"I’m not in the mood for games," I said, though her fingers were already releasing me. I draped my towel over the side.
"Your career is impressive, Megan. I followed your work closely because of your father. It felt like every time I was around, you weren't, or perhaps he just didn't see a reason to introduce us."
I felt the same way, though I’d never admit it to her. She smiled to herself and shook her head.
"He probably didn't want his daughter anywhere near someone who represented his greatest fears," I sighed, grabbing my water bottle again.
"Yeah. He always acted like you were immaculate." She looked at me intently. I wanted to laugh, but I just took a deep breath. "When I saw your name on that Wilmington lawsuit, it was like seeing you for the first time. And wow... you are< really more beautiful than before, Megan."
I stepped back onto the treadmill and started a slow walk, giving her my full attention now.
"So, you chose a gift and then 'coincidentally' found me at the only party meeting I’ve attended all year?"
"The gift was a choice, yes. But I wasn't actually planning on coming to this meeting. I’ve already done three this year. Then Donald mentioned you’d be there. I cleared my schedule."
"And now that you’re here... you want to...?" I pointed a finger at her, waiting for the confession.
"Ask you out. To dinner. I want you, Megan." She ran a hand through her sweat-dampened blonde hair, pushing it back from her face. "And last night... I can’t get it out of my head."
"What exactly?" I paused the treadmill again and arched an eyebrow.
"You. The slit in that dress. The way your back looked." She stepped closer to my machine, her voice dropping to a low murmur. "I know you liked what you saw in the bathroom."
I kept my expression carefully neutral, refusing to let my emotions betray me. "The slit in my dress... you were paying close attention."
"I was," she whispered, her fingers grazing mine as if by accident. "More than I’d like to admit."
"Then explain the relationship between your 'companion' and the Senator she was eye-witnessing at the bar while we were talking," I countered, taking a deliberate sip of water and letting a few drops fall onto my shirt.
"I really shouldn't be explaining political strategy in a hotel gym."
"Explain it, and I’ll accept the breakfast invite."
She smiled, looking like she’d just won a bet. "Frank is a good Senator and a decent man. He’s single because his fiancée left him for her doctor during a COVID stint. I need him to help release some iron mining permits."
"And you were going to introduce him to your 'girlfriend'?"
"That was the plan, but he was faster. He went after her himself. I’ll admit, I asked my assistant to find an escort who matched his specific 'type.'"
"You thought of everything," I remarked. "Does that include everything you've planned for me?"
"First, let's clear the air so there's no 'communication noise.' My agreement with her had nothing to do with him directly. The goal was to introduce them, let them hit it off, and eventually have me at his family dinners. But they decided to start making out in the corners of the ballroom. So, I decided to punish her."
I almost laughed at the idea of "punishment" being sex in a public restroom. If only all punishments were that severe.
"Punish? Seriously?" I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms over my chest.
"Like me, she’s a practitioner. Our contract included pleasure deprivation as a penalty for stepping out of line." She shrugged, her tone as casual as if she were discussing the weather. "I suppose the 'Princess of the Judiciary' never imagined anything like that."
"Don't be petulant, Kelsey. I studied BDSM for a case a few years back. I just didn't realize you were a practitioner. Then again, a month ago, I didn't realize anything about you." I gripped the sides of the treadmill and stared her down.
"That means I’ve managed to invade your thoughts," she said with an ironic smile. "And sorry about the 'Princess' comment. I didn't mean to be offensive."
"It was mocking. And I need to finish my run." I clicked the treadmill back on.
"Regarding you... I only planned as far as the necklace," she said, her eyes meeting mine while I walked. "The rest was just luck."
"Luck?" Our eyes meet without me stopping.
