Scandalous-nook (11 page)

“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.”