Page 52 of Power Games

"I'm saying you need to get used to me. My touching you and looking at you as if you were the only woman in the world, if you want to sell your story."

She nodded. Charles took his time, slowly running his thumb against her lower lip. She gasped, opening her mouth a little. Part of him wanted to bend forward and capture it under his. Instead, he got to his feet again and circled her chair.

Her dress had a zipper. He started to undo it, and her head turned to watch him, her eyes half fear, half anticipation. He stopped when he'd reached under her shoulder blades, and placed his hand on her shoulders. His thumbs ran down her spine, and then pressed hard into her back. He went up and down, following the elegant line of her neck, making small circles. A moan escaped her lips, and she shifted on her seat.

"You're good at this." She sounded breathless. Charles worked her shoulders, and then lowered his hands around her middle, his fingers almost touching the curve of her breast. His thumbs pressed under the shoulder blades, eliminating whatever tension he found. Another moan. She kept her mouth closed for that one, making it sound infinitely more sensual.

Charles laughed softly. This had been meant to be a lesson to her. He'd wanted to let her know that she wasn't in charge, that her scheming and machinations didn't grant her power over him. He might do as she pleased when he wished, but he could take back control any time.

But he wasn't in control right now, not even close. His hands were practically shaking. He wanted nothing more than to bend her over his desk and pound into her from behind until he spilled himself inside her. He bit his lip. The only thing that allowed him to control his need to feel more of her right now was a certitude: she'd be his. Soon, she would belong to him.

"Six weeks," he repeated again, leisurely pulling the zipper of her dress back up. "And then?"

She cleared her throat. "Well, it's all in the air. As I said, we'll see how people act, and we can react appropriately. But in theory, I'll go back to LA, release a new song—something romantic, I guess. Better get started on that." Her laugh was awkward. He'd made her lose her cool. Comforting. If only he hadn't lost his at the same time.

"Meanwhile, you concentrate on Jacobs; I'm sure you'll have plenty to do. Then you can come see me sing. Marina will stage a very public reunion—"

"How long?" He reformulated his sentence, walking back to his chair. "How long are you going to stay there?"

He put his elbows on his armrest and crossed his fingers under his chin.

"A few months."

Charles lifted a brow.

"We both have work to do," she said. "And you're a widower."

Shit. His dick, that had been pressing into his pants since the moment he touched her back, deflated. He'd certainly needed that reminder.

"The public will appreciate a reasonable break. We can schedule a reunion close to the time you announce you're running for president."

It made sense. "Starting it with a bang. Very well. You're far better at this game than I, so as long as Aiden approves, we'll play it your way. But I need you to understand something right now, Vanessa. Understand it or walk away."

She had a cute wrinkle between her brows, and her attention was solely focused on him.

"This isn't going to be politics, you and I. You want my name and my position. It comes with me. Your husband in every sense of the term. I've tried a casual marriage. It wasn't for me. If you are determined to see this through, you're agreeing to wear my ring, fuck my cock, and mine only."

He'd practically growled ‘mine.’

He didn't think she could surprise him now, after seeing her in such a different light. He thought he understood her by now. Vanessa had never lied to him or hidden her true nature. She was both the bubbly, flirty, teasing woman he'd grown to know these last few years and the conniving player her parents had raised. He'd loved the first. He reluctantly admired the second.

He'd never seen the third until now.

She got to her feet and came to stand right above him, before bending forward. One of her arms went around his head and she curled his hair around her index.

Her breath was fire on the sensitive skin of his cheek.

"This goes both ways, Charles. In that case, you're alsomine."

Her lips closed around his earlobe. She nibbled at it. Charles understood only then how screwed he really was.

* * *

Vanessa pulled awayafter biting his ear. The way Charles looked at her, with utter confusion, was downright hilarious. It was her turn to lean on the desk now, crossing her legs, with a self-satisfied expression on her face.

Oh, he was good. He'd seen her taking control, and he'd claimed it back. She didn't mind, not really. Especially since he was definitely gifted with his hands. But she needed him to understand that this thing went both ways.

She explained her point of view. He needed to know her history if this was supposed to work.

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