Page 37 of Chasing Hope

‘Just so you know, you can have me any way, any time.’

What ensued beyond that was some of the hottest and mind-blowing sex of his life. Ethan ran his hand over her back and hoisted her higher. She gasped as he jerked up hard, sinking into her inch by agonising inch. Instantly, she began to moan and bucked impatiently. It took a few attempts but, determined to make it happen, they worked together to find the right fit. Ethan slammed his hand on the wall and placed one foot on the stone to get a better balance. He changed his angle slightly and that made all the difference. Her sharp moans indicated that it was perfect for her too. Hope tightened her arms and legs as he ground into her with deep, long thrusts. His fingers joined in on the fun. Every thought in his mind erupted as the dark curl of need twisted inside him. Awe-struck, he watched as her eyes glowed with something out of the ordinary. Making good on his promise, he rode her over the edge. She orgasmed, screaming her lungs out. Ethan looked into her eyes as she clenched around him. He thrust harder as pleasure coiled inside him, snapping the last trembling bit of resistance. Ethan hauled her to him for a fevered kiss as his climax ripped from within him.

Sweaty, flushed and satiated, Hope uncoiled her legs and slid them to the floor. ‘Jesus, Mary and Joseph.’ Breathing deeply he slipped out of her and instantly felt the void. She dropped her forehead on his shoulder. ‘God, I’m ready to pass out. That is some stamina you have. Man, that was like a naughty sex scene fromFifty Shades of Grey.’

‘You’re a piece of work, you know that right?’ Ethan chuckled. Still reeling in the aftermath of the ferocity of their passion, Ethan crushed his body to hers, sucking huge gulps of air. Silently they hugged and let their bodies come off the high. Cool air spun around them, infusing the garden with a tropical scent. Dusk had settled and the faint gushing of the sea upheaved the sensual aura. This garden held a special place in his heart. And sharing something so sacred and intimate with Hope not only stupefied him but also scared the freaking shit out of him.

‘Ethan?’

‘Hmm…’ He pressed his lips to her ear, listening to her breathing settle down.

‘Do you want to mess up the bed with me tonight?’ He chuckled from deep inside his chest. Those mink-brown eyes mirrored every emotion that coursed through his body.

He ran his thumb along her plump bottom lip and whispered, ‘More than anything in the world.’

Chapter Twenty-Two

At 10am on a Thursday, representatives of news channels from all over the state congregated in the banquet hall of Mumbai’s most popular five-star hotel. Usually, live press conferences were conducted in public places. But this was no ordinary press conference. By holding the conference in a five-star hotel, the host set out to make an extravagant statement, emphasising his status in society.

Amar - Hope, good luck with the conference. I can’t even imagine how hard it must be for you to be there.

Hope blew out a slow breath and texted back.

Hope - Becoming a mean-spirited person wasn’t really what I planned to do with my life but here I am.

Amar - Do I need to come there and save you? Return the favour ;) I don’t want my friend to go behind bars for murder.

Despite her gnawing anger, Hope’s mouth twitched.

Hope - Although I’m out for blood, I’m still not the monster of this story.

Amar - Give yourself some credit. You’ve come this far.

Hope smiled as Amar flung her words back at her.

Amar - Himesh has already paved his road to ruin. Tonight, I’m going to get you all the information you need to demolish the bastard. Just make sure you make it through the morning without bursting a blood vessel. I’m sure this is not great advice, but dent the bastard’s ego.

Hope glared at the life-size posters of the bastard that were strategically placed across the palatial carpeted hall. Bound by her job, Hope felt compelled to be present there. Being in the same room as him irked her as she glanced through the members seated on the podium. There was one member in particular who made her want to grab the mic and knock him out cold with it. Deep in conversation with his companion, he barely spared her a glance. A hush spread over the crowd as the moderator took his position in front of the mic.

‘Today is a historic day for the state of Maharashtra. The wait is finally over, and Jan Seva Party has nominated Himesh Choudhary, the infamous and charming Page 3 celebrity, for the Chief Minister’s post of the upcoming state Legislative Assembly elections.’

The room erupted with resounding applause.

‘Charming my ass,’ Hope snarled. Her eyes threw daggers at him.

The moderator continued, ‘I’d like to invite onto the dais Mr Himesh Choudhary, the CM face of JSP Maharashtra, to address the people. I’m sure everyone present here is familiar with his humbleness and generosity.’ Himesh dressed the part of a humble servant in a pair of white pants and a shirt. Gone were his Gucci sneakers and Versace jackets. What hogwash.

‘What a load of bullshit,’ Hope’s fellow reporter, Zareena, retorted. ‘If I had powers, I would cast a spell on him. I’d wish his body to be covered with boils. Son of a gun.’

Hope's hands tightened around the press kit and her voice shook with self-controlled fury. ‘I have a more befitting punishment. It would involve his family jewels falling off his body.’ Zareena slapped a palm over her mouth and her shoulders shook as she suppressed her laughter.

Himesh then came onto the dais, adjusted the mic and started addressing the people. ‘Hail Maharashtra!’ he yelled into the mic and raised his hand in greeting.

Zareena’s jaw fell open. ‘Seriously, who does he think he is addressing? The Nazis?’

‘The blackguard is no less than Hitler,’ Hope said. Her breath came in quick succession. ‘I wonder what has come over the people, that they are willing to restore blind faith in him? If only I could get up on stage and go live announcing to the world the host of misdemeanours he’s committed.’ Zareena placed her hand on Hope’s shoulder in a way of support.

‘Look around, the room is bursting at the seams with his paid supporters. Hope, he is smart and vindictive, he will stop at nothing to gain this position.’ And that’s exactly what terrified Hope. She squeezed her eyes shut and dragged a forceful breath. She couldn’t wait any longer. They were running out of time. With each day’s delay, Himesh gained more and more power. Once he got elected as the CM there would be no stopping him. Terror sizzled along her skin. What if they failed to stop him? What would be the fate of those poor innocent girls? And how many more would have to suffer at his hands, till someone finally had the balls to speak up against him?

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