“You’re much too precious for me to give into base pleasures the first day we know one another. Have a good night and I’ll see you again soon.”
I smiled at him. “How soon is soon? Andrea has plans for Independence Day. I suppose I can go home but I don’t want to. I spend Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas with my family. The Fourth of July should belong to me, to do as I see fit…don’t you agree?”
“Absolutely.” The grin on his face seemed to grow the longer I stared at him. “I would love to spend the holiday with you. Give me a few days and I’ll find a way to make it special.”
“That sounds like a plan.”
Russell allowed his arms to drop to his side as he backed away from me at a snail’s pace. “It is. Can I call you this weekend just to say ‘Hello?’”
I nodded. “You better or I will never forgive you.”
“Neither of us want that,” he replied while looking at me intensely. “Okay, I better call it a night. Have a great weekend and I’ll see you on Monday.”
Now it was my time to back away, making the distance between us greater. “Have a good night.”
“It’s already been much better than I could have ever expected. Thank you, Sigourney, and good night.”
“You’re welcome, Russell. Nighty night.”
He finally turned away and walked out of the front door, closing it behind himself.
I sighed and walked to the door, locking it before I leaned against it, my forehead hitting the cold wood.
What had I just started and would I be able to finish it? That was the question for tonight indeed.
Chapter Eight
Peter
Although Peter was supposed to accompany his wife back to Annapolis the following Monday, he made a convenient excuse to stay in Washington for the day.
His jealousy towards the newly formed relationship between Sigourney and Russell had grown to epic proportions. It didn’t make any logical sense but feelings were often irrational and illogical.
He should have been happy the young woman had found someone but instead, he felt spiteful and jealous she hadn’t decided to embark on anything with him. Her attraction towards him was palpable. It lived and breathed through her like a life force of its own yet she pretended to ignore it. Now on the receiving end of being the one with feelings wildly out of control, he hated himself for allowing anything to grow between the two of them. He couldn’t be done with this and neither could she when they’d barely started on a journey together. Times like this, life didn’t seem fair or just at all.
Peter sat through a campaign meeting, quietly sulking as Kylie ran through polls, focusing on the number of undecided voters, the potential voters that could’ve been brought over to the Coburn camp and other information he usually found insightful. Today, it was just a pain in the ass.
“I’m sure all of this rhetoric of yours has a point,” he finally said after Kylie glanced in his direction like an excitable puppy wanting attention from a wayward master.
“Peter,” Kylie began as if she were talking to a small child, “is something wrong?”
“Not at all. All I want to know is if it is possible to beat Elaine in the Democrat primary? All this other crap is best saved for the campaign aides. They’re the ones who have to get out the vote since we know how lazy the majority of Dems are. There’s a reason why Republicans always win the key races that count. Dems become complacent and don’t vote unless it’s a Presidential election and even then, they can’t always be counted upon.”
“Wow,” Sigourney spoke up before she turned toward him. “Tell me you just didn’t make a statement like that about your base.”
“I did,” Peter said without thought or compunction. “If you don’t like it then please, tell me how you really feel.”
“I don’t know, do you want to hear it? I’m not your base—in fact, I’m a registered Independent who could go either way.”
Peter’s steel-gray eyes coldly looked her up and down. “Then why are you working for a Democrat candidate’s campaign?”
Sigourney’s clear hazel-green eyes glared into his. “Isn’t it obvious? There haven’t been many good Republican candidates lately who weren’t obsessed with taking away women’s rights, minority rights, gay rights or anyone else for the matter who isn’t a straight white male. If they agreed to get out of America’s bedrooms, examination rooms and moral grandstanding then maybe I would vote for them. They are the party of low taxes after all, but lately have been too focused on cutting out deregulation and passing laws about issues that shouldn’t concern them.”
“Ah, finally some debate. If you’re such an expert, Ms. Stewart, what do you suggest?”
Sigourney glanced at Kylie who merely nodded for her to continue. “I wouldn’t focus on stealing voters from Elaine. They’ll come on board regardless if you’re able to take some of the votes away from the other party. Think of it this way: if you manage to convince some of those Republicans and Independents you’re a better candidate than anyone on the Republican side then the rest of the Democrat party will fall in line, including the essential backing by the current President for you to replace her.”
“And how, pray tell, do I do that? I’m a white male. Elaine has two major power plays going for her: one, she is a woman and two, she is a former two-term President’s wife. If you think you can figure out how I beat that then you tell me.”
“Elaine is also a baby boomer—that is a negative, not a plus,” Russell spoke up as he stole a glance at Sigourney before he faced the Governor. “You don’t think Generation X would like to see one of their own in the White House? That is a huge problem with Washington now. There are too many people from the old Guard still running the place. If we managed to elect younger senators and congress people, perhaps we would actually get something done for a change.”
Peter looked from Sigourney to Russell and back again.
The dynamic duo.
They were perfect for bouncing campaign ideas off one another and despite his distaste they were dating, he couldn’t stop himself. The campaign was more important than his feelings. He would have to pair them together. Between them, these two could give him a real shot at becoming President of the United States.
“It’s settled. Russell, Sigourney, I want you two to work together. I am making you both co-campaign manager aides to Kylie. I want you two to work together on slogans, reading the graphs and coming up with ideas on how I can gather some of the voters from the other side. I want you two to come up with ads that specifically target both Gen X and the iPod Generation, both, which are bigger together than the baby-boomers. I want you two to report directly to Kylie and myself only. Is that all right?”
Sigourney’s eyes blazed with a mixture of excitement and disbelief. “Are you serious?”
“As a heart attack.” Peter stood, signaling the end of the meeting. “Return to your desks and begin to brainstorm while I have a quick chat with Kylie before I leave.”
Both members of his team left and he didn’t bother to look at either one of them and focused his attention on Kylie.
She stood and refilled her coffee cup. “Whoa, I wasn’t expecting that from you. Can I take it this is the end of your fascination with the campaign aide?”
“Yes, of course.” He smiled though he’d lied through his teeth. “Besides, I’m much more worried about Liz. She’s been distant and distracted lately.”
Kylie’s smirk soon was replaced with a look of concern. “What’s going on?”
“She left on Friday night and wouldn’t tell me where she was going. It was all so weird. She came back late too.” Peter began to pace. “We’re spending the Fourth with my parents so I’m hoping she pulls herself together. My mother…well, she’s lost all faith in Elizabeth and believes she’s too weak to cut it.”
Kylie chuckled. “Does the Mrs. Coburn see herself as the mother of the future President? And she’s ready to chuck her daughter-in-law to the side to see desti
ny fulfill itself?”
“Mmm, something like that.”
“Priceless.” She rolled her eyes as she took her seat again. “I’m glad you decided to promote those two and not me. You would’ve accused me of favoritism.”
“Why? Because Russell’s your brother?”
“Half-brother, Peter, don’t get it twisted. And that isn’t want I meant, not entirely. I’m talking about your little favorite, Sigourney.” She sipped from her coffee in a delicate manner deserving of a royal family member. “I don’t like her but I have to admit she’s damn good at her job and can keep up with Russell. She deserves the promotion. If anything, she’ll offer differing opinions from the majority of the campaign assistants around here who thrive in ‘group think.’ I’m sure you feel the same way otherwise you wouldn’t have promoted her.”
Peter was silent for a moment. He agreed with his campaign manager otherwise they wouldn’t have been through so much together. He would have either gotten rid of her or she would have quit. Their relationship was far from conventional but that was partly why it worked. He grudgingly admitted to respecting Kylie a lot.
Perhaps that was the dichotomy with Sigourney. He respected her too because she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind and ask the hard questions. However, he also wanted to sleep with her and that was an issue.
He could guarantee if someone had asked him ten years ago if he’d think of breaking his wedding vows, he would have responded not a chance. Relationships became old and stale, especially when children were thrown into the mix. It was easier for any man to say he would never go there, especially with someone who he could be accused of sexual harassment. Sigourney was his employee after all, and he was her employer.
When all was said and done, he couldn’t be sure he wouldn’t put his hand in the flame yet again, but this time, he would certainly be burned.
Chapter Nine
Sigourney
“So, where are we going?”
“If I told you that then I would have to kill you.” Russell smiled, his blue-green eyes warmed up and I felt myself sink into them easily and effortlessly.
When did my feelings change from him being the most annoying person on earth to me slightly crushing on him to the latest stage of not being able to keep my hands off of him?
It was Wednesday evening and Peter had given the three of us: Kylie, Russell and me Thursday off to prepare for Independence Day that fell on a blessed Friday. Work with Russell was fun and exciting because we successfully bounced issues and ideas off one another really well. Neither one of us talked about anything personal and kept our working relationship strictly professional.
Sometimes, we shared our love for our favorite shows—mine being Scandal, True Blood and Sons of Anarchy to his, which were American Horror Story, The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones. This was as much into pop culture as we’d allowed ourselves to venture other than trading Google+ and Facebook information so we could chat online.
I looked forward to knowing more about the private Russell and now I was being given the opportunity. He’d called me ten minutes before he showed up at my home. It barely lasted twenty seconds with a quick “Pack light,” from him after I’d answered. I desperately wanted to know what he had up his sleeve as I finished up my version of packing light.
“I’m ready.” I grinned at him as I zipped up my luggage bag which was big enough to store my essentials and clothes but small enough to be considered carry-on luggage. “Are you at least going to tell me whether we’ll be boarding a plane?”
His eyes stared at me with a fueled intensity I couldn’t begin to explain. “No, I won’t. You’ll just have to go with the flow and hopefully, you’ll like it.”
“I would like you to know you aren’t fair at all. How do I know if I’m even dressed appropriately?”
“How would you not be? You’re wearing white jean capris and a lemon yellow short-sleeved top. Your hair is in a ponytail and you look flawless. I approve of what you have on.”
The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I didn’t think he cared much about what I wore but apparently he did. I didn’t know whether to be flattered or worried about the chance he could be a closet bisexual who wasn’t comfortable enough to come out to me.
“Listen, before you accuse me of being gay, I’m not. I’m comfortable with my sexuality though and I really, really like you a lot, Sigourney. There isn’t much about you I don’t notice so please don’t take my comment the wrong way.”
“I wouldn’t dare.” I smiled at him and the slight crease of worry on his forehead disappeared with ease.
“Where’s your roommate?” Russell wondered as he grabbed my suitcase. One of my shoulders was already weighted down with an oversized hobo bag and I’m glad he noticed my predicament though I could have easily taken the suitcase as well.
“Andrea? She works for The Capital Post, and she’s dating her editor. They’re going to Martha’s Vineyard for the weekend but aren’t leaving until tomorrow afternoon. She’s at work. Unfortunately for her, she doesn’t have an awesome job like us where the boss gives you an extra day off.”
“Yeah, we do have a very cool job, don’t we?”
“I concur, Berkeley.”
I didn’t speak further as we walked through my condo and left through the front door. Immediately, I locked up behind us and vowed to text my best friend as soon as we got to our destination. It seemed only fair since we hadn’t spoken much to one another over the past few days.
I knew Andrea wasn’t jealous but I did feel a spark of resentment. Maybe she thought I’d had it too easy and found Russell a bit too convenient after my fan-girling about Peter but she had to know I would rather move on than to pine about a man I couldn’t have. It wasn’t in my nature to ever accept a situation as hopeless as that one. I was all about finding an alternative solution that would work out in my best interest.
Yes, I was still attracted to Peter and would definitely have liked us to pursue something but at the same time, I wrestled with my conscience and my new-found lust for Russell. Two opposing forces, which allowed me to view everything in my life a bit differently.
We walked out to Russell’s car and I opened the passenger door after he’d unlocked it. The evening was beautiful, warm and bright. I couldn’t have asked for a better setting for the soundtrack that had become my life. Apparently, interesting company wasn’t good enough. I had to be able to feel the beat of everything and if I could put the moment on replay, I would’ve.
All the sudden, my mother’s words spoken to me as a child made sense.
There are moments, however fleeting, you know you’ll remember for the rest of your life. You ask me how you hold on to people and that is the only way. Through your memory, my daughter, because if you can memorize everything about them at that moment, it’s better than the best photo that can ever be taken.
How true she was and now I knew her words were a type of gospel. That exact moment between Russell and I was so perfect, I knew I wanted to hold on to this memory for as long as I could. He loaded my stuff in the back seat before he opened the driver’s door and slid in beside me. His hair, perfectly tousled with golden and flaxen highlights weaved over a pallet of sandy strands, and the way his aquamarine eyes demanded my attention, the center around the iris so green in its intensity, it reminded me of freshly cut grass.
“Is everything all right? You’ve been quiet for a while now.” He drove toward the direction of Dulles International Airport and a small smile played upon my face. I hope it meant we were going somewhere unexpected for the weekend.
“Yes, I’m fine. Should I have brought my passport?” I questioned, attempting a girlish glance in his direction that fell short.
“No, not at all. We aren’t leaving the States but yes, we’re going to the airport.” Russell stole a look at me quickly before his eyes focused on the road again. “I told you I’d make this a trip to remember.”
“Yes, you did but I didn’t take it lite
rally.” I sighed out loud. “Maybe I should have.”
“As long as you packed clothes to keep you cool, you should fine.”
I gazed at his profile adoringly. “If I don’t tell you before we get to our destination, thank you.”
“No, thank you, Sigourney. If I wasn’t going on this trip with you then I would have spent the Fourth of July weekend quietly in Manhattan trying to forget my mother’s death and failing at the same time. At least this way, everything works out for the best.”
I didn’t know what to say to such a powerful statement but if my company was all it took to keep the ghost of his dead mother at bay then I felt like an infinitely better person, even if I wasn’t.
Although surprise wasn’t the right word to describe the feeling of arriving at LAX, it was pretty damn close. We’d flown six hours and ended up in a magical place of sunshine, low humidity and beautiful people. To say I was thrilled would have been a gross understatement.
Russell had rented a car and immediately whisked me away to a beautiful beach house in Malibu, owned by his father. Along the way, he regaled me with stories of visiting the beach house every year for vacation with his family and the smile on his face seemed full of genuine warmth.
The early morning sun felt exhilarating on my skin. I couldn’t hide the thought of spending time by the pool immediately entered my mind as soon as I saw the architectural beauty come into view.
The two-story structure was all glass, clean surfaces and hard-wood floors that complimented everything about the house. Russell gave me a tour and spoke about the history of the home. I listened and truly thought about what it would mean to get involved with someone like him. I’d never known endless luxury despite my family being considerably wealthy. It was an enigma to me to live an ostentatious lifestyle as the one presented to me. In part, having so much money didn’t seem to be a blessing but a curse.
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