Oh.
Tasha forced a smile. She’d spent all her adult life in denial about her feelings for one particular Finn—two days of sex and intrigue weren’t going to be enough to tear down that wall. “One problem at a time, Hot Body. Now come on. We need to make an appearance. I think I’ll try and talk Stephen into Haley’s breath play tutorial. Learning can be fun.”
“God, save me from this party.”
“You’ll be fine,” she said, sliding her arm through his. “I’ll ask Ken to guide me through one of his stretching exercises and you can see how bendy he is. It’s riveting. Trust me, you’ll like it.”
Brady grumbled but followed her without resistance.
He’d be more than impressed. Ken was mesmerizing when he moved. Hopefully getting Brady’s attention on him would win her back a few points with the rope master. Maybe enough that he’d tell her what he was looking for in Burke’s laptop.
***
Dinner was lavish, just as Stephen had predicted when they were getting dressed. The long table was covered in the finest linen, crystal glasses twinkled by the light of an elegant chandelier and, though Stephen and Phil Burke were both wearing suits befitting the occasion, most of the other guests were dressed in their finest fetish gear. Latex and leather all around. Tasha wouldn’t be surprised to discover they were all extras in a Lady Gaga video.
She covered her mouth with a napkin so people wouldn’t see her laugh. They were being their beautiful selves—it was the situation that was surreal.
Rich people threw strange parties.
Tasha had decided to meet them in the middle. Her classic black dress seemed tame, but on closer inspection, the narrow strips of sheer black fabric gave tantalizing glimpses of her bare skin from the neckline to hem. This time, for Stephen’s sake and her scheduled scene with Ken, she’d worn a pair of black lace boy shorts and a matching bra.
When Stephen’s hand slipped between her thighs under the table, she startled and froze in her seat. He’d been discussing something about estate tax with their host and she’d tuned out and let her mind wander.
It wasn’t wandering now, but his hand was. She instinctively opened for him when he found his way inside her underwear, his middle finger dipping teasingly into her sex.
He’d been like this all afternoon. Getting ready for dinner had taken twice as long because he couldn’t seem to stop touching her. He’d come into the shower with a condom and a determined grin. Then he’d bent her over the bathroom counter while she was putting on her makeup and buried his face between her legs until she came.
After yesterday, it didn’t take much to drive her over the edge. Her clit still felt swollen and sensitive, and every time she caught his scent or he touched her, she was instantly aroused.
Now she was going to come right here, sitting at a table full of people, if he didn’t stop what he was doing. She dropped her hand into her lap and pinched the skin at his wrist. It wasn’t a gentle pinch, and it got her point across.
The breath she took when he removed his hand was one of relief, she told herself. Not disappointment. This wasn’t why they were here.
Wendi chose that moment to lean across the table and catch her attention. “We should exchange numbers and make plans to go out to lunch sometime. Or maybe the theatre. Do you like plays?”
That was it. Wendi couldn’t have given her a better opening.
Tasha pressed her hands to her heart. “Love them. There’s a new musical opening downtown next month that I’ve been begging Stephen to take me to. Maybe you and your husband could convince him to agree.”
Phil Burke leaned an elbow on the table. “What about it, Senator? I know the one she’s talking about and I have a private box you’re more than welcome to share.”
Stephen frowned, glancing at Tasha and shifting uncomfortably in his seat. He gave every impression of being guilty.
Definitely could have been a soap opera star.
“I’d love to, but I’m afraid I’ve already discussed this with Natasha. The next few months are some of my busiest. We have important bills coming to the floor, not to mention my duties as co-chair for the annual charity gala. I won’t have time for anything but work.”
Tasha let her fork clatter to the table. “You always say that.” She kept her voice low enough for it to seem that she didn’t want anyone else to hear. “You never have time for anything else, unless you’re escorting other women to openings or attending fundraisers with your family. I thought asking me to come with you this week meant the excuses were over.”
Stephen obviously wasn’t enjoying himself, but he played his part well. Gripping her arm in warning, he said, “We’re here because Mr. Burke is a man of discretion. You know the next election cycle is about to start up. I can’t just show up at a presser and introduce you right now. I’ve explained this. An election is supposed to be about the issues, but the instant they find out we’re dating, our love life is all they’ll want to know about.”