Incumbent

by Joanne Schwehm

  • • •

  Groaning, I stretched, my muscles stiff from sleeping on the couch. Once I managed to get up and shuffle to my door, I opened it and groaned again when I bent over to grab the Post, which I paid extra to have delivered to my home. I could get the news online, but there was something about the smell of printed ink and my cup of coffee in the morning that relaxed me.

  My phone dinged. Finally, the text I’d been waiting for.

  LUCY: It was our pleasure. Thank you for coming to my class.

  Pleasure—that was all I could picture giving her. The way her pale skin contrasted with her reddish-brown hair and black dress made my pulse race, as if I’d run a few miles around a track. Not to mention the cute freckle on her right cheek. It was pale, but it appeared to dance on her cheekbone with every smile. I couldn’t wait to make it do the salsa with all the smiles I intended to give her.

  I made a quick cup of coffee, which was exactly what I needed to wake me up. As I flipped to the sports section of the newspaper, the picture on the society page caught my eye, captioned SENATOR PRESCOTT AND DATE AT FERGUSON FUNDRAISER.

  Damn. Gretchen was going to be irritated. Not to mention her boyfriend wouldn’t be thrilled since to everyone else it would seem as if she were stepping out on him. Sure, he knew me and knew it wasn’t true, but his friends and family wouldn’t.

  Ben sent me an e-mail to tell me I didn’t have any engagements this evening, but that wasn’t going to be the case if I had anything to say about it. The only thing I knew for sure is I wanted to get to know Ms. Washburn, and Ben wasn’t going to know about it.

  DRAKE: Good morning. How are you today, Ms. Washburn?

  I glanced at the clock and was disappointed to see it was only eight in the morning, so she might still be sleeping. That turned out not to be the case when my phone pinged with a response.

  LUCY: Good morning. I’m fine, thank you. How are you, Mr. Prescott?

  Yes! Time to put my plan in action.

  DRAKE: Are you busy today?

  LUCY: Yes.

  That wasn’t what I wanted to hear. Apparently I’d paused long enough for her to think I needed an explanation, because she messaged me again to explain. Smart woman.

  LUCY: I’m grading US History mid-term papers.

  DRAKE: Ah, my specialty. Would you like some help?

  LUCY: You want to help me grade papers?

  DRAKE: You don’t think I’m qualified?

  LUCY: But you’re a senator.

  DRAKE: And that doesn’t qualify me?

  LUCY: Yes, of course, but it’s boring.

  DRAKE: But you’re not.

  When she didn’t respond right away, I decided to call her. I wasn’t much for text messages. In my business, we don’t like anything personal in writing.

  “Hello?” Her timid voice made me smile.

  “Hi, Lucy, it’s Drake. I called to get your address.”

  Apprehension was evident in the silence that followed. After a pause, she said, “My address?” Her shaky words made me grin as I sat back in my chair.

  “Unless you want to e-mail me the term papers. I figured reading them in person would be more efficient.” I chuckled.

  “You really want to help?”

  More than anything. “It would be my pleasure. Plus, I’d love to get in the minds of future voters.”

  “Um, okay. I’ll text it to you.”

  “Great. If it’s okay, I can bring lunch. Do you have any food allergies or aversions?”

  “That would be nice. And no, I eat everything.”

  “A woman after my own heart. I’ll be there around noon.”

  • • •

  After impatiently whiling away the rest of the morning, I showered and dressed before I picked up burgers and headed to her apartment.

  Ben called as I was on the way and offered to help me plan next week’s schedule, but I told him I had a commitment today. He pushed a little, which was his nature, but I didn’t tell him what or who that involved. The guy had my best interests at heart, but if I told him I was spending the day with Lucy, he’d dig into her past and tell me everything about her, and that wasn’t an option. I’d like to be surprised for a change, to have a relationship with someone that developed naturally, like regular people.

  When Lucy opened the door, I might have stopped breathing. Her long hair was piled on top of her head, and she wore tortoise-shell-framed glasses on her heart-shaped face that complemented her beautiful brown eyes.

  “Hi. I’m here at your service.” Holding up the warm, fragrant paper bag I was holding, I added, “And I bring gifts.”

  She opened the door wider and smiled. “Come on in.”

  I couldn’t take my eyes off Lucy as she walked into the living area. Her black yoga pants hugged her perfectly rounded ass.

  “I think we should eat first,” I told her. “Traffic was a bit heavy, and I’m sure lunch is getting cold.”

  “Can’t you do something about that?”

  She stepped into the kitchen and rolled on the balls of her feet, stretching her lean legs as she reached in the upper cabinet for plates, which made her pink tank top rise enough for me to see the smooth, taut skin of her back.

  Distracted, I said, “Do something about what?” as I took the burgers out of the bag and ripped the bag the fries were in so we could share them. One thing about this burger joint—their fries were the best, and there was always enough to share.

  She handed me a plate, and we sat at the table.

  “About the traffic,” she said as she reached for a French fry. “It’s horrible.”

  A laugh escaped me. “Yes, it is. I’m not sure if I can do anything about that, but I’ll see what I can do.” I winked at her, and her pale skin pinked in an adorable way. “So, tell me about yourself, other than the fact you like greasy food.”

  She moaned and rolled her eyes, obviously enjoying the burger she’d just bit into, and the sound she made turned me on. She held up an index finger until she finished chewing.

  “There really isn’t too much to tell. I’m twenty-nine and love to teach.”

  “Really? That’s it?” I took a bite of my sandwich, but kept my focus on her.

  “That’s it.” She shrugged, but something flickered in her eyes that had me curious. “Tell me more about you,” she said, reaching out for a couple more fries. “I’m sure you’re much more interesting than you’ve let on.”

  I finished the bite I was chewing and grinned at her. “Well, I’m glad it was your class that I came to visit.”

  Her eyes narrowed and her head tilted to the side, but she said nothing.

  “Don’t you believe me? Not all politicians lie.”

  Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. “No. I didn’t mean to imply you were lying. I never said . . . I mean . . . I didn’t intend for you to feel that way.” She took a deep breath. “Sorry.”

  Averting her eyes, she balled up the foil that had wrapped her burger as she stood to clear off the table. I began to help, but she waved me off.

  “You seem nervous, Lucy.”

  She stood at the sink, washing her hands, and froze for a second. “Wouldn’t you be if you were with a government official?” The messy bun on top of her head bobbed as she moved.

  I leaned up against the counter and watched her. I could do that all day and not tire of it. She had a grace about her, and something told me she had no idea how attractive she was.

  Crossing my feet at the ankle, I said, “No. We’re just normal everyday people. It’s not like I’m a rock star.”

  “But you’re famous enough to have your picture in the paper,” she shot back.

  Oh, so that was the issue. Knowing full well what she referred to, I glanced over to the coffee table in front of her sofa and saw the Post. A woman after my own heart.

  “Did you see my picture in the paper this morning, Ms. Washburn?”

  Lucy wiped her hands on a towel, grabbed the soda that I’d brought her, and
went into the living room. “I did. She’s beautiful.”

  She sat down at a small table that apparently she used as a makeshift desk, and I sat as well, but not before I picked up the newspaper and looked at the black-and-white photo she was referring to.

  I tightened my lips, trying to contain my smile as I said, “My parents will thank you.”

  Her eyebrows drew together, and two cute creases formed between them. “Your parents?”

  “Yes, that incredibly lovely woman I took to the fundraiser is my sister, Gretchen.”

  I’d never seen someone blush as quickly as she did. “Oh. I didn’t mean to imply . . .”

  “Yes, you did.” When the rosy color on her cheeks faded, and her usual alabaster skin paled a shade lighter than usual, I said, “It’s okay. I’m glad you were curious.”

  “I wasn’t curious.” She pushed her shoulders back and lifted her chin slightly, obviously lying.

  “Yes, you were.”

  Lucy cleared her throat and picked up a stack of papers that had to be about three inches thick. It looked like an unbound phone book.

  “The assignment was to interpret an event in US history that helped form laws in today’s society. They needed to have at least seven resources cited, and an integrity form had to be signed at the end to ensure they didn’t plagiarize.”

  I slid on my black-rimmed reading glasses and flipped through the papers. “Aren’t term papers assigned earlier in the year?”

  She stared at me before replying. “They were assigned back in December. I wanted it done correctly and not rushed. They had ample time to complete this assignment.” Her authoritative and slightly annoyed tone made me well aware she was one of those teachers who looked sweet, but was all business. “Each paper should be approximately fifteen pages long, and before you ask, no one complained. Any questions before we start?”

  “Yes, one.”

  She glanced up, and when our eyes met, I asked, “Are you single?”

  CHAPTER 3

  ~ Lucy ~

  All my thoughts flitted away when Drake asked if I was single. You’d think my mind would be racing, but it wasn’t. Oddly, a sense of tranquility washed over me, which gave me the ability to look this stunning man in the eye and answer him.

  “Yes.” I couldn’t contain my smile when his dimple appeared at my response. “I’m single.”

  His chest rose, making his black T-shirt tighten over his expansive chest, and it was difficult to focus on much else.

  “I’m glad to hear it.” He clicked the top of his red pen and marked the paper in front of him. He looked even sexier in glasses, while I was sure I looked like a total nerd in mine. So unfair.

  My calmness dissipated as my pulse quickened. Why did he ask? Was he single? If he normally took his sister to events, I could only assume it was because he didn’t have a girlfriend, but I wasn’t certain. Maybe he had a girlfriend who hated the limelight, and that was something I could definitely understand.

  “Are you really single like you told my class?” My voice practically cracked, but I tried to keep it as steady as I could.

  “I am,” he said, and I allowed myself a smile that fell when he added, “But I’ve met someone.”

  Well, that was short-lived. It didn’t surprise me he’d have someone waiting in the wings.

  “Oh.” My one-syllable response seemed sad to my own ears. I could only imagine what it sounded like to him. “So, you’re interested in someone. Is she into politics?”

  Oh my God! Why am I even asking? Maybe he just doesn’t want to publicize their relationship, and here I’m firing off questions like a reporter. I need to zip my lips.

  “As a matter of fact, yes, I am, and yes, she is.” He circled a word on the paper and wrote something in the margin before he turned the page.

  “That’s wonderful. What position does she hold?”

  Curiosity was getting the best of me, and I couldn’t help but ask. After all, I’d already dug myself in pretty deep, so why stop now? But I buried my nose in a student’s assignment to appear almost disinterested.

  “She’s in education.” His tone was flat and carried a bit of sarcasm.

  My heart dropped a bit to think I was in the same field as the lucky woman who’d caught his eye. When I looked up, he winked and laughed at me.

  “It’s you. I’m interested in you.” His dimple appeared, and I flushed hot all over.

  “Oh!” His answer brought out such contentment and relief. It also shocked me, leaving me momentarily speechless. All I could do was stare at the handsome, self-assured man in front of me.

  “Oh? That’s all I get?” Slight lines formed at the corners of his eyes as he squinted at me.

  I nodded. “But you don’t know me.”

  “You’re right, I don’t, and it’s on my agenda to rectify that.”

  We went back to grading papers until my vision blurred. I tossed my pen on the table and stretched my arms above my head. We’d been staring at papers for a few hours.

  Time flies when you’re with a gorgeous man.

  A little stiff and sore, I dropped my head back and rubbed my neck to relieve some tension.

  Drake got up and stood behind me to rub my shoulders. His thumbs found knots near my shoulder blades. “You’re tight.”

  Tight. His husky voice reverberated through every cell in my body and landed between my legs. I shifted in my chair as he continued to knead my aching muscles.

  “Is this okay?” His mouth was near my left ear as his whisper and warm breath caressed my skin, making the fine hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention.

  Not only did this gorgeous man who had a bigger-than-life presence tell me he was interested in me, but he was standing in my home, giving me a shoulder massage while telling me I was tight.

  This is crazy.

  I shook my head and placed my hands on his, stopping his movements. He held them, and when I craned my head back, his gaze intensified as he pulled me out of my chair until we were toe to toe and chest to chest. My skin tingled as he stroked the side of my face from my temple to my chin with his knuckles.

  “You’re so beautiful.” He leaned forward and kissed my cheek. “And I love this freckle. It looks like a heart.”

  As if on autopilot, my fingers went to cover it, but he stopped me and held my hand in his. I’d been self-conscious about that stupid freckle since I was a kid. I was always told it was my defining mark, and I hated it. But his lips were soft and his kiss tender, and I found myself strangely jealous of my freckle.

  “Go out with me?” The hypnotic power of his voice enthralled me.

  “When?” I asked, frowning as I gripped my bottom lip with my teeth.

  “Anytime I ask.”

  Surprised by his boldness, I said, “What if I’m busy?”

  Drake slipped his arms around me and pulled me flush against him. “You’ll be busy with me.”

  His eyes on mine, he pulled the clip out of my hair, letting it cascade over my bare shoulders. Then he leaned down and slowly grazed my lips with his, barely touching as if it was a well-kept government secret—and maybe it was. The hardness of his chest pressed against mine as I took in a deep breath. His breath.

  Our lips met in a soft, easy kiss, and I was instantly captivated. A little overwhelmed, I added space between us to try to catch my breath, but we stared at each other, which didn’t help my cause. His eyes read like a romantic suspense novel, drawing you in and giving you enough angst to grip your heart.

  When his dimple appeared, my stomach fluttered. I swallowed hard while I contemplated my feelings, and the only word that came to mind was enthralled.

  Drake tapped my cheek with a fingertip and grinned, breaking the seriousness of the moment. Releasing me, he stepped back and asked if I was hungry again. When my stomach growled at the mere mention of food, we laughed.

  “It’s almost dinnertime,” he said. “Why don’t we order pizza and hang out for a bit?”

  I gri
nned at him, both excited and a little unnerved that he wanted to spend more time together. “Sounds good to me. If you call in the order, I’ll pour us a glass of wine.”

  As Drake placed the order, I poured the wine, and then stacked up the paperwork on the table. The ungraded stack was light, and I was pleased to find I had only a half dozen left to read. I gathered the papers and put them in my tote bag, and then sat on the couch next to Drake, who set aside his phone and picked up a glass of wine. He handed it to me as I sat next to him.

  “Thank you.” I took a sip and briefly closed my eyes. Mmm, smooth and oaky; it was just what I needed.

  “So, since your workload is lighter, would you like to go out with me tomorrow?”

  Studying his face, I saw nothing but honesty in the way he regarded me. His eyes didn’t lie, which seemed out of character for a politician. I’d noticed that in my classroom when we spoke of Marcie, he was genuinely concerned about his reply to her question. His sincerity was incredibly attractive.

  “Yes, I’d like that very much.”

  “Good, because my brother Josh is having a barbecue, and I’d love for you to be there with me.” His face lit up when he mentioned his brother, but my reaction was quite different.

  My throat tightened, making swallowing difficult. “Thank you, but I can’t.”

  He jerked his head back as if I’d offended him. “You can’t? I thought you said you were available. Is it because you don’t want to meet my family?”

  My heart raced at the thought of it. “No, it’s not that I don’t want to meet them, but I just met you. Meeting family is more like a tenth or eleventh date sort of thing, don’t you think?” I laughed, hoping to make a joke of it, but he didn’t laugh with me.

  Frowning, he let out a long breath. “It’s only a barbecue.”

  Before he could say more, the doorbell rang, and he gestured for me to stay put while he paid for the pizza. Once he had the white-and-red box in hand, he brought it to the kitchen and set it on the table.