“No, I didn’t bribe the judge. We’re going to win this honestly in the courts. If it even gets that far. Let me tell you something else you can take to the bank. If you’ve got your money on Ryan Carter to be the next Governor of Minnesota then you’ve wasted it.”
Miriam smirked, “Well, actually…I already contributed the maximum dollar amount to his opponent.”
John laughed at his wife, “Well, I can one up you. I’ve talked to my lawyers today. I’m planning on starting a Super Pac and raising a million dollars for him. I’ll just need you to weave your magic and plan the dinner party.”
This was one of reason’s she loved John. His commitment and love for his family. He was not to be messed with when he was focused. Miriam knew it was game on.
That look she gave him still worked after all these years. It still made him feel like superman. John couldn’t help himself so he kissed the love of his life hard on the lips.
Chapter 24
The hotel ballroom was filled to maximum capacity. The political fundraiser had been a rousing success. As they walked through the crowd, Ryan’s assistant made sure that they shook hands with all of the important people in the room. At ten thousand dollars a plate, it was a wonder they didn’t want them to stand on their hands while doing a little dance. This was the life of a Senator and soon to be First family.
They were on their best behavior. Ryan made sure to be the perfect husband and Alicia made sure to appear to be the doting wife. They’d done it for so long she was on auto pilot. Alicia smiled, shook hands, and made sure to look very interested in whatever was being said to her. However, her thoughts were very far from everything that was going on in the room.
What she wouldn’t give to be able to see Joshua Jones. That was impossible right now. Ever since Ryan caught them in bed together all those months ago, they’d had to put the affair on pause. It didn’t help that he lived in Atlanta and she lived in Minnesota.
Their desperation to be together is what caused her to make the foolish mistake of letting him into her home and into her bed.
Ironically, it was CkR International that brought them together. Alicia remembered like it was yesterday. They’d met almost a year ago. He was attending a business conference and she was hosting a charity event in the same hotel. Alicia was outside of her suite trying to get that nitwit of an event planner to fix one of the many issues she’d screwed up that day. Joshua was on a break. He saw and heard everything. Even then he had a way of making her feel like he could take care of anything.
Alicia couldn’t remember what the problem was but she did remember he managed to calmly solve it. And, after having a couple of drinks together that night, he took care of her sex problem too.
Alicia missed the sound of his voice and the touch of his hands. With the campaign in full swing there was no way she could take the chance of seeing him until it was over.
Ryan was up in the polls but only by a few percentage points. His opponent had been closing in until the press conference. That stopped the bleeding cold.
Alicia shivered just thinking about the whole mess. She couldn’t hate Ryan more if he’d poured gasoline all over her and lit a match. She felt like she was on fire anyway. All of their friends had suspicions for years regarding the state of their marriage and Ryan knocking up that black witch only confirmed what they suspected.
Not only had he embarrassed the hell out of her and her family, but her father was livid! Not because of the affair because in his words ‘men will be men’ but because Ryan had been so careless. He was also old school. He didn’t believe in mixing the races. There was no way he would ever allow that little girl to be in his presence.
He would probably even disown her if he ever found out one of the best lovers she’d ever had was a black man. Just thinking about Joshua brought a smile to her face.
Ryan cut into her thoughts. He pulled her close to him; through a pasted on smile and clenched teeth he spoke, “Whoever it is you’re thinking about just stop. We only have a few more months left so keep it together.”
Alicia stiffened at his touch and immediately relaxed just in case someone was watching. She offered him a warm smile and piercing cold stare.
“Don’t you worry about me Ryan Carter; I know how to control myself.”
“Like the time I caught you in my bed with another man huh?” He laughed, “I guess we both like a little chocolate on the side but you could have at least gone to a hotel.”
Alicia’s voice was like honey but her words sliced like a knife. No one looking at them would have ever guessed the conversation that was going on between them.
“I guess I should remind you that the bed you sleep on and all the connections that got you to where you are today are all because of me and my family. You’d be nothing without me. Let’s also not forget the little mess we’re in right now is because you couldn’t control yourself.”
“Tsk Tsk Alicia. Don’t be angry because Vicky gave me the one thing you could never do.”
The color drained from
