Knights and Kink Romance Boxed Set Read Online Free Page A

for
anyone unless there’s something in it for me.”
    I chuckle. “Right. That makes you just like everyone
else in Washington.”
    “Not quite. The favors I expect in return for my
help are a bit different from the usual wheeling and dealing you
see over on Capitol Hill.” Rodney raised his thick eyebrows and
lowered his eyelids seductively. “Do you get my meaning?”
    My crotch was getting hot. But I wasn’t about to let
him know that. Not yet. “I’m afraid I don’t.”
    Rodney checked his watch, looking bored. “I really
must be going. I’m due to make an appearance on MSNBC in twenty
minutes.” He got up to leave.
    “But—“ I stammered. “You haven’t even given me a
chance!”
    “On the contrary,” he replied. “I gave you five
minutes of my time. That’s more than ninety-nine percent of the PR
staffers in town get.”
    My back was up against the wall. I knew I needed to
act fast and hard, or me and my career were done for. “I’d be
willing to discuss favors with you. Privately. Any kind of favors
you want.”
    Rodney stopped short. “Is that so?”
    “That’s so.”
    “All right then. Meet me tonight at CityZen at the
Mandarin Oriental. I’ll make reservations for eight, my treat.” He
paused, looked at my outfit with displeasure. “And dress
appropriately.”
    “I always dress appropriately, I’ll have you
know.”
    “Not today, you don’t. That suit went out of style
three years ago, and it was cheap to begin with. And it looks like
you slept in it.”
    “I beg your pardon—“
    He raised his hand to silence me. “I could go on and
on, but I won’t, because I’m a gentleman.”
    “Hardly.” I’d had more than enough of this. I stood
up to leave.
    “Don’t go just yet.” Rodney crossed to me, his
expression softening a bit. “Please don’t take what I just said the
wrong way. I’m afraid I’m not known for my tact.”
    “That’s obvious, too.”
    To my surprise, Rodney placed a strong hand on my
shoulder, and squeezed. I felt the squeeze send heated tingling
throughout my body, all the way down to my toes. “You’re a very
attractive woman, Jasmine,” he said, using my given name for the
first time. “Just a little rough around the edges. And truth be
told, I like my women a little rough, if you know what I mean.”
    My cheeks flushed. I was in way over my head. “I
really should be getting back to Senator Grayle’s office. Thanks
for the dinner invitation, but I think I’ll pass.”
    “Wait.” Rodney took my hand, white-hot electricity
on my skin. “I don’t mean to offend you, Jasmine. I really don’t. I
just find you incredibly attractive, is all. Sometimes I get a bit
rude and crude around women who turn me on. It’s a personal vice of
mine.”
    Oh. My. God.
    I turned this man on?
    Me, a mousy, frizzy-haired, slightly overweight,
thirty-four-year-old celibate who hadn’t gotten laid in two years,
unless you counted an occasional ( very occasional) romp with
my middle finger in bathroom stalls? Was he pulling my leg? “Pardon
me, but is that a joke?”
    “No joke. I’d really like to take you up on your
offer and spend some time with you, Jasmine. Private time.
And then, maybe we can see what I can do to help out Senator
Grayle. Believe it or not, even I can be convinced to change
my mind about certain things, from time to time.” He gave me a
wink. “Not that it would be a tit-for-tat exchange or
anything.”
    I chuckled again. “Of course not.”
    “I’ll see you at eight then. And wear something
nice. I’m partial to red. Red and strapless.” He gestured to the
door. “My assistant Marie will see you out.”
    Red. I didn’t own anything red, let
alone strapless. A shopping trip was definitely in order.
    I turned on my heel and left, crotch buzzing.
     
     
     
     
    Chapter
3
    I made it downstairs to the lobby and headed out
into the brisk afternoon air. I pulled out my cell phone and dialed
Rebecca at the office.
    She picked up on