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“Oh. Great!” I say, faking a bright smile while mentally wondering what the hell I am supposed to wear. While I do have some nice work outfits, I have only one formal dress, and I am not sure that will zip up anymore. It has been a few years since I wore it last, and my love for chocolate ice cream runs deep.
“Okay, so I am familiar with Mrs. Rothschild; I have done an event for her in the past, but who is Lillian?” I ask, looking at both Eddie and Oscar, trying to understand all the players.
“Lillian Harper. She is the daughter of Ronald Harper, one of our biggest funders,” Oscar explains.
“Ronald was good friends with my father back in the day. Our families have been close for years,” Eddie adds, and I make some notes. I haven’t met Lillian Harper before, but I have heard her name. She is a socialite, I think, so it makes sense that she is close to the richest family in Baltimore.
We talk for some more before there is a knock at the door, and Sandra walks in with some lunch.
“I saw you guys were busy, so I organized a working lunch for you,” she says as she places a tray of sandwiches down on the table next to the small sofa before retreating just as quickly.
“Brilliant! I’m starving,” Eddie says, jumping up and grabbing one.
Sandra rolls her eyes, before closing the door behind her, and that’s how my afternoon continues. Eating sandwiches with Oscar and Eddie, going through the key talking points of the campaign and an overview of Harrison’s opponents. Within a few hours, I feel like I have been here for a decade, and I have picked it all up quickly.
We are mid-laugh about something Eddie is doing when I feel him. Harrison walks into his office, and my eyes wash over his form beyond my control. His arms are firm in his well-fitted navy suit, and his perfectly styled hair and black shiny shoes finish off his luxury look, even though his face is in deep concentration as he talks into his cell at his ear.
But it is his presence that captures me. That sure and steady stance. He doesn’t even have to open his mouth for people to find him dependable. Solid. Someone they can count on. Something that I crave. He lifts his head, and his eyes meet mine immediately, and I feel the heat flood my cheeks.
“Great. Thanks. Talk later,” he says, his eyes still on mine as he pulls the phone down, putting it in his pocket and walking in our direction. His eyes haven’t wavered, remaining on me until he reaches the doorway and sees both Eddie and Oscar sitting across from me.
“How’s day one?” he asks, his mouth turning upwards slightly at the corners, and my throat dries up immediately. Damn, he looks good with a smile.
“Great!” I say too quickly. I need to take a steadying breath.Pull yourself together, woman!
“We have gone over everything, and she is up to speed on our key points so far,” Oscar reports to him, as both he and Eddie stand. But Harrison merely nods in their direction, his eyes still on me.
“I’m great, bro, thanks for asking. We will wait outside for you both,” Eddie pipes up sarcastically and both Harrison and I watch as he and Oscar walk out of the office, the door closing slowly behind them.
“I knew you would have it all in hand right from the start,” he murmurs, taking a few more steps in my direction. I stand up then, and straighten my dress, trying to get my nerves in check.
“You seem so assured of my abilities, Mr. Rothschild?” Where does he get this confidence in me?
“I know good people when I see them, and you, Beth, are one of the best,” he says, coming to stop right in front of me. We are not touching, yet I can feel his body next to mine. I grip onto the desk subtly before I lose my footing.
“Is assessing people a skill you have picked up recently, or something you have honed for years?” My voice almost betrays my nerves. He smiles then, as he looks down at me.
“Believe me when I tell you, I had to work through the weeds in order to get to the flower…” he says, his eyes remaining on mine, and I watch him swallow.
“Speaking of weeds, we are meeting my mother at 2 p.m. Are you ready?” Clearing his throat, he takes a step back, giving us some space, the two of us now out of our trance.
“Yes, of course,” I say, smiling. My nerves have all gone and been replaced by a feeling I remember having back in school, whenever the good-looking, popular guy would look my way. The one that was way out of my league, and even though my heart races and my palms sweat, romanticizing being with a man like Harrison is just asking for trouble. I shake my head, pick up my cell and notepad, and follow everyone out the door.
It is only halfway through day one and I am already losing my thoughts, something that I need to reel in. I am good at my job; that is why he hired me, so I need to wipe any swoony notions I have of Harrison from my mind.
I am here for three months to support his campaign, give back to the community, and to make enough money to keep Dad and I afloat for a while. Nothing more, nothing less.
10
HARRISON
Oscar was right. She has been here for half a day, and I have only seen her for merely five minutes, and I already know she is going to be exactly what he said. A distraction. Dressed impeccably, her long hair is out, flowing down her back, and as she walks in front of me to the conference room, I can smell her rose scent waft over me and I want to drown in it.
I clear my throat and flick through my emails on my phone, doing anything I can not to stare at her round ass, or think of the ways I want to undress her and discover what lies beneath her attire.
My smile may be charming, but my thoughts are filthy.
Pushing through the door of the conference room, I notice my mother and Lilly are already here. Sitting at the table next to each other, in matching Chanel suits. I silently groan. They have colored fabric swatches again, a flower arrangement on the table, and their designer handbags perched on the seats next to them. Eddie rolls his eyes, Oscar sighs, and Beth gives them both a small smile before introducing herself.
