by Mia Barrett
I’m stupid enough to believe I’m going to get my way. I’ve manufactured this ridiculous scandal believing it couldn’t hurt me. But I’m an idiot.
When my chief of staff returns, she reveals more photos have been uncovered from earlier in the year. There are photos of Claire and I walking near my townhouse more than a month before she turned eighteen and all of them showcase Claire wearing a Catholic school girl uniform.
For fuck’s sake!
I explain we weren’t intimate yet, but I know it doesn’t matter. All that anyone will care about is perspective and implication. She’s near my house. We were photographed being intimate, inside my house. Everyone will believe we’ve been intimate since then.
Everyone will believe I was intimate with a seventeen-year-old girl in a Catholic school girl uniform while her parents were only a few houses away.
Sam is not happy. But me?
I am political dog shit.
Chapter 11
Claire
We are two hours outside the city, when Daddy calls us back. Things get worse and then intensify even more by the time we arrive. I’ve told everyone who’s asked, Jasper and I didn’t start seeing one another until two weeks after my birthday, but they just think I’m covering up for him.
Everyone keeps telling me his career is trash unless we marry and make it appear like a big love affair instead of some tawdry sex romp between a perverted, older man and a shy, naïve schoolgirl.
When the hell, have I ever been shy?
But I don’t see it. It seems unlikely and I’m not folding so easily. Why should I carry the burden?
“Sam! You’re not making my baby marry an old man!” My mother shouts, taking my hand and leading me into the kitchen.
“Anna, she’s not a baby! She was having an illicit affair with a forty-year-old man. There are consequences for her behavior.”
“Consequences! Don’t be ridiculous! He should have kept it in his pants if he had so much to lose. Claire is my little girl, my miracle baby, and I’ll be damned if you make her feel guilty for having needs when you were hardly a saint, Samuel Collins!” Mama lets Daddy have it while handing me cookies and milk, as if I was still five-years-old.
“You can stop it with the miracle baby stuff, she’s eighteen now.” Daddy rolls his eyes and Mama slaps her hand over her mouth in shock.
Oh, goddamn. That was below the belt.
“That’s enough from you, Sam. You and I both know you’re worried about your own career. If McLaren isn’t re-elected or in a position to endorse you, there’s going to be droves of challengers for that senate seat. Hell, you might lose your congressional seat for getting mixed up in all this business. And I hope you do!” She storms out but returns for me, moments later.
“Come on, Claire-Bear. Let’s go to Boston. I’m leaving your father.”
The scandal doesn’t blow away. The more days go by the more implication is drawn and the more my own father’s reputation is dragged through the mud. They say he put me up to it. They say he wanted to make Senator McLaren look bad and knock out his competition for a future Senate seat. None of it is true and Jasper denies it, but it doesn’t matter, the media wants a salacious story and when there is nothing else happening, sex and politics make headlines.
Mama takes me to Boston, but there are so many reporters following me around at orientation, we need to turn around and come home. She offers to send me to live with my grandparents in West Texas, but over my dead body am I going to live out in the middle of nowhere with only the stars, a few random festivals and the Marfa lights to entertain me.
Far worse than my own suffering, my parent’s marriage is falling apart because of me. Daddy won’t give me money for school, fearing I’ll embarrass him more and Mama won’t forgive him. They haven’t spoken in nearly two weeks and although she keeps up a brave face, I know my mother is heartbroken.
I can’t do this to her. She’s my Mama.
Marrying Jasper has become the only way I can live in civilization, attend school and save my parent’s marriage. And I don’t want to be the reason his career is ruined. Anyway, it isn’t that big of a sacrifice. I do love him. I’m crazy about him. I’ll just have to find another way to etch out my fabulous decade…I guess.
Since the scandal broke, we’ve hardly had the chance to see one another and I’ve missed him terribly. He spoke of marriage long before any of this happened and I know his proposal is sincere. He promises it’s not just an attempt to cover his ass. Last night, he told me he’s pulled some strings to get me enrolled at Georgetown, starting this fall. It’s important to him that I don’t miss out on my first semester in college.
All the spin doctors were right. The scandal blew over as soon as we announced our engagement. We’re getting married in a month.
I know I said this was a summer fling, but maybe this is fate’s way of pushing me towards my destiny. Everything seems so unlikely. It had to happen for a reason.
I guess Jasper and I really are meant to be together.
Chapter 12
Jasper
“Mrs. McLaren, come to bed.” My heart dances as I watch her brush her long, dark hair, wearing only a small pair of lacy panties.
“I’ll be right there.” She wrinkles her adorable nose and strolls seductively across the room, swaying her hips as her breasts bounce freely, teasing me, daring me to reach out and take what is completely mine. After two months, two weeks and six days, we’re blissfully in love and things couldn’t be better.
I’m not proud of my methods and it did blow up in my face, but I love being married to my Claire.
Crawling on the bed, she giggles as she straddles my hips and smothers my face with her huge breasts. I could die like this, suffocated by my wife’s warm bosom. Nuzzling my face in her cleavage as I caress each of her smooth, silky mounds, I’m just about to take a nipple in my mouth when she pulls away and leaves me bereft.
“Jasper, we should go to sleep early. We’re catching a train first thing in the morning.” She shields her tits demurely with her small hands, hardly covering half and chuckles.
“It is Friday night, Claire. I’ve worked hard all week and I expect a little Friday night ass.” I spank her and she jolts up, covering her face as she squeals.
“You get a slice of ass all damn week, Senator. We need to wake up in five hours and you get me so sweaty! I’ll have to shower and do my hair all over again. We’ll have plenty of sex in New York.” She scurries to her side of the bed, jumping under the covers, but I chase after her.
“Sweetheart, I am so hard. Come on, be good to your husband. I will never get to sleep like this.” I beg, whining like a teenage boy needing relief.
She tilts her head, smiles, and extends her arms. Melting into her embrace, I hold her tight, smashing those perfect breasts against my chest. Her nipples harden as they graze my skin and I need to feel them in my fingers, in my mouth, I can never get enough of my girl. Things are different now. This isn’t just sex anymore, it never was for me, but I don’t have to hide it anymore.
“I love you. I missed you, today.” I croon in her ears as she molds to me.
“Only today?” She smiles.
“Every. Single. Day.” I bring my mouth to hers and devour her full, pink lips. Licking, biting, I feast on her. I want to know every little part, places I’ve never been, places she keeps from me, I don’t want anything hidden.
As she mews softly, trembling and flushed red with desire, she moves down, trailing kisses on my neck and chest, laying me flat until she reaches my cock and grips it in her hand.
“Did you miss this, Jasper?” She licks my shaft, twirling her tongue on the head and slowly makes her way down to the base.
“Always, angel. You know how much I love that.” Without hesitating, she swallows my cock.
I jerk forward, but she holds me and lets it slide down her warm mouth as far back as she can take it. She's so fucking good and gets better all the time. Gripping me tightl
y, she pumps my shaft, licks and sucks while her head bobs up and down at a fevered pace. I watch her. I’m stunned by how tightly her gorgeous mouth is wrapped around my dick, but she doesn’t stop, she keeps going, hoping for her reward. Grunting and groaning, I wind my fingers in her hair, madly in love with this woman pleasuring me so greedily, enthusiastically but dying of guilt for what I did to her.
I don’t deserve her.
“Baby, it’s my turn.”
She stops, unsure of what I mean, but I don’t let her think too hard. Rolling her over, I continue this feeding frenzy by spreading her thighs and burying my mouth in her glistening mound. She’s a shameless mess and I love cleaning up my girl. As I suck and feather her clit, her torso shakes, and she quickly loses the rhythm of her breath. Pushing my head deeper, she screams for more and as usual, I oblige my girl whatever she wants. Basking in her musky scent, I suckle her clit, fingering her sleek channel until she pumps her hips and comes in a series of violent, shuddering orgasms, one after the next, howling my name and writhing in pure pleasure.
I fucking love the way she comes.
“Claire, you’re so incredible.”
“Jasper! I love you. I need you.” She pulls me up and I cover her, melting into her arms as I push her knees forward and thrust my cock into her quivering pussy.
Inhaling deep, she shudders with ecstasy as I fill her to the hilt and stretch her clenching walls, ramming, plunging deep but slow, lifting her ass to get that perfect position that makes her eyes go back in her head. I watch her beautiful face, awash with pleasure, biting her lip, sighing and panting while I watch my cock disappear into her pussy, so overcome by both sights, I know I won’t last long.
When her body tenses, her eyelids droop and her pussy starts squeezing my cock, I know she’s about to give it to me again.
“Come on, make me come with you.”
“Jasp, you’re so good. I love you. Come on me, all over me. Smear it into my skin. Show me how much I belong to you.” She whimpers as her body twists and shatters with one climax after another.
“My mouth falls open and my pulse jumps as my release comes crashing forward. I’m caught so off guard, I’m halfway through when I pull out and shoot streams on her stomach.
Not wanting it to go to waste, she smears it provocatively into her stomach and tits before I fall over on her.
“Goddamn, I love you, Claire.”
“I love you, Jasp. Come shower with me, we gotta get some sleep.” She rushes off and I dawdle behind, staring at her ass the whole way
Falling asleep next to my beautiful wife, I stare at her sweet, innocent face and wonder how much longer I can keep the truth from her. Things are great. I always knew I could make her happy. There’s not a doubt in my mind that we belong together, but I shouldn’t have manipulated her. It was wrong and this is eating me up.
If I loved her less, I could keep it a secret forever. I could convince myself that I did the right thing. But this type of lie can ruin a marriage and we made a promise to be honest with each other the day we first made love.
Or maybe that was sex? We’re married now, so I’m just going to say we made love.
I was twenty-three, just out of college when I married my first wife. We were college sweethearts and I think it was just the thing you were supposed to do when you graduate. She had big plans for home and family, but I should have known better. We fought all the time. We fought before we married, and things only got worse after we tied the knot.
I’ll happily take the blame. I never loved her like this, and everyone wants to feel adored. She and I were married less than a year. Claire and I are for life. I’ll tell her the truth, just not yet. Soon.
Chapter 13
Claire
I’ve never been to New York. This is a big deal. Every other weekend since we married, Jasper and I have been taking the train and going on little excursions around the east as part of my decade of Claire. Since traveling was on my list, he doesn’t want me to miss out and let me make all the arrangements.
I love that man, so much.
And you know what else I love? Trains. I get such a kick out of trains. Everyone drives cars in Texas, but riding a train is kind of neat, like you’re stepping back in time. Plus, we get to enjoy each other’s company on the way instead of dealing with all the horrible traffic. We’ve been staying at quaint B&Bs for most of our trips, but this time we are booked at a five-star hotel by Central Park.
Oh, my word!
I was excited about Boston, but New York is just the most incredible city I’ve ever seen. As soon as we arrive at Penn Station, a car takes us to the hotel. Jasper tries to play grab-ass, but I put an end to that fast. The city is waiting for Claire McLaren and I need to get out and see some sights.
It’s cool and Central Park is alive with fall colors. Running through the park like a kid, I squeal with delight at every pup that passes by and force Jasper to stand still so I can photo-journal our first trip to the city together.
“Sweetheart! Please! You’re so handsome. I want photos of you here. We didn’t get a real honeymoon. Do this for me.” I wink and he stands still, narrowing his eyes in annoyance.
“Baby, I’m taking you on a real honeymoon as soon as we’re on break. You know I will. Let me gets some photos of you.” He pulls out his phone and directs me to stand in front of a big rock.
“Want me to scale it? I think I can get on top.” I chuckle to myself.
“Don’t you dare.” He knits his brows and motions for me to stand still.
When I rush over to hug him, I feel so happy and in love, I sense the start of tears welling in my eyes.
“Oh Jasp, I love you so much. I’m sorry I gave you such a hard time. As horrible as the whole photographer thing was, I’m kind of glad it happened. I don’t know what I would have done if I’d ruined things between us by going to Boston. You mean the world to me.”
I kiss him, forgetting how much I despise public affection, hoping someone catches it with their phone because it feels like a good one. When I pull away, his eyes are red. My sensitive man.
“Sweetheart, we need to talk.”
I feel numb. He’s waiting for me to say something. But I have nothing. I think my heart is broken but at the moment, I don’t feel it at all. There’s a hole in my chest where my heart used to reside. Jasper looks devastated and he should be. Liars should feel sad. But I love him, and I don’t want him to feel bad.
Yes, I do. He ruined the decade of Claire.
But did he? He kind of made it better. No, you don’t know that. That rat gave you no choice.
“Baby, Claire-Bear, say something.” While tears fall down his cheeks, I anger at the sound of my nickname.
“You don’t get to call me that! Mama calls me that! People who love me call me that! I’m not speaking to you, Jasper!” Jumping off the sofa, I rush into the bedroom and slam the door.
I want to say I’m leaving him, but the damn words won’t come out of my mouth. I don’t mean them. He admitted his culpability because of what I said and because he feels guilty, but at least he didn’t wait until I found out on my own. I know I’m reaching because I love him too much to be mad at him, but I can't believe I was duped into marrying at eighteen! I was supposed to go to Boston University. Sure, Georgetown is better, but now I live two blocks from my parents.
My life is nicer than it would have been. I genuinely love him. I always did. I always wanted to be his nasty girl and now I’m his nasty girl for life...and so much more.
That’s what you wanted all along and you know it. Did I reform a scoundrel?
I need time to think. Washing my face, I change into warmer clothes, grab my purse and storm out of the room.
“Honey, where are you going?” Jasper follows me.
“I’m going to see the city. You’re not ruining my trip, Sir. Do not follow me.” I stick my nose in the air and march down the hotel hallway into elevator. When he slides in after me, I can see this is go
ing to be difficult.
“What did I just say? Haven't you done enough?”
“I can’t let you roam New York at night, by yourself. Let me come with you.” His eyes are sad and full of longing.
“You can follow me, but don’t speak to me and don’t bother me. I’m furious with you, Jasper McLaren.” I cross my arms and turn from him, facing the side of the car, like an idiot.
That man follows me everywhere. He’s six steps behind me through Times Square. He stands in front of me on the subway. He walks next to me through Rockefeller Center. By the time, I reach Fifth Avenue, I’m so creeped out, I give up. We eat dinner in silence and tears. First his, and then mine.
I will not be outdone, when I have far more to cry about than him.
The rest of the trip is the same. We see the city, but we don’t talk, which is intolerable, because we’re talkers. Know what I mean? Some people never talk to one another, but Jasper and I do. We talk to one another so much, we interrupt each other. I’m not sure why he had to confess during our New York trip. Charlotte, South Carolina would have done just as nice and I hadn’t waited quite as long to see it.
Our train ride home is depressing. Once we get home, I’m unsure what I will do. There’s no way I can tell my parents, so I can’t leave the house while I decide. If they learn the truth, they’ll turn on Jasper and if I choose to forgive him, they’ll always think horrible of him.
He’s not a bad man. I know he isn’t. But he’s going to pay for this. This can’t go unpunished.
Chapter 14
Jasper
This girl is running me ragged. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve said I’m sorry and she’s very courteous, acknowledging every single one, but always chooses to say she’s not ready to forgive me.