DC Affairs (13 page)

Russell

T
here were so many thoughts that ran through Russell’s head as he made love to Sigourney. Well, perhaps that wasn’t the right word but they certainly weren’t fucking and the sex didn’t feel particularly casual. He knew that’s what she wanted when she’d requested they go upstairs but something had happened in the short time they knew each other and an even shorter time since they’d become intimate. He wasn’t so sure she didn’t genuinely like him as more than just a friend, and that felt good.

Russell wore a lot of different hats and could present himself to anyone as he saw fit. He wasn’t psychotic, sociopathic or suffering from multiple personality disorder, he merely read people, knew what they wanted him to be and presented that side of himself to them.

In reality he wasn’t nearly as innocent or all that much of a good guy as Sigourney assumed he was. He knew she viewed him as a poor substitute for Peter, the Governor with all the power who wanted to become President. However, his family also had power and money, much more than he alluded to the night of their first date. He preferred to come off as somewhat of a hipster who’d happened to graduate from Yale. It wouldn’t have been wise to present himself as a man who had a lot of money, and carried his privileged position in life with ease. Most bitches were gold diggers and all they cared about was how many zeroes were in a guy’s bank account. Good looks and personality went out of the window; it became all about how much he could spend on a female.

He’d been there, done that, played the chump, owned the motherfucking t-shirt and would never allowed himself to be used that way again. In all honesty, the bitch who’d used him had come from wealth too but since she was irresponsible and spent money like it was water, her parents had voluntarily cut her off. It didn’t make it easier but it was a valuable lesson he’d never allow to happen again.

Russell didn’t fear Sigourney was that type of person, in fact he liked her a lot and he only wished to save her from Peter, the unrepentant man-whore. No, the Governor wasn’t as bad as some politicians could be but he certainly wasn’t a boy scout either.

He snapped out of his contemplation and focused on getting Sigourney off before he came. The beauty about condoms was they prolonged sex for him. He hadn’t worn one in ages since he was the type to keep a steady girlfriend. Sleeping with different women didn’t appeal to him and though the number of women he’d had a relationship with was low, it had been his choice. He knew how to please a woman sexually and he’d never gotten any complaints.

Sigourney’s fingernails dug into his back and although she was pretty good at faking an orgasm, she hadn’t fooled him. After several more thrusts, he came but he wouldn’t end their lovemaking until he pleased her. He felt lethargic and his heart thrummed in his chest with personal satisfaction but he slowly worked his way down her body and spread her open with his fingers.

His mouth zeroed in on her clit while his tongue flicked across it over and over again until she genuinely squirmed and moaned out loud. Her hands sunk into his hair and grabbed a fist of it as he continued licking and sucking her nub.

She smelled as sweet as she looked and she tasted fresh and clean. There was something about her he couldn’t describe but he knew she was a keeper. There was no way he would forfeit her to a losing prospect that would never work out in her favor.

Her hips bucked and he sucked on her clit as she rode out her orgasm with a loud cry. He licked his lips suggestively before he crawled up her body and kissed her lightly on the mouth.

“That was really amazing. I had to express my enthusiasm for what it was like being inside you,” Russell whispered in her ear as he collapsed onto his back and took off the condom, disposing of it in the trashcan next to the bed.

Sigourney turned onto her side, one of her hands caressing his face. All he could do was stare at her because she truly was a beautiful girl. Sun-kissed skin, magically golden and perfect in its hue combined with long sable hair with golden auburn strands woven throughout, a heart-shaped face, unbelievable hazel-green eyes, a patrician nose and kissable lips. Her lips were bare at the moment but she still kissed him eagerly, softly, her skin warm and inviting.

“You’re the one who is absolutely stunning. I’m left completely speechless. It was great and I don’t say that lightly. I haven’t had a lover as good as you since I left Europe.”

Russell smiled. “Please don’t perpetuate the myth all Euros know how to fuck and all Yanks and Canucks don’t because that is so fucking untrue.”

She grinned, shaking her head. “Course that’s not true. Even I know that. Your nationality has very little to do with whether you can have sex…unless we’re talking about the French.”

He turned toward her and opened his mouth in protest but she placed her hand over his lips.

“It’s a joke, babe. Seriously, nothing can decide whether you’re a good lover because we are all capable of being good and bad lovers. It has more to do with how we feel about a certain person than anything else. Sweetie, you’re a good lover.”

Russell kissed her hand before she removed it. “Only because you make me want to be a good lover, Sigourney. There’s nothing wrong with you, honey. You’re an amazing person, a stunning conversationalist and a cheeky intellectual. You know so much more than you let on. I love being with you and I’m so glad I brought us here.”

Sigourney’s eyes darkened. “Does this little mini trip from L.A. break the bank? I can understand how expensive this all was—the dinner, this suite, my dress, and let’s not mention the shoes. I know you’re not made of money.”

He lay on his back again and tucked his arms underneath his head. “Babe, it’s not a problem, really. I don’t usually spend this kind of money on anyone so I…saved up. Besides, I charged everything—”

“Wait, to your Centurion card? If you need help paying it off, let me know.”

Russell laughed out loud. “Chivalry isn’t dead, Sigourney, and I wanted to bring you here. It’s not about going Dutch or you helping to pay for anything. I did it because I want us to be something special. I’m not stupid, and I’m not looking to buy love but I wanted you to feel like you’re worth it. I didn’t bring you here simply to impress you but because I want you to be my girl.”

She sat up in bed with a start and pulled the sheet to her breasts as she looked down at him with an unreadable look on his face. “Why? This doesn’t have anything to do with…well, you know who.”

“No, it doesn’t. I sure as hell don’t pick women because Peter might be attracted to them. I really don’t care how he feels to be honest. He’s my boss and nothing else. I don’t consider him a friend if that’s what you think.”

Sigourney grabbed his hand closest to her and held it tenderly. “I didn’t think you would but what makes me so special? I mean, a guy like you has their choice of women. You’re young, successful and know what you want out of life—”

“And that is why I know I want to be with you, babe. It’s something that happens and from the moment we met, I knew you were someone special. You’re perfect for me and I want to explore what we have between us.” Russell paused and contemplated carefully before he continued, “Am I sure about everything in life? No of course not but what I do know is you have to take risks. I don’t like doing that but you’re worth it.”

Her hazel-green eyes appeared murky and mossy in color. “I want to do this with you too…if only to prove I’m not some cheap floozy who jumps in bed with every guy she dates. I don’t. The last two years have proven difficult for me on the dating scene but that has more to do with me than the men I met. I wasn’t interested but I’m excited about you and me.” She covered her face with her hands. “I can’t believe I just said that. It didn’t come out the way I wanted it to and I really do think you are a great guy.”

“I know you do.” He smiled genuinely before he sat up and kissed her cheek. “So, can we give this a shot or do I need to schedule a trip to Martha’s Vineyard too? I hope you don’t think I wouldn’t do it.”

She shook her head. “Absolutely not. I don’t think that’s necessary at all. You don’t have to buy me off, you know. Just like the notorious JLo, my love doesn’t cost a thing.”

He laughed out loud before he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. “Are we playin’ that game again because I’m not prepared with any one liners at the moment. You’ve exhausted me.”

“I don’t believe that at all. No one could ever be as clever as you,” she whispered in a soft voice.

“Fine…you’re my priestess if you’ll allow me to be your priest.”

Sigourney kissed his lips. “Well, that’s from ‘Dani California’…kinda. Very good wordplay…I do believe you’ve avoided outright lyric thievery.”

“What are you talking about? I invented this game and I always skirt the plagiarism laws, babe.”

“You’ve come within a hair’s breadth of breaking them,
Mister
Fabulous.”

“Shit,” Russell began as his hands wandered up and down her silky back, “next time you’re gonna have to report me.”

Sigourney nodded. “Fuck me hard, Berkeley, and make it taste like honey, sugar and ambrosia.”

“Well, I do aim to please, baby.”

R
ussell and Sigourney left shortly after seven in the morning to make the drive back to L.A. She looked out of the window when she wasn’t stealing glances of his profile. He’d played the only cards he had and so far, he’d come out on top.

Not that he’d been lying but everyone knew most people didn’t get what they wanted by being fair, and love was the most backstabbing and unfair game of them all. In theory, one could play the good guy—or girl—but they were bound to finish last regardless. There were no trophies for not getting the person you truly wanted. Besides, Russell had lost it quite shamefully before and he certainly wouldn’t take any chances now.

He refused to lose this game to the notorious Peter Coburn who never had played fair in his life. It’d started off with Russell only wanting someone Peter did because the man had great taste in women if nothing else. However, the longer he knew Sigourney, the more he wanted her to himself.

Peter no longer factored into the picture anymore. She was the one. Not the fictional “the one” who didn’t exist but a real one. He could see her as his wife and them driving down the freeway, her belly swollen with child while she gazed with contentment out of the window.

He risked a look at her as she turned toward him and it was absolutely perfect. The dimples in her cheeks were pronounced and she looked gorgeous in a spaghetti-strapped pink paisley maxi-dress and black espadrille wedges.

“What is it? You’ve got this mischievous look on your face like the cat with the cream.”

“I do have the cream—didn’t you get the memo? You’re next to me, aren’t you?” He allowed himself a small smile. “I haven’t been this happy in a long time.”

“I’m shocked I can make you happy at all. I mean, your mom died not too long ago and that must have been hard on you. If you need to talk about it, you can do it…I mean with me.” He could feel her eyes staring intently at his profile and he didn’t know what to say.

Ugh, his mother. The woman who’d betrayed both him and his older half-sister, Kylie. It was true she’d stuck around while he was growing up but it didn’t erase the pain she’d caused in both of their lives or the strained relationship they had until her untimely death.

He wasn’t relieved she was dead but he wasn’t exactly all that broken up about it either. Perhaps the wounds could finally heal now that she wasn’t around any longer to keep picking at them.

Of course he couldn’t tell Sigourney any of this lest she think him insensitive, cold and callous. Yes, he was all of those when it came to someone betraying his most preciously held feelings but no one needed to know that.

“She’s gone, babe. It was hard on all of us but we’re trying to move on with our lives. I hope I don’t come off as being…I don’t know
what
exactly…but I loved her in my own way, and she’s not here anymore.”

The thick silence between them weighed heavy and he only wanted to hear her exhale just to know she was still alive next to him.

Sigourney turned down the satellite radio channel, which played R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion” like it was part of the soundtrack of their lives.

“That bad, huh?” She laughed as she shook her head. “My mom and I…we’re oil and water,
literally
. I mean, if she could have shipped a daughter to Europe, it would have been me, not her other two precious children. I’ve always been a disappointment and I know my dad’s death will be much harder on me than hers.”

“Ah, we’re two kindred spirits then. I truly do love my father and although Kylie and I have a somewhat strained relationship, she’s still my sister—the only one I’ll have, and I’m grateful to have her in my life.”

“Then we don’t have to talk about your mother if you don’t want to. God knows I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable.”

Russell slowed down as they began to run into traffic on the outskirts of Los Angeles County. “I should talk about her but I don’t know what to say. I mean, what do you want to know? She was a first generation Irish-American who married a fellow Irishman who didn’t have any money. Mom had Kylie and abandoned her when my dad came along.