The hotel bar was filled with Hargrove supporters, eager and very hungry young men and women, praying for an opportunity to work with the rising star. Caroline's look of disdain as we walked through added to her haughty attitude. The fact she ignored everyone as she paraded through the crowded space, heading directly for the bar, wasn't surprising.
I adored the nervous tic on the corner of her mouth, the pulse thumping in the side of her neck. She was attracted, every gesture was provocative in nature, even her laugh meant for seduction.
After being seated, the drinks in front of us, she continued to hesitate before speaking.
For this, I had limited patience.
"My father believes he can handle the office of the presidency better than anyone who has come before him, and his followers believe it," Caroline snarked. "Unfortunately, they don't know him very well." I noticed a hint of sadness in her voice, but it was quickly replaced by a shake of her head and a nasty glare at the television. The candidacy announcement had been replayed several times, the entire bar clapping and cheering as if his statement had never been heard before.
"Everyone has secrets hidden deep within the darkest portions of their soul, Caroline, and the majority of them would shock the faint of heart."
She didn't seem taken aback in any manner, her well-manicured nail continuing to rim her wineglass. After dipping her finger just inside, she brushed the tip across the seam of her mouth, darting her tongue to catch the single bead. "I suppose you're right. As my father would say, people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."
"A very true statement. Within our corrupt political system, there are far too many people hiding behind a mask they believe made of steel. Even forged metal has a way of unraveling, exposing every human frailty."
"Should I assume this is said from experience or your obvious disdain with our country's government system?" She swiveled the barstool, crossing and re-crossing her legs.
The scent of her feminine wiles was overwhelming.
"I'm experienced with many aspects of politics both in business and in pleasure, Caroline. Just like there is a fine line between love and hate in a relationship, there is also a microscopic line between integrity and dishonesty."
"You talk in riddles and mysteries, Dominick. While I realize the majority of women would find this intriguing, perhaps even sexy, I'm not most women." She purposely turned away from me, her expression one of absolute boredom.
Her statement infuriated me in several ways. She was ceremoniously dismissing me. The evening had been concluded and sweet Caroline could never understand that her father had made a deal with the devil. When it came time to collect, she would quickly learn her place as well as the required manners. No woman ever talked to me in this manner. I'd had women push me away before, pretending they had no interest, but their bodies had always betrayed them.
I pushed away my drink and stood, adjusting the lapels on my jacket. Leaning over, I whispered in her ear, "You and I will meet again and when we do, you'll soon learn that I'm also not the kind of man you're used to experiencing. Have a good night, Caroline." I took long strides through the crowd, reaching the hallway. The slight sound of her stiletto heels hitting the cool tile floor was like music to my ears.
Then I felt a hand on my arm, a slight tug.
"How dare you just walk away from me," she hissed. "No man ever walks away from me."
Within three seconds, I pushed her just inside a shadowed hallway and against the wall, yanking both arms over her head. I captured her wrists with one hand as I crushed my chest against hers.
She issued a single moan, pursing her lips as she struggled.
"And no woman will ever talk to me that way. There is a hierarchy between men and women and for the lovely ladies who have no understanding of following rules, there is discipline. You will learn that very quickly. In life there is extreme pleasure. There is also an equal amount of pain. It's up to you which you'll receive. You deserve punishment for your caustic mouth and your aggressive actions." My breathing ragged, I lowered my head until our lips were almost touching.
"You. Wouldn't. Dare."
I chuckled darkly, blowing a swath of hot air across her neck, easing up until I was able to nip her earlobe. Every part of me wanted nothing more than to st*rip away her clothing, exposing every delicious aspect of her n@ked body before turning her over my knee. She would feel the sting of my hand, the l@sh of my belt.
And she would beg for more.
Her cries of complaint quickly turned into mo@ns of de*sire, her body undulating against mine. The hunger I felt for her was savage, unbridled in the most dangerous fashion. "Don't tempt me, Caroline. I am a man of action. Something for you to remember."
I captured her mouth, thrusting my tongue inside. The t@ste of her was the sweetest nectar of the gods, filling my mouth just as her exotic perfume unleashed the beast from deep within.
Rigid at first, her body betrayed her, responding to mine, completely uninhibited. She shifted her h*ips back and forth, grind*ing against me, no longer struggling to regain what she believed to be the ultimate power.
She had no power with me.
She had no rights with me.
My desire had no bounds and the way she accepted my kiss, succumbing to my will as if she had none of her own was more tantalizing than I could remember. Time stood still, no sight or sound interfering. I could easily take her...
Caroline moaned into the kiss, her leg trembling against mine.
She craved brutal passion.
She yearned for a firm hand.
She would yield for absolute domination.
The second I leaned back, she attempted to strike me, unleashing the beast from his cage. I dragged her into the men's bathroom, tossing her over the edge of the sink.
Gasping, she kicked out, wrenching her body in an effort to get away.
"I warned you not to tempt me. Your unruly behavior will never be tolerated."
"Fu*ck. You! You don't own me. Who do you think you are?"
I curtailed my anger, knowing that she needed a lesson in self-control as well as a taste of the man she was going to spend the rest of her life with.
I didn't speak as I pep*pered her @ss with hard spanks, moving from one side to the other...
"Let me go, you asshole!" she wailed, slapping her hand against the glass.
I snarled, glancing at our combined reflection. The shame in her eyes was breathtaking, the light of fire from burning desire even more so. What surprised me was the look in my eyes.
Savage. Heartless.
The warmth on my hand was invigor@ting. I gave her several more brut@l sp@nks, keeping my rhythm almost perfect. Her breathing turned into heavy p@nts, the wild look in her eyes the most powerful @phrodisiac I'd experienced in a long time. I knew she was excited as well as humiliated, the combination incredible. I was overwhelmed by the need to control her, to take her.
Use her.
When her bo*ttom was covered in a warm blush, I stopped short, pulling her up and against me. "One lesson learned. I hope there won't be another."
But there would be. She would challenge every mandate, every command given.
One day, she would learn.
My directive was clear and everything about her world as well as mine was about to change. There was no turning back.
Claim my prize.
Capture her heart.
Crush my enemy.
Soon...