting at a slow pace before picking up the tempo. She rubbed her clitoris and yelped with pleasure as he fucked her relentlessly. The bed shaked harder than a building in an earthquake.
Tadesse's round, copper tan breasts jiggled up and down. Li's hips grinded against hers, as his heavy, juicy balls slapped her tight asshole. Her orgasm crescendoed a second time as she moaned and gasped for air, her chest turning flushed and her thighs quivering as her pussy clenched his dick.
When her orgasm subsided, Li slid out and spun Tadesse around until she was on all fours, her ass up in the air and her face down on a pillow. Li penetrated from behind, his rock-hard dick slick with her juices. He slapped her ass loudly, leaving a rough red hand mark on her right cheek before picking up his pace. He groaned as he saw the ripples on her ass cheeks clapping from being pounded so forcefully. He was close - his balls started tightening and his vision started blurring.
Li roared as came to a stop and his dick pulsed inside of her pussy. Tadesse reached her hand and fondled his balls for a little bit, trying to coax out as much of his cum as possible. After his breathing subsided, a spent Li slid out of her and sat back on the bed.
"I hope you remember this the next time you intercept Mossad communications," Tadesse slyly replied with a laugh.
---
The room was dark except for the faint glow of the city lights outside. Tadesse was asleep, her bare shoulder peeking out from beneath the sheets. Li stood on the balcony, his phone pressed to his ear as he spoke in low tones.
"Colonel Chen," he said, keeping his voice steady.
The reply on the other end was curt, sharp, and disapproving. "You failed in Paris."
Li closed his eyes briefly, bracing himself. "The CIA destroyed the shipment before we could secure it. But it won't happen again."
"I should hope not," Chen Guowei replied, his tone icy. "Do you understand what's at stake? The Horn of Africa is critical to the Belt and Road Initiative. Djibouti's port is the lifeline for our operations in this region. If we lose influence here, the Americans and their allies will choke our supply routes. It's bad enough as it is that Japan has a base here."
Li nodded, even though Chen couldn't see him. "I understand."
"You've been... distracted," Chen said, his words cutting like a knife. "This is not the time to indulge in personal entanglements. Focus on the mission."
The line went silent for a moment, and Li's gaze flicked to Ester's sleeping form. Chen's next words were softer but no less pointed. "Remember, Yiming, loyalty to the state and the Party is paramount. Don't let yourself become compromised."
"I won't," Li replied firmly, though the words felt heavier than he intended. The call ended, leaving Li alone with his thoughts.
As he slipped his phone into his pocket, his gaze lingered on Tadesse. There was something about her, something he couldn't quite place. She was too smooth, too perfect in her execution. And while he trusted her in some ways, in others, he couldn't shake the feeling that she was playing a game of her own.
