Page 21 of Chasing Hope

He backed her up against the boat and his knuckles skimmed along her cheek. His voice was a husky whisper. ‘Your skin’s as soft as a baby’s butt. Like I always knew it would be.’ Before Hope could interpret the meaning of his statement, his lips tentatively brushed over hers. Hope’s heart pounded as his hand applied the lightest of pressure to the base of her spine, drawing her to his hard chest. He cradled the back of her head; she rose on her toes and he gently kissed her. Her hands found their way up his chest and into his hair. Not caring that they were sweaty and half-drenched, she tightened her grip and he growled low in his throat, ‘You taste like my favourite vodka.’ His hands moved to trace the curve of her hips and she moaned as he deepened the kiss. Hope’s head spun and it felt like she was floating on a cloud. The fact that she was kissing a stranger was both frightening and exhilarating. Wild tremors sauntered up her spine.

Her fingers toyed with the eye patch, but she made no attempt to extract it. That was his aura. She was attracted to his mystique, not his looks. His mouth, soft yet firm, dared her to explore. Accepting the challenge, Hope arched her back and tilted her head, fusing her lips with his for a full-blown kiss.

‘I don’t even know your name.’ The need to moan his name was too strong to ignore.

‘Hmm…’ he said as he nibbled her lower lip. ‘I’d like to keep it that way.’ Hope inhaled his manly scent and her eyes fluttered closed. She would come up with something wacky as soon as her brain kicked into motion again. ‘There is a reason why I only operate in the shadows.’ Hope’s hands ran over his face and she could faintly descry the strong outline of his jaw. Under the soft pressure of his insistent mouth, Hope let go of her unuttered thoughts. He continued to kiss her slowly, savouring every second of it. Like he had all the time in the world, like there was no place else he’d rather be. Taking his own sweet time, his lips stroked hers as if she was the very last piece of chocolate in the fridge.

They were a few inches shy of the silver cascade of the moonlight and the soft glow of the stars. So close yet so far. This ineffable experience enticed her. One last whispery kiss and he slowly retreated. Hope yearned to stop the clock and hold onto this moment for eternity. These new feelings of need and passion that bubbled inside her were something so rare and unique. Her hand shook as she placed it on her thudding heart.

Inching closer, his warm and stubbled jaw grazed her cheek. His honeyed tone skirted along her ear lobe.

‘I’m kinda growing fond of the idea of chasing Hope.’

***

‘Forgive me father for I have sinned.’ Hope saidsotto voce. She closed her eyes, appreciating the quiet of the church. Seated in the confessional, Hope’s thoughts sprinted, not waiting for her to catch up.

‘We haven’t seen you at Mass, Hope. When was your last confession?’ Hope smiled at Father Pinto’s soothing tone. She tilted her head sideways, peeking at him through the black-designed mesh. Hope fiddled with the cross in her chain. It was late evening and Father would have otherwise retired but he stayed on, on Hope’s request. She needed to get a load off her chest and thus sought a confession.

‘Yes Father, I’m sorry, the last two Sundays have blown by and my life’s crazy right now. A lot is happening at work and with “Masked Man”,’ she sighed. ‘It’s been six months since my last confession, Father.’

‘Okay, in that case this should take a while.’ Hope grinned as Father’s chuckle came through from the other side.

‘It’s not too long a list of sins… I hope.’ She rubbed her hands over her jeans and a playful smile lingered on her lips. The list was a mile long; Father would learn of that soon enough.

Father Pinto folded his hands on his lap. ‘Have you cursed? Have you used the Lord’s name in vain?’

Restless, Hope shifted in her seat. ‘Father, if we start there we might have to stay here all week.’

Father Pinto regarded her, his voice soft and understanding. ‘Have you taken pleasure in impure thoughts?’

Hope cleared her throat. ‘Uhh…’ She turned scarlet, certain that imagining herself in Ryan Gosling’s bed constituted not just impure thoughts but also adultery. Of late, there was one enigmatic personality that took up residence in her thoughts and he was inching towards her heart. Hope’s pulse jumped as images of their passionate kiss in the darkened port besieged her mind. She cleared her throat to find her voice. ‘Father, we need to leap ahead. Like, think outside the box.’

Father Pinto shook his head, the knowing smile back on his mouth. ‘In that case you tell me, Hope, what brings you here today? What’s bothering you?’

Hope shifted her chair and faced Father. His features blurred behind the latticed opening.

Get to it Hope,Hope cajoled herself.

‘So here’s the thing, Father…’ Hope’s voice flattened. ‘I’m sure you’ve heard of the “modern day batman”.’ Father Pinto remained silent. ‘So… I kinda know him. Notknow him, know him, but sort of know him.’ Hope shook her head at how insane she sounded. ‘We kissed.’ She sighed heavily and dropped her head back on the chair.

‘The flesh is weak.’ Fr Pinto said in a thoughtful tone.

‘Oh, tell me about it.’ Hope closed her eyes and replayed in her mind the scenes from last night. A fuzzy sensation swirled around in her stomach. Hope took a quavering breath to control her surging emotions. ‘I have no idea who he is, or where he’s from, but there was this intense, electrifying connection between us and I couldn’t seem to help myself. There was something oddly familiar about him. I’m meeting him again in the coming days and I can’t help but wonder if we will do more than just kiss.’ Her heart raced with anticipation. Silence continued to prevail at Fr Pinto’s end. Hope’s brows furrowed in contemplation. ‘Actually the right thing to do is to inform the authorities. He has been so slick over the years. And no one has been able to catch him. I’m confident it's ‘cause he is doing good for society. I’m sure the only reason he has agreed to help me is that we are working towards a common goal. He is a good human being, Father. Leading his life dangerously he saves the lives of a whole lot of people. I know I’m being naive and I’m swept by the allure of this thrilling escapade.’ She sighed, massaging her aching forehead. All these thoughts were creating a ruckus in her brain. ‘But… I kinda really like him. Scratch that, I think I’m falling hard for him.’ Combined sighs resounded in the enclosure.

‘Hope, I understand this can prove quite a conundrum, finding the right thing to do. You are a wise woman and I’m sure when the time is right you’ll make the right call.’

‘That’s the thing Father. When it comes to him, I’m anything but rational.’

Chapter Thirteen

How many times can one fall in and out of love? Apparently, way too many times. Notwithstanding, that love can sometimes be only one sided, one can’t help but fall into the misleading, enchanting trap.

‘Get a grip, man. She’s way out of your league.’ In spite of receiving vibes cold enough to freeze an oasis in a desert, Phoenix’s chocolate-brown eyes pursued the collie. Ethan couldn’t fault the poor chap. The rare and exotic female had the softest looking coat – a perfect blend of royal white and fawn. Her eyes were a hypnotic black. A regal air surrounded her, knowing very well everyone in the room was taken by her beauty. Phoenix sighed and gave the collie his famous lovesick puppy-dog eyes. ‘That’s pathetic, man. Just look at her. Do you think she’ll give you the time of the day?’

The corners of Phoenix’s mouth lifted. Ethan may as well have been talking to the furniture. Totally smitten, Phoenix placed his cheek on his paw and was lost to the world. Ethan held onto the leash, lest he got the urge to hump the collie. Ethan hadn’t neutered Phoenix. It would be a crime to deprive the world of junior Phoenixes. Ethan let the brat have his moment while he relaxed in his chair in the waiting lounge.

Aarav had done a commendable job revamping his clinic. From the last time Ethan visited, it seemed like he had stepped into a five-star-plush reception area. The walls were painted a dusky brown with white and black imprints of paws of different animals climbing up the wall like creepers. The mahogany shelves to his right held a variety of animal food, toys, accessories and other essentials. Laid on the marble island to his left was a new gleaming state-of-the-art coffee machine with cookies and muffins. Separate sections for both humans and animals.

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