Freedom of the Press

"But was what he was actually doing illegal," Jeff Meyers, host of Truth with Jeff Meyers asked her, leaning toward her. "Did he break election laws?"

Nina was more than prepared.

"Well, no, under current election law, he didn't do anything wrong at all," Nina said, shaking her head like they were all in on the joke. Her face became more serious. "Morally? I think this is something the voters need to hear about and make their own decision, and that's why I pushed for this story for so long."

"Well, that's exactly the argument that Senator Steven Rash wants to make, and he'll be my next guest after we return from this commercial break," Jeff took a beat to smile into the A camera, then turned back to Nina. "Nina, lovely having you here as always. I hope we bring you on again soon."

Nina smiled back, and waited for the set producer to shout that they were on break before letting her smile drop and taking a deep breath. She glanced back to Jeff, who beamed at her.

"How'd I do," she asked.

"You were great. A perfect counterpoint to Rash. Who's on the set in 60 seconds so I better prepare. Thanks, again, for coming all the way in for this!"

As Nina walked off the set, Todd Gilmore stepped out of the shadows, doing a sarcastic slow clap as she approached. "Brava, you were brilliant, as always. Too bad you're on the wrong side of this one." He gave her a quick side hug, and she could smell the Old Spice he'd worn since college. She didn't mind it.

"I really don't think I am," she grinned back at him. "Just because you've decided to be Chief of Staff for Senator 'I'm not running for president so stop asking' doesn't automatically make you a good guy. Even though I know you are. " She gave him a gentle push on the shoulder.

"So, where'd they put you up?"

"Downtown," Nina sighed, "If they're going to send me all the way down here, I wish they'd put me in Buckhead so I can at least relax after."

"I'm downtown, too. Hotel bar at 8 after my guy's done? I have some updates on the old college crew. I'm sure you're just dying to hear. Shit, he's on. I'll see you tonight."

Before Nina could respond to his invitation, Todd was halfway across the studio to shake hands with Senator Rash, the 35-year-old senator from North Carolina, currently under investigation for Superpac funds to hire thousands of independent contractors. He used those contractors to create thousands of individual pro-party websites, social media accounts, and podcasts. Nina tracked the story for almost a year before publishing. She liked the attention the story received. Travel, on the other hand, was a nightmare. Luckily, in her line of work it helps to have friends in every city and a tight group of college friends spread throughout the political realm. So even though she didn't get to officially agree to drinks later, she would have gotten them anyway. She liked Todd, always had. The fact that he was one of her more attractive friends? She knew that didn't have any impact on her feelings at all, not one bit.

"30 seconds," someone yelled from the set and Nina turned to watch Rash, smug in his rehearsed lines, lie his way through the interview.

"Prick," Nina whispered under her breath, then turned to make her way out of the studio.

--

Nina spent the day responding to interview requests and making story updates from her editor. Her next story wasn't nearly as exciting as the Senator Rash story, but journalism never stops. When 7PM rolled around, she felt exhausted, but ready for a drink, so she headed down to the bar to see if she might catch Todd early.

Nina wasn't the type to hook up with random people she met on the road, but Todd was different. They danced around each other throughout college, never single at the same time, never really flirting with each other, but something always pulsed in the background of their conversations. A drunken kiss at an election coverage party in 2016 was as close as they'd ever come to being intimate, but now that he worked for Rash she saw him way more frequently. She wanted to explore where things could go.

Instead, she received the most predictable text you can get from a politician's staff:

TODD: Sry, can't make drinks tonight. Not even staying in Atlanta, he has a virtual hit for the morning show tomorrow, but they want me up there in person for the pre-shoot.

NINA: Ugh! Hate that for you. I just ordered a martini, so I'll drink it in your honor. I actually have the last hour of the morning show tomorrow too, maybe we can catch up in NYC?

TODD: Sounds perfect.

Nina dropped her phone on the bar, disappointed. She was just raising her hand to close her tab and head back for some much needed rest when a smug voice she almost recognized rose out over the din of the bar.

"Nina fucking DePalma, you know you're currently making my life a living hell."

Nina turned, shocked to see Steven Rash standing behind her, a man who occupied most of her waking thoughts for the last few years, but whom she'd never actually met. She overcame her initial surprise and set a slight grin on her face, ready for battle.

"I think you've made your own life hellish, Senator," she shot back. "I'm just giving the people a small window into the fire."

Rash laughed, "That you are, and honestly? I'm glad you're doing it."

That one actually surprised her. Rash saw it on her face and jumped.

"Oh you're surprised someone like me respects the work of the press," he smiled, showing all his teeth. "I think what you're doing is a witch hunt for sure. But what if we didn't have people like you chasing down every bone they could sniff? It'd be anarchy! We need diligent folks keeping everyone in line. Look at how much trouble they had with the last few presidents.

"No, I'm a new wing of this party, sure I'm taking some... unconventional tactics. But it's just innovation! We didn't make the rules, we're just here to..."

"Let me stop you there," Nina put out her hand. "I don't need to hear your stump speech. But thank you for acknowledging that what we're doing is important."

Nina spent days of her life looking at photos and videos of this man for her story, but up close she thought she might be getting closer to seeing the appeal this guy had with voters. Sure, she found his politics and processes to be the exact opposite of her ideals, but when he spoke, he spoke kindly, without some of the rhetorical rage and fear mongering of his colleagues. And though only in his mid-30s, his salt-and-pepper hair and gentle smile made it easy for the average person to relate. He always wore a suit, but his tie was frequently messy in that "I just worked all day" kind of way she attached to her father coming home from the bank after a long day. New age meets nostalgia, a winning combination.

"Can I at least buy you a drink," Rash asked, sitting next to her. "Since we're going to be sitting at the same bar and all."

"Journalistically, I can't let you buy me a drink," Nina smiled. "But how's this, I won't get up and leave, at least not until I finish this martini."

"I guess I'll take it. So I hear you know my new Chief of Staff," Rash smiled at her. "He's good at this, I'm lucky to have him."

"Yeah, Todd and I have been close since we were paired up for a Journalism 101 study group before either of us really knew what we wanted to be. We grew up together, all of us in that group, especially during the weirdness of the last few years. I'm lucky we all stayed close, I know a lot of people don't get that chance."

"No, most people don't" Rash whispered, looking lost in thought as he stared into the mirror behind the bar. He shook his head and the signature smile returned. "So, what's next after you're finished dragging my name through the mud?"

"Well, I can't tell you everything, but do you know how many AI chips are really made in the US," Nina asked. "The answer will SHOCK you."

"Oh no. You did good reporting and they forced you into the buzzword beat!"

Nina legitimately laughed at this, nearly spraying the last of her Martini, "You've got that exactly right. I'm a politics reporter, and my editor says this is going to have a political lean, he's sure of it, but right now it's just... BORING. Important, but boring."

"I've seen that a few times in my pre-political career. You do too good of a job and they ask you to do things you'd never dream of doing. Another drink?"

"Maybe just one more," Nina smiled. She was having more fun than she expected, and not just at ribbing him, the conversation was going well. She was having more fun, in fact, than was ethical in her situation. "But then I really have to go. Morning shows in the A.M. Have to catch a plane."

"Me too, but I might be doing mine FROM a plane. Have to go back to DC for a committee hearing."

Nina arched her eyebrows, Rash was on a few committees, one of them was defense. "Something interesting?"

Rash shook his head, "No, improper spending at a local office of a federal agency in northern Utah. It's going to drag on and on with the posturing, on both sides. I'm dreading it."

He mimed banging his head into the bar, but in the process actually slid off of his barstool. Nina grabbed his arm before he fell and pulled him back onto the stool. When they were fully reset, neither had noticed that Rash's right hand was resting on Nina's knee.

Another round came, and Nina took a long drink.

"You're ready to be rid of me," Rash said.

"Honestly, kinda," Nina smiled at him. "Not that you've been bad company, but it's been a long day, and truthfully, I've been thinking about you for so long that I'm tired of you!"

Rash laughed, "Oh you're tired of me! That's devastating!" He laughed again, and his fingertips trailed up and down her thigh mindlessly.

Goosebumps rippled across Nina's legs as she noticed the touch for the first time. Her heart started thumping loud enough that she wondered if the whole bar could hear it too. She did nothing to end the contact.

"Well, maybe that's too strong. You're nicer than I thought you'd be," Nina admitted, looking into his eyes which were now staring intently at her. "But you know how it is when you're wrapped up in something like this, you feel like if you have to see it one more time you'll lose your mind."

"Yeah, of course, we've all been there," Rash said, letting his fingertips travel to the soft edges of her skirt. "Unless we can make ourselves see the thing in a different light..."

He adjusted slightly in his seat, fanning his fingers out so they stretched across her thigh. He ran his hand up her skirt, getting dangerously close to going too far, after already going too far.

Nina took a deep breath. There was something about him, here, more human than she'd seen him in any of his archival footage, talking to her over a drink. Still this was inappropriate for a journalist. And dangerous. She'd heard stories about how relationships like this can go wrong, and fast. She needed to get out of here.

"Senator," she said, taking him by the wrist and guiding his hand away from her body. "I appreciate the conversation, but I think it's time I call it a night." She was surprised to find herself holding his hand, fingers interlocked below the bar.

"If you say so," he whispered, unclasping their hands so he could signal the bartender for his check. "It's been lovely talking to you."

Nina's heart was racing. She could feel warmth spreading throughout her body. A need was building, and she just needed to hold on a few more minutes. Get back to her room, and she'd be able to find the release she needed.

They signed their bills and Rash got up from the bar first, walking behind Nina toward the elevator bays. After three steps, he stopped and turned back to the bar, wrapping his arms around either side of Nina as he reached for his phone, forgotten on the bar beside her.

"Jesus, I can't believe I almost left my phone with a journalist," he laughed. "That'd be the end of me for sure!"

As he moved away from her, his hand grazed her breasts, sending a shock through her body. The dam within her burst, and she felt that familiar pulse, begging to be touched, to be unleashed. She took a deep breath, trying to ignore how the material of her panties clung awkwardly to her wetness. She needed him to be gone, needed to regain control. She laughed as he slipped his phone into his pocket and made his way to the elevator banks and waited for the doors to open.

Nina looked around the bar. Nearly empty, only the bartender and a lone desk agent at the check-in. Rash entered the elevator and turned, Winking at her as the doors began to shut. Nina made her decision.

She stood up from the barstool and in just a few long steps crossed the lobby. She shoved her hand into the closing elevator door and stood facing Rash. The door closed behind her, and before they felt the first lurch of the elevator, her lips were on his, pressing him into the mirrored wall of the car.

His hands, at first hanging in surprise by his side, jumped to action, sliding under her skirt and onto her ass where they pulled her against him, cementing them together as their tongues danced together in her mouth.He tasted like old fashioneds and listerine. She moaned softly as she wrapped her arms around him, pressing her body to him as his hands caressed the soft lace of her panties.

They broke their kiss and Nina took a step back, "Fuck. Sorry. Fuck, I don't know what I was thinking, I'm not even that drunk. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck..."

Rash stopped Nina's spiral with another kiss, gentler this time. "Calm down," he said, breaking the kiss. "It's just a kiss. Sure I'll be telling everyone on the morning show tomorrow, but it's not like you killed a man." He grinned at her, and she shoved him playfully.

"Thanks, I'm sorry, I don't know what got into me."

"I'm going to bet it's stress," Rash said. "Plus, I'm very attractive."

Nina rolled her eyes.

"Anyway, this is my floor," Rash said. "It really was great to meet you officially."

Nina nodded and then glanced at the display, "It's actually my floor too," she laughed, though tears were forming in her eyes.

They exited the elevator and turned in different directions, both shouting "goodnight" over their shoulder. Nina tapped the card to unlock her hotel room, and stepped through the door. This time it was Rash's turn to sprint across the hall, he stopped the door with his hand, and caught Nina's surprised face with another kiss.

Nina sighed, placing her hands on either side of his face as she pulled him into a deepening kiss. She flicked her tongue across his lips, and they opened, his tongue meeting hers. She took a step backward, deeper into the room and Rash followed, the door clicking shut behind them.

"Oh god, what am I doing," Nina thought. But she didn't stop. She was well past the point of stopping herself now.

Rash didn't let her dwell too long on these thoughts. Freed from the gaze of the public, his hands felt like they were everywhere, under her skirt, fingers wrapped around her panty line, pulling her hips in towards him. Then, almost as if they'd teleported, they were under her blouse, running up and down her back, her hips, curving around to take one of her lace-covered breasts in his hands.

His palms grazed her hardening nipple and she knew what she wanted. She pulled her blouse over her head and turned, pressing her ass against him, using both of his hands hands to cover her breasts. Rash squeezed them both as he kissed her neckline. He paused only to unclasp her bra and let it fall to the floor before taking her nipples between his fingers, shooting electricity through her body.

"Rash... we can't...." She whispered, grinding against him.

"We already are..."

Nina turned her head to look at him and he met her with a deep kiss. She felt fingertips trailing down her body, slipping under her panties to explore the soft carpet of neat hair below. Nina sighed into his kisses, resigning herself to the fact that the last guardrail was about to be removed. As soon as his fingers slipped further down and touched her, she would let him have whatever he wanted.

As if on command, his fingers moved lower. His middle finger teased her damp opening, then dipped inside. Her knees buckled as she took in a hiss of air. His lips were on her neck, her mouth, any skin they could find as she shuddered with his touch.

"What you wrote about me was so... smart," Rash whispered, his lips grazing her ear as he spoke, his wet fingers finding their way to her clit. "Sure, they pissed me off, but your reporting was just so... good, and well written." His fingers made small circles just over her hood, pressing down hard to increase the sensation.

"Mmmphh," Nina cried as waves of pleasure shot through her.

"You just had such a good eye for politics," Rash continued, barely audible. "And you found stuff even I didn't know my staff were doing. Sure, I'm probably in the wrong here, but I'm just doing what the system demands. And the system demands you too. You're perfect for it."

Nina could feel him stiffening, pushing into her ass as his fingers manipulated her clit. She shimmied out of her skirt and panties to give him better access, pressing her completely naked body back, and enjoying the dual sensation of the luxurious material of his suit against her bare skin with the gentle motion of his fingers.

"And then I saw that first interview, and good God, I was imagining some pale creature locked in her research all the time, but look at you," he ran a hand across her body, before returning it to grip her breast. "I think you might be the single most interesting, unique thing in that whole town. I'm so glad I ran into you."

"Oh, Steven," Nina moaned, almost whimpering, as he increased the pace of his fingers on her clit. "She cut her eyes back to his, suddenly intense. "I need you."

Rash didn't waste a moment, he let go of her and guided her down the hall and towards the bed. As they walked he ripped off his coat and tie. Nina turned and helped him with his shirt buttons as he pulled off his pants. She ran a hand down his smooth chest and toned stomach. Pausing only momentarily before pulling down his briefs and allowing him to pop out, fully erect and ready for her.

Nina ran her hands along his shaft as she sat back on the bed, guiding him toward her entrance. She sat back on the bedspread, legs open, inviting. He pushed into her, tight but slick, and she took pleasure in the twitch she felt as he buried his length inside her and jumped slightly. He felt so good, stretching her but moving easily as his hips began to pump.

"Mmmmm ohhhh god yes," she cried as he picked up speed. "Fuuuuuck yes you feel...mmph... ugh oh oh... so goooood."

She made a mental note of how cute his grunts were as he moved in and out of her. Especially the, "ohhh fuck, mmm Ninnnnna," he let out when the tip of his penis nearly dropped out of her, but she bucked her hips to drive him in deeper instead.

She could feel him start to slow and shake, and was expecting him to finish, but he paused to catch his breath and shook it off. He took her fingers into his mouth and then placed them on her clit, encouraging her to rub as he resumed his motion, pounding into her as she bucked her hips in rhythm with him.

Nervous to look silly, she took a tentative swipe at her clit with her fingers, loving the sensation of being filled and the lightning that shot through her body with every pass at her clit. She let go of her inhibitions, rubbing herself furiously while he moved in and out of her. In the moment, she forgot everything except the pulsing pleasure inside. She wanted to feel this way forever, but then she felt him spasm, and with a wild look he called out, "Pill?"

"I...U...D" she managed through her moans of pleasure before feeling a jet of spreading warmth. Rash fell on top of her.