Relent

His gaze slowly travels down your face and back down to your now covered bosom. Cautiously, you lower your arms, allowing him further purview. Perhaps it's the result of your dream or the remnants of adrenaline from the day but you find yourself rather open to the situation. Seeming to sense your compliance, the man reaches forward and runs a hand up along your arm. A slight jolt runs along its length at the warm contact. Though cheeks grow flushed again you decide to allow him to continue for now. His fingers slowly finish traveling across your arm and begin moving inward toward your décolletage. Biting the inside of lip, you know if you don't stop him now it'll be too late. Unfortunately, your bodily urges take over and you forget all thoughts of protest. Sighing softly, you let your eyes flutter closed and enjoy the pleasurable sensation. His hands travel back down along your abdomen as he begins unfastening your blouse. Absent-mindedly, you pull the dagger aside and slip it under one of the pillows. You can feel his warm breath on your neck before rough skin brushes against it. Increasingly heated, you allow him to push you back against the mattress.

Tentatively, you place a hand on his muscular back and slide up to his broad shoulder. His weight continues pressing down against you as his lips work their way down your neck. Groaning lightly, you can't help arching up into him, drinking in every caress. You can sense his own passion growing as his hand quickly moves to the hem of your skirt. Stiffening reflexively, your eyes briefly reopen at the feel of his touch on your inner thigh. Your heart palpitates faster as you wait in a mix of apprehension and anticipation. Just then an unexpected noise from the other room causes you both to sit up in alarm. Ethan silently gets to his feet and motions for you to remain quiet. Nodding wordlessly, you watch anxiously as he quietly makes his way to the closed door. Leaning his head closer to it, he reaches to his waistband and pulls his gun out. Your eyes widen with alarm as you slink back further in the bed until you're against the wall. Stiffening when you hear another sound on the other side of the door, you cringe in apprehension when the thief flings it open. Waiting on bated breath, you're surprised when the man chuckles under his breath before lowering his weapon.

"I should have figured it was you." You hear him state in a somewhat relieved tone before stepping aside. "When did you get in the country?"

"This morning." A low voice replies as a large figure steps through the doorway. "What are you doing here- Oh, I see..."

A deep blush settles on your cheeks when the stranger's gaze falls on you. Hastily pulling your clothes over your chest with one hand, the other moves to fix your messy hair. When his gaze continues to remain fixed on you, you quickly look away rather nervously. To your surprise, the man shares a lot of similar facial characteristics to the thief. However, his hair is a dark brown boarding on black and his eyes are a deep, almost hypnotic blue.

"Why are _you_ here?" Ethan presses his relief quickly turning to irritation.

"Don't sound so welcoming." The man chastises, finally looking away from you. "I have business in the city but need to remain discreet. Now, is there a reason you're here besides the obvious?"

You're about to speak up in defense of yourself when you're cut off by the thief.

"Take a wild guess." He retorts bitterly before adding. "I'm laying low."

"From who this time?" The man sighs before shrugging a backpack off and setting it down. "The policia? Border control?"

"You know me too well." Ethan chuckles dryly. "Unfortunately, it's a bit more complicated than that. I've had a small misunderstanding with the Lobos. Oh, and one of Mr. M's lackeys as well."

"Wait, you knew all this time?" You can't help interjecting in surprise. "Why did you say anything?"

"Not now, doll." Ethan throws you a wink to your annoyance before turning his attention back to his companion. "Anyway, as you can see, I'm in quite the predicament."

"Why doesn't any of this surprise me?" The stranger shakes his head wearily. "And what exactly was the misunderstanding?"

You listen silently as the thief recounts his version of the events that led you here. You're somewhat surprised to learn that he was also hired to acquire the dagger for the men you encountered in the alley. However, his bid had come in just shy of Mr. M's and rather than deal with the consequences of his loss he decided to gain it by other means. He learned about your meeting and staked out your room waiting for an opportune time to take the dagger. His rendition of the events are accurate, although somewhat biased, regardless you decide not to correct them.

"Again, none of this surprises me." The newcomer repeats a moment later. "But this is certainly an issue."

"Can I speak now?" You finally interrupt, unable to remain silent.

Steadying your nerves, you turn your gaze to look from one of the men to the other. They exchange a glance with each other before Ethan nods in affirmation. Resisting the urge to roll your eyes in response you instead proceed with your thoughts.

"I really don't wish to be any part of this." You somehow manage to state in a clear and even tone. "So, if either of you have any suggestions on how to deal with this problem, I'm all ears."

You almost regret your words when the men exchange another look. Regardless, you currently find yourself at their mercy as you're otherwise completely alone in the middle of nowhere. Biting your lip, you wait anxiously for one of them to respond. Finally, Ethan steps forward with a somewhat sheepish look on his face.

"There might be one thing we can do." He admits sounding a bit reluctantly and rubs this back of his neck with a hand. "But I don't think you're going to like it."