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I wink and Susan smiles. “He’ll be there, honey. If I know Sam, he’ll be working flat out to get things done and join you soon.”
Baxter nods and smiles ruefully.
“Shall we go?”
Nodding, I smile at Susan and follow him out to the waiting limo.
This time I sit in the back for the ride over. When I arrive at that club, I need to play the part they expect. Katherine Rogers, femme fatale and crusher of five men’s futures heading their way with determination and purpose. They won’t know what’s hit them.
* * *
Baxter pulls upoutside a smart townhouse in the wealthiest part of Washington. It looks like any other faceless building, hiding the debauchery that takes place behind its respectable façade. I see the lights blazing from every window and note the huge impressive door that signifies my rabbit hole. Like Alice, I’m about to enter a mad world of irrationality. Will I survive? I know I will.
Baxter opens my door and nods respectfully. He offers me his arm and I wink at him as I play the part to perfection. He escorts me to the door and almost as soon as we reach it the door opens and a uniformed man looks at us with a nod. “Good evening. May I see your invitation please?”
Baxter nods and hands him the monogrammed envelope Sam had sent over from his office, and the man studies it and then stands back to let me pass. Baxter retreats and I don’t look back. I can’t waver and need to summon the whore inside me to play this part well.
I follow him through an opulent hallway and hear the low tones of the gathering behind the door. He opens the door and I catch my breath at the sight before my eyes. This room is amazing. A large light-filled room opens up before me, crammed full of the wealthiest people in the land. Men stand around looking handsome in their tuxedos, talking to elegant women in designer dresses dripping with jewels. They are all wearing fine masks which add to the mystery and intrigue and I feel the excitement sparking inside me.
A waiter appears with a glass of champagne and offers me the nerve-settling liquid. Smiling, I take the glass and look around me with interest.
Almost immediately, I see a good-looking man heading my way. There is a power to this man. He walks with purpose and his eyes are trained on me with intent. I see the desire in his eyes behind his mask and he has the confidence of a man used to getting what he wants.
Todd Preston is target number four and the man heading toward his downfall. I recognize him from the picture I googled on the internet. This man is Ryder’s target number one, and I harden my heart to deliver the retribution heading his way.
He stops before me and I see his eyes gleam.
“Welcome, Miss. Rogers. I’m glad to see you took up my invitation. I’m surprised to see you here alone.”
I fix him with a sultry look and see the desire flare in his eyes. “Thank you for the invitation, Sir. Sam will be along later, unfortunately he had to work and knew I was looking forward to um… coming, so he agreed I could meet him here.”
I flash him a wicked smile and see the heat in his gaze. He grins slowly. “Then let me make it my business to be your temporary escort until he gets here. A beautiful woman like you should be protected against the wolves in this room. I’ll take great pleasure in showing you around.”
I nod and bat my eyelashes as I take his arm and follow him into battle.
Chapter 18
Katherine
Todd’s a charmer. I knew that within two minutes in his company. He is funny, bright, and has a way with words that draws you to the man. His eyes strip you bare and he doesn’t disguise his true intent.
He propels me to the corner of the room, ignoring the blatant attempts to engage him in conversation with other party goers. The women look at him with desire and send him messages of availability as he passes. The men show him respect and desire what he can do for them to elevate their careers. He only has one thing on his mind—me.
He stands with his back to the room and regards me with interest.
“So, Miss. Rogers, you have caused quite a stir in Washington since you burst on the scene.”
I tilt my head to one side and smile. “And why is that, Sir?”
He shifts closer and his eyes brim with a blatant lust. He says softly. “I understand you’re a woman of many talents. A personal trainer with a particularly vigorous workout. Then again, you partner a man who demands a different sort of compliance from his lady. Which one is the real Katherine Rogers? Dominant or submissive, it may be interesting to find out.”
I shrug. “You appear to know a lot about me already, Sir. I can only wonder why you would care.”
He shifts even closer. “I do care, Miss. Rogers. You see, I’m a man who likes excitement. I move in a powerful world and my demands are unusual. I need the excitement of a relationship with no boundaries and one of shared enthusiasm for - shall we say - the more unconservative things in life. I think you know what I’m talking about Katherine because I see a kindred spirit in your eyes.”
I look at him with interest and he shifts closer. The noise of the party fades into the background as the atmosphere intensifies around us. He leans closer and whispers, “You will soon forget about the Sam Carrington’s of the world when you discover what I’m about to offer. You would be a fool to walk away from the proposal I have for you.”
I smile with a confidence I don’t feel inside and say softly, “And that is, Senator?”
