When Love Calls (18 page)

She leaned back against him. He was already ready for her. “No, tell me.” She smiled seductively.

“I’d rather show you.”

He raised her one arm, taking her hand up around his neck, then he felt the zipper along the side of the dress. He pulled it down slowly, loosening the dress on her body. It fell loose, threatening to fall to the floor. He grabbed it tenderly, lowered it and she slowly, carefully stepped out, barely seeing him rest the dress on the chair beside them.

Now, with her standing there with just her lace panties and high heels, he moved her other hand up to his neck and cupped her breasts. She moaned and closed her eyes as his thumbs tweaked her nipples, causing them to harden. Then as one hand softly massaged her breasts, the other drifted down her stomach and traced the line of lace at her waist.

“You’re driving me crazy, I’m gonna explode,” she warned, then tried to turn to him, but he stopped her.

“No, Adia, not yet,” he muttered. “I want to touch you.”

She swallowed hard and opened her eyes as the blur of the living room became a dream. “Randolph, over there…now…bed,” she muttered incoherently, and pointed to her small bedroom. His mouth came to her neck and shoulders and he kissed and nibbled freely. “Over there,” she repeated, barely audible through the haze of desire.

His fingers dipped below the lace and her legs weakened and nearly gave way. He quickly held her secure to the front of his body. Her breathing was erratic as his fingers touched the soft hairs, then traveled lower. His other hand left her breasts and slid between their bodies. She gasped when both his hands connected in front and slowly traced the lace, inching it down.

“Randolph…” she muttered again. “Randolph…”

“I’m right here, Adia,” he said sweetly. “Let me touch you.”

“I…I…I…” She started to speak, but never finished. Between the hardness she felt behind her and the probing hands in front of her, her mind dizzily fantasized in the throes of rapturous pleasure. The torture was nearly unbearable, but she savored every second.

He slowed, then stopped, then gently turned her around to face him. His shirt was still on and his loosened tie still hung around his neck. She reached up and eagerly grabbed his tie and flung it across the room, then busied her hands removing his unbuttoned shirt. She unzipped his pants and freed him.

With them standing there face-to-face, she took his hand and led him toward her bedroom, then stopped. “I don’t have any…” she began. He smiled and nodded, then picked up his jacket and pulled a single condom from the pocket. “Only one?” she questioned, remembering that they had used several the last time they were together.

“I guess we have to make this one last,” he said, smiling at the possibilities.

She took the small square, opened it, then led him into her bedroom. She crawled onto the large bed, and he followed. She protected them as he removed the lace barrier, and then two seconds later, he was on top and inside her.

She gasped at the explosion of power throbbing and pulsating within her. The fullness, thick and deep, stroked and stimulated the tiny nip of her pleasure. He thrust into her, and she took all of him over and over again in a quickening pace that ravaged each other nonstop.

Thrusting with unimaginable intensity and unrestrained aggression, they delved into their primal hunger. Never missing a beat, she rolled on top of him and leaned over. He captured her breast and suckled. Her body nearly burst as they surged ever closer to the prize. He held her waist securely as she held on to his shoulders, biting her nails deep.

The pleasure crept up quickly as, seconds later, they both reached the pinnacle. He groaned long and forcefully as his body stiffened rigid and he poured into her. She gasped, trembling as the climactic tremors undulated through her body. She came again, then screamed with the second unexpected orgasm. Seconds later, she twitched and jerked again. In spite of his stillness she experienced his presence.

The pleasure, immense beyond anything she’d ever experienced, continued as he began to move, his hips first, then his mouth captured her breast again and she started shaking, trembling, wanting more of him. He gave all he had, then reaching down between their bodies, touching her, he gave more.

Whimpering gasps escaped from her as his fingers gave and she took, her whole body ablaze with pleasure. She tried to rise, but Randolph held her firm to his body while tenderly massaging her rear. Using his hips, he rocked into her quicker, grinding into her again and again while holding her in place. She screamed loud this time as her climax came in a shocking release.

He started to repeat the action.

“No, no, please, I can’t…can’t breathe,” she muttered, completely breathless, knowing that she was well past the level of tolerance.

He stopped immediately and just wrapped his arms around her and held her close. They lay still in perfect serenity. His strong arms were wrapped securely around her as she snuggled back against his hard body. Their lovemaking had reached yet another milestone.

“So what was that
we’ve run our course
thing all about?”

“I have no idea.” She smiled wickedly, knowing that her evening was complete.

Chapter 13

T
he next few days passed with Randolph out of town. Alyssa took the opportunity to continue packing for the move. Every evening, she loaded the trunk and backseat of her car with boxes and drove to her grandmother’s house in preparation. By the end of the week, she was covered with bruises and ached from muscle strains, not to mention being completely exhausted.

The one thing that always soothed her bumps and bruises was the nightly conversations with Randolph. After a hot shower, she climbed into bed and waited for the phone to ring. When it did, they talked for the next couple of hours, usually early into the morning. She’d be exhausted the following day, but it was more than worth it.

“I need a massive dose of caffeine injected directly into my veins,” Nina said, yawning sleepily as she plopped into her chair and grabbed her coffee cup.

“Sounds as if you had another great time with Oliver last night,” Alyssa said jokingly, looking up from her desk, knowing that Nina and Oliver had seen each other every night that week.

“The man’s insane, I swear. He’s like a wind-up puppy without an off button. I thought I had energy…but nothing like his…Do you know he actually had me running around the Washington Monument at eleven o’clock last night? I thought the Mall police were gonna arrest us.”

“And you loved every minute of it, didn’t you?”

“Yep, every single minute,” she said, smiling happily. “You know, Alyssa, you could have come with us last night. We were only going to hang out.”

“I know, and thanks again, but I’m glad I went home. I needed to take care of some things.”

“Well, anytime you want to hang out, let me know.”

“I will. But since I’m moving this weekend, I doubt I’ll have much time to hang out.”

“Okay, what time do you want me over to help? I can bring Oliver, too.”

“Actually I don’t have that much to do and my dad is gonna help me out, so don’t worry about it. I got it covered.”

“Are you sure? ’Cause I can—”

“I’m positive.”

Nina’s phone rang and she walked back to her desk to answer it. As she talked Alyssa thought about the freedom Nina had to tell everyone about her relationship with Oliver. It was something she knew she could never do. The understanding between her and Randolph was of her doing.

She insisted they keep this relationship secret, much to Randolph’s vociferous objections. It’s not that she had any other sort of shady past, but she knew that once word got out about them, life would never be the same.

So she came to an uneasy decision to keep a low profile. Like having an affair with a married man, she decided to hide in the shadows of Randolph’s life.

“Okay, so what’s up?” Nina asked, standing at Alyssa’s desk.

“What do you mean?”

“Oh, I don’t know…Check it out. Look familiar?” Nina said, holding a copy of the
Post
out to her.

Alyssa took the paper, expecting to read another one of Nina’s comics, but instead, she was shown clear photos, Senator Randolph Kingsley with an unidentified woman walking down the streets of Georgetown in one and them driving away in another.

Alyssa stared at the photo. Although her head was turned quite by accident in both pictures, it was definitely her and she was sure that Nina knew it. She looked up at her friend and winced.

“Yeah, I’d cringe, too, if I were you. Are you nuts?” she said, then began whispering, “If Pete sees this, he’s gonna annihilate you and me both.”

“It’s not what you think, Nina. We were—” Alyssa began.

“Oh, please, it’s exactly what I think and you know it, so don’t even try to deny it. I can’t believe you were going behind my back with this,” Nina said, seemingly furious. “And even worse, you didn’t tell me any of the juicy parts. Some friend you are.” She smiled and placed her hip on the side of the desk and leaned in.

Alyssa leaned in, too, and smiled, nearly busting. “He is unbelievable,” she whispered.

Several coworkers walked by and glanced at them with their heads together. Nina nodded and leaned back. “All right, that’s what I’m talking about. I’m so happy for you.”

“Alyssa, line three for you,” a coworker called out.

Alyssa’s phone rang, but she looked up at Nina still at her desk. “Maybe we should talk later.”

“Most definitely,” Nina said, going back to her desk.

“Good morning, this is Alyssa Wingate.”

“Alyssa, this is Mamma Lou. How are you, dear?”

“Mrs. Gates, Mamma Lou, hi. Fine, how are you?”

“Can’t complain, dear. I’m calling because I’m in town and I’d love to have lunch with you today if possible.”

“Oh, I’m not sure I can. We’re swamped over here and I was just going to send out and eat at my desk.”

“Oh, that will never do. I’ll have something brought in. What’s the address there?”

Alyssa was still stumped at Mamma Lou saying that she’d have something brought in. What exactly did that mean?

“Alyssa, are you there?”

“Yes, I’m sorry,” she said, then gave her the address.

“Good, that’s settled. I’ll see you at twelve-thirty. Goodbye, dear.”

Louise hung up before Alyssa could question her. She had no idea what had just happened.

Pete came over to her desk. “Alyssa, I understand you have a lunch with Louise Gates this afternoon.”

“No, I mean, yes. Wait, how do you know that?”

“Never mind about that,” he said, waving. “I need you to see if she might consider taking a more active role with the foundation, particularly with us.”

“With us?” she asked.

“Yes, I realize that she’s already involved nationally. I just want to know if we can rely on her support locally. I realize she lives in Virginia, but if we can get her on board on some of these issues, we’d be able to make some real headway.”

“Wait a minute, are we talking about the same woman?”

“Yes, of course.”

“I don’t think so. The Mrs. Louise Gates I know is my grandmother’s friend and I’m sure she doesn’t have the kind of power and influence you think she does.”

“Actually she does.” Alyssa looked at him, still questioning. “See what you can do,” he said, then turned to walk away, but stopped and turned back. “And don’t forget to thank her again for the two tables.”

“Two tables, right.” She nodded and watched as he hurried back to his office at his usual top speed. The conversation made absolutely no sense. There was no way they were talking about the same woman. She shook her head and went back to work.

At a quarter after twelve the office received a massive delivery. It looked as if someone had raided an Italian restaurant. Foil-covered trays topped with fresh meats, breads, salads and pastas started filling the conference-room table. The staff, totally awestruck, piled in and began opening and filling plates. It was unbelievable.

A few minutes later, Louise Gates arrived.

“Hello, anyone here?” she called out to the now seemingly empty office. Ursula, sitting at her desk, eating pasta and salad, greeted her.

“Mrs. Gates, it’s an honor to finally meet you,” Pete said, obviously impressed.

“You must be Pete Lambert. How are you? I’ve heard some wonderful things about your organization here. I’m very impressed.”

“Thank you, and thank you for this wonderful buffet.”

“My pleasure. Now, is Alyssa here?”

“Hi, Mamma Lou,” Alyssa said, walking over.

“Hello, dear, are you ready for lunch?”

“Sure,” she said, pushing her purse onto her shoulder. “Do you have any particular place in mind, Mamma Lou?”

“As a matter of fact, I do. There’s a quaint little family-owned restaurant not too far from here. I hear the food is wonderful and the owners are quite interesting. I believe the family just won the lotto a few months back. Isn’t that a wonderful story?”

“The American dream,” Alyssa mused. “Unfortunately most dreams don’t actually come true.”

“Ah, but some do. You just have to have a bit of faith.”

Alyssa drove and moments later, they were seated in the small restaurant, eating lunch. They mainly talked about Alyssa’s work at the foundation and Louise’s many philanthropic ventures. The conversation finally got around to a more personal subject.

“I presume that was you in the photo with Senator Randolph Kingsley in this morning’s newspaper,” Louise said, smiling.

“How did you know it was me?” she asked, obviously caught off guard by the statement.

“You’d be surprised at the things that come my way.”

“Yes, it was me.”

Louise smiled happily. “I’m delighted. Randolph is a wonderful man and you, my dear, are as sweet as can be.”

“Yes, he is, and I really like being with him. But I don’t think my grandmother would quite agree with the relationship.”

“Because he’s a politician?” Louise asked.

“Yes, exactly. Plus the obvious similarities between Randolph and her friend from years ago are too apparent.”