Scott
How was your exhibition?
Tori
How’s your girlfriend?
Scott breathed heavily. He’d texted Tori the night before and told her that he was sorry he couldn’t make the exhibition and that he was going to have to cut things off. It didn’t feel right to him to be talking to Tori when he was trying to make a go of it with Brandi. He was seriously regretting that text now.
Scott
I kinda underestimated where it was going.
Tori
Sorry that didn’t work out for ya. Exhibition was good. Sold that painting I showed you to an anonymous bidder and made a small fortune.
Fucking fantastic. My naked ass is going to be on some stranger’s wall. Scott chuckled and rolled his eyes.
Scott
You still in town?
Tori
Not for long. My train leaves in an hour. Sorry buddy, you missed out on some rebound sex. You’ll have to catch me another time.
Not if I have my way, I didn’t. Scott grabbed his coat, went downstairs, and hailed a cab to Union Station. He looked on the display and found the platform to New York and went as quickly as his leg would take him, hoping to catch her.
He could see her in the distance, looking at her phone in one hand, rolling suitcase in the other. He made a beeline toward her and stopped several yards away when a man with the wavy, sandy-colored hair walked up behind her with two coffees in hand. Tori looked up at the man and grinned, slipping her phone into her purse. She accepted the cup as he leaned in and kissed her gently on the lips. Scott stood there and watched as they talked and laughed. Scott recognized the dude. It was the man, Bastien—the one from Facebook that he’d seen.
She’s with him? Before he sent his text cutting things off with Tori she’d messaged him and said to “bring the panties.” Why?
The realization hit him that Tori was just toying with Scott, knowing full well he wouldn’t attend the exhibition. What if he’d actually shown up? His neck grew hot. He was angry at her for playing her stupid games, and hated himself for being so damn predictable. Tori knew him far too well.
The loudspeaker blared the announcement for their departure. Scott watched as the two of them stood in line to board. Scott stuffed his hands in his pockets and turned to leave the station. Tori’s lacy underwear touched his fingertips. He stopped at a garbage can a few feet away and began to pull them out, ready to toss them in and be done with this whole charade.
His heart squeezed, stopping him.
The railcars roared in the tunnel as people shuffled to and fro. He and Tori were just like those trains—right next to each other but on different tracks, always going in opposite directions. Is that all they were destined for? Would they someday finally intersect?
He looked back to Tori and Bastien. She was laughing at something he was showing her on his phone. Scott knew it was that loud cackle of hers by the way she threw her head back. She froze and her smile faded into surprised recognition. She cocked her head to the side as her eyes met Scott’s from a distance. Scott lowered his head and scratched his nose. Ah, she caught me.
Tori smiled warmly, lifted her hands up, and shrugged to Scott as if to say your move. Scott just shook his head and grinned at her as the man she was with boarded the train. Her shoulders heaved as she let out a breath. Her brow crinkled as if to say well, alright then. She blew him a kiss, turned, and climbed on the train.
He tucked the panties back in his pocket, released his hold on them, and walked out of the station.
FIVE YEARS LATER
Tori had been planning the multimedia exhibition for months. This was her night. Five years, she’d climbed the corporate ladder and worked her ass off to get to this point in her career that they would entrust her with such an event.
She glanced at herself in the mirror as she freshened her deep red lipstick and puckered her lips. Her black cocktail dress clung to her curves in all the right spots, and the long silk sleeves with the slits gave it the right amount of elegance mixed with sensuality. She wore her hair back in a low French twist with a few strands of her waves cascading down her face.
She came out of the restroom and scanned the room. She loved the club-like atmosphere with the lights low and the music blaring in the background. It gave a whole new feel to the museum. Her eyes stopped on the devilishly handsome, silver-haired man in the three-piece suit.
Holy shit. It’s a congressman.
She couldn’t believe her eyes. Congressman Donaghue was standing at the bar, ordering a drink. These events tended to draw the younger, less conservative crowd, so to see a congressman there was a bit of a welcomed shock.
“Vic!” Keith tugged at her arm as she walked past him. “Hello? Still remember me?” He waved in her face.
Tori threw her arms around him. “I know. I’m so sorry.” She pulled back and rubbed his shoulders.
“I’ve barely seen you these past few weeks! I get that you’re into work—fantastic job, by the way,” he waved his hand to the room. “Thanks for ditching me this weekend. You missed all that beautiful foliage.”
Tori and Keith took a road trip to Connecticut every year to watch the leaves change, and Keith would snap photographs. This was the first year she bailed on him.
“Sorry, been busy.” Tori darted her gaze over Keith’s shoulder, watching the congressman as he disappeared around a corner. “I always have next year, Keith. It’s not like the leaves won’t come around again.” Tori squeezed his arm and kissed him on the cheek. “I gotta run. Drinks Saturday?”
Keith pursed his lips. “Fine. Go hunt down your prey.” He waived her off.
She walked around for a bit, mingling, keeping her eye out for where Nathaniel disappeared to.
Finally, she spotted him eyeing a piece of sculpture—geometric abstract made of copper on crystalline base—when she walked over and made her move.
“Lovely, isn’t it?” Tori raised her voice over the music. He turned and looked at her with a cocky half grin. His pearly white, plastic smile matched every campaign photo plastered through town.
His eyes raked her up and down. “Why yes, it is lovely.” The eye eye-fucking he was giving her told her he was no longer referring to the sculpture. “Nathaniel Donaghue, Congressman.” He extended a hand.
“Victoria Johnson, one of the masterminds behind this event.” She gave a half bow. “Pleasure to meet you.” She shook his hand and flashed her sultry smile as a waiter came by and offered them champagne. Nathaniel took two glasses and offered her one of them.
“The pleasure is mine.” He grinned, and her knees went a little week. “You’ve done a phenomenal job organizing this event.”
“Thank you. We don’t normally get your kind in here.” God, he was handsome; she truly was hoping to grab herself a congressman tonight. His wavy, silver hair was longer than most men in Congress would wear it but well maintained. His piercing blue eyes could stop traffic, and she adored the hint of salt and pepper scruff on his square jaw. The tailored suit he wore fit his six-foot frame well. If you were to look up silver fox in the dictionary, you’d see his picture smack dab underneath it.
“I hope that’s in reference to my position in congress and not my age.” He gave a charming chuckle as he stared into his drink.
Tori cocked her head to the side and batted her lashes. “Well, of course. Age is just a number. It’s arbitrary.”
They walked along and chatted for a bit, talking about the art, and her flattering him with what little she knew of his politics as the live band played in the background. Tori learned he was recently separated from his wife and single, which meant fair game.
Reel him in, girl. You’ve got this.
She excused herself to mingle with others. Tori worked the room and continued to charm the pants off all the DC elite.
“…and the board of directors will want to meet on Monday to discuss all the financial details to make sure these events are worthwhile…” the v
ice president of the board droned on. “I expected to have had the budget on this prior to all the spending…” Tori had been cornered in a conversation with him for what felt like an eternity. He reeked of cheap scotch and bad cologne, and his suit was a size too small for his stumpy frame. She nodded and pretended to be intrigued with whatever it was he was carrying on about.
He’s too old to even appreciate the combination of the music with the art.
Thinking of someone who was older and could appreciate it, her eyes scoured the room looking for Nathaniel. She finally caught sight of him over in the corner by the bar in a heated conversation with a few other men. The carefree look he had earlier in the evening was gone. She was glad she wasn’t in the business of politics. It never interested her one bit.
She turned her eyes back to the VP. “I’ll have a detailed expense report for the board on Monday. Enjoy the evening.” She patted his thick arm and gave a charming grin as she excused herself from the conversation. She sauntered over to the bar, making certain she caught Nathaniel’s gaze. He broke free of his conversation and headed her direction.
“I see you’re without a drink in your hand.” He grinned. “What would the lady like?”
“Vodka cranberry, please.”
“Yes ma’am,” the bartender said. Nathaniel handed him a large bill and passed Tori her drink.
“You’re the highlight of the party tonight, Victoria.” He leaned his elbow on the bar. “I can hardly get a moment alone with you.”
“Well, you have my attention now.” She took a sip and smiled sweetly. “I’m all yours for the remainder of the evening, if you like.”
He scratched his brow and tilted his head. Tori was direct with her intentions, and it seemed he appreciated that. She grew weary of watching the men try so hard for what she was going to give them anyway. “So, you need to tell me more about this one piece in the exhibit I was eyeing.” He pointed in the direction of a large sculpture.
Tori chuckled inwardly. He seemed like the type of person that would be no more interested in modern art than she would be on foreign policy, but she played the game well. She knew how to pick her targets, and Donaghue, with his reputation and recent separation, wasn’t looking for any type of attachment. He was perfect. She discussed a few more pieces of work with him. She noticed the men from the earlier conversation eyeing him, but Nathaniel seemed to be doing his best to ignore them.
Her director’s heels clicked as she quickly walked over to them in a rush, “Victoria,” she said, “I’m so sorry to interrupt. However, is it possible to get the budget report now?”
She had to be kidding. “I said to Tony I’d have it to him first thing Monday,” she groaned. I’m a curator, not a budget specialist. Tori loved her promotion, but her fancy office came with all kinds of administrative responsibility she despised.
“Yes, he insists that he wants the weekend to pour over it. I’d have you email it to him, but he’s insistent for a printed copy.”
Tori let out a sigh. “Sure. No problem.”
“Thank you, Victoria. You’re the best.”
She turned to Nathaniel. It seemed like every time they got a moment, they were interrupted. “I’m so sorry. I need to run to my office.” She smiled seductively. “You can escort me there, if you like.” She flashed him a no-holds-barred grin and her doe eyes.
“I’d love to.” Nathaniel took two more glasses of champagne and handed one to her. “For the walk?” He offered his arm.
They took the elevator to the fourth floor and strolled along the long, circular hallway.
“It seems like you have trouble separating business from pleasure,” he remarked.
“I could say the same for you,” Tori said, not missing a beat. “I saw you earlier, having a heated discussion on what I can only assume is politics. Seems you also schedule business meetings for after hours.”
“Touché,” he said, raised his glass to her, and took a large gulp. She swiped her key card when they arrived at her office.
“After you.” She held her hand out, letting him in first. She shut the door behind her and leaned against it. She licked her lips and honed her fiery gaze on him. “I guess busy people like you and I have to find whatever time we can to squeeze in pleasure.” She locked the door, making certain nobody would be interrupting them.
He raised his brow and nodded. “I suppose we do.” He crept closer to her, took her glass, and set it on her desk, along with his. “You’re stunning.” He trailed his knuckle down her smooth arm.
“Nathaniel, you don’t need to seduce me. I’m a sure thing. We both know what this has been about tonight.” Tori crushed her lips to his hastily as her fingers tugged at his zipper.
He stopped and came up for air. “I must say, Victoria, you make your intentions quite clear.”
She shrugged. “People sometimes just need to blow off steam.” No reason to make a big deal about it.
She undid the knot in his tie and pulled it off at it as their tongues explored each other. This was it. She’d finally climbed all the way to the top, crossing a congressman off her list.
He lifted the skirt to her dress, and palmed her naked, firm ass. She quickly stripped off his jacket and unbuttoned his shirt, letting it hang loose. She grabbed his cock through his pants and gave it a firm squeeze.
Tori pulled back, chest heaving hard and her body throbbing for him. With her eyes locked on his, she led him over to her desk. She hopped up on the edge and spread her legs open, leaning back, stretching out, inviting him in. She was wearing no underwear and from the look on his face he appreciated that. Her pussy stared back at him, naked, wet, and ready.
“Do you, um, have a…” Nathaniel started to ask.
“I’m on the pill,” Tori breathed, crushing her lips to his. She pulled open the drawer underneath her and brought up a condom between her fingertips, handing it to him with a grin. “Or, I can just blow you and you can come on my tits or ass.” Tori shrugged. “I’m flexible.” His eyes bulged at her filthy mouth.
He grabbed the condom. Obviously, the congressman wasn’t wanting to take any chances.
He fucked her deep, hard, and fast. Tori gripped the desk as he thrust, biting her lip to stifle cries as she climaxed. A few moments later, he erupted in orgasm.
They lay there catching their breath for a moment then began dressing in silence.
Tori walked over to the mirror on her wall, pulled her compact out of her purse, and dabbed her slightly smudged eye makeup and freshened her lipstick.
“Husband, friend, or boyfriend?” Nathaniel nodded to the photo on her desk of her and Scott as he knotted his tie.
“I’m not attached, if that’s what you’re asking.” Scott was nobody’s business but hers, but the thought of him caused a slight tug in her chest. She wondered where in the world he was this week and hoped he was safe.
Nathaniel wrapped his arms around her waist. He kissed the nape of her neck. His silver eyes gleamed back at her in the reflection. “Come home with me. I haven’t got enough of you yet,” he whispered.
“Ok.” She puckered her lips and popped the lipstick in her purse. She could go for round two with him. “But we shouldn’t be seen leaving together.”
His expression was pleased that she understood his need for discretion. “You’re a smart woman.
Nathaniel’s silver sports car that screamed mid-life crisis rolled up to the curb and came to a quick halt. Tori glanced around for prying eyes then quickly opened the door, taking off her jacket and tossing it into the small backseat. She was a little shocked the congressman didn’t have a driver.
Tori’s phone chimed in her purse, and she pulled it out. Text message from Scott Harris. She snorted. Ironic. It was an image, her thumb hovered over to click it.
“You ready?” Nathaniel sounded impatient.
“Yes.” She tossed the phone back in her purse. She’d look at it later. She settled in, buckling her seatbelt.
He glanced in his r
earview mirror and sped away from the curb so fast her body jolted backwards. She let out an annoyed grunt. He looked at her, smiling strangely, rubbing his hand up her inner thigh as he took the corner like he was on rails.
Tori’s heart thumped as he weaved in and out of the traffic. She flashed a nervous grin and shifted, double-checking her seatbelt. If he was trying to impress her, he was going about it all wrong.
He adjusted his mirror and sped faster as he rounded Connecticut, nearly running a red light. How much had he drunk? She swallowed hard, gripping to her seat as her knuckles went white.
“We have all night, Nathaniel. No need to rush.” Tori placed her shaky hand on his thigh.
He didn’t acknowledge her at all. His eyes narrowed on the road in front of him, his palms gripping tightly to the steering wheel. He glanced in the rearview and pressed harder on the gas.
She gasped and struggled to find the air to scream for him to let her out, but it was too late.
I’m going to die.
The last thing Tori saw as he ran the red light was two headlights shattering through the window behind his shadowy frame.
Tori floated in a dreamy abyss. There was no pain, no fear, just peace. She wasn’t sure if she was alive, dead, or somewhere in between.
In the distance, someone called to her. Victoria. It was a voice she hadn’t heard in years. It was so soothing to her ears, and she longed to hear more. “Daddy…” she whimpered.
Then there was a sound like wind rushing through a tunnel. Strange hands grabbed her body, holding her down, pulling her away from the voice. Gasoline and burnt rubber filled her nostrils, and a copper taste seeped into her mouth. Pain ripped through her head. She wanted to drift again. She wanted to go back to that place of peace.
Finally, the agony went to a dull throb, then there was nothing. Just darkness.
In the distance, a beeping sound came into focus, then it was gone, and it was silent again.
Chasing Fire: (Fire and Fury Book One) Page 11