скачать книгу бесплатно
“Promise me it’ll be soon.”
“I promise,” Ciara said, closing the phone. What had she ever done to deserve a mother like Diamond?
Jonathan was in the middle of reviewing a case he was consulting on with a colleague when his father walked into his office at City Hall later that afternoon.
“Jonathan,” Charles Butler began. “We need to talk.” He closed the door behind him and came toward Jonathan’s large cherrywood desk.
“I suppose you’ve come to plead Reid’s case,” Jonathan stated, putting the confidential file in his desk drawer.
“Of course,” his father replied. “Reid has been a big part of this family for years. He deserves your respect.”
“He’s been part of your life, Dad,” Jonathan replied. “Not mine.”
“Because of Reid, I never lost an election. I am retiring undefeated.”
“Bully for you,” Jonathan returned, “but that doesn’t change my feelings on the subject. I have never cared for Reid and I most certainly don’t want him running my campaign.”
“I understand,” Charles sighed. “To each his own, but you understand I had to try.”
“And your opinion is duly noted.” Jonathan stood. “But I’m my own man, Dad. And I decide who I want to run my campaign.”
“Fine, but at least throw him a bone.” His father would not let up. “Let Reid be your adviser. You know, make suggestions on the campaign.”
“That’s what I have Zach for,” Jonathan replied.
“I know. But do this for me.”
“All right, Dad,” Jonathan conceded. “Just as long as Reid and you understand that I run the show.” The days of Charles Butler running the show were over.
And to prove it, he met up with his best friend, Zach Powers, for dinner later that evening at the Prime Rib in Center City.
Jonathan had known Zach since boarding school, where they’d been roommates and had played lacrosse together. Even when they’d gone their separate ways in college, they’d still remained friends. Jonathan trusted Zach to have his back.
Jonathan smiled as Zach approached the table. Elegantly dressed in a tailored Gucci suit and Italian leather loafers, Zach was a major player and he knew it.
“It’s good to see you, Zach,” Jonathan said as his best friend joined him.
“Not that I’m not happy to see you, but why are we here? Why all the secrecy?” Zach asked, taking a seat opposite Jonathan.
“C’mon. You know the press as well as I do. If they smelled a story, it would be front-page news,” Jonathan replied. He paused when the waiter came over and filled the water glasses.
“I wanted to ask you in person to be my campaign manager.”
“Pardon?”
“You heard correctly. I want the best and brightest on my team. And that’s you.”
Jonathan had seen what Zach had done for Governor Green and Mayor Floyd. Both had been new to the political arena and had been facing tough competition from the incumbents, but Zach had adeptly convinced the public to vote for them. Zach was a skilled campaign manager and Jonathan intended to capitalize on his success, and it just so happened that he was finally available.
“You don’t have to lay it on so thick, Johnny boy. I’m your friend, so you know I’ll be there to support you. Whatever you need, I’m your man.”
“Thank you.” Jonathan shook Zach’s hand. “I knew I could depend on you.” He turned around to give the waiter his dinner selection of rack of lamb.
“What I don’t understand though, is why not Reid Hamilton?” Zach inquired. “He’s been your father’s right-hand man for years.” He stopped and gave the waiter his menu. “I’ll have the roast prime rib.”
“Reid may be the right man for my father, but he most certainly is not the right man for me,” Jonathan stated.
“Is there some sort of bad blood between the two of you?” Zach inquired, sipping on his mineral water.
Jonathan shook his head. On the surface, Reid was slick and smooth. Jonathan didn’t know if it was his smugness or the way he always seemed to know it all, but something about Reid rubbed him the wrong way. Call it intuition if you will, but he’d never liked the man.
“No, I simply don’t trust him.”
“Well don’t be afraid to speak your mind,” Zach replied. “Though I’m flattered by your faith in me, but are you sure you’re ready to go out into the minefield that is the political arena? You know there’s nothing but lions and bobcats.”
“I’m well aware of all the players,” Jonathan said confidently, “and I’m ready to play the game.”
“Are you sure?” Zach asked. “I thought you were having fun in the city council.”
“I was,” Jonathan replied, “but I’m ready for something new. Something bigger.”
“And are you ready for all the ladies that are about to fall into your lap? As a single congressman, every socialite on Capitol Hill is going to want to snag you.”
“The socialites you speak of are all interchangeable. I haven’t found a unique one out of the bunch.” He’d spent his life enjoying the fairer sex. It was no secret that he loved women, but none had ever sustained his attention for long.
“Maybe you’re expecting too much,” Zach offered.
“I want the total package. Attractive. Intelligent. Articulate. A sophisticated woman with a body made for sex.”
“You sure don’t want a lot,” Zach chuckled.
“I know, I know. It’s a tall order. Do you think such a woman exists?”
“Ah, you never know,” Zach said. “Mrs. Right could be right around the corner.”
Chapter 2
After a working dinner, all Jonathan wanted to do was kick back and relax. He found himself at a local bar in Center City. Ordering a Corona, he took a seat on a stool and soaked in the scenery around him. The bar didn’t consist of much: a small dance floor, a pool table and a dartboard in the corner.
He was discussing the pool game with the bartender when she walked in. She was stunning in a red silk blouse with a deep V neckline and a short black skirt that revealed a killer set of legs. She oozed sex and it made Jonathan immediately want the siren in his bed. He’d never picked up a woman before with the sole intention of sleeping with her, but then again there was a first time for everything.
Straight honey-blond hair hung generously down her shoulders, making him want to reach out and run his fingers through it and make it unruly. He tightened the grip around his bottle and groaned.
“Ummm, now there’s a hot one,” the bartender commented, filling up several bowls with beer nuts.
“Have you seen her in here before?” Jonathan inquired.
“Not that I can remember.”
“Hmmm.” That meant like him, she’d come for a break from reality as well.
Sultry and sexy, she strutted past him and went straight to the pool table. She struck up a conversation with several of the bar patrons already engaged in a game. They were as mesmerized as he was and easily allowed her access.
He watched her sashay over to the wall and grab a cue stick. One of the men, more bold than the others, came over as if to show her how to hold a stick, but she shook her head. Clearly, she was self-confident about her pool game. With all eyes in the room on her, she leaned down and swiftly hit a ball into the left corner pocket. Two more followed suit amid whistles and catcalls.
Walking around the pool table, she handled the cue stick with ease, landing several more shots. And just as easily as she’d insinuated herself into their game, she exited and came toward the bar.
Ciara sighed wearily. She hated coming to places like this. They reminded her too much of her mother’s dancing days, but oddly enough it was bars like this that made her feel the most comfortable after a long, hard day.
“Can I get a whiskey sour?” she demanded, leaning back against the bar and surveying the room.
“Mighty strong drink for a lady,” Jonathan stated.
Ciara squared her shoulders. “And how would you know what I need?” she asked defensively. She’d had a hard day at work with Shannon riding her tail and she was in no mood for a do-gooder. All she wanted was to drink in peace.
Jonathan grinned. Apparently, the lady had a hell of an attitude. “I don’t, but if you want to drive home this evening then you had better not have too many of those.”
“And how do you know I intend to drive home?” she asked, glaring at him.
Jonathan noticed that anger had caused her hazel eyes to turn slightly green. He felt his manhood swell immediately. It had been too long since a woman had turned him on this quickly.
The bartender slid the drink her way and she wasted no time in emptying the contents of the glass and pushing it back his way.
“Another, please,” she said with authority. Perhaps she had something to prove.
“Slow down,” Jonathan said. “Those things can creep up on you.” He took another swig of his beer.
“Thanks for the advice, but I know how to take care of myself,” Ciara replied, finally turning in his direction. When she did, she was blown away.
She didn’t think they even made ’em as delicious as him anymore. Tall. Broad shoulders. Skin the color of buttermilk. And that square jaw and those chiseled cheekbones. Ciara felt herself warm instantly. Back in her college days, a tall, fair-skinned, attractive brother would not have remained single for long.
“I’m sure you can,” he replied, raising his bottle and clicking it against her glass. “Cheers.”
“Cheers.” Ciara attempted a smile. “Listen, I’m sorry, okay? I had a bad day at work and I just came here to get a drink and decompress.”
“I understand.” His face split into a wide grin. “Mine wasn’t the best either.” Outside of Zach agreeing to be his campaign manager, he hated being bullied into letting Reid be his adviser, but he didn’t want to be at odds with his father. “Why don’t you tell me about it?”
Her eyes rolled upward and Jonathan took that to mean she didn’t want to talk. And that was fine with him. He’d be content just sitting beside her and looking at her. She was a beautiful woman and it had been a while since he’d felt an instant attraction to someone. It surprised him because he was usually cautious by nature. Hell, in his profession he had to be. He always thought first before acting, but this time was different. This time he wanted to act on his desires.
Ciara caught the passionate stare from the stranger at her side. It was pretty hard not to. He made no effort to hide his obvious interest in her.
Ciara lifted the glass to her lips and gulped some of the fiery liquid. Warmth immediately flooded through her veins. Maybe a little fun with a mysterious stranger might do her some good. Get her mind off her lack of upward mobility in her career.
“What do you say we get out of here?” Ciara suggested, brushing her arm against his. The sheer magnitude of his presence both overwhelmed and excited Ciara, causing her to feel a vibration deep within the pit of her stomach and that was from only a touch. Imagine what the full-court press would feel like?
Jonathan raised a brow. If he understood her intent, then she wanted him as much as he wanted her.
“Are you sure about that?” Jonathan asked because once they got started he wasn’t sure he’d be able to stop.
A spark of fire flashed in Ciara’s hazel eyes.
“Then let’s get out of here,” Jonathan replied, tipping back his head and draining the contents of his bottle. He grabbed his suit jacket off the back of the bar stool, grasped her by the hand and quickly led her out of the bar.
They were both quiet on the short drive to his penthouse. Jonathan secretly wondered if she wanted to back out. He sure hoped not; they had come this far and there was no turning back now. He’d been on edge the moment he’d seen her walk into the club. He’d known from the way she’d seductively stuck out her fanny while playing pool that this moment was a foregone conclusion.
With the late hour, traffic was light and they were at his building within minutes. When the car came to a complete stop, excitement surged through every fiber of Ciara’s being. She hadn’t been this naughty in quite a while, but boy did it feel good! Making love with this stranger would not only be scandalous, but totally sinful. He looked like a man familiar with a woman’s body and how to please it. Ciara easily imagined those big strong hands roaming over every inch of her body and she was ready to get it on.
She didn’t wait for Jonathan to come around and open the passenger door. Instead, she hopped out and followed him. He punched the up elevator button and impatiently they waited for it to arrive.
On the ride up, they were both silent for several minutes, each electrified by the other’s nearness. Jonathan was the first to give in and pull Ciara into his arms. Dipping his head, he did exactly what he had wanted to do since first spotting her and that was kiss her senseless. Ciara responded with equal enthusiasm to his hard and searching kiss. She blocked out where she was and focused on the exciting stimuli of Jonathan’s soft lips and warm tongue as it dove inside her mouth. Her breasts grew heavy and the place between her thighs became slick with moisture. When the elevator finally came to a jolting halt, they separated slightly dazed.
“This way,” Jonathan said, exiting the elevator and pulling Ciara toward his penthouse apartment. Reaching inside his breast pocket, he pulled out his key, but fumbled inserting it into the cylinder, so Ciara took it from him, inserted it herself and entered the foyer.
As he followed her inside, Jonathan realized that he didn’t know her name. “Don’t you think it’s time we finally exchanged names?” he asked, kicking the door shut.
“Why? Isn’t it better this way?” she replied. “You know, less complicated.”
“I suppose.”
“C’mon, don’t tell me you’re going to chicken out now that I’m here?” Ciara teased.
Jonathan thought about it for a minute. She was challenging him to live dangerously. Do the unexpected. The problem was he was so used to being predictable that he didn’t know how to proceed. Maybe she was right. It would be less complicated this way. Clearly she had no idea who he was and that he was running for office. If she had known, she could decide to use it against him down the road. Maybe it would be better not to exchange names. “If that’s the way you want it,” he said finally.
“Yes, it is,” Ciara stated emphatically. She wanted one passionate night in this stranger’s embrace and afterward they would go their separate ways. Just how she liked it. “Can you handle that?”
“If you can, then I’m game,” Jonathan said, hungrily staring at her.
Ciara’s anticipation heightened at his intense gaze and the thought of him tantalizing her entire body for the rest of the night. “I hope you know that I didn’t come out tonight with the intention of getting laid.”
“Neither did I,” Jonathan admitted. “But I’m sure glad we met.” Whether it was due to her come-hither look or her amazingly curvy body, all Jonathan knew was that any resolve he’d had vanished. Bracing one hand against the wall over her head, he leaned in and pressed her body against the wall. He moved his groin against her hot flesh and swiftly, he covered her mouth with his.
The gentle caress of his lips was a delicious sensation that Ciara wanted to savor over and over again. She parted her mouth and allowed him to deepen the kiss and stroke his tongue intimately with hers. “Has anyone ever told you you’re a fabulous kisser?” Ciara said, pulling away from him and tossing her purse on the hall counter. She was completely aroused.
Jonathan smiled. “A time or two.” He wanted her so bad he wasted no time tossing his overcoat on the floor. He hastily started undressing as he made his way to the living room.
A sense of urgency rose in Ciara, too, as she followed him. “Let me help you with that.” She reached down and helped him unbuckle his pants. Once his belt was unlooped, she threw it across the room and his pants fell in an instant. “A briefs man. Oh, I like,” she growled, kicking off her pumps.
Jonathan’s libido was in overdrive. He quickly unbuttoned her silk blouse, which revealed a lacy bra underneath. Earlier he’d wondered how her breasts would look and now he would find out. Quickly, he unhooked her bra and tossed it aside. He was immensely pleased by the sight before him; her full C-cup breasts were ample and he hungered to taste them, but first he wanted to rid her of all clothing.
Lowering the zipper, he helped her wiggle out of her skirt with trembling fingers until it fell in a puddle on the floor. Ciara watched Jonathan’s gaze travel down to the scrap of material covering her feminine mound and heard him utter a low groan beneath his breath. It didn’t take long for Ciara’s damp bikini panties to soon follow the same path as her skirt, until she stood naked in front of him.
Jonathan’s eyes raked boldly over her and mere seconds passed before they both reached for each other at the same time. He curled his arm around her waist and pulled her firmly against his full arousal. He wanted her to know how turned on he was. Ciara understood his meaning and, instead of backing away, she grabbed both sides of his face and brought his mouth firmly down on hers and they fell to the couch.
Jonathan was completely in charge, using one hand to bring both her arms above her head. Then he nuzzled and nibbled at her earlobes and neck. He continued his ministrations by planting tantalizing kisses along the hollow of her neck, causing Ciara to throw her head back in abandon and moan aloud.
His tongue’s path continued downward, stopping only when he came to the swell of her breasts. That was when Jonathan lowered his head and latched on to her right breast, sucking generously as if he were a newborn baby getting milk from its mother. While his tongue teased and pleased her upper body, Jonathan used his hand to slide down her taut stomach until he reached her core. When he did, he lightly stroked her womanly nub as if he were gently stoking a growing fire until she became slick and wet.
Ciara moaned her pleasure when Jonathan turned his attention to the other breast, laving the nipple with his tongue until it turned into a rocky pebble. “Yes, oh yes,” Ciara said.
