by Cassia Leo
I slipped my phone out of my purse and punched in the reminder. “Done.”
He could have told me this in the airplane when there wasn’t a ten-ton elephant named Katherine sitting between us. He probably only mentioned it now to keep up appearances with the stranger driving the car.
The Secret Service agent opened the door for me and I was immediately taken with how handsome he appeared in his crisp suit and dark sunglasses. As I exited the limo, I brushed past him and caught a whiff of his clean aftershave. Maybe I should just give up on Chase and go for someone more in my league, someone not destined to break my heart.
The hotel was one of the newer, more understated and modern hotels in the center of Baltimore. Chase refused to stay in places like the Four Seasons because he didn’t want to be seen as stodgy or pretentious. The sparkle of the glass revolving doors made me dizzy.
As his new assistant, I had to pick up Chase’s room keys, make sure his baggage was delivered to the room, and tip the bellhop very well. All this had to be done while Chase raced to a meeting with the mayor of Baltimore to discuss arrangements for tomorrow’s rally.
“Let’s take my luggage to my room first,” I told the bellhop as we entered the elevator. “We’ll deliver Ch—we’ll deliver the senator’s bags after that.”
Someone jammed her arm through the elevator doors just as they were about to close. Heather Rodin entered the cabin and pressed the button for the fifth floor.
“Oh, hi, Larissa,” she said, feigning surprise at finding me in the same elevator. “A lot of luggage you’ve got there.”
I smiled at her thinly disguised attempt to rattle me. “The senator is in a meeting with Mayor Johnson. Just doing my duty and making sure his luggage arrives in his room.”
“Your duty.” She pursed her lips as she glanced at my hair then she reached up and smoothed down a piece of my hair. “I always come out of airplanes with my hair in disarray. Did you cut your hair recently? I’m looking for a new stylist and I love this new look of yours.”
New look? How did she know this was a new look for me?
I tried to regulate my breathing, but my heart was beating too quickly.
“Sorry. I don’t know the name of the stylist. Senator Underwood’s personal stylist made the appointment for me. I merely showed up and sat my butt in the chair.”
A victorious smile tugged at one corner of her lips as I nervously blurted this reply. The elevator stopped at the fifth floor and she turned to me. “Relax, Larissa. The campaign’s only going to get more intense from here on out.”
She exited the elevator and disappeared down the corridor as the elevator doors closed. I glanced at the bellhop, who could surely sense the tension, but he was staring at the flashing floor numbers above the doors.
Why were elevator rides with strangers so awkward? So you had to stand next to a stranger for a few seconds in a confined space. Did we really need to avoid eye contact completely?
“She’s a reporter,” I said, breaking the silence as the elevator climbed toward the seventeenth floor.
“Yeah, I got the academic vibe from the awful shoes she was wearing,” he replied with a grin and I laughed as I thought about how I’d lied when I told her I owned the same pair in a different color.
I would have to tip William the bellhop extra for helping me loosen up a little. After we delivered my luggage to my room, we got back in the elevator to head for the penthouse. The elevator doors opened and I couldn’t believe my eyes.
The penthouse looked like an ultra-swanky apartment that would be featured in Modern Home magazine with a gleaming kitchen, a floating staircase, and a wall of windows that showed off a mind-blowing view of the Atlantic Ocean. I stepped inside and my eyes widened at the sight of the waterfall that seemed to come out of the wall and disappeared into the floor. My heels clicked against the concrete flooring.
William rolled the luggage trolley into the room and began unloading the luggage as I gravitated toward the view. Most of what I saw from this vantage point was rooftops and traffic jams, but somewhere out there, inside one of those buildings, Chase was shaking hands with the mayor and discussing things no doubt beyond my pay grade. I glanced to my left and saw a bed clothed in sumptuous white linens and suspended above the floor by steel cables. Would Chase and Katherine be sleeping there tomorrow night?
“Ahem. Miss Jacobs.”
I shook off this dreary thought and joined William near the elevator door where I handed him two hundred-dollar bills from the wad of cash Chase gave me for “incidentals.” Suddenly, I was beginning to feel more and more like a prostitute.
The elevator door opened and William scurried inside as if he were afraid I would discover I’d given him too much money. “Are you going down, Miss?”
I stared at him for a moment as he held the door for me. “Oh, yes, of course. Seventeenth floor.”
My phone vibrated as I entered my room. It was a text message from Chase.
Chase: Make dinner reservations for two at Dillon’s Steakhouse for 8 p.m.
I quickly pulled up my reservations app and made the reservation before I responded.
Larissa: Done… Sir.
I waited four minutes for a thank-you reply that never came. I tucked the phone back into the inner pocket of my blazer and sighed as I collapsed onto the bed. This was going to be a very long three days.
Chapter 3
After peeling myself off the bed, I spoke to George to arrange for him to pick up Katherine tomorrow morning and called Dillon’s to confirm tonight’s reservation. Then I called the local television station to make sure Chase’s speech had been delivered. My final call was to room service to ask them to deliver some wine and fruit to the penthouse at eleven p.m. I had to at least pretend to be good at my new job.
At seven p.m., after not hearing from Chase all day, I finally decided to take advantage of the whirlpool tub. I laid my phone on the counter in the bathroom and undressed. I turned the water on in the tub and pressed the button to turn on the jets before I climbed in. I dumped the entire bottle of expensive body wash I found on the countertop into the warm running water and closed my eyes as I leaned back.
“What a shame to hide such a gorgeous body under all those bubbles.”
I opened my eyes to find Chase sitting on the edge of the tub.
“I thought you had a dinner reservation. Oh, god. Did they not book it? I called to confirm, I swear.”
“Settle down, settle down. The reservation is for eight. I have plenty of time to get there from here. Right now, I had to see you.” He reached for my face and brushed aside a lock of damp hair. “I missed you today.”
“You missed me?” I said, my voice catching slightly. “Does anyone know you’re in here?”
“Of course. I told the mayor that you and I are regrouping before tomorrow’s rally.”
“Shouldn’t someone else be here to vouch for you? Maybe, Isa or… Heather?”
“Am I not enough for you?”
I stood from the tub and yanked a towel off the rod.
“Larissa, you don’t have to worry. No one thinks we’re having an affair.”
I struggled to secure the towel around me as I climbed out of the tub. “I don’t think I can do this. I should just go back to L.A.”
He grabbed me around the waist and pulled my back against him. “Larissa, I know what I’m doing. This is not going to fall apart. I promise.”
His lips grazed the back of my ear as his hand pressed firmly against my belly. The towel fell as he spun me around so our noses were touching. His lips hovered over mine for a moment before he kissed me tenderly.
I was so lost in his kiss I didn’t notice him carrying me out of the bathroom. He placed me gently on the bed, and I tried not to squirm as his gaze roamed over every hill and valley of my body. He sat on the edge of the bed and traced his index finger from my ankle up to my hip where he laid his hand. He leaned over and took my nipple into his mouth, sucking gently as his
hand glided over my hip toward my crotch.
His fingers slid between my swollen folds, gliding easily through the wetness. His caress was as light as a whisper, just barely bringing me to the brink before he stopped. His lips left a light trail of kisses over my chest and collarbone before they fell softly over my mouth.
I placed my hand on the back of his head and pulled him closer to me, kissing him hungrily, and he quickly pulled away.
“Not now, baby. There’ll be plenty of time for that when I get back from my dinner with the mayor.”
“But I want you so badly,” I whispered, as he kissed my forehead, the tip of my nose, my lips, and my belly before he placed his lips over my engorged clit.
“Oh, god,” I cried.
He kissed and licked me so softly I had to look down a few times to make sure he was still there. I was about to explode when he finally pulled away.
“You’re leaving?” I asked, as he stood up and straightened his tie.
“Go to my room. Make yourself at home. I’ll be back in a couple hours.” He licked his lips and smiled. “You make a very delicious appetizer, Miss Jacobs. Just wait until you see what I have planned for the main course.”
I called down to room service to have them send up the wine and fruit at nine p.m., then I took my time getting ready. When I was satisfied with my understated makeup, I changed into the black lingerie I’d purchased for myself yesterday with my “incidentals” money. Though the weather was warm in Baltimore in late August, I brought a trench coat for just this occasion. I got dressed in a conservative pantsuit and grabbed a few files out of my briefcase before I draped the trench coat over my arm and made my way to the penthouse.
I tried hard not to glance around the elevator for surveillance cameras. Chase said he knew what he was doing. I had to stop worrying. If we were caught, it would be the end of his career, not mine. In fact, it would probably propel me to some kind of celebrity status, which may actually give me a leg up when trying to secure acting roles.
But I didn’t want it to be over.
I checked the time on my phone and noticed a message from Chase.
Chase: I’ll be there in fifteen. Wait for me in the bedroom.
I tried not to imagine what would be happening in this bed tomorrow night as I lounged on the bed that appeared to be suspended in midair. The bed wobbled a bit under my weight as I removed my stuffy pantsuit and tossed it behind the bed. I decided against the trench coat and instead stretched out on the bed, waiting for him.
The crotch of my panties was already wet with anticipation of his arrival. The coolness of the linen felt good against my skin. I ran my hands and feet over the comforter. The friction built between my legs as my skin skated across the fabric until I finally slid my hand inside my panties.
I massaged my clit gently, the way Chase had, and I imagined it was his hand on me. I cupped my breast with my other hand and squeezed my nipple, imagining it was his lips tugging on me.
“Oh, Chase,” I breathed. “Don’t stop.”
I feathered my clit with gentle pressure, easing up as soon as I was about to come. I opened my eyes and Chase was standing at the foot of the bed watching me.
“Don’t stop,” he commanded, and I obeyed.
I continued almost bringing myself to climax then stopping. I turned onto my belly to give him a better view from behind and he stood rapt with attention at the foot of bed, never moving, never making a move to join me, though I could see the bulge of his erection straining against his pants.
Finally, I stood from the bed and grabbed his tie. “I want you to take me all the way there.”
He smiled as I sat back on the bed and pulled him toward me. “What’s the magic word?”
“Make me come, please, Mr. President.”
He gazed into my eyes for a moment before he hung his head.
“Wrong magic word? Should I have said ‘Sir’?” I asked, as I attempted to pull him on top of me, but he resisted.
“No. This is all wrong.” He sat up on his knees between my legs.
“Is the lingerie too much?”
He chuckled, as he looked me over. “No, it’s this whole thing. Having you here the night before Katherine arrives.”
My heart dropped into my stomach as I realized I was about to be dumped.
“No, it’s not you,” he insisted, as he noticed the hurt expression on my face. “It’s me. I need….”
“To focus on the campaign. I understand.” I sat up, but he grabbed my arm to stop me.
“Please, let me finish.” He waited a moment before he let go of my arm and continued. “I need to tell you something. I think… I’m falling for you.”
I closed my eyes for a moment as I processed these words. When I reopened them, I expected to find myself back in my hotel room, waking from some crazy dream, but it wasn’t a dream. This was my life. The senator of California, and almost certain future president, was falling in love with me.
“Please say something.”
I stared at him for a moment, taking in the beautiful curves of his face and the slightly desperate look in his eyes. “I’m falling for you, too.”
His smile flashed for an instant before he grabbed my face and his lips crushed mine. The urgency in this kiss was a stark contrast to the way he had kissed me earlier and it made me want him even more.
“You’re gorgeous,” he whispered in my ear as his lips brushed my earlobe. “I want to make love to you.”
We hastily undressed each other and stood on our knees on the bed facing each other. He slipped his hands around my waist and a shiver passed through me as he kissed my shoulder.
“You’re so fucking beautiful.”
“Don’t you want to spank me, Mr. President,” I murmured, as his lips moved down to my breast. I didn’t want to sound too eager, but I couldn’t stop thinking of the way he held me firmly as he swatted my behind. I wanted more and he never finished.
He lightly bit my nipple and I gasped. “Don’t worry. I haven’t forgotten. There’s still plenty more punishment coming to you.” He pushed me back onto the bed and spread my legs open. “But right now, I just want to make you scream with pleasure, no pain.” He kissed my clit hard, the way he had kissed my mouth and I damn near came within seconds before he pulled back. “Turn around, baby.”
I flipped over and he pulled my hips up so my ass was in the air. He licked my clit gently as he slid two fingers inside me. He massaged the sensitive spot inside me until I almost felt as if I were going to pee.
I screamed aloud with pure ecstasy as my body quivered. “Oh, my god! Don’t stop! I’m going to come!” I bit down on the blanket as my body released a giant shudder.
Before I could recover, he slid his cock inside me and the sensation of his balls drumming against my sensitive clit sent me quickly into orgasm number two, soon followed by numbers three and four.
Chapter 4
Chase insisted it would look far worse if I left his hotel room past midnight. He said no one would notice a thing if we both headed down tomorrow morning at the same time after having a meeting in his suite. Everyone expected us to be joined at the hip. So I spent the night sleeping in his arms; and in the morning, I gazed at him across the kitchen counter as I sipped my coffee while wrapped in his shirt.
The rally went off without a hitch; and I couldn’t help being awed by the thousands of people cheering him on. Even if I weren’t in love with Chase, I believed him. I didn’t know if he would bring universal health care and strengthen our economy and education system, but I believed he would try. He was extremely good at what he did.
It suddenly became hard to breathe as I realized he could very well have used that same political charm on me last night. As soon as we climbed into the car, he leaned in to kiss me.
I pushed him away. “Were you lying to me last night the same way you were lying to those people at the rally?”
I knew, as soon as we arrived at the hotel, I wouldn’t be able to confr
ont him about this. Katherine would be waiting for him and the rest of my trip would probably be spent trying to avoid her the way I used to avoid my creditors.
“About falling for you? No, I wasn’t lying. Where is this coming from?”
I glared at him across the cabin of the Town Car unable to read his expression. “Are you using me for sex? I mean, I know you’re paying me, but I don’t want to think there’s more to this, if there isn’t. You don’t have to tell me you love me just to make this whole deal easier for me to swallow. I knew what I was getting into. I may not like the arrangement, but I went into it with my eyes open. I would prefer to keep it that way. Please tell me the truth.”
He glared right back at me, looking very disappointed. “Larissa, I told you last week, and I meant it when I said I’m not going to be president forever. The implication is true. I want to be with you long term. What I said last night is true. I am…falling in love with you. However, I can understand if this is too much for you. I never expected you to accept my offer.”
Our car was quickly approaching the hotel where a horde of reporters, including Heather Rodin, waited out front.
“George, take us around the block one more time,” Chase commanded and we sailed right past the gawking reporters.
The Secret Service car followed closely behind us and Chase’s phone rang immediately.
“Everything’s fine. Don’t call back,” he shouted into the phone before he hung up and stuffed it back into his pocket.
“That’s just it,” I began. “I can’t stop thinking of our… arrangement as an offer. It feels cheap and dirty. I feel cheap and dirty.”
“I wouldn’t exactly call you cheap,” he replied with a smirk that quickly disappeared when he saw the shock on my face. “It was a joke, Larissa. The reason I love being with you is because I feel like I can be myself with you.”
