Page 21 of Presidential Bargain
“He said he knows this is all a scheme and he is going to expose us.” She pointed a trembling finger toward the floor. “He gave mehiscard.”
I immediately scrambled out of bed, flipped on a light, and searched her pile of clothes. I sifted through them until I found the torn remnants of her shirt. I reached inside the pocket but there was no business card. Frantically, I shook out the shorts and looked around until I saw a tiny white card on the carpet, peeking out from underneath the bed. I snatched it up and shoved it into the pocket of my sweats. I glanced up and saw twin pools of emerald green staring back at me. She looked like a frightened rabbit. I walked toward Georgie’s side of the bed and sat on the edge. I leaned forward slightly and gently ran my knuckles along her cheekbone. She tilted her head slightly and closed her eyes. I kissed the top of her head before heading out to thelivingroom.
I called Sean. “Russell Atlee. I want to know everything about him.” I didn’t wait for Sean to respond before hanging up. It was a simple command and the only thing I needed to say. My phone immediately started ringing again. Sean’s name appeared on the screen. I sighed in frustration andanswered.
“Not now, Sean,”Isaid.
“Just tell me if she’s okay and I won’t bug you untilmorning.”
“Physically,she’sokay.”
“Thank God. Oh, and I cancelled your daytomorrow.”
I felt relieved. I didn’t want to go out and give my stump speeches and shake hands while leaving Georgie alone. “I appreciate that. Call me when you know whoAtleeis.”
I hung up and returned to the bedroom. Georgie was sitting up in bed, the top sheet and comforter pooled around her waist. She looked nervous and worried, chewing on herbottomlip.
“You should be asleep,” I saidsoftly.
She turned toward me as I slid back into bed. “Will you do somethingforme?”
“I’ll do just about anythingforyou.”
“Will you kiss me again? The way you kissed me at the communitycenter?”
“Georgie, I’m not sure that’s the best thing.” But God, I wanted to kiss her. I could tell my rejectionstung.
She nodded her head quickly and her lower lip trembled. Then she pulled the covers over her and turned away from me. I sighed out of frustration because the last thing I wanted was for her to feel rejectedbyme.
I slid next to her, molding my large body protectively to her. I gently kissed the exposed flesh on her neck and I felt her flinch and tremble. “You’re not ready, Georgie. Whatever he did is still so fresh in your mind that wherever I touch or kiss, all you’ll feelisfear.”
Georgie gripped my forearms firmly until I felt her relax into myembrace.
I couldn’t go to sleep without knowing one thing. “Can I ask you onequestion?”
Shenodded.
“Did herapeyou?”
“No,” she said, quietly butresolutely.
I closed my eyes and silently said a prayer ofthanks.
“Go to sleep, little darling. Everything will look better in themorning.”
Sleeping was difficult,but Imanaged a few hours in between nightmarish images of Russell Atlee’s hands all over my body. His words swirled around in my mind. My fear intensified at the idea that our arrangement would be uncovered. Each time I woke, Jameson was right there, ready to chase away the monster. I gravitated toward his strong embrace like a magnet. I used the safety I felt there like ananchor.
When morning finally arrived, I remained shrouded in the dark bedroom while Jameson slid out of bed and went to work. I asked myself over and over,whywas I doing this?Whatwas I doing? Was this scheme worth it to not only ruin my life but Jameson’s life too? I had only the easy answers. I couldn’t stomach thedifficultones.
Through the closed bedroom door, I heard the muffled sound of his voice, often raised. I felt sorry for whomever he was talking to. The door to the suite opened and closed several times throughout the morning and new voices were added in addition to Jameson’s thunderousbaritone.
I finally managed to drag myself out of bed and into the shower. The scalding hot spray was soothing even as it turned my skin pink. When I finished, I realized I had a dilemma. All my clothes were in my bedroom. My options were to rummage through Jameson’s luggage, hoping to find a T-shirt, or put on the hotel robe and belt it tight. I didn’t think rifling through Jameson’s belongings was a good idea, so I opted fortherobe.
All eyes were on me the moment I stepped out of the bedroom. Jameson was huddled with Sean, Lewis, Jenkins, and a severe-looking man with a snow-white buzz cut. Jameson stepped away from the group and walked toward me. He was dressed casually in jeans and a faded U2 T-shirt. His feet were bare and his hair was a gorgeous disheveled mass of inkyblackness.
“Good afternoon,” he said,smirking.
I hadn’t looked at the clock when I got up, but the time didn’tsurpriseme.
