I waved my hands downward. “Shh. Keep your voices down.” I looked around to see if anyone was watching. Thankfully it appeared we were unnoticed.
“So you’re just fucking then?” Liam parried.
“Liam!” I hissed. “Don’t say stuff like that where people can record you!”
Liam stuffed his hands in his pockets and grinned. “Then join us and keep me out of trouble,” he cajoled.
“Thanks, but I can’t.”
“Why not?” Aaron demanded, his arms draped over Scout’s shoulder.
Liam scratched the side of his jaw. “Yeah. Why not?”
I shrugged one shoulder. “Because you really don’t want an old lady tagging along. I’d be boring.”
Aaron, Scout, and Liam all exchanged looks. “You’re not old!” Liam barked.
“Not even close,” Scout chimed in.
Aaron eyeballed Liam, who’d taken a step closer to me. It never failed, Liam always closed the gap between us, invading my personal space. If it weren’t for my senses running at warp speed when he was near, I would’ve grown accustomed to his little maneuver by now.
“How much older do you think you are, Elizabeth?” Aaron pushed in between Liam and me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “You’re what? Forty?” Aaron suggested.
“Forty-five,” I mumbled.
“That makes you about six years older than me,” Aaron noted. “Which means you’re not old. As a matter of fact, you’re in the prime of your life.”
My eyes shifted skyward. “Fine. Then I can’t go because I have work to do.”
“Nope. Not buying it, Lizzy.” Aaron patted my shoulder with the palm of his hand. “If you don’t go, none of us go. It’s that simple.”
Aaron stepped back. No sooner had he moved that Liam regained his previous position. “Please. For me,” Liam whispered close to my ear. “There’s a bar that plays nothing but nineties rock. We can leave the lovebirds and go have some fun.”
As tempting as that sounded, the idea of being alone with Liam freaked me out. It didn’t matter that we’d be surrounded by his security detail. For all intents and purposes he’d proposed alone time for us. That didn’t bode well for my already shattering defenses.
Overcome with the thought, I dared to gaze into those big, brown eyes. His dark hair fell forward on his forehead. Why, I don’t know, but I reached up and brushed it back from his face. He released a small sigh. His lips parted slightly; full, soft, deliciously tempting. The urge to kiss him struck me like lightening. He swallowed and I noticed how his throat bobbed beneath the collar of his shirt. My whole body became electrified by that single, insignificant touch.
But it wasn’t insignificant. It created tension, want, need, and desire. That simple touch sizzled with heat. It left me wanting to know more, to feel more.
Of course, that feeling didn’t last. Reality came back into focus and panic set in.
Oh, God! What had I done?
How could I have allowed myself to forget our surroundings? We were in a television studio for God’s sake. Cameras were everywhere. I ripped my hand back, clenching it at my side. My eyes scanned the perimeter to see if anyone noticed my moment of weakness.
Stupid! Absolutely stupid!
I forced myself to slug back the fear mounting inside me. If anyone had seen…
Forget that!
Anyone who may have been watching us would’ve thought I was grooming my candidate. I’d done that a million times before. Liam was no different in the eyes of the public – I hoped.
However, a full one-eighty-degree scan of the room did nothing to settle the disappointment I had in myself. There wasn’t a soul in sight aside from Scout and Aaron, who both wore similar expressions of intrigue, but I couldn’t shake how easy it’d been for me to cross a line, a line I’d set for myself.
A curse caught in my throat. This man’s power over me was illogical.
Liam rubbed his freshly shaven jaw, a twisted little smirk lighted his lips.
Just as I feared – he was calling my bluff. There’d be no turning him down now.
I took a step back, giving myself a chance to breathe and accepting the inevitable. “Fine. I’ll go. But if I drag you down, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“Great! You’re going.” A sexy, little grin dangled at the corner of Liam’s mouth. “You won’t regret it.”
He was wrong. I already did.
The music pulsed all around me to the point it almost hurt my eardrums. Almost.
Dim light shrouded the club, letting darkness reign over all who wished to utilize its cover. A long, wooden bar lined the east wall and a simple stage captured the attention of the audience. Well, at least those who weren’t lost in dancing or other seedy deeds. Unlike in my younger years, there was no smoke haze to add to the ambiance of the establishment. I’d never been a smoker, but I missed the way it added character to a joint such as this.
The four of us found a round corner booth off to the side of the stage. The two men sat on the outsides, pushing Scout and myself into the center. Scout curled her legs up onto the bench, resting into the crook of Aaron’s side as they listened to the band on stage belt out a slow ballad. Had it not been for the man sitting to the left of me, I might’ve enjoyed the group’s rock-n-roll meets blues vibe. Instead, I was entranced by how close Liam was to me. The side of his leg lightly pressed into mine. Every move he made I felt.
Through the cadence of the music, I was hyper aware of him. A shuffle in his seat. Each muscle that moved with the beat. A tap of his foot kept the rhythm. Even his heartbeat rattled me. I inhaled deeply, pushing aside the rage of hormones attempting to take over. This was all in my head. I’d manufactured this silly love game and now I was paying for my imagination. I was better than this. Stronger. No one, not even my ex-husband, affected me in such a primal way. I had control of myself, even as a young woman. I could restrain my urges, and I would. No one owned me, except maybe my daughter.
Liam scooted back, resting his arm along the back of the booth, over my shoulder. Rather than shout over the music, he leaned into me to speak. “These guys are great.” His whisper tickled my ear.
I swallowed down the scream trying to rip out of me. That stupid little comment had me clenching my thighs together.
I dipped in closer to him, basking in the musk of his cologne. “Yeah. It’s a great cover.”
That really wasn’t saying much when I wasn’t a fan of the original performer. Although, on the flip side, they made me like the song, and if they recorded it, I’d more than likely buy it.
A slow smile emerged on his lips. “I’m glad you approve.” Something in his tone goaded me.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I shot off. My hackles raised. Any inkling of attraction I had for him flew out the window with the appearance of that smug expression on his face.
“Nothing.” He slunk further into the bench, dropping his hands onto the table in front of us.
“I don’t buy it!”
Liam chuckled and glanced in my direction. “Look at them.”
His abrupt change in direction caught me off guard. “What?”
He motioned toward Aaron and Scout. They were wrapped in the most intimate of embraces. For two people who claimed to not be involved, they appeared rather cozy to me.
“I’m sure in all your background checks you learned a lot about him.” Liam tipped his head toward Aaron.
I rubbed my arm. “Yeah.”
“I’m pretty sure if you look up the term Man-Whore in the dictionary, you’d find Aaron’s picture beside it.”
I bit the inside of my mouth to hold back my laughter. “That’s not nice.”
Liam rubbed his jaw and grinned. “But it’s the truth. Well, at least until Scout.” He bounced his leg, sending vibrations through mine. “She’s changed him. I joke about them being together, but I know he cares for her. She’s good for him.”
“How are you so sure she’s not just another no
tch in his bedpost?” It was a genuine question, and I was interested in hearing the answer.
Liam diverted his eyes back to the stage where the band was finishing their set. “Because he hasn’t slept with her yet.”
My head jerked toward the press secretary and the chief of staff, baffled and a bit confused. “But back at the station, you said…”
“I know what I said, in jest. But trust me, they’re not sleeping together.”
That wasn’t possible. The way those two were twisted together, they had to be screwing around. Liam was trying to pull a fast one over me. “I’m not falling for that one.”
That’s when it struck me. Somehow, in turning my attention to the young couple, he’d diverted a possible argument between us. He’d played me and I let him. Score one for Liam. He was getting too good at this game, which wasn’t a great sign for me.
Dark eyes pierced me through the dull light. My throat closed at the seriousness written all over him. “I told you I never lie, and I meant it.”
His tone, the mere way in which he spoke with such authority that I couldn’t refute him, gave me pause. I returned my attention back to Scout and Aaron, feeling a little guilty that I hadn’t taken more interest in them before now. Sure, I’d noticed their little amore, but all I cared about was them not disrupting our campaign. Flings happened all the time in this business, but what Liam was implying sent my mind into overload. “Wow,” I breathed, covering my hand over my mouth. “They’re falling in love.”
Liam shifted, bringing our bodies closer together, if that was even possible. “Possibly, but she keeps him at a distance, like someone else I know.”
Warning bells sounded in my head. Danger, Ms. Robinson, Danger!
Fuck! I really was a Ms. Robinson, drooling over this poor man. Talk about an epic face meet palm moment.
“It comes with the territory,” I stated, unsure why I felt the need to explain why women like Scout and myself might not allow anyone to waltz into our lives or our bedrooms.
“I can understand that.” The muscles in his jaw tightened. “But eventually you’ve got to let someone in. It’s a lonely existence otherwise.”
I crossed my arms over my stomach, my eyebrows lifted. “This coming from a man who’s faking a relationship.”
“I’m not faking. I’ve never once called Kristin my girlfriend and I never will. Besides, any faking is exaggerated by you,” he deflected.
“Fine. But why her? What does she get out of this?”
“I wouldn’t expect you to understand.” His voice rumbled low and heady.
“Try me.”
Liam rubbed the back of his neck, looking a sheepish. “Kristin and I have no secrets between us.”
“Oh c’mon. No secrets at all? Is that why she isn’t on the road with us?” It was a valid question, and one I’d fought with him over before we hit the trail. I still believed she should be at every event. With Liam, Aaron, and Scout joining forces against me, I lost that battle, but I didn’t go down without a true fight. “Is she afraid she’ll out you or something?”
His whole body stiffened. “No. Now drop it,” he sneered through clenched teeth. “She does enough for me. I’m not going to ask her to take off from her job for this.”
“Right.” I waved my hand in a blasé manner. “The job. Art curator.” Each word I spoke was clipped to put emphasis on how I still didn’t agree with her absence on the trail. “Is that code for she’s in a relationship?”
He dropped his head into his hands and released an exasperated sigh. “You’re relentless. You know that?”
A little pleased with myself, I gave a halfhearted shrug. “It’s why I’m so damn good at what I do, and why you’re leading in the polls.”
“Did it ever occur to you that I’m leading in the polls because voters know I’m the best for the job?”
I bobbed my head from side to side, curling my lips. “Trust me, if you didn’t have me, they wouldn’t know you’re the right guy for the job. Keating would’ve already slaughtered you.”
Liam shifted to face me, his knee perched on the seat, digging into my thigh. “You’re good, and I appreciate what you bring to this team, but I’m just as good. Don’t forget that.”
I flipped my hair over my shoulder, turning to mimic his position. Our arms crossed over the top of the bench, our knees pressed together. My blood boiled with passion and frustration. That wasn’t a good mix for me, so it seemed. “You think you’re so badass…”
“I am,” he cut in. “And you know it, or you wouldn’t be working with me.”
He gripped the top of my arm, sending vibrations of heat coursing through my veins. To tell him he was wrong would be a lie, and I didn’t want to lie to win. Thankfully, I didn’t have to because the band stopped playing, sending a hushed silence over the crowd. Liam and I both clamped our mouths shut and turned around in the booth to present the band with a much deserved ovation.
Out of the silence, a shrill voice screeched, “Oh, my God! It really is him!”
Two armed guards jumped from their seats, as a group of young people trampled to a stop in front of the table. Liam waved off his security detail, who hesitantly obeyed, backing away but only slightly. Liam tightened his tie, and slipped out of the booth. Aaron and Scout untangled fast, composing themselves.
As Liam spoke to the young voters, I caught myself entranced by his hospitable interactions. He was energetic, completely uncaring that they’d just interrupted him during his off time. He was open to taking pictures and answering questions. They discussed everything from the band’s performance to his political agenda. They’d watched his interview from earlier in the day and expressed their support for him. He was a hit.
By the time the crowd dispersed around him, Aaron was giving me a nudge. “Hey, I hate to cut this short, but I just got a call from the office. We need to head back to the bus for the night.”
I glanced down at my watch, a little startled by the time. “Damn. Is it really that late?”
Aaron glimpsed at his phone. “I’m afraid so.”
I reached out and tugged on Liam’s sport coat. He was bidding the last of the group goodbye, and dropped his gaze back to me. “I’m sorry, Congressman,” I said in my most professional of tones, “but we must head out.”
Liam shifted back to the young man who’d stayed behind after his friends had dispersed. “I’m sorry, Travis, but I need to cut this short. As I’m sure you know, Washington never sleeps.”
Travis, a young African-American man with flawless ebony skin and a shaved head, beamed. “Not a problem, Congressman Baxter. I’m sorry we bothered you.”
Liam shook Travis’ hand. “You didn’t bother me at all. And you’re more than welcome to contact my office at any time. I’m here to serve you.” I’d heard that line from a million politicians, but coming from Liam, I actually believed it, as did Travis. He thanked Liam once again and rushed off to catch up with his friends.
“You ready?” Liam asked, taking out his wallet and dropping cash onto the table.
As I started to scoot out of the bench, a large hand extended before me. I glanced up only to catch his eyes flicker downward. I dropped my gaze to discover an ample amount of my cleavage and bra exposed. There was a little piece of me that felt excited to see a man was locked inside the perfect persona of William Baxter. However, I quickly concealed myself because I didn’t want anyone to ever accuse me of being unprofessional.
Once my wardrobe was adjusted, I accepted his hand and let him guide me from the bench. Liam tucked my hand in the crook of his elbow and started us out of the building.
Into the night, we entered. The streets were packed, even at that late hour. Winter was over, but the harsh breeze still had its reign over the great state. It rustled around us as we worked our way to where we’d left the car. We’d chosen to walk the music district so Scout could take in the sights. Not one of our brightest decisions, though I admit I argued against the idea in the first place.
Bright neon lights flooded the street as music pulsed from bars all along the way. A street performer stood along the sidewalk with an acoustic guitar, singing his heart out. Behind us, the two guards trotted, never coming close enough for anyone to notice them.
None of us said anything. It was obvious we were all tired, and the night was nowhere near over for any of us. Along the way, a huge burst of wind sliced through my blouse. My teeth began to chatter. I bit my bottom lip to prevent the racket, but that didn’t stop Liam from feeling me shiver.
“You’re freezing.”
“I’m fine,” I fibbed.
“No, you’re not.” He halted his steps, pulling me back with him.
Liam slipped his jacket off his shoulders and wrapped it around me.
“You don’t need to do that,” I disputed. “You’ll freeze.”
Liam rubbed his hands up and down my arms. The chill of the night disappeared only to be replaced with the warmth of lust. “I’m not cold, nor am I wearing silk. Now, slip your arms in, and let’s get to the car.”
My shoulders bounced with a chuckle, but I did as I was told. The sleeves were far too long, so he rolled them to my wrists. “Thanks,” I muttered.
“No problem,” he whispered, taking my hand and returning it to his arm.
Through the journey, I didn’t think about the way his scent enveloped me from his jacket, or how his body heat had made the material warm against my skin. I refused to let my mind linger on how easy it was to walk next to him. Nor did I consider how good it felt to have my hand resting on his arm.
No, none of that entered my mind.
Right! As if I could’ve gotten away from any of that.
And the ride back to the bus was even worse. While there was space between us on the seat, I still felt him all around me. I could barely breathe. This man, who was far too young for me, made me crazy in ways I never believed existed.
Once we arrived at the bus, I couldn’t get out of the car fast enough. Aaron and Scout beelined for the bus, neither wanting to deal with the night chill any longer. I quickly followed suit. Ready to step onto the bus, I remembered I was still wearing Liam’s jacket. I stopped and turned to him, about to remove the suit coat. He stilled my actions by wrapping his long fingers around my shoulders.
Politically Incorrect Page 11
