The Blackfire Protocol by Clifford Beck - HTML preview

Chapter 27

Morning found them wrapped in each other’s arms, the beautifully designed covers of Betsy’s bed safeguarding their bodies against the cold. Her apartment was certainly of higher quality than Frank's, but the January chill still found its way in. Drifting out of sleep, they looked into each other’s eyes, yet it was Betsy’s expression that gave him cause for concern.

“What is it?” he asked.

In her mind, once the act of intimacy had occurred, most men took it as the beginnings of a long-term relationship, and it was this that now plagued Betsy’s thoughts.

“Well,” she replied.

Her words were hesitant as she struggled for just the right way to convey her thoughts. If she was right, there was a good chance Frank would be hurt, and that was the last thing she wanted, knowing that people sometimes become irrational when upset. “I had fun last night,” she continued. “And you’re really good in bed, but I’m not really looking for a boyfriend or anything. My studies are really

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important, and I don’t want anything getting in the way of my career.”

Frank was elated. Given the person Ava turned out to be, he was greatly relieved to know that she didn’t expect anything of him beyond a good roll in the hey. Sex was clearly something she saw as a recreational activity. Hearing this, he let out a sigh of relief and assured her that he agreed with her that nothing should stand in the way of a successful college career.

“You have no idea how happy I am to hear that,” he said. “Honestly, I’m not looking for anyone either. At this point, a relationship would just get in the way.”

With this reassurance, they quickly became more comfortable in each other’s presence, as each could feel the other’s body relax as they continued lying on each other’s arms.

They had spent the majority of the night in bed with very little conversation, and out of curiosity, Frank posed what he felt was a telling question. “So,” he began. “What type of law are you studying?”

Her answer would tell him a great deal about her, and given their initial interaction involved books on environmental law, he had already anticipated her response.

“I’m studying environmental law,” she replied. Frank had guessed correctly, but he felt there was much more to Betsy’s interest in this branch of law than the legal system itself. Another question allowed him to probe further.

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“Why environmental law?” he asked. “There are lots of different branches of law to go into; why that one?”

Betsy’s answer exposed her for the person she was as an individual. As it turned out, she was someone with a deep passion for the protection and recovery of the planet. And while Frank saw this as a noble expression, he also saw it as futile. People are destructive and indifferent by nature and care for little beyond their own self-interests. He saw the human ego as the sole cause of the world’s problems, and the only cure was the demise of the human species. Essentially, he saw her as a hopeless romantic, never seeing the bigger picture—trapped inside the box and never straying outside it.

As he had been curious about her aspirations, she was of his and returned his question with the same. “So,” she began. “What branch of law do you think you’re going into?”

Frank’s response was quick but intentionally left uncertain, as his views were still evolving, and he didn’t want to expose them in fear of alienating her. “I think I might go into constitutional law,” he answered. “I’m not really sure yet.” Leaving Betsy as uncertain of his response as he pretended to be, Frank rolled over, and as he placed his feet on the floor, he felt her arms pulling him back.

“Where do you think you’re going?” she asked. Pulling him back into bed, Betsy forced him onto his back and quickly, lowering a hand, attempted to work him into a state of arousal.

“Oh my God,” he said. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

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Morning sex was not something he was accustomed to and, in truth, was far too exhausted to perform. But under the soft firmness of Betsy’s body, he relinquished his free will and spent the next hour in an almost sexual torment. By the time Betsy was finished, she had effectively kept her promise, and as Frank got out of bed, he realized a sudden difficulty in walking. Seeing this, Betsy let out a playful giggle.

“Isn’t morning sex the best?” she asked. Her question was met with a painful groan as Frank struggled to dress, and as he hesitated at her bedroom door, he was stopped by another question. “So,” she continued. “You want to get together again?”

The answer was, of course, yes. With as much discomfort as Frank was experiencing, he couldn’t help admit that he thoroughly enjoyed Betsy’s company and left craving more.