Page 24 of No Promises
Now Beth, laughing, signed off her charts. “Well, kiddo, you did it – I’m so proud ofyou.”
“I couldn’t have done it – couldn’t have survived – without you, Beth. I’m serious. You made this so much easier than I thought it wouldbe.”
“Aww shucks,” Beth grinned and Nooshlaughed.
“And I meant it about keeping in touch. You’ve become a real friend tome.”
“And you to me, honey. Let’s get togethersoon.”
In the cabback to work, Noosh called Christo. “It’s on,baby.”
Thrills ran through her body when she heard his low, throaty laugh. “I can’t wait, baby. And those toys we talked about? I’ve ordered abunch.”
Her sex quivered and she lowered her voice. “I’ll be thinking about you inside me allday.”
“The same, my darling.Later.”
“Later.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him she loved him, but she held back. She wanted to be one hundred percent sure of her own feelings and of his as much as she could. The last thing she wanted to be seen as was a silly little girl with a crush. Christo had a gravitas about him, even with his fun-loving side, that made her feel as if this were a real, adult relationship that she needed to be wholly matureabout.
Still, the thought of his cock, huge and thick, gliding inside of her made her quiver with anticipation. At work she was distracted and Ally nudged her during a staff meeting to attract herattention.
“This is us, space cakes, you might want to get your mind out of Montecito’s pants for this bit.” Noosh colored as Ally chuckledsoftly.
Seth was talking. “We’ve been granted full access to Destry Papps’s campaign team, and the candidate himself. He has asked that ‘Sarah Marsh’ be his liaison – that’s a coup for you, Noosh, socongrats.”
Noosh felt her heart sink as the others gave her a little round of applause, and waited for them to stop. “With respect, Seth, being shot doesn’t make me qualified for this. I feel that the candidate would be taking advantage of my situation to further his own cause rather than to help women. I’d rather not have anything to do withit.”
The room was silent, her work colleagues looking at her in astonishment. Seth was the first to recover, clearing his throat, his shock and a little annoyance clear in his eyes. Noosh’s heart thudded uncomfortably. She could feel the tension rolling off herboss.
“Well, that’s something you need to work out with Ally, but it would be a big get for the station. But if you’re uncomfortable…” He trailed off, but his meaning was clear. She was letting the team down. Noosh felt likecrying.
Ally asked her to come into her office as soon as the meeting was finished, and Noosh knew it wouldn’t be an easy conversation. She sat opposite Ally, wishing it was six o’clock and that she was on the plane to Europe with Christo’s arms aroundher.
Ally didn’t mince her words. “What’s your problem with DestryPapps?”
Noosh clenched her fists in her lap. “I find him fake, disingenuous, and a creep.” That was the strongest way she could find to express how she felt without giving anything away, but she could see Ally wasn’tconvinced.
“Noosh, you’re not a child and I’m not an idiot. There’s somethingmore.”
“No. He just gives me the impression that he wants to use my story for his own personal gain.”And besides that, he was the one who shot me. If only she could say that aloud and have Ally believe her.God.
Ally sighed. “Well, as Seth said, it would be a coup. We’ll tell Senator Papps that we’ll deal directly with him through me, but Noosh, do you realize the opportunity you’re turningdown?”
“I do.” God, she hated Destry and his manipulative behavior. He knew exactly what he was doing, invading her work life. For once, she was glad Christo was from a mob family – Destry wouldn’t dare interfere with that…wouldhe?
No. It was one thing to mess with her, another thing entirely to get tangled with the mob. At least that’s what she would tell herself – it was the only thing giving her any sense of protection from him at themoment.
She sighed and rubbed her eyes. “I’m sorry,Ally.”
“It’s just with this, and the story you abandoned… Seth will begin to wonder if you’re really cut out for thisjob.”
Noosh knew it was coming but it was still a shock to hear. “I know. I just need to get my head together…and maybe I’ll take another look at the club story. I might have an…in…there now.” She colored, but couldn’t help smiling a little. The thought of going to Christo’s club with him had been growing in the back of her mind, but she’d dismissed it as just her raging lust for him. Now though…maybe she could salvage her storytoo.
Ally looked mollified and studied her. “Take this week with your man, and come back to me refreshed. We will be working on the Senator’s story, Noosh, but maybe we can work around your objections. And,” finally she smiled, “if the BDSM club is something you want to revisit, then go for it. That story hadwheels.”
When Christo picked her up,Noosh pressed her lips to his for a long time and he laughed when they finally broke away for air. “Well, hello to you too, baby.” He cupped her face in his palms. “Did you get even morebeautiful?”
