Passion, Power, and Privilege (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Cara Addison

  She finished, dramatically tossing the tie over her shoulder. She turned and walked confidently toward the staircase. Without looking back, she began her ascent toward his room. Kate had reached the landing before he recovered from his shock and realized her intentions. He kicked off his shoes and bounded up the stairs, catching up to her as she reached the doorway to his room. With a playful spark in his eyes, he grabbed her and leaned her up against the doorframe. He kissed her, and Kate let her lips linger on his.

  He pulled back. He looked her in the eye, and then down at her feet. “I’m not sure I like you in these heels,” he kidded. “I don’t remember you being this tall.”

  “You liked my Jimmy Choos last week…you’re not sure you like the Manolo Blahniks,” Kate chided as she slipped out of her shoes, instantly shortening three inches in height, “You need to make up your mind.”

  “That’s much better,” he said with a smile as he bent down to kiss her.

  His hands were exploring her body, and within moments she heard the soft whir of her zipper sinking down her back. He slipped the fabric off her shoulders, and slowly eased the dress off of her. “This doesn’t look like it belongs on the floor,” he whispered. As Kate stepped out of gown, he walked her to the seating area of his bedroom. He carefully draped the dress over the armchair.

  As he planted slow, silky kisses on her neck and then her shoulder, her bra dropped to the plush carpet. She slipped his suit jacket off his shoulders and hung it over the armchair. Without kissing him, she silently removed each of his sterling silver cufflinks and placed them on the table. He watched as she leisurely opened each of the buttons on his tailored shirt and slipped it off of his broad shoulders.

  “Take all the time you want,” he whispered playfully. “You’re the one who’s naked.”

  Kate thoroughly enjoyed that he could make her laugh, even as she stood uncovered in front of him.

  Pointing to his newly exposed undershirt, she feigned exasperation. “If I keep going, how many more layers am I going to discover?”

  He grinned as he raised his arms and she slid her arms up his toned torso and lifted the cotton tee over his head. “They’re comfortable,” he responded, meekly.

  “Oh, it’s comfortable!” Kate teased, as she pointed to the beaded dress resting on the armchair. “Of course, that designer makes that frock in flannel,” she paused looking up into his blue eyes, “but I opted for the satin and sequins, just to be more…comfortable.”

  He grinned and swiftly pulled her to him. The touch of his bare skin against hers set off a surge of heat through her body. She kissed him playfully, letting her tongue dart about his lips and mouth. Her hands danced friskily up his arms and down his torso. As his hands fell from her shoulders and began caressing her breasts, and she felt an ache begin to grow. Kate gasped as he delicately circled her nipple with his middle finger. The rising temperature of his body activated the spicy layer of scent in his cologne and she inhaled the rich aroma as she nuzzled deep into his neck, licking and kissing him, trying desperately to fill the need that was growing.

  Pulling away and fanning her face, Kate whispered, “Now I understand what the saying hot and bothered means.”

  He leaned her against the armchair, and as he sensuously kissed her, pulling playfully at her nipple, knowing that it would invoke extreme pleasure. She bit her lip and pressed her eyes closed, savoring the shots of hot pleasure that coursed through her body.

  “Care to find out what the saying, rode hard and put away wet, means?” he added friskily, bending to nuzzle her neck with his hot, damp lips.

  Aroused by both his touch and his wit, she quietly moaned. Taking control, Kate walked him backward toward the chaise. She slipped the belt from his pants, and teased seductively, “Saddle up, Mr. Taylor, it’s time to ride.”

  Kate slipped his pants and his boxers to the floor, and pushed him down to the lounger. She walked over to the nightstand, and selected a few squares from the black basket before walking back and dropping them at his side.

  Shifting to the edge of the lounger, he grabbed her hips and pulled her toward him. He nuzzled her panties with his lips, and whispered huskily, “You won’t be needing these,” and he slipped them off. He murmured as he kissed her hips, appreciating the freshly groomed sight before him. “Girl…” he moaned as he nuzzled and slid his hands up the inside of each thigh, not needing to finish his sentence.

  He lifted her knee and, placing her foot on the lounger beside his thigh, slowly slipped his hand back to her pussy. Kate felt his warm breath on her stomach, and her nipples hardened in response. His strong fingers gently explored her pussy and she grasped his shoulders to both steady her balance and to release the sweet tension that was building.

  His finger, moist with her juices, slid slowly around her clit. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the floor in front of him. “I wasn’t finished,” he murmured as she kissed him urgently and pushed him back against the chaise. She kissed her way to his hardened shaft and slipped her lips over his cock. Kate was giddy with desire as she swirled her tongue around before urgently taking him deep into her mouth. She twirled her tongue as she slid his hard cock in and out of her mouth.

  He gasped as he grabbed the foil square beside him, and tearing open the package, lifted her chin to slip the latex over his hard shaft.

  Studying his face, she eased onto the chaise, confidently straddling one knee on either side of him. Kate lowered her hips, throbbing in anticipation. His tip rubbed against her clit and she bit her lip, holding back a moan. She whimpered as he slid into her, filling her. Currents of sensual electricity surged through her body.

  “Take me, girl. All of me.”

  Like waves in an ocean, she let her body rise and fall in a perpetual rhythm. His hands caressed her neck and shoulders, releasing tingling shivers. She took his cock deeper and deeper, slowly grinding against him. Her breathing grew shallow, and she suddenly shuddered as earth-shattering pleasure engulfed her. She leaned back, resting her hands on his knees. He was visibly enjoying the view of her flattened stomach and firm breasts as she increased her pace. Kate held his gaze until he slammed his eyes closed as his body twitched in delightful convulsions.

  They sat quietly in each other arms without speaking, and in a state of complete relaxation, she began to drift.

  “You’re forgiven,” she whispered.

  “Forgiven?”

  “For telling Patrick.”

  He laughed lightly. “Well, if this is my punishment…”

  She smacked his shoulder playfully before kissing him.

  “Mind if we watch the news?” he whispered.

  “Not at all.”

  Disentangling and moving to his bed, he clicked on the television, and propped himself up against the pillows with the sheets resting casually around his waist. Kate reached for her smartphone from her purse. She knew that it didn’t really belong in bed, but she had missed a number of messages, and planned to quickly respond as they caught up on the day’s newsworthy events.

  “I won’t bring it up again, I promise…but I’m curious…why did you tell Patrick?” she asked as she snuggled up against his powerful chest.

  He wrapped one arm around her and pulled her in and tossed the remote into her lap. “I didn’t plan to tell him. It just slipped out.”

  “How…does something like that just slip out?”

  “I told him how full of surprises you were, and when he asked me what I was talking about, I let it slip that I hadn’t had a woman go down on me in years…and well…the conversation went sideways from there.”

  “Years? Seriously?”

  “Years…It might even be decades. I don’t want to think about how long it’s been.”

  “Hmmm. Sounds like we both have some catching up to do.”

  “I’ll accept that challenge,” he whispered, kissing her hair.

  Kate smiled as she glanced at her phone. She had missed a number of messages. One was from Laura. She
clicked away on her phone, responding to her inquiry. Laura was still awake, and receiving her message, she sent a quick reply. They exchanged numerous e-mails, in a detailed conversation about a winter vacation Laura was planning.

  As the news ended, Brad turned his attention to her phone.

  “Sounds interesting,” he murmured, pointing to the device.

  “Just catching up with Laura,” was all Kate needed to say in response.

  He stretched, and while she thought he was watching her punch out her message, he reached out for the remote, accidentally brushing his arm against her breast. She stirred, completely distracted from her task. Noticing her arousal, he reached out and tugged her exposed nipple with his fingers.

  Kate gasped in delight, dropping her phone to the sheets.

  “Wha…” she began, but couldn’t finish the word as he again tugged and slid the tip of his finger around her nipple. They jumped to attention, sending hot bolts of pleasure through her.

  Kate moaned softly as he licked his fingers. Returning to her breast, he slipped her nipple between his warm, wet fingers, twisting and manipulating in a delightfully agonizing way. She ached, and felt herself becoming wet with desire. He continued and, writhing against the pressure, she kicked back the sheets.

  “Your breasts are unbelievable,” he whispered in a husky voice. “…so incredibly responsive.”

  He continued playfully teasing her. “Don’t stop,” she begged. Kate slid her hand down, and found his hard cock beside her. She wrapped her fingers around his shaft and began massaging him. He bit her neck in appreciation and pulled hard on her nipple.

  She wanted his hand to descend to her pussy, but he was focused on teasing her. She ached. Kate wanted him to reach between her legs and relieve the want. She slid one leg over the curve of his knee.

  “Damn girl,” he gasped as she released her grip and impulsively reached between her legs. She slipped her fingers around her pussy, feeling around the pool of hot liquid that had seeped out of her. His breathing deepened and he bit her earlobe as he stifled a cry. He watched her intently as she reached down with her other hand and gently parted her swollen lips to expose her clit. She slipped her wet fingers up and around, her body stiffening from the exquisite pleasure. She continued swirling her fingers, gradually increasing speed and pressure against her swollen clit.

  He pulled his arm out from under her, resting her gently against the pile of pillows. With each kiss and lick he delivered to her breasts, she moaned with pleasure. Leaving her nipple for a moment, he reached for the black basket and, ripping open the package, slipped the latex over his shaft. “Don’t stop,” he whispered, leaning over her.

  Kate moaned as she slipped her own fingers inside her pussy, hoping that he would soon be filling her void. He positioned himself between her legs, and kneeling, he bent down to deliver a long lingering kiss to her nipples. “Take me,” she begged with urgency, “ple-e-ease…” She slowly moved her fingers and gently stroked her clit as he sat up and pulled her hips toward him. Still on his knees, he spread his legs apart, and effortlessly slid his cock into her. She threw her head back into the pillows with delight. She wanted him. She needed him.

  Kate was about to slide her hand away, when he murmured, “Stay.”

  His eyes were closed, and she enjoyed watching him as he focused on his own pleasure. She slipped her fingers back down to her pussy and as he plunged into her over and over, she swirled her fingers to match his rhythm. The pleasure increased until it bordered on pain. It was only moments until shots of hot fiery pleasure flooded through her body as she came. She moaned as he increased his intensity, feeling her spasms gripping him.

  Her gratification sent him over the precipice, and within moments, his expression changed and she knew that he was feeling the same intense mix of pain and pleasure that she had just relished. His body tightened, and she moaned as she watched in delight as a powerful orgasm ripped through his body. He slowed and, as he opened his eyes, smiled at her. His cock slipped out of her, and she whimpered, already missing him. He crumpled facedown on the sheets next to her. They lay in silence, exhausted. After a long while, he lifted his head and, wide-eyed, looked at her.

  “In my fifty years.” He paused. “I’ve never seen or experienced anything like…”

  “In all my forty-two years,” she responded, “I’ve never done anything like that.”

  He looked at her incredulously. “Never?” She shook her head. “But, you didn’t even hesitate!”

  “It felt…” she blushed, slightly self-conscious at having pleasured herself in front of him. “You…” She searched for the right words. “You…make me comfortable in my own skin,” she said as she stroked the salt-and-pepper hair at his temples. He rested his head back on the pillow. His face was a vision of peace, contentment, and fatigue.

  “You need to sleep,” she whispered, seeing his heavy eyelids.

  “Will you stay?” he queried, lifting his head slightly.

  Kate took a deep breath and sighed. She wanted desperately to snuggle up with him and fall asleep in his arms, but was unsure how to tell him that as a creature of habit, she was much more comfortable waking in her own home, with access to her own toiletries and clothes.

  Within seconds, he was breathing heavily, and she knew that he was asleep for the night. She pulled up the covers around his strong shoulders and quietly slipped from his bed. She set his alarm, quickly dressed, and slipped out.

  Kate woke the next morning with her phone ringing on the bedside table.

  She swiped the screen and answered groggily, “Hello?”

  “You didn’t stay,” she heard a familiar voice say in a slightly perturbed tone.

  “No,” she paused. “I came home to shower and—”

  “I do have shampoo, Kate,” he interrupted.

  “You’ve been in my bathroom, Brad, the collection of bottles and jars is extensive.”

  “Next time you’re here, bring whatever you need. The closet is half-empty. So are the bathroom drawers,” he said emphatically. “You’re staying the night. End of discussion.”

  Chapter 8

  Kate was delighted that the Sunday Observer provided front-page coverage of the grand opening at the Institute. The article was long, and was accompanied by a large color photo of the major stakeholders at the event. Her delight turned to dismay when she turned the page to see a photo of Brad with his arm around her, condemning the notion that the mayor was dating so soon after the tragic death of her husband. She quickly sent a text to warn Bradley that the media outlets might be calling him for further comment.

  The cat is out of the bag. Page 2 of the Observer. Great photo. The copy leaves something to be desired.

  I saw it. Why aren’t you in my bed?

  He clearly wasn’t concerned about the negative media coverage.

  I wasn’t invited.

  Consider it an open invitation. And by open, I mean immediate.

  She packed a few toiletries, and a few items of clothing to populate his closet. With each visit, she gradually added essentials to the empty drawers and racks opposite his. It wasn’t long before she was as comfortable sleeping in his bed as she was her own.

  * * * *

  Kate met her father for coffee on a regular basis. He would stop by her office at city hall twice a week to keep his finger on the pulse of progress. She wasn’t surprised when he stopped by on the Monday morning following the Institute’s grand opening. “Good morning, Daddy.” Kate breezed into the room, kissing him on the cheek. “You’re looking well.”

  “I feel great. I’m eating again, getting some exercise. The treatments seem to be working and I feel so much better.”

  “I’m so glad, Dad,” she added as her PA delivered a cup of coffee and a cup of green tea for her father. The idea of losing her father was too painful for her to consider. She brushed the thought from her mind.

  “I understand you’re dating,” he said matter-of-factly.

  H
er PA quickly left the room, closing the door behind her. “Ahhh, you saw the article.”

  “Actually, I knew a week ago. Patrick called me after the dinner party at Bradley’s house. Apparently you left quite an impression on Mr. Taylor.”

  “You’re spying on me?” she questioned with a grin, hoping Patrick hadn’t revealed any unnecessary detail of her evening with Bradley to her father.

  “Not spying. Protecting Lowden’s investment.” He smiled, defending himself. “The article in the Observer just confirmed my suspicions.”

  “Great photo, don’t you think?”

  “Yes, but the media could have a field day with this. It’s only been a few months, Kate.”

  “The election is over, Daddy,” Kate said, leaning back in her chair. “I’d have to do something illegal to get kicked out of office. Dating a successful widower isn’t illegal.”

  “When the next election rolls around—”

  She cut him off. “When is the next election?” she asked, knowing full well that she had been elected for a four-year term.

  “You’ll have to start campaigning in three years,” he answered.

  “Where is your copy of the Sunday Observer that you read yesterday?”

  He paused, thinking about where he had discarded the newspaper. “My recycling bin.”

  “Exactly. And so is every other copy in this city. In three years, residents won’t remember who or when or why I started dating. It just won’t matter.”

  He pondered the idea and smiled. “How did you get to be so smart?”

  “I’m the apple, Daddy.” She smiled. “And I didn’t fall far from the tree.”

  He smiled, broadly. “I’m so proud of you, Kate.” He rose from his chair, preparing to leave.

  “Do you mind if I invite Bradley to join us for our weekly dinner date on Sunday?” she asked before he stepped out the door. “I’d like for you to get to know him.”

  “That would be just fine, Kate. I’ll get out my shotgun.”