Scandal | Jack Schlossberg

Chapter 11

Today we will be holding a high-profile fundraising gala in New York to secure donations from influential supporters. Journalists, distinguished guests such as senators and congressmen, some famous celebrity faces, and much more will be attending that mixes glamour and political strategy.

Truthfully I was excited; excited to get my makeup and hair done, walk in luxurious shoes, and wear an extravagant dress that makes others turn their head.

My warm brown hair cascaded down my back in 1950's esque style, paired with old-hollywood glam makeup. I wore a sleek and lavishly long, low collar white dress with sparkles that hugged my figure. It was almost transparent, mirroring the iconic Marilyn Monroe "Happy Birthday" dress. It wasn't deliberate, but I sure as hell didn't mind. I wore studded pearl earrings that matched with a pearl bracelet I wore.

The ballroom was a shimmering spectacle of wealth and influence, with crystal chandeliers casting a warm glow over the room. The clink of glasses, the low hum of conversation, and the occasional burst of laughter filled the air as guests mingled, each one a potential donor or ally in the campaign. The fundraising gala was in full swing, and the stakes were high. There were about 90 days left until the election, and each passing day felt like an eternity. Jack would have to debate Scott Gaetz soon, and I along with the rest of the nation lived in anticipation for that day. Jack would crush him considerably, but I couldn't help but be nervous.

I moved through the crowd with practiced ease, my eyes scanning the room for familiar faces. I had spent the last hour engaging in polite small talk, charming the guests with my wit and knowledge of the campaign.

I hadn't seen Jack since I arrived, and the tension in my gut from our last conversation still lingered. Like an animalistic instinct waiting to strike. Alone in my hotel room, I would focus on his breath on my lips and the closeness of his body, wanting to feel his hands searching me and kissing every inch that he desired. I had pleasured myself in hopes of finding solace from my frustration. Admittedly I liked the hunt, the tension that flowed between us.

I hoped it turned him on as well. I hoped he thought of me as much as I thought of him.

I chatted with a potential donor, feeling a presence at my side. I turned to find a tall, well-dressed man with dark, raven black hair, a shiny white smile and perfect teeth, with a glint in his hazel eyes.

"Troi, isn't it?" he asked, extending his hand. "I'm Nikolai. Big fan of the work you're doing for the campaign."

"Thank you, Nikolai," I replied, shaking his hand. His grip was firm, and I could tell from his tone that he wasn't just here for politics. "It's always nice to meet someone who supports our cause."

Nikolai leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "I have to say, it's not just the campaign I'm impressed with. You've really caught my eye tonight." He was close to me, eyeing me down from head to toe. The scent of a Giorgio Armani cologne radiating from his clothes.

I felt a flush rise in my cheeks, but before I could respond, I noticed Jack across the room, his eyes locked on me and Nikolai. His expression was unreadable, but I could sense the undercurrent of jealousy in his gaze. I could work with this.

"Excuse me for a moment, Nikolai," I said, flashing a polite smile before making my way towards Jack. I could feel the tension crackling in the air as I approached him. Why did I... kinda like this?

"Hey," I said softly, standing beside him. "Everything okay?"

Jack's jaw was tight as he glanced down at me. "Just enjoying the event," he replied, his voice clipped.

"Right," I said, not buying it for a second. "You sure it's not something else?" I replied, tauntingly. Oh I was so loving this.

Jack let out a slow breath, his eyes drifting back to where Nikolai was now chatting up another guest. "It's nothing," he said finally, but the edge in his voice told me otherwise.

He looked otherworldly tonight, a version of him I had never seen before. His jet black suit was paired with a dark red tie. He wore a sleek black watch matching his glossy, leather dress shoes. He absolutely commanded the room, his presence dominating over every person here. He was the definition of power; exquisite, magnetic, and influential. Every woman wanted him, and every man wanted to be him. Seeing him this way, I didn't want to just take him to my bed. I mean I did but... a part of me wanted to be something more to him. The one he called his own, the one he shared every intimate moment with, and the one he was grateful to be alive at the same time with. I wanted a future with him.

The realization hit me, and I shoved the thoughts away from me.

I smirked, looking up at him. "Jack, are you jealous?"

Jack's eyes narrowed slightly, his lips twitching as if he was holding back a smirk. "Jealous? Of what, exactly?" he asked, his tone casual, almost dismissive and defiant. But I could hear the subtle tension beneath his words, like a wire pulled taut, ready to snap.

I tilted my head, a playful glint in my eye. "Of Nikolai. The way he was looking at me... I mean, it was pretty obvious."

Jack shrugged, his gaze drifting around the room as if he were barely interested in the conversation. "He's just another donor, Troi. Nothing to get worked up about."

I raised an eyebrow, leaning in a little closer. "Really? Because it looked like you were about to come over and stake your claim."

Jack finally turned to face me fully, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my breath catch. He was close to me, and I could see his smile lines clear as day. "Stake my claim?" he repeated, his voice low and smooth. "I think you're reading too much into this. We're here to raise money, not play some game."

But there was something in the way he said it, in the way his eyes lingered on my lips for just a second too long, that told me he wasn't as unaffected as he pretended to be. Fucking hell this was making me horny.

"Maybe," I said softly, my heart pounding in my chest. I was trying to keep my composure, but my lower body was on fire. "But if you weren't jealous, why are you still here? Still having this conversation with me."

Jack paused, his gaze flickering over my face as if searching for something. I had almost forgotten we were in public. I didn't even care. Finally, he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I'm still here because I saw you with some guy. He could be dangerous. I just wanted to check in. That's it."

I smiled, sensing the crack in his armor. "Well, I'm fine. Nikolai was just being polite."

"Sure," Jack replied, but his voice was tight, the words clipped. He turned to glance at Nikolai again, who was still talking to another guest, oblivious to the tension between Jack and I. "Just... be careful with him, okay? Some of these guys aren't just here for politics."

My smile widened, feeling a warmth spread through me at the concern in his voice. "I can handle myself, Jack."

"I know you can," he said, his gaze softening just a fraction. "But that doesn't mean I'm not going to look out for you."

We stood there for a moment, the air between us charged with unspoken words and unsatisfied desires. I wanted to reach out, to close the distance between us and see if the electricity I felt was real. But I knew better than to act on impulse, especially here, in front of so many eyes. We'd be damned if we kissed here first of all places.

Instead, I simply nodded, stepping back slightly to put some space between us. "Thanks, Jack. I appreciate it," I said, teasingly.

He nodded in return, his expression unreadable. "Anytime, Troi."

I walked away, going towards the table filled with refreshments. I could feel his gaze on me, and I never felt sexier than walking away from him so he could look at my ass.

As the night went on, the tension between us still simmered, unresolved and undeniable. The night was far from over, and so was the dance that had begun.