Page 12 of Primary Season
I leaned forward and placed my elbows on my knees. “Which part?”
“The part about after the campaign.”
“Oh.Thatpart.”
She drew in a deep breath. “What did you mean when you said you wanted more?”
“What did you think I meant?”
She hesitated.
“Kathryn and I agreed to take this through the general and end it a few weeks after the inauguration.” I glanced at the bedroom door. Still closed. “She wants to become ambassador to Canada, and she’ll make a good one. We’ll end our ‘relationship’ amicably, and as friends. I’ll cite the demands of the presidency, and the hard work I’m doing for the American people. No dirty laundry. No nasty comments. No interviews. A few weeks later, of course, I’ll put her up for the position.” I folded my hands and studied Alex. “And then, I’ll be free.”
“Free,” Alex echoed.
“For the first time in months.”
“And where will I be in all of this?”
I settled further into the chair. “At my side, of course. On my staff. Working next to me. And…” I paused. “Whatever you might want after that.”
Neither of us spoke for a long moment.
“Just give me a chance,” I whispered. “Giveusa chance. Please.”
“I need time to think.” She stood and moved toward the door.
I followed. “I’m saying I like you.”
She turned back to me. “I like you, too.”
I stepped closer to her. “And I told you this because…” My eyes searched her face. “I think there is something going on here. Between us. Something more than friendship.” I took another step; she backed up and leaned against the entryway. “Don’t deny it. There is. Iknowthere is.”
In months of working together, Alex had never been this close to me, and it made me aware of the small details about her. She smelled like mint mixed with floral perfume. Her chest heaved as she gulped for air. She had a small scar above her eyebrow, and three moles in a small line on the side of her neck. A few wayward strands of dark hair had slipped from her loose ponytail, and the flicks of yellow in her green eyes beckoned.
“Don’t try to push it away,” I said. “I know you feel it, too.” My breathing grew heavier. “You wouldn’t be here tonight if you didn’t.”
“But I…”
“Give in, Alex. Don’t think. Just do it.”
In one smooth motion, I lowered my mouth to hers. I pushed her lips apart with mine, and slid my tongue across hers as the kiss deepened and expanded. She opened up to my touch, and a small moan erupted in her throat, confirmation to both of us that she wanted this as much as I did.
But then she pulled away, leaving me cold and empty. “It’s late.”
“You’re right,” I said, defeated but knowing that she had a point.
We stared at each other for another long moment. We were both panting.
“Goodnight, Patrick,” she finally murmured.
“Goodnight, Alex.”
She opened the door to leave my room, then turned back to me. “Don’t drink too much more from the minibar, okay? We’ve got you booked for the morning show on WCHS tomorrow. We have to be there at seven thirty.”
