fit.
Lori often wondered why her mom had never attempted to make contact. Yes, they’d been estranged for years, but surely when Sherrine had spotted her splashed all over the magazines on the arm of Cliff Baxter, she’d been tempted to make amends? They’d parted on such bad terms. Sherrine had called her every vile word she could come up with. The word that had stung the most was ‘worthless’.
How worthless could she be? She was living with a big movie star. She was happy — for now. She had made something of her life.
‘I can’t believe that Cliff didn’t come today,’ Ashley complained to Bianca.
Bianca raised an eyebrow. Why was Ashley bothered about Cliff Baxter when she had Taye to take care of her? After all, Bianca knew what Taye had to offer in the bedroom department, and it was all good. She shrugged and rolled over on the beach towel she’d spread out. ‘Movie stars dance to their own tune,’ she offered, allowing the silky white sand to run through her fingers. ‘And besides, he’s no Ryan Gosling.’
‘He’s Cliff Baxter,’ Ashley retorted, shocked that Bianca would even dare to compare him to Ryan Gosling. ‘And he’s bloody gorgeous.’
‘Does Taye know you have the hots for him?’ Bianca asked, amused.
‘I so do not,’ Ashley said, suddenly blushing.
‘Oh yes you do,’ Bianca sing-songed. ‘But that’s okay — it’s not as if you’re about to fuck him.’
‘That’s so rude,’ she managed. ‘He’s just… I dunno… special.’
‘Ask Lori how special he is,’ Bianca said, jumping to her feet and stretching her lithe body. ‘They’re all the same between the sheets. Given the chance, they’re all up for a quick cheat, however faithful they claim to be.’
‘You don’t mean that.’
‘Well…’ Bianca mused. ‘I like to think that Aleksandr is different.’
‘So is Taye,’ Ashley said quickly.
Bianca shot her a disbelieving look. ‘
‘Er… almost seven years.’
‘And you’re telling me that Taye has never slipped it to another woman?’
Ashley immediately flashed onto Taye’s glaring indiscretion. The page three bimbo with the gigantic tits. The story splashed all over the English tabloids. Did Bianca know? Had she read about it?
It was one time. One time only.
She
HOW DARE HE!
She glanced along the beach watching her husband interacting in the surf with Cliff’s redheaded slag.
Enough of that, thank-you-very-much.
‘Think I’ll take a dip before lunch,’ she said, ignoring Bianca’s question. ‘Coming?’
Hammond was making a concentrated effort not to stare, but the scenery was too damn tempting. He wasn’t admiring the palm trees and the pure white sand, no, his full attention was directed straight at Lori, Bianca and Ashley. Three magnificent women. Bianca, sleek and dark-skinned with a feline grace. Ashley, the definitive blonde babe with big boobs and a jiggly ass. And Lori, his particular favourite — young, athletic, with that mass of flaming red hair. She was wearing a white bikini, and when she emerged from the sea it appeared to be see- through. Her pert nipples were definitely on parade.
He found himself wondering if the pussy matched, and then he felt himself starting to get an erection, which wasn’t the brightest of ideas considering he was sitting in a folding chair next to Aleksandr, and his linen shorts were not the best at concealing a burgeoning hard-on.
‘The girls look good, huh?’ Aleksandr said in his gruff voice.
Hammond wondered if Aleksandr had noticed his excitement. If he was on the yacht he could’ve gone to his cabin and masturbated, but no such luck, he was on an island, and any kind of release would have to wait.
‘Very pretty,’ he agreed. ‘Especially your lady.’
‘She’s a good girl,’ Aleksandr said, nodding his head like a benevolent father. ‘Never believe the things you might read or see on the Internet.’
‘Aleksandr,’ Hammond said, clearing his throat. ‘I was hoping we might get a moment to talk about my future plans. I have many things to discuss that could be most advantageous for both of us.’
‘I am sure,’ Aleksandr replied. ‘However, Senator, there is a time and a place for everything, and that time and place is not now.’
‘Of course,’ Hammond said, furious at being dismissed.
Aleksandr nodded. ‘We’ll see,’ he said in a non-committal way.
Hammond felt his erection deflate. Even Lori couldn’t coax it up now.
Chapter Fifty
Back in New York, Eddie March was dealing with a crisis. A crisis that could blow up in everyone’s face. He’d arrived at the office bright and early, just as he did every day, and there, sitting in reception, were Mr and Mrs Martin Byrne, parents of young Skylar, Hammond’s latest intern.
‘They’ve been waiting half an hour,’ the girl at reception had informed him. ‘They wanted to see Senator Patterson. I told them he’s abroad, and besides, they didn’t have an appointment. However, since they said it was extremely urgent, I suggested they wait for you.’
Wait they did. And Eddie met with them, and suddenly it was all systems on red alert, for according to Martin Byrne, Senator Patterson had sexually molested his darling daughter, Skylar.
Eddie was in shock. Christ! How could this be happening? Was it true? Would Hammond be stupid enough to do such a thing?
Eddie wasn’t sure how to handle such a situation. Sex scandals involving politicians were hardly unusual. He immediately thought of John Edwards, Eliot Spitzer, Gary Hart, even ex-President Bill Clinton.
The scandal had ruined Edwards’s political ambitions. Hart and Spitzer were long gone. Clinton had survived being impeached, but only just. And there were numerous others who’d fallen by the wayside because of their various sexual shenanigans.
Dammit! Eddie’s initial reaction was, how could Hammond do this to Sierra? She was a beloved public figure. She was a rare and special beauty. Why would Hammond even consider straying? And with a teenage intern, at that.
Eddie thrust his mind into overdrive. What did these people want? Was it money? Headlines? An apology?
How could he help them and keep this under wraps?
There was only one way to find out.
Chapter Fifty-One
