His Rise to Power: Book 1 Read online

  “Christ, Blythe, I could fuck you right here and now,” he moaned as he ground against me. Suddenly, I wished that I was in that skirt that Rachel hated so much so I could hike it up and feel his hard cock against my aching pussy.

  Fisting his shirt in my hands, I whimpered and pulled him back down for another kiss. Rough. Urgent. If he wanted to fuck me right here on my desk, I was going to let him. All logical thought fled under his touch and demand, but before I could tell him that I was his, he backed away.

  “As much as I want you, now is not the time or place,” he whispered with regret.

  Blinking, I stared at him. “Why not?”

  “Because several days ago, you told me no, and just now, you told me why. When I fuck you for the first time, Blythe, there’s going to be no hesitation on your part and no doubt.”

  “I…” The cool air from the air conditioning rushed between us as he stepped away, and I cleared my throat. “All right.” What else could I say? As much as I wanted to tell him that there were no doubts, in truth, I wasn’t there yet.

  “Friday night, my father is throwing me a party in honor of my reelection. I’d like to bring you as my date. Professionally, I’ll be able to introduce you and your charity work to my circle of friends and my father’s circle of friends, all who are dripping in money. It’ll be the first chance to plant some seeds before your first fundraiser.”

  “And personally?” I asked as my heart hammered in my chest.

  “There doesn’t have to be a personal side if you decide not to, but I will be picking you up, introducing you as my date, and dropping you off. My hands are going to be on you, Blythe. If you want to take that further, I’ll leave the ball in your court.”

  Thirteen

  Blythe

  I wore red.

  Originally, I’d planned to wear my go-to black dress that I had for these occasions, but Rachel balked. She reminded me that it wasn’t a fundraiser. My charity wasn’t the center of attention. Jack was inviting me so that I could have a chance to make an impression.

  Red, she assured me, made an impression.

  I wasn’t bold enough to go with a bright cherry red fabric, so I chose a deeper wine color. It fell straight to my ankles from the thin spaghetti straps that crisscrossed over my shoulders. The fabric rode high over my bosom with a diamond opening that teased at my cleavage, and with the exception of the straps, it was bare in the back. I high slit rose up one thigh while the other side curved around my hips.

  It looked good on me, I had to admit.

  I’d tucked my unruly hair in a low bun and tucked a wine-colored fabric rose in the middle. There was no need for a necklace, so I wore a pair of long and thin silver earrings and no other jewelry. A cuff bracelet would have looked amazing, but I’d already tapped out my budget on the dress and the strappy heels.

  I’d just slipped into the shoes when there was a knock at my door. Instantly, my stomach fluttered. Part of it was excitement about taking the first steps in making the art center come to life. The other part was the knowledge that tonight I was going to be in Jack’s arms.

  The ball was in my court, and I’d already made my decision. I wasn’t going to relax until I knew what it was like to be loved by him, even if it was just for one night.

  Then, it would be out of my system, and I could focus on my charity.

  Grabbing my clutch, I hurried to the door and opened it.

  Dressed in all black, he wore no neckwear but kept the shirt opened at the top. The effect was devastatingly sexy. As my mouth watered, I tried to speak, but I apparently wasn’t the only one trying to get my bearing.

  After drinking me in, he stepped inside and slammed the door shut. Suddenly, his hands were sliding beneath the straps at my back, and his mouth was on me. Surprised, I dropped my clutch and grabbed his shoulders. Moaning into the kiss, I pressed my body against him. Dimly, I realized that he was pulling the straps off my shoulder, and with a gasp, I pushed him away.

  “Wait. If you tear my straps, I’ll have to go to your party naked,” I protested.

  His pupils were huge, and his breath came out in harsh pants. “Christ, I don’t give a damn about the party. Did you think that I’d see you in that and not react? Take the dress off, Blythe. Let me take you right here and now. We’ll go to the party late.”

  Flushed, I reached down and grabbed my bag. “I’m glad that you like the dress, but you could have just told me that I looked pretty.”

  “You look fucking amazing, sweetheart.”

  Confidence surged through me, and as much as I wanted to give in and invite him into my bed, I needed to focus on my priorities. Plus, by waiting, we wouldn’t have to rush. And I didn’t want to rush.

  “The party is important, remember? Planting seeds and all of that? The charity comes first. Besides, you’re the guest of honor. Afterward…we can see if you still think I’m pretty without the dress.”

  I hadn’t meant to be so bold, but the instant lust that crossed his face told me I’d made the right move. “Shit, Blythe. How am I supposed to attend the party now?”

  Feeling empowered, I reached up and ran a finger down the rough stubble of his chin. “I’m sure you’ll find a way,” I said huskily. “Should we go?”

  “Yeah,” he growled as he ran his hand through his hair. “The limo is waiting.”

  “Limo? You brought a limo to my apartment? That won’t stand out at all.” I laughed. Eagerly, I led him out of my building and stepped out along the curb. There, the shiny limo gleamed under the dirty flickering street lamps. A man I didn’t recognize stood by the door, and Carl the bodyguard stood with three of his other comrades around the car.

  “My neighbors are probably taking photos from the window,” I muttered. The driver nodded politely and opened the door. After thanking him, I slid inside with Jack close behind me.

  The privacy partition was already up, and despite the ample seating, Jack stayed close to me. “Are you wearing anything under that dress?” he whispered hotly in my ear. “I know you’re not wearing a bra. I like the bare back. All that warm skin available to my touch.”

  I was more than happy for him to have his hands on me. “It’s built in,” I explained as I stared out the window. He was far too close to me in the intimate atmosphere, and I wasn’t sure what to do. What to say. We pulled out of the parking lot, and he chuckled as he shifted.

  “What are you doing?” I whipped my head around as he knelt on the floor. “Jack!”

  “It’s a good fifteen minutes to my father’s mansion,” he explained. “And I’ve instructed the driver to take his time. Don’t worry. He can’t see or hear you.”

  “That is not the point! What are you doing?” Several reasons for him being on his knees in front of me flitted through my mind, and none of them were clean.

  “I asked you if you wore anything under that dress. You didn’t answer my question, so I’ll have to see for myself. Scoot to the edge of the seat, Blythe.”

  “Fine,” I said quickly. “I’m not wearing any panties. They kept creating lines.”

  “Too late. I’m going to have to find out for myself. Move to the edge,” he repeated with a slow and wicked smile.

  “Absolutely not! Are you out of your mind?” I tried to bat his questing hands away, but it was only a halfhearted attempt, and he knew it. He just smiled as he slid them under my ass and easily pulled me forward. The move did half of the work for him as my dress rose up my hips and legs.

  “Tell me to stop and I’ll stop, Blythe.”

  I opened my mouth, but when nothing but a raw moan came out, he grinned.

  “Is that a yes?” he pressed.

  It shouldn’t be, I knew, but I needed this more than I’d ever needed anything in my entire life. “Yes,” I breathed.

  Quivering, I held my breath as he moved his fingers up my bare calf. “No stockings. Good. I don’t want anything to get in the way later when I fuck you.”

  With a small moan, I gripped the
edge of the seat. His fingers moved higher, and I widened my thighs to give him better access. When his hands reached their goal, we both gasped.

  “No panties,” he groaned. “And so fucking wet. Jesus, I have half a mind to make the driver pull over so I can take care of you.”

  God knew that I wanted that as well. He teased my wet pussy and skimmed those clever fingers just over my clit. Unable to help myself, I arched back and moved into the touch. I’d never been so turned on in my life.

  “Oh, god. Jack.”

  “I do love the way my name sounds in your mouth,” he muttered as he played with me a little longer. “I could make you come, Blythe. Fuck, I want to see your face when you’re clenched around my fingers, my cock. I want to hear you moaning when my mouth is on you.”

  The carnal images flashed through my mind, and I hissed and tried to pull my legs up to give him more access. Why the hell was he talking like that when I needed relief?

  “But I can’t. You’re wet now. If I make you come, you’ll be drenched, and then we’d both need to change our clothes,” he whispered as he removed his fingers and stretched himself up until he could kiss me.

  I was surprised by how gentle he was. Leaning over him, I wrapped my arms around his neck and opened my mouth. Pushing me against the seat, he ran his hands up and down my exposed thighs as his tongue moved more urgently against mine. I imagined his cock fucking me just like his tongue was. In a moment of pure lust, I was on the verge of telling him to forget the party.

  “So sweet,” he muttered. “Christ, I want to feel you wrapped around me, Blythe.”

  Now. I wanted to wrap them around him now. Pushing at his chest, I intended to push him back on the floor so I could unzip his pants and straddle him, but the car turned suddenly, and I slid right off the seat and into his lap.

  “That is definitely a move in the right direction,” he teased with a grin as I stretched out over top of him. “Are you okay?”

  I wasn’t hurt, but the jolt of the fall pulled me out of my lustful haze. Embarrassed, I detangled myself from him and pulled myself back up in the seat. Before he got any other ideas, I slid to the opposite end. “You are way too dangerous,” I said as I sucked in a breath.

  “Do you think that’s going to stop me?”

  “Yes,” I said plainly. Jack wasn’t going to push me into anything that I wasn’t ready for. The knowledge of that was one of the biggest reasons I planned to crawl into bed with him tonight.

  With a dramatic sigh, he sat in the seat opposite of me. Relaxing, he spread himself out and stared, his gaze heating my skin. Squirming, I cleared my throat. “I’m never going to relax if you keep looking at me like that, and there will definitely be talk if you look at me like that at the party.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like you’re imagining me with my legs spread again,” I whispered as my cheeks heated.

  “I am.” He smirked a little. “Is that what makes you nervous?”

  “It’s…um…been awhile for me.”

  “Me too,” he admitted. When I looked at him in surprise, he shook his head. “Did you imagine that I slept around with all the free time I have on my hands? I’ve been focusing on my campaign, and I don’t take just anyone to bed. There’s no need to be nervous around me. I’ve seen the kind of passion brewing beneath the surface. I already know I’m going to like having you beneath me. And on top of me. Pressed up against the wall. Gripping my headboard while I fuck you from behind.”

  Damn it. I burned for him.

  Grinning knowingly, he shifted in the seat. It was good to know that his erection was making him as uncomfortable as my aching pussy was making me.

  “In addition, when we’re at the party, I know how to be discreet. As shady as that sounds, it’s something that I’ve had to practice. Not with women, of course, but it doesn’t do to show sadness or rage or excitement in public. Media feeds on it. Lobbyist and opponents feed off it. I can tap it down when I need to.”

  Goodie for him. I didn’t know whether I liked the fact that he could easily mask his feelings, but I was certainly jealous.

  Abruptly, he changed the subject. “There are two people I think could help spearhead your fundraising campaign. The first is Susan Cole. She’s a representative of the Mental Health Services, and the second is Elizabeth Conner of the National Center of Education. They both fought hard in a sea of men to reach their seats of power, and they’re just as passionate for their work as you are. I think the three of you will get along well. In fact, I think they’ll be impressed by you.”

  My jaw dropped. I’d tried valiantly to get some government representatives involved in the building of the sports complex, but Hirsh told me that as long as I had the money, I didn’t need them. “They just happen to be on the guest list?”

  He smiled wryly. “They are admittedly a later addition. I met both of them during my campaign and was very impressed. I think they’ll be a real asset in allocating grant funds that will help you year after year, and their support will throw more weight behind your cause. With Mental Health Services and the National Center of Education rallying behind you, your previous donors will face more pressure. Chances are good that they’d rather piss off a pervy billionaire than to explain why they’re withdrawing the support of what is clearly a good cause.”

  It wasn’t just his kisses and touches that made my head spin. “You really are trying to help me,” I breathed.

  “While I like the way that you’re looking at me right now, I’d rather not hear about you doubting me. I said that I would help you, and I will, Blythe. I believe in what you’re doing. My wild attraction to you is a bonus.”

  The car slowed, and I glanced out the window. Ahead of us, a gorgeous mansion loomed. Perfectly cut hedges lined the curved drive as we reached the intimidating four-story building lined in white columns. Fairy lights in the bushes lined our path, and even though there was a line of cars at the valet, the driver passed them all.

  Special privileges for the guest of honor.

  “Did you grow up here?” I asked in wonder.

  “It’s a house, and I lived here, but I’d be hard-pressed to call it a home, and I’m certainly not certain I’d even commit to growing up here. I went to a private boarding school, and when I was home, I preferred to be outside. I always felt a little invisible there,” he said thoughtfully.

  “You won’t be invisible tonight.” Following my instincts, I reached over and took his hand.

  “No, but I’m fairly certain that you’re going to steal the show.”

  Fourteen

  Jack

  It didn’t surprise me at all to discover that she drew the eyes of nearly everyone in the room. In the midst of the city’s wealthiest and most influential people, dripped in designer threads and flashy gems, she stood out in her otherwise simple red dress and her genuine smile.

  I was trying to tap down my desire for her, but I couldn’t quite mask my attention. Blythe was in awe of the mansion and the people, but she saw an opportunity, and she was ruthless as she moved through the crowd and dropped the name of her charity.

  Before the night was over, everyone would know Blythe Hemsey and Humane Miami.

  My father’s standing event planner had outdone herself. The ballroom was decked out in decorations, and the open courtyard glittered under more lights. It was a little embarrassing to see the etched champagne glasses with my name and election year on it. Blue and white gauzy curtains decorated the corners for a classy patriotic nod, but there wasn’t any red, which made Blythe stand out even more.

  After stepping away from a group of people that were strangers to me, she returned to my side with wide eyes. “There’s a fondue fountain in the corner,” she whispered loudly. “How mad would you be if I just stationed myself next to it for the rest of the party?”

  With a chuckle, I wrapped my hand around her waist and drew her to my side. I wanted to kiss her forehead and intertwine our fingers, but people were watching,
and she was already a little stiff next to me. I could tell that the night was wearing on her. “Because you’re hungry or because you need a break?”

  “I’m starving! You rich people really don’t know how to throw a party. These little finger foods wouldn’t fill my little pinkie. Celebrations are about food and alcohol. You’ve got the alcohol in spades, but you need a few extra large pizzas up in his joint,” she teased as she turned her face up to me.

  Those lips were just a little too inviting, and I steered her toward the table. “Then we’ll have to feed you before you invite a pizza delivery driver to my door.”

  “Jack, we’ve been here for almost an hour, and you haven’t introduced me to your father. This is his house, right? Isn’t he here?”

  “He’s here somewhere,” I said vaguely. I’d caught sight of him right when we walked in, but he’d taken one look at Blythe and frowned. I already knew that he was keeping his distance so he could get as much information about her from the other guests before he approached us. The man needed to be armed with information at all times. “I see Susan and Elizabeth by the fondue fountain. It must be meant to be.”

  Her face lit up, and I walked her over and made the introductions.

  “Miss Hemsey, I’ve been wanting to meet you for a while,” Elizabeth said warmly. “You met a representative from my office a couple of years ago while you were planning the recreation center. I was very impressed.”

  Amused, I watched Blythe flush with delight. Pride glittered in her eyes, and she eagerly clasped her hands together. “Humane Miami Sports Complex is my baby. Please tell me that you can make time for a tour because I would love to show it off. In a couple of weeks, we’re having a little party for our Tumblers. Kids through age ten will be showing off what they’ve learned in class. We had such a huge turnout last year, and I’m determined to beat it this year.”