by Raine Miller
He walked up to her and calmly took the cane she had fisted in her hand. “Let’s take a break.”
“Forget it, Jason. Tell them they made a mistake. I can’t do this.”
CHAPTER 10
“There’s a complication concerning the FLC, Mrs. Bryson.”
Julia stood with her hands neatly folded in front of her. Fortunately, the first lady had agreed to meet with her on short notice after she discovered the news from Jason. Sunlight streamed in from the large Palladian window in a private White House parlor called the Central Hall. They were alone, and the first lady hadn’t called for tea. Sunday mornings were usually Julia’s one relaxing time of the week. That would not be happening this week, perhaps for a long time. “Zoe doesn’t feel suited for the position in the FLC. She doesn’t believe she can perform her duties.”
Faith didn’t blink. “Change her mind. Whatever it takes. Fighting at the borders has escalated. We’re on heightened security alert. Several leaders are arriving in a couple weeks for the reception. I intend to have a full schedule for the Red Tape Room by the end of that evening.”
“Zoe may have another reason for not joining our program,” Julia said.
The first lady shifted slightly in the elegant chair. Her arms, resting in her lap, stiffened. “What’s the problem?”
“Her brother, Damien, is Special Forces, recently reassigned to a mission in Iran. He could become a target after Zoe’s encounter.”
“I know about her brother, and the Iranian leader won’t know who Zoe is. That isn’t an issue.” Faith’s voice rose. The last time Julia heard the first lady’s voice rise in anger had been when terrorists bombed a Norwegian cruise ship, killing two hundred and thirty-three Americans.
“Damien was in Afghanistan at the time we recruited Zoe. He only recently was deployed to Iran.”
“I’m aware of his mission.” Faith Bryson’s brows knotted in deep furrows. “I don’t want Zoe’s concern for her brother’s safety to distract her.” She tapped a finger over her lips. “I’ll look into it. Maybe he’s due for an early leave.”
Julia sighed and relaxed. One problem solved. “Thank you for your time, ma’am. Is there anything you’d like me to do?”
“On second thought.” Faith stood, walked to the window and gazed out. “His presence there might be to our advantage.”
“How so, ma’am?”
“His presence there could motivate her. Perhaps she’d be more willing to help.”
Julia stopped breathing and hoped the shock didn’t show on her face. Was this woman so heartless? “I…I don’t know.”
Faith narrowed her eyes and huffed. “I’m not the monster you may think. We’re dealing with people who have no integrity, no honor, no value system or respect for human life, who befriend terrorists, who murder men, women and children for personal gain or to simply please their narcissistic nature. How can I effectively deal with them, or how can the president effectively negotiate with them when qualities of integrity, honor, morality don’t exist? My methods must be harsh, bold, perverted, beyond what other nations would ever expect from us. That’s why this is effective. That’s why the FLC was started and why it has continued successfully as long as it has.”
Julia nodded. “Yes, ma’am.” She understood but didn’t like it. She also knew there was no arguing with the first lady when she was on a rant. She’d never approved of this program but couldn’t deny how effective it was. “While Zoe’s brother fights a war, she has a reason to help on this end.”
“Exactly.”
“I’ll tell Jason. He must get her trained immediately.” Julia stood.
“Another thing. Clear Alana MacKenna’s schedule for the week. I’ve made arrangements for her to give a presentation for President Ernesto Alverez from Colombia. He’ll require her particular knowledge and background.”
“She’ll be available,” Julia said.
“If you have any problems, come to me immediately. Is that clear?”
“Crystal.” Julia took a breath, but her body was still tense. They had a lot to do this week. “When should we hear the outcome from last night’s encounter?”
Faith smiled. “The president was quite pleased with your efforts. Melissa’s presentation went very well. He’ll be meeting with the Somalian president this afternoon after I show him the video. We should have some news soon.”
“Good. Melissa has another event later this week,” Julia said. “And she wants to go over a few things with Alana now.”
A flash of lightning made Julia jump and jump again when thunder followed a few seconds later. Faith never flinched. When had the clouds rolled in? Julia hadn’t noticed. Rain pelted the large windowpanes, streaking the gray view of the garden and lawn.
“I’m not concerned about Melissa or Alana,” Faith said, her lips pressed into a tight pout. “They’re professionals. I’m confident that Zoe’s skills as a CIA agent and her abilities in role-playing will make her an effective addition to the FLC. If she can handle an assignment with weapons dealers in Turkey, she can handle Kadir.”
“I certainly hope so.” Julia hated setting the most inexperienced member up with the most dangerous target. With a deep breath, she willed the muscles in her shoulders to relax. She performed a mini-meditation and relaxation technique her masseuse taught her. As soon as the meeting was over, she’d dab a little of her essential oil formula on her temples and wrists. The peppermint, chamomile, lavender and grapefruit oils were supposed to be good for headaches and stress and helped to keep her focused.
She would have liked to burn an incense diffusor in her office, but it would probably set off a fire alarm. “What if Alana handled Kadir instead? She could wear a blond wig or dye her hair.”
Faith shook her head. “Other delegates prefer her red hair. Kadir would notice the wig. She might be a switch and could play either Domme or submissive, but she would still be too aggressive for him. Zoe knows how to manipulate dangerous men, think quickly and stay calm under stress. She also speaks Persian. I can’t give details, but she can handle extreme stress. We need someone who won’t crack under pressure.”
“If you say so.” Julia couldn’t help wondering what Zoe had experienced that was so stressful. She could only imagine the worst with Zoe working with terrorists and drug dealers.
“Of the twenty dignitaries who will be coming to Washington for the peace talks, only seven are potential targets for the FLC with the type of intense sexual encounters we can provide. We expect a ninety to ninety-five percent success rate.” Faith smiled. “For some reason, one of the leaders who had said he would not sign the treaty recently changed his mind. Even before any FLC contact. That’s one less candidate needing our services. The others should be shot, but assassination would be a waste of time if the next in line has the same ideology. Kadir’s our number one target. We can’t mess this one up.” A look of dread crossed Faith’s features. She frowned and stared at the floor.
Julia suspected the first lady’s coldness hid a heavy burden of responsibility and risk, but she still wondered why Faith looked so upset. Maybe because no matter how good a potential candidate’s background looked, some men couldn’t be persuaded to fall into the FLC trap. Over the years, it hadn’t been one hundred percent successful. The program didn’t come without risks. “You think he’s going to turn your offer down?”
“I’m not sure. He won’t be at the reception. I’ll have to meet him alone,” Faith said, her voice getting heavy with emotion.
“What can I do to help?”
“Get ready for the party.” Faith stood, signaling the end of their meeting. “A funny thing about evil, narcissistic men. They fancy their pure, powerful image and will guard their honor with their life, but it doesn’t take much to turn their head when it comes to sex. I’m sure this encounter will go smoothly.”
“I hope so,” Julia said. “When dealing with the most dangerous and evil men of the world, I don’t take anything for granted.”
“By the way. I’ll handle Zoe. Sometimes a little first lady influence is all it takes.”
CHAPTER 11
Zoe finished dressing, but the chill remained. How could he have thought she’d be right for this? She touched the four-inch scar on her throat. “Can we get out of here?” She walked across the Red Tape Room and grabbed her purse. The longer she remained in this room, the more closed-in she felt.
“It’s more secure here for what I need to tell you.”
“I got it. They make sex tapes here to blackmail influential people. Is there more?” Her cell phone buzzed. “The room isn’t so isolated that cell service is blocked.” She glanced at her phone and smiled.
“Melissa?” Jason’s mouth twitched in a sardonic grimace.
“No, my brother. I thought he left on his mission, but he probably got delayed. He’s determined to best me on Words With Friends before he leaves.”
“Do you need to text him back?”
“Not right away. I’m surprised the phones work in this room.”
“There is a reason for that,” he added. “A necessary precaution that you’ll learn about soon.”
“I’m ready to get out of here.” She felt drained, and her insides ached for what she thought they might’ve had. She’d been wrong. They’d lost what they’d had a long time ago.
“Aren’t you even a little curious to see what’s behind the curtain of the great and mysterious Oz?” Jason asked with a wicked grin.
Her heart swelled with that grin. “Now I’m intrigued. Fill me in.” She sat on the bed and motioned him to do the same. Her body still hummed from their sexual play. Was this sex to him now? “So who besides you likes this kind of sex?” She leaned back on her hands.
He narrowed his blue eyes and took a breath. “This is more than blackmailing with sex tapes. The FLC is called in to fight terrorism and manipulate foreign and domestic policy when the usual channels fail. Members are selected for specific skills, hired as White House staff, then invited privately. You’ve been invited.”
“Because I’m a blonde.”
“Because you already have top-level clearance and can handle yourself in highly stressful situations. You’ve worked undercover with terrorists, and that takes a lot of skill and nerve.”
She wished she was as confident in her talents as a few other people apparently were. At the foot of the bed she picked up what she assumed was an ankle strap attached to a pulley system. What the hell? She followed the pulley lines to other straps and restraints overhead in the canopy. “Interesting bed.”
“It has its functions. I can show you.”
“I’ll pass for now.” She got up and headed to the table of devices of torture. “Big D said I was welcome to come back to Langley anytime. Which got me thinking, her boss, the director of the CIA, was in cahoots with the White House security adviser about something. Does Big D know about the FLC?”
“Don’t think so.”
She picked up a device that she at first thought was a dildo, but it had an odd-shaped glass attachment that looked too fragile to insert into any human orifices. “He didn’t seem sorry to see me leave.”
“What makes you think you left?”
She put the object down on its velvet cloth and spun around. “I sent in my two weeks’ notice and filled out a thirty-page application form to work as a White House staff member.”
“Technically, everyone who works here fills one of those out.” His eyes sparkled as he picked up the tool she had put down and flipped a switch. It hummed like a vibrator, but the glass attachment glowed violet. “Hold out your hand.” He reached for it, holding it palm up.
She yanked it back.
“What’s wrong? Don’t you trust me?” He smiled, teasing her.
She had to think about that. “I don’t know. You left Langley without saying good-bye.”
His smiled faded, and a hurt look filled his eyes. “Even after I risked my life to save you?”
She shrugged. “You were doing your job. Any agent would’ve done the same. You couldn’t run the risk that they’d break me and get me to spill government secrets. It was imperative that you rescue me for the integrity of the mission, not because you cared about me.”
He scowled at her. “When did you get so cynical?”
“When I got this.” She pointed to the scar at her throat.
For a brief moment she saw the pained look in his eyes and regretted the sharp remark. He didn’t give her any pity, and she was glad for that. He held the glass rod an inch above his own palm to demonstrate. “See? The wand isn’t frying my skin. Now give me your hand.”
She did, and he positioned the wand over it. A sensation of sharp pins and needles skimmed over her skin and spread out to her fingers. “Strange. It stings, but doesn’t really hurt.”
“Each of these attachments will give a slightly different sensation, especially when placed—”
“Yeah, I get it,” she said.
“And there are different gases in these attachments.” He held up a few oddly shaped ones. “They’ll glow different colors, make different sounds and give various sensations.”
She nodded. “The stimulation must be pretty intense on certain body parts.” Imagining Jason hovering that toy over her nipples or her clit, she expected she would achieve quite an orgasm, if she could stand the stimulation. “Do I get to try that out?” Her voice went low and husky, and she was unable to hide her smile.
“If you like.” His words sent a tremble throughout her muscles.
“Can we borrow it? Take it home with us?”
He shook his head. “Nothing can leave this room. We’ll have to play with it here.”
She pouted. “I was afraid of that.”
His hand slid over her ass in a gentle gesture, then turned her so her butt was cradled against his hardened cock. Both hands smoothed over her hips, along her sides and to her breasts, where he roughly massaged them. “I know how much you like me to touch you like this.”
“Yes.” Her head rested back on his shoulder.
Slowly, he unbuttoned her blouse and eased it down her arms again, trapping her arms at her sides. Then he slid the bra to her waist without unhooking it.
Reaching for the violet wand, he turned it on, and the sizzle of the instrument came to life. “Don’t move.”
She gasped, knowing what he planned to do.
“Have you ever come by stimulating your nipples?” He glided the wand so the sparks tingled along her arms, across her shoulder and over the curve of her breasts.
She giggled. He couldn’t be serious. “Afraid not.”
He hovered the wand above her nipples, and Zoe held her breath. Then he touched her with the thin glass, and she felt the jolt. Pain and pleasure rolled through her, and she cried out. “God, Jason. That’s too much.”
“Relax. You’ll get used to the intensity.” He began moving it around her breasts, bringing it close but not touching her nipples. Just when she thought he’d reach the most sensitive place, he’d retreat to the other breast or move down to her lower belly.
As her shirt and bra fell away, and her pants slid down to her knees, she said, “Are you going to touch me there with that thing?”
He laughed huskily. “Not yet.” His free hand smoothed down her hip and over her pussy, trailing a finger between her moist folds and finding her swollen bud. “Nice. And you’re very wet.” He thrust a finger inside, and Zoe lifted her hips and moaned. His finger circled her clit, and he brought the wand down onto her nipple again. The sensation was so intense, she jerked and her knees buckled. Jason held her with his arms. “Oh my God, I feel sparks where you’re touching me.”
“Electricity conducts.” He held his fingertip over her clit and touched the wand to the other nipple. Both nipple and clit felt the jolt of a tiny shock.
“Keep that up and I will come,” she said.
Her nipples were red and distended. The sight of the sparks in the dim lighting enticed her to hold still
. “More,” she begged.
At the same time, he turned a switch in the handle and held the wand a fraction of an inch above her right nipple. “Told you.” His finger continued to circle her clit, sending electrical sensations through her pussy and making her inner muscles clench.
“Ow. Too much.”
“Want me to stop?”
“Don’t you dare.” He shifted to the other nipple, and the sensation in her pussy stopped. He’d moved his hand away.
“What happened?” Damn it, she was so close.
“I don’t want you to come yet,” he whispered at her ear, and his lips gently touched her, sending sparks and new sensations around her ear and neck. She shivered and leaned her head back, her legs barely holding her up now. “Delayed gratification is another lesson in power exchange.”
“Hmmm. Why the lesson?” she asked as he alternated smoothing his hand over her breasts, hips and abdomen and then used the violet wand. His fingers came close but didn’t touch her clit, a sweet torture.
“Later. Surrender to me now, and I’ll explain more later.” He stroked her thighs, bringing another shiver throughout her body. Pitched on the edge of a glorious orgasm, she didn’t know how long he could hold her here before she’d lose it. “Trust me to know how and when to make you come,” he added.
“Yes.” Her response was a husky whisper. His finger dipped into her channel, but not as deep as she wanted, needed, but she resisted the urge to ask him to go deeper. Resisted the urge to ask him to go down on her.
She was soaked. He spread her juices over her delicate folds. “So wet. So beautiful,” he murmured. Then she heard the hum of the violet wand intensify. Had he cranked up the power? The wand hovered directly over her raw clit and pushed her closer to the edge of her climax.
“God, it’s so intense,” she said through gritted teeth. “I don’t know if I can—”
“Yes, you can. Just a moment longer. If it’s too much, tell me and I’ll stop.”
“Okay. More.”
Her body trembled as the electrical jolts focused only on her clit, firing every nerve ending, then throbbed so intensely she could barely stand it, but she didn’t want him to stop. The tremors suddenly thrust her into a violent climax. He placed the wand on a side table and wrapped her in his arms, stroking her until the shock waves of pleasure eased. He turned her around and brought his mouth down on hers, plunging his tongue between her lips, possessing and pleasuring her there, too.