Misconduct (32 page)

I jutted out my thumbs, typing quickly.
The only way you can be outside of the house past ten at night is if you come to me at the ball. It’s your choice.

I’d rather eat rats,
his text read, and I broke out in a quiet laugh.

Shaking my head and still smiling, I typed,
Ms. Bradbury is here. It wouldn’t be that boring.

A moment later, his text came through.
Really?
he asked.
Have fun with that.

My eyebrows nose-dived as I wondered what the hell he meant.

??
, I typed, almost afraid to know.

My phone buzzed, and I set down my drink.

I’m fourteen, not stupid,
he wrote.
If you like her, I’m cool with it.

What?
How did…?

I dropped my hand to the bar and stood up straight, tensing.

Christian knew?

A million things ran through my head.
What did he know exactly? Did anyone else at his school know? Did he see something?

And fuck! His mother.
 

But my main fear – my main reason – for backing off from Easton was Christian. Although I knew I couldn’t be a good father, the head of Marek Industries, a senator, and her lover and balance all of those responsibilities well, my main concern was alienating Christian forever.

But he already knew. And he was fine with it.

Still perplexed, I typed slowly, my fingers shaky.
Your friends might have something to say.

He could be ostracized.

Not if they know what’s good for them,
he replied, sounding cocky.

And then came another text.

I’m cool with it, Dad,
he reassured me, and I smiled to myself in disbelief.

Running my hand down my face, I pulled at my collar, wishing I could figure out how to handle my personal life as well as I did business.

Clarify your goals. What do you want?
 

I placed my hands on the bar, bowing my head as my chest rose and fell harder by the second.

What do I want?
 

I pictured myself traveling to my work sites around the world, climbing the steps of Capitol Hill, accomplishing something that was supposed to be worthwhile and good for the world – and none of it held any luster.

None of it could replace her.

I clenched my fists and spun around, ready to charge over there and take her, but I stopped short, seeing Tessa standing before me.

“Dance with me?” she asked. “We haven’t really talked tonight.”

I glanced over to see Easton at the French doors, talking with her brother, when Mason Blackwell came up to them and shook her brother’s hand.

Tessa followed my gaze, and I watched as he spoke to Easton. She didn’t look like she was enjoying whatever she heard, but then he took her drink, put it down on the table, and I watched him lead her onto the dance floor.

I immediately snapped into action, brushing past Tessa, but she grabbed my arm.

“You were never photographed with her, were you?” she chastised. “Having an affair with your son’s teacher would kill your campaign, Tyler.”

I looked down at her, surprised to find that I didn’t give a shit.

“Especially one as outspoken as her,” Tessa sniped. “She’s not built for discretion.”

“But you are?” I inferred, catching her hint.

She licked her ashen pink lips with a hint of a smile on her face. “I think I’m everything you need.”

And that’s when it hit me. I had things I wanted but didn’t need and things I needed but didn’t want.

There were only two things I needed and wanted at the same time: Easton and my kid.

I spun on my heel and charged onto the dance floor, heading straight for Blackwell as he started to sway with Easton.

I stepped between them, forcing him out of the way.

“I’m leaving.” I turned to Easton, telling her, “And I’m taking you with me.”

Her worried eyes turned on me, and she shook her head. “Tyler, no,” she urged, telling me I shouldn’t be doing this.

But Blackwell stepped up, reaching for her.

“Keep your hands off of her,” I warned, turning my scowl on him.

He backed off, crossing his arms over his chest. “I didn’t realize she was here with you,” he said calmly.

I was sure he was loving this, but I didn’t give a damn anymore.

I took Easton’s hand with my left and tilted her chin up with my right.

“Tyler, don’t,” she begged, looking around at whoever might be watching us.

Tessa’s voice came up behind me. “Listen to her, Tyler.”

I held Easton’s eyes, seeing the tears pool there.

“You love me,” I whispered softly enough for only her to hear.

“What’s going on?” my father interrupted, stopping his dance next to us as he and his wife looked between Easton and me with concern.

Easton searched my eyes, still worried.

“I don’t care,” I told her. “I don’t want to make trouble for you, but I don’t care about the campaign if I can’t have you. I don’t fucking care.”

Her desperate eyes pooled with more tears, and I cupped her face in both hands, caressing her cheeks.

“Aren’t you the teacher that was featured in
Newsweek
?” my stepmother asked, inching forward in our tight circle as dancers moved around us. “You teach at Braddock Autenberry, right?”

“Braddock Autenberry?” Blackwell repeated, squinting at me. “Doesn’t your son attend school there?”

And now it was done.

He knew, everyone would know, and Easton and I would have to weather this storm, but fuck it.

“Well, well, well,” he mused. “My night just got better.”

Easton started shaking her head, but I held her with my steady gaze, looking into her eyes.

“I don’t care,” I maintained. “I need you.”

Mason Blackwell could ride this scandal to kingdom come. It would be a small price to pay to have her.

She clasped my forearms, and I grabbed her hand, ready to get her out of here.

“I almost feel sorry for you, Marek,” Blackwell gloated when I turned around. “We all have our dirty little secrets, but most of us have the sense —”

“Yes!” my stepmother gasped, cutting Blackwell off. “You’re the teacher who was a tennis player, right?” She gestured to Easton as my father listened with a stern set to his features.

“I was so sorry to read that part about your parents and sister. Oh, my goodness.” She placed a hand on her heart, giving Easton a sympathetic look.

“Thank you,” Easton choked out.

“What a horrible tragedy,” Rachel consoled. “I can’t imagine being eighteen years old and losing nearly your entire family.”

Blackwell’s eyebrows nose-dived as he listened.

Rachel continued. “And then you and your brother divided your parents’ estate between several children’s charities here in New Orleans?” she went on. “So generous when you had already lost so much.”

I faltered, having not known that part.

“My brother must’ve told them that,” Easton admitted, looking embarrassed.

I raised my eyes, locking on Blackwell’s, and I saw it in his eyes. He could try to sling mud, but Easton’s record and character spoke for themselves.

“You truly have given a lot to this city,” Rachel stated, smiling. “I can’t wait to see where your career goes, Ms. Bradbury.”

Easton nodded, giving her a small smile. “Thank you.”

“Excuse us for a moment.” I grabbed her hand and pulled her away from everyone, rushing out.

Jay was somewhere. Her brother was somewhere. But we were leaving. I dug out my phone and quickly texted Patrick to bring the car around.

“Tyler,” Easton urged as I jogged down to the stairs, holding her hand. “Tyler, what are you doing?”

I pulled her along, hearing her heels
clack-clack-clack
as she kept up.

Reaching the bottom, I pulled her around the banister and led her out of the hotel and onto the sidewalk.

The Quarter was filled with people, and photographers from a local news station waited outside, covering the ball.

I scanned the area, but I didn’t see Patrick, so I continued to lead her down the street. She pulled her hand out of my grasp, stopping me.

“Tyler!” she burst out. “We can’t —”

But I interrupted her, taking her face in my hand. “I love you, okay?” I rushed out. “I love you like crazy, and I’ve never said that to a woman before, but I’m completely in love with you, Easton Bradbury.”

I breathed hard, moving my hands to her waist.

Bowing my forehead down to hers, I tried to keep my voice low. “You’re going to get me into trouble with that mouth of yours, and I may not get everything I thought I wanted out of life, but if I don’t have you and my son, then the rest of it means nothing,” I told her. “You make me happy, my kid likes you, and I feel like I could do anything if I knew I was going to see you every day. I need you.”

I layered my lips to hers, breathing in her breath and feeling her shake. I didn’t know if it was from me or the chill in the air, but I pulled her in close and wrapped my arm around her waist.

The heat from her mouth and the way her lips quivered drove me wild.

She ran her hands up my chest and circled them around my neck. “People are watching,” she whispered.

“Are you scared?” I grinned.

She laughed quietly, and her sweet smile made my blood rush.

“No,” she answered, and I knew she was lying. “You?”

I shook my head, playing with her. “Not a chance.”

We were both scared shitless, but that was the best part. If there was no gamble, there was no reward.

I heard a camera click, and then I heard a car horn sound. I reluctantly twisted my head, seeing the SUV in the middle of the one-way road.

Taking Easton’s hand, I pulled her into the street and through the car door that Patrick held open.

I let her climb in first, and then I hopped in, Patrick slamming it behind us.

“They took our picture,” she warned.

“Good. I’ll frame it,” I shot back, closing the glass between us and Patrick as he climbed into the driver’s seat and drove.

“Tyler, those pictures will be online soon,” she worried.

But I dropped to my knees in front of her. “I don’t care,” I whispered.

Reaching behind her neck, I unclasped her dress and pulled the top down, gazing at her gorgeous body and beautiful breasts. Grazing my fingertips down her flat stomach, I pulled the dress down farther, meeting her eyes, so she could see mine.

“I need you,” I growled low. “Right now.”

And I yanked the fabric until she got the hint and raised her ass off the seat, so I could get the dress off.

“Jesus Christ,” I groaned. “You weren’t wearing panties?”

I looked at her hard in the eyes, like she’d betrayed me or something. Why was she not wearing underwear?

Her dark eyes behind the mask flashed with excitement, and she plastered her naked body against me, wrapping her arms around my neck.

“I like the feel of clothes against my skin,” she taunted, leaving soft kisses around my mouth. “Like your clothes.”

And then she started rolling her hips against me in small circles, and I groaned.

“Fuck,” I breathed out.

She slid her hand down my hardening cock, rubbing it slowly and teasingly through my pants. As I bit my lip, she grew more needy and demanding, taking my hand and slipping it between her legs.

“Tyler.” She quivered when I slipped a finger inside of her.

“Yes,” I answered, slipping in another finger.

She sucked in a breath and squeezed her eyes shut. “Those photos?” she pressed. “Call your brother.”

I grinned and took out my phone, dialing Jay.

Easton pushed me back into the seat and knelt down, unfastening my pants and belt.

“What have you done?” Jay answered without saying hello.

Easton took my cock out, her eyes looking up at me through the mask as she slid it between her lips, taking all of it down.

“All right.” I breathed hard. “Get out in front of this,” I told Jay. “Easton Bradbury taught Christian, but he’s now in an advanced class with a different teacher. I am simply dating a teacher from the same school my son attends.”

She sucked hard, and I felt the muscles in my legs tense as my dick grew even harder.

“Fuck,” I gasped.

“What?” Jay blurted out. “What are you —?”

But I zoned out as she took my dick out of her mouth and kissed and sucked down the sides, fucking worshipping me.

“I’ll speak to her superior tomorrow,” I told Jay. “Just build her up. Use the
Newsweek
article and her website. No interruptions until after nine tomorrow,” I demanded, looking down and seeing the grin on her face as she licked the underside on one lone, taunting stroke with the tip of her tongue.

“Eh,” I inched out. “Make that noon.”

And I hung up.

Darting forward, I lifted her under the arms and put her on the seat across from me. Kneeling in front of her again, I pulled her hair gently, forcing her to arch her back so I could play with her tits. Taking one in my mouth, I tugged at her nipple, drawing it between my teeth and kissing the skin around it before moving on to the other one.

“I love you, too, Tyler,” she breathed out. “Don’t be careful with me, okay?”

Bringing her back up, I threw off my jacket and ripped my shirt open, her hands going straight to my chest.

“I trust you,” she told me.

I kissed her hard, kneading her ass. “You didn’t tell me about the stalking,” I charged.

“I know.” She nodded.

“You’ll tell me everything, you understand?” My hands were all over her, touching her like I would never touch her again. “No one else educates me about you, Easton.”

She wrapped her arms around my neck, whispering against my neck, “Are you sure?”

“Of course.”

But as I tried to gently push her down, because I needed to kiss every inch of her, she stopped me and raised her eyes.

So I narrowed mine on her. “What is it?”

She looked away, growing tense, and then so did I.

“There have been a couple of break-ins at my apartment,” she explained, looking solemn. “I don’t know who it is, and they don’t appear to be taking anything, but —”