Ready or Not (Ready #4)(55)

Crawling onto the bed and baring my ass in all its glory, I went on all fours. The bed dipped behind me as strong hands slid up my thighs and wrapped firmly around my hip.

His body bent forward, and his warm breath caressed my ear as he whispered, “Seeing you touch yourself like that, knowing you were thinking of me while you did it…I couldn’t stay away. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to stay away Liv.”

His words halted as his body slammed into mine.

“Oh f*ck!” I cried out, pushing back against him.

Over and over, he plunged into my slick body, sending me deeper into ecstasy. My legs shook, and my arms trembled as sweat dripped down my face. It was primal, dirty, and downright beautiful.

My body started to spasm as he let out a guttural moan while moving faster and harder. We came together, our bodies detonating like two exploding stars. Unable to stay upright a second longer, we both collapsed onto the bed, curled in each other’s arms. I could hear the rapid rhythm of his heart beating against my back as he kissed my shoulder.

“Stress level better?” he asked softly.

“Much.”

“Good, ’cause we’re running late now.”

I looked over at the clock and saw it was now twenty minutes from the time we were supposed to be at the restaurant.

“Shit!” I jumped out of bed, stark-naked, with my just-f*cked hair sticking out in every direction.

“If it helps at all, you should wear the purple dress right there,” he said, pointing to a simple wrap dress. “I always like you in purple,” he confessed sweetly.

His naked body was draped across my bed, doing all sorts of crazy things to my frazzled brain.

“You, out,” I commanded, pointing to the door.

He laughed, standing proudly, without an ounce of shame.

With a body like that, who needs shame?

Focus, Liv.

“I can’t think with all that yummy nakedness around. Go get dressed, and be back here in ten minutes!”

“Yes, ma’am,” he answered, playing up his Carolina boy accent.

He peeked out the window as he was pulling up his jeans. “Looks like Leah is here to pick up Noah. I’d better run out and say good-bye to him. Wish I had a shirt.” He shrugged and then quickly kissed me on the cheek. “Oh, and if it ever comes up, you’re afraid of spiders.”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Spiders?”

“I might have mentioned something to Noah about you being afraid of spiders and needing someone to kill one for you before I ran out of the house as if a fire were chasing me.”

Before I had a chance to answer, he slapped my bare ass and gave me a parting wink.

I shook my head, covering a giggle, as I moved to the closet to get dressed.

I stopped as it all came back—dinner, parents…olive branch.

My phone rang, and it was Jackson again.

I glanced up at the window across from me, but he wasn’t there.

“Hello?”

“Purple dress, remember?”

“How did you—” I began to ask.

“I just did. Take a deep breath. It’s going to be okay.”

Nodding, I let in a long gulp of air and allowed it to fill my lungs.

No matter what happened tonight, I knew that everything would be just fine as long as Jackson was there to hold my hand.

~Jackson~

The restaurant was exactly the type of place I’d expected a Senator and his wife to dine. Upscale and refined, it was known for its exclusive menu and world-class chef. It was also impossibly hard to get into—unless, of course, one had money.

It was rumored that Douglas Prescott’s wealth was grossly exaggerated. Having been in several confidential meetings with him now, I knew this to be fairly inaccurate. The man was loaded. But wealthy politicians didn’t go over well in an economy where jobs were scarce and prices were sky-high. Even a rich Republican had to do his best to connect with the regular folk, and that was exactly what the good old Senator from Virginia was trying to do.

My opinion on the man was still on the fence, and most of it hinged on how he behaved tonight.

He could wine and dine the American people until he was blue in the face. What he did with his campaign was his business.

What he did with Liv, however, was my business.

I didn’t care that his account meant more to my boss than life itself. I would do whatever was necessary to protect what was mine—even if it meant leaving the position I’d come here for.

I had no idea what to expect as Liv’s hand slipped in mine, and we walked through the double doors of the restaurant.

Would her father be rigid and formal? Or would he break down at the mere sight of his little girl? Would he feel betrayed at the sight of me by her side wondering if I’d known who he was this entire time and never told him anything about Liv?

Honestly, I didn’t give a f*ck what he thought of me, but I did care how he treated Liv, and I didn’t want my professional involvement to affect that.

After quickly checking in with the maître d’, we were escorted to a cozy table near the back of the restaurant.

So, the old man had requested privacy for this little reunion?

I wasn’t exactly sure how I felt about that.

I squeezed Liv’s hand, quickly grabbing her attention. “You ready for this? We could still turn around.” I winked.