Chapter Seven

 

Tasha smiled as the sun’s rays warmed her skin. Forgetting the details—that the senator was on a mission to send their wealthy, sleazebag host down the river and she was his distracting arm candy—so far she was having a wonderful time.

Stephen and Brady’s initial reactions had definitely contributed to her ebullient mood. Her date had a much better poker face than his bodyguard—she would say it was his political training, but he’d been like that for years. In the last few days, she’d seen more emotion from him than she had since he was the young and angry high school senior his parents worried about and she was still only a freshman.

But now he was sharp and focused. He wanted to take Burke down, and to do that, he’d fallen into the role of dominant male catering to his mistress as if he’d been born to it. As if he enjoyed it.

After they’d swept the bedroom for bugs with a little device Tasha now wanted for her own, Brady and Stephen had both expressed disbelief and shock at what they’d seen on the way through Burke’s crowded mansion.

“You said people would be naked, but I didn’t think they’d answer the door like that.”

“Someone had her on a leash and she was wearing a fox tail in her— Tasha have you seen that before?”

“People were stepping on that poor guy. On purpose. How can that be a thing?”

Tasha had just looked at them both and started to laugh. She couldn’t help it. Their expressions reminded her of a pair of ten-year-old boys who’d wandered into the wrong tent at a carnival.

She’d warned them that they would see a lot of inexplicable things and that there was a fetish for almost everything, whether they found it exciting or not. Burke had obviously invited a few players specifically to shock the innocent senator.

It was up to Tasha to shock Burke right back.

Leaning on her arms, she tilted her head back, listening to the sounds of people splashing playfully in the massive infinity pool while she inhaled the aroma of the filet mignon that shirtless men in collars were cooking on the grill.

She could feel eyes on her as she sunbathed in her bright, lime-green bikini. A lot of them. Good. It was the reason she’d packed this bathing suit. The color and the lack of fabric were always attention-getters.

Stephen’s stare was particularly penetrating. She had a feeling if he’d seen her before she shed her wrap in front of the other guests, she never would have made it out of their bedroom.

She glanced over her shoulder, hooking her sunglasses with the crook of one finger and pulling them down the bridge of her nose to meet his hard blue gaze. He lifted his hand off the lounge chair in silent command and Tasha felt an actual physical tug in her stomach in response.

He wanted her.

He wanted his mistress, she reminded herself sternly, making a show of getting to her feet and strolling toward him with an extra sway in her step. He was sitting beside Phil Burke and his wife—Wendi with an i—and all three of them were watching her as if she were dinner and they were starving.

She’d already been introduced to their hosts when they arrived, and the instant Burke got a look at her, his eyes lit up like it was Christmas. Not because he was interested in her physically, though there was a spark of that in his brown eyes. It was because he believed she’d be his ticket to busting Stephen’s flawless image. To controlling his votes.

Fat chance, honey.

He didn’t look like a comic book kingpin or villain. Jeremy would probably be disappointed. Burke was incredibly…average. Brown hair with a few strands of silver. Average build with the beginnings of a round belly, but not at all unhealthy. Nothing about him would make someone look twice or cower in fear, unless they knew about his money and what he’d done to earn it.

It was that second, closer look—when she saw the intelligence in his eyes and the confident way he held himself—that gave him away. Anyone who considered him harmless would be a fool.

When she got to Stephen’s lounger, she didn’t hesitate to lower herself onto his lap. She snuggled into him as if she’d done it a million times and leaned forward to kiss the corner of his mouth.

“Enjoying yourself?” he asked softly, pulling her closer.

“Yes.”

Stephen reached for the glass of ice water on the small table beside him and brought it to her. “You’ve been in the sun for an hour. Drink some of this for me.”

She took it, keeping her admiration to herself. He was doing it without prompting. Taking charge of her care. Watching over her. It was more than gentlemanly behavior. His tone, his demeanor…Stephen was being a Dom.

The glass was coated with condensation and she lifted it to her lips, enjoying the taste and the drops of cool water that ran down her arm before handing it back. “Thank you, sir.”

She took off her sunglasses and smiled at Wendi. “I could live the rest of my life by this pool. Stephen didn’t tell me we were spending the week in paradise.”

Mrs. Burke smiled happily and leaned her head on her husband’s shoulder. “It is paradise, isn’t it? I keep telling him travel is overrated. Phil has been trying to take me to his place in Ireland, but I can’t imagine loving it more than I do my own backyard.”

Burke laughed lightly. “So the secret to getting you on a plane is moving to a less attractive location without a pool. Good to know.”

Wendi playfully whacked his arm. “Don’t you dare.”

Tasha felt Stephen’s fingers tracing slow, sensuous circles on her back, just beneath the knot of her bikini. “I’d love to travel. This one is always too busy saving the world or giving speeches to take me where I want to go.”

Wendi made a sound of commiseration but sent her an excited smile. “Where do you want to go? I bet wherever it is, my husband has property there. Maybe we could make it a group trip.”

“Italy.” Tasha and Stephen both spoke at the same time.

Tasha whipped her head around in surprise, then was forced to add, “You remembered? I didn’t think you were listening to my fantasy itinerary.”

How had he done that? Known what she was going to say?

“I’m always listening, Natasha.” He shared a masculine smile with Burke. “Natasha has a weakness for Italian cuisine. I’ve been meaning to take her, but I have this nightmare of losing her to a chef in Tuscany.”

They all laughed and Burke motioned to someone nearby who instantly brought him a fresh mimosa. “So, you’ve got no interest in Ireland either, Miss Rivera? I’m surprised. I would’ve thought you’d be anxious to see your father and his family.”

Stephen’s hand stilled on her back, but Tasha had fully expected Burke to know something about her. Her father’s deportation was low hanging fruit, the easiest information for a man with his resources to uncover. She shrugged and sent him a look laced with just a trace of guilt. “Am I a horrible person for craving the warmth of the Mediterranean over an awkward family reunion? To be honest, I haven’t seen or heard from him in so long, he could be at this party and I wouldn’t recognize him.”

She’d get her grandmother to pray for forgiveness on her behalf. That kind of lie had to be a sin. The only thing that had ever kept her from going to Ireland was her fear that her father would turn her away. That her memory of the man he had been was colored with a child’s hopeful brush and the reality would be painful.

His wife reached out and touched Tasha’s leg, as if to comfort her. Just as quickly, she pulled away and Tasha saw the blonde’s cheeks darken. Interesting. “Of course you aren’t horrible. Phil shouldn’t have brought it up.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” Stephen’s words were low, but had the desired affect. Burke stopped smiling.

“My apologies, Miss Rivera. I spend my days surrounded by nosy reporters. Some of it was bound to rub off. It so happens I do have a villa in Tuscany, as Wendi said. I’d love to bring the both of you there, and I’ll do my best to keep all the best chefs hidden away from view so your Natasha isn’t unduly tempted.”

Wendi was beaming, and Tasha sent her a matching smile. “I would love that.”

Stephen tugged on her bikini tie in warning but answered, “How can I refuse such a generous offer?”

Wendi stole a sip of her husband’s mimosa, her eyes never leaving Tasha’s face. “Are you wearing contacts?”

Tasha smiled. “No.”

“You have beautiful eyes.”

Burke chuckled at his wife’s compliment. “Finn, you could be in trouble. Every party we throw, Wendi and I are each allowed to explore a different desire. I can’t deny my beauty anything either, and this time I believe she’s decided on Miss Rivera. At least, that’s what she’s been insisting since you two arrived.”

Wendi was blushing so deeply that Tasha felt bad for her.

Stephen’s fingers dug possessively into her waist. “I don’t blame her. However, there are a few things I’m not willing to share, Burke. I’m sure you understand.”

Phil Burke’s eyes narrowed, honing in on Stephen in a way that made Tasha uneasy. He wasn’t used to being denied.

She covered Stephen’s hand with her own. “I wouldn’t mind one little experiment. As long as you were watching me. Sir.”

She stared at him, willing him to read her thoughts. Wendi was still a newlywed, barely married a year to a man who surrounded himself with the kind of debauchery that would send anyone into sensory overload. Tasha had no doubt Wendi’s request was more about keeping her husband’s attention in this kind of environment than seriously exploring same-sex relations.

Tasha could make an ally if she helped her out. Or at the very least, do her job and distract their host from Stephen.

“What did you have in mind?” Stephen’s eyes were hard but she could feel his erection stirring against her hip.

She turned back toward Wendi and let her smile soften. “Would you like to kiss me?”

Wendi nodded without waiting for her husband’s approval, something Burke would surely notice. “Yes.”

The slender blonde stood and approached her, kneeling on the cushion of the lounge chair in a position that ensured Burke and Stephen would be able to see everything.

Stephen was fully aroused now, his fingers bruising her skin as he struggled to restrain himself.

Tasha felt desire unfurl inside her—not because of the woman who was staring at her lips with curiosity and interest, but because he wanted to see this.

The idea that her straight-laced Finn was watching made her bold. She’d kissed women before—who hadn't? Some kisses were meant to soothe friends after they’d been masterfully topped, and others to titillate their male partners into action. As a rule, men had a difficult time hiding their desire at the thought of seeing two women together.

But this wasn’t just any man watching Wendi’s eyes widen with excitement as she lowered her head and pressed her lips to Tasha’s. This was Stephen, and Tasha wanted to drive him wild as much as she wanted to please him.

Two male groans drifted over to them as Wendi rubbed her lips lightly, clumsily, over Tasha’s mouth. She really was sweet. Horrible taste in men, but sweet.

“Wendi, if you want to tempt her, you’ll have to do better than that.” Burke almost sounded annoyed. “Use your tongue. Take what you want, don’t fucking dance around it. Otherwise what is the point?”

Wendi flinched and Tasha reached for and clasped the woman’s hand in hers supportively. God, she wanted to hit him. She could feel the girl’s confidence deflating with every passing second.

Lifting her lips, she looked over at Stephen. “Can I kiss her now, sir?”

Stephen nodded, understanding what she couldn’t say out loud. “Kiss her. Show them why I can’t resist you.”

A thrill of pleasure shot through her, though she knew his words were more for Burke than her. She turned back to Wendi and let her smile grow sensual. Using their tangled hands, she pulled the fabric of her bikini away from one breast, exposing it to the sunlight and anyone who was watching before she placed Wendi’s hand firmly over her hard nipple. “That’s better.”

Then she reached up with her other hand and pulled Wendi in for a kiss. A real kiss that would give her bastard husband no reason for complaint and Stephen a visual he wouldn’t soon forget.

Wendi gasped into her mouth and followed her lead, squeezing her breast and causing several groans, both male and female, as other people took notice of what they were doing.

Wendi’s free hand was tracing circles on the skin over her ribcage. It was nice. She was nice.

Tasha was just about to lift her mouth to end it when Burke spoke again.

“Touch her, Wendi. Suck on her nipple and put your hand between her legs. See if she’s as turned on as you seem to be.”

Before Tasha or Wendi could respond, she felt Stephen’s hand move from her hip down inside her bikini bottoms to cup her sex possessively.

Oh God.

She’d never imagined he could be that bold. Right here, in front of everyone. She’d told him he could, but she’d never…

Oh God.

“This is mine,” he growled. “I’m the only one who gives permission for that, Burke. Are we clear?”

“As crystal, Senator,” Burke murmured.

Tasha couldn’t contain her moan when Stephen’s fingers slipped between the lips of her sex. Her hand dropped to press his harder against her, her hips rocking as an unexpected but intense wave of need swamped her.

Right here. Touch me and show them I’m yours.

Stephen moved in close behind her, pressing his lips against her ear. “You like hearing me say that, don’t you? That this is mine?”

He rubbed her clit and she whimpered against Wendi’s mouth, nodding.

One finger slipped inside her. God, yes. Do it. Don’t stop, Stephen.

“You’re so sexy, Natasha. And wet. Do you need to come?”

Here? He would… Really?

She nodded again and Wendi moaned in excitement at the prospect.

He bit Tasha’s earlobe sharply, still touching her. Teasing her. “Then thank this wonderful woman for a beautiful experience and head toward our room to wait for me. I’ll be right behind you.”

She pulled back obediently, her smile shaky as she mouthed a thank you to Wendi and reached for her bikini top, slipping it back into place.

Stephen hadn’t moved his hand away yet. Wendi sat back, her gaze lowered between Tasha’s thighs to watch. Everyone seemed to be watching her hips pump helplessly against her lover’s hand. “Stephen?”

His finger plunged deeper once. Twice. Tasha gasped and gripped his wrist with both hands. “Stephen? Did you change your mind, baby? Do you want me in the bedroom? Or here?”

He tensed and released her slowly, reluctantly removing his hand and coming to his feet to help her off the lounger. His eyes were a turbulent blue. “Go. Now.”

It was a command she had no desire to defy.

“Wait a second, Finn,” Burke said as she took a step away. “Don’t go disappearing for the rest of the night now. I thought we could all eat out here and get to know each other better.”

“The steaks will wait.” Stephen’s voice was deeper than usual. Unshakeable. “We both have women to see to first, wouldn’t you agree, Phil?”

“Of course.” Burke yanked Wendi down beside him and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. She smiled weakly at Tasha once more before burying her face in his chest. “You’ve got the right priorities, Senator.”

Tasha walked away without another word, her bare feet taking her through the small crowd that had gathered around the pool and into the house. Still more people were inside, talking or playing at the BDSM stations that had been set up in the movie theater-sized living room.

Too turned on by Stephen’s actions outside, she had no interest in any of them. She couldn’t get over what had just happened. What Stephen had done. He hadn’t hesitated with his intimate caress, hadn’t cared who watched him claim her with his fingers and his words… He’d left her reeling.

Despite her confidence in Stephen’s desire for her, it had always been there—the small voice that wondered if he’d never broken their rules before now, never pursued her when what was between them hadn’t dimmed with time or distance, because he didn’t want anyone else to know how he felt. Because he was ashamed of how he felt.

That’s your mother talking, she told herself sternly.

Maybe it was. Stephen was a good man. One of the best she’d ever known, right up there with Jeremy and her father. But her father had never written her back and Jeremy had never been hers—not the way she’d wanted Stephen to be.

His behavior was messing with her head, making her think about things—want things—she never had before. Things that weren’t realistic. Weren’t possible.

Someone reached for her hand before she made it to the staircase, spinning her around.

“Rivera? Tasha, what are you doing here? I saw you on Friday for the ceremony, and you never said a word about coming to Burke’s bash.”

She focused on the shirtless man in front of her with an apologetic smile. “Ken. Sorry, I didn’t see you.”

What was he doing here? And how could she have missed noticing him until now? Kenneth Tanaka wasn’t the kind of man you failed to notice. He was tall and muscular, with full lips, eyes such a light brown they were nearly golden and skin like warm honey. He was also covered in stunning tattoos and had ink-black hair falling in a silken braid to his waist. But it was his smile that made him truly beautiful. He got teased a lot about that smile. People said when Tanaka smiled, angels fell and the devil got nervous.

He was using that smile on her now—until he looked into her eyes. Then it faded into concern. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

What’s wrong is you know me too well.

“I wasn’t expecting you to be here either,” she replied weakly. “You hate this kind of thing as much as I do.”

Ken was a dear friend and a master with rope, and they’d bonded years ago over Ruby’s lasagna and their common status as mutts—he was Scottish and Japanese, a devastating combination.

He grimaced. “Yes, well, I’m not here for my own enjoyment. Unfortunately I take my job as mentor seriously, and Burke specifically requested more demos than usual for this party. Variety. The man I’ve been working with begged me to come. It would have been irresponsible not to.”

Ken took his rope work very seriously, but Tasha still smiled. “Is he cute? This man you’re training?”

Her friend raised his eyebrow. “Of course he is. He’s also straight and too short to be my type. The beast watching you from the doorway, however, has a body that was made to be worshipped. I might hate you if you tell me he’s yours.”

Tasha turned, thinking he was talking about Stephen, and instead found Brady in full bodyguard mode, his arms crossed over his massive chest, his narrowed gaze trained on them. She gestured for him to come over. “That’s my boyfriend’s bodyguard.”

“Your boyfriend?” Ken sounded mildly surprised. “I didn’t know you did boyfriends. What happened to your buddy system?”

“He happened,” she answered softly, wishing it didn’t have to be a lie. “A while ago. He’s kind of a public figure, so we don’t advertise our relationship.”

Ken gripped her chin with his fingers and forced her to look up at him. “You’re talking about the senator,” he said softly, his eyes narrowed. “I heard he was here. You came with him? You’re dating him?”

His direct gaze was making her nervous. “I did. I am. I know he doesn’t seem like my type, but I’ve known him for years. Trust me, he isn’t as vanilla as he seems.”

“I wasn’t expecting that,” he murmured, almost to himself. “But I can see it. Why wouldn’t he advertise? You’re a catch.” 

“You’re sweet, but think about it, Ken. As soon as anyone got wind of the two of us together? Senator Squeaky Clean with someone like me? The media feeding frenzy could ruin his career.”

Ken frowned. “I don’t like the sound of that. I thought Owen’s brother was supposed to be smart. What kind of man cares about reporters when he gets to come home to you? Nobody hides Natasha Rivera in a corner.”

“Don’t throw Dirty Dancing quotes around or I won’t introduce you to Hot Body Man.”

Brady announced his presence by wrapping his fingers around Ken’s wrist and gently removing his hand from Tasha’s face. “Is this man bothering you?”

Ken’s laugh was a little breathless as he looked down at the strong fingers on his arm. “Now that’s a grip. Hurry and tell him we’re friends before he wrestles me to the floor and frisks me for weapons.”

Brady dropped Ken’s arm as if it were on fire.

Tasha leaned her head on Ken’s bare chest and smiled at the overprotective Finn. “We’re friends. Ken, meet Brady Finn, former Marine, bodyguard, sexy, single man about town.”

Brady glared, but she was undeterred. “Brady, meet Kenneth Tanaka, expert in basically every martial art in existence, host of the local strongman competition, computer hacke—computer genius and highly sought after rope master.”

She studied them both and sighed. You’d have to be dead not to respond to those gorgeous specimens. “Look Ken, someone taller than you. How often does that happen?”

“Not that often.” Ken held out his hand to Brady and smiled his magical smile.

Brady hesitated before giving it one shake and taking a telling step back. “If I’m not needed…”

Stephen put a hand on his shoulder as he appeared at his side. He didn’t look happy. “Brady, we’re going to our room.”

Obviously relieved, Brady nodded and marched away from them, heading up the stairs. Was he planning to sweep the bedroom again? Tasha didn’t have time to ask before Stephen wrapped one arm around her waist and started after him.

“Wait, I wanted to introduce you to—”

“No.”

“No?” She looked over her shoulder to see Ken shaking his head, a thoughtful expression on his face. “That was rude, Stephen. Ken is a good fri—”

His arm tightened so he was practically dragging her up the stairs. “Not another word, Natasha. Not until we’re alone.”

When they were alone, she was going to give him a piece of her mind. And then another, and another, until he agreed to apologize to her friend.

Brady was walking out of the door as they arrived. “Clear,” he said quietly.

Stephen nodded. “Keep your eyes open.”

He pushed her inside, less gently than she would have liked, and closed and locked the door, leaning against it in silence.

Tasha spun around to face him, her hands on her hips, anger making it hard to catch her breath. “You’re an arrogant ass. Ken knows me and now he’ll never believe our story. Why? Because I don’t date assholes.”

Stephen, who’d changed into another pair of khaki pants and a polo shirt for the pool, started to strip in silence.

When his shirt landed on the floor she shook her head. “We’re not doing this, Senator. Not until we…get this sorted…out.”

He’d slipped off his pants and straightened, giving her the perfect view of his impressive body. He was still aroused. Extremely aroused. The tip of his hard shaft was glistening with pre-cum. She had the sudden urge to lick it.

Stephen walked toward her, gripping the base of his erection in one fist. He reached her, slid his hand into her hair and tilted her head back, kissing her with the kind of intensity that turned a girl’s bones to pudding.

When he finally lifted his mouth so they could both gasp for breath, Tasha complained, “This isn’t fair. Kissing me like that isn’t fair. I’m mad at you.”

“I don’t care,” he rasped, bending his head to scrape his teeth along her jaw. Her neck. “I couldn’t wait. Not long enough for you to find someone else to kiss in front of me, or to introduce me to one of your play partners. I need you.”

“It isn’t like—”

Stephen whirled her around and pressed her back against the wall, sliding the hand in her hair around to clasp her throat. She moaned in surprise and arousal.

“I don’t care,” he repeated in a low, dangerous tone. “Right now I only want to hear you saying ‘Yes, sir’ and ‘Please.’”

“Yes, Sir.”

Please.