by K. A. Linde
He seemed triumphant about that, but strangely silent throughout the rest. She knew that Brady was incredibly competitive. He wouldn’t be into politics if he weren’t. But this was her sport. He could kick her ass at basketball and probably everything else, but not tennis. And she was going to prove it.
They played by official rules, where the winner needed to win six sets and beat the other team by at least two sets. Liz was playing on adrenaline and barely even noticed the time pass, but by the time they were down to the wire it was clear everyone was tiring. If they won the next point then that would be the game.
She could see the determination on Brady’s face as they squared off. For a second it felt as if it were just the two of them. Their competitive natures wouldn’t let them back off.
Liz raised her racket and served the ball across the net. Brady returned it where it was almost out of reach for her, but she got it last minute. It sailed over the net and hit the court once. Brady dove to get the brilliantly placed ball, but he was too slow by a fraction of an inch and it bounced out of court.
“Game!” Mollie cried. Her breath was coming heavily, but she was still jumping around victoriously.
Liz bent forward at the waist and took in a few deep breaths. Her heart was beating a million miles a minute. From across the court, she locked eyes with Brady and winked. She had beaten him. It didn’t matter that it was at a game she had been playing nearly her entire life and it had been kind of close. She had still won and it felt amazing.
“Okay, you two,” Mollie said, pointing across the court. “Since you lost, you have to take us to Schiller’s for Pimm’s.”
Chris groaned. “Killing me, woman.”
Mollie giggled. “It’s only fair.”
Liz walked across the court to shake hands with them, as was customary. Chris slapped her hand for a high five and then hobbled off the court mumbling to himself, “I knew there was a reason I didn’t play this game.”
“Hey, you,” she said, walking up to Brady. “Good game.”
“You were phenomenal,” he told her.
“Didn’t think a girl could beat you, huh?”
“You proved me wrong. It makes me want to take lessons. Is that guy Savannah is seeing available?” he asked.
“You can’t steal Easton from me! Find your own instructor,” she joked, batting at him.
Brady pulled Liz toward him.
“Ew. I’m all sweaty.”
“You’d think I’d be used to it,” he said with a smirk. “I have an idea. How about I ask my girlfriend to give me lessons?”
“Is she good at tennis?” Liz asked innocently.
“The very best. She’s so good, in fact, that her boyfriend is going to have to remind her who’s in charge the best way he knows how.”
Liz’s eyebrows shot up. “And how do you propose that?”
He dropped his mouth to her ear and nibbled on the earlobe. “Tonight when I have you all alone, I’m going to remind you exactly what happened the night you brought a Senator to his knees.”
Chapter 18
PAY UP
As promised, that night the guys planned an evening for the girls that included Mollie’s drink of choice. Liz went on a shopping excursion to acquire a cocktail dress. Brady tagged along and played Pretty Woman with the associate at Bergdorf Goodman. By the end of the encounter, Brady had insisted on a pair of Jimmy Choos and a dark magenta strapless dress that cinched at the waist to accentuate Liz’s figure.
When they returned to Chris’s apartment, Liz took over the bathroom. After a shower, she blew out her long blond hair until it fell loose past her shoulders. She spent extra time on smoky makeup to finish off the elegant ensemble. Chris greeted her with a whistle when she exited the bathroom. Brady just shook his head at his best friend and brought his girlfriend in closer.
“You look stunning,” he told her. He kissed her once on her nose.
“You don’t look too bad yourself,” she said.
Actually he looked fucking unbelievable in a tailored black suit with a checked green tie that complemented her dress. And that smile . . . as bright as the fireworks on the Fourth of July, all for her. She could have melted right then and there.
“I think I could get used to taking you shopping if you look this radiant in everything I purchase,” he said, assessing her.
“Am I not good enough for Brady Maxwell in a T-shirt and sweats?”
“No. Certainly not.”
Liz arched an eyebrow. “I do hope you’re joking.”
“Someone as beautiful as you should be wearing designer clothes at all times. It suits you.”
“Are you getting me designer sweats?” she asked.
“I’ll put in an order.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“For you. Though you already know that I love you in whatever you’re wearing. It’s this brain of yours that I fell for.”
“And here I thought it was my body,” she purred.
He slid his hand down the curve of her waist. “Don’t get me started. I have a promise to keep tonight.”
“Time to head out,” Chris called, interrupting the lustful glance between them. “We still have to pick up Mollie before the show.”
Brady placed a kiss on her lips and then ushered her out the door. She followed Brady and Chris down to the lobby of the building. A black stretch Hummer limo greeted them at the curb.
When Liz had first gone home with Brady that night at the Jefferson-Jackson gala, she had been shocked by the luxury. Even though she had been in a limo since that night, it still made her heart jump. It fit them.
“After you,” Brady said.
He took her hand and helped her slip into the dark interior. Expensive champagne chilled in a bucket, and soft music played in the background. She had to down two glasses of champagne that first night together to calm her nerves. She hadn’t been sure about her decision to leave with him. Now she thought it was the best one of her life.
Brady and Chris slid in after her and immediately started pouring champagne for the ride. They toasted their good fortunes and good times and sipped the crisp champagne. Liz couldn’t keep the smile from her face. A few months ago she would have never envisioned herself in a limo in New York City with Brady. Now she couldn’t imagine her life any other way.
Sure, there were aspects that were far from desirable, but Brady seemed to overshadow them all. She wasn’t one to define herself by a man, and even now in these moments she didn’t feel as if she did that. Her career and independence were still crucial to her. It was why she couldn’t accept help from him with her job. But her life felt more complete than it ever had before . . . even when everything had been going right. Now she had the man she loved, loving her back and encouraging her to pursue her dreams despite the obstacles. They had a fight for the election ahead, but she wanted to be there for him just as he was there for her.
She glanced over at Brady laughing at one of Chris’s jokes and a smile touched her lips. She knew the future was uncertain, but she felt confident in him . . . in them. There were conversations that needed to be had about that future, but she didn’t fear having them as she once had.
When they finally made it through traffic, the driver parked in front of a tall building. Chris hopped out to retrieve Mollie, leaving them all alone in the limo. Brady’s hand immediately trailed down her inner thigh. Her legs were crossed, but that didn’t seem to stop him, and really she wasn’t planning to anyway. He pried her legs apart with ease.
“Don’t move them,” he growled in her ear.
Her body clenched at the command and she did her best not to squirm as his hand explored her thighs. She could feel her body warming up to his touch as it so easily did. His fingers brushed up against her sensitive skin and she couldn’t help but jump.
He smirked at her. “No
panties?”
“You like me better without,” she whispered throatily.
His other hand closed around her wrist and brought it to rest on the front of his pants. She felt his dick lengthening in her hand and her eyes bulged.
“Do you see what you do to me?” he asked. She nodded and squeezed to emphasize her point. “Now let me see what I do to you.”
He ran his fingers along the opening to her pussy gently at first and then probingly. Her wetness coated his fingers, betraying how turned on she was.
“Mmm,” he sighed as he slipped up into her.
Her eyes fluttered closed and she dropped her head back on the headrest. She didn’t know how much time they had and right now she simply didn’t care. She had been craving him all day. She didn’t care what he did to her as long as she got her release. And she felt it building beautifully, euphorically. Her whole world centered in on this moment, and her heavy breathing gave away how close she already was.
“Are you going to come for me, baby?” Brady whispered in her ear.
“Close,” she groaned.
“How close?” His fingers slid in and out of her. His thumb circled her clit, drawing out the pleasure as long as he could.
Liz bit her lip, completely unable to answer him coherently. Her walls clamped around him, begging for what he was offering.
And then just like that he removed his hand, pushed her legs together, and straightened his suit to hide his erection. Her body protested the sudden movement. The climax hovering just at the brink was receding. Her eyes fluttered open and she began to protest, when the limo door flew open.
“Miss us?” Chris asked when his face appeared in the doorway.
Liz tried not to show how affected she was by what had just occurred. Chris’s eyes flickered between the two of them and he laughed as if he knew what had just happened while he had been gone.
“Hey!” Mollie cried, pushing past Chris and sliding into the limo. She was wearing a slim black halter dress that flared out around her knees, and strappy black heels. “You ready for the show?”
“We’re ready,” Brady said. He dropped his hand over Liz’s shoulders. “Aren’t we?”
“Very,” Liz responded. Son of a bitch.
“Awesome. I’ve seen this one, and it’s my absolute favorite. You’ll love it.”
Chris dropped in beside her, the driver closed the door, and then they were off again. Mollie poured herself some champagne and refilled Liz’s now-empty glass. Liz was going to need more than that to come down from her high.
They arrived at the theater and were directed to their own private box. Chris and Mollie stepped through the red curtain first, but Liz stopped Brady.
“Did you do all this?” she asked, gesturing around.
“If you mean taking my girlfriend out, then yes.”
“I mean . . . all of it . . . the limo, champagne, box seats . . .”
“Well, Chris and I agreed, but it was my suggestion,” he said with a shrug. “Do you not like it? You seemed to like it earlier in the limo.”
“No, I like it! And I liked the limo . . . though I wished you would have given me one more thing,” she said suggestively.
“What would that be?”
Liz ran her hands down the front of his suit. “I think you’ll have to figure it out later when we’re alone.”
“Who says I have to wait until we’re alone?” he asked, brushing his lips against her mouth.
“You just want us to get caught, don’t you? Our faces all over the paper for indecent exposure.”
Brady chuckled. “If it’s news that I’m sleeping with my girlfriend then I’m doing something wrong here.”
“Maybe if you’re sleeping with her in the middle of a crowded Broadway show . . .”
“Who would even know?” he asked, backing her against the wall in the darkened corridor. The show was starting any second, all the lights were out, and they were in a private area where no one was around. The only people who would come by would be waiters asking them about drinks and their friends sitting at the front of the box.
“S-someone,” she stuttered uncertainly.
He pressed his body firmly against her and she felt him through his suit pants. He wanted her. And, God, did she want him too. “No one will see us as long as no one hears us. Do you understand?”
Her whole body tensed. She loved this side of him. She loved how easily he commanded her presence and elicited these emotions from her. Her body was on fire from earlier, but just the demand in his voice made her hot all over again.
“Liz, do you understand?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“Are you two coming?” Mollie’s voice called as she stepped into the hallway. “Oh, sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt.”
Brady smirked at Liz before backing away. “No interruption. We’re coming.”
Mollie quickly darted back into their private booth.
“We’d better be,” Liz peeped as she passed Brady. He smacked her on the ass as she walked by and she bit her lip to keep from crying out.
“What did I say?” he growled.
“She didn’t hear.”
“Let’s try this again,” he said, swishing back the curtain to let her into the balcony. “No talking. No noise. Not a peep. Follow my directions and I’ll let you come this time.”
“Let me?” she asked as if his words didn’t make her body tremble with desire.
“Yes,” he growled, drawing her into him. He moved his mouth very close to her ear. “You know how I feel about begging, baby. I’m going to make your pussy beg for it.”
It already was.
Brady took a seat at the back of the box and Liz moved to take the seat next to him. The lights flickered, the orchestra started up, silencing all conversation, and then the show began. As soon as the audience’s full attention was on the show, Brady motioned for Liz to take a seat in his lap facing forward.
She did as she was told without a word, but glanced around, waiting for someone to notice that something was amiss. But no one could see into the box from this angle, and Mollie and Chris were dead set on the show. The skirt of her dress covered Brady’s lap as he unbuttoned his pants and withdrew his cock. She felt the length brush against her thighs and she shivered all over. She couldn’t believe they were doing this. Yet she had no intention of stopping him.
His hand slipped under her skirt and circled around her clit once more. She bit back her moan and just leaned into the pleasure. She had been so close earlier that it took nothing to wake her body up. They had been playing cat and mouse all day, and she was craving him so badly that she didn’t even care how she got off at this point.
He slipped a digit inside of her and found she was slick and ready for him. Brady pushed her up to that point all over again before removing his hand and angling her body so he slid all the way in.
Liz’s head lolled as he filled her. She fought for composure, but she had none. It took everything in her power not to groan right then and there and alert their friends to what they were doing in the back of the theater box.
Brady rearranged her skirt so that it completely covered his lap from view and then started rocking up into her. Her body tightened all around him, urging him on and demanding the release he had held back from her earlier. Her fingers dug deep into the rich material of the box seat at the same time his sank into her hips.
Her breath caught as a whirlwind of emotions hit her all at once. She wanted to cry out and scream and let the world know that she had the heart of this elusive man. She felt as if she was on top of the world despite everything else that had come crashing down around her. Her heart beat double time in her chest, her pulse quickening with every thrust, her skin superheating as adrenaline coursed through her body.
Brady pushed her down over and over again, and she
was sure they were the only ones who could hear the soft sounds of their bodies meeting in rhythm. It was the privacy and intimacy of their joining amid the public atmosphere that pushed them toward climax. The orchestra played to their tempo. The actors sang their tune. The song hit a crescendo and Liz felt her own body come undone.
She collapsed onto herself as she came down from her own crescendo. Brady pushed up into her once more and she felt him finish, shuddering with his climax. They both sat there for a few minutes more until their breathing steadied out, before Liz excused herself for the restroom.
By the time she returned, Brady had righted himself and seemed completely engrossed in the show. He smiled a confident heart-stopping smile and motioned her over. She moved to take the seat next to him, but he pulled her into his lap once more.
“You were spectacular,” he whispered, wrapping his arms around her waist and leaning her into him.
“You act as if I was part of the show.”
“You were the whole show, love.” He placed a kiss on her collarbone and traced his lips up to her neck.
Liz leaned forward and kissed Brady with every ounce of passion she had. There were no words to convey how she felt about him. There was only this moment.
When the show ended, they returned to the limo to go get drinks. Mollie gushed the entire time about the production and how she thought that it was even better than the last time she saw it with her girlfriends. Liz smiled and nodded at the appropriate times, but she hadn’t really paid attention to much of what had happened.
Soon enough the limo reached their destination, and they all piled out into the chic bar. Liz thought she might feel overdressed, since she was used to the college scene, but everyone inside was in business suits and dressy attire. She received a few envious glances as she passed with Brady on her arm. She didn’t know whether they were green over Brady or her dress. Maybe it was both. But she just raised her chin as if she belonged in high society.
Chris procured a booth in the back and a waiter came by to get their orders. Chris insisted on putting his card down, even after Brady tried to argue with him. But after a minute, Brady gave up and let Chris pay.
