CHAPTER 21

“Stefan, I really have to go,” Sasha giggled as Stefan’s hands sneaked up her skirt.

“Not before I give you a goodbye present.” Stefan whispered against her ear as his fingers tugged her panty aside and slipped his fingers inside her.

“Stefan!” Sasha said on a gasp. When was he ever not going to have this effect on her? For close to three weeks they had spent almost every free minute together, ravishing each other before going to sleep at night, making sleepy love in the mornings. And every time he touched her, her whole body fizzled with sensations. Knees weakened, breath quickened and her hands groping for him even as he made her fall apart.

“Your dad can wait, Sasha.” Stefan said with a rough voice as Sasha felt the world cloud with passion.

“Oh God,” Sasha gasped as the world tilted off its axis before straightening again.

Stefan laughed in her ear. “Now you can go.”

“Shit! I’m going to be late.” Sasha complained straightening her clothes and giving herself a final glance in the mirror. She touched up her lipstick and added another layer of mascara noticing the twinkle in her eye. She knew why it was there but hadn’t yet had the nerve admit it out loud.

She grabbed her bag and rushed downstairs to where her father’s driver was waiting for her. Sasha hadn’t spoken to her father in three weeks; she knew she was avoiding him but she couldn’t avoid him today. It was the Manhattan fundraiser for his campaign and even if she wanted to, she wouldn’t let her father down by not showing up.

Climbing into the limo, she dug in her bag for her phone wanting to text Stefan and realized she had left it behind. Too bad, she thought she was already late; she couldn’t go back for it now.

The driver zigzagged through the busy streets of Manhattan towards the upscale hotel. The sidewalk was crowded with supporters and press, Sasha took a deep breath and got out of the car. Within seconds one of her father’s security guards was at her side, guiding her into the hotel straight to where the fundraiser was being held.

The room was crowded with supporters and Sasha couldn’t help but smile at the banners hanging from the walls with her father’s handsome face and campaign slogan. She spotted her mother on the other side of the room and made her way towards her mom.

“Hi mom.” Sasha said touching her mother’s arm. “Sorry I’m late.”

Tisha Morris turned around, an example of elegance. She wore a lilac suit with a white chiffon blouse and pearls. Smiling she pulled Sasha into a hug before holding her at arm’s length.

“Let me look at you, you’ve been so scarce. We’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too mom, I’ve just been busy.”

“Well whatever you’ve been doing, you look absolutely radiant. Studying definitely agrees with you Sasha.”

Sasha blushed and smile. If only her mother knew it was Stefan Kelson that agreed with her. “Thanks mom. You look beautiful.”

“Oh please, this old weathered face is boasting a new vault line each morning.” Tisha said shaking her head.

Sasha narrowed her eyes searching for the imaginary lines. “Mom, you’re imagining it. I could only hope to be as beautiful at your age.”

“Here she is!” JB Morris said pulling Sasha into a hug.

Sasha hugged her father back, wondering if he was still mad at her. Ever since their lunch she hadn’t spoken to her father at all. She thought of Stefan asking her last night when she was going to tell her father and decided today was not that day.

“Sorry I was late, dad.” Sasha apologized as her father smiled down at her.

“It’s alright baby, I’m just glad you came. Today is a big one.”

“You’ll do great!” Sasha said encouragingly just as she spotted Stefan walking into the fundraiser on the other end of the room.

Her father turned and followed her gaze just as Stefan held up her phone in his hand smiling broadly at her

Sasha wished for the ground to swallow her, this was not good.

JB Morris turned to Sasha with a cold glare, “I thought you’d taken care of this.” His voice was soft, smile in place.

“JB? Taken care of what?” Tisha asked confused.

“Nothing Tisha, could you hold the fort for a few minutes? I need Sasha’s help with something.”

Tisha nodded but glanced confusedly at Sasha. Sasha shook her head and felt her father’s hand firmly on her elbow. “Come.”

Sasha knew all hell was about to break loose and for once in her life was grateful for the press which meant her father couldn’t make a scene.

Sasha followed her father towards Stefan where her father curtly said. “Follow me right now.”

Sasha shrugged at Stefan who frowned at her.

JB led them into office at the end of the hallway. He opened the door and led Sasha inside by her elbow; after Stefan had joined them JB slammed the door shut and glared at them both.

Sasha swallowed, her father had never directed that icy stare in her direction, she suddenly felt empathy for his opponents.

“Dad, I can explain.” Sasha pleaded, knowing nothing she said would make a difference.

JB focused his gaze on Sasha. “You lied to me, avoided me and then show up at my fundraiser and bring him.” He pointed a finger at Stefan before turning back to Sasha. His disdain and anger vibrated from every cell in his body “I don’t think there is an explanation, but please if you feel you have one let’s hear it.”

Sasha wanted to curl up and die. She glanced at Stefan and thought about asking him to leave. Stefan smiled at her encouragingly and took her hand despite her father’s presence.

She found her courage in Stefan’s hand squeezing hers; she was done with JB Morris running her life.

“Dad, I’m seeing Stefan and I don’t plan to stop.”

Sasha could swear she saw steam billowing from her father’s ears, his hands fisted at his sides. Sasha knew her father was ready to put Stefan in his place physically.