Chances

Hey guys, I'm back! Life has been crazy, my oldest just turned nine and my baby, who will be 10 months on the 28th is getting so big, way too fast. He's already starting to walk!

Thank you everyone for your patience. I look forward to the feedback!

Ashira

*****

:: CHAPTER ONE ::

"Wake up!" a loud exclamation, accompanied by the slamming of books on a table startled Shoshana awake and she sat up, her hand slid under her desk and around the smooth handle of her glock. "Relax, Sho, it's just me!"

"Goddamn it, Mia, don't do that!" Shoshana scolded her friend as she stood up. She grabbed a hair tie from the bedside table and tied her brown hair back into a ponytail.

"What are you on edge about?" Mia asked.

"I've just been doing a lot of training, and going where I'm going, I need to be prepared for anything," Shoshana answered. She grabbed her bag then turned to her friend and roommate. "Don't sneak up on me like that again," Shoshana said again, her blue eyes glittered with annoyance.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry. I just wanted to say that Asher and Jake are downstairs waiting for you," Mia apologized. Shoshana smiled at that, grabbed her wallet and shoved it in her bag. "Your guy is downstairs and you aren't even going to do your hair or put on makeup?" Mia asked, shaking her head.

Shoshana stopped, one hand on the door knob and turned to look at her friend. "What?" she asked.

"Asher. You aren't going to pretty yourself up for him?" Mia inquired.

"Ash isn't my boyfriend, he's a co-worker. And we are not allowed to date because of that, even if we wanted to," Shoshana reminded her friend. And with that, she opened the door, left the room and closed it behind her. "Hey Ash, Jake," Shoshana greeted as she stepped into the main hall.

"We've been given our orders," Jake said. He and Asher stood up, Jake motioned towards the front door. Shoshana nodded, grabbed her keys off the hook and headed for the door.

"When do we leave?" Shoshana asked as she slid into the driver seat of the jeep.

"Tonight," Jake answered.

"So soon?" Shoshana asked in surprise.

"Yep. Things are escalating." Jake paused. "You may not like our cover," he added.

"What, do I have to pretend to like you?" Shoshana joked.

"No, you have to pretend to be married to me," Asher said as Shoshana pulled into traffic. "The road, Sho," he murmured as Shoshana stopped short. Horns blared around them as cars pulled off to either side in an effort to go around now the stopped SUV. Shoshana shook her head, checked her mirrors and continued into traffic.

"What do you mean I have to pretend to be married to Ash?" Shoshana asked, her voice low and even.

"We will be in a country where women are property. We need to keep our cover, and you get along better with Ash, and you have a history. You and I, we act more like brother and sister. You and Ash act like you are secretly in love with each other, which the director has noticed, by the way. If it wasn't for this mission, one of you would probably be transferred," Jake answered. Shoshana bit her lip and glanced over at the passenger seat where Asher was studying her out of the corner of his eye.

"Will Jessi be okay with that?" Shoshana asked after a few minutes.

"Will Chris?" Asher retorted.

"We broke up," Shoshana admitted.

"Why?" Jake wanted to know, leaned forward in interest.

"He could not stand that I worked with a bunch of men and I couldn't stand him flirting with everything that had boobs, long legs and beach blonde hair," Shoshana answered.

"Sorry," Asher muttered. The rest of the drive was filled with an uncomfortable silence and Shoshana was grateful when they pulled into the compound. She parked the Jeep and all but sprinted for the elevator.

"In a hurry?" Jake asked as he and Asher joined her.

"I want to get this over with so we can get there and home," Shoshana answered, the thought of her first mission made her nervous and excited, butterflies danced and mingled with birds in her stomach. Jake patted her back knowingly as Asher entered his code into the pin pad. The elevator doors opened and the three of them walked inside.

"Level six," Jake announced. The doors slid closed with a loud ding and the elevator shuttered to life, sending them soaring into the depths of the building. Shoshana's cell phone jangled and she closed her green eyes, sighed slightly when she saw the number on the caller ID.

"Ignore him," Asher suggested.

"I have. He's being a pill," Shoshana groaned. She shut her phone off as the doors slid open with a chime. Margo, the director of operations met them as they exited the elevator. Unlike Shoshana, Margo was a fiery red head with green eyes.

"I apologize for the short notice, but we need a team stat, and you three were the only ones available," Margo said as she led the way to the conference room, where one of the analysts was waiting for them. "Danny, the information if you please," Margo murmured. Danny hit a few keys on the keyboard and a series of images appeared on the wall screen before them.

: CHAPTER TWO :

"This blows," Jake groaned as he and Asher made their way through the tiny market.

"It really does," Asher agreed.

"Quit your complaining and help me find this coffee shop we are supposed to meet Hamid at," Shoshana whispered. Asher took the map from her, and gave her a scolding look. "What?" she asked.

"Your hair is showing," he murmured. Asher pushed the map off onto Jake's unsuspecting arms and gently tugged the Hijab down over Shoshana's bangs so that just her face was showing.

"Thanks," Shoshana said softly. Asher smiled and reached for the map again. Before he could look at it however, two police officers walked up behind him. "Ash," Shoshana whispered urgently. He looked up and she pointed behind him.

"Is there a problem officers?" Asher asked as he turned around. He passed the map back to Jake and took Shoshana's hand in his.

"We noticed your map and that the two of you were with this young woman. She is uncovered. Why are you breaking this law?" one of the officers demanded, his eyes fixed on Shoshana.

"We are American investors, looking for a country to set our business up in. We run a small technology company in the United States. I am Ash, this is my partner Jake and my wife Lily," Asher answered. "We were told by our embassy that as long as Lily keeps her hair covered that she would not have to wear the full veil," he added.

"I'm sorry that some of my hair was showing, I am new at this, we do not have to cover our heads in the states," Shoshana offered softly, taking the risk that she would seem sincere and the officers would forgive the transgression.

"Lily," Asher hissed, giving her a sideways glance.

"This time, we will forgive your offense. If we see you uncovered again, you will not be so lucky," the officer said to Shoshana. He turned back to Asher. "You should keep your wife under better control. She should not be speaking to men she is not related to. Because you are American, we will give you this warning. Next time, we will not be so understanding," the officer warned.

"Thank you, officer." Asher reached back for the map and opened it slowly. "Perhaps you could help us. We are trying to find this coffee shop." He showed the post it note Shoshana had written the name of the coffee shop on.

"This shop is two streets up, on the left. They have the best coffee in all of Iraq," the officer told Asher.

"Thank you very much for your help. And we apologize humbly for our mistakes. Thank you for your leniency," Asher said, taking the map back from the officer, folding it up and handing it back to Shoshana. The officers nodded, but kept a close eye on them until they had walked out of hearing range.

"What the hell were you thinking talking to them!?" Jake hissed.

"That they would think I was just some dumb American, but sincere about making a mistake," Shoshana answered.

"Enough, let's just get this done," Asher interrupted. The three of them walked into the coffee shop and Jake scanned the crowd.

"Over here my friends," a low voice said from behind a potted palm tree. Asher, Jake and Shoshana walked to the table and sat down. "Welcome. Could I interest you in a Turkish coffee?" he asked.

"Please," Asher answered. "Lil?"

"Just water please," she murmured.

"I'll take a Turkish coffee," Jake added.

"Very good. I will be back in just one moment," Hamid said and hurried up to the counter.

"Does it look like anyone is paying any unnecessary attention to us?" Jake asked, he kept his voice low as his eyes scanned the small dining room.

"It doesn't look like it," Shoshana replied, her voice just as quiet.

"Negative on my end," Asher murmured. He glanced over at Shoshana, reached for her hand and squeezed it gently. "How are you doing?" he asked.

"I'm nervous, but that is mainly because I stick out like a sore thumb," she answered. Asher laughed. Before he could say anything else, Hamid came back with their coffees and Shoshana's water. He set everything on the table and Asher handed Shoshana the water before taking his own coffee.

"Man is it hot!" Shoshana complained as they made their way back to their hotel room.

"You're not kidding," Jake grumbled, sweat pouring down his back.

"At least your head is uncovered," Shoshana groused.

"All right you too, enough. Yes, it's hot, but complaining won't change anything," Asher said with a chuckle. But he breathed a sigh of relief as they entered the hotel lobby and a rush of cool air settled over them.

"I am going to check from messages then take a nap. This jet lag is awful. I'll see you both at dinner and we'll regroup," Jake said.

"A nap sounds good," Shoshana agreed. She and Asher said their goodbyes and headed for the elevator while Jake headed for the front desk.

"Do you know what sounds better than a nap?" Asher asked with a grin as the elevator doors closed behind them.

"Hmm?" Shoshana murmured as she leaned against the wall and closed her eyes.

"A shower," Asher answered. Shoshana nodded. "That sounds nice too," she said, her voice just above a whisper. They rode the rest of the way in silence and before either of them knew it, they were at the hotel room door. "Ash, what's that?" Shoshana asked, her voice taking on a nervous edge. Asher shrugged but glanced around the hallway, looking for anything suspicious before taking the note off the door. He unlocked the door of the room. "Stay here," he whispered after he and Shoshana had crossed the threshold of the door. He closed the door quietly behind him and began to creep into the room. "It's clear," he called after a minute.

Shoshana walked into the main room and Asher opened the note. "Lil, you should see this," he said after a second. Shoshana looked at him puzzled, they were alone and he still used her cover and took the note from him. "Your room is bugged." Shoshana looked at Asher in alarm. "Why don't you take your shower first, and I'll check the work email account, then you can nap while I shower before we get to work?" Asher suggested. Shoshana gave a small smile. "Okay," she murmured, kicking off her shoes.

"Enjoy," Asher said, sitting down at the table and turning on the laptop.

"Lil, you doing okay in there?" Asher asked, knocking on the bathroom door.

Shoshana took a deep breath and opened the door. "I'm fine Ash," she murmured. Asher closed his eyes and groaned. "What's wrong?" Shoshana asked nervously.

"You're naked," Asher pointed out.

"I know." Shoshana grinned at him.

"Lil, this is not such a good idea," Asher said with a groan.

"I love you Ash, and we're married, why isn't this a good idea?" Shoshana inquired. She took a step forward, placed one hand on Asher's arm and slid the other hand into his pants and cupped his hard cock through his boxers.

"Lil," he managed.

"Make love to me," she whispered.

"Lily ..." Shoshana cut off his protests with a soft kiss.

"Make love to me," she pleaded. Asher groaned and swept Shoshana up into his arms, pressed his lips to hers. His tongue swept past her lips and mingled with hers.

"Are you sure?" he asked.

"Make love to me," she whispered back.

"Are you absolutely sure?" Asher asked before kissing Shoshana's neck.

"Yes," Shoshana moaned. Asher lifted Shoshana into his arms and carried her over to the bed.

"God you are so beautiful," Asher said softly, trailing kisses over her collar bone and coming to a rest at a pointed nipple. "So beautiful," he murmured before taking the nipple into his mouth and sucking on it lightly. Shoshana moaned and ran her hands over his muscular shoulders.

"You know we don't have to do this," Asher said softly, coming up to look into her face.

"I want this Ash, please make love to me," Shoshana begged. He kissed her hard and unbuckled his pants, kicked them to the floor.

"Tell me what you want," Asher commanded before capturing her lips with his. He closed his eyes and moaned when Shoshana wrapped a hand around his cock.

"I need you to make love to me." Shoshana's voice was husky with passion and Asher could see the lust in her eyes as she tugged on his boxers with her free hand and squeezed his cock gently with the other hand. Asher placed his hand on hers and pulled it off of his cock gently. Shoshana looked up at him questioningly and he quickly pulled his boxers off and discarded them with his pants, then pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it to the floor.

"What?" Asher asked when he caught Shoshana staring at cock; it was rock hard and there was a drop of pre-cum on the tip.

"You're so big," she whispered, blushing.

"I love you," Asher chuckled. Shoshana looked at him sharply. "Last chance," he warned before kissing her again. Shoshana moaned and kissed him back, sliding her arms around him as Asher eased her down to the bed.

"I want this, and you so badly," Shoshana whimpered when Asher let her up for air. Asher smiled and kissed her, cupping her breast tenderly. She gasped and moaned when his free hand slipped between her legs and inside her already damp pussy. "Ash!" Asher smiled, and bent his head down and replaced the hand at her breast with his mouth. "Oh God!" Shoshana whimpered. She closed her eyes and arched upwards as Asher's fingers dipped deeper within her. Asher smiled against her breast, the nipple damp from being in his mouth and moved over to the neglected nipple, nibbled at it gently making Shoshana gasp again. Her blue eyes shot open when Asher pulled his fingers out from within her and she made a sound of protest that was quickly replaced with a soft moan when Asher replaced his fingers with his mouth.

"Oh my God!" Shoshana's voice was uneven, unknown emotions welled within her, her body felt like it was on fire and Asher was the match. Her breath quickened and her muscles contracted, her nails dug into Asher's shoulders and she cried out. Her eyes met Asher's green ones over her belly and he smiled at her as he began trailing kisses back up her belly, kissed each breast gently then suckled gently on her neck before settling his lips over hers once more. "You are so beautiful when you cum," he whispered into her ear. Shoshana blushed and Asher chuckled, his fingers once again slipping inside her. Shoshana moaned and wrapped her arms around him. "I could watch you all day," he added.

Shoshana made a sound of disappointment when he pulled his fingers away. Asher kissed her again and positioned the head of his cock at the opening of her pussy and thrust deeply. Shoshana's body tensed and her arms tightened as a small cry of pain left her lips. Asher swore under his breath and forced himself to stop, and holding himself still, though his body was aching to continue, he looked up at Shoshana and wiped the lone tear from her cheek.

"Why didn't you say something?" he asked, his voice gruff.

"I-," Shoshana did not know how to answer and she lowered her eyes.

"I'm not mad," Asher told her. He tilted Shoshana's face up towards his and kissed her gently. "I'm going to move now," he warned her, his voice soft. Shoshana moaned at the sensations of Asher moving deeper and deeper within her body. He placed his hands on her hips and helped her find the rhythm. With every thrust, Shoshana's cries and moans became louder, the pitch of her voice went higher and higher and with a half cry, half moan, her body convulsed around his cock as she came. Asher closed his eyes, touched his forehead to hers as his cum spilled into her body. "Are you okay?" he asked when he was able to speak.

"Lil?" Asher murmured, lifting himself off of her, concerned because she hadn't answered.

"I'm okay. I feel ..." Shoshana trailed off, not knowing how to describe how she felt.

"Lil?" Asher prodded, titled her face up towards his.

"I feel ..." before she could answer, there was a knock at the door.

"Stay here," Asher murmured and carefully pulled his cock from Shoshana's pussy. She winced slightly and Asher felt a tinge of guilt. With one last glance, he quickly pulled his boxers and pants on before going to the door. A look out the peep hole made him swear under his breath as he opened the door. "Jake, what's going on?" Asher asked.

"What's going on in here?" Jake asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Nothing, I'm just about to take a shower, Lily's asleep," Asher answered, praying in the back of his mind that Jake believed him. Jake held up a note and handed it to Asher. "We had one too," Asher told him.

"Let's meet up for dinner in the dining room. Two hours?" Jake asked, his voice just above a whisper.

"Sounds good," Asher agreed. Jake studied his friend one last time before shrugging and walking away. Asher closed the door behind him and returned to the bed where Shoshana was laying. "Are you alright?" he asked, sitting down beside her. "You're trembling!" he exclaimed and pulled the covers over her. "Talk to me," he murmured.

"I didn't expect it to ..." she trailed off, her cheeks pink.

"But you're okay?" Asher asked. Shoshana nodded. "I didn't hurt you?"

"I'm fine Ash," Shoshana said softly.

"Good." Asher kissed her gently. "C'mon, let's clean up," he suggested. Shoshana allowed Asher to lead her to the bathroom. Once the shower was on and steam filled the room, Asher and Shoshana stepped into the tub.

"Ash?" Shoshana asked after a minute.

"Hmm?" Asher stepped out from under the shower head.

"How will we explain the blood?" Shoshana asked. Asher's head snapped forward and stared at Shoshana before looking down at her hands which held a washcloth with a few drops of blood on them.

"We'll think of something," Asher said finally.