Seduced By The Candidate (The Candidate, #1)

by Beth Klein

  Seduced By The Candidate

  By Beth Klein

  Copyright 2012. All rights reserved.

  Chapter One

  A Welcome Change, Or Just Another Distraction?

  Senator William Goulding walked purposefully through the office. Although he was deeply engrossed in the latest report that John, his campaign manager, had given him ten minutes earlier every one of his ten strong campaign team bent low over their desks. They were desperate not to invite attention to themselves.

  Goulding had many wonderful attributes: he was handsome, charismatic, photogenic and an incredible orator. Unfortunately, for those that knew him well, Bill Goulding was also a hot-headed asshole! He was often irrational, unfair, unreasonable, quick to temper and slow to calm down. As the election drew ever closer he was getting worse.

  Even though they had been expecting it, the office jumped as one when the explosion finally came.

  “John…..JOHN! What the fuck is this shit?” roared Goulding. “You can’t be serious? Five more schools, thee more YMCA rallies and a bloody meet and greet with the Evangelical Christians…..how many snotty kids and bible thumpers do I have to kiss to win this election?”

  John Lyndsey sighed, removed his small round glasses and cleaned them with the end of his cheap nylon tie before looking up at Goulding and responding in a slow, measured voice.

  “You know why Bill. It’s a popular vote winner and winning votes gets you a seat in the White House. You’re the bloody Republican candidate, lose the Evangelist vote and you lose this election.”

  John Lyndsey and Bill Goulding couldn’t have been more different if they’d tried, although in many ways they served as the perfect foil for each other’s individual talents and abilities. Lyndsey was short, myopic and balding. He also had appalling dress sense, questionable personal hygiene and an unhealthy obsession with John Lennon.

  This was not to be confused with a love of the Beatles, however. Many highly influential politicians had found themselves in a heated debate regarding the merits of Lennon’s solo career when compared to his time with those ‘Liverpudlian Layabouts’ who had never done anything except hold him back. Most had no idea how they ended-up arguing about 60’s Brit Pop when they had visited the diminutive campaign manager with the intention of discussing schedules and strategy, but all had left dazed, confused and in full agreement with whatever it was the Lyndsey had told them!

  Apart from a scary devotion to all things Lennon, Lyndsey had another impressive talent and that was the ability to organize a long-term campaign and make the most of every situation, individual, organization and location. He saw opportunities that everyone else barely registered and knew exactly what angle to adopt in order to maximize the potential return for the campaign.

  In the thirteen months since Goulding had brought him on-board, he had transformed an eleven-point deficit in the ratings into an eight-point lead. Goulding had certainly gone out on a limb in the face of substantial criticism, but a nineteen-point swing in just thirteen months spoke for itself and both men’s abilities were now widely acknowledged and appreciated by Democrats and Republicans alike.

  Goulding on the other hand was tall, muscular, handsome and charismatic. His chiseled features held mass appeal to all manner of potential voters. With Lyndsey’s guidance, he had used them to full effect. Young women lusted after him, older woman saw strength and solidity in his features and men of all ages admired and respected him. His military background had served him well and had remained one of the only aspects of his life that Lyndsey had not needed to massage and enhance in order to reap the maximum return.

  At nineteen, Goulding had already been a soldier earmarked for great things and taking the advice of his father, a Two-Star General of some note, he had enrolled with the Ranger Training Brigade at Fort Benning. The sixty-one day program remained the hardest thing he had ever had to do, but he persevered and eventually finished third in his class. Completing the program was a huge accomplishment in itself and it had cemented in him a desire to succeed in all aspects of his life, no matter what they might be.

  Although the accomplishment had been satisfying, it was the award of the Rangers Tab that had meant so much to him. It had also brought him closer than ever before to his father and after a lifetime of failing to live up to his ludicrously high standards, Goulding finally felt like his father was proud of him.

  He had joined the 75th Ranger Regiment of the United States Army Rangers; a division of the army with a fierce reputation and a proud history. There, he had flourished within its ordered structure and disciplined routine. In 2001, after nine years with the Rangers, his regiment had played an important part in Operation Enduring Freedom and the fight against terrorism. It was during this conflict that his ambition and youthful exuberance had finally been tempered by the harsh realities of war and suffering.

  The atrocities that he witnessed had instilled in him a maturity far exceeding his twenty-eight years and this was lost on his commanding officers. In 2002, he had been promoted to the rank of Captain and again, the success of his achievements had galvanized his ambition to achieve even higher accolades. Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before he had been forced to re-evaluate not only his career aspirations, but also his personal priorities.

  Aged just thirty, he lead his men in maneuvers that played a critical part in the 2003 rescue of the infamous prisoner of war, Private First Class, Jessica Lynch. The mission had been a resounding success, but as they retreated to the pre-determined extraction point, they encountered heavier than expected resistance. Goulding had lead by example and kept the enemy pinned down with a barrage of covering fire until his unit had reached a place of relative safety.

  What happened next had been described as a ‘rogue salvo’, ‘bad luck’ and a ‘one in a million chance’; but as he ran to rejoin his men, Goulding had been shot through the shoulder and back by a retreating Afghani soldier. The rounds had been fired by a rifle carelessly swung over the soldier’s shoulder, and although the soldier had been intent on his own escape and hadn’t even been aiming at Goulding, the rounds hit home nonetheless.

  With the enemy threat neutralized, Goulding’s unit had dragged their commanding officer to safety and stemmed the flow of blood. His shoulder had been shattered and the head of the humerus was neatly parted from the main body of the bone. He had suffered a punctured lung and extensive blood loss, but he survived and over the course of the next ten months steadily recovered.

  In recognition of his extreme bravery in the heat of battle, he was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. His pleasure at the recognition was tinged with intense disappointment when it became obvious that his injuries would mean that he would never be able to return to his former life as an Army Ranger.

  The army was all Goulding had ever known and without its familiar embrace he felt alone and directionless for the first time in his life. He fell into a deep depression; drinking too much, picking fights with complete strangers and drifting aimlessly from one day to another without focus or reason.

  Finally, it had come to a head with a tearful confrontation with his father and realizations that had rocked his life. His father loved him and was proud of him—had always been proud of him and would continue to be proud of him regardless of what he did or how he did it. A life spent in the army and a misguided belief that a father should be strong and hard on his son so that he would grow up with the same strength and values, had left Goulding believing that his father was aloof and constantly disappointed. In truth, he was the most important thing in his father’s life. His greatest ever achievement and he was terrified that he would lose his son foreve
r as he struggled to find a new path in the world.

  * * *

  They talked for hours, until the sun began to show through the un-shuttered windows and a new day announced itself to the world.

  “Why did you join the army?” his father had asked.

  “I’m not sure…..to…..to…..no, it sounds ridiculous.”

  “Please Bill, go on,” he had coaxed.

  “I joined the army to feel like I was protecting people, protecting America…..protecting the world.”

  “And you did Bill; with dedication, commitment and passion. Without you, hundreds if not thousands of people would be dead or imprisoned. You should be very proud of that.”

  “And now I’m useless…..broken, battered and useless. I feel impotent, as if I’m no longer of any use to anyone.”

  The older man had sighed and thought for a minute while Goulding felt fresh tears well in the corners of his eyes.

  “Bill,” he said quietly. “You still have a part to play, you always did. You’re a remarkable man and you served your country with great distinction for more than eleven years. But that chapter of your life is over now. It’s time for a new chapter to open and for you to work out what else you have to offer.”

  “I don’t follow you Dad?” replied Goulding wiping his eyes.

  “You joined the army to serve your country…..What’s better than that?”

  “Nothing? I, I…..I’m not sure?”

  The elder Goulding smiled at his son.

  “Change,” he had said. “You served to enforce the orders of your senior commanders and they in turn endorsed the orders of their seniors. All of you were led by men without uniform, men without decoration—men with more power than you could possibly imagine.”

  “Politics?” Goulding had said unconvinced, but already a warm seed of possibility had been growing deep within him.

  “Politics,” agreed his father. “Become a politician son and you won’t need to protect a few thousand, you can change the world and make it a better place for millions.”

  “Politics,” Goulding said again and although his tone could have suggested anything, the faint trace of a smile at the corners of his mouth had told his father all he needed to know.

  * * *

  With a new focus, Goulding had thrown himself into a career in politics with a passion and zeal that was both impressive and terrifying to behold. In a matter of months, he had been elected into local office and had set about getting himself recognized by everyone who was anyone. His military career, commitment and undeniable good looks quickly made him the natural choice for State Representative and in due course, he won it by a landslide majority in the largest ever voter turnout since records began. With nothing and no one able to stand in his way, he followed this up just as quickly with another landslide victory that saw him elected as State Senator.

  People started to sit up and take note of Bill Goulding, the handsome army boy from Arkansas, but his local celebrity still had a long way to go before it became a national realization. To his intense frustration, his meteoric rise stalled somewhat. His enthusiasm and drive never faltered, but it was increasingly hard to get himself recognized and to get his message heard by the people that mattered.

  Finally, when he was wondering if he would ever find a way of continue his rise up the ladder; a group of local businessmen announced themselves to be keen supporters of his and schooled him in the mysteries of public relations, advertising and self-promotion. With their influence and financial backing, he had become a household name and in just three years, he had gone from State Senator to US Senator and a shining light in the Republican Party.

  Even then, he was not satisfied and after an intense campaign to highlight his credentials, he had risen up to be the natural choice as the Republican candidate for the 2012 Presidential elections. Now at just thirty-nine he stood on the brink of becoming the most powerful man in the free world. He also stood to smash some pretty impressive records if he was elected to the post, and the smart money on him was doing just that. In six weeks, if everything went according to plan he would be the youngest president the country had ever seen, beating Theodore Roosevelt’s forty-two by nearly three whole years. He would also become the first single president in one hundred and sixty one years, since James Buchanan left office in 1861.

  Part of him thirsted for the power and accolades, but another part of him wondered whether he would finally be content with securing a term in the White House, or whether he would continue to search for his next great challenge. He guessed that only time would tell. Besides, what on earth could trump being President of the United States of America?

  He had masterminded a career that was unprecedented in its rapidity and success and best of all he had done it almost single-handed, with only his own passion and commitment to call upon. True, the businessmen had played their part, but they were ancient history and as much as he would thank them and remain the consummate professional, he wouldn’t let ancient history hold back his rise to power. They could piss and moan all they liked. He was William Goulding and he no longer needed help from anyone to get where he was going.

  Goulding sighed. Yet again the men from his past had aggravated him to the point of losing his temper and try as he might, he couldn’t rise above their continued demand for recognition and redress.

  “Fuck ‘em,” he thought. “I have bigger fish to fry.” Despite his heartfelt declaration, he remained prickly and agitated and knew that his mood was bound to be reflected in his demeanor and actions.

  Goulding turned to Lyndsey and was wondering how best to accept the little man’s advice in a way that would make it sound like it had been his idea all along. The door to the office crashed open and a pretty little blonde exploded into the room in a whirlwind of falling papers and apologies.

  “Senator Goulding. Sir, I’m so sorry I’m late. There was a problem with the trains and when I tried to get a cab there were-”

  “Miss Turner, you’re my P.A. You are here to assist me in everything I do, which means you are here when I’m here—no, scratch that, you are here thirty minutes before I am here. If that’s too much to ask, then please let me know and I’ll be happy to relieve you of the onerous responsibility.”

  “Yes Sir, but the train-”

  “I’m not interested in your excuses.” He cut her off again, his voice hard and uncompromising. “Everyone else got here on time and I expect you to not only match their professionalism, but to better it. Is that clear?”

  “Yes Senator Goulding.”

  “Good. Now as soon as you have collected you’re nefarious detritus, please get me a coffee. Black, no sugar.”

  “Yes Sir. Right away Sir.”

  Charlotte Turner crouched over the scattered file of papers.

  “Prick!” she said in a voice only she could hear.

  * * *

  As she waited for the water to boil, Charlotte cursed her misfortune, but realized that, on reflection, she hadn’t really expected anything else. She was good, really good and her college results backed that up. But that was academia and the ‘real world’ was still totally alien to her. She was twenty-six and for over two decades had dedicated her life to the school system, maintaining a 4.0 grade point average at school and setting a new high school record with a SAT score of 2220.

  Eager to test her abilities further, she had accepted a scholarship to study a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. If she was totally honest with herself, reluctant to leave the comforting cocoon that the education system provided. Four years later, she graduated summa cum laude but was still unwilling to enter the workplace. When the offer of another scholarship had been made, she had leapt at the chance and threw herself into a Master’s degree in Business Administration, which she had also graduated summa cum laude.

  Charlotte was exceptionally talented. Every one of her tutors encouraged her to go on to do great things and make a real name for herself. She shook her head and watched the curling
steam dance up the wall. If any of those tutors could see her now they’d be appalled. Charlotte Turner, one of the brightest students that they’d ever seen taking a P.A’s job with a bad tempered Republican asshole. Why? Well, that was the twenty thousand dollar question wasn’t it? She had no one else to blame but herself.

  Charlotte knew academia, she was comfortable with the routine, the discipline and the detachment and she didn’t want to leave it. She had waited for another opportunity to present itself, another scholarship offer to land on her doormat and make her decision easy, but as the weeks went by, nothing came. By then, all of the best internships had been filled and as stunning as her qualifications were, no one was going to wait forever on the off chance that their dream employee will simply walk through the door.

  Her parents weren’t particularly wealthy and with no scholarship to pay her way, it was clear that she had no future in the school system. She also had no chance of getting a job that reflected her qualifications without a great deal of searching, and untold weeks of interviews wouldn’t pay the bills or put food on the table. She was broke, out of time and as unpalatable as it was, she was seriously thinking about waitressing jobs just to make ends meet. That was when John Lyndsey had called her.

  He was intelligent, articulate and clearly an academic. She liked him straightaway. She liked him even more when he asked her if she would be interested in a job working as a P.A to Senator William Goulding, the Republican candidate in the forthcoming Presidential election race. Wow! Being a personal assistant didn’t exactly fill her with inspiration, but then again, she wasn’t exactly in a position to be fussy.

  What made it much, much more appealing however was working closely with Goulding. She might have been something of a social recluse, but she wasn’t blind or deaf and anyone with even half an ear to the ground knew about Goulding. He was a military hero and his achievements in politics where almost unheard of. He was also pretty damn sexy, although she had to admit that men, sexy or otherwise were not exactly her strong point.