Politically Incorrect (17 page)

As Liam spoke to the young voters, I caught myself entranced by his hospitable interactions. He was energetic, completely uncaring that they’d just interrupted him during his off time. He was open to taking pictures and answering questions. They discussed everything from the band’s performance to his political agenda. They’d watched his interview from earlier in the day and expressed their support for him. He was a hit.

By the time the crowd dispersed around him, Aaron was giving me a nudge. “Hey, I hate to cut this short, but I just got a call from the office. We need to head back to the bus for the night.”

I glanced down at my watch, a little startled by the time. “Damn. Is it really that late?”

Aaron glimpsed at his phone. “I’m afraid so.”

I reached out and tugged on Liam’s sport coat. He was bidding the last of the group goodbye, and dropped his gaze back to me. “I’m sorry, Congressman,” I said in my most professional of tones, “but we must head out.”

Liam shifted back to the young man who’d stayed behind after his friends had dispersed. “I’m sorry, Travis, but I need to cut this short. As I’m sure you know, Washington never sleeps.”

Travis, a young African-American man with flawless ebony skin and a shaved head, beamed. “Not a problem, Congressman Baxter. I’m sorry we bothered you.”

Liam shook Travis’ hand. “You didn’t bother me at all. And you’re more than welcome to contact my office at any time. I’m here to serve you.” I’d heard that line from a million politicians, but coming from Liam, I actually believed it, as did Travis. He thanked Liam once again and rushed off to catch up with his friends.

“You ready?” Liam asked, taking out his wallet and dropping cash onto the table.

As I started to scoot out of the bench, a large hand extended before me. I glanced up only to catch his eyes flicker downward. I dropped my gaze to discover an ample amount of my cleavage and bra exposed. There was a little piece of me that felt excited to see a man was locked inside the perfect persona of William Baxter. However, I quickly concealed myself because I didn’t want anyone to ever accuse me of being unprofessional.

Once my wardrobe was adjusted, I accepted his hand and let him guide me from the bench. Liam tucked my hand in the crook of his elbow and started us out of the building.

Into the night, we entered. The streets were packed, even at that late hour. Winter was over, but the harsh breeze still had its reign over the great state. It rustled around us as we worked our way to where we’d left the car. We’d chosen to walk the music district so Scout could take in the sights. Not one of our brightest decisions, though I admit I argued against the idea in the first place.

Bright neon lights flooded the street as music pulsed from bars all along the way. A street performer stood along the sidewalk with an acoustic guitar, singing his heart out. Behind us, the two guards trotted, never coming close enough for anyone to notice them.

None of us said anything. It was obvious we were all tired, and the night was nowhere near over for any of us. Along the way, a huge burst of wind sliced through my blouse. My teeth began to chatter. I bit my bottom lip to prevent the racket, but that didn’t stop Liam from feeling me shiver.

“You’re freezing.”

“I’m fine,” I fibbed.

“No, you’re not.” He halted his steps, pulling me back with him.

Liam slipped his jacket off his shoulders and wrapped it around me.

“You don’t need to do that,” I disputed. “You’ll freeze.”

Liam rubbed his hands up and down my arms. The chill of the night disappeared only to be replaced with the warmth of lust. “I’m not cold, nor am I wearing silk. Now, slip your arms in, and let’s get to the car.”

My shoulders bounced with a chuckle, but I did as I was told. The sleeves were far too long, so he rolled them to my wrists. “Thanks,” I muttered.

“No problem,” he whispered, taking my hand and returning it to his arm.

Through the journey, I didn’t think about the way his scent enveloped me from his jacket, or how his body heat had made the material warm against my skin. I refused to let my mind linger on how easy it was to walk next to him. Nor did I consider how good it felt to have my hand resting on his arm.

No, none of that entered my mind.

Right! As if I could’ve gotten away from any of that.

And the ride back to the bus was even worse. While there was space between us on the seat, I still felt him all around me. I could barely breathe. This man, who was far too young for me, made me crazy in ways I never believed existed.

Once we arrived at the bus, I couldn’t get out of the car fast enough. Aaron and Scout beelined for the bus, neither wanting to deal with the night chill any longer. I quickly followed suit. Ready to step onto the bus, I remembered I was still wearing Liam’s jacket. I stopped and turned to him, about to remove the suit coat. He stilled my actions by wrapping his long fingers around my shoulders.

“Keep it. You might need it on that drafty bus tonight.”

There was nothing drafty about the bus. It was brand new with state of the art everything. And while I wanted to point that out to him, to argue that I had my own sweater on the bus so I didn’t need his silly coat, I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

“You know, it’s my job to take care of you. Not the other way around,” I teased, playfully jabbing my index finger into his chest.

He grabbed my hand, holding it by the wrist. My eyes dropped to where his touch radiated against my skin. “I’d like to think we take care of each other,” he murmured, lifting his other hand to brush my hair back from my face. My heart galloped inside my chest at the innocent but erotic caress.

Aaron stuck his head out the door. “Liam, I hate to break this up, but Marcos is holding.” He waved his cell phone at Liam. “Can’t keep the Congressman waiting.”

Liam released me, his playful demeanor gone in a flash. He glanced over to Aaron then to me. He appeared so torn and it pained me to see him in such dire straits. “I’m sorry. I need to take this.”

I laughed and shooed him off. “Go, Congressman. You’ve got a job to do.”

As he reached up and brushed my hair back from my face, the moonlight, bright and golden, twinkled in his eyes. “Thank you, Elizabeth. I’ve had a wonderful evening.”

Oh, shit! That sounded like a date line or something. No! This wasn’t a date. He was only being polite. That was Liam’s way. Always kind and polite.

I forced a smile and bowed my head. “As did I. Now get to work.”

“You heard the woman!”

Liam dashed up the steps and I followed close behind. The bus doors shut behind me. I stood at the entrance and watched as he disappeared into the conference center. My cellphone rang and all non-professional thoughts fled my mind. Well, almost all. My fingers trailed the fabric of his coat as I answered the call. This evening proved to be exactly what I feared. And now, between his sly move of diversion and his act of chivalry, Liam was leading on the scoreboard.

Liam 18 - Elizabeth 15

Or was it Liam 19 - Elizabeth 15?

I was starting to lose count. How was that possible? This was a game. A game I was determined to win.

Or was I?

I sat at the kitchenette table, my head in my hands, with nothing but the sounds of sleep and the whirl of an engine humming around me. For the most part, everything was dark, save a dim light over the little sink and the sliver of moonlight slinking in from the oblong window. Pain pulsed through my skull, punching the back of my eyes with every beat of my heart.

My headaches were becoming far more frequent and painful. I was unsure what triggered them. At first I thought it might be from insomnia, but for the last eighteen plus years I’d survived on four to five hours of sleep a night. Sometimes less. That couldn’t be the issue. No, the cause went much deeper, and if I were to be honest with myself, I could guess the culprit.

This headache struck the moment I parted ways from Liam and answered my phone. Lucky for me, it was Jordyn on the other end.

I rubbed my temples in a circular motion. Not even that alleviated my agony. And when I thought it couldn’t get worse, the bus drove over what I could only assume was a pothole in the road. It jostled me to the point that I thought my head might implode.

“Elizabeth?” The sound of Liam’s soft, husky voice made my already soured stomach jump. I lifted my face to find him standing in the doorway. His arms were crossed over his broad chest, his head tilted to the side. As if to tease me, his white t-shirt lifted just enough for me to see the deep lines of his abdomen angled down into his cotton night pants. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine,” I managed with a smile ─at least I thought it was a smile─ plastered to my face.

Liam closed the distance between us in two steps. He took my chin between his fingers, and gently turned my face, scrutinizing me from each angle. “No you’re not.”

I hated how easily he could read me. In an act of defiance, I pulled away from his hand and leaned back in my seat. My stomach twisted and twirled as a wave of nausea washed over me. I wanted to tell him to back off, that I was okay, but I feared what might happen if I opened my mouth.

Liam dropped his hand to his side, his fingers tapping against his thigh.

I screwed my eyes shut, the metallic taste on my tongue signaling that I was about to make a huge ol’ mess on the floor if I didn’t get it under control fast.

“Are you going to be sick?” he asked, his tone worried but calm.

“I’m fine,” I repeated, sounding more like a frog than a human being.

Warm skin met my face, as Liam’s knuckles drifted down my cheek. I opened my eyes to find him peering down at me. Deep lines buried into his forehead, his brows furrowed with concern. “Elizabeth, I’m not trying to goad you. You look miserable, and I don’t like it.”

I licked my lips, swallowing down the saliva coating my tongue. A small, weak sound tore from my lips as I whispered, “I have a headache. That’s all.”

“Have you taken anything for it?”

One nod, that was all I could muster for him.

“Do you get them often?”

My instinct was to shake my head, but my stomach thought otherwise. “Only recently.”

Liam stepped around behind me. I attempted to turn my head to see what he was doing, but two hands brushing my hair away from the back of my neck stopped me. The pain was immense. Every hair follicle tingled along my scalp, but the pleasure his touch created was exhilarating. That single touch consumed me in such a way I wanted nothing more than to melt against him. His long fingers explored along the back of neck to my skull, leaving a trail of heat on my skin.

“You’re dealing with stress headaches,” he stated with absolute certainty.

“What are you? A doctor now?” I sneered, aggravated at how comfortable I was at being touched by him, but worse yet, how easy it was for him to touch me.

“No, but I do have some experience with this type of headache.”

I twisted my hair over my shoulder, wincing at the pain it caused. “You’re wrong. I don’t get stressed.”

Liam chuckled, his balmy breath swept over my exposed neck. “Well, something’s stressing you out. From what I can tell, you carry all your stress here.” He lightly pressed his thumb into my neck near my spine. I almost screamed in agony, but he moved so that both hands rested on my shoulders. His thumbs traced along the bridge between my neck and arms. “And here.”

I tried to roll my shoulders, but his grip was too tight, forcing me to stay in place. “This is crazy. I’m not stressed!”

“Fine. But you do have a headache. So, let me help you.”

I squirmed, attempting to escape him. Between his gentle touch and my pounding head, my body was a mess of confusion. “Like I said, I took some aspirin. I’ll be fine.”

“You push yourself too hard, Elizabeth. Just let me help you.”

I shoved his hands off my shoulders and scooted forward in my seat, turning to face him. “I don’t need your help.”

Liam threw his hands in the air. The concern that once painted his expression turned into exasperation. “My God! Why is it so difficult for you to accept help?”

“Because I’m scared, okay?” A hard shiver flitted down my arms as the words flew from my lips. I clapped my hand over my mouth, instantly regretting my momentary loss of control. I couldn’t believe I’d voiced that aloud. No one, not even Jordyn or Harper, had ever heard me utter those words before. So, why him? Why now?