by Chelle Bliss
He shakes his head. “It’s gonna cost you.”
“Oh, yeah? I think you’ve been very well compensated right here in this bed. Every night for the past two weeks, in fact.”
“True. But I get to spread those legs anytime I want since you’re my bitch now. And I make you come hard every time.”
I climb on him, straddling his hips and wiggling just enough to make him groan. “You did not just call me your bitch.”
“I believe I did.” He gives me a wickedly sexy grin and smacks my ass.
“Nix!”
“Kennedy.” He grabs my hips, sinking his fingertips into my ass cheeks. “Damn, my bitch has a fine ass.”
“You’re an asshole.”
“Yeah, but I’m your asshole.”
I can’t help smiling at that.
“You love me,” he says softly.
“Yes, I do. And you love me, Ashton.” His legal name is Ashton Nixon, and though I still call him Nix ninety-nine percent of the time, I like that he trusted me enough to tell me that.
“More than Cocoa Pebbles.”
I laugh and bend down to kiss him. “So tell me.”
He sighs softly, and I see the crease between his brows that only shows up when he’s concerned.
“I’ve been seeing some traffic that I think is about the sale of underage kids. It’s not in the US, though.”
I frown. “Shit. We may not have jurisdiction.”
“I did a little checking, and the site is being hosted from the office of the US Ambassador to Russia.”
I inhale sharply and sit up. “That’s…wow.”
“Yeah.”
“We have people who spend all day at their computers on those hacking sites and other people who take over at night. I wonder if they’ve seen anything like that. I haven’t heard anything.”
Nix shakes his head. “Your people don’t scratch the surface of the black hat world. It’s complex, and it takes years to build the kind of connections that get you access to these places.”
“Can I at least tell Rae, so she can have them try to find it?”
He shrugs. “They won’t be able to. Someone needs to access their server room to get evidence of the site. Or use it to contact them and try to infiltrate it that way.”
“Someone?” I can’t help the note of hope in my tone.
Nix’s low note of laughter reminds me I have a hot man between my thighs right now. I’m suddenly feeling fully recovered and ready for more of him.
“I’ve seen bad shit going down sometimes,” he says, his smile fading. “Shit like this, that I felt bad for looking the other way on. I can clean out the bank account of an asshole who likes underage girls, but that doesn’t stop him from doing it again.”
“But if you could stop it…if you could work in the field and end something like a sex trafficking ring, would you?”
“With the right partner, I would.”
I smile, my heart pounding with excitement. “Yeah?”
He nods. “Yeah. I think me and Olivia would be a great team.”
“Asshole.” I slide off his lap, but he grabs my hips and forces me back.
“You know I’m kidding.”
I shrug and give him an exasperated glare. “It’s gonna take two amazing orgasms for me to forgive you.”
“Done.”
“Would you do field work for us on a case-by-case basis?”
He laughs, smoothing his thumb over my rib cage and then down to my stomach. “I’m not sure the Greenlight honchos would go for that.”
“They already asked me if I thought you’d be willing.”
He arches his brows in surprise. “And you said?”
“I said I thought it would depend on the case. And on their willingness to look the other way on your other…work.”
“That’s my girl.”
“We can get this assignment. You’d have to pass some field tests on weapons—”
“Easy. I could teach their classes on weapons.”
“And physical fitness, which I’m positive you’ll ace. And sign all the agreements.”
He considers. “Case-by-case, right? We do this job, and then I get to decide when I work for them next?”
“Right. But I think once you find out about the perks—”
“Perks, huh?” He runs a thumb over my taut nipple. “Tell me more.”
“We’ll have to do several weeks of immersive Russian language training. Possibly room together.”
He squeezes my nipple. “That’s a nice perk. I can tell you to suck my dick in Russian.”
“And I can tell you to fuck off in Russian.”
He slides me off his lap and wraps a hand around his cock, stroking it as he looks at me. “You’re not fooling anyone. Nothing gets you hotter than me ordering you around in bed.”
My pulse races as his gaze darkens. “I may like it.”
“On your hands and knees,” he says. “Now.”
I flip over, my body humming with anticipation as I put my ass in the air. Nix slaps it several times, just the way I like—hard. I don’t like play smacks, and fortunately, neither does he.
He slides into me, groaning as he grips my hips and his balls smack into me. He doesn’t play-fuck, either. Nix is always intense in bed, and I love it.
I push my hips back to meet his every thrust, our groans and grunts filling the room. When he takes my wrists and holds them behind my back, I moan with pleasure and press my cheek to the mattress. It’s bliss to have a man I trust so completely. No one else has ever had me in a position I couldn’t get out of if I wanted to, but I like giving Nix this control over me.
Trust turns him on, and it turns me on, too. Given how few people we both trust, it’s a big deal.
He slams into me faster now, getting closer. In all the times we’ve had sex—and there have been a lot—he’s never come first. I like to push him and see if I can make it happen, though.
“Come in my pussy, Nix,” I say, moaning as he hits me in just the right spot.
I can see him from the corner of my eye, my face turned up slightly from the mattress. His expression is focused—eyes closed and mouth slightly open. It’s going to take something dirtier to win at this game.
“You like my sweet little cunt, don’t you? So, show me. Fuck me harder, Nix.”
He thrusts into me so deep I cry out.
“Give it to me,” I beg. “You first. Come hard, baby. I want your come running out of me.”
“Ah, fuck.” He grunts and takes a handful of my hair, pulling me back. “Stop that shit.”
“Never.” I turn and speak against his mouth. “I’m your greedy little slut, remember? I’m greedy for your come.”
He takes my lip ring between his teeth and tugs, pressing his thumb to my clit at the same time. His restrained grunts with every thrust are more than I can take, and I fall over the edge, coming even harder than I did the first time.
When he takes my hips and buries himself in me one final time, coming with a long groan, I know for sure I have a new rule—no more sleeping with men in the field because I have to. I’ll work around it. I’m in love with Nix, and it’s a deep, consuming love that won’t allow anyone but him to touch me.
“Jesus, woman.” He falls back to the bed, breathing hard. “Your dirty talk is gonna kill me one of these days.”
“You like it.”
“I fucking love it. But I’ll be damned if I’ll ever come first.”
“Such chivalry.”
I lie down next to him on my side, putting a palm on his chest. “So we’re doing this Russia thing, aren’t we?”
He turns his head to look at me. “Yeah. But I’m not staying in some fucking Super 8 motel that Greenlight puts us up in. I’ll cover our expenses.”
“Deal.” I can’t keep from grinning. “Partner.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“Me too.”
He runs a hand over my hair, and I close my eyes, enjoying the soft
side of him that I rarely see. The past few weeks have shown me how much I need Nix. Like his hacking, our relationship won’t always be black and white. There’ll be gray areas. We’ll both have to compromise and look the other way at times.
I’m up for it, though. My work at Greenlight is for my uncle, the rest of my family, and the people I’m hoping to keep from becoming victims of the gun and drug trades.
But Nix is just for me. There’s nothing gray about my love for him, or his for me. And there’s no one I’d rather have at my back.
The end…
* * *
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ENEMIES TO LOVERS ROMANCE
A Filthy Politics Novel
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Chapter 1
My eyes scan the crowd, taking in the masses as they cheer and hold signs supporting my run for Congress.
Five years ago, when I was honorably discharged from the Marines, I never would’ve dreamed this would be my future.
All the signs carry the same slogan: Trust in Titan. Knowing the constituents in my home state of Illinois feel this way makes me proud. I spent ten years fighting in wars to defend our great nation and preserve her freedoms. When I was given the Medal of Honor after staving off the enemy to save my fellow Marines, I thought my life had been made.
Where else could I go from there? It’s the highest military decoration. I didn’t think I’d ever run for office.
I wave my hands to quiet the crowd assembled in the ballroom at the Drake Hotel in downtown Chicago. When their voices are only a whisper, I speak. “I’m here today to officially announce my run for Congress.”
The crowd comes back to life, louder than before. I don’t stop them, letting them cheer and scream my name because… well, I deserve this moment.
“Titan. Titan,” the people cheer, and my chest swells with pride. Only in this great nation could a man with such a humble beginning rise to this level.
“Thank you,” I say into the microphone, gripping the sides of the podium to steady my hands as the people begin to quiet. “I’ve never been involved in politics, and in today’s climate, I feel there’s a need for an outsider like me to enter the race. For too many years, the lifelong politicians have been making the decisions that affect people like you. They enjoy their fat bank accounts without a care about how their choices touch your lives. I’m here to put a stop to Washington as usual. I promise tonight, to each of you, that I will do everything in my power to make your lives better. Today, I’m officially announcing my candidacy for United States Senate.”
Balloons rain down from the ceiling, filling the ballroom with more red, white, and blue. I step in front of the podium and wave to the crowd, before stooping down to shake a few hands. “Thank you for your support and service,” I tell the vet standing in the front row wearing a POW-MIA baseball cap.
“Thank you for running,” he replies and covers our hands with his left. His wrinkled skin is riddled with age spots. “I know you’ll do right by us veterans.”
I swallow down my emotions from shaking his hand, knowing we lived through much of the same trauma. “I’ll make it my job.” The smile on my face is sincere when he nods and releases my hand.
“Jude. Oh my God, Jude Titan.” A woman screams so loud my ears ring. “You’re even sexier in person.” Her large, round eyes roam over my body before finally resting on my face. “Day-um,” she says before whistling.
“Do I know you?” I ask, trying to keep my face impartial as I search my memory bank for a one-night stand I had forgotten about in a drunken haze.
She places her hand against my forearm. “You can,” she says with a smirk and runs her fingers across my tattoo.
“Mr. Titan,” my campaign manager says from behind me. “You have an interview to get to, sir.”
“Can I count on your vote?” I ask the woman when I begin to stand and break contact with her.
Her stare creeps me out, but I keep a smile plastered on my face. “There’s no one else I have my sights set on.”
“Sorry, ma’am, I need Mr. Titan,” Carl says, pulling me backward to safety.
“Jesus Christ,” I mutter and blow out a breath. “Thanks for the save.”
“I’m sure it won’t be the last, Jude. Just be careful. You’re a candidate now, and things can easily get out of control or be misconstrued.”
I’m pushing up my sleeves, and my nose wrinkles as his words hit me. “Misconstrued? I did nothing wrong. I didn’t flirt with her.”
“What you did and what she says you did are two different things. It’s very easy to ruin a campaign before it’s ever even started.”
“Carl, I realize it’s your job to get me elected, but don’t talk to me like I’m an idiot. Should I have been rude to the woman?”
He shakes his head and his jaw ticks. “No,” he says through gritted teeth, his shoulders rising as his nostrils flare. “But don’t put yourself in the situation in the first place, and we won’t have an issue.”
I stop walking and cross my arms in front of my chest. “So I should just avoid all women?” My head tilts, and I can’t help but sneer.
He pinches the bridge of his nose and mutters something under his breath about God. “No, Jude,” he says in a condescending tone. “Just don’t put yourself in another situation like that.”
My finger taps against my lips, and I try to control my frustration. “I’ll make a mental note to avoid situations like that,” I say, using air quotes before I brush by him and head toward the small group of reporters gathered near the back of the stage.
I don’t know what the hell he’s talking about. If I can’t handle a woman in a crowd, I’m not sure how I made it out of war in one piece.
“Ah, hello, Ms. Campbell,” Carl says to a woman approaching us with a notebook and pen in hand.
“Mr. Schultz. Thank you for allowing us here for what’s looking to be the start of a very interesting election season.” Her eyes dart to mine, and I hold her gaze, unfazed by her comment.
“I’m looking forward to a tough fight,” I say to her and hold out my hand, disregarding Carl’s presence. “I’m Jude Titan.”
“It’s wonderful to finally meet the man behind the name.” Her face flushes and she averts her eyes. “What would you say to your opponent, Representative Preston?”
“Well.” I pause for a moment and choose my words very carefully. “I’d tell her that, even though I’m not part of a long-standing political family like she is, I know how to win a battle, and I plan to defeat her this November.”
Carl steps forward and clears his throat. “He’s looking forward to showing Representative Preston that he’s a worthy adversary.”
When my eyes cut to his, he looks everywhere but at me.
“He may not be steeped in government, but he’s served his country with valor and honor and will do everything in his power to earn the respect of voters all over Illinois.”
I lean forward and whisper in his ear, “What are you doing?”
“Saving your ass,” he replies through gritted teeth.
“Do you have time for a one-on-one interview?” Ms. Campbell asks, tipping back on her heels nervously.
“He’s booked today, but if you call me—” Carl pulls a business card from his jacket and hands it to her “—I’ll make sure to schedule an interview as soon as possible.”
“Mr. Titan,” another reporter interrupts, sticking his recorder in my face.
Carl cuts him off, pushing the man’s arm down. “No more questions today. Please see the media spokeswoman, Ms. Jenkins, for any information or to schedule an interview in the future. It’s going to be a long season, ladies and gentleman. Mr. Titan has just announced his candidacy and needs to spend time tonight with his supporters who came to cheer him on.”
I want to argue with him, but he’s right. Tonight isn’t about the press. It�
�s about the people. People like me who rarely have a voice.
For far too long, I’ve been subjected to the deals many politicians made. The military is notoriously shortchanged and overworked because of special interest groups and in the name of the almighty dollar.
Americans are led to believe wars are fought for just reasons. Why else would they support them? Politicians tell lies to make the public accept the fact that thousands of lives will be lost in the name of saving the world from tyranny or terrorism.
But deep down, at the core of their decision to go to war, there’s another reason—an ulterior motive that seems to be missed by the masses.
Money.
Wars cost billions of dollars. The money is funneled from the US government to the weapons companies around the country.
War is big business.
Fortunes are made on the backs of US servicemen and women. They’ve given their lives for each dollar bill that lines the pockets of Washington’s elite.
It stops with me.
I’ll break the cycle and make people my first priority. Reagan Preston’s about to find out Marines always fight to win, no matter the cost.
Chapter 2
My hands are covering my face, and I crack two fingers open to make a “V” I can see the TV screen through.
“Shit,” I say with a groan. “He has a presence, doesn’t he?”
“He definitely does,” my friend and campaign manager, Alexis, says.
I close my fingers and go back to the blissful blackness of not seeing my new opponent, Jude Titan. “Why does he have to be so damned attractive? And…heroic? Attractive or heroic, I think I could handle, but both?”
“Mmm, I’ll handle that man anytime,” Lexi mutters.
“You’re not helping.”
“Sorry.” She turns to me and takes my wrists, easing my hands down. “Look, we’ll find his weak spot. I mean, the guy’s never run for any office. Your political experience started in the womb.”
I roll my eyes. “Lex, being from a family with a history in politics is good and bad. It’s mostly bad against Jude Titan. He’s a war hero, returning home to shake up the establishment. No baggage. Just a chiseled jawline and a huge smile and a Medal of Honor around his neck.”