“That doesn’t mean she—”
“She’s just satisfying her curiosity and a few healthy appetites,” Tasha said over him. "If you got off your moral high horse for a minute you’d remember what it was like to enjoy yourself. Experimenting with kink isn’t such a bad thing. You might even like it. Two out of four Finns already do.”
“I remember enjoying myself,” he murmured. He was staring at her breasts again, making it clear exactly what he was remembering. “As to the other… You want to test that theory?”
Tasha’s arms dropped numbly to her sides. “Excuse me?”
The weight of Stephen’s hooded gaze was like the touch of a hand or the rough glide of a tongue along her skin. She wanted him to touch her. Taste her. She definitely had some appetites that were in need of satisfaction.
“Not as smooth a delivery as I planned. You’d think I didn’t communicate for a living.” He ran his hands through his hair again, looking uncomfortable and mussed. It was an oddly attractive change. “I’m not sure where to begin or how much I’m allowed to tell you.”
“That sounds intriguing,” she said, trailing behind him as he walked to his desk.
“It isn’t.” He sat in his plush leather executive chair and gestured for her to have a seat across the desk from him, but Tasha wandered toward the bookshelves along the wall instead, pretending to study the titles.
Stephen sighed. “Look, Jen is a hot button topic right now, I won’t deny it. I’m her brother, so of course I’m worried about her. But I didn’t bring you here to argue about that.”
Could have fooled her. “Then why?”
“What I’m about to tell you, only a handful of people know. I’m trusting you to make sure it stays that way.”
Tasha laughed and sent him a grin. She couldn’t help it. “Worried I might not be able to keep a secret? Baby, you do know who you’re talking to, right? I’m the Finn vault. I’ve kept your sister’s secrets. I’ve kept Owen’s. And Lord knows I’ve kept yours.”
Stephen smiled back at her, but his expression swiftly sobered. “It had to be said before I officially asked for your help.”
He’d asked her here because he wanted her help with something? Something that didn’t have to do with his sister? She turned toward him, lifted her fingers to her lips and mimed turning a key in a lock.
“Good.” He lost focus for a moment, apparently gathering his thoughts before he spoke. “Most of the time being a senator is like slogging through quicksand. When I was DA life was easier. Now? The trial is never over, the jury is always out and I have more press attention and paid vacation days than I know what to do with. But I might finally have a real chance to do some good.”
“I feel your pain. Vacation days are the worst. Tell me more,” she said, wandering back toward him.
He let her sarcasm slide. “It seems that in the process of doing my job, particularly on the senatorial ethics committee, I’ve gained some attention. Recently, an opportunity has arisen that would allow me to do something tangible. Something that, in the long run, could have a positive impact on the way this state is run even after I’m out of office.”
He gave her a significant look as she paused in front of his desk. “The only catch is this isn’t a one-man job. I find myself in a situation for which your singular skills are required if I’m to move forward.”
Oh, so formal and careful—the good senator could hardly have acted more suspiciously if he’d tried.
Tasha forced a smile. “My singular skills?”
Picking up the glass paperweight from his desk, she gave it a little toss before catching it in one hand. “Well, since I can’t juggle, you must be talking about my other skills.”
He sighed. “Natasha—”
“Having issues with the minority vote, Senator?” she asked pointedly as she rubbed her thumb over the shamrock etched into the smooth glass. Owen must have given this to him. “Or would you like me to hold a fundraiser at the club you disapprove of? I could make a banner, bake some cookies and give away free handcuffs. Fetishists for Finn.”
The expression on Stephen’s face was reproachful. “The senate is in recess for the next few weeks, and I’ve been invited to a gathering at a private residence with an exclusive guest list. It’s been advertised as four days and three nights spent exchanging policy ideas in a relaxing environment, away from the oppressive city heat. I’m told bringing a companion would not be remiss. I’d like you to be that companion.”
Stunned, Tasha reached for the chair behind her and sat down before she fell down.
“Wait,” she said, blinking at him in disbelief. “You want me to come to a house party…as your date?”