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“Comes with the territory, I am kind of used to it now.” Whether it is working in events or now working with Harrison, the media is something that I have had years of experience managing, so much so that many, like Max, are good acquaintances to have.
“I didn’t know you played chess, Red,” Max says, coming up looking down at the table, seeing our game.
“It is one of my favorite things to do!” It is the one-way dad and I connect the most.
“She is a shark,” Harrison says as he approaches from behind me, and I can feel him at my back. We aren’t touching, but I know he is there.
“That she is...” Garry says, his voice petering off as he makes his move. I watch where he places his piece. He makes the only move he can, the one whereby I am able to snatch his king and seal the game.
“Checkmate,” I say, as I knock his king over and end the game.
“That’s my girl.” Harrison’s smooth voice skirts down my neck from where he’s leaned over to my ear. His words make my body shiver involuntarily, and his hand comes to my shoulder. He squeezes me gently, and I look up at him, my lips parting. I try to be professional around him, but his words have left me breathless.
The two of us have been edging closer to our business boundaries for weeks, the urge between us building. His voice just now was deeper than his usual tone, full of insinuation that I am sure was just for me. His eyes twinkle in delight as they bore into mine, and I don’t miss as one of his eyebrows quirks or how he rolls his lips subtly, biting his bottom one. I feel flushed and heat swirls in my body in places it has no right to in this environment.
We are lost in each other’s stare until I hear a click, the camera lens bringing us both back into reality with a jolt. His hand leaves my shoulder instantly, taking a small step back and moving his eyes to Garry on the other side of the table.
“Good game, Garry,” I say, putting out my hand for him to shake while a big shit-eating grin is plastered on my face.
“Good indeed. If Beth’s chess game is anything to go by, then I’d say you have this election in the bag, Mr. Rothschild,” Garry says to Harrison as he shakes my hand and stands.
“She’s my lucky charm, Garry. She keeps me in line,” Harrison says with a smile, his smooth tone shooting through my veins as he smiles to Garry, and they both shake hands as well.
“Well, if you ask me, we are in need of a change of management. Maryland has been okay over the years, but some fresh blood like the two of you would do the state wonders.” He nods at me.
“When we win, you will most certainly get fresh ideas and new policies to help the community, as well as sound fiscal management to ensure the wealth of the state grows.” The political themes roll off Harrison’s tongue like they are gospel, everyone around us hanging off his every word.
“You just need to promise me that when you win, you bring Beth back here so we can play another game. I haven’t had this much fun in years!” he says, his eyes shining as he looks at me. He sits back down then, his eighty-year-old body preferring the soft lounge chair to standing upright for so long.
“It is a deal. I will bring her back here for game two as soon as I can,” Harrison says, smiling, his hand settling on my lower back, ready to move us on as we need to get back to the office. My blouse is loose, covering his fingers where they are splayed against my skin, and can feel them as he caresses me with his thumb, our bodies close as we start to move as one.
The more we are together, the harder it is for me to not touch him. The heat from his hand skirts across my back and up around my chest. Every step we take, I can feel him, and the wall I have built to try to keep him out is crumbling. We have been dancing around each other for too long; there is no way I could ever walk away when all I want to do is run to him.
“I can’t wait, Garry. I look forward to it,” I offer, trying to keep my cool. Feeling the air change around us, the mood has shifted, and I’m already thinking about what is going to happen when we get back to the office.
Garry squeezes my hand again before Harrison and I walk away. Both smiling and shaking hands before slipping down the hallway to our car. All the while, his hand remains on my back, as his fingers curl into my side, ensuring I am close.
Too close for it to be classed as entirely work appropriate.
* * *
Back in the office,I am sitting with Harrison, looking over the schedule for next week. It is the first time we have been alone for a few days, and after this morning, I am trying to concentrate on the paperwork in front of me, rather than his wandering hands from earlier. His schedule is grueling, meeting after meeting, with limited time for anything else.
“Is this normal? This schedule is insane!” I ask, looking at him like he is crazy, because by the look of his calendar, he is.
“Unfortunately. I want the top job and it isn’t going to land in my lap. I have to work for it,” he says, standing and walking toward his floor-to-ceiling window, pondering his thoughts while looking over the city he will soon rule.
“I understand that, but this schedule is locked in from 8 a.m. through to 10 p.m. almost every day. You even have working lunches, not even half an hour to yourself?” I question him as I too stand and walk over to meet him, the schedule paperwork in my hand.
“It’s the job,” he says, looking down at me, and as I meet his gaze, the air in the office evaporates.
“You will burn out.” I remain calm, trying to keep my mind focused, even if my insides are starting to betray me.
“It has to be done.” His words are almost a whisper, as he moves his body, now facing me, the two of us standing closer, barely an inch between us.
“You need to carve out some time. It is too much,” I say, worried that he will get too exhausted, that we both will.
“Are you worried about me?” he asks, one eyebrow raised. His hand comes up, brushing away a non-existent hair from my face, the feeling of his fingers grazing my cheek almost making me buckle at the knees.
