2
“Morning Amelia.”
Once again, I wave and smile at the security guard as I enter the place I call home for most of the day. My heels click on the polished marble floor as I make my way to my office. A few people call out ‘hello’ and I just smile and nod.
Washington. The capital of power and guardian of secrets. Nothing is what it seems, and the place is shrouded in cloaks and mirrors. All around me the country is controlled. Not just this country either—the world.
The men and women within these walls hold the greatest power in the land. Lives are made or ruined as a result of just one signature from a person with much to gain and even more to lose. It’s all a game and one that you can’t afford to lose.
These people leave their conscience at the door right next to their scruples. This place is not for the faint-hearted and it’s like an addictive drug to everyone within its sinful walls. It runs on money and power and is fuelled by greed.
Stepping inside the elevator I press the button for the top floor. I am not alone. All around me are my co-workers. People like me who strive to make it to the top by any means possible. Trust no one and be everybody’s friend. These are the unwritten rules that you break at your peril.
The elevator reaches the top floor and I leave along with the rest of them. One by one we disappear into our little boxes that make up the fabric of this immense building. The White House.
I reach my office, or I should say, the office belonging to my boss, Senator Scott Parker. He is one of the most powerful men in the land that makes up the closest band of brothers to the President himself. He is invaluable to the Commander-in-Chief and that means we are extremely busy. I am his assistant, PA, call it what you like, he’s a demanding boss and there’s no room for complacency in our relationship.
One of the other assistants smiles and laughs softly.
“You’re a little late today, Amelia. Did you oversleep?”
I shake my head and laugh.
“Something like that, Didi?”
I gesture towards the large oak door in front of me.
“Is he in yet?”
Didi frowns.
“I’m afraid so, Amelia. There’s no hiding today.”
My heart sinks. Now I’m late and it won’t go down well at all. Didi sees the anxiety in my eyes and looks at me with sympathy.
“It may not be that bad. He has a lot on his mind, what with his wedding and all. Just hold onto the thought that in two days’ time we will be free—for two weeks at least.”
I smile but my heart feels empty. Two days that can’t come quickly enough for me.
I smile at Didi with a confidence that deserted me long ago. Grabbing the Michelson file, I head towards the door in front of me, trying to quell the nervous butterflies that appear to be consuming my body. With a deep breath, I plaster my business face on and knock loudly. I hear a gruff, “Come in.” So, I push the door open and walk briskly into the room.
All around me is wealth and privilege. Wood paneling hugs the walls and the deep plush carpet sinks beneath my feet. The smell is one hundred percent masculine and oozes power. I walk purposefully towards the man who I love to hate. The man who I answer to and controls me like a puppet on a string.
Senator Scott Parker. The son of Emerson Parker, one of Washington’s finest Senators and part of the inner sanctum of the Washington elite. Scott, his son was always destined for greatness—after all, it’s in his genes. His rise was fast and now he sits on the right-hand side of the President himself. He is largely tipped to hold the great office himself one day and I don’t doubt for a second that he will. In two days’ time, he will marry Shelby Barrington, daughter of the Barrington’s of Washington. Another hugely powerful Washington dynasty, merging the two together and creating one super couple.
He doesn’t look up and I shift nervously on my feet. His head is bent as he looks at a letter on his desk. Scott Parker is one good looking son of a bitch and he knows it. His sandy colored hair is neatly styled and his chiseled jaw offsets classic good looks. He is a hard man who has been ruthless in the pursuit of his dream. He is Washington’s darling and the subject of many a woman’s fantasies. Like everything in his life his working career has been cushioned with privilege and rather than clawing his way to the top, he was born there.
He looks up suddenly and I almost catch my breath as I see the ice blazing from his incredible blue eyes. His manner is cold and I see the irritation on his face as he looks at me with disapproval.
I can feel myself squirming and will myself to maintain a calm head and face him with indifference.
He leans back in his seat and just looks at me for what seems like an eternity before saying harshly.
“You’re late, Amelia.”
I feel my stomach flip and answer coolly.
“I’m sorry, sir. The train was delayed.”
Shaking his head, he says in a low voice.
“You know I don’t tolerate lateness.”
I swallow—hard.
“I’m sorry, Sir. I’ll work through my lunch hour to make up for it.”
He stares at me and I see the excitement flicker in his eyes as he says in a low, threatening, voice.
“You know what happens to naughty girls who are late.”
I nod and he grins.
“I told you not to be late and now you will suffer the consequences - Amelia.”
My name drips from his tongue like honey on a viper. I shift awkwardly, hating the excitement that is raging through my body as he undresses me with his eyes.
The spell is broken as the phone rings and he grabs it whilst holding my gaze.
“Yes?”
He listens and then says gruffly.
“Fine, I’ll keep the line free.”
As he replaces the receiver he beckons me over.
“I’m expecting a call from the President. You need to be punished for your lateness but I don’t have time now.”
He nods towards the phone and beckons me over.
“Come here and finish what you started.”
I nod and swallow hard. He watches as I advance and drop the file on his desk. Licking my lips nervously I sink to the floor on my knees before him. He places his hand on the top of my head and my body melts at the contact.
As the phone rings, I move my hand to his zipper and free the beast straining to get out.
As Scott Parker takes the call from the President, I take him in my mouth. With one hand on my head, he speaks into the phone, thrusting his dick inside. I suck him and tease him and marvel at how he can keep a steady voice whilst he talks to the man with the most power in the world. As he speaks I go to work, just how he likes it. On my knees and subservient to my master.
This man is controlling, hard and ruthless. He owns me, mind, body and soul and is a hard master. In two days’ time, he will marry another but I won’t be off the hook as a result. I will still expect the morning call and the demands during the day. I will still be required to follow him around the world as his PA and perform whatever duty he desires. He will continue to send me over the edge with ecstasy and control my heart and mind. He will still own every part of me and keep me imprisoned in my own wanton desire. I need this man face fucking me so vigorously because without him I am nothing. My body betrays me at every opportunity and my head hates every moment of it. I am at war with myself and can’t see a way out of my own private hell.
In two days’ time, however. I will escape.
3
The morning passes as it usually does, running around after my Master. To everyone else, we are just colleagues. I’m his assistant and he is the powerful Senator. In private he is my world. My sad, lonely, desperate, addictive world. The man who controls me and who I can’t live without. The man my body craves like oxygen and my head can’t stand. My heart breaks every time he looks away and bursts into life with just one touch from his hand. When he smiles, it lights up my soul and when he frowns it causes desi
re to flood my body. My mind is fucked, just as much as my body by the man who is never far from my side. That is for two more days, anyway.
I look up as Didi groans.
“What’s up?”
She pulls a face.
“I’ve just heard that Shelby Barrington is on her way up. I think I’ll pretend to do some photocopying until the coast is clear. That woman makes me feel like dirt on her shoe.”
My heart sinks as I think of the future Mrs Senator Parker. I’d hoped to never see her again, no such luck.
Didi rushes off with a stack of papers on her fool’s errand whilst I prepare myself.
I decide not to warn Scott. Maybe he will forget I’m here and concentrate on Shelby. If I warn him, he will be prepared.
It’s not long before the force that is Shelby Barrington strides into the office. She is absolutely stunning in the way that money can buy. She has blonde hair, slightly darker than my own, but styled way more professionally. Her outfit of a white trouser suit must have cost more than my six-month salary. Her make-up is immaculate and the result of hours of work, unlike the few minutes I get to smear some gloss on my lips and mascara on my lashes. Her perfume is exotic and fills my senses, stifling me and making it hard to breathe. She looks down at me with her cold, green eyes and barely raises a smile.
“Good morning um…”
I smile politely.
“Amelia, Miss Barrington. I will inform the Senator you are here?”
She nods and looks around with disinterest. I’m not sure if she even registers my existence. I am nothing to her, a nobody. A minion without a name worthy of remembering. Like her fiancé, they operate in a world where money and status count for everything. They use and abuse and she is no exception.
I pick up the phone and buzz through to the great man himself. He answers tersely.
“What?”
“Miss Barrington is here to see you, Sir.”
I hear the sharp intake of breath and feel a small sense of victory as I sense the irritation in that one sound. He says irritably,
“I’ll be right out.”
As I replace the receiver it strikes me that she is the only one, other than the President himself, who he would come to greet. Normally I would just make them wait for a little before showing them in. That would not go down well with Shelby Barrington.
Almost immediately the door opens, and he oozes out, the charm dripping from him like honey from a comb.
“Shelby, darling. What a lovely surprise.”
I watch with interest as her face relaxes into a smile and she looks at him coyly.
He moves towards her and she reaches up and does that three-kiss thing, almost like she’s greeting a stranger.
I smirk and his eyes flash. He looks at Shelby with an intense look and growls seductively.
“I think you can do better than that my darling. After all, we are soon to be married and they are two days that can’t pass quickly enough for me. Then you will make me the happiest man alive and I will devote my life to making you the happiest woman.”
He pulls her close and kisses her deeply. I try to look away but know that I can’t. He is punishing me and he knows it. The sight of them in front of me kills me inside. I may hate him but I love him more. But he's not mine to love, as he is proving to me right here and now. I only borrow him, she is the one he will build a life with.
They pull apart and she flushes and giggles.
“Now, now, Scott. Not in front of the staff. Whatever must they think?”
He just smiles at her seductively.
“Who cares what they think. I’m allowed to kiss the woman I love in my own office. In fact, if you follow me inside, I may do a lot more than that.”
His words wound my soul and he knows it. They were meant to and I look down, suddenly very interested in my computer screen. I hear her giggle, somewhat nervously which strikes me as strange because she doesn’t seem the nervous type to me at all. Then I hear a sharp,
“Amelia. I will be taking my fiancé to lunch. We will be gone for two hours. Re-schedule my meeting with Grady for 3pm.”
I look up and see those blue eyes looking at me with promise. He knows exactly how I feel and is twisting the knife even more.
I nod miserably.
“Of course, Sir.”
He takes her hand and gazes at her lovingly.
“Come, my darling, you have my undivided attention. Nothing is more important to me than making you happy.”
She giggles again and I am grateful to see them leave. As he closes the door behind them he shoots me an ice-filled look. I know that look. He hasn’t finished with me yet and I hate that my body can’t wait.
I use my time wisely. I have two hours to go over the preparations. I check my ticket and go over the schedule. When Scott Parker is standing in front of the altar committing himself to the cold, hard, life of the marriage of convenience, I will be turning my back on him, forever.
I have known for some time that I need to break free from this endless cycle of addiction. Like any addict, I crave this life and the more I get the more I want and need. It’s not normal, and it’s not healthy. The trouble is, he won’t let me leave. He has threatened me on many occasions. He will find me and then my punishment will be too much to bear. When you get into bed with the Devil, there is no escape. Scott Parker likes to control and assert his dominance over every aspect of his life. If he thinks I’m slipping away, I’m afraid of what he will do. I must always remember never to underestimate him. When I leave, there will be no coming back. I will need to disappear—forever.
4
By the time he returns I have gathered myself together and even managed to grab some lunch with Didi. I envy her. She is married to her childhood sweetheart; a mechanic at the local garage. They live in a pretty house in the suburbs and she is pregnant with their first child. She is happy and fulfilled and I crave any information she gives me about her life. Many would say ordinary, I say she is living the dream.
He’s soon back and my heart twists in my chest as he strides past us, barking,
“Amelia, my office—now.”
Didi raises her eyes and looks at me sympathetically. I push back my chair and roll my eyes at her as the phone rings. Turning to answer it she leaves me to follow him inside.
As I stand in the doorway, he says harshly.
“Close the door.”
My heart thumping, I do as he says and stand nervously in front of him.
He looks at me for a minute and I see the muscle in his neck throbbing, which always happens when he’s angry or upset. He says in a low, angry voice.
“Come here.”
I will my feet to carry me the short distance and move to his side. He grabs my wrist and says darkly.
“I haven’t forgotten your punishment young lady. Now it has doubled. I saw the look in your eyes earlier when Shelby was here. You looked down on her and I will not tolerate it.”
I shake my head vigorously.
“No… I don’t… that wasn’t what I….”
He says forcefully.
“Enough! I know what I saw. You want what she has and you feel superior to her because of what we share. Well, let me remind you what happens when you displease me.”
Roughly, with one flick of the wrist, he pulls me across his lap. He pushes my skirt up roughly and pulls my pants down. Then he proceeds to punish my ass by raining blows down on it with no regard for me at all. The tears sting my eyes as he releases his pent-up rage on my ass. The force is hard and unyielding and he doesn’t stop. On and on he goes and I bite my lip to stop from crying out. I hear his breath becoming more and more labored and feel his dick hard against my stomach as he carries on the attack. Just as I think I can bear no more he pushes me to the floor and looks at me with derision.
“Now tidy yourself up and get me a coffee. I haven’t finished with you yet. I have plans for us this evening little slave which is long overdue. Don’t think that just becau
se I’m getting married you are off the hook. I may be otherwise occupied for the next two weeks but so will you. I will still control that sweet little ass of yours and you will long for my return. When I do, nothing will change.”
His eyes flash and he smiles in a sinister way. Lowering his voice, he whispers.
“And you will love every minute of it.”
Quickly, I get to my feet and straighten my clothes. Brushing the tears away I take a minute to compose myself. When I head back outside the mask is in place.
Didi looks up and I swear she can see my heart thumping from here. She smiles and raises her eyes, whispering.
“Are you ok, Amelia?”
I smile shakily.
“Yes, he just tore me off a strip about my lateness.”
She looks annoyed.
“Bullshit. You were five minutes late, and he was five minutes early. I’m betting he’s taking out his frustration on you because of having to put up with that vacuous vessel he is doomed to marry.”
She grins. I laugh and her eyes soften.
“That’s better. You should laugh more, Amelia. It suits you. You know, maybe in the next two weeks you should take the time to relax a bit and maybe head out to find a good guy to hold. You need a man in your life my girl.”
I just smile ruefully.
“I wish. The trouble is I work all the time and have no room in my life for love.”
She smiles sadly.
“Then you need to re-adjust your priorities. Work is a means to an end. The real riches in life are to love and be loved. You really have nothing without it.”
I nod and head off to get the coffee. She’s right, I have nothing and yet I have everything I think I want. The thought of loving another fills me with fear. I need to find Amelia James before I go looking for love. I lost her a long time ago, and she is sorely missed. Maybe when I find the girl I used to be I will look for love. For now, I need to concentrate on survival.
3pm comes along with Grady Vincent. He strides into the office like he owns it and barks.
Twisted_A Billionaire Romance Page 20