by Tonya Brooks
“Yes, ma'am,” he agreed and resisted the urge to pour himself another shot. Well, he had wondered how well she would fare in his world and it looked like he was about to find out. By the time the doorbell rang he was a nervous wreck. “Governor Barnhill, welcome to my home,” he greeted cordially as they shook hands.
“Luke, it’s good to finally meet you. Call me Jerome,” the state’s highest ranking official offered as he entered the house and looked around. Pleased with what he saw, he made the introductions. “This is my assistant, Justin Harris.”
“Justin,” Luke said as he shook the other man’s hand.
“Nice house. It has a lot of character,” the assistant said as he looked it over appreciatively.
“Thank you. That was the reason I bought it.” Luke admitted. “It felt like a home.” And Harley had done a hell of a job decorating it as well.
“You have excellent taste, my boy,” the older man nodded his approval as they moved into the living room. “I don't care for modern homes in general. They look like they've been stamped out of a mold.”
“That they do.” Luke agreed as he made his way to the bar. “Please, have a seat. Would you care for a drink before dinner?” They gave him their preferences and he poured them both a drink before refilling his glass and joining them.
“Excellent taste,” the governor repeated after he tasted the smooth scotch. “I appreciate a good aged scotch.”
“I knew you would,” a cultured feminine voice said and all three of them turned to see Easy gracefully descending the stairs. But this was an Easy that Luke had never seen before and he was awed at the transformation. The simple black cocktail dress lovingly caressed her curves instead of emphasizing them. The effect was subtle and elegant and she looked every inch a lady. She was still the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen and in that instant he knew he couldn’t love her more.
He also knew that nothing in his life would ever be more important than her. Easy had planned this evening down to the last detail to help him advance his career, and that was not the actions of a woman who only wanted a sexual relationship. She loved him. He knew she did and his chest swelled with pride. She was incredible and if the governor didn’t like it, the hell with him and the senate seat. Easy was all he needed.
Their guests rose to greet her and Luke nearly fell in the floor when she said, “Hello, Uncle Sugah.”
“Easy?” Edgar asked in surprise and then laughed in delight as he pulled her to him for a paternal hug. “How are you, darlin'?”
“Thrilled to see you,” she laughed and returned the hug. “How's Aunt Eleanor?”
“Fine, but she'll be put out at not seeing you,” he assured her. “What brings you to our part of the world?”
“Dizzy moved into the grandparent’s old place and I came for a visit,” she confessed.
“Dizzy's here?” he asked in surprise. “I'll have to give that young miss a stern talking to for not letting me know that she was back home.”
“You do that,” she agreed and released him to say cordially, “Justin, it’s nice to see you again.”
“A pleasure as always, Dora,” he smiled appreciatively.
Dora? Her real name was Dora, Luke wondered inanely as he tried to wrap his head around this side of Easy that had simply left him reeling.
“Thank you,” she replied without an ounce of flirtatiousness. “If you gentlemen will excuse me, I'll make sure dinner is ready.”
“By all means,” the governor agreed and turned to Luke to say, “Fine woman you've got there, Luke. A fine woman indeed.”
“That she is,” he agreed absently and was astounded that Easy not only knew the governor, but it seemed as if she were a member of his family. It was more than obvious that the older man thought highly of her. “How is it that you know the Grayson's, Sir?”
“Their father Eugene and I were at school together a hundred years ago,” he admitted. “Those kids are the closest my wife and I ever came to having children. It's a shame their parents don't appreciate them more.”
Before Luke could ask what he meant by that, Easy reappeared and announced that dinner was ready. Once the men were seated, she rolled out a serving cart bearing bowls and platters of food that smelled delicious. “Is that fried chicken?” the governor asked hopefully.
“Your favorite,” she confirmed with a knowing smile. “And we have potato salad, butter beans, rice, brown gravy and homemade biscuits.”
“Easy, you're an angel,” he sighed in delight. “I'm so sick of restaurant food and was telling Justin today that I'd love nothing better than a good home cooked meal for a change.”
“Just make sure you leave room for dessert because it’s another of your favorites,” she pointed out.
“Banana pudding?” he asked hopefully and when she nodded he looked directly at Luke and said bluntly, “If you let this woman get away, you're a fool.”
“Now, Uncle Jerome,” Easy chided lightly and knew the cat was about to be let out of the bag. “Don’t start matchmaking already. Luke and I have barely known each other a week.”
Jerome snorted his disdain and got started on his favorite tirade as predicted. “It's high time you quit traipsing around the globe and settled down, young lady. After that incident in Afghanistan I'd hoped you'd give it up.”
Afghanistan? What the hell was she doing in Afghanistan? Before Luke could voice the question, Justin asked, “What happened?”
“Damn insurgents attacked a military convoy and blew the Humvee she was riding in all to hell,” the older man said gruffly. “Easy was trapped under the hummer, but our soldiers managed to get her out before it exploded. They were pinned down by enemy gunfire for over two hours before it was safe enough to get a chopper in and get her evaced out. It's a miracle she's alive.”
“That was the car accident you told me about?” Luke asked in disbelief that she could downplay a goddammed terrorist attack to such an extent. Jesus, it was no wonder that she was still traumatized.
“This entire subject is classified and you know I can’t discuss it,” she reminded her uncle instead of answering Luke which had the desired effect on the older man.
“I can. Damn CIA doesn't have me bound to secrecy,” he grumbled.
“The CIA?” Luke expostulated incredulously. That was the agency in Virginia that she worked for? “What kind of analyst are you?”
“Political.” Jerome filled in when she remained silent. “Because of her linguistic skills they send Easy all over the world to determine which hot spot's gonna erupt next. It's too damn dangerous and I've told her that from the beginning.”
“Why the hell didn't you tell me about this?” Luke demanded and was furious that she had such a dangerous job.
“I'm not at liberty to discuss my job with anyone other than the immediate family,” Easy explained evenly and really hoped Luke wasn’t as angry as he looked. “One wrong word to the wrong person and not only could my life be in danger, it could jeopardize our military forces. Now, both of you stop growling like hungry bears and eat your dinner before it gets cold.”
Luke had completely lost his appetite at the revelation that she could be in danger. He poked at his food and carried on a conversation with the governor, but he couldn't get the image of that scar out of his mind or the knowledge that she could have been killed. They were halfway through dessert when he realized that if it happened again he could lose her for good. He turned to Easy and said abruptly, “You have to quit your job.”
“I beg your pardon?” she asked in surprise.
“I can't live with the thought of you being hurt again, baby.” Luke insisted and the tormented look in his eyes assured them all that he was completely serious. He reached over and took her hand in his as he said, “You mean too much to me. I can't risk losing you to some damn terrorist.”
“Barely know each other, huh?” Jerome repeated in satisfaction.
“Luke, it’s what I do,” she protested even though she had no
desire to go back to the agency.
“Then do something else,” he insisted
“Like what, get married and have kids?” she joked in an effort to lighten his mood.
“Exactly,” he agreed much to her complete and utter astonishment.
“I was joking,” Easy protested.
“I wasn't.” Luke denied seriously. “Marry me.”
“What?” Easy couldn’t have been more shocked if he’d slapped her.
“Marry me,” he repeated and knew it was the right decision. Hell, it was the only decision. He loved her and they belonged together.
Her heart was about to pound out of her chest, but Easy had to give him the chance to change his mind. She loved him too much not to. “Luke, you can't be serious,” she said tremulously. “We're all wrong for each other.”
“Then why does it feel so right?” he asked her yet again. “We were meant to be together, baby. You know it and so do I.”
“Are you sure?” she asked with her heart in her eyes. “I couldn't bear it if you changed your mind.”
“I love you, Easy. That will never change,” he vowed.
Tears filled her eyes but her smile was radiant when Easy replied, “I love you, Luke. Yes. I want to marry you.”
“'Bout damn time,” Jerome said in approval and slapped his assistant on the back in his exuberance. “Evan, we've found our candidate.” Yes, sir. A man smart enough not to let a woman like Easy get away was definitely a point in his favor and with Luke's impressive credentials; he was the right man for the job. Now, if Luke would just stop kissing his goddaughter, he'd tell him the good news.
~~~~
“Don't forget to send me an invitation to the wedding.” Jerome warned as they left.
“We won't.” Luke said with a satisfied smile and closed the door. He looked down at the woman pressed against his side and just had to say it again. “I love you.”
“I love you,” she assured him and hugged him fiercely.
“I can't believe it,” he said in bemusement and shook his head. “I’m going to marry the perfect woman.”
“Perfect, huh?” She teased. “You've got a thing for biker chicks with dangerous jobs?”
“The job has to go,” he said with a determined expression and was not backing down on that decision.
“I've been on medical leave since the accident,” Easy admitted. “I had actually been thinking about making a career change but had no idea what I wanted to do.”
“Think you'd like being a politician's wife?” he asked hopefully.
“I'd even give up my bike for you,” she offered.
Luke kissed her tenderly to show his appreciation of the offer. “The bike stays,” he said firmly. “But we may have to discuss the leather.”
“You don’t like it?”
“I love it,” he groaned. “My God, you look incredible in it and that’s the problem. You look too damn good.”
“I only wear my leathers for bike rallies since there’s no place to hide my badge and gun,” she confessed with a mischievous grin. “The rest of the time I dress like a respectable federal agent.”
“Federal agent,” he repeated as if the concept was beyond his comprehension.
Luke was having a hard time reconciling the wild woman he thought he knew with the classy lady in his arms. Brett had told him about all the screenings and background checks he’d gone through to get into the DEA so it stood to reason that the CIA would be equally strict. Since her job dealt with classified military information, Easy’s reputation had to be impeccable and above reproach. Hell, it was probably better than his.
“You do understand why I couldn’t tell you, right?” she asked hopefully.
“Yeah,” he agreed and then thought to ask, “Why didn't you tell me you knew Jerome?”
“I wanted to surprise you.”
“It worked,” he assured her. “I nearly had a heart attack when you called him uncle sugar.”
“So did he the first time I did it at a white house function,” she grinned.
“White House?” he choked. Holy hell. Who was this woman he’d fallen in love with?
“My father is an ambassador so I know quite a few movers and shakers in governments around the world,” she explained. “I get invited to the White House on occasion for various functions.”
“Why the hell didn't you tell me all of this instead of letting me believe you were just some biker babe?” he asked in confusion.
“I told you the other night that I wanted to be loved for who I am,” Easy reminded him.
Luke was so relieved to discover the truth that he spoke without thinking. “At least now I don't have to worry about our relationship ruining my reputation.”
“What?” Easy asked and couldn’t believe that she had heard him right.
“Baby, you’ve gotta admit, getting involved with a biker babe would have destroyed my hopes for a career in politics,” he explained reasonably.
“You were ashamed of me?” she demanded in disbelief and pulled away from him, her expression stricken as the implication hit her broadside.
“Hell no,” he denied adamantly.
“That's why you didn't want anyone to know we were more than friends. My God! You were ashamed of me!” She exclaimed and the hurt was plainly visible in her eyes.
“Easy, baby, let me explain.” Luke pleaded as she walked across the room until the furnishings separated them. “It wasn't like that at all. I was ashamed of myself because I... well, I... dammit. I don't know how to explain it.”
“Oh, you already did that,” she assured him as anger began to take the place of the hurt.
“I’ll admit that the thought of getting involved with a biker babe scared the hell out of me when we met,” he began to explain and realized that he was making it worse if her outraged expression was any indication. “But it had nothing to do with you. Hell, I even told you on the phone that night that the problem was mine.”
“You mean the night you told me that I wasn’t wife material?” She snapped furiously and saw him wince.
Luke was in deep shit and sinking fast. For a man whose career relied on his skill as an orator, he really sucked when it came to explaining his behavior to the woman he loved. “Easy, I was running scared,” he admitted and deeply regretted ever saying something so stupid to her. “I fell in love with you the night we met.”
“The hell you did,” Easy denied angrily. “You couldn’t get away from me fast enough that night and then you did every damn thing you could to keep pushing me away.”
“Because I knew if we got involved that I’d never let you go,” he insisted as they circled the sofa from opposite sides. “Why the hell would I willingly get tangled up with a woman who was going to break my heart? You told me you weren’t interested in a relationship, that all you wanted was sex.”
“I only said that because you said you weren’t looking for a relationship,” she accused hotly.
“I admitted that I’d lied about that,” he reminded her in frustration as he changed direction and they began to circle the sofa from the opposite direction. The withering look she gave him did not look promising when he recalled it was right after that comment that he’d told her she wasn’t wife material. “I love you, Easy.”
“If you did, you would have never been ashamed of me,” she said coldly.
“I am not ashamed of you, dammit!” Luke insisted as he bounded over the back of the sofa and tried to take her in his arms.
“Don't touch me,” she said and moved behind a chair to get away from him.
“Easy, don't do this,” Luke said in frustration and raked both hands through his hair. It was time to confess his sins. “Baby, there are things you don’t know about me. Things I haven’t told you that will put all of this into perspective.”
“I don't give a damn,” she said coldly and walked to the door.
“Dammit, don't you walk out on me. We can resolve this.”
For once that c
ommanding tone had no affect on her. Easy opened the door and said, “Goodbye, Luke,” before she walked outside and closed it quietly behind her.
He ran after her and opened the door. “Easy!” Luke shouted her name. “Dammit, get back in here.”
One of his neighbors was outside walking the dog and stopped to stare at him in disbelief. Refusing to chase her out on the sidewalk and have their argument all over town by morning, he slammed the door and cursed viciously. He'd wait until she calmed down and then he'd call her. Easy would be fine as soon as she got over the anger. She had to be. Dammit, he couldn't lose her now.
~~~~
Easy was so upset when she walked out that she didn't realize she couldn’t get her sister’s car out of the garage with the hummer blocking the doors. There was no way in hell she was going to ask Luke to move it and she wasn’t going back inside for her phone either. Deciding to walk to Dizzy’s, she was blinded by tears and didn't see the root growing up through the sidewalk until she tripped over it. The heel on her shoe broke and she lost her balance and fell sideways into a shrub.
The feeling of being trapped sent her spiraling back into the accident again. Seeking only to escape from the waking nightmare, her breathing became short, choppy sobs as she fought and clawed and struggled wildly to free herself from the thorny branches. Finally succeeding in gaining her freedom, she knelt on her hands and knees on the sidewalk and fought for air, oblivious to the fact that her dress was shredded in various places and she was covered all over in scratches.
When she finally managed to stand, Easy kicked her ruined shoes off and began to walk barefoot. Less than a minute later, the heavens opened up and rain poured down on her in torrents. At that point, she burst into tears and barely managed to place one foot in front of the other. The pain in her chest was nearly suffocating in its intensity. Having her back ripped open by shrapnel had not been anywhere near as painful as a broken heart.
