Trent did not need a second warning he was moving in the opposite direction, but trying to invite the SUV to follow him, but it seemed they had marked the rider they wanted, and were closing in on Samantha.

She smiled, dropped her visor and lowered her body with ease as she angled the bike underneath the lowering roller gate. Glancing in her rear view mirror, she saw Trent had made it out safely as well, but the SUV was accelerating at a deadly pace towards her.

Show time, let's go!

The factory yard was pretty small. Somebody had now locked the steel gate. Putting her feet on the ground, she stopped the bike and looked behind her as the SUV neared her, she zig zagged back towards the factory, towards the direction of two or three containers standing close to the fence of the factory. Samantha pumped the accelerator, took a deep breath and paced herself to land on one of the containers.

She saw Trent was at the gate firearm in his hand, he was going to shoot the lock off. It was too risky to go back to Trent, she would be riding to her death.

'Come back Sierra, the gate is opened,' Trent remarked.

'Go on out Trent, meet me at the back entrance of the quayside,' she instructed.

'Be careful Sierra,' he moaned reluctantly, as he saw her pick up speed, and expertly land on the one container.

Samantha hopped from one container to the next, as she neared the last container she heard a burst of gunfire and knew she was now in mortal danger. She had to scale that fence or die trying. Revving the engine, she gave it all she had and hoisted herself into the air, saying a silent prayer. She cleared the fence, but had to ensure she landed safely or without breaking any of her body parts.

She heard the SUV come to a screeching halt right at the fence, all four doors opened and gunfire from four rifles was  pursuing her.

She was still in the air when she decided it was a wiser choice to discard the bike and break her fall, before one of the bullets made contact with her spine. Releasing the handles, she threw herself in one direction as the bike eventually made a soft landing into the ocean, and she landed on her back, but rather unceremoniously on the gravel.

I live another day!

She winced as she tried to get up. She heard the bike draw up next to her and removed her helmet.

'I'm getting too old for this bull____, you know what!' Samantha groaned.

'I couldn't agree more!'

But that was not the voice of Trent.

Blake Tresscott!

It required nerves of steel, but she raised herself into a sitting position, without a single muscle on her face showing any sign of pain.

'So how many lives does this cat still have?' he questioned sternly kneeling down beside her.

His heart was still pumping wildly at the thought of any of the bullets accurately hitting its target, or worse any fatal injuries she could have sustained from her dare devil antics. Did this woman have any inclination of the anxiety she subjected his heart to? Something he never experienced in his adult life previously.

Samantha just gazed at the towering figure in front of her. 
What the hell was he doing here in the middle of a covert operation?

"Sierra, come in. Sierra do you copy?" she heard Trent's powerless voice in agony, "Sierra!"

Suddenly she was brought back to reality, 'Trent I'm alive, stop shouting!'

"Sam where the hell are you?" she heard Trent bark, concern resulting in him using her name.

If she told Trent where she was, how the hell was she to explain Blake's presence there?

She first had to establish how Blake got there and why he was there! She needed another set of wheels, but she could do without Trent breathing down her neck.

'I'm calling time out Trent, so go take a chill pill and relax,' she spoke into her device.

She saw a smile break out on Blake's face, at her instruction to Trent.

"You're breaking protocol Sam I need your position," he demanded.

It was only total frustration that resulted in Trent screaming at her.

Samantha pulled out the device from her ear and tossed it into the water.

'What are you doing here?' Samantha demanded.

'I thought you might need a lift seeing you threw your bike into the ocean,' he grinned.

She stared at him, her eyes unable to drag itself away from his inviting lips.

'Tell me not a single part of your precious body is hurt in any way,' he murmured, as his fingers cupped her face, then they examined her arms and legs meticulously, looking for any signs of injury. She gasped, swallowed as his fingers caused heat to blaze through her body. 

Satisfied that nothing was broken or fractured, he drew her to him and lowered himself onto the gravel. When she was lying comfortably on his body, he brushed his lips to hers, soft feathery butterfly kisses, and indulged in a sensuous earth shattering kiss.

'I'm in pursuit of somebody,' she stammered.

'I believe so,' he murmured, deliberately misunderstanding her comment, as his lips trailed over her neck, she felt a fire start on her very aroused nipples.

'W__what are you doing in Durban?' she dragged out unable to contain the desire he was invoking, as her hands tightened around his neck.

'I had some matters of interest to attend to,' he responded evasively.

'Why don't I believe that?' she gazed into his eyes, all alert again.

His fingers raked into her hair, and gently lowered her head so he could kiss her again, his tongue probed seeking hers. Samantha groaned, responding to his amorous kiss.

'You're interfering in an official investigation,' she dragged her lips away.

'And remind me exactly what you are investigating in this rather compromising position you're in Senior Superintendent St. Claire?' he laughed.

She joined in his laughter and rolled off him, he leaned over pinning her under his chest.

'What,' she smiled.

'You have a beautiful laugh,' he grinned.

'Thank you,' she pushed him off , quickly getting to her feet. He was distracting her, probably purposefully. She needed to stay focused. Blake effortlessly raised himself to his feet as well.

'I need to commandeer your bike,' she ventured, avoiding his eyes.

Blake covered the two or three paces separating them, his eyes trained on hers.  He stood in front of her, dusting the grass and pebbles clinging to her clothes.  Blake wrapped his arms around her body,

'Can I show you something Samantha,' he murmured, holding her gaze to his attention.

Mesmerized she stared back and nodded slowly.

'I want you to climb onto my shoulders, then I want you to look at the premises you just left,' he murmured softly.  He  turned his back to her then lowered himself on his haunches to allow her access to his shoulders.

'Lift your hands up to me,' she giggled.

Blake raised his hands in the air, Samantha slid onto his shoulders, and she gripped her hands into his as Blake raised himself up, then she released his hands, and Blake held onto her legs.

Samantha arched her neck upwards and looked in the direction of the factory. She was astonished to see at least ten SUV's around the place with at least thirty men parading around the perimeter of the premises. There was no way she could return there tonight.  She hoped Trent was okay.

Damn it Tobias!

'Okay, I've seen enough,' Samantha responded resignedly, and Blake lowered her off his shoulder.

He held her in his arms, gazing into her eyes, his fingers caressed her back, making her sigh contentedly. If she did not know better, she'd swear he was in on what was going on around here. He was always conveniently where he should not be, but her heart denied his involvement, and she would stake her life on his innocence.

'I need to make two calls,' she murmured, drawing her mobile out of her pocket.  She made the first call to Jordan.

'Sam!' Jordan's voice held a trace of anxiety.

'Jordan, mission abandoned, there's too much heat,' Samantha remarked.

'That's the wisest comment you've made all day,' she heard Jordan laugh with relief.

It's only because I'm in Blake Tresscott comfortable arms and I'm distracted by his irresistible __

'Talk to you soon,' she cut the call.

Samantha called Trent, he was raving like a hysterical mother in law. Not that she knew anything about mothers in law. She managed to sound convincing that it was too dangerous to pursue their stake out tonight.  She tactfully informed Trent that she was going to spend time with a friend.

Was Blake a friend?

Did she just intimate that she was going to spend what was left of the evening with him. Samantha slipped the mobile back into her pocket and raised her eyes to Blake's.

'I have an apartment about ten minutes away from here,' he murmured.

She nodded allowing him to lead her to his bike.  He assisted her, then hopped on. Samantha wrapped her arms around him tightly, pressing her body against his, wanting his heat, his comfort, the pleasure of being close to him. Either he was mistaken about just how close his apartment was, or he did some low flying, for they got there in no time at all.

His "apartment" was a luxury condo with all the modern trappings opulently decorated rather stylishly.

'It's a beautiful place,' she remarked.

'Samantha,' he groaned, 'I did not bring you here to admire the décor,' he whispered huskily.

'Blake I need a shower please,' she pleaded.

'Sure there's a guest room there, with everything you will need, including a gown in the closet,' he smiled.

She nodded, looking away, not wanting to dwell on whose gown lay in the closet.  When Samantha opened the closet after her refreshing shower, she was amazed to find a full wardrobe of feminine clothing in various sizes with the designer's tags still on.  So Blake Tresscott entertained a lot, and served his guests like a six star hotel, with all the luxury and pamperings one required. The soaps, shampoos, tooth brushes were all brand new and still sealed in the bathroom. She did not feel like leaving it, but did not want to keep Blake waiting too long.

When she returned to his living room, he had showered as well and was dressed in a gown, just like the one she had on. She had nothing on underneath the gown, her feet also bare. She knew he had nothing on under his gown as well. She did not notice the panoramic view from the floor to ceiling frameless glass windows or the rest of the decor. Her focus was on Blake.  She did cast a cursory glance at the dimmed room, at the candles, softly adding light, she also inhaled the soothing lavender scent of the candles.  Blake walked to her, handing her a chilled glass of something. All she knew was it was not alcoholic, it tasted refreshing and fruity.  She sipped thirstily from the glass, but her eyes did not leave his.  His glass held something different, alcoholic, she could smell.

He held his breath as he admired her beautiful slender figure, her hair just washed and towel dried cascaded loosely over her shoulders, she smelt of a combination of soap, honey and vanilla.  Blake took the glass from her hand and placed it on the table behind her, dropping his glass next to hers.

'You're so beautiful,' he whispered, pulling her into his arms, his mouth sought hers hungrily. Her hands rested nervously against his chest as she responded to his demanding kiss. Blake's hand slipped through the gown and cupped her one beautiful firm breast.  She sighed, leaning into him, and deepened the kiss.  Reluctantly Blake drew back and looked into her eyes.

'I want you,' he murmured huskily.

'I want you too,' she whispered.

He hoisted her into his arms and carried her to the master bedroom, kicking the door open not bothering with the lights.  The large paneled windows drew sufficient light from outside the well lit city.  Laying her gently on his bed, he removed her gown.  His eyes burned with desire as he admired her strikingly beautiful nakedness, her gentle curves, and flesh so soft and milky white.  Hurriedly he got rid of his own gown.

'Are you okay? How's your arm? He asked gruffly.

'It's fine, thank you,' she smiled.

Blake leaned over her, his lips commandeering hers once again. Samantha's arms went around his neck, her fingers caressed at the nape of his neck, finding that spot that made him groan his pleasure.   Her fingers trailed down his spine, enjoying the firm texture of his strong body, testing those well rounded taut buttocks she discovered.

Blake's fingers were pleasuring every part of her body, even as his tongue traced a seductive path down her body.  She moaned softly as his fingers caressed her thigh, but avoided where she most wanted his touch.   She reached out and cupped him in her hand. The erect rigged form danced beautifully between her thumb and her forefinger. She heard a guttural sound escape Blake's throat, before his hands stopped her onslaught.

She cried out as finally, he ended the torture and inserted a finger into her moist flesh. Her pelvis moved suggestively, aching for more than he offered. Blake wanted to taste every inch of her. His lips after being buried in her neck, ravished her nipples, till they stood erect at his teasing.  His lips trailed down to her navel, until it was below the triangle of hair.  She groaned loudly until he was giving her the most exquisite pleasure with his tongue. He tasted her moist sweet substance, and his tongue did not want to stop enjoying the beautiful sensation when he had her in his mouth. She was impatiently writhing under him, practically begging him to take her, when finally he capitulated and entered her. Samantha moaned and groaned her pleasure, unable to contain the exhilarating sensations his lovemaking was providing.

How was it possible to experience such earth shattering pleasure?

How was it possible to be so dangerously attracted to this man?

What governed this explosive magnetism between them?

Samantha was panting and begging and crying for release when she suddenly exploded, and the continuous spasms sent a million volcanic like eruptions reverberating throughout her body, and when she was almost spent Blake joined her exploding inside her.  He held onto her tightly, pressing his lips at the crook of her shoulder as he whispered words of endearment into her ear.

'Samantha, I don't know about you, but it feels like the bar gets raised higher every time we make love. It just gets more amazing every time,' he got out with difficulty.

She just smiled not wanting to put into words anything about their love making.

'This feels like heaven,' Blake murmured sleepily, still holding onto her tightly.

Samantha reached out and helped herself to a bottle of chilled water from the drinks tray.

'Would you like some?' she asked.

Blake accepted the bottle, drank about a quarter and returned it to her.

Samantha helped herself to more, as Blake lay sleepily next to her, his fingers gently raking through her hair.  In the next ten minutes, as she just lay there replaying the amazing sex she had just had, she heard Blake breathe softly. She thought he would awake again soon, but after twenty minutes he sounded like he was in deep sleep and Samantha carefully slipped away for another shower. She wrinkled her nose, as she slipped on her own dusty clothes again, and from the bathroom, used her mobile to call a taxi.

Cautiously picking up her bag and firearm, she walked to the front door. She did not know if he had switched on the alarm system, she hoped the whole complex won't awaken when she opened the door. With painstaking patience she opened the front door and slipped out. She breathed a sigh of relief when she was out his building. She only waited five agonizing minutes outside, before the taxi arrived to pick her up.

Samantha went back to her hotel, saw Trent's bike parked outside. She hurriedly slipped into her room. Changed into black leather pants, black sweater and jacket and slipped out again. She made her way on foot from their hotel to the short distance to the quayside building. She was too focused on her investigation, to notice the beautiful Durban skyline, the fancy Moses Mabhida football stadium, or to drink in the warm salty scent still hanging in the air. The numerous lines of palm trees swayed gently from the sea breeze coming in to land. At the dock yard, there was still a flurry of activity and numerous cars about, too many for her to risk attempting any brave heroics.

She stealthily moved between the buildings until she had a bird's eye view from across the one building to where all the action was taking place. Very carefully she removed her camera from its case, she activated the zoom lens and began clicking away silently. She could so clearly see Tobias, like she could almost touch him. Samantha almost dropped the camera when she picked up the shady Magistrate amongst the criminal syndicate. No wonder the swine was stalling to sign her warrant.

The Slimeball!

She had enough pictures to frame him for good. How did good up standing men become corrupt that way? And to think he occupied the very office that was tasked to serve justice to the public. There was no need to hang around in Durban. The cargo was definitely destined for Johannesburg, that was where the money was, and that was where the clientele was. Later this morning she would go to Jordan and through a secure frequency transmit this data to NPS. There's no telling what could happen in the next hour or next day. Best she forward the evidence to her Director, should anything happen to her before she got back to Johannesburg.

It was close on six o clock when Samantha headed back to her hotel. The smell of fresh coffee and breakfast smelt appetizing. She would call Jordan and see if they could breakfast together and chat. She hadn't had a heart to heart chat with Jordan since Brad had died. Jordan and Giuseppe's shoulders were the ones she had leaned on when Brad had tragically died. They had been a tower of strength, unobtrusive yet supportive. Perhaps she could just enjoy Jordan's company and hear any juicy information Jordan may want to share she smiled to herself. She'd give it another hour then call Jordan. She knew Jordan was an early riser.  It came with the territory.

'So what have you been up to St Claire? You don't look like you've had an hour's sleep? When Samantha had got back from the second trip to the factory, she had had a leisurely shower and had slipped on figure hugging faded denims and a pair of killer stilettos.

'I look that bad?' Samantha cowered.

'No you look good. Too good, like a well fed kitten,' Jordan grinned.

Samantha looked away casually, and brought her camera out of her handbag.

'So after you claimed to have abandoned the operation, you went back there?' Jordan demanded.

'And how did you get back, is what I want to know?' Trent pulled up a chair turned it around and leaned his arms around the back rest.

'A taxi dropped me off,' Samantha offered, not bothering to offer from where the taxi transported her back to their hotel.

'Wait, just back track a bit. You had your own bike at the Marina,' Jordan stated.

Samantha looked from one to the other, Trent nodded his head, with a devilish grin on his face.

'It got lost in transit,' Samantha mumbled.

Jordan gave her an uncomprehending look.

'She was up to her antics again,' Trent filled Jordan in. 'She insisted on visiting the factory. When we got there, Tobias' security was in hiding, they chased us, Samantha scaled the fence on the bike, and then I lost her,' Trent glared at Samantha.

'And now you've found me,' she smiled sweetly.

Jordan laughed, 'still live the super exciting life I see,' she shook her head. 'So what's on the camera?'

'Come closer,' Samantha whispered conspirationally, and hold onto your seat, you may fall off!'

'My word, isn't that Judge Sutcliffe?' Jordan exclaimed in a whisper.

Samantha nodded.

'The Public Prosecutor's Office is involved here?' Trent murmured in astonishment.

'Jordan, I want to send this via a secure frequency to my Director,' Samantha requested.

Jordan scribbled an address and handed it to Trent, 'my assistant will help you to relay this electronically, it can be unscrambled on the other side.'

'Trent guard this with your life, and come back and fetch me,' she grinned.

'Oh you need a lift now do you?' Trent sneered.

'Don't get cheeky, I can hire a vehicle, or commandeer Naval Resources,' she threw back, winking at Jordan.

'I'll be back within the hour, Senior Superintendent!' he gritted his teeth.

'So how's life treating you Jordan,' Samantha enquired when Trent departed.

'Just wonderful,' a smile broke out across her face, 'things just can't be any better Sam,' she smiled happily.

'It's been a while hasn't it,' Samantha added hesitatingly.

'Yes,' Jordan looked across at her friend caringly, 'What about you Sam?'

Samantha inhaled. 'I just live each day. I don't want to risk a relationship again Jordan,' she got out painfully.

'Samantha,' Jordan grabbed hold of Samantha's hands,' 'that was one incident.'

'This is my life Jordan. It's like this all the time. Every day I have to look over my shoulder. Every night I expect trouble. Tobias was in my living room last week waiting for me. I can't put a partner at risk again,' she murmured. She refused to dwell on what was going on between her and Blake, and what if he was already being monitored by her enemies?

'Oh honey, have you thought of a change of career perhaps?'

'Can a fish survive out of water?' Samantha smiled dryly.

'Sam, I'm serious,' Jordan groaned.

'I love the job I do Jordan. I've had many offers but nothing has enticed me to quit. So either I stay in the job I love, and remain single, or I try and find this elusive love, quit my job and be miserable career wise,' she raised her eyebrows.

'Hang in there Sam,' Jordan reached out and hugged her friend, 'You'll work this out, I know you will. You are a fighter and an achiever. And when the time is right, you will know what to do.'

'Giuseppe is a wonderful man,' Samantha changed the subject.

Jordan looked across at her friend, acknowledged her need for a change of subject.

'Yes Sam, and we love each other,' she smiled happily, 'he respects what I do, and he gives me all the space I need. He's just perfect,' she grinned.

'I want one just like that,' Samantha grinned back, 'will you put in an order for me.'

'From your lips to God's ears, it's done,' Jordan laughed, 'now how about this breakfast you promised me?'

                                                                                      -end Chapter Eight-