Page 43 of Power
“You’ve offered this before. How do you think that’ll be received by three-hundred and thirty-three million Americans, Bennett? No need to get your team to run a poll on it, because I can tell you. You’re the youngest president in American history, who lost his wife tragically days after inauguration. Now you’re sleeping with an escort who got pregnant by turning tricks at fifteen.”
Bennett rakes his hand through his hair as his eyes harden. “I’ll deal with it if it ever comes to light. We can keep it quiet.” He clicks his tongue and returns his eyes to me. “You can work for me. Full medical and all the other benefits.”
I tilt my head to the side and smile. “You’re persistent.”
“Starting salary is forty thousand.”
“Seriously?” I snort. “Forty grand a year?”
“With medical and benefits,” he says proudly.
“Between my investments and my job, I earn more than that in a month.”
He flexes his jaw as he stares at me. “I want you out of that job, Reece. First, it’s illegal.”
“But you pay for escorts.”
“Did. I don’t anymore.”
“That’s not going to matter to the American public if it’s ever leaked. Not one little bit,” I counter.
“Second, it’s obviously not safe.”
“No, it isn’t. But what job is a hundred percent safe?”
“Working for me.” I tilt my head to the side and angle my chin down, staring at him with an ‘are you kidding’ look. “These are all inconsequential. You’re not going back to being an escort.”
“Bennett...”
He slams his hand on the table making me startle backward. “I don’t want you fucking other men.”
“But fucking other women is acceptable?”
“No, no. Not at all. I don’t want you having sex with anyone but me.” I stare down at my fluffy scrambled eggs. I pick my fork up and shove them around a little before lifting some and eating the now-cold eggs. “Reece.”
“What’s happening here, Bennett?” I motion between us.
“I’ve been grappling with that very question.” I stare at him, waiting for something. “I don’t like you having sex with anyone but me.” I arch a brow, though remain quiet, letting him state his reasons. “I’m painfully aware that this is your profession, Reece, but I want more.”
“More?”
“I want you.” His words are raw and direct. “I want to see where this can go.”
“Why?” I push.
He stares at his food on the plate and nods his head. “Because I find myself attracted to you.”
“I’m a twenty-five-year-old sex worker with a ten-year-old daughter. That in itself will absolutely destroy your presidency. Unless, you decide not to run for reelection.”
“I’m going to run,” he says without missing a beat.
“You won’t win if this becomes anything more.”
He releases a cynical chuckle. “That ship sailed the first night I met you. I knew right then that I wanted you, just as much as I do now, sitting across from you at the breakfast table.”
Okay then, I wasn’t expecting such brutal honesty. “Bennett, I need to protect Emily.”
“I understand.”
