His Rise to Power: Book 1 Read online

  Sixteen

  Jack

  For two days, I’d barely let her out of my bed. I still hadn’t had enough of her. The sun peeked through the windows Monday morning, and I knew that I needed to get ready for work soon. Beside me, her warm body still curved around mine, and her chest gently rose with each breath she took.

  Her dark hair was spread out on the pillow in a tangled mess. I’d fisted my hands in that hair and tugged, I’d felt it draping down my body as she moved. I’d twisted my hands in it as I’d emptied myself in her mouth. We were a fucking mess.

  And still, I woke up hard for her.

  Loving the serene look on her face, I softly traced her lips with my finger. To my delight, she opened her mouth in her sleep, touched her tongue to me, and sighed. With a moan, I nudged her legs apart and slid her knee up to my waist. Rock hard, I nudged at her entrance and slipped my fingers over her clit. She was already wet for me.

  “Jack?” she whispered as she stirred. I slipped just a few inches inside of her, relishing how amazing it felt to be bare with this woman. Her eyes flew open. “Jack!”

  “Morning, baby,” I murmured as I quickly rolled over and sheathed myself inside of her. Just enjoying the way her warm and wet pussy fit around me, I kissed her almost lazily and stroked her neck.

  Wiggling under me, she smiled and yawned as the haze of sleep dispelled. “You feel good,” she whispered.

  “So do you.” I nipped at her lips. “Good morning, beautiful.”

  “Mmm. What a way to wake up.” Wrapping her arms around me, she nuzzled my neck. “You going to finish the job?”

  “I’m in no hurry. I’ve already emailed the office and told them that I’d be late.” Shifting just a little, I hummed as she slipped around me, and I waited for her to realize that it was Monday morning.

  It didn’t take long. With a hiss, she jerked her knees up, and as I sank even deeper, she made a sound between pleasure and annoyance. “Fuck, Jack! You promised that you wouldn’t let me oversleep!”

  Thrusting slowly, I played with her mouth in slow and open kisses. “I did. You’ll notice…ah, baby…you’ll notice that you’re not sleeping.”

  “Shit.” With a moan, she slid her hands down my back and cupped my ass. “You are not playing fair.”

  “Be nice,” pushing myself up to my elbows, I watched her face as I withdrew, then thrust hard and quick, “and I’ll take you hard and fast. Keeping fighting me,” I slowed my movement, “and I’ll stay inside you for hours.”

  “Hours sounds good,” she whimpered. “Oh, Jack.”

  Christ, she felt amazing. I’d lost count of how many times I’d slipped inside of her this weekend, and every time, I was astounded by how perfect we fit. She already belonged to me, she just didn’t know it yet.

  We fell into the haze of the morning as I found a tempo that suited us both. Leaning down, I flicked my tongue over her ear lobe. “Are you going to miss this, baby, when you go to work today? I am. I’m going to think about the way I bent you over the kitchen table and licked you. I’m going to think about that sexy little yoga bend that you can do. I’m going to think about fucking you against the headboard. I think we’ve permanently fucked up that wall.”

  “You’ve got a wicked tongue,” she hissed.

  “It certainly likes the way you taste when you’re coming on it,” I muttered and slammed hard inside of her. My whole body tightened as I picked up the tempo. By now, I recognized the increased tempo of her breath and the wild look in her eyes. I knew she was close, and she was clamping down around me and moaning with wild abandoned into my shoulder. With one last thrust, I bottomed out inside of her and gasped her name as my body shook.

  So fucking good.

  Collapsing onto her, I groaned. How the hell was I supposed to let her leave today? Speaking of…I lifted my head and managed a grin. “Not that I haven’t enjoyed you walking around naked in my condo all weekend, but are you really planning on leaving my condo in a fancy dress on a Monday morning?”

  She blushed. Of all the things I’d done to her this weekend, it was still insane that she could still blush. “I was going to ask to borrow a t-shirt and a pair of sweat pants,” she admitted.

  “They’re going to look great with those fuck-me heels.”

  “Jesus, Jack.”

  “If I say no, does that mean I can keep you in my bed a little longer? It’s been a long time since I played hooky.”

  “Hooky!” With a gasp, she jerked her head up and stared at the clock. “Damn it, Jack! I’m going to be late. I need a shower!”

  I let myself relax on top of her, and she shrieked with laughter as she struggled to roll me off. Finally, when she managed to wiggle out from under me, I grabbed for her, but she danced away and hurried to the shower. When the water started, I sighed and got out of bed. Quickly, I got up and gathered some clothes for her to wear. I’d drop her off in my car rather than taking a limo. It would be less embarrassing for her that way.

  Popping my head into the bathroom to let her know that she had clothes ready, and I’d make coffee, I stopped dead in my tracks as I watched the outline of her lithe body behind the frosted glass of the shower door. She arched as her hands moved over her breasts and down her abdomen. I knew that she was washing herself, but it was a damn erotic sight.

  Holy shit, I was growing hard again. What the fuck was wrong with me?

  “Do you have any idea how sexy you look right now?” I asked her as I wrapped my hands around my cock. She paused and turned. I knew that her view of me was just as barely obscured as her body was to me, but she could see me stroking myself.

  The door opened, and she stuck her head out. “Come here,” she said huskily.

  Her voice held the kind of mesmerizing power I couldn’t resist. Opening the door all the way, I stepped into the shower and under the heat of the water rushing down our bodies. Raising up on her tiptoes, she kissed me softly as she replaced her hand with mine. “I am going to miss you today,” she admitted as she squeezed. “And I know that you’re going to miss this.”

  Sinking to her knees, she wrapped her mouth around my cock and sucked me nice and deep. Closing my eyes, I braced myself against the wall.

  We didn’t leave the shower until the water grew cold.

  And she didn’t leave until I’d hauled her up on the bathroom counter and fucked her again.

  Seventeen

  Blythe

  Oh, crap. Crap, crap, crap. I was late. Not just late. It was almost noon. I’d missed most of the morning. My phone was dead. I plugged it into my car charger as I drove like a maniac to the office, and by the time I got there, I’d juiced it enough to turn it on.

  I’d missed three phone calls and a dozen texts from Rachel. She was probably getting ready to file a missing person’s report.

  A dozen excuses flitted through my head, but I couldn’t do that to Rachel. All I could hope to do was sneak in and brush it off like it was no big deal.

  Unlocking the front door, I quietly climbed the steps and was thankful that I’d slipped on a pair of tennis shoes. Pausing at the top, I heard the sound of the copy machine. Taking a deep breath, I forced a smile and entered the small office.

  “Hey!” I called brightly. “I’m so sorry that I’m late. Forgot the charge my phone last night. I charged it on the way over, and by the time I saw your calls, I was already here. I’ve got some great news about some of the connections I made at the party. I want to take another look at the volunteer schedule for this week.”

  Turning my back to her, I sat my bag on my desk and sifted through the Saturday mail. There was nothing but silence.

  “Rachel?” Turning around, I gasped when I found her just inches away from me.

  “Where the hell have you been?” she yelled, throwing a vicious glare as she placed her hands on her hips. I winced. She was in full theatrics mode. “You’re almost three hours late. You’re never late. What is going on?”

  Putting my hands up in surrende
r, I couldn’t help but chuckle. “Okay, easy. I’m here. I’m fine. I really did forget to charge my phone. Things have been a little crazy since the party.”

  “Blythe, the party was two days ago. Unless you’ve been scheduling meetings from those connections, you can’t blame the party.” Her eyes narrowed, and I darted my gaze away. She gasped. “Oh. My. God. You slept with him!”

  “I…what?” Inching out from between her and her desk, I skirted around her. “As you’ve pointed out, I’m late. I need to catch up on things. Are you copying the flyers for the tumbler event? I invited two potential supporters to come see the kids.”

  “Blythe.”

  “They’re with Mental Health Services and the National Center of Education. Can you imagine what their support can lend us?” I steadfastly avoided her gaze as I walked over to the copier and picked up the flyer.

  “Blythe.”

  “Since we’re having it catered, we need to take into account that a lot of kids are going to be there for the food, especially the older crowd. I know that we gave that number to the caterers, but some of those boys eat a lot.”

  “Blythe Hemsey!” Rachel shouted as she stamped her foot. “You had sex with Jack Drayson, and you are going to spill the beans right here and now or I swear to god, I’m going to lose it!”

  She was already losing it, and if she rose her voice any more, the entire street would hear that I’d slept with the congressman. “Okay, okay,” I muttered as I dropped the papers. “I had sex with Jack Drayson.”

  “You. Little. Minx,” she squealed and jumped up and down. “You said that you were going to keep things professional.”

  Perching on the desk, I sucked in my lower lip and thought of the offer that he gave me. “He gave me a choice, and it had nothing to do with the money. He made me feel powerful and wanted. I’d pretty much already made the decision when I went to the party. Rachel, he’s done everything that he promised to do. He connected me with people who can help us. I have a whole new list of donors that aren’t connected with Hirsh. The art center is going to happen.”

  “So you slept with him to thank him?”

  Gasping, I jerked up. “Jesus, no! I would never do that! Like I said, it’s all separate. When we’re talking business, then we’re talking business. And when we’re not…we’re not.”

  “So…” her grin took up her entire face, “how is he as a lover?”

  Demanding. Giving. Sweet. Rough. Hard. Tantalizing.

  I couldn’t even begin to find a way to describe what sleeping with Jack was like. I’d never been with a man like that before, but I also felt like we were at a crossroads. If I went down one path, it’d just be sex, and how long could I handle that? If I went down another, we might have a chance at something more, and how was I supposed to handle that? There were so many questions, and I just wasn’t ready to discuss them yet.

  When I didn’t immediately answer, Rachel moaned a little and clutched at her chest. “He’s that good. I can see it all over your face. You are such a lucky bitch. So, what happens now?”

  “What happens now is that I make up for the three hours I’ve already lost.”

  Rachel rolled her eyes. “Fine. I get it. You’re a wall of silence, but you forget, I know you. You’re already over thinking things.”

  “What I should have done was over think things before I fell into bed with him,” I muttered. “Things are complicated. He’s a politician, and that’s not just a job. That’s a lifestyle. It was all too clear at the party that I don’t really move well in those circles. Secondly, my parents are already going to flip when they find out that my new supporter is a Democrat. I don’t even want to think about how they’ll react if we take things further. So, I’m not thinking about it. I’m going to focus on the sports complex and the art center. So, back to my original question about the caterer.”

  “Please. I watched Marcus eat three foot-long subs last week,” Rachel reminded her as she closed her eyes. “I’m not a novice at this. There will be plenty of food. If you’re not going to give me details about the sex, at least give me details about the party.”

  That, I could do.

  I filled her in. Knowing that she was just as interested in the dresses and the decorations and the food as she was the people, I did my best not to miss anything. With each detail, her eyes grew more and more dreamy.

  It was probably how I looked when I first stepped in that mansion. With Hirsh, I’d been to wealthy events before, but none with the glitz and glamour at the Hale Drayson residence. I’d been intimidated at first, but Jack had rarely left my side and always kept his hands on me. It felt strange, to be touched so intimately while surrounded by people, but at the same time, I drew strength from that touch.

  When the senior Drayson greeted me, I’d searched for Jack in him. Physically, it was there. They were the same height and build, although Hale looked a little softer in his older age. His dark hair was graying around the temples, but there was no missing those glittering hazel eyes. They also shared the same straight nose and strong chin. In voice, he was a little rougher, but I could see Jack in his speech mannerisms and his walk of authority.

  Jack had swept me over with those judgmental eyes, and Hale had done the same. His smile hadn’t reached his eyes, and I still had no idea what he thought of me. He was polite, offered me his support, and gave me his contact information. Then he was gone before Jack returned.

  Something told me that he knew his son was interested in more than just my cause. He knew his son was interested in me. And he didn’t like it.

  “It all sounds dreamy,” Rachel sighed. “It also sounds like excellent news, and I suggest that we move fast on those donors.”

  “Why?” I asked as I blinked and tried to pull myself out of the memory. “I don’t think we’ll have any problems meeting our initial deadline for the warehouse.”

  Rachel grimaced, and I frowned. “Rachel, what are you not telling me?”

  She heaved out a long sigh. “One of the main reasons I was worried about you being late was because the first call I got this morning was from him.” She said the last word in a whisper. “I was afraid he’d called directly, and you’d detoured to do something that you might regret later.”

  “Who called? Jack?”

  “No.” Rachel looked pained. “Hirsh.”

  Eighteen

  Jack

  A few nights later, Blythe giggled as I accidentally spilled some of the champagne on her thigh. Handing her the glass, I sat the bottle down and bent down to lick the liquid off her salty skin before it reached the sheets. The musky scent of sex clung to the air, but tasting her skin made me want her all over again.

  “This is a terrible idea,” she whispered. “You have a perfectly good table right there.”

  “I do.” Pushing myself back up, I dropped a quick kiss to her naked nipple and reached for the bottle again as I poured my glass. “But I also told you that I preferred if we spent every minute in bed.”

  “We did. We had dinner in bed.”

  “Pizza. I should get major points for that,” I reminded her as I glanced over at the greasy box on my dresser. I don’t think I’d ever had pizza in the bedroom before.

  “You get points for feeding me pizza,” she laughed. “And then we…um…”

  “Fucked?” I supplied as I groaned a little at the memory of her legs wrapped around me again. “If you can’t remember that part, I’ll be glad to show you again.”

  A blush rose on her cheeks. “I remember just fine, thank you very much, although, later, if you want to do that thing with your…” Her gaze dropped to my mouth.

  “Tongue,” I supplied with a grin.

  A smile curved her pretty mouth. “I wouldn’t say no. But my point is that we’ve done plenty in this bed. There’s no need for us to drink champagne in it as well. I can already tell you that it won’t go well with the pizza.”

  “The only taste on my tongue right now is you, and I’m almost positive t
hat the taste of you goes with everything,” I said huskily as I leaned over to kiss her. With a sigh, she put a hand on my chest and laughed.

  “Jack…”

  “We’re celebrating! In less than a week, you reached the down payment that you needed for the warehouse. You can now get started advertising and fundraising for real. This is a big moment, Blythe, and it deserves champagne, even if that champagne is in bed because I’m not allowing you to get out of it just yet.”

  The truth was that I was proud of her. All I had to do was introduce her to the right people, and she snowballed that right over her goals. She was a hurricane, and I was enthralled.

  “This is all your doing.”

  “Don’t sell yourself short,” I said quickly before she started singing my praises. I was working hard to make sure that my help with her project was far away from her naked and moaning in my bed. She needed that wall, and I didn’t want to test the limitations of our relationship just yet. “You did this, so cheers.”

  Clinking glasses with her, I quickly dribbled some on her nipple and leaned down to suckle it. She gasped and laughed. “Drink fast,” I muttered as I downed the rest of my glass and snuck my fingers between her legs.

  “Incorrigible,” she moaned.

  “I believe you’re stealing that word from me, or do you not remember begging me to fuck you as soon as we walked through the door?”

  Before I could tease her even more, my phone buzzed. I was expecting an update from David about a potential meeting in Jacksonville this weekend. With a quick kiss to keep her in the mood, I slipped out of bed and searched the pockets of my pants until I found my phone.