9781631054631ChoiceAffairsSalisbury Page 16

  I buried my face against her shoulder, plunging hard and deep. “My God, baby. Feel how deep I am inside you. I’ve never had a woman make me so hard.”

  As I swiveled my hips to pleasure her, she made small noises of need. My mouth covered hers. I was desperate for her, desperate to come, as was she. As an orgasm came to the edge, I placed one hand under her hip, cupping her ass, lifting her into my thrust. My cock stroked the spot inside her that ached for me.

  “I want you to come for me, baby,” I ordered. “Now.”

  And she did. She climaxed so hard she sobbed. I held her tightly, my hips pumping into her as I came too. “Caitlyn!”

  We lay afterwards, clinging to each other tightly, mouths sliding over faces, throats, soothing. My entire body was alive with sensations I’d never felt before.

  “Oh, my God,” I finally whispered. “That was fucking incredible. Incredible.”

  She giggled, hugging me. With a soft kiss, I sat up. “We’ll shower then go eat. I have something special picked out. After that, we’ll see…” I winked at her, her face still full of the lust I’d seen moments earlier. I glanced down at my cock as I stood up. I was still in a state of arousal.

  Leave it to everyday, real life matters to bring that to a grinding halt. Caitlyn’s best friend, Izzie, is here visiting for a long weekend. My sweet wife was sure Izzie was moving to the area. The two had talked about it ever since I took the job as senator. They had planned that Izzie would find a new position and place to live. And Caitlyn would have someone familiar around besides me.

  However, that was not to be. Izzie, it seems, has taken a new job in Houston. A management position. Something she’s been working toward for years. And now, Caitlyn is at odds with the news. Though wanting to be happy for her best friend, she’s also quite sad. It’s made Caitlyn a tad bit on the snarky side, as well. I’m hoping she’ll work through it while Izzie’s here so they can enjoy each other to the fullest.

  Of course, I’m on Izzie’s bad list, as I’ve had Jacob send Bo off on another assignment and away from us. Seems Izzie’s got a thing for Bo. Supposedly, he returns the sentiment. Or does he? Could it simply be a way to find out inside information as our mole? Time will tell.

  Note to self—speak with Jacob about why Susan has suddenly gotten quiet. Does she realize she’s embarrassed herself with the phony pregnancy story, or are she and Delpheine up to more mischief?

  Chapter Twelve

  When Apolo suggested we take a long weekend and go to the house in the Hampton’s, I jumped at the chance. Everything was beginning to break, and I knew we wouldn’t have a snowballs chance in hell of even leaving the house in Washington without the media being staked outside now.

  Not that I should think the Hamptons would be any different. Except that it was late autumn, so most of the tourists were gone. That and the fact that Apolo was really good at fooling the press.

  Everything with my brother, his brother, and Don Turner was coming to a screeching halt. The forensic accountant had found enough evidence, but that wasn’t good enough for Apolo. He wanted no chance of the three getting off the hook for their misdeeds.

  Misdeeds indeed! Trying to rob Apolo? What were they thinking? They were unable to succeed at hacking into the financial area they wanted, so he made it easier for them. He almost led them into a small account he kept for day to day operations. Small? Well, five hundred thousand dollars to Apolo is chump change. Once the forensic account caught Tom tapping the funds, the feds closed in.

  The three had been arrested on numerous charges, the media was having a hay day, and Apolo wanted no part of the frenzy. Neither did I.

  We’d packed for a cool weekend. Jacob escorted us down the freight elevator to the parking garage where he put us in his own personal car and took us to a private airport in nearby Virginia where the plane waited. This time, the aircraft landed on Long Island, and we were met by one of Apolo’s staff that lived on the grounds.

  I was getting used to all the cloak and dagger stuff by now. Not that I liked it, but sometimes, especially in a situation like this, well, you gotta do what you gotta do to get some privacy. And we were both in desperate need of some alone time away.

  Apolo had been quiet the majority of the trip, trying to tie up loose ends. The idea that someone, people he knew and trusted, had actually succeeded in infiltrating his company had him unsettled. He’d always prided himself on having the best of everything. Until my brother came along and showed him that the best and most advanced was not necessarily that. I was determined we were going to put that behind us for a few days.

  As much as Apolo Choice would allow, that is.

  Kicking off my shoes the minute we walked into the house, I watched as our bags were taken to the bedroom upstairs. I ambled to the kitchen and found a note from the housekeeper, who also doubled as a cook. She’d left a pan of lasagna and a salad. All ready for us to have dinner.

  Smart woman had also picked out a bottle of wine. I uncorked it and was about to pour two glasses when Apolo appeared. “I take it we don’t have to worry about dinner this evening?”

  “No,” I replied, waving the message. “Lasagna and all the trimmings. If you’re getting hungry, I can get it ready.”

  “Let’s wait a while. I will, however, take a glass of wine.”

  “That I can do. Then, I’m going to go change into something more comfortable. Care to join me?”

  He shook his head, taking me in his arms. “Perhaps later. I need to decompress for a while.” He kissed the top of my head. He really was consumed by all of this if he was shelving sex for the moment.

  “Okay,” I replied, breaking free of his embrace and pouring the wine. “But at least come change your clothes.”

  “In a minute. Let’s sit down and relax before we do.”

  I handed him a glass. I picked up the second and followed him out of the kitchen and into the living room. He sat down on one of the leather sofas facing the water and put his feet up on the coffee table in front of him. I sat next to him, and for a few minutes said nothing, just sat enjoying the tranquility.

  “This was an excellent idea, sweetie.” I finally spoke up, patting his leg. “It’s amazing how much more serene it is here than at home.”

  “Yes, it is that.”

  “So, what’s on your mind, Choice? Besides the obvious.”

  “Isn’t that enough?” he replied, glancing at me with a hint of a smile.

  “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I know it’s tough. They’re our siblings, for God’s sake. Our greedy siblings. It doesn’t make you any less of a man.”

  “I never said it did.”

  “Ah, but your body says otherwise. You’re quiet. You’re internalizing. Not the cocky, successful, rich husband I’ve come to know and love.”

  He said nothing for a few seconds. “But you know, Caitlyn, I’ve never had the opportunity to be anything other than that. For once in my life, I want to turn that all off. Make it go away, if only for a day or two.”

  “So, what’s stopping you?”

  “Me. I’m not sure I know how to shut it all down. I fall a little short when it comes to that. My internal clock won’t allow it.”

  “Well, everything is out of your hands. You told them if they needed to reach you for anything to contact Jacob, right?”

  “That’s right.”

  “Then, I suggest you hand me your phone.” He gave me a mock horrified look. “I’ll let you have it once a day. That’s it. The rest of the time is ours.”

  “Fair enough. I need some quiet time with just you.”

  “And that’s what you’ll get.”

  “You know, I’ve got to figure something out to divert attention away from all the negative stuff going on.”

  “I thought your public relations guys were on it.”

  “They are, but, well, I was thinking about that foundation idea you mentioned.”

  “Which one?” I asked coyly. I knew the one. D
isabled persons. Not just veterans. All people.

  “You know damn good and well which one I’m talking about, Mrs. Choice.”

  “Well, we can discuss it. Just not tonight. I think tonight we need to be completely lazy. I’ll get dinner started in a few minutes. Then, afterward, we can take a walk on the beach, if it isn’t too cold. If it is, we could start a fire perhaps, watch a movie or something.”

  “Sounds like an evening made in heaven, wife.”

  * * * *

  The weekend was exactly what it was intended for—rest and relaxation. I stuck to my guns when it came to Apolo having a phone. He got it the one time daily, and that was it. I mean, what’s the big deal, it was only two days?

  The late fall weather, however, kept us off the beach and in the house. The winds had picked up, making it the perfect time for a fire in the fireplace. One or both. I say both because the master bedroom also had one. And the weather was perfect for snuggling in bed. No need to leave the house.

  Saturday afternoon we were staked out in front of the fire, drinking wine, while Apolo attempted to show me how to play poker. Actually, I was catching on far more than I let him know.

  “It’s not that hard a game to learn, Caiti. You just have to be able to read your opponents’ faces and know how to play your cards.”

  “So, you’ve said,” I replied. I desperately tried not to crack a smile. I wasn’t good at playing with a poker face. Apolo would have me figured out in mere seconds. If he hadn’t already.

  “On another matter,” he began, putting his cards down on the rug and picking up his glass of Merlot. “I’ve been giving that idea of yours about a foundation some thought. I think it would be an excellent way to divert attention away from all this other crap. Not that I don’t think it’s a worthy cause or idea. I do.”

  “Well, that’s what you said last evening.”

  “Do you have anyone in mind, besides me, to help you run it?”

  “Run it? Apolo, I have no idea about running a foundation.”

  “I’m sure it won’t take you anytime at all to learn the ropes. What I think we need to do is begin a search for someone to head it once it gets started.”

  “Excellent idea. As much as I want to be part of it, I don’t want to be involved in the day to day operations. I think my time could be better used elsewhere.”

  “As do I. We’ll mull it over some more. Perhaps we can sit down and make notes for some sort of business plan. Organization too.”

  “I think it would be a smart thing if we hired a disabled vet and perhaps a civilian to have on staff. It’s one thing if you’re the head, with your own disability. It’s quite another not to have anyone else on staff that does.”

  “Quite true. It certainly would send the wrong message.”

  “It would.”

  “What about that young man you spoke with at Walter Reed?”

  “Which one, sweetie? I met quite a few that afternoon.”

  “The one who asked you if we planned to start a foundation.”

  “I don’t know. I suppose I could, or better still you could, find out about him. From what I recall, he’d gotten some commendations for his actions. He was going to take a desk job until his enlistment was up.”

  “Okay, we’ll add him to our list when we start making notes. I really have a good feeling about this.”

  “Who knows? Perhaps Choice Enterprises will become a role model or something.”

  “Perhaps. Let’s not get too enthusiastic. One project at a time,” he replied smugly, eyeing me over his glass of wine. From the look in his eyes, I knew where this was going.

  The sound of the doorbell broke the spell.

  “Really?” I said. “Who knows we’re here outside of Jacob?”

  “No one. No one can gain entrance onto the property, so it must be Jacob. He wouldn’t bother us unless it was something important.” He started to get up off the floor and head toward the front door.

  “Invite him in, Apolo. It’s getting a little too cold to be meeting outside out of my earshot.”

  “I will, I will,” he replied, raising one hand. He knew I was perturbed, but he also knew I understood it had to be important for Jacob to interrupt us. Well, we had not had the television or computers on. And I’d only allowed him his phone once so far. Taking a long drink of wine, I found a sofa to park myself on.

  The two men walked my way. Jacob’s face was one of humor. Apolo’s? Not so much. He had that dark, I’ll-chew-you-up-and-spit-you-out, look. It wasn’t hard to guess who had brought it on. Mother. “So, what’s she up to now, Jacob?”

  “Who?” he coyly replied.

  “My mother, that’s who. I know Apolo well enough to know when I see that expression on him it means my mother’s up to something.”

  “Do you care to guess, or do you want me to come right out and tell you what Jacob just told me?”

  “Oh, let me guess. I want to see you squirm until I get it right.”

  “I don’t think that would be a good idea, ma’am.”

  I glanced from one man to the other, trying to figure what was going on. “She’s alright, isn’t she?”

  “Yes, it’s nothing that dire.”

  “Then, what has she done?”

  “It seems your mother has posted bail for your brother. He’s now out and roaming the streets,” Apolo said, grimly.

  “How?” I sat, stunned at such news. “How did she get ahold of that sort of money? I thought the reason his bail was set so high was a means to keep him behind bars.”

  “The same man who’s been seeing to your mother’s expenses,” Jacob replied.

  “Let me guess—Tom is free, and now she’s feeding to the media how Tom is completely innocent of the charges. Am I close? Oh, and she’s now turned Apolo into the bad guy. All to play into this man who’s what, her lover, or sugar daddy, or a ruthless man with a bone to pick with Apolo, using my mother to get to him.”

  Jacob turned to Apolo, a grin on his face. “The lady is quite astute when it comes to her mother. No beating around the bush on this subject.”

  “No, I think both of us have had enough of her mother’s antics to last a lifetime, Jacob.”

  “So, I’m right?”

  “Yes, right on the money,” Apolo retorted, darkly. “The woman never ceases to amaze me. It’s not about loyalty with her. It’s where she can get the most attention.”

  “Don’t forget the money,” I quipped.

  “Ah yes, the money. I imagine she’s anxiously awaiting my reply?” Apolo asked his trusted security man.

  “Yes, but I think the two of you ought to ignore her and enjoy your time away. She’ll be there when you get back.”

  “Yes, she will, and I’m sure she’s called both our cells a million times by now,” I added, picking up my wine and finishing it off.

  “Jacob’s right. I think the best move is to do nothing. She wants me to make a statement. Anything to allow her to say something more. I’ll not give her the pleasure.”

  “Good,” Jacob beamed. “Unless something major develops with this situation, I’ll leave the two of you. Keep off your cell phones, too. Don’t feed into her. Like Apolo said, that’s what she wants.”

  * * * *

  Apolo

  No matter what I do, I can’t seem to get away from that maddening woman. Caitlyn and I try to go off for a weekend, just the two of us. No phones, no internet. I promised her. Just us. Jokingly, I agreed, handing over my phone.

  We’ve had a marvelous time. In spite of the breezy, cold weather, we’ve managed to hole up inside and relax.

  Unfortunately for us, Jacob unintentionally ruined the fun with the news that Susan had bailed her son out of federal lock up. I had left him with instructions that we were not to be interrupted unless it was earth-shattering. The Susan circus starts once again, complete with her own sordid cast of characters.

  I’ve been such a shmuck to Caitlyn as well, I hadn’t realized just how draining all the l
ast few weeks had been. Put me in front of a roaring fire with a glass of wine, and I’ll surely fall asleep on you. Something I never usually do. This weekend? It’s all about the z’s.

  But all was not lost. The sight of her soaking in the huge tub in the master bathroom almost did me in.

  My breathtaking, redheaded, green-eyed temptress seemed to be up to no good. Laying in that bath, acting so innocently. I watched in fascination and hunger as the large sponge glided from her toes to her knees. I felt myself wanting her.

  “Apolo, will you please wash my back? It’s hard to reach, and I don’t seem to have a back brush here.” She lifted the loofa in my direction.

  I looked down at her, and she back up at me, as though we were frozen in time.

  Before I knew what was happening, I was across the room, her hungry gaze for me absorbing my senses. Smiling, I leaned down and took the sponge from her long, slender fingers.

  I drank her in, gazing at her from her face, to her throat, to her breasts, down to the apex of her thighs. She had one leg bent, tempting me, luring me. I squeezed the water out of the scrubber, holding it high, so the water fell back into the tub. I moved behind her and brushed my hand over the nape of her neck, moving her ginger tresses over her ear. Then, she leaned forward and bowed her head.

  She lay her cheek on her knees and smiled as I gently washed her back. The water was warm and flowing down her delicate spine. I rested one hand on the edge of the tub.

  It was then that she leaned forward and kissed my fingers, slowly, erotically, taking each one into her mouth and sucking. She was so naughty.

  I lifted my hand away, but just so I could wrap my arms around her from behind. I pulled her back into my embrace, ignoring how much water went where. Out of the tub, onto my clothing—it did not matter. I slid my hands across her slick skin to cup her breasts. As I did, she closed her eyelids and moaned. My fingers caressed her nipples into hot points. I kissed her neck as I did, wanting to inhale every moment.