His Rise to Power: Book 1 Page 7

  Bzzzz. Bzzzzz. Bzzzzzz.

  She cried out, then wailed as I dipped my head and took her clit into my mouth, sucking hard. I wasn’t gentle, instead attacking all her nerve endings at once, listening to her cries, feeling her fingers in my hair as she begged for me to stop…then for me to continue.

  “What do you want?” I asked against her pussy as I twisted my wrist and screwed my fingers deeper inside her.

  Bzzzz. Bzzzzz. Bzzzzzz.

  A strangled sob escaped from low in her throat, her only answer as she grabbed my hand and fucked herself on my fingers, holding tight, riding me like there was nothing more important than the pleasure I was giving her. “Don’t leave. Don’t stop!” she begged.

  “Sweetheart, I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Jack. Jack!”

  Bzzzz. Bzzzzz. Bzzzzzz.

  I jerked awake with a start. Damn it. The vibrations continued, and it had nothing to do with the fading dream. My cock was desperately hard, but when I dug through the sheets and pulled out my phone, all desire faded.

  Sighing, I sat up and ran a hand over my face as I struggled to clear the cobwebs of sleep. Clearing my throat, I answered. “Hey, Dad.”

  “Hey, kid. Did I catch you in the middle of something? You sound winded.”

  “Couldn’t find my phone right off hand.”

  “I’ll bet. You sound like you just woke up. I didn’t take into account the difference. I guess it’s still early there.” He chortled. I noticed that there wasn’t an apology, nor would there be one. My father, currently in Singapore for work, didn’t take into account the time difference because he didn’t care. He wanted to tell me something, and he didn’t care if it was four o’clock in the morning.

  “My assistant informed me that you haven’t RSVP’d to the party for Friday.”

  I sighed. Really? This was what he wanted to talk about? “It’s my reelection party. I’m the guest of honor. I didn’t think I needed to RSVP.”

  “Are you bringing someone? If not, I’ve got a woman in mine. You remember Lorelai Nelson, Senator Nelson’s granddaughter? She moved back to Miami, and she’s still single. She’s not much to look at, but she comes from a great family and—”

  “Actually,” I scrubbed a hand down my face, “I am bringing someone, so you can put me down for two.” The last time my father tried to set me up with someone, I found myself stranded in one of the Georgian islands with a harpy for a weekend. I quickly got a room on the opposite side of the island and made sure I was surrounded by people at all times, so I didn’t head back to Florida with rumors of my impended wedding following me.

  My father’s silence was evidence of both his surprise and disappointment, but he quickly rebounded. “I see. And who is the lucky lady?”

  The party was nearly a week away, and there was no chance that I was going to give my father an opportunity to research Blythe’s life and do something to bully her into submission. “I’ll introduce her to you on Friday,” I said simply. “How is Singapore?”

  “Dull. Jack, you can take whoever you want to the party, but I’d like the name of the woman so I can add her to the list.”

  “No need. She’ll be arriving with me.” I paused, trying to think everything through. “Will the press be there?”

  He growled. “You know that I don’t allow the press on my property. Especially with the guest list. I want everyone to be able to relax and have a good time without the bloody hounds sniffing around.”

  That was my father for you. He knew when and how to manipulate the press, but he also knew when to keep them at arm’s length. That meant that there was going to be a large gathering of estate agency representatives, a few campaign contributors. People with lots of dollars in their wallets.

  It was the perfect opportunity to introduce Blythe to those deep pockets. Not to mention that I’d be able to get my hands on her again.

  “Son, I’m worried that you don’t want to disclose this woman’s name and are asking about the press.”

  “There’s nothing to worry about. I just don’t want to make a big deal about it. I need to get ready for work, Dad.”

  “All right, I’ll quit pushing the issue.” He paused for a moment. “I’m proud of you, kid. I’ll see you back in the States.”

  It was a rare moment of praise from my father, and I stared at the phone. As much as I hated where my head was going, I couldn’t help but wonder if my father was about to try and nudge me to support another bill. So far, I had resisted his manipulations, but there would be a breaking point if he didn’t stop. Would he choose his business or his son?

  Sighing, I climbed out of bed and stretched. I owned the penthouse in one of the most secure condo buildings in Miami. When I was first running for office, the Republican Party slammed me for my bachelor lifestyle, but since my choice of housing was the worst thing they could dig up on me, it fell flat. They then turned to my father, and while I knew there were skeletons in his closet, none of them would reflect on me. More than once, my father had jokingly complained to the media that I was far too stubborn to bend to the will of my old man.

  Crude, but he maintained that he was proud that I was my own man. In private, he found that frustrating.

  After a quick workout, I stepped in the shower to wash away the sweat and the remains of the erotic dream. After dressing, I made some toast and coffee. By the time I climbed into the car, the sun was finally climbing over the horizon.

  It was going to be a busy day, and I needed to put Blythe far out of my mind.

  Twelve

  Blythe

  “You need to go home,” Rachel stated as she stood from her desk and grabbed her purse. “I’m going home, and you need to go home too.” I opened my mouth to argue, but she held her finger up. “No. Blythe, it’s Monday. If you stay late today, then you set the trend for the whole week.”

  Chuckling, I glanced at the pile of work that I still needed to get to. “You go home. I need another hour, and then I promise to follow. One hour, and tomorrow, I’ll go home on time.”

  “Tomorrow, you’re scheduled to oversee the after-school tutors.”

  Crap. She was right. “Wednesday, I’ll go home on time.”

  “Fine,” she grumbled, “but when I call you in an hour, you better be on your way home.”

  Holding up my right hand, I nodded even though we both knew that she wasn’t going to call because she was meeting some friends for dinner. I was still planning to uphold my promise. She didn’t say I could take my work home.

  With a huff, she left the office. I was barely fifteen minutes in when I got a phone call from the volunteer at the complex. “Blythe? It’s Judy. Did you have a meeting scheduled for this afternoon? Or maybe a publicity event that you forgot about?”

  Baffled, I pulled up my calendar and shook my head. “No. What? What’s going on?”

  “Well, if I’m not mistaken, Congressman Drayson is here.”

  “What!” I squeaked and stood. Was she serious? What the hell was Jack doing there? “Crap. I’ll be right there.”

  If Jack had asked me to meet him at the sports complex, I had no recollection of it, and I seriously doubted that I’d forget anything he said. So what the hell was he doing there? Was he bringing inspectors to look everything over? Possible donors? Did he think I would screw things up, so he didn’t tell me?

  Heart in my throat, I broke a few speed limits getting to the complex and hurried inside. Judy looked at me and looked at the clock. “Where is he?” I demanded before she could make a comment.

  “I think he’s in the locker room.”

  Wanting to know what the hell was going on, I stormed in there ready to know why he was touring the facility without me, but instead of finding him with a group of people talking about the complex, he was in there alone.

  And half naked.

  With a gasp, I immediately whirled around. “Blythe,” he said in an amused voice. “I’m pretty sure the sign outside said men’s locker room.”
>
  “I didn’t think that you were actually using the locker room,” I tried to explain as I squeezed my eyes shut. I could still see the image of his gorgeous sculpted torso. The six-pack abs. The broad, smooth chest and muscled arms. God...the v indent going to his… “I thought it was something official.”

  “If you had stormed in here fifteen minutes earlier, you would have found the locker room full. I needed to blow off some steam after today’s meetings and decided to join in a game with some of the guys here. They just left.”

  That would have been horrifying. “I’m sorry to interrupt,” I managed as I turned. “I’ll just wait outside.” I took a step toward the door before his hand wrapped around my wrist and pulled me back against him. Even through my clothes, there was no mistaking his erection pressing against my ass.

  Oh, god. With a hitch in my throat, I closed my eyes. Hot desire burned through me, and I gave in just a little and leaned back against him. This was a terrible idea. Someone could walk in any minute.

  “I have a better idea,” he muttered huskily before he bent his head and pressed his lips to the side of my throat. “Why don’t you lock the door, and we can play out our high-school fantasies.”

  Torn between desire and amusement, I half-whimpered at the feel of his lips on my skin. “I don’t think I’ve ever fantasized about having sex in the locker room.”

  “What did you fantasize about?” His hands tugged at my shirt and separated them easily from my jeans as they danced over the skin of my abdomen. Immediately, I sucked in my breath.

  Oh boy. I was in serious trouble here. I couldn’t remember what I fantasized about in high school, but I knew what I was fantasizing about right now.

  Voices outside the door pulled me out of my haze, and I quickly pulled away from him. He groaned, but I didn’t turn around. I didn’t trust myself to keep my hands off him.

  “I…um…I’ll just be right out while you get dressed,” I said hurriedly as I fled the locker room. Shutting the door behind me, I leaned against it and closed my eyes. There were a few giggles, and I opened my eyes to see three of our regular girls watching me.

  “Miss B, that’s the boys’ locker room.” They laughed as if that was the funniest thing that had ever been said.

  Clearing my throat, I straightened. “Yes, it is. I’m just doing a routine inspection. Are you girls taking over the basketball court or are you heading upstairs for the dance class?”

  “Shit, basketball,” Lizzy, the older, jeered. “I ain’t doing no dance.”

  “Language, Lizzy,” I reminded her. “And be more careful this time. I’ve already sent you home enough times this month with a bloody nose. Your mom is going to think that you’re picking fights again.”

  The girl shrugged. “When I play, I play to win! Gotta get a little rough if I’m gonna keep up with the boys, but I’ll do my best.” Grabbing a basketball from the equipment rack, they hurried to the empty basketball courtyard.

  Thankfully, the coast was clear when Jack finally stepped out. I was surprised to see that instead of a suit, he was dressed in a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt that stretched across his chest.

  “I occasionally have a life outside of the office,” he reminded me with a smile. “My day was full of meetings. It was nice sweating a little, and admittedly, getting my ass beat by a bunch of high schoolers. It’s been too long since I’ve been on a basketball court.”

  I scowled. “We don’t allow that kind of language here.”

  “Good luck with that,” he chuckled. “I think I contributed to the problem. Do you want to explain why you burst into the men’s locker room?”

  “I should apologize for that,” I said hastily. “That was rude of me. Judy, the volunteer here this afternoon, noticed that you were here and called me. It didn’t occur to me that you were here for fun, so I thought that maybe you were here with donors.”

  Jack raised a knowing eyebrow. “And you hurried over here because you assumed that I was giving a tour without you and was angry. Do you trust me so little, Blythe?”

  “No. Of course not.”

  “Did Hirsh try to exert control over your charity? Is that why you’re so uneasy around me?”

  I sighed. I really did need to tell him the truth. “No, it’s not that. Do you have dinner plans?”

  A pleased grin spread over his face. “Are you inviting me to dinner, Blythe?”

  “I’m inviting you for pizza in my office because we do need to have a conversation, and it’s not one that I want to have here.”

  After studying me for a minute, he nodded. “All right.”

  I ordered on my way to Gionnis, picked up an extra-large pizza and a coke, and headed back to the office. Jack followed behind me. Rachel and I frequently ate in the office, so we kept some plates and cups and napkins in the small space we called our break corner. As Jack eased into the visitor’s chair across from my desk, I hopped up on the edge and served him a slice.

  He stayed silent while he waited for me, and I was surprised by his patience. I expected him to demand an answer as soon as the office door closed behind us, but he seemed to realize that this was difficult for me.

  “Hirsh was…is a good man,” I said finally. “I enjoyed the time that I spent with him. I met his wife and his kids while we were building the sports complex. He went to bat for me when it came to zoning and permits and loans. Without him, the project never would have happened. He never did anything inappropriate or said anything that pushed the boundaries of our relationship. Honestly, he was a godsend.”

  I studied my pizza sitting on my plate. There was every possibility that Jack was going to drop me as soon as I told him the truth. The very idea broke my heart, not just for my charity but because I was starting to care what he thought of me as a person. I reacted to the look of desire in his eyes. I felt beautiful under that gaze, and I didn’t want that to change even when I knew that it was a bad idea.

  “But?” he prompted me softly.

  “Like you, Hirsh came from money. He’s got powerful friends and investors. When we opened the doors to the complex, Hirsh threw a huge celebration party. Everyone who donated or promised donations were there. Even people who didn’t know about the project showed up because they wanted their name attached to it in some way. It was a party for rubbing elbows and dropping names. I already felt completely out of my league.”

  “A necessary evil for raising big money,” he commented dryly.

  Taking a deep breath, I continued. “Within Hirsh’s closest circle is a man named Kadir Al-Latif. He’s a playboy gazillionaire used to doing whatever he wants and getting his way. I’d met him a couple of times before in passing, but I wasn’t notable enough for him to interact with. At least, that’s what I thought. That night, he paid a little too much attention to me. Kept touching me. Pressuring me to dance. Then, toward the end of the night, he pulled me into an empty room and locked the door.”

  My throat closed up at the memory, and Jack narrowed his eyes and hissed. “Blythe—”

  Holding up a hand, I continued before I lost my nerve. “His intentions were clear, and when I didn’t immediately comply, he was surprised and furious. I don’t guess that anyone has ever said no to him before, which is absurd. In any case, he thought that money might smooth things over. He offered me a million dollars and pointed out all the wonderful things I could do with that kind of money if I’d just spread my legs for him. “

  “Son of a bitch,” Jack growled.

  “I slapped him and walked away. I didn’t see him again that night or at any other point. I didn’t tell Hirsh, and he gave no indication that he knew what happened. It was a horrible moment, but then I thought it was over. It didn’t even occur to me that Hirsh would have known about the encounter, even when he was pushing me aside, but with his abrupt withdrawal of money…” I shook my head.

  “You connected the dots,” Jack said, his voice tight and angry.

  I nodded. “He’s not the only one. People
who donated to the complex, who continue to donate, refused to hear me out on the new project. I started to wonder if maybe Al-Latif is somehow using his influence. Big money donors who made a big deal about supporting the complex can’t back out now, but they can make sure that I don’t have another success in the city.”

  Jack put his plate down on my desk and looked up at me with serious eyes. “Blythe, I’m sorry about that. It does explain why Hirsh is contacting my office. He and Al-Latif are close. College buddies close. He’ll want to make sure that you continue to suffer for his friend. Why didn’t you tell me before?”

  “I don’t have proof, and honestly, it didn’t occur to me.”

  “So, why are you telling me now?”

  Clutching the edge of the desk, I stared at him in fear. “Your office is scandal free. If Al-Latif does start floating rumors about my reputation, it would ruin me, but it would also affect you.”

  Without warning, he was on his feet and towering over me. “I don’t let anyone or anything threaten me, and that includes the rich and the poor. Even if Al-Latif decided to spread rumors about you, my office would survive, and so would you. I’d make damn sure of it.” Stunned by his vehemence, I didn’t stop him as he reached up and curved a hand around my head. “Is this the real reason why you shy away from my touch, Blythe?” he whispered. “Do I remind you of Al-Latif?”

  “No,” I answered honestly. “Not even a little.”

  “Good.” Leaning down, he fit his mouth over mine, and I did nothing to stop him. If anything, I leaned into that kiss and opened under him, giving into the desire of knowing what it would be like to kiss him.

  I was not disappointed.

  Pulling my head back by my hair, he deepened the kiss and stepped between my legs. The pressure of his body against mine made my nerve-endings sing as his tongue stroked against mine. My mind spun out-of-control as his fingers danced down my spine and tugged at my shirt. When he broke off the kiss, his lips moved down my throat as his touch found bare skin beneath my shirt and caressed my back.