“Liza, I’m not changing my mind about you and your involvement with this election. Robert will expose himself and I don’t want him to use you as an excuse.”
She rolled her eyes and decided not to tell him that she was going to find the woman in the photo with Robert and let her tell her story to the media. “Fine,” she said. “Don’t let me interrupt your plans.” Liza leapt to her feet and crossed over to the door. “The real world awaits.”
Jackson stood and smirked at her. “You’re very sexy when you get indignant. How long are you going to be here tonight?”
As much as Liza wanted to continue playing the role of the angry political advisor, Jackson’s smile disarmed her and she said, “I’ll be here pretty late. Should I order dinner?”
“Sounds like a good idea,” he said. “I’ll bring the wine.” Jackson blew her a kiss before heading out the door. Once he made it to his car, Jackson tried to turn his focus to the debate. He knew he wasn’t supposed to take this personally, but after what Robert did to Liza, this was personal and he didn’t like him.
He could almost hear Teresa telling him to get it together and focus on the issues. Part of him wished that he could just take the pictures Liza had and use them to his advantage. But that just wasn’t who he was and why should he put that woman in the spotlight because Robert made a bad choice? This was the part of politics that he didn’t like at all. This was what turned the average person against the men and women in office. It was self-serving and wrong. He hadn’t wanted to be that kind of candidate, and no matter what, he wasn’t going to be. However, things were getting pretty sleazy. Linking Liza to that madam was underhanded and wrong.
Arriving at his campaign office, Jackson made the effort to focus on the issues and push Liza out of his mind.
“Thanks for showing up,” Teresa said sarcastically when Jackson walked in. Then her face grew serious. “Is Liza all right?”
“She’s upset. I’m sure she thinks that her business is going to take a hit because of this allegation about her being tied to the South Park Madam.”
“And I wonder how it’s going to hit us,” Teresa said as she handed Jackson a file.
“Why would this . . .”
Teresa shot him a silencing look. “I know you and Liza have something going on and it’s not going to be long before the media put it together with the help of Montgomery and Hall. That’s why we have to win this debate and put the focus back on the issues.”
“Let’s get started, then,” Jackson said.
After about two hours of going over the issues and preparing for the questions they were expecting, they called it a night. Jackson yawned, looking at the clock. It was nearly eight P.M., and though he was tired, he couldn’t wait to see Liza again.
“I know you’re not going to listen to me about Liza,” Teresa said. “But please just be as discreet as possible. If the wrong people see you two together again, it’s going to be difficult for us to overcome—again.”
“I’d like to think that the voters have more to worry about than who I’m dating,” he said.
“So, you two are dating. This is so dangerous, Jackson. Even if she isn’t trying to get information about our campaign to help Montgomery, we can’t ignore these rumors swirling about her and the effect that they would have on our campaign. I don’t like this and I’m going to tell you just what I told her. If what you two have is real, then you can wait until after the election to explore it.”
“Wait, you told her what?” Jackson asked. “My personal life is my business.”
“Again, you are such a rookie. You are public property now. Being a single candidate puts everything you do under a microscope. Why do you think Robert got engaged so quickly?”
“From what I understand, that’s about to implode in his face.”
Teresa smiled. “Let’s hope that it gets some coverage and takes the focus off you and Liza. Let’s just hope no more rumors get started.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Jackson, just remember that you have a lot of people in your corner and you need to think about what winning this seat would mean to them.”
“I know what my responsibilities are,” he said. “I intend to do what I have to do not to let my supporters down.”
“Even if that means letting Liza go?” Teresa didn’t stick around for Jackson’s answer. It was as if the confused look on his face said it all.
By eight-fifteen, Liza was beginning to think that she was going to have to eat all of the Chinese takeout she’d ordered alone. She’d already polished off an order of crab rangoon as she convinced herself that Jackson was busy preparing for the debate and hadn’t stood her up. As she opened a container of fried rice, her mind returned to the conversation she and Teresa had had earlier that day. Suppose she’d convinced Jackson that he needed to stay away from her until the election was over. Or maybe she’d told him that Liza was toxic to their end game.
It wouldn’t be the first time that a man had put his ambitions over her. She was halfway through the rice when she decided that she and Jackson were over and her focus needed to go back to rehabbing her image since Robert had thrown so much mud on it. As she logged on to her social media accounts, tears welled in her eyes. There’s no fool like a fool for love, she thought as she read some of the comments on her Facebook page. People asked if she had been a call girl. People wanted to know if she’d really been a partner with the South Park Madam.
“This is some bull,” she gritted as she started to delete some of the more vicious comments. She angrily shoveled a forkful of rice into her mouth.
“I hope there’s something left for me,” Jackson said from the doorway. Liza looked up and tried not to beam as he smiled at her. “Sorry I’m late.”
“I’m sure you had a lot of work to do,” she replied as she crossed over to him. Jackson drew her into his arms.
“Why didn’t you tell me about your tête-à-tête with Teresa?”
Liza sighed. “Because I didn’t think I needed to. Actually, I was going to take her advice, but . . .”
“While I can appreciate the good nature behind what she said to you, keep in mind that I’m a grown man capable of making my own decisions. She’s my campaign manager, not my mother or my social life coordinator.”
“She does want you to win this election, and with everything that happened today, maybe she was right. Technically, we have to sneak around to eat takeout and we have to make sure no one is pointing a camera at us when we embrace.”
Jackson pulled her closer. “I’d much rather kiss you than listen to all the reasons why we shouldn’t be together right now.”
Before she had a chance to protest, his mouth covered hers in a fluid motion and their tongues danced slowly. Liza’s body heated up like a campfire on a hot July afternoon. He reached for the zipper on the back of her tunic, but before he zipped it down, he pulled back from her and stared into her brown eyes.
“Any cameras around?” he quipped.
“Not a one,” she said, then unbuckled his belt.
“Then,” Jackson said as he took her hands into his and nudged her legs apart with his knee, “I think we should take advantage of these fleeting moments of privacy.”
Jackson nibbled her bottom lip as he let her hands go and unzipped her tunic. Her skin was soft and warm against his fingertips. She wanted to feel him against her naked skin and take him deep inside her hot valley. But Jackson had his own ideas about how things were going to go as he walked her over to the loveseat in the corner. He peeled her clothes off slowly, while keeping his on. Jackson loved the image of her against the velvet cushions. He dropped to his knees and stroked her thighs. Liza shivered and closed her eyes as his fingers danced against her wet folds of flesh. When he replaced his fingers with his mouth, Liza moaned and gripped his shoulders. His tongue flicked across her throbbing bud as his hands covered her breasts, massaging her hardening nipples. Liza cried out his name as he deepened his sensual kiss
. When Jackson made her reach climax, Liza howled in pleasure. He licked her sticky sweetness from his lips as he rose to his feet and stripped off his clothes. Liza locked eyes with him and smiled. She sat up on the loveseat and wrapped her arms around his waist.
“You taste so delicious,” he moaned as she stroked his erection.
“I’m glad you think so. It’s my turn to taste you,” Liza said as she brought her lips to the tip of his hardness.
“Yes,” he cried as her lips captured him. Her mouth was hot and wet and Jackson’s knees threatened to go out on him. Deeper and deeper. The near explosion of his desire prompted him to pull back from her oral pleasure. “Woman, you are amazing.”
She chuckled and stroked his powerful thighs. “You’re not so bad yourself. I need you, Jackson.”
He pulled her to her feet, then wrapped his arms around her, kissing her slowly and deliberately. Liza wrapped her leg around his waist and Jackson’s erection twitched with anticipation and desire.
“Protection,” he groaned. Liza nodded in agreement. He leaned her against the loveseat and reached for his discarded slacks. He pulled a condom from his front pocket and Liza took it from his hand.
“You were pretty confident, huh?” she asked as she opened the package.
“Let’s just say I come from the school of being prepared,” he said with a wink. Liza took his thickness in her hand and stroked him until he was throbbing with desire. She slid the sheath into place and Jackson reached down and lifted her into his arms. He brought her lips level with his, then kissed her hard and deep as she wrapped her legs around his waist. He thrust into her, making Liza moan in delightful pleasure. She matched his strokes and ground against him while he clutched her buttocks. Throwing her head back as the waves of an orgasm began to wash over her, Liza screamed Jackson’s name.
He fought the urge to come, wanting to prolong her pleasure, wanting to watch her face as she was flushed with pleasure. But when she tightened her walls against his erection, Jackson howled and reached his climax. His knees nearly buckled but he managed to hold her up until they made it to the loveseat and collapsed.
“That was so good,” she said breathlessly. “So good.”
“I think we need a new word to describe what that was.”
“Umm,” she said as she traced a bead of sweat across his chest. “Spectacular?”
“That’s a good one. And an apt way to describe you as well.” He held her closer, enjoying the rhythm of their heartbeats. Her skin, damp with sweat, was soft to the touch and he couldn’t stop stroking her thighs.
“You’re trying to get something else started, huh?” she asked as his fingers danced across her inner thigh.
Jackson smiled. “Who’s going to turn down more spectacular?”
“Maybe we need to move this to another location,” she said. “I’d hate for the cleaning ladies to walk in on us like this.”
“That wouldn’t be good,” he replied. “So, my place or yours?”
“I think my place is closer,” she said. “And hopefully not under the watchful eye of the press. I’m actually unlisted.”
Jackson thought about the story that had been leading the news all day. “Maybe we should head back to my place.”
Liza frowned, but knew he was right. “Then let me stop by my place and grab some clothes first.”
“And I’ll pour some wine so we can relax and . . .”
“Have round two?” She winked at him as she dressed, and they headed out the door. Liza felt like a teenager sneaking out of her office looking around to make sure no one saw her. It was pretty ridiculous, she thought, since she had done nothing wrong and Robert was the one who had the most to hide.
“Is the coast clear?” Jackson quipped. “We really don’t have to do this.”
“Do what?”
“Sneak around like criminals or secret lovers,” he said. Jackson ran his hand across his face. “I had no idea that you had to give up so much of your personal life. Then again, when I walked into this campaign, I didn’t have a personal life.”
“Really?” she asked. “So, you were just all work and no play?”
“You’re one to talk,” he replied. “I remember that first night we had coffee and brownies, you told me how much you work.”
Liza stopped and faced Jackson. “Then I guess we’re two sides of the same coin. The problem is we weren’t supposed to like each other.” Silently she added, But I could see myself falling in love with you.
“It’s a good thing we don’t follow the rules,” Jackson said, then pulled Liza into his arms. “I’m glad we met, even if you were on the wrong side in the beginning.”
She stroked his cheek. “And for the first time ever, I’m glad I was wrong. And why don’t we make it my place instead? Like I said, I’m unlisted.”
Jackson took her hand in his, then kissed her fingertips. “Sounds good. Now, let’s get out of here and stop acting as if we’re doing something wrong.”
They walked out of the office building, not worried about cameras or scandals. And Jackson followed Liza to her home, ready to spend the night with her wrapped in his arms.
Chapter 20
As Liza drove to her town house in Dilworth, a tony neighborhood just minutes from Uptown Charlotte, she didn’t think about the media following her, just the fact that Jackson was behind her. Smiling as she pulled into the private driveway, she wondered if things would change between them when the excitement of the election wore off.
A chill moved through her. Why was she scripting the end when they’d barely gotten things started? “Get it together,” she admonished herself as she shut her car off.
Jackson pulled in behind her as she exited the car. He got out of the car and smiled at her. “Nice neighborhood,” he said.
“Thanks. Let me give you a tour.” Liza walked to the door and opened it. She flipped the lights on and Jackson was immediately taken by her unique style. The walls of the living room were painted a sexy shade of red and the leather furniture in the room was black with a crimson accent. Above her fireplace was a painting of a woman sitting on top of the world with a stiletto dangling from her big toe.
“Nice,” he said, nodding toward the portrait.
She grinned as she glanced at the oil rendition. “This was one of the only things my ex gave me that made it past the breakup and purge.”
“Who’s the artist?”
“Celina Hart. She’s so dope. Her work is amazing.”
“Can’t say that I’ve heard of her, but I will definitely check her out.” For a moment, Liza and Jackson just stood in the middle of her living room in a tense silence. Liza’s laughter calmed the mood.
“Why are we standing here as if we haven’t seen each other naked before?” she asked.
Jackson shrugged. “I guess it’s the whole being on your turf now. I get the feeling that you don’t invite a lot of people into your inner sanctum.”
She nodded. “You’re right. I guess that means you think you’re special now, huh?”
“I already know that.” He drew her into his arms. “And you’re pretty damned special too.” He brushed his lips across hers and Liza felt as if she was going to melt in his arms. Damn, he knew how to make a woman feel good. And Liza liked the feeling. But her fear wasn’t far away. She knew men left. Would she be able to handle it when this thing with Jackson came to an end?
“What’s that look?” he asked.
“What look?”
He took her face into his hands. “We all have something that interrupts a moment. And whatever was going through that pretty little head of yours, let it go.”
“So, you’re a mind reader now? Suppose I was just thinking about what kind of wine I have chilling?”
Jackson nibbled at her bottom lip. “I know it’s white,” he said as he slipped his hand underneath her bottom. “Since you think I’m a seer, let me see if this was what you were thinking.” He brought his lips to her ear, flicked his tongue across
her earlobe. “You were wondering if I’d kiss you here.” He brushed his lips up and down the column of her neck. “Then,” he said as he slipped his hand inside her tunic, “you wanted me to touch you here.”
Liza moaned as his fingers danced across her erect nipples. “Yes,” she breathed. It took everything in him not to rip her blouse off, because the way she said yes made him harder than a hardware store full of bricks.
“And you know the last thing you thought,” he said as his other hand tugged at the waistband of her slacks.
She shook her head, her breathing shallow in anticipation of his next move. He unbuttoned those pesky pants and slid them halfway down her hips. Jackson smiled at her barely there lace thong. Had to love a woman who didn’t have an affinity for granny panties. He rubbed his index finger against her crotch. Liza felt weak with desire, heady with need, and ready for action.
“You want me to taste you right”—he wiggled his finger against her throbbing clitoris—“there.”
“Umm,” was the only reply she could muster as he dropped to his knees and pulled her to his lips. He pushed the crotch of her panties to the side, then captured her sweetness, sucking and licking her until her knees quaked. Liza cried out his name as she felt her orgasm take hold. His tongue was magical, and his lips were tantalizing and a torture tool. Because the more she came, the more he licked and sucked. The more he licked and sucked, the more she came. It wasn’t long before Jackson had peeled her pants away, and as shaky as her legs were, Liza was simply amazed that she hadn’t fallen on her face. He led her to the ottoman near the fireplace and laid her on top of it, facedown. He stroked and massaged her buttocks, then kissed the cheeks.
“I bet you’re sweet all over,” he intoned. “I intend to find out.” Jackson traversed her body with his tongue, spending time sucking and kissing her toes, and then he flipped her over. The look on her face turned him on like a light switch. She reached for his shirt, pulling the tail from his pants, but he grabbed her hand and held it above her head.
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