We last read Chapter 64, in which Beth prepares for the gala in her room at the lodge. Oliver, the butler, slips her a note from Raven Tristan, who tells Beth she will help get her into the study at 11 pm. Beth then leaves her room, and the gala begins. Senator Bishop, whose charisma is almost magical, charms Beth, and then dinner begins. Beth finds herself seated between Conner and Senator Bishop.
This is the second story, so if you want to start from the very beginning, you can jump over to book 1, and begin with the Prologue of Sapphire Angel, Superheroine. Or to start at the beginning of book 2 (this story), click over to the Prologue of Power Play.
Thanks for reading!
Senator Bishop took another long gulp from his glass, which always seemed full, and leaned in toward Beth. The reek of alcohol on his breath wafted over her.
"Looking forward to lots more of you," he said, grasping her thigh where it extended from the slit in her dress, and sliding his hand higher, his fingers splaying across her skin.
A spark of revulsion lit within her, fueled by his groping touch, and aided by Conner's presence and the senator's intoxication. Bishop had gone beyond just suggestive words. His fondle — too close, too personal — jarred Beth back to reality, like a bolt of lightening striking the ground next to her. As suddenly as his spell had grabbed her in the foyer earlier in the day, it evaporated under his hand.
She took the senator's wrist and jerked his arm aside. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Conner rise from his seat, his fists balled at his side. She glanced at him and gave a quick shake of her head. This was no time for him to cause a scene, if they wanted to learn anything tonight.
Conner eased himself back into his seat, his jaw clenched and his eyes fixed on Bishop. The other guests at the table ignored them, no longer even gawking at Beth. It was almost as if they were familiar with the senator's antics and were pretending not to notice.
Bishop leaned back in his chair, taking in Beth with his predatory smile. Beth cringed inwardly, realizing how naïve she had been. Had Conner seen it all during the cocktail hour? She thought of his words in Florida, telling her of his affinity for the sweet, innocent type. Would he still feel the same way, since the same innocence had caused her to fall for Bishop's now-obvious maneuvers?
Before Bishop could speak again, the first course of dinner arrived, and a waiter reached in front of Beth with a salad. It was only a temporary reprieve, and the dinner began much how the cocktail hour had gone, with Bishop trying to reestablish his magic with compliments and boasts. Beth maintained a pleasant demeanor, but now was on guard.
As the dinner progressed, Conner and Bishop did little to hide their disdain for one another, trading verbal spars. With each course, Bishop drank more, and became more forward with his comments toward Beth. Conner's face reddened with each comment, and his knuckles clenched tighter around the edge of the table.
Despite Bishop's intoxication, Beth and Conner failed whenever they questioned him about his relationship with Wheldon. He either ignored the questions, or deflected them like a politician might deflect tough questions on the campaign trail.
"So, where have you been hiding all this time?" Bishop slurred, leaning toward Beth. "I wanna see you in magazines and on websites."
"Oh, that's not really for me," she said, but thought of the countless magazines and websites filled with images of Sapphire Angel.
When Bishop finally left for the restroom a few minutes later, Conner leaned in and hissed, "That guy is an ass. If I didn't think it would get me kicked out, and kill any chance of learning anything, my fist would be through his nose already."
"I'm more upset he hasn't slipped up and told us something," Beth whispered, stealing glances at the other guests around the table. They continued to ignore her and Conner. "I guess it was stupid to think we might learn something up here. The night's almost up, and we have nothing."
"Maybe we have until the President arrives at the plant tomorrow morning."
"Did you learn anything else about him when you called Olivia?" Beth asked.
"My phone didn't have a signal," Conner replied. "And the phone in the room was only for inside calls. We're on our own, maybe not by coincidence, and we're almost out of chances."
Beth met his eyes, opened her mouth to speak, but decided against telling him about her upcoming visit to the study. He might try to stop her and go in her place.
"What?" he asked, raising an inquiring eyebrow.
"I was just going to say you look nice tonight," she said, reaching out and touching his leg.
As the waitstaff began serving dessert, Bishop returned and started heaping praise on Beth again.
"You must look fantastic in a bikini," he slurred, and placed a hand on her bare back as he leaned toward her. "Men would pay to see that."
Before Beth could retort, Conner shot to his feet and came behind her.
"I need some air," Conner said. "Care to join me?"
She nodded. Conner pulled out her chair, and she saw him lock eyes with Bishop. Beth pretended she didn't notice and followed Conner to a bank of doors on the back wall. They stepped through one of the doors and onto the dock attached to the building. Conner closed the door behind him, swearing under his breath.
"I won't care if I get kicked out, if he keeps it up," Conner muttered. "I'll pummel him."
Beth put a hand on his chest. "Thanks for rescuing me. But let's not make a scene. I was biting my tongue, too. And something tells me assaulting a United States Senator might not be the best idea."
"Yeah, you're right," he grumbled, glancing down at her hand. "This whole thing is so damn frustrating, and I don't just mean Bishop. Before that drunken fool came back from the restroom, I was about to tell you I talked to Wheldon during the cocktail hour, when Bishop had you cornered. Wheldon seemed a bit nervous, but wouldn't tip his hand. And I spoke with some other guests, but came up empty there, too."
"I guess it doesn't look good," Beth answered. At least someone had asked questions during the cocktail hour, and hadn't gotten sidetracked by a charismatic politician who turned out to be an ass. Her dad would call it a "learning experience." Or perhaps he would have wanted to punch Bishop, too.
She reached into her small purse to glance at the time on her phone. Just over an hour until she could get into the study. When she looked, she noticed that her signal was still out. As she watched the indicator, though, the signal came back on, before briefly changing to "no service" again.
"Beth, listen. You know me. I say a lot I don't mean. But I'll tell you something I do mean." Conner took her hand and kissed it gently. "I really like you. A lot. Sorry if I was grouchy with you, but it bothered me when you blew me off. I'm not used to that."
Beth looked up at him, wishing she could tell him the reason she had ignored him. An uncharacteristic impulse came over her as she gazed up into his eyes. Perhaps it was guilt or regret after the Senator had so masterfully played her, or perhaps it was the connection she had forged with Conner. She reached up, put her arms around his neck, and pulled his head toward hers. He didn't resist and their lips touched. She closed her eyes as he kissed her hungrily. She felt his hands wrap around her back and he pulled her close. After several moments they both came up for air.
"Don't make me wait to do that again," he commented, and gently ran a finger down the side of her face, brushing a loose strand of hair to the side.
"I won't," she whispered, leaning against him. She rested her cheek against his chest and felt him kiss the top of her head.
"Care to dance?" he asked.
Beth turned and saw the tables had been moved to the edges of the room, and a wall had been folded back, making the room larger. On the farthest wall, a band was set up and playing. She also saw a clock on the wall above the band. Ten o'clock. One hour until the study, if Tristan came through for her.
"If you can lead," Beth replied, feeling nervous. She was nimble from her figure skating days and her life as Sapphire Angel, but had never taken formal dance lessons.
Conner took her hand and led her back inside. He guided her to the middle of the dance floor, where three other couples twirled about. The band was playing a mid-tempo number she didn't recognize. Conner surprised her by taking one of her hands, placing his other hand on the small of her back, and guiding her around the floor. His steps were precise and fluid, in perfect sync with the music.
A smile crept onto her face. "So the rakish Conner Bennett can dance," she said.
"Oh, I'm full of surprises," he replied, as he lifted her arm and led her into a twirl. Her grin widened, and she let herself be swept along by Conner. She found herself twirling and gliding across the dance floor with him, at times moving in dizzying ways. The music transitioned from one song to the next, on and on, and yet Conner did not tire.
Finally, when she thought she would collapse with exhaustion, the music paused and the band played the opening notes of a slow number. Conner pulled her close with a hand against her back. She nestled her head against his chest, catching her breath.
Conner rested his cheek on the top of her head after kissing it. Their movements were slower, but just as invigorating for her. They swayed and glided around the room, their bodies close. Conner's hand touched her bare back, sending constant jolts of excitement through her.
Beth closed her eyes as they moved, wanting to savor the moment. When she opened them, she saw Mark Bishop standing with Wheldon near an empty table. She couldn't hear what was being said, but Bishop scowled and waved his arms about as he spoke, and Wheldon nodded along with him. They disappeared from view as Conner guided her around the dance floor with slow, gentle steps. Whatever the band threw at them, Conner handled.
Conner's dance skills made her realize how little she knew of him, and how little he knew about her. And how little he could ever know. She snuggled even closer as they danced, partly to hide the look of despondency crossing her face. She was destined to a life of secrecy, and might never get close to someone.
As she and Conner danced, the time flew. Beth found it ironic to be at the lodge of a man she had grown to detest, and having more fun than she had had in months. But the fun needed to end. It was ten minutes until eleven, and she had to find a way to peel away from Conner.
As Beth considered the best approach, a familiar voice said, "Mr. Bennett, if I might have a moment of your time." Beth lifted her head from Conner's chest to see Wheldon standing near them.
"Yes?" Conner asked, still with his hand on Beth's back.
"Mr. Bennett, I would like to talk to you about some questions you had earlier."
Conner glanced down at Beth before addressing Wheldon. "If it is about the Echo Energy sale, then Ms. Harper should be part of those talks."
"Mr. Bennett, no offense intended to Ms. Harper, but there are times for just a man-to-man talk," he said. "And Ms. Harper, if I'm going to keep my word, this would be a good time for you to entertain Senator Bishop."
He raised an eyebrow at her as he spoke, and Beth caught her breath. Keep his word to whom? To Bishop, by serving her up on a platter? Or to her, by remaining silent if she did as he commanded? He might be testing her, but she couldn't risk it. She looked up at Conner, who still held one of her hands.
"It's okay, go ahead," she bent in and whispered. "It gives me another chance to question Bishop, and you can try again with Wheldon."
Conner furrowed his brow, giving her a long stare. "Are you sure? I don't like it."
"I'm sure," she nodded. "I need a break from all this dancing, anyway."
After muttering under his breath, Conner turned back to Wheldon. "Very well. Let's talk."
With a nod of his head toward the outside doors, Wheldon said, "Let's take a walk." Before leaving, he turned to Beth, smiled, and said, "Please do entertain the senator. He should find you shortly."
He walked away and Conner followed, glancing back at Beth. She forced a smile, watching him leave.
After he exited, Beth glanced around the room, not spying Bishop. Perhaps she could slip out unnoticed and get to the study. She stepped toward the exit, but Bishop appeared in front of her, blocking her path and almost colliding with her. As she took a step back, he grabbed one of her hands and pulled her toward him. She resisted, but he was stronger and pulled her against his body. Beth gasped as his other hand moved to her back, holding her tight against him.
"Now you can dance with me, like you danced with him," he said, and she flinched at the stench of alcohol emanating from him.
"I think you need to let go of me. Now," Beth hissed and leveled an icy gaze at Bishop. Her next reaction was another gasp, though, as Bishop forced her into a sideways step.
"Now, now, no need for hostility. A little dancing never hurt anyone," he slurred.
Beth weighed her options. She could raise a scene and be done with the lout. That would take up valuable time, though. It also assumed the other guests would care. Or she could play along and find a more subtle way to escape.
"I guess that's not so bad," she murmured, cringing as she allowed him to pull her even closer. She nearly gagged when she felt his arousal as he pressed against her.
Bishop stumbled along, a shadow of Conner's skill and elegance. She followed as best she could, but knew they made an awkward sight. She glanced up at the clock. Two minutes until eleven.
Bishop leaned his head in close to her ear, brushing a strand of her hair back from her face and whispering, "I think we should retire to my room."
Beth smiled weakly and replied, "I could use another drink first. Just a Diet Coke."
Bishop stood back, a silly grin on his face. "Anything for the pretty lady." He teetered away, heading for the bar.
When he was halfway there, Beth scanned the room and bolted for the exit to the hall. She slipped out, hoping Bishop hadn't noticed. It was time.
This is the second story, so if you want to start from the very beginning, you can jump over to book 1, and begin with the Prologue of Sapphire Angel, Superheroine. Or to start at the beginning of book 2 (this story), click over to the Prologue of Power Play.
Thanks for reading!
I appreciate any comments or email.
Okay, so Bishop’s off her tail, Wheldon’s with Bennett (still concerned for Bennett’s safety, by the way), and it’s time to head into that sealed room. Wondering what exactly everyone’s hiding in there….? Olivia and Bishop are still on my hit—I mean “hate list”. Then again, that could change. There’s still 10/11 chapters for you to change up the story on me, and I can’t wait to see how that happens.
To the study!!!