Against the Odds: Book One; The Candidate

by Lee Taylor

  “Oh God, Logan . . . ”

  He shook his head. “Yeah, baby, I hear you. But as hungry as I am for you, I’ve made it my mission to see that you eat. And to prove the point, let me show you what I’ve made for you—heck, for us both. I’m as hungry as you have to be.”

  Gia finally pushed back her plate and held up her hands. “Logan, please, I can’t eat another bite.” She stared at the remainder of the extraordinary breakfast. She marveled that she’d eaten as much as she had. She’d been disbelieving when Logan brought out dish after dish. A cheese and herbed omelet surrounded by crispy bacon and ham was followed by granola-laced pancakes and a gorgeous tray of fruit accompanied by an extraordinary gooey cinnamon roll. Even though she’d declared that there was no way that she could eat it all, looking at what was left, she was amazed. “Honestly, Logan, I thought you were crazy when you just kept bringing out one dish after another, but dear God. I ate almost everything you served me, including what has to be a one thousand-calorie cinnamon roll.”

  “I’m glad, Gia, and I’m not surprised. Given the night we had and the fact that it is after noon, we sure as hell better eat all of this. Besides, you need to know, I’m on a mission. You need to eat more and eat a hell of a lot healthier than you do.”

  “God, Logan, if I ate like this every day, I’d be fat as a pig.”

  “Are you telling me that there would be more of you for me to make love to? And that would be a problem why?” Before she could disagree, he frowned. “Seriously, sweetheart, you have a terrible diet. From what you’ve told me, you run as much as ten miles a day and work fifteen-hour days. Hell, baby, with a schedule like that, you can only live on fast food and booze until your body gives out on you.” He held up his hands. “Hear me out, Gia. I’m on your case now, and I admit I have an ulterior motive. You can forget about getting fat. Given the way I intend to attack you, you’ll be begging me for more food just to keep up your strength.”

  When she flushed and looked down, he said, “Which reminds me. You haven’t asked where we’re going today.”

  She shrugged and looked down at her outfit. “I assume we will be doing something outside, at least if I’m going to do justice to this gorgeous outfit.”

  “You know I’m also a fitness freak. Maybe not quite as hardcore a runner as you are but a couple challenging hours in the gym is an integral part of my daily regimen.”

  She gave him a saucy wink. “You forget, Logan. I stalked you. You’d be surprised what I know about your daily and nightly regimen.”

  He snorted. “Past tense, sweetheart. And cards on the table? How many of those nightly ‘regimens’ you catalogued included my spending three nights and days with the same woman?”

  Gia felt her cheeks flush, and she admitted, “Um, none. At least in the time that I stalked you.”

  “Damn straight. Because, Gia, never in my life, much less three nights and days, have I spent this much time with anyone. The problem is that while I know I have to take you home at some point, I also know that nothing and no one will be able to keep me from coming after you, insisting that you belong in my bed and my life.”

  Gia swallowed hard, not knowing how to answer him. For once, her usual flippant remark got caught in her throat. Not able to hold his intense gaze, she was relieved when he said, “Enough of that, sweetheart. How about I tell you what I have in mind for today?”

  Glancing at her outfit, she shrugged. “Can I assume you going to make me run up and down the fifty-five floors in this incredible high-rise building to break in my BIOM As?”

  “Ah, no, you couldn’t pay me to do that, sweetheart. However I am going to be on your tail for the rest of the day and definitely the night.” He reached in the drawer and pulled out a glossy pamphlet. “Tell me, sweetheart, have you been to the top of Mt. Lemon for dinner at the Black Diamond?”

  She was startled. “I . . . I’ve skied Mt. Lemon, but I’ve never hiked it. And I certainly haven’t had dinner at that famous restaurant.”

  “Then you likely know that you will need to endure a seven-mile trek up to the top of the mountain to partake of the Black Diamond’s five-star cuisine. Fortunately, given the time we’re likely to finish our dinner, we can ride down the ski slope on their gondola.” He glanced at his watch. “How about it, sweetheart? An arduous hike, extraordinary food, and a gondola ride on a moonlit night? Oh, and I almost forgot, coming back here so that we can pick up where we left off last night—make that in the early hours of this morning?”

  She bit down hard on her lip to hold back her too-ready tears and nodded. Wishing that her voice didn’t shake, she swallowed hard and said, “I think I can handle that, Logan.”

  He chucked her under her chin and said, “Trust me, princess. You’re more than able to handle whatever I dish out.”

  She sniffed. “I’m glad you think I’m that tough.”

  “Oh, honey, just the thought of the itinerary I laid out has me quaking in my boots.”

  “Liar.”

  “You’re right. I am quaking in my boots—but with excitement.”

  ****

  Gia gazed at the starlit night through the windows of the extraordinary restaurant perched on what seemed like the top of the earth. She shook her head in disbelief.

  “Uh-uh, princess. Not allowed.”

  She jerked back in surprise and raised her hands. “What . . . what isn’t, Logan?”

  He reached for her hand and said with a soft smile, “For a moment, you looked questioning . . . ”

  She laughed. “I think a better word is stunned. I seem to keep saying this, Logan. First at your beautiful house and then here in this unbelievable restaurant. That it . . . all of this, doesn’t seem real.”

  Logan nodded at the black-jacketed server who was standing discreetly off to the side of their window-side table to refresh their wine. Watching the deep burgundy liquid swirling in the glass, Gia thought it was symptomatic of her overtaxed emotions. Red-hot, deeply intense, and intoxicating. She shot Logan a helpless glance. She knew from the way he’d taken her hand and was now holding it that he was concerned.

  “You’re correct, sweetheart, it doesn’t seem real. It is magical. But it also has to be frightening.”

  Gia breathed out a hard sigh. She was grateful, but his understanding only made her feelings more confusing. She did her best to articulate her convoluted emotions. “It’s just that I don’t know when I’ve ever been so happy and . . . at the same time, so scared.” Before he could respond, she gave in to her confusion. “What am I going to do now, Logan?”

  “That’s an important question, Gia. One that we need to discuss. But first, tell me what scares you the most?”

  She laughed. “Besides you?”

  He nodded and smiled at her. “Yes, sweetheart, besides me.” He narrowed his gaze. “How about you let me be in charge of ‘us,’ sweetheart? At least accept the fact that I’m here, and it’s where I’m going to stay.”

  “I . . . I don’t know what that means, Logan.”

  “Honestly, Gia? Neither do I, but I’m going to do my damnedest to figure it out. But let’s put that issue aside for the moment. Let’s talk about the issue that has to have hit you as hard as anything ever has. The collapse of the Maxwell campaign.”

  Chapter 28

  Gia snorted. “You mean the campaign that blew up in my face and proved once again that I’m a horseshit political operator?”

  “I’m specifically referring to the Maxwell campaign. If you are also talking about your father’s collapse, let’s be clear, Gia. Two men that you supported and depended on both betrayed your trust in incalculable ways. And yes, you are responsible for some of what happened.”

  At her surprised gasp, Logan held up his hand. “I don’t know enough about your father to comment on his betrayal. But at some level, you must have known that he wasn’t always—shall we say—aboveboard, much less honorable. But you accepted that, and to your credit, you were determined to learn from his bad examp
le. Unfortunately, in my opinion, you learned the wrong lesson.” Ignoring her glare, Logan reached for the bottle of wine and topped off both their glasses, then continued. “You thought that if you completely controlled the campaign, including picking and then grooming the candidate, you would be successful. Unfortunately, or in my mind, fortunately, Aiden Maxwell proved you wrong. He demonstrated in extraordinarily demeaning ways that even you can’t make someone who he is not. In Aiden’s case, you thought you could make him a winning candidate—and an honorable man. That he had feet of clay is something that you should have seen and I think would have seen if you hadn’t been so wounded by your father.”

  “In other words, you think I am to blame for what Aiden did?”

  “No. You know that isn’t what I’m saying. Aiden is responsible for his hideous actions. But you are responsible for thinking you could make him into something that you knew in your heart and mind he was incapable of.”

  “So I’m even more of a horseshit political professional than I thought I was?”

  “No, you are a consummate politician, and you could be a kingmaker. But first and foremost, you have to be clear about your strengths and then choose a candidate worthy of them. You are not omnipotent, Gia. You may recall what I said when I refused to support Maxwell. I said I couldn’t support him because I’m a good judge of character. You aren’t. In fact, you are more than a little fucked up on that score.”

  “Thanks a whole hell of a lot.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Preparing to lash out at him for his unexpected critique, Gia was surprised that the angry words didn’t come. Instead, she allowed herself to consider what he’d said. As much as she hated to admit it, there was truth in his criticism. She’d known by the middle of Aiden’s campaign that they were going to lose. She remembered admitting as much to Ben, indicating that she didn’t think Aiden deserved to win. Blowing out a hard sigh, she shook her head. But Jesus God, to have the campaign explode in such a hideous way . . . how the hell was she ever going to recover from that? Realizing that Logan was studying her, she forced herself to come back to the moment. She admitted that unlike what Aiden and her father had done, she was with the man who, at least for the moment, had turned her life right side up.

  Certain that he expected her to strike out, she surprised them both when she tipped up her chin and gave him a saucy smile. “So, Dr. Phil, am I as bad a judge of character when it comes to lovers as I am political candidates?”

  Logan started, then grinned as he chucked her under her chin. “Au contraire, Gia. I see signs of your becoming a surprisingly good judge of lovers.”

  Thanking their server, he tucked a large bill into the grateful man’s jacket pocket, then led her out into the chilly night where the gondola was waiting for them. He climbed into the open-air chair beside her and tucked the furry blankets around them. Whether it was the significant amount of wine they’d drunk, the amazing dinner, or the crisply cool, dark night blanketed by sparkling stars, Gia gave in to the rush of emotion surging over her. When the gondola slowly began its downward trek, she surprised herself and likely Logan when she leaned into him. Sliding her fingers inside his shirt, she grasped the wiry hair on his chest and groaned. “I . . . I need you, Logan. I need you . . . to kiss me!”

  His rough growl as he dragged her up onto his lap and placed a blistering kiss on her lips confirmed that he was as consumed by the erotic magic of the night as she was.

  Looking back on their passionate ride down the mountain and then in his car, Logan marveled that he managed to control his FF while holding Gia on his lap. Pulling into the garage, all bets were off. By the time the elevator shot up the fifty-five floors to his condo, her jacket was on the floor. Her cropped top had followed suit, exposing her bodacious breasts to his rapacious hands and mouth. When the doors to his condominium opened, he kicked the abandoned clothes inside, then, with an agonized groan, growled in her ear, “Goddamn, Gia, I can’t wait. I have to have you now. Tell me that you want it too . . . like this.” At her tormented cry, he yanked off her shoes and stretch pants and thong and lifted her bare ass up onto his knee. Wrapping her legs around his waist, he pressed her against the wall. “I’m going to take you, Gia, like this. Hard and fast but, baby, you’re going to come as hard as I do. Aren’t you, sweetheart?” He groaned. “Say yes, baby. Tell me you want this as much as I do.”

  “Yes, yes, God yes, Logan. I need you. Now! Please, like that!” Burying her hands in his hair, she tugged his head down, lifting her naked breasts to his lips and teeth. Stunned at her wild response, he freed his burgeoning cock from his tight jeans and pressed it against her naked entrance. Her cry begging him not to stop was all he needed. Feeling her powerful climax exploding over her, he drove his throbbing cock up into her, then with a triumphant shout, rode them both to a riveting, body-shaking climax.

  Later, he held her tight against him, then took care as he carefully washed between her legs and gently cleaned her sumptuous breasts, knowing they had to be sensitive given their hard night of loving. He marveled at the erotic night they’d spent. After taking her hard against the entryway wall, he’d carried her out to the patio. Laying her on the full-sized lounge, he’d reveled in her responsive body. At some level, they both knew they’d reached a turning point. Too soon, their erotic weekend would end, and they would be forced to deal with the significant issues they faced. Knowing that, he took her again and again until they both fell asleep exhausted, entangled in each other’s arms.

  ****

  “How do I look?”

  Logan had just finished preparing her breakfast when she appeared in the doorway. Gratified that she’d chosen to wear the slim skirt and scoop-necked emerald green cashmere sweater that showcased her lush breasts, he grinned at her. “Spectacular as always. My only challenge is that they appear to be work clothes. Can I assume that you are preparing to leave our love nest?”

  She smiled. “You know I need to go, Logan.”

  “I know you do, but I’m going with you.”

  “No, Logan. Please. I need to face this alone. Prove to myself that I can do it.”

  Logan hesitated, then nodded. “On two conditions. One that you eat the breakfast I’ve prepared for you. The second is that you come back here tonight.” When she frowned, he shook his head and pulled her into his arms. “Sorry, Gia. That is non-negotiable. And please remember, I’ve been known to track down naughty girls who don’t do as they’re told.” Rubbing his hand over her curvy bottom, he smacked it hard, smiling at her surprised gasp. “Particularly naughty girls who’ve been warned what will happen to them if they provoke their long-suffering lovers.”

  At the elevator door, he gave her a remote and programmed the scanner for her.

  “Why do you do this, Logan? Are you some kind of a spy?”

  He grinned at her. “Old habits die hard, sweetheart.” He added with a wink, “If they ever die . . . ”

  Glancing at his boot, she raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Is that why every other time I see you, you’re carrying?”

  Acknowledging with a shrug that he did have a weapon in a well-disguised ankle holster, he murmured, “Someday we’ll discuss my convoluted past. Clearly, I can’t put anything over on you, princess.”

  She sniffed and shook her head. “No, you can’t. Remember who my father and his cronies were. It’s not as though I’m unfamiliar with shady men.” She added with a frown, “But I didn’t know that hotshot tech gurus required protection.”

  He laughed. “Shady, huh? I don’t think I’ll let you paint me with that one, Gia. Besides, as I declared once before, what’s interesting about an open book?”

  When they reached the ground floor, she was startled to see her Toyota parked next to his Ferrari. “How . . . how did you . . . I mean, who brought my car here?”

  “Let’s just say that I’ve done the impossible.”

  At her questioning brow, he smiled. “Admit it, sweetheart. You’re fucked, in more ways th
an one. It seems that Granger and I are now best buds.” As he closed her door after snapping her seat belt over her, he shot her a fierce gaze. “Six o’clock, Gia. Not a minute after. We have an important night ahead of us.”

  Assuming he was referring to the erotic night they’d just had, she was surprised she felt shy. As if he understood, he leaned in and kissed her cheek and murmured, “You take my breath away. Oh and, Gia . . . as you’re sorting through the entrails of your former campaign, remember you are the most formidable woman I know.”

  Rapping on the side of her car, he raised his hand in a salute, then eyed the sensor beside the elevator causing the garage door to open. He said over his shoulder as he walked to the elevator, “Six o’clock, sweetheart.”

  ****

  Gia sighed, acknowledging how mundane her house seemed compared to Logan’s superlative digs. Refusing to compare them, she reminded herself that she only came “home” to change clothes and occasionally eat. Which, she realized with a pang, was because she spent most of her waking hours and many of her nights at the campaign office. Something that would no longer be necessary. Blowing out a hard sigh, she packed some clothes and emptied her makeup drawer into a plastic bag, reminding herself that most of her personal things were at the headquarters. Having put it off as long as she could, she headed for her car and the former offices of the now defunct Maxwell for Congress campaign.

  Hearing voices in the office next to what had been hers, an eerie feeling of déjà vu swept over her, causing her stomach to take a nosedive. Forcing herself to knock on the door, she opened it and walked into what had been Ben’s office. To her relief, he was sitting at his desk, talking on the telephone. His face lit up when he saw her. He rose to his feet and said into the telephone, “I need to call you back. A very important person just arrived.”

  They held each other for several long moments, alternating between laughter and tears. When he seemed in control of his emotions, Ben held her in front of him and marveled, “God Almighty, Gia, as crazy as it sounds, I gotta tell you, you look . . . damn, as nuts as it sounds, you look radiant. I . . . I mean you’re always beautiful, no matter what, but I guess I expected you to look beat. But hell, you look gorgeous.”