by Beth Klein
Charlotte’s initial pain was quickly replaced with sensations of pleasure so extreme that she had never experienced anything quite like them. They coursed and throbbed, pulsed and shuddered through her and she urged him on, deeper and faster until she had accepted everything that he had to offer. Her tight embrace gripped him hard and he knew that his orgasm wasn’t far away. But he refused to leave this wonderful woman unsatisfied. As admirable as his intentions were, he needn’t have worried, Charlotte was approaching her own climax almost as fast as he was. Urging him on to yet further depths, she wrapped her legs around him and gripped him with sharp nails and unyielding heels.
The pain in his shoulders and buttocks drove him on, but instead of merely tolerating the pain, he realized that he not only enjoyed the sensation, that it further aroused him. With his reserves nearly spent, he thrust into her, hard and fast; pumping her for all he was worth, encouraged by her screams and moans as she writhed beneath him. With a last gasp, she stiffened and gripped him hard as she spasmed beneath him. This was too much for Goulding and he thrust once more and came deep within her.
As the couple shuddered and finally grew still, the unseeing eyes of the crucified Jesus installation looked down at them. Neither Charlotte nor Goulding appreciated the irony of what they had just done in the very heart of the Evangelist movements most venerated home.
Chapter Three
Once Bitten, Twice Shy?
Something was wrong, very wrong. Everyone in the office was nervous and on edge. Goulding: the rude, arrogant and obnoxious employer that they had all decided to back through gritted teeth and forced smiles was being...nice! This was the second day that he had walked into the office with a full box of Dunkin’ Doughnuts finest selection and a smile that would have melted even the most stubborn opponent’s reserves. He addressed them all individually by their first names, shook hands, patted shoulders and uttered his sincere thanks for all of their hard work and despite the fact that his day had been punctuated by frustration and complications, his smile hadn’t faltered and his mood had remained unnervingly upbeat.
At first, they thought that it was some kind of a sick joke. That he would wait for them to lower their guards, before roaring back in and tearing into them all as usual. When this hadn’t happened, conspiracy theories flew around the office email system at a truly impressive pace.
Had he come into some money? Perhaps a lottery win? Had he had discovered something unpleasant about President Morton that would derail the current President’s campaign completely? Had he found God? Had he found some brainless bimbo to fuck him to within an inch of his life?
When they gathered around the coffee machine later that afternoon, even the most die-hard theorist had to admit that these last two were a bit of a long shot. Despite being the Republican candidate, he was so far removed from Godliness that it was laughable and finding a woman even more so! He was a handsome fella and of that there was no doubt, but his usual demeanor and attitude made for a very ugly individual indeed.
Only two people avoided the onslaught of office gossip and they had very different reasons for being reserved and aloof. Charlotte was still floating on a cloud of immeasurable wonder and awe, and even the day-to-day shitstorm of the campaign run-in couldn’t bring her back down to Earth. She had lost her virginity in the most intense, passionate and gentle way imaginable and positively glowed with an inner satisfaction that radiated through every aspect of her being.
She no longer walked, she floated. She didn’t merely smile, she beamed and she would swear that her skin was more luxurious and her hair had extra shine and luster. She also felt like a real woman and that all of the entrapments of youth had been sloughed away with her clothes when she had bared all for that wonderful man.
Her colleagues had noticed the change and needled her for answers the instant she had arrived on Monday morning. The women had seemed to know instinctively that the change had to have been brought about by the introduction of a man into her life, but Charlotte had refused to divulge anything other than the most basic of information.
She was a woman, but she was not yet past the embarrassment born from inexperience. She had spent most of that first day in a permanently flushed state as she fended off their intimate questions and tactfully avoided their probing demands. All she would admit to was the fact that she had met a man and that they had spent a wonderful time together. She wasn’t sure what the future held, but she had never felt like this before and hoped that it would continue for as long as possible.
The women had oo’d and ah’d and remarked jealously that it was the most romantic thing that they had ever heard and that they only wished that their Bob, Frank, Geoff etc could be half as clued-up with regards to their own individual needs. The men had obviously felt their own masculinities threatened and mumbled their congratulations, before returning to their emails and suggesting to each other that the guy was clearly gay and leading her along, or in denial and that it would all end in tears one way or another.
John had been very quiet as this all went on around him. The elaborate office production played itself out. He had a very bad feeling about this particular play’s principle actors and if he was right, this was merely a re-run of what had gone before. He had been a major player in the middle of the original iteration and he had no intention of becoming embroiled in the inevitable caustic fall-out that was almost guaranteed to result.
* * *
Goulding relaxed in his sumptuous leather office chair, extended his legs and put his feet up on the edge of his desk. This was going to be a good week. Actually, scratch that, this was going to be a damn fine month. His speech had been an unprecedented success, not only within the Republican Party, the Evangelical movement, or even the country itself, but all over the world. Forty-five million people had tuned in to hear him speak via the television, the radio, through live streaming on the internet and even as a series of YouTube clips. There were still plenty of protagonists, but in the majority of the world seemed excited by the prospect of having such a fresh, forward thinking man in charge of the United States of America and as the leader of the developed world.
As a result, he had seen his already enviable advantage soar a further three points in the polls practically overnight. President Morton had almost immediately called a press-conference. Without directly mentioning Goulding’s speech directly, he had tried to inject an element of doubt in response to Goulding’s claims…it hadn’t worked. The overall opinion had been that the President was clearly embarrassed, bitter and unable to think of a tangible response that actually contained something of note. In Goulding’s opinion, he looked tired and already resigned to the inevitable loss of his presidency.
Jake was as good as his word, wrapping up his business by two o’clock on Monday afternoon and leaving the office with the promise that he would be in contact as soon as he had something to report. He had also left with five thousand dollars in his back pocket and a grin on his face.
“Fucking expenses!” Goulding tried, but he couldn’t keep a straight face for long. In the grand scheme of things, if Jake could make this particular problem go away, then five grand would merely be a drop in the ocean. Already Goulding felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders and for the first time in as long as he could remember, he was actually able to enjoy the experience of being the country’s principle choice for President.
Then there was Charlotte, or Charlie as she had insisted he call her when they had finally gotten up and started to dress. Charlie, Charlie, Charlie…wow! She was smart, sexy, intelligent, funny and unsullied. She was his and his alone, never before touched by another man, or tainted by their inadequate embrace. What a prospect. To have something so pure to shape and mold in whatever way he desired. She was someone he could teach and tutor in the art of love making. Everything that he had ever wanted to try or explore would be opened up to him as she had never had the opportunity to develop her own individual tastes and aversions. She wa
s a blank canvas and he was eager to get painting as soon as he possibly could!
The knock at the door made Goulding jump and re-arrange himself more professionally behind the desk. He asked the visitor to come in.
“Hi Bill…er…can I have a quick word please?” said John looking embarrassed.
“Absolutely, John. Please come in and take a seat,” replied Goulding, indicating that he was genuinely pleased to see his campaign manager.
“Er…thank you…thanks.”
The little man was clearly nervous and distracted, but Goulding barely noticed it as he continued to enjoy his private reverie.
“The thing is Bill…well, it hasn’t gone unnoticed that you’ve been…umm…different, since you got back from Memphis.”
“Different?” said Goulding raising an eyebrow.
“Yes different. How can I put this…let’s just say that your usual vociferous focus has been tempered by a more…er….relaxed overall attitude.”
“You know what Jonathan,” said Goulding. “You really should be a politician. You’re definitely wasted in strategic management!”
“I-I…well…er…I…”
“It’s okay John, I get what you’re saying. Basically, I’m not the usual moody bastard I was last week. It’s making people nervous right?”
John looked mortified that Goulding had been able to cut through all of the politically correct bullshit and get right to the point. Goulding had to try hard not to laugh as he watched the little man squirm in his seat.
“No…I didn’t mean that…I…”
“It’s okay John, really it is and you’re absolutely right…on all counts.”
“What? Oh…okay. Do you mind if I ask what inspired this particular change in mood?”
“Not at all, John. It’s simple really. I’ve met someone and I feel like I’m on top of the world at the minute.”
“O-kay…bearing in mind who you are and who you represent, did you not think that it was perhaps something that you might want to discuss with me?”
“John, to be honest, it all happened quite quickly and it caught me completely by surprise. Besides, I had no idea that you wanted to be my matchmaker and wingman. I really am quite touched…honored even. Had I only known, I would definitely have asked her if she had a sister!”
“There’s no need to be facetious Bill. You know why I’m asking.”
This time Goulding couldn’t help but laugh as John pouted and put on what he must have thought was a stern, angry face.
“How serious is it, Bill? Have you…slept with her?”
“Not that it is any of your business John, but yes and it was wonderful…would you like me to describe it in detail for you, or perhaps you’d prefer me to draw you a picture?”
“Bill, for fucks sake! Your business IS my business. It’s my job to make sure that you get elected and in doing so I need to oversee and manage every aspect of your life; personal, private, public, social and secret. If it got out that the good old God-fearing Republican candidate who had just made such an impassioned speech on the importance of family values was secretly screwing some slut he had only just met, it could wipe out your advantage overnight. Jesus! The loss of the Evangelical vote alone would be enough to hand the race to Morton and that’s before we even start to consider the effect on Joe Public.”
For the first time that week, the color flushed in Goulding’s face and dark clouds furrowed his brow.
“Let me make this abundantly clear for you, John. She is not a slut and I have every confidence that she respects the sensitivity of my situation.”
“How’s that then Bill,” said John, sticking to his guns and feeling his anger grow inside him. “Just how can you be so sure that this little lady isn’t going to bolt to the press as soon as she can and make a nice little bundle out of selling the story of your seedy sessions together to the highest bidder?”
“Because she’s part of my team,” shouted Goulding before he could stop himself.
For a few seconds both men merely stared at each other, neither willing to give ground, both impassioned by their own sense of injustice.
“Who is it?” said John quietly, finally breaking the silence.
“Does it matter?”
“Normally…no. But if it’s who I think it is, then what the fuck do you think?”
Goulding said nothing and merely stared at the mug on his desk. His anger had been replaced with humility and embarrassment. He resented the fact that this little man had the innate ability to take something so wonderful and tear it apart with reality and reason.
“It’s Charlie…Charlotte, bollocks…Miss Turner,” he said quietly.
Despite having the confirmation that he had most feared, John Lyndsey felt no sense of satisfaction and merely lowered his head into his hands.
“John?”
“What?”
“It’ll be okay. It’ll be…different this time.”
“Really Bill, will it? WILL IT?” shouted the little man exploding into life with a force and passion that Goulding had never seen before. “I’ve spent far too long on this campaign for you and your fucking cock to spoil it all now.”
“John, I-”
“No Bill. Shut the fuck up and for once in your Goddamn charmed life listen to what someone else has to say. Charlotte is lovely, she really is, and I like her a lot, but she’s just your P.A and she’s only been here for a few weeks. This isn’t exactly the first time that this has happened and she’s definitely not the first woman to move from the dictaphone to your dick is she? The last time it very nearly ruined you and I had to move heaven and earth to stop that bitch Madeline from permanently fucking up the whole thing.
This entire campaign has been built on honesty, trust, transparency, decency and clean-living. You’re the war hero that only has eyes for Mother America and anything you can do to make her happier and more prosperous. If this gets out—you become the pussy hungry deviant that only wants America so that you can pull her panties down and fuck her for all she’s worth. You know how the fucking Evangelists feel about sex before marriage and you know how important the Evangelists are to the Republican candidacy.
I can’t even begin to tell you how hard it was to get a young, single man not only trusted by these people, but cheered, cherished and loved by them. Even for me it was a fucking impressive bit of swing! I want you to take a second and think with the head on your shoulders and not the one in your pants…do you want me to handle this and get rid of the problem?”
Goulding sat for a long time and John was beginning to wonder if he would ever answer him. When he finally looked up at the little man, his voice was barely more than a whisper.
“No. I trust her. She’s not like Madeline. There’s something about her…something that makes me come alive when I’m with her and I can’t just throw that away without seeing where it might go.”
“In that case you two need to have a very long, frank and extremely honest chat Bill. That little lady holds the presidency in her hands and I hope she knows how many people need her to handle it with care. She’d better be worth it Bill…she’d better be worth it.”
With that he got up and left, leaving Goulding staring at the empty chair.
“She’s worth it,” he said to himself and was a little surprised to realize that he believed it completely.
* * *
With the office door closed, the rest of the election team were aware that a pretty heated argument was taking place, but they couldn’t make out anything that was actually being said.
“I bet he told John that Lennon was queer,” said the accounts manager with a smirk.
“Could be. Then again he might just have told him how much the room service tab was for his hotel suite.”
This inspired a fresh round of laughter, but it was abruptly cut off when the office door swung open and John Lyndsey emerged. He strode quickly across the room, gathered his jacket without breaking stride and disappeared out of the door. Eyebrow
s were raised and smirks exchanged, but no one said anything as they had learnt from past experience that a pissed-off John Lyndsey was more often than not followed out by a pissed-off Senator Goulding and no one wanted to be subjected to a rebound bollocking. Funnily enough, the raised voices and the obvious argument had settled the team. Normality had returned to their lives and as they all resumed their various tasks, they silently breathed a sigh of relief.
Only one person had heard the specifics of the argument and that was the same person that had chosen not to join in the criticism of the two men. As a personal assistant, Charlotte’s desk was just outside of Goulding’s office so that she was on hand whenever he needed her. Unfortunately, it had also meant that she had heard a slightly muffled, but still completely coherent version of the argument. Although she hadn’t understood a lot of what had been said, she understood enough to be hurt and angry.
She swallowed her reserve and marched into Goulding’s office, closing the door behind her. His eyes shot up.
“Charlie I…”
“Don’t Charlie me you bastard. What the fuck is going on?”
Goulding looked at her, desperately trying to read her mood, assess just how much she had heard and work out how best to pitch his response. When he saw the steely resolve etched on her features, his flawless smile faltered and he felt a cold pang of fear.
“Ah, you overheard what was being discussed then.”
“All of it,” she said icily. “I think that you owe me an explanation, don’t you?”
“I…yes, you’re right. It’s the least you deserve.”
She settled herself into the seat only recently vacated by John Lyndsey and desperately hoped that her nervousness didn’t show on her face. She regarded him with cold determination.
“I’m not exactly sure where to begin,” said Goulding swallowing hard.
“At the beginning is usually a pretty good place,” replied Charlotte refusing to give him an inch.