Traded for Love Read Online Free PDF

he was gone again.
    Once his cognac arrived, Stratford was all business. He barely paid Emily any attention at all, a fact for which I was exceedingly glad. My sense of ownership had really been tested. I decided not to bring her to any of our meetings again. This time would be the last.
    We talked a good deal about my strategies and the type of staff I had working in my city office. Emily stayed quiet, never interrupting us as we ate and talked.
    I enjoyed my New York Strip Au Poivre . Stratford ate half his filet and downed several drinks by the time we were finished.
    “Excuse me, gentlemen. I have to go powder my nose,” Emily said, standing and excusing herself.
    Both of us smiled at her before she left the table.
    “Beautiful creature, that wife of yours,” Stratford said, sipping from his fifth cognac.
    “She has many attractive qualities,” I said, giving my red wine a swirl in my glass.
    “I don't suppose you could part with her for an afternoon, could you?” His eyes stayed fixed in the direction of the restroom into which she'd disappeared.
    His question put me on edge. “Why? What for?”
    “I'm sure my wife would love to meet her. She could give Emily a taste of what the life of a politician's wife offers.” He tapped his pinkie finger lightly on his snifter.
    I literally shoved my tongue in my cheek. “Your wife … ” I said slowly. “I'm not sure.”
    Stratford's eyes gleamed. “How about a bargain?” He tipped his head. “If you let me borrow your wife for an afternoon, I'll take on your campaign. How does that sound?”
    I knew what he meant. I knew why he wanted her. The worst part was … I was considering it. My pride stung from the blow of his request. Could he sense just how badly I wanted to go into politics?
    “If I were to consent to her … visiting you , how long would you have her?” I asked.
    “Only a few hours. It doesn't take long to show a woman the intricacies of political life.” He grinned over the edge of his glass, his perfect pearly whites shining.
    “Can I have some time to think about it?” I asked.
    “Come now, Jack, you've got to be a man of action. You've got to have enough faith in your decision-making abilities to make choices on the spot. How else can you expect to have power over others if you can't even master yourself?” He chuckled, turning back to check the bathroom entrance.
    My anger threatened to erupt. He was challenging my control. Nobody ever did that . “I have faith in my abilities, sir, I can assure you.” I almost told him to fuck off, but … I knew if I said yes, I could have it all.
    I knew I could do it, too. Because I didn't love Emily, I could lend her out. I could order her to go to him, to listen to him, and she would. She'd do anything for me. He'd have her for a day and, with him supporting me and guiding me, I knew I'd have everything I'd dreamed of.
    “She'll be back soon. What's your answer?”
    I dabbed the corner of my mouth. “I think that can be arranged.”
    “Good! Then we see eye to eye.”
    Emily came back to the table. “I'm sorry I was gone so long. There was a wait.” The silence between us was palpable, which was probably why she was cautious with her next question. “What did you boys talk about while I was gone?”
    “Actually, we were talking about you , Emily,” Stratford said brazenly.
    “Me?” she snickered nervously.
    “I was thinking that you'd like to meet my wife, tomorrow. She'd love you. What do you say?”
    “I—I guess … What do you think, Jack?”
    “If you don't have anything else to do, I think you'd enjoy it.” I hated lying to her. It was filthy for me to give her away like that. Even though in the past few months I'd treated her like an object, at least I'd tried to be good to her. But things had changed. I was desperate to win—and Stratford knew it.
    Damn this bastard, I thought.
    “I'd be happy to meet your wife,” she said, a look of trusting naivety on her