9781631054631ChoiceAffairsSalisbury

by Jamie Salisbury

  “Or is it that life with me is normal, and everything else is not?”

  “Whatever the case, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

  “Just be observant of your surroundings, that’s all I ask. Especially if Jacob or one of his men is not around.”

  “Speaking of being observant. You remember that young reporter that was camped outside across the street in Atlanta? I could swear I saw him the other day.”

  Apolo had a poker face for the most part, but this time, I could have sworn I saw him twitch. “I’m sure you were mistaken. I don’t think he’s that good a reporter to have been assigned anything but the day to day stories.”

  “That’s what I thought. If he were a political reporter, I might think twice, but he’s just a beat reporter.”

  “See? You’re being observant. I’m proud of you.”

  “I try. Especially after everything that’s happened.”

  He picked up his brandy snifter and swirled the amber liquid around the glass, placing it to his nose. He inhaled the aroma before finishing off the remaining liquid. As he was doing that, his phone went off. He picked it up, looked at who was texting or calling. He stood up, looked at his phone again, and then at me. “I’m sorry. I have to take this. This shouldn’t be but a few minutes.”

  “That’s fine. While you’re doing that, I’m going to start the dishwasher and turn everything off. Then, I’m going to begin a new book I picked up the other day.”

  He was already halfway down the hallway to his office. Shaking my head, I picked up the two glasses and headed back to the kitchen. I started the dishwasher and readied the coffee maker. Turning out the lights, I headed through the house.

  As I passed the door to Apolo’s office, I noticed the door was open a crack. I could hear him. Whoever it was on the other end was getting an earful. Apolo was not happy. I stood to listen, not knowing if I knew about what was being discussed.

  “I don’t give in to blackmail. If you think you can ruin me with this, you’re not playing with a full deck. If you know anything about me, you’ll know I don’t take to being threatened. Do what you want with them, but don’t think you’re going to get me to back down.”

  I glanced up, feeling someone was there. Apolo. He was indeed furious. He shook his head and shut the door, leaving me to wonder what the hell was going on.

  Standing there for what seemed to be forever, I finally turned and headed to the bedroom. Whatever it was, Apolo was more than capable of handling it. I decided to take a hot shower while he took care of business.

  I opened the glass door and cracked open the taps. Then, I headed into the closet and stripped out of my clothes, finding a T-shirt to wear afterward. Stepping into the stream of water, I tried to let the jets relax me. I played the day’s events over in my mind, especially the long conversation with his cousin Tina. That was something I couldn’t wait to get started.

  Then, the news about Renee and Jacob. Now, there was a shock. One no one saw coming.

  I toweled off and headed to bed, opening the new novel I’d been eager to begin. The next thing I knew, it was after two in the morning. The light was still on beside me. Apolo had obviously never come to bed.

  Throwing my legs over the side, I walked barefooted out of the bedroom and down the hall to his office. I opened the half opened door and peered in. He sat hunched forward on the leather sofa, a bottle of his favorite whiskey in front of him, more than half gone.

  He slowly lifted his head, recognizing that he wasn’t alone.

  “Apolo?”

  “It’s nothing.”

  “The hell you say. Look at you.”

  “Caitlyn, please…”

  “No, you’re not going to blow this off. Something obviously has you in a state, and I want to know what it is.”

  “Come in. We may have a situation I can’t contain or stop from happening.”

  * * * *

  Apolo

  I was tired, therefore not paying attention as I usually would. We’d had a simple dinner, and after several glasses of wine on top of the whiskey I’d consumed earlier, my only thoughts were of Caitlyn.

  My need to have her submit to me this evening was great. After having laid her on the floor, I blindfolded her, put her hands above her head, and began to pleasure her with my mouth. She was mine, and she knew it. And in this state, she would do anything for me.

  It never occurred to me, as I turned her against the window, her breasts pressed against the glass, that anyone could see us. I knew the windows were tinted, so that must have been enough of a lull in judgment for me. I was thrusting in and out of her, my one hand holding her two up over her head, as my other rubbed that twisted bundle of raw nerves between her legs, pulling her tighter against me.

  Caitlyn was on the edge of a huge orgasm, as was I. I could feel my balls drawing up in anticipation. “Come, angel. Come for me.” That’s all it took for her, and as I was about to explode, I saw something out of the peripheral of my sight. Something out of place. I realized it was coming from the building next door, the roof.

  As my orgasm enveloped me, I was caught up in the moment. I completely forgot about anything but what was going on with the two of us.

  It was the one moment in my life I should have had my guard up. Now, some rogue reporter with dreams of a Pulitzer was attempting to run the photos he’d taken that night in some rag if I didn’t make a statement to the fact that I would not be seeking reelection the following year.

  He was attempting to blackmail me, plain and simple. In reality, he was doing it on behalf of that same man Caitlyn’s mother had decided to get involved with. The senator obviously had promised some huge, career-changing story to the young pup.

  The photo he’d texted me as proof would be a PR person’s worst nightmare. It was of Caitlyn, her arms bound in one of my ties, her body pressed against the glass. Me behind her, nude, my prosthetic leg showing, as I was obviously fucking her senseless.

  He’d given me twenty-four hours to make my statement. After that, he’d go to the press. I’d wrangled forty-eight out of him, explaining I needed to break it to Caitlyn beforehand. To my amazement, he’d agreed.

  I phoned Jacob as soon as I’d finished the call with this piss-ant. After discussing the situation with Jacob in some detail, it was decided a conference was needed with my assistant deputy chief-of-staff, Ethan. He also oversaw any and all press releases that came out of my office. I immediately bucked on that idea. I wanted as few people as possible to know what was going on.

  “I suggest we involve the authorities, Apolo. I think there may be some serious laws regarding blackmailing a United States senator.”

  “I know. I’ve already thought about that. I’m sure that’s the last thing he thinks I’ll do.”

  “Yep, they’re all betting you’ll simply go along with them, because you rarely, if ever, involve the authorities.”

  “That’s what I’m counting on.”

  “So, you want me to make the call?”

  “Yes, do it. Make sure they understand to keep this out of the media.”

  “Oh, I’m sure once they see the picture, they’ll understand why.”

  “Call me if you need me.”

  “I shall. May I suggest something?”

  “Of course, what is it?”

  “It’s close to the Christmas recess. Why don’t you and Caitlyn head out now? Just in case something blows up, and then she won’t be here in the line of fire.”

  “They’ll just hunt us down in Atlanta, Jacob. Hound us. Camp outside the gates.”

  “True, but you have a little more flexibility there. Think about it.”

  “But what about you and Renee? How are we going to be able to stand up for the two of you when all of this is going on around us?”

  “We can get married in Atlanta just as easily as Washington. Don’t worry about us. Take care of Caitlyn and yourself.”

  “I intend to.”

  “And I take it your answer
to not running for reelection was a huge no?”

  “Jacob, you’ve known me for many years. I don’t quit, nor will I allow anyone to try to blackmail me into not running. In fact, if anything, this is going to make me want to run even more. This must stop.”

  “Don’t worry about a thing. I’ve got it handled.”

  “I know you do. Now, I need to prepare Caitlyn for the worst, in case it happens.”

  “You do that, and I’ll talk to you as soon as I know something.”

  “Thank you. I mean that. Thank you for everything.”

  “Part of my job. Just part of my job. Now, you go find that lovely wife of yours and talk with her. I’m sure you’ll find she’s probably going to be spitting nails when she hears.”

  I had to chuckle. He was right. My wife was fiercely protective. “You know her well, Jacob. Call me.”

  I hung up, walked over to the bar against the wall, picked up a bottle of Lagavulin 21 Scotch, and cracked the seal. Selecting a crystal glass, I poured a healthy dose and drank it.

  Taking both, I walked back to the leather sofa and sat. I had to figure out how to break this to Caitlyn. And quick. For the second time in Washington, our home has been invaded by outside sources. This time in a much more embarrassing way.

  “Apolo?” I heard her voice. I don’t know how much time had passed. I’d been drinking and thinking. Not paying attention to time.

  “Apolo, what’s wrong?”

  I sat back up and patted the leather next to me. “Come in. We may have a situation I can’t contain or stop from happening.”

  “Why, what’s going on?”

  I explained in detail what had transpired earlier with the phone call I’d taken, the one that hid me away. I told her everything. Knowing Caitlyn, if I didn’t, it would make her mad. She was determined she was not going to let people think they could intimidate her into being meek.

  “Hell no, we’re not leaving early. We’re going to stay here and deal with whatever transpires.”

  That made me smile. “You’re sure? Because we can be gone tomorrow.”

  “No! If we do that, these people will think they’ve won. You’ve never backed down from anything, Apolo, I’ll be damned if you’re going to start now just to spare me the ugliness. We’re in this together, Senator Choice.”

  “Okay, but if you decide at any time you want to go back to Atlanta, I’ll understand.”

  “I believe I can sit it out for two weeks. Besides, if the authorities are involved, it’s going to blow over. Whatever back blow comes of it, we’ll deal.”

  “Thank you.”

  “For what? You’re my husband. This is our life, and no one is going to try and run you out just so they can either get who they want appointed or elected. That’s what this boils down to, Apolo. Someone’s mad because the governor appointed you instead of their puppet, and now they can’t control the person sitting in your senate seat.”

  “You amaze me sometimes, you know?”

  “How’s that?”

  “How smart you are.”

  “Thank you, senator. Besides, Tina and I have a foundation to launch, and I’m going to have people to speak with and things to research. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. We’ll be fine.”

  “Then, you won’t be mad when I tell you I’ve decided to run?”

  “Hell, no. You’ve got work to do, sir. It can’t all be done in the short time you have left in this term.”

  I poured a splash of whiskey into my glass and handed it to her. Then, I uncapped the bottle and clinked it against her glass. “Then, here’s to us. Washington has no idea what they’re in store for. Senator Choice and his lovely wife, Caitlyn, are here to change some things.”

  “Here here! To us, and to your new career, Senator Choice.”

  *The End*

  About the Author

  Writing romance stories with passion and sass, Jamie Salisbury has seen several of her books soar to #1 on Amazon. In 2014, her novel, Life and Lies was nominated for a RONE in the Erotica category.

  Music, traveling and history are among her passions when not writing. Her previous career in public relations in and around the entertainment field has afforded her with a treasure trove of endless story ideas.

  www.jamiesalisbury.com

  Other books by Jamie

  Choice Matters (#1 Southern Heat Series)

  Rockin' the Boss

  Life and Lies

  Where Love Takes Us (#1 Heartfelt Series)

  The Heart Knows (#2 Heartfelt Series)

  Love Will Find A Way (#3 Heartfelt Series)

  Secret Cravings Publishing

  www.secretcravingspublishing.com