Page 35 of Felix and the Spy
The woman who stared back at her from the mirror was dressed in a pink blouse and long black skirt. Her hair was pinned back in a bun. Amara never wore pink unless it was for an assignment, but she’d picked out the color because it brought out her complexion. At least her mother thought so. Fastening a pair of pearl earrings, she surveyed herself in the mirror. She didn’t dress up for her affairs, and she didn’t look forward to meeting them. But this was different. She wanted to gaze into Felix’s clear eyes for hours and commit every blush to her memory.
When she left the house minutes later, she was still thinking about him.
Talking to Felix had released an invisible burden that she’d held deep inside. When she glanced at her reflection in the glass, she no longer saw a sad, flawed woman. She saw someone who had talents, ambition, and desires that couldn’t be overshadowed by grief.
Feeling a little lighter, she continued to make her way to the city center. The festival consisted of displays of flowers and plants that had been brought in from all over the country. A fireworks display would begin at eight. The trees flowered, lighting the way. Amara held a handkerchief around her nose, trying to not breathe in the pollen. Another reason she shouldn’t have agreed to this. Too bad she was beyond reason.
Settling on a raised balcony in the town square, several feet away from the main display, she inhaled the aroma of flowers and sneezed. There weren’t a lot of people there, which made it perfect for the secret meeting. From the distance, she watched the flower petals fly in the end. The night air was tranquil, a light red moon shining in the sky. A variety of flowers were paraded before the viewers, some even alive and moving. She’d been here two years ago, even written about it in one of her letters as Mrs. Dane.
Footsteps cracked behind her, followed by a deep voice. “Amara?”
Dressed in a black shirt and matching pants, Felix stood a few feet from her, carrying a package wrapped in paper and twill. Amara’s heart lurched at the sight of him, his light hair, his pale skin, his golden spectacles, and that familiar, calming energy he carried.
He took in her bright clothes and smiled.
“You look beautiful, as always.” There was so much sincerity in his voice. When he said those words, she felt it in her heart. He extended the package to her. “I wanted to buy you flowers, but I thought this might be a better idea.”
“What is this?” She untied the twill and peeled back the paper. A book with a yellow cover emerged. The title was unmistakable: The Merchant and the Talented Courtesan. She yelped in surprise, staring at the newest volume of the merchant’s sexcapades. The wind flipped the cover, revealing the first page that bore an image of a woman on her knees before the merchant, his cock in her mouth, his head thrown back in a rapturous expression. It made her wonder what Felix would look like if she did the same. “You bought me an erotic novel.”
“You said you like reading them. I’m told this is the latest installment in a very popular series.”
“Did you just break the law to buy me a book?”
“I might have.”
She laughed. “I love this series.” Closing the distance between them, she embraced him. “Thank you. I’m afraid I didn’t get you any gifts today.”
“Your company is the best gift I could ask for,” he said, hugging her back. “I didn’t think you’d accompany me to the festival, but I’m so glad you came. I wanted to bump into Mrs. Dane last year, but I doubt I’d have recognized you.”
She rested in the safety of his arms, forgetting where they were. “I can’t believe you broke the law. You never break the law.” He had done it for her.
Tucking her hand in the crook of his arm, she watched the people in the distance. Though she couldn’t see everything, she liked being here with him.
“I wanted to get you something you’d like.” His cheeks colored, as they began to walk. They couldn’t get too close to the flower displays, but she knew Felix wanted to see the new flowers they’d brought in this week.
“I really appreciate it. Thank you,” she said. Then, leaning closer, “Is this a hint? Do you want me to go down on you?” She secretly enjoyed his deepening blush. She liked how he could be so passionate, so animalistic, yet so gentle and shy. “Because after seeing that picture, all I can imagine is sucking your cock until your head is thrown back in pleasure and you’re crying out my name.”
“I look forward to it,” he said. “Why don’t we go back to my place after the fireworks display?”
She nodded. However, she didn’t know if she could hold on that long. They strolled toward the flower display, and she let him go. Felix moved about, taking in the new flowers, as she watched from a distance, a handkerchief held over her nose and mouth. When his eyes lit up, her heart squeezed. He turned to her and smiled and waved back, clutching the package in her hand tightly. For the first time, she wished their affair wasn’t a secret. She wished to walk about the city, hand in hand with him, the edges of his silver eyes crinkling when he gazed adoringly at her. How had he become so precious to her in such a short amount of time? Would she ever be able to look at him as her dry, unemotional boss?
Felix returned to her just in time for the fireworks to begin. They stood on a bridge, walking toward the flat plane that connected it to the rest of the buzzing city. There were many people tonight, but nobody that she recognized.
“The display of flowers this year was breathtaking,” he said. “My favorite was the one that eats flesh.”
“Of course.” She rolled her eyes. “You have a penchant for fierce things. Like me.”
“I am a demon, Amara,” he said. “It is in my nature to be wild and untamed.” She swallowed. “I’d forgotten how much.”
Until her.
He left that part unsaid.
Before she could speak the next words, the first firework broke. They came in a rapid succession, and Amara had no choice but to snap her head up and watch them. Tacitly, she threaded her fingers with Felix’s, hiding it in the billow of her skirt. A smile crooked up the corners of his lips. He squeezed her fingers as the sky filled with bright colors. It was like a forbidden moment of joy shared in the darkness.
“I don’t remember the fireworks being so stunning last time. Maybe that has something to do with the fact that I’m with you.” Felix’s words made her heart hammer in her chest. What was he saying? Did he feel the same way she did? He turned to her, the fireworks painting his face with light. His clear gray eyes on her were the most mesmerizing sight in the world. She soaked up his affection. “I’m so glad we came together.”
Amara edged forward before she could think. Her soft lips met his warm ones, and everything was forgotten. He kissed her back gently, adjusting his body to move with hers. All her nerve endings came alive. The feeling of his mouth on hers was the only thing that made her feel beautiful. Desired. Light. Felix opened his mouth, letting her tongue explore him. She drank him in, fevered and desperate. Only when she was with him did she realize how lonely she’d been all along. He was her safe space—a haven where she could be everything she wanted to be.
