Up For Debate (Love and Desire Book 1) Page 9

  “Wow.” I want to undress him. I want to see the slacks hanging low on his hips with his shirt off. My mouth hangs open.

  “That good, huh?” he smugly replies. I stand and move toward him. “Now it’s my turn to be wowed. Your ass looks incredible in this.” I bite my lip to hold back a smile and he moves closer to me. “Fuck, am I lucky to get to come home and have you.”

  “You can have me all night if we just got a hotel room,” I remind him, tauntingly. The desire has not waned over the years. I still want him to want me the way I desire him.

  “Have you ever heard of the song ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’ by the Rolling Stones?” He sings the title as he says it and I laugh at him. As long as I’ve known Reece, he has always worked song titles and lyrics into the way he flirts with me. He can’t carry a tune but it’s equally romantic and annoying as shit.

  “Have you heard the song ‘Ain’t too proud to beg’ by TLC?”

  His grin stretches across his face.

  “Get downstairs or we’ll be late. I’ll have you singing my name tonight when we get home.”

  “Maybe by then I’ll be singing MC Hammer, ‘Can’t Touch This.’”

  “Please, I always know how to get you in the mood.”

  ~

  Thankfully we drive separately from Reece’s parents to Lawson’s announcement and I watch from afar as Reece stands with his entire family behind Lawson as he greets the attending guests. There are news reporters and cameras everywhere, each vying for a moment of Lawson’s attention for a one-on-one quote. The journalists that have given up on that have moved onto his family hoping to get a statement viable for their article. William also has quite a bit of media attention, I assume they are all hoping to see a proud father watching his son follow in his footsteps. Lawson turned thirty last September, barely meeting the senatorial age requirement, and would be the youngest senator in South Carolina history should he win. Even if Lawson lost this race, he had plenty of time to lead the state or even the nation. He went after what he wanted, and he wouldn’t stop until he got it.

  I see a familiar face and march over to the suit blending in with the others.

  “Hey stranger,” I say, bumping my shoulder with his.

  “Farah! It’s good to see your beautiful fucking face. I’ve missed it,” he says genuinely.

  “I’ve missed you too, Grant. How’s the lawyer life?”

  “It’s good, it’s good.”

  At seven, Lawson finally made his way to the podium and the media flittered about in front of him. Reece and his parents sat off to the side of the small stage. I lingered in the back next to the punch and cake where a few other ‘tagalongs’ were clearly sitting. I took a seat next to a woman who looked a bit younger than me, which I found rare as most the attendees were either media or older politicians.

  “Hi, I’m Farah. You look as dreadfully bored to be here as I feel.” I extend the hand not holding my punch to shake her hand. A warm smile comes across her face and I instantly feel the small bond connect us.

  “Hi, Farah. I’m so sorry, I didn’t realize my face was that easy to read. I’m Kayla.” She reaches her own hand out to shake mine. “I’m just here for a friend, this isn’t really my scene.” She seems a bit nervous, but nonetheless very beautiful and blonde.

  “Yes, well it’s not mine either, at least not anymore, but hey at least there’s cake.” I point to the cake already half-eaten.

  “Oh, don’t remind me. I think I’m the one who ate all of that already. I had three pieces while they interviewed Lawson.” She laughs at this and I join in with her.

  “Well, maybe we should have spiked the punch and really made this a party.”

  “Look at you instigating, I knew I’d like you right away, Farah.”

  “Are you here with someone from the media?” I ask her.

  “No, actually I’m a friend of Lawson’s, the guy who’s about to announce his run. Well, I’m not sure if friend is right. We met a few weeks ago. A friend set us up and we’ve gone on a few dates and I don’t know. This is stupid, but I was just trying to show support by being here.”

  I hope she doesn’t see my face fall the slightest bit as I make a quick recovery and pin a smile back on.

  “Well, you certainly have to get used to these things with Lawson, he’s a household name. I’m with his brother, Reece.”

  “Oh, my goodness!” she exclaims. “You’re family. I’m so embarrassed.”

  “Don’t be,” I say, touching her arm lightly. “Reece and I aren’t married, we’ve just been together a few years. We don’t see Lawson much since we live in Oregon now.”

  Her face is slightly pinkish, and you can see how embarrassed and unsure of herself she is.

  “Have you met his parents?” I ask her. Hoping to shake up the mood.

  “Oh no, we aren’t serious. Everything is still very new.” I offer her a smile.

  “Well then, I can share with you, from experience, to maybe put that off until you’re in a really strong place. They can be a tough crowd. Senator’s wife comes with expectations and well, not that y’all are thinking of that just yet but it’s all they think about.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate the tip. It’s a shame you two don’t live here anymore. It might be nice to double date.”

  “Sure, maybe while we’re in town this week, if Lawson can squeeze something in his schedule.” She beams at this, but I watch her smile fall quickly.

  “Oh, but please don’t mention this to Lawson. I don’t want to seem intrusive or pushy in the relationship.”

  I purse my lips and give her a nod, but we are further interrupted by a loud applause taking over the room. It’s clear by the confident stare in Lawson’s eyes that he just confirmed his run for senate. He steps down and again is bombarded with further questioning from the media and I see Reece make his way over to me.

  “Hey good looking, how did I do up there? Did I look like a supportive younger brother?”

  “The supportive-est!” I tell him with mock exaggeration.

  “I assume we can slip out of here in just a few minutes, Lawson will likely be here all night with these guys.”

  “Let me introduce you to Kayla then.” I pull her over to us, even though she’s only an arm’s length away. “She’s dating Lawson. They just met.”

  She smiles comfortably at Reece and I can tell she’s taking him in and counting all the ways he looks different than Lawson. Lawson favors his mother, dark blonde hair and light eyes. While Reece takes after his father’s darker features. But they have the same nose and strong jawline, their bodies are both strong with naturally broad shoulders and when you really look at them, there is no mistaking their kinship despite their different coloring.

  “Hi Kayla, it’s good to meet you.” Reece is so warm and kind to her and I love him for that. “This is going to be a rough and long ride for Lawson but hang in there with him!”

  “Thanks,” she tells him. “My uncle was a congressman, so I remember a little what his life was like.”

  Ah she comes from political lineage, this should make William and Emily quite happy.

  “Well, we hope to see you soon,” he returns.

  “Maybe we can double date while we’re here... that is if Lawson’s schedule allows for it,” I mention what we discussed just moments ago, wanting to get to know her better. Wanting to know who Lawson has let into his life.

  Reece nods at me and kisses my temple. I’m not sure why I’m pushing for the double date. Maybe so I have the opportunity to see if Lawson’s changed or if the two have any chemistry. I know it’s selfish on my part and I feel bad about it as I really do like Kayla.

  Reece pulls me away toward the door and I throw back a parting wave at Kayla whom I know will sit here for a few more hours until Lawson has time for her.

  ~

  Loud thumping echoes through the house. Not that I was getting any sleep anyway. You would think such a large home would have been designed
with more sound proofing. I crack the door to my room and peer out into the hallway. I’m surprised they haven’t woken the whole home, but I see Jason, whom I met earlier today on the beach, supporting Lawson up the stairs.

  He looks wasted. I rush over to Lawson’s old bedroom door and open it so that Jason can help drag him in. Lawson’s alert and awake, just so drunk that his limbs have been rendered lazy and useless.

  “What happened to him?” I ask Jason as he sets him onto the bed, and I lift his legs up onto it.

  “Don’t talk about me like I’m not here,” Lawson intrudes. “I’m drunk, not dead.”

  “I can see that. You smell like a distillery.”

  “It’s a celebration,” he slurs. “I’m going to be the senator.”

  “You have to win the election first. You better hope no one saw you like this.”

  “They didn’t,” Jason finally confirms. “He just celebrated a little too hard afterward. We were at my place. I offered to let him stay, but he wanted to return home… can’t imagine why he would be so insistent.” He says this with a severe look at me and I just shrug my shoulders to let him know his guess is as good as mine.

  “See ya at the office tomorrow, Lawson. I’ll meet you there after lunch.” Lawson waves his hand at him with his eyes closed as if to shoo him out of the room.

  “Maybe remind him we have a meeting, if you don’t mind?” Jason asks me a little kindlier than his previous remark. I nod my head and cover my arms across my chest to once again cover my breasts under my pajama top.

  After Jason leaves, I return to my room and dig through my bag until I find the aspirin and I run down to the kitchen to fetch a bottle of water. Lawson appears asleep as I sneak back into his room and leave the items behind on his old nightstand, knowing he will need them in the morning. As I turn to leave, a hand reaches out and grabs hold of mine. It shocks me for a second and when I turn back to look at his face, he hasn’t opened his eyes. I can’t tell if he’s aware of it, but I look down at our hands where he holds mine gently and then just as quickly releases it and I walk out of the room, returning to my own.

  CHAPTER 9 – PRESENT

  The house is quiet when I wake. I creep from my room, tip-toeing to the banister and look over the edge of the railing, like a teen about to sneak out. Not a soul in sight. My feet pitter-patter down the hallway all the way to the end when I finally reach Reece’s room and I tap lightly on the door before letting myself in. His head rises and the groggy look on his face and the sleep filling his eyes has me swooning. He waves his hands at me as if to say ‘come here’ and I pad to his bed and crawl under the covers with him. His chest is warm and hard, and I snuggle into him, letting him hold me. I miss this. The sex we will manage to slip in here and there during the trip, but this… moments of intimacy are harder to come by and I feel so happy to be back in his hold.

  I feel Reece’s breathing steady back into sleep and I take a moment to look around his room. I hadn’t been in here much before. Years ago, I walked past it and peered in. There were photos of rock bands on the wall. Something you would have never seen in Lawson’s room or maybe just something that Lawson was never permitted to have. The dynamics of the family never cease to amaze me.

  “Hey,” I say as I push on Reece’s chest to stir him from his sleep. “I need a shower.”

  “K,” he mumbles through his sleep.

  “Join me,” I tell him, as I kiss along his jaw. His arm around me roams my backside. “No one is awake yet.” A low groan rumbles out of him and I laugh at his dramatics.

  I slip from his side and pull him along with me. His half sleeping body stumbles out of the bed but follows me diligently nonetheless. We slip into the upstairs bathroom and I lock the door behind us. Reece turns on the shower and I slip out of my tank top and pants before he’s made it out of his. I help him by sliding his athletic shorts off his hips and gripping his length as he’s freed from them. He kicks his feet out from them and backs me up against the wall, kissing me senseless. The towel bar digs into my back, but it renders very little distraction from Reece’s hand snaking down between my legs. I kiss up into his neck, enjoying him, and bite him just a little too hard. He flinches and pulls back from me and I catch the lust firing into his eyes. He loves when I’m feisty.

  “Get in the shower,” he says, and I obey.

  I equally love when he is feisty. I step into the steaming shower and love the way the water feels on my skin. My senses are taking over and pushing my thoughts to the background. Reece follows right behind me and before I can turn around, he is placing my hands on the wall beneath the showerhead, bending me over, and spreading my thighs. The water pounds across my face and body and I feel overstimulated by everything he is doing to me. His hand brushes across my sensitive core and a mild whimper exits me.

  “Don’t make a sound or you’ll wake the whole house,” he says into my ear.

  He removes his hand from me, and I feel his thick length push into me. A loud huff of breath leaves me and my toes curl as I feel the pleasure push in to my body. He pauses once he reaches the hilt for a brief moment but then he pulls out and begins thrusting more rapidly. I fight the desire to moan, to find any relief in the building pressure he’s causing in me. He runs his hand up my wet back and reaches around to palm my breast and I bite my lip in desire. His pace is quickening, and I feel him starting to lose control. I love seeing him wild with abandon, losing himself in me, and so I turn around to look at him. The quick disconnect between us causes him to snake his hand up to my throat, pulls me back into him, and covers my lips with his own. His breathing is ragged, and I feel him huffing his craving into the kiss. I kiss him back, wanting him to know how much I love when he loses it. His lips are fucking soft and wet and the shower kink factor has me so turned on. He pushes me closer to the glass shower door until my breasts are pressed up against it and he is pumping into me.

  I allow my fingers to press against me where I need release and a satisfactory grunt comes from Reece. He is fucking me ragged, you would think we had been on a dry spell.

  “I want to fuck you like this, against a glass wall, where someone could walk in and find us.” His raspy voice says and his dirty words send me over the edge as I rub my hand harder and enjoy the pulsing euphoria as I tighten around his pistoning cock.

  “My turn,” he says and pulls out of me. “Turn around so I can see you.”

  My body feels limp, as it should after an orgasm that strong and I do as he says but I slip to my knees in the process and take him, rock-hard, into my mouth.

  “Fuck,” he murmurs with exhaustion.

  I suck on him with vigor and add my hand after a moment to give my legs the time they need to recover from my orgasm. When I feel his balls tightening beneath him, I release him from my mouth with a slight pop and move to stand. He grabs one of my legs and lifts it up while slamming his mouth into my own and grabbing my neck to pull me into him.

  “You’re so fucking sexy,” he tells me, and I swim in his words.

  He slides into me again and I let him use my body as a tool for his own release. It’s only moments before he finds it, staring into my eyes, chanting words of affection to me. His grunt is muffled as he attempts the same feat I did earlier. Coming quietly is a skill some are blessed with. Reece however, is not one of those, but I don’t think we woke anyone. Only Lawson is upstairs, and with the hangover he’s bound to have he could sleep through us parading around in nothing but clogs on the hardwood floor.

  Reece slips from me and we both give each other a knowing sly grin.

  “Hurry up and shower now so you can get dressed and go check if anyone heard us.”

  He rolls his eyes at me and I give him a little shove into the stream of water. He washes quickly and gets out to dry off. I shower right behind him and when I turn the water off, he hands me a towel.

  “I’m going to slip out. Come find me after you dry off and get dressed.”

  I nod at him and lean in to kis
s him.

  I dry myself and wrap the towel around me and move toward the sink and mirror to check my reflection. I clean up the smeared mascara under my eyes that Reece was kind enough to ignore. A click registers to the left of me and I look over to see the door opening with Lawson standing in the frame.

  “Oh shit,” he says. “I thought I just heard someone come out of here.” He looks like shit, he’s definitely hungover and possibly even a little drunk still.

  I make a move to cover myself, my arms over my chest. Anything. Despite being covered by the towel, I feel exposed to him and his eyes lock on my legs starting at my thighs where the too-small towel ends. I shift in discomfort.

  “Oh…” he says, realization of the events that just happened dawning on him. He looks away, out into the hallway to allow me a touch of privacy.

  “I’ll be out in just a moment.”

  “Yeah, no, take your time,” he says, a little annoyed now. It is kind of rude of us to be fucking right next door to him and not even in our bedrooms and I scold myself for not thinking clearly before.

  “Sorry. Here, actually it’s all yours,” I say, gripping the towel around me tighter and heading for the door.

  Only he doesn’t move. He doesn’t shift to allow me space to squeeze through, so I slide by him, making myself as small as possible and I graze his arm slightly as I do, and it registers an unwelcome familiar feeling in me. One where I used to spend nights wearing only a towel around him.

  “Bring your clothes with you to shower if you don’t mind.” He says it so tersely I’m shocked.

  “Excuse me?” I heard him, I just can’t believe him, and I stop in my tracks rather than padding back to my room.

  “It’s courtesy when you are staying in someone’s home to cover yourself more appropriately.”

  “Well, I didn’t exactly plan to run into you here so I would appreciate if you would stop implying that I’m being intentionally discourteous.”

  “You mean you didn’t exactly plan to fuck my brother in a shared bathroom? Sure, you didn’t.”