Incumbent Read online

  Impressed, I stared at my little sister. “Thank you, Yoda.”

  “No problem, Obi Wan.” She laughed. “Come on, enough of this mushy stuff. Let’s go eat.”

  Was Gretchen right? All I knew was I wanted to know more about Lucy than where she was born and what college she attended.

  Conversation was lively around the dinner table, although since it was a Friday, it was a smaller group than what showed up for Sunday dinners. Tonight it was just Gretchen and me with our parents, but we enjoyed ourselves.

  When the conversation turned to the Memorial Day weekend and Dane’s golf tournament, they were happy that I asked Lucy to join us.

  “Lucy is such a sweet woman.” Mom smiled as she passed a bowl of salad to my father. “We had a wonderful talk the last time she was here.”

  “Yes, you two looked cozy in the library.” I said it more as a question than a statement, because I never did find out what they talked about. When I’d asked about it, the only response I’d gotten from Lucy was, “Girl time.” And this time wasn’t any different.

  “That poor girl doesn’t have a family. I’m sure you know that, though.” Mom looked at me and my dad, and Gretchen didn’t say a word.

  “I don’t know the entire story,” I said, “but you’re right. She said she doesn’t have anyone.”

  Gretchen glanced around at us, compassion on her face. “I couldn’t imagine that.”

  My father cleared his throat. “I know I’ve only seen you two together that one time, but you seem happy when you’re with her.”

  “I am.”

  Mom smiled at me, and Gretchen winked from across the table.

  It was the truth—I was truly happy, and I had Lucy to thank for that. For once in my life, I was thinking about something else other than my career.

  No, not something. Someone.

  CHAPTER 13

  ~ Lucy ~

  It had been way too long since I’d seen Drake, over a week, but we were going to rectify that tonight. Just when I became available, he was called out of town for a few days, but tonight he was coming over. I couldn’t wait to see him again.

  After I dressed in my best jeans, a cute floral top that dipped low in the front, and my navy sandals to finish off the outfit, I checked myself in the mirror for a final inspection. We were going out to a small Italian restaurant in Herndon that I loved.

  When my doorbell rang, I practically pranced across my living room. I swung the door open and Drake scooped me up in his arms to spin me around. I couldn’t contain my giggle.

  I finally swatted him on his shoulder. “You’re making me dizzy!”

  He chuckled and set me down. “Let me look at you.” He took my hands in his and stretched them out to the sides. “I think you’re even more beautiful than the last time I saw you.”

  Drake’s deep voice ignited something so deep inside me, I couldn’t help but throw myself at him. Literally. I jumped up and wrapped my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. Our lips crashed together, and I couldn’t get enough. I was starving for him.

  With his hands under my ass, he walked us over to the door he’d just come through and pressed me against it. In a flash, my hands were above my head, my shirt was off, and he was pinning my hips with his. His teeth lightly grazed my nipple, which was already straining beneath my bra, and now it wanted to burst out of confinement and straight into his mouth.

  “Let’s skip dinner.” His warm breath tickled my already sensitive skin. “I need you, Lucy.”

  All I could do was moan in response, so he carried me into my bedroom, stripped me naked, and laid me out on my bed.

  “You’re overdressed,” I grumbled, practically panting by this point.

  His gaze raked over my body. My breathing sped up and became ragged with each piece of clothing he took off. First his shirt, giving me a good look at his glorious abs that rippled with each move he made, and then his pants and boxers, which he took off in one fell swoop. His erection sprang free, and all I wanted was a taste.

  He must have caught the look in my eye, or maybe it was how I was practically salivating when I looked at his stiff shaft, but as soon as I went to sit up, he placed his hands on my shoulders.

  “Not tonight. Tonight I want to be buried so deep inside you, we won’t know where you end and I begin.”

  I watched as he slid on a condom, and my core throbbed at the sight of him stroking himself as he secured the rubber.

  “Open for me, Lucy,” he said, and I did as he asked. “So pretty.”

  Before I could tell him what I thought of him, he was inside me, thrusting. No warning, no foreplay—just us.

  “I’ve missed you,” he said as he trailed kisses over my body.

  Little nips and licks tortured me, which made me urge him to move faster. When I felt his tongue on the base of my neck move upward, my entire body shuddered. He covered my mouth with his and swallowed my moans.

  My hands roamed his back and when I got to his tight ass, I gave it a squeeze. His entire body stiffened and his tempo picked up. The thrusts quickened until he arched his neck and groaned just as I reached my pinnacle. A myriad of colors flashed behind my eyelids as I slid into euphoria.

  “Lucy!” He stilled and then rocked slowly until he came down from his orgasm. “Fuck. Making love to you is the best.” He kissed each of my cheeks. “I must be the luckiest man alive.”

  My heart soared. Making love.

  “I feel pretty lucky too.”

  We tumbled to our sides, still connected, and stared into each other’s eyes. I could truly fall in love with Drake, and although it was too soon and I wasn’t there yet, I felt so safe when we were together.

  “I’ll be right back,” he said. “Don’t move.”

  My body missed him the instant he pulled out of me. I watched him walk in all his naked glory to my bathroom, which looked just as good going as it did when he came back.

  “You could really be a model,” I said. “It’s a shame you cover up your goods in a suit every day.”

  I shifted on my pillow, and he brought his arm under my head when he slid in next to me. Once we were facing each other again, his eyebrows rose.

  “My goods?”

  “Um-hmm. If you weren’t already the popular candidate, I’d suggest half-naked campaign posters.” I smiled. “You know. To get the female vote.”

  His expression changed as he linked our hands together. He brought them to his lips and tenderly kissed my knuckles.

  “What’s wrong, Drake? I was just kidding. I’m sure the women would vote for you no matter what you looked like.”

  Surely he didn’t think I was only with him because of his looks. This man was the entire package—handsome, smart, funny, and kind.

  “No, I know you were joking. It’s just something Ben said.” A chill ran down my spine, making me tense. Apparently sensing it, he said, “I’m sorry. I know you don’t like him.”

  “What did he say?”

  “He told me I’m slipping in the polls, and my head isn’t in the game.” His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard.

  “Does Ben think it’s because of me?”

  Pressure built behind my eyes. The thought of my being responsible for Drake losing his Senate seat made my stomach churn.

  When Drake didn’t answer immediately, merely averted his gaze, I had my answer. “Never mind. I get it.”

  That was it. I needed to let him go until after Election Day. It wasn’t impossible; after all, it was only six months. It would be the longest six months of my life, but for him I’d do it.

  “Maybe we shouldn’t see each other until—”

  “No,” Drake said, his voice sterner than I’d ever heard it. “Ben doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Truth be told, I think he’s a bit more concerned about himself right now.” Pulling me closer, he said in a softer tone, “I want you by my side when I announce I’ll be running as the incumbent, and I want you with me after I win.”
r />   My heart soared at his words. “I’d love nothing more.”

  “Good. I don’t want to talk about work anymore. I just want to hold you.”

  Intensely happy, I curled up as close to Drake as I possibly could and fell asleep in his arms.

  • • •

  When I walked into school the following Monday, my thoughts were preoccupied by a hot, sexy senator. Sadly, I wasn’t thinking about the intimate times we spent together, but rather what he had told me about the latest poll numbers. Granted, he’d told me not to worry about it, but how could I not? As far as I knew, he would be the frontrunner no matter who the Democrats chose to represent them. I knew there was another Republican who wanted to be in the running, but Drake would most likely be running in the primary unopposed.

  Mason popped his head in as I was writing the day’s homework assignment on the whiteboard for my next class.

  “Hey, Luce.”

  “Hey, yourself.” After I set the marker down, I sat at my desk. We had about fifteen more minutes until our free period was over.

  “I’m sorry I’ve been MIA lately, but I had some things to take care of with the NCAA and a couple of my players.” He sat on my desk. “How are things?”

  “They’re good.” I smiled, but it felt forced.

  “Okay, what’s up? Is it Drake?” He bit into an apple he’d pulled from his backpack. “Do you want a bite?” He extended the apple to me.

  “No, thanks.” I laughed. “Things are good; really good, in fact. It’s just something he said to me that has me on edge, and my mind is racing.”

  “What did he say?” He took another bite, and my stomach growled. “You sure you don’t want any?”

  “Yes, I’m fine.” Biting my bottom lip, I said, “He’s slipping in the polls.”

  Mason furrowed his brow. “Isn’t it a bit early for that?”

  “Apparently not.” My shoulders slumped. “It’s because of me.”

  “Okay, now you’re being paranoid.”

  I began to explain what Ben had told Drake, but we were interrupted by the bell. We agreed to talk about it later.

  After my class, I went to the office to confirm I had a vacation day available so I could go to the Outer Banks with Drake for Memorial Day weekend. Thankfully, I did, and I arranged for a sub to cover my classes on that Friday.

  • • •

  On my drive home that afternoon, I called Drake to tell him I had the time off, but my call went to voice mail, so I just left a message. This was the first day in a long time I hadn’t received a text message or a phone call from him during the day. It made me a little nervous, but I was sure he was busy. He was a US senator, for God’s sake.

  When my phone rang a few minutes later, I snagged it from the passenger seat to answer it, but it wasn’t Drake.

  “Hey, Mace.”

  “Hi. I’m stopping at Five Guys. Want to have dinner with me? I’ll bring it over.”

  “Who can pass up a greasy burger and fries? Yes. I’ll see you soon.”

  When I got home, I threw on my favorite yoga pants and a hoodie, and pulled my hair into a high ponytail. Mason had a key, so when I walked into my kitchen, he was there setting our food on the table.

  He glanced up at me and smirked. “You’re the only woman I know who looks great without makeup.”

  Once we finished eating, Mason told me he had an early day the next day, so he took off.

  With no papers or tests to grade that night, I curled up on the sofa with a romance novel. I was so engrossed, I lost track of time. When I glanced at my phone later, I was surprised to find it after eleven. Also surprising was there were no calls or texts. Not wanting to be too clingy, I decided not to call Drake and went to bed instead.

  Just as I was about to set up my phone to recharge, it buzzed.

  DRAKE: Hi. I’m so sorry I haven’t called you. We’ve been in strategy meetings all day.

  LUCY: Oh. Glad you’re okay.

  DRAKE: I am. How are you?

  LUCY: Better now that I know you’re all right.

  DRAKE: I got your voice mail. I can’t wait to get away with you.

  LUCY: I’m looking forward to it.

  The truth was, I was dreading it. Not spending time with him, of course, but I’d decided it would be a good time to tell him how and why I ended up in Virginia. My stomach rolled at the thought of it, but he needed to know and I needed to tell him.

  DRAKE: Can I come over? I want to hold you.

  LUCY: Please.

  DRAKE: See you in a few. I’m leaving now.

  About twenty-five minutes later, my doorbell rang. When I swung the door open, my heart skipped a little faster. Drake seemed to get better-looking every time I saw him. But today, his scruff was thicker, his hair messier, and that combined with his worn jeans and white T-shirt made me melt.

  He stepped inside, shut the door, and pulled me against him, squeezing me as if his life depended on it. His head dropped onto my shoulder, but still he said nothing.

  Something was definitely off. Not knowing what else to do, I rubbed his back in a soothing motion.

  When he stepped back, he cupped my cheeks and kissed me hard. He wasn’t himself. The kiss wasn’t tender, it was lip crushing, teeth banging, tongue thrusting, and filled with lust. He slipped his hands under my arms and effortlessly lifted me, forcing my legs to wrap around his waist. We ended up in my bedroom, where he sat me on the bed.

  Finally breaking our mouths apart, he stared at me. “Hi.”

  “Hi, yourself,” I said in a small voice.

  “I missed you today.”

  “I see that.” I smiled as he gently tucked errant strands of my hair behind my ears.

  We lay down on my comforter, facing each other, and I tucked my hand under my cheek as my heart raced.

  “What’s wrong, Drake?” I had no idea what he was going to say, but I had a pretty good feeling it wasn’t going to be good.

  After a long pause, he said, “I need to tell you what happened today, and I don’t want you to get upset.”

  I froze at that, and I was pretty sure I stopped breathing. “Okay. You can tell me anything.”

  “I went out for drinks tonight with Ben to try and smooth things over from the other night. It was his idea.”

  Just the mention of that man’s name told me this wasn’t going to be a good story.

  Nodding to encourage him to continue, I asked, “And did you?”

  He swallowed so hard it was almost audible. “Ben and I were having a drink. Then Emily, my ex-girlfriend, showed up.”

  Wait . . . What? “Did you say your ex-girlfriend?”

  “Yes.”

  Biting my lip, I said nothing as my mind whirled. Oh my God. Does he still have feelings for her? Do I dare ask?

  “I’m so sorry, Lucy.”

  This was going from bad to worse. Wanting to throw up, I choked out, “Why are you sorry?”

  “Because when we were leaving the restaurant, a guy snapped our picture with his phone.”

  “Oh. Is that all?” This was much better than thinking he wanted her back.

  “Isn’t that enough? But no, that isn’t all.” He rested his forehead against mine. “Ben told me he’d take care of it.” He looked utterly defeated, and it hurt me to see him this upset.

  “Do you still have feelings for her?”

  I prayed I knew the answer, but I needed to hear it. Color me insecure, but I didn’t care. I needed to hear the words.

  “Absolutely not. I only have feelings for you, but it all happened so fast. At first it seemed like a coincidence we were all in the same place. She asked me how things were going, asked about my family, stuff like that. Then I looked at her hand and noticed she was wearing an engagement ring, so I congratulated her.”

  “I’m confused.”

  “So was I, because she was all smiles and thanked me, and I thought that was it. Until I went outside to leave and she was there. She ran up to me, threw her arms around my n
eck, and kissed me.”

  Every nerve in my body prickled, and I got that tingling sensation behind my nose that told me that tears were on their way. “She kissed you?”

  “Then she said, ‘Thanks for the money shot,’ and walked away.” He raked his hand through his hair. “I have no idea what game she’s playing.”

  He kissed her. Well, she’d kissed him, but the lips that were just on mine had been on hers this evening. Without thinking, I wiped my lips with the back of my hand.

  That move didn’t slide past Drake. He lowered his head and exhaled a long breath. “I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad.”

  I didn’t know what to do. This wasn’t his fault. He was set up, plain and simple, but why?

  Obviously it was time for me to prove to him and myself that I could handle this. So I inched closer to him and kissed him.

  “I understand,” I said softly, “and I’m not upset with you. This wasn’t your fault. I suppose things like this are bound to happen.”

  Drake’s phone buzzed, and he tugged it from his pocket. He scanned the screen, and his jaw ticked as he sat up and pressed a button on the phone.

  “Yes, Ben.” Silence.

  “Do we know why?” More silence.

  A vein in his neck throbbed as he stood up and began to pace next to the bed.

  “Good . . . thank you. No, I don’t want to do that. We run a clean campaign, and that’s it.”

  He turned the phone off and shoved it in his pocket. The bed dipped as he lay down again beside me.

  It was unnerving to hear just his side of the conversation. Unable to contain myself, I asked, “What happened?”

  “Grissett’s crew happened. I knew they’d try and dig up dirt, even if it’s old dirt. That’s just . . . I don’t know what that is.” He rolled to his back and turned his head in my direction. “Ben got the man to delete the photo, but seems to think they aren’t going to stop until they find something to use against me. I don’t have any skeletons, so they can dig all they like.”

  I scooted over to him and laid my head on his chest. “So, it’s over?”