Текст книги "Incumbent"
Автор книги: Joanne Schwehm
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Текущая страница: 3 (всего у книги 16 страниц)
After I had showered, I called Mason to tell him I turned Drake down.
“Lucy, did he do something?” His tone was overprotective. Mason might not be my brother, but sometimes he acted like it.
I sighed. “I feel like an idiot. But my nerves and skepticism got the best of me.” I flopped down on the couch. “He was so wonderful too. You should see the way he graded the papers. If politics didn’t work out, he could teach, but I have a feeling his political aspirations will come to fruition. He’s so diplomatic.”
“Sounds like someone is going to regret not going with him today.”
Mason’s playful singsong tone didn’t make me feel any better. That was one word I didn’t want in my vocabulary—regret. All I had as a teenager were regrets, and on my nineteenth birthday, I’d vowed not to have any more. Apparently my ten-year run had come to an end, but the only reason I regretted saying no was because I wouldn’t be hanging out with Drake today.
When I didn’t respond, Mason asked, “What are you going to do all day?”
“I don’t have any plans. Maybe I’ll read.”
“Let’s go do something. Get your nose out of a book for a bit and give your eyes a rest. I’ll think of something and come pick you up. I’ll be there around noon.”
Maybe if I spent the day with Mason, I wouldn’t be wondering what I was missing out on at the barbecue. So I agreed, and spent the rest of the morning catching up on the news.
Just before noon, I threw on a pair of jeans and a cute top. After I grabbed my denim jacket, I stepped outside to wait for him.
The scent of budding flowers, cherry blossoms, and the remnants of rain lingered in the air. This was my favorite time of year. It wasn’t smoldering hot yet, and the humidity was low and bearable. The foliage around my home had new buds sprouting, and the daffodils’ yellow blooms were so cheerful, reminding me of sunshine.
Mason rolled up in his Jeep. The top was down and the music blared, which he lowered to a bearable level as I buckled myself in.
“So, where to?” I asked.
“We’re going four-wheeling. It’ll be fun!” When I gaped at him, he shot me a wink. I glanced at my outfit, thinking of going back inside to change, but he shook his head. “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine.”
A short while later we pulled up to a dirt track, riddled with puddles since it had poured rain overnight. I glanced down at my favorite jeans and glared at Mason, who must have read my mind because he just shrugged.
Grinning at me, he said, “Come on. Let’s go have some fun.”
Begrudgingly, I stowed my purse in a locker and headed to the field with Mason, where we rode ATVs for a couple of hours. He was right; I needed this.
We raced up and down hills, and I was having a blast until he decided to abruptly turn. I slammed on the brakes and my vehicle slid, the tires kicking up mud all over me before the engine stalled. If I hadn’t been wearing a helmet with a face guard, my mouth would have been filled with dirt and muck when I opened it to scream.
Mason tugged off his helmet and howled out a belly laugh at the sight of me.
I yanked off my helmet and narrowed my eyes at him. “You did that on purpose.” Shaking my head, I swiped at the mud caking my jeans, but only succeeded in making it worse.
He held a hand on his stomach as he tried to regain his composure. “Can you start it?”
When I turned the key, the engine just sputtered. Frustrated, I ran my tongue over my teeth. “It’s dead.”
He slid forward on his seat. “Hop on. I’ll take us back, and someone can come out here to pick it up.”
I swung my leg over and wrapped my arms around his muscular midsection, but it didn’t give me a thrill. Mason was a great-looking guy, but he was like the brother I never had, so there was no attraction between us. We might play the doting boyfriend or girlfriend role when someone came on to us and we didn’t want to be bothered, but that happened more often with him than me.
By the time we made it back to my apartment, our clothes were practically covered in mud stains. If I weren’t so annoyed at my jeans being ruined, I might have been able to look on the bright side. After all, I’d just saved money on having a mud bath at a spa, because I was doused from head to toe.
Mason’s hearty laugh as he picked grass out of my hair didn’t amuse me. All I could do was shake my head at him.
“I’m going to go shower. Are you staying or leaving?”
He raked a hand through his hair, which didn’t look as bad as mine, but it was still dirty. “Can I jump in the shower first since I’m quicker? Then I’ll order some food while you’re showering.”
The sound of my stomach rumbling resounded in the room. “Fine, but hurry. I’m gross, and I’m sure my skin is ready to flake off.”
When I heard the shower turn on, I went into my room to peel off my muddy clothes and slip into my robe. While I waited, I sat on the bed and glanced around my room. My bookshelf was full of historical novels and reference books, and my attention stalled on a picture I’d taken of the White House.
I couldn’t get in for a tour, but I’d leaned through the wrought-iron fence and taken a snapshot of the beautiful home on Pennsylvania Avenue. It had inspired me to think of the men and women who’d walked those halls, making crucial decisions regarding our country, and had raised their families there.
Of course, my thoughts went to Drake, and how prestigious and presidential he appeared. I could envision him sitting in the Oval Office, signing bills and meeting with dignitaries.
“Shower is yours,” Mason bellowed from down the hall. At least he knew what the plan was today and had brought a change of clothes for himself.
I took a deep breath and steadied myself as I made my way to the bathroom. Thoughts of a hot senator continued to invade my mind, and I tingled at the thought of him.
After stepping into the steaming spray, I leaned my forehead against the cold tile. Drake was everything I’d ever wanted in a man—smart, gorgeous, driven, and grounded. But it wasn’t meant to be. Someone like him could never be serious about a nobody like me; it didn’t happen outside of fairy tales.
A sigh escaped me as I pulled debris from my hair and began to wash my body.
After I was back to looking like a human rather than a piece of clay, I stepped out of the shower and dressed in sweatpants and a Northern Ridge T-shirt. The doorbell rang as I was blow-drying my hair.
“Mason,” I called out, “can you get that? It’s probably the delivery guy.”
I tipped my head over and quickly ran the blow dryer over my hair another minute. When it was mostly dry, I stepped into the living room and stopped dead in my tracks. Drake was standing in my doorway, holding a bag. My heart pounded as our eyes met.
Mason turned around and when he spotted me rooted to my carpet, he shrugged. “It isn’t the delivery guy.”
“I see that. Thank you.” I took a step toward them. “Drake, this is Mason. Mace, this is—”
He reached out and offered his hand to Drake. “I know who he is, Lucy.” They shook hands, and Mason laughed. “It’s good to meet you, Senator Prescott.”
Drake smiled. “Please, it’s just Drake, and it’s nice to meet you too.” Mason stepped aside to let him come in, and Drake stopped in front of me. “Hi, Lucy.”
When he said my name, an odd feeling passed over me. Not attraction or excitement; instead I felt oddly protected and safe.
When the smell of delicious food emanating from the bag he held gained my attention, I tilted my head at him in question.
“I brought you some dinner. It’s from my brother’s house. But I don’t want to intrude.” Drake’s brows lowered a fraction as he looked from me to Mason. Worry lines formed on his forehead.
“You’re not intruding. I just didn’t expect you.” I took the bag from his hand and unrolled the top to inhale the delicious aroma. “This smells wonderful. Thank you.”
My doorbell rang, and an awkward silence fell over us until Mason piped up.
“That must be my dinner. Lucy, I’m going to take the food we ordered to my place since you’re all set.” He leaned over and gave me a chaste peck on the cheek before he turned to Drake, who observed him carefully. “Very pleased to meet you, Drake.”
And just like that, Drake and I were alone once again.
Chapter 4
~ Drake ~
Lucy had told me she didn’t have a boyfriend. Did she lie?
Mason took off, leaving us alone, and my chest tightened as I turned to her. “So, you had a good day?” My pulse quickened when her eyes widened.
“Yes, thank you. Did you?”
Dressed casually in sweatpants and a T-shirt, she walked into the kitchen and placed the bag on the table. Today her auburn hair was loose, rather than in the bun she was wearing yesterday, and I wanted to plunge my fingers into its silky softness, then pull her close and . . .
Realizing she’d just asked me a question, I refocused on her. “I did, but I always do when I’m with my family.”
That was the truth. My family loved being together, and our Sunday dinners were something we all looked forward to. None of us missed one if we could help it.
She smiled. “Would you like something to drink?”
“No, thank you.” I paced her living room and a muscle in my jaw ticked as Lucy strolled toward me. “So, he’s a friend?”
“Yes, he’s my best friend, my only friend. We met in college.” She sat on the couch, tucking her legs underneath her like a teenager. Her eyes closed briefly as she continued. “I was alone before I met Mason. Yes, I had a roommate, but we were more acquaintances than friends, which was fine with me.”
She opened her eyes and looked at me. “One day I was heading to the library, and a group of guys were playing soccer in the quad. All of a sudden, the ball whizzed toward me and hit me in the leg. It startled me, so I dropped my books on the sidewalk. One of the soccer players ran up and asked if I was okay before he bent down to help me pick up my books.”
A smile brightened her face when she added, “There was something kind in his eyes. He ended up tossing the ball to his friends and then walked me to the library. That guy was Mason, and the rest is history.”
Relief washed through me, mixed with a twinge of envy. If Lucy and Mason really were just friends, I probably didn’t have anything to worry about. But still, it bothered me that she’d chosen to spend today with him rather than with me.
“I’d like to be your friend. I thought I made that pretty clear yesterday.” I sank into the cushion next to her, wanting to make light of it, but couldn’t help but ask, “Why did you cancel on me today?”
She reached up to twist a strand of her hair as she took a deep breath. “I panicked.” She lowered her gaze, and as I reached out to take her hand in mine, she looked at me with sad eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. But why did you panic?”
She shrugged. “Because you’re you and I’m me.”
“Yes, we’re different, but I still don’t understand.” Squeezing her hand, I added, “That’s the part I like.”
She shook her head and slipped her hand from mine. “You’re Senator Drake Prescott and I’m Lucy Washburn, a high school teacher. Our lives are so completely different. You spend your day reviewing laws and wanting to make our country a better place, and I spend my day teaching teenagers about what you and other politicians do for a living.”
“Exactly,” I said with a grin, “so our worlds aren’t that different, if you think about it. Without people like you reminding our youth about the importance of being politically aware and voting, what I do would be useless.” A smile appeared as she studied me, and I reached out to gently touch her cheek. “I’m no more important than you are, and all I wanted was to spend the day with you today.”
“I’m sorry; I just didn’t know what to do. Your presence is daunting.”
“I hit you with a lot yesterday because I’m attracted to you, and I don’t have a lot of time. But I’m not going to tell you I wasn’t disappointed when you didn’t join me today, because I was.” I leaned a bit closer, and the scent of the strawberry-scented shampoo from her damp hair invaded my senses. “So, about Mason . . .”
A genuine smile stretched across her face at the sound of his name, making my jaw clench. Not because they were best friends, but because the mere mention of his name could evoke such a response. I wasn’t normally a jealous person, but something about this girl made me a little territorial. I wanted her all to myself, and if that made me selfish, then so be it.
“We went to college together. Then we got a job in the same school.” She paused and I nodded, urging her to continue. “There are times I don’t know what I’d do without him, but he’s just a friend.”
“Where did you go to college?”
“JMU.” She smiled. “I loved it there.”
“So you grew up in Virginia?”
Her face paled, which surprised me. It was an innocent, getting-to-know-you type of question. What had made her react so strongly?
“I’m sorry. Did I say something wrong?”
“No. I’m not from Virginia.” She glanced away. “I grew up far away from here. Are you from Virginia?”
“Born and raised.”
At that, her stomach rumbled, and she quickly covered it with her hand.
“Come on, let’s eat,” I said. “I interrupted your dinner plans.”
I stood up and pulled her off the couch. We went into the kitchen, and I opened up the bag of food I’d brought from my brother’s house.
“I’ll grab plates.” She finally gave me the easy smile I’d been waiting for. “I hope you brought enough for two.”
• • •
After we had eaten, Lucy leaned back and rubbed her slim stomach, making me wish those were my hands on her skin.
“Wow, those were the best ribs I’ve ever had. Your brother is an excellent cook.”
“That he is. How about we go for a walk? It’s a beautiful night.”
Lucy stood and cleared the table, and placed our plates in the dishwasher. “I think a walk sounds great. Give me a minute.”
When she walked out of the room and came back with her keys in hand, I could smell the mint on her breath. Fresh breath . . . she must have brushed her teeth. I took that as a promising sign of what was to come.
She pulled a Northern Ridge HS hoodie over her head and smiled. “I’m ready.”
Without giving her the option, I held her hand, which she didn’t seem to mind. “So, tell me about your day.”
It was driving me nuts not knowing why she went out with Mason rather than coming out with me today. Yes, she’d known him longer and they were best friends, but I really thought she’d felt something when we kissed yesterday, just as I had.
“Mason has a tendency to spring things on me. I really had no intention of going anywhere, and I definitely didn’t want to get covered in mud.” She shrugged and slid her free hand into the pocket of her hoodie.
“Mud?”
Where the hell did they go? Is that why they both looked freshly showered?
She giggled. “Yes. Mason took me to a dirt track and we rode ATVs, but with the rain we had last night, it was more like a mud slick. By the time we got back to my place, we were both covered in it. I’d just finished my shower when you came over.”
I nodded, but my thoughts had stuck on Lucy in the shower. A visual filled my head, and the desire to be the one in the shower with her consumed me. I stopped, and she turned to look at me.
Did I dare ask if they took individual showers? No. I couldn’t. But I was feeling oddly possessive, which didn’t make much sense. Yesterday, I’d had Lucy all to myself, and that was what I wanted today. But Mason had been the lucky one, not me.
“What’s wrong, Drake?” She studied me carefully, her brown eyes scanning my face.
Before I knew it, my lips were on hers in an all-consuming kiss meant to claim her. I drew her closer and slid my tongue over the seam of her lips until they parted. She tasted like mint, and I couldn’t get enough of her. When my hand slipped from the back of her neck to just above the curve of her ass, a soft moan escaped her lips. I swallowed that moan—took ownership—and decided right then and there I wanted all her moans and pleasure to belong to me.
When our lips broke apart, I didn’t let her go. We were pressed against each other, and if we weren’t in public, I would have claimed her right there on the spot. I cursed the thick barrier of her sweatshirt between us, but was grateful I could still feel her soft curves.
“Let me be the one,” I said softly.
With narrowed eyes, she leaned her head back to study me. “The one to do what?”
“The one who makes your heart beat harder. The one who makes you smile as if you don’t have a care in the world.” I reached up to cup her cheek. “Mason was a lucky man today.”
She blinked a few times before opening her mouth and then closing it again. Looking up at me quizzically, she asked, “What do you mean?”
“He spent the day with you and knows you the way I want to.”
When she remained silent, we turned and continued our walk, which concerned me a bit. I’d hoped she’d respond to my comment and tell me she wanted to get to know me too, but she didn’t.
We came upon a quaint neighborhood park with several swing sets, the swings swaying gently in the breeze. I motioned for Lucy to sit, which she did, and I stepped behind to push her. As soon as she swung forward, a lighthearted giggle bubbled from her. She leaned forward and then back, her chestnut-colored hair fluttering with each pass of the swing.
“This is great!” she exclaimed, her eyes shining. “I haven’t been on a swing since I was a kid.”
Her exuberance made me smile. Carefree Lucy, this was what I wanted. No pressure, just fun. So much better than hobnobbing at stuffy formal events.
She straightened on the backswing and my hands landed on her ass to push her again. Grinning to myself, I realized this was the best idea I’d had.
Another giggle escaped her as her hood bounced on her back with the momentum of the swing. I wanted to know what she was thinking, but didn’t want to upset her again, so I bit my tongue.
After a few more pushes, she jumped off on the upswing and landed flawlessly, throwing her arms into the air like a gymnast landing a dismount in the Olympics. Elated, she spun around and bounced up to me before she threw her arms around my neck and briefly squeezed me.
Yes, this was definitely my best idea.
“Were you a gymnast in school?” I asked. She certainly had the toned body of one.
“No. I was a cheerleader.” Her eyes widened as if she just told me she’d robbed a bank.
“You know, I was a football player.” I crossed my arms and grinned at her. “How about a cheer?”
Her face puckered as if she’d tasted something sour, and she shook her head. “It was a long time ago, and I really didn’t care for it. The Lions sucked, but I bet you caught the eye of many pompom shakers.”
“You know, if you were on the sideline at my games, I would’ve wanted to be the quarterback.” When she stilled and looked away, I asked warily, “Did I say something wrong?”
Still avoiding my eyes, she walked away from the swings and asked, “So, what position did you play?”
It didn’t escape me that she’d avoided yet another question. I stepped into pace with her on the sidewalk, wishing we were still holding hands like we had before. But her body language seemed closed off now, so I followed her lead and didn’t push on either front.
“Tight end. I was in line for a Division One scholarship, but I got injured during our last home game.”
Thinking of that injury always brought with it regrets. It had not only impacted my football career, but also prevented me from entering the military like I’d planned. That one night had nearly devastated my life, but I’d eventually regrouped and refocused my need for service to my country in another direction—politics.
Genuine empathy was etched onto Lucy’s features. “I’m sorry you got hurt.”
“You know what would make me feel better?” I grinned at her. “Another kiss.”
She shook her head. “Drake, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Before I could respond, she turned away from me. All I could do was stare at the back of her head.
Something was going on with her. Was it me? Had I been reading her all wrong? I didn’t think so, but she was definitely running hot and cold.
“Lucy?” Internally I begged her to turn and look at me, but she didn’t.
“I think we should head back.”
She kept a pretty good pace, and I walked alongside her as we made our way back to her apartment.
“Are you going to explain why kissing me isn’t a good idea? It’s not as if we haven’t kissed already. And if I do say so myself, it was rather spectacular.”
I smiled, hoping to evoke the same response from her, but sadly I didn’t. Her beautiful face remained stoic.
We walked up the two steps leading to her front door, and she unlocked it. “Would you like to come in for some coffee or something?”
You bet your sweet ass, I do. And I’ll take some answers on the side, please.
“Yes, thank you.”
Lucy let us into her apartment and went right for the coffeepot after urging me to have a seat on the couch. Once the coffee was brewing, she pulled off the hoodie and joined me in the living room, choosing to sit at the far end of the couch, away from me.
“So, are you going to tell me why you don’t want to kiss me?” I asked.
I couldn’t let it go. This girl’s evasiveness rivaled a politician’s, and it intrigued the hell out of me.
She reached up to twine a strand of her hair around her finger, a gesture I’d seen her do before, and it dawned on me this was what she did when she was uncomfortable or nervous.
Damn. That’s not what I wanted.
Finally, she said, “I’m not the right person for you. Like I said before, we’re two entirely different people.”
I chuckled. “Well, that’s a good thing, or I’d want to kiss myself.”
Her lips formed a tight smile. She was clearly not amused.
I scooted a little closer to her on the couch and pushed the few strands of hair she’d been playing with behind her ear. “Look, just because two people don’t come from the same place or have different opinions, it doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be together. Yes, we’re different people. I understand that, but you need to explain why that’s such a bad thing.”
She didn’t blink; she just stared at me while I begged her with my eyes to communicate with me. Could she see how much I wanted her?
Then a thought hit me, and it curled into a ball in the pit of my stomach.
“Do you think you’re going to get hurt? Has someone hurt you in the past?”
She started to lower her face, but my index finger halted her chin, and she shook her head.
“No. I’m afraid of the opposite.”
My shoulders dropped. “You’re afraid of hurting me?” I traced her cheekbone from her adorable freckle to the corner of her lip, which was curved down. “The only way you can hurt me is by not letting whatever this is between us to happen.”
“Drake . . .” She pull away and visibly relaxed when a beep sounded from the kitchen. “The coffee is ready.”
I snatched her hand. “I don’t care about the coffee. I need you to talk to me. Please tell me what it is.”
Frowning, she said, “Look, this is what I know. Public figures are scrutinized for everything they say and do, and so are the people around them. If we’re together, then my problems become your problems, and you don’t need that. You’re seeking reelection, and you’re the best senator this state has produced in decades. Not to mention you want the presidency one day. It’s too much responsibility. I can’t risk that.”
My chest swelled a little at her praise. “So you think I’m one of the best senators?”
“Yes.”
“Do you think I’d make a good president?”
“No, I think you’d make a great one.”
“Does that mean I’m a smart man and make intelligent and rational decisions?”
She nodded and finally gave me a shy smile before she said, “Yes, of course.”
“Good. So it’s settled.”
I crossed my arms in front of me as I waited for it to click with her. When she continued to squint at me in confusion, I helped her along.
“I’m a smart man, and you agreed that I make rational decisions. So I’m deciding that you need to give us a chance. If you disagree with me, then you’re reneging on everything you just said.”
She shook her head. “That’s not fair.”
“But it’s true. Just give us a chance; that’s all I’m asking. Whatever it is you think will hurt me, I promise you, it won’t.”
I stood up. “Coffee?”
She nodded. We both took our coffee black and sat back down. For a moment, the only sounds were our breathing and the slight slurp as we sipped.
“So,” she said, peering at me over the rim of her coffee cup, “I read that Grissett is the Democrats’ frontrunner.”
I frowned. “He is.” The mere mention of that man’s name irritated me. I knew he would probably be my opposition, but he was the type of politician that gave us all a bad name.
Her expression turned thoughtful. “Of all the candidates, I’m surprised he’s leading in the polls. He seems like an ass.”
When Lucy wrinkled her nose in distaste, I chuckled. “See? We do have the same views.”
“I suppose we do,” she said, giving me a slight smile, “when it comes to certain things.”
Relieved that she seemed to be relaxing again, I decided not to push my luck. Getting to know Lucy and gain her trust was going to take time and patience, it seemed. Something had obviously happened to her that kept her from feeling comfortable with me. Whatever it was, I wanted to help her get over it, because I intended to spend a lot of time with her.
“It’s late,” I said reluctantly. “I should be going.”
We walked to her front door and before I left, I took her face in my hands. She looked up at me, her eyes wide as I rested my thumbs on her temples and brought my lips close to hers. I could feel her heart rate increase beneath my fingertips, and her breathing changed. But it wasn’t until her lips parted that I kissed her.
My hopes rose as she reciprocated, resting her hands on my biceps. She didn’t push me away. Instead, she held on tight as I gave her an easy good-night kiss.
“Good night, Lucy.”
The door closed behind me, and as I headed to my car, my thoughts spun. I couldn’t wrap my head around why she didn’t feel as if she was good enough for me. Lucy was beautiful, intelligent, funny, and sexy as hell. It amazed me to think she thought she might hurt me in some way.
It was then and there I vowed to make sure she changed her mind. I’d make her realize she wasn’t only good enough for me, but was perfect.