Cloak Dagger And Desire Ch 01 07

Chapter 1

The first rule of seduction is simple: always leave them wanting more. And right now, Lord Hamish of Greyhaven looked like a starving man staring at the last piece of cake.

I stretched languidly, letting the silk sheets slip dangerously low on my chest, just enough to make his gaze linger. His face flushed a satisfying shade of crimson, and I smiled--innocent, teasing, like I hadn't just wrapped him around my finger and plucked what I needed from him.

"Well, Hamish, darling," I purred, twirling a lock of hair around my finger, "I'd love to stay longer, but you know how these things go. A girl has places to be, hearts to break, gold to collect."

He blinked at me, dazed, still half-sprawled on the enormous feather-stuffed bed, his belly showing from where his nightshirt had ridden up during our little, "negotiations." Not the most impressive figure, but he had money and, more importantly, that damned ring I was after.

"K-Katie, you can't leave so soon," he stammered, propping himself up on his elbows with all the grace of a drunken mule. "You were just remarkable. We could have breakfast, maybe? Spend a little more time together,"

Breakfast. Gods. Men are so predictable after a tumble. I let out a soft, musical laugh, getting up slowly--giving him a little show as I sashayed around the room in search of my boots. I could feel his eyes drinking in every movement.

"Oh, sweetie, we already had all the fun I needed," I teased, bending over just a little too far to pull on my boot. "Besides, you've got work to do, don't you? Some boring council meeting or other noble nonsense."

He didn't respond--too busy staring--but that was fine by me. Let him be a little dazed and confused. It made slipping out much easier. And I had what I came for, anyway.

The wedding ring--ornate and heavy with a decorative engraving all around--was safely tucked into my bodice, snug against my chest. Poor fool hadn't even noticed when I plucked it from his bedside table, not with all the other distractions I'd given him.

It was supposed to be some heirloom, too. Family treasure, lost in a game of cards when Lord Hamish's dice had been working well for him. A local merchant had hired me to get it back--something about saving his marriage. I hadn't asked for the details; the fee had been more than enough to cover my curiosity.

"Are you sure you don't want to stay?" he asked again, hopeful and pathetic all at once. "I could, well, I could make it worth your while."

I slid the second boot on, then turned, planting one hand on my hip and giving him a little smile, just enough to keep him yearning. He thought he could buy more of my time with coin? Cute.

"Sweetheart," I said, crossing the room and leaning in close, my lips almost brushing his ear, "even you couldn't afford me."

Before he could respond, I gave him a playful pat on the cheek and slipped out of his bedchamber, leaving him a flushed, stuttering mess. The man would be daydreaming about me for weeks. Perfect.

The corridors of his estate were quiet as I made my way out, slipping past dozing guards and servants too deep in their cups to notice me. It wasn't my first time sneaking out of a noble's bed, and it certainly wouldn't be the last. People like Lord Hamish never looked too closely at women like me. They didn't realize until it was too late that they'd been robbed.

By the time I reached the street, the sun was just beginning to rise, casting a soft golden light over the city of Greyhaven. I pulled my cloak tighter around my shoulders and set off toward the merchant district, where my client waited. With the ring back in his pudgy hands, he'd probably sing my praises for a week, maybe even send a few of his friends my way.

Easy money, I thought with a grin.

The streets were already waking up, merchants setting up their stalls, craftsmen hammering away at their anvils, and nobles sleepily returning from their revels of last night. Greyhaven was a melting pot of races and trades, and I fit right in with the hustle and bustle--though few people had my unique skill set.

As I rounded the corner to my destination, a voice called out from behind me, sharp and familiar.

"Katie, you slippery fox!"

I turned to see Lenn, my client, huffing and puffing as he jogged toward me. A plump man with a head full of thinning hair and a face that always seemed on the verge of panic, Lenn looked even more frantic than usual. He practically skidded to a stop in front of me, hands wringing.

"You've got it?" he asked breathlessly, his eyes darting around as though Hamish himself might leap from the shadows and strike him down.

I let out a sigh, producing the ring from my bodice and holding it up for him to see. "Lenn, darling, I'm hurt. Do you really think I'd let you down?"

His eyes lit up like a child at Winterfest, and he reached for it, but I held it just out of reach. "First things first," I said, wagging the ring between my fingers. "Payment."

Lenn blinked, then fumbled at his belt, producing a small purse and shoving it into my hands. I opened it, glanced inside, and gave a satisfied nod. The weight felt right. More than right, actually.

"Pleasure doing business with you," I said, finally passing the ring to him. "Try to keep a closer eye on it this time, yeah?"

Lenn muttered his thanks and scurried off like a rat with a stolen wheel of cheese. I watched him go, feeling the weight of the coins in my hand. Easy job, good money, no broken hearts. Well, except maybe for poor Lord Hamish, but he'd get over it.

With a spring in my step, I turned and melted back into the busy streets of Greyhaven. Another day, another job, and I was just getting started.

Chapter 2

A good breakfast paid for by some of the gold from the purse should've been the end to my morning, but trouble has a way of finding me. And this time, it came in the form of a finely folded note, slipped to me by a rather anxious-looking young man just as I was finishing off my morning tea.

The note itself was simple. A time. A place. And the unmistakable scent of wealth on the parchment.

I have a proposition for you. Meet me at The Silver Hart. Private room at the back.

No name, of course. That would've been too easy. But I figured Lenn had mentioned me to one of his well-to-do friends. Maybe he was trying to drum up more business for me--or perhaps he'd let slip about my talents in other areas. The more I thought about it, the more intrigued I became. A tavern like The Silver Hart? This wasn't the sort of place a merchant like Lenn frequented. No, this smelled of someone higher up the food chain. Nobility.

I didn't think twice about heading there, though. If nothing else, it was bound to be entertaining.

The tavern, The Silver Hart, was far fancier than the ones I typically found myself in. This place wasn't the sort of establishment where thieves and rogues gathered; it was the kind of place where nobles conducted discreet business over overpriced wine and where rumors moved faster than the city's fastest messengers. The kind of place where, if you weren't careful, you could find yourself tangled in the webs of the rich and powerful. Exactly the sort of place I loved to avoid--unless, of course, someone was willing to pay me handsomely for it.

By the time I arrived, the tavern was alive with the clinking of fine silverware and the low murmur of conversations. The clientele, draped in silks and jewels, paid little attention to a woman like me as I strode in, my cloak pulled close to hide the less-than-fine clothes beneath. The letter had told me to head to a private room, so I wasted no time.

When I opened the door to the private chamber, however, I froze for a heartbeat.

Sitting elegantly by the window, bathed in the soft morning light, was Lady Elira Hamish--the wife of Lord Hamish. I'd seen her once, from afar at some noble gathering, but this close, she was even more striking. Younger than her husband by at least two decades, with sleek auburn hair, sharp green eyes, and a figure that would make any nobleman forget his vows in a heartbeat.

I quickly snapped the door shut behind me and pasted on a smile, though my mind was racing. This wasn't the kind of meeting I'd been expecting, and I certainly hadn't planned on sitting across from the woman whose husband I'd very recently duped and bedded.

"Lady Hamish," I greeted her, bowing my head slightly, keeping my tone respectful, but light. "This is a surprise."

Her eyes gleamed with amusement, and her lips curled into a knowing smile. "Please, sit." Her voice was soft, but carried the kind of confidence that came from knowing she was the one in control. "And do call me Elira. We can dispense with the formalities, Katie."

So, she knew my name. I wasn't entirely surprised. Women like Elira always knew more than they let on, especially when it came to their husbands' dalliances. But it put me on guard all the same.

I slid into the seat across from her, leaning back, crossing my legs in a casual, easy manner that belied my growing curiosity. "I have to admit, I wasn't expecting you."

Her smile widened, and I could see the spark of something mischievous in her eyes. "Oh, I imagine you weren't. You thought this would be some other nobleman or perhaps another merchant, like Lenn?"

I blinked. "So, did Lenn recommend me?"

"Not directly," she replied, waving her hand dismissively. "But word of your talents travels fast. Especially after you left my dear husband quite disoriented."

I bit my lip to hide the grin threatening to spread across my face. "Disoriented? Is that what he told you?"

Elira chuckled, a low, throaty sound. "Oh no, he told me nothing, the staff on the other hand..."

I shifted in my seat, trying to gauge whether I was about to be skewered or propositioned. This could go either way, and I wasn't entirely sure which outcome was worse. "Well," I said, carefully, "I do aim to leave an impression."

Elira leaned forward then, resting her chin delicately on her hand, her eyes locked on mine. "I must say, Katie, I admire how you managed to dupe him. Truly. It was masterfully done. I knew my husband was a fool, but I didn't think anyone would have the audacity to pull something like that off so easily. And with such style."

I laughed, the tension easing a little, though I was still cautious. "Thank you, my lady. I try to keep things interesting."

Elira's smile turned sly. "Indeed. And that is why I think you might just be the person I need."

There it was--though there was something in her tone that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. The way her lips curved when she said 'need' had layers to it, and none of them were purely professional.

I raised an eyebrow, meeting her gaze head-on. "And what, exactly, is it that you need from me, my lady?"

Elira's eyes roved over me slowly, appraising, before she spoke. "Let's just say, I have certain ambitions. My husband, bless his heart, is useful in certain circles, but he's also lacking in others. I think you know what I mean."

She let that hang in the air between us, and I couldn't help the smirk that tugged at my lips. Oh, I knew exactly what she meant. Lord Hamish wasn't exactly a fulfilling man, in any sense of the word.

"I see," I replied, keeping my tone light, though my pulse quickened. "You need someone who can deliver in ways he cannot."

Elira leaned even closer, her perfume--a heady mix of jasmine and something I couldn't quite place--filling the air. "Exactly. And you, Katie, might be able to help me, in more ways than one. There's a matter of business, of course. But," her voice lowered, sultry and suggestive, "I also have other needs. Needs I think you might be able to satisfy."

Her meaning wasn't lost on me, and the tension between us crackled like fire on dry wood. My heart raced, but I kept my expression cool, leaning back in my chair as though we were discussing nothing more scandalous than the weather. I was used to people wanting things from me, but this was a different kind of game--a dangerous one.

"And if I agree to, help you," I asked, matching her sultry tone with my own, "what exactly is in it for me?"

Elira's smile was sharp as a dagger. "Power, influence, and wealth beyond anything clients like Lenn could ever offer you. And, of course," she added, her gaze lingering on my lips, "some personal benefits as well."

I grinned. "I think we can come to an understanding, my lady."

Chapter 3

There was a moment--a brief flicker of hesitation--where I thought about playing coy, teasing Elira just a bit longer. But when her hand reached out, fingers tracing the line of my jaw, all thoughts of restraint vanished.

It was like a match striking dry tinder. The instant our lips met, the world outside faded into a distant hum, replaced by the heat of her body against mine. Unlike her husband's awkward fumbling, Elira knew exactly what she wanted--and exactly how to get it.

I was no stranger to the dance of seduction, but this was different. This wasn't about games or manipulation. It was a mutual, electric hunger. Her fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me closer, her mouth hot and insistent against mine. I let out a soft moan, feeling the smooth silk of her gown slide between us as she pushed me back onto the plush bed.

She didn't waste time. With quick, practiced hands, she undid the ties of her bodice, slipping out of her gown with a confidence and grace that made it clear she wasn't just some nobleman's pampered wife. Elira was power wrapped in beauty, and gods, did she know it.

I wasn't shy about exploring the smooth, soft curves of her body, my hands tracing every line as her lips found my neck, my collarbone, and lower still. Every touch, every kiss sent shivers racing down my spine, a slow burn building in my core as I arched beneath her.

"Elira," I whispered, breathless as she slid one leg over mine, straddling me with a wicked smile.

"I think you'll find," she purred, pressing her hips against mine, "that I am far more satisfying company than my dear, inept husband."

I grinned up at her, my breath hitching. "You're already proving that, my lady."

She laughed, a low, throaty sound that sent a thrill through me. Then her lips were on mine again, and everything else fell away.

Our tongues danced together, swirling in an intoxicating rhythm. Her hands roamed my body, tracing every curve, every plane. I felt her breasts press against mine, her nipples hardening under the touch of her fingertips. It was like a match igniting, and soon we were lost in each other's arms.

My hands moved lower, tracing the lines of her belly before finding their way between her legs. Her juices were already starting to dampen my fingers as I traced her folds. She moaned into my mouth, her hips arching towards me. It was clear she wanted this as much as I did.

I pulled her hips closer, feeling the heat of her sex against mine. She moaned into my mouth, her nails scratching down my back as she arched against me. My own desire was already building, a wildfire within me that threatened to consume us both.

She laughed softly, pressing herself against me once more. Her fingers danced over my body, teasing and taunting until finally, she pulled off her undergarments entirely. Our bodies were bare against each other now, skin touching skin in the cool night air.

"And you," she panted, her eyes burning into mine, "are just as breathtaking."

I couldn't help but grin at her response, my own desire growing with each touch. It was clear that she felt the same way; her eyes were glossy with lust, and her breath came in short gasps.

I kissed my way down her neck, nibbling at her skin and whispering words of lust. She let out a soft gasp, her fingers entwining in my hair as she pressed herself closer to me. Elira tasted like a mix of sweet honey and fresh rain, in a way only a noble with access to expensive lotions could. Her nipples were hard and pink against my tongue, their peaks stiffening further with each stroke of my lips. I took one into my mouth, sucking gently while using my hand to fondle her other breast.

She eagerly pressed herself against me once more. Our lips met again, our tongues dancing together as we explored every inch of one another. The night air was filled with the sounds of our passionate lovemaking, and for a moment, everything else faded away.

Unlike Lord Hamish's awkward, bumbling attempts, Elira was confident, demanding, and relentless in her pursuit of satisfaction--for both of us.

Elira spun around, planting her pussy directly into my face as she straddled me. She dived into my own sex with a passion that made my heart race. My tongue danced against her slit, tangling with hers as we both tried to outdo each other in our quest for pleasure. Her fingers slid along my body, tracing every contour while she used her lips and teeth to tease me into submission.

Suddenly, Elira grabbed hold of one of my legs and pulled it up, spreading me wide open for her exploration. She took advantage of the position, pressing herself deeper into my cunt as she licked along my clit with a hungry intensity.

I couldn't help but moan again, arching up towards her as she expertly used her tongue and fingers to bring me closer and closer to orgasm. And then, just when I thought it would never come, the first wave of pleasure crashed over me, sending shivers through my entire body.

Elira followed suit, her own climax coming moments later as she collapsed on top of me, panting heavily. For a moment, we lay there, entwined in each other's arms, both trying to catch our breath. She rolled off of me and onto her side, grinning at me from beneath lowered eyelids.

"Well," she murmured, "that was... unexpectedly delightful."

I laughed, shaking my head. "You're not kidding."

We finally collapsed onto the bed, spent and tangled in the sheets, I couldn't help the lazy, satisfied smile that spread across my face. The room was warm, filled with the scent of sex and sweat, the muffled noise of the tavern outside barely reaching our little world.

I lay on my back, catching my breath as Elira rolled over beside me, her body still glistening from our exertions. She propped herself up on one elbow, her gaze languid but calculating. I knew she wasn't done with me--not yet. There was business to attend to, but we'd at least enjoyed the prelude.

"You're right," I said with a satisfied sigh, turning to face her. "That was much more enjoyable than the time I was in bed with your husband."

She laughed, her fingers trailing lazily over my stomach. "I should hope so. Hamish couldn't satisfy a child's curiosity, let alone a woman like you."

Her hand lingered, but I could feel the shift in the air. The heat of our moment was giving way to something sharper--something more dangerous.

"So," I said, stretching my arms above my head, giving her a little show as I arched my back. "We've had our fun, my lady. Now tell me--what's the real reason you called me here?"

Elira's smile faded slightly, her gaze growing serious as she rolled onto her side, resting her hand on my thigh. "You're clever, Katie. That's why I sought you out. You're good at what you do--whether it's charming a fool like my husband or slipping in and out of places unnoticed."

I raised an eyebrow. "Flattery will get you everywhere. But what exactly do you need from me?"

She sat up then, pulling the sheets around her as she leaned back against the headboard. "There's a situation. A matter that requires subtlety and discretion." She glanced at me meaningfully. "Two things you seem to excel at."

I grinned. "Discretion is my middle name. But I need details."

Elira paused for a moment, as if weighing how much she should tell me. "There was an assassination attempt last week. On a royal, the Prince. It's been kept quiet, of course. They don't want to panic in the streets."