Politically Incorrect (31 page)

He reached his hand between my thighs, pushing me over the brink. I clamped down on my lip, biting back the scream building inside my chest. Every pent up emotion; my need for him, the fear of being caught, and even the love I carried for this man, poured out of me in that moment.

Wait! Love? Where the hell did that come from?

Did I love him?

I cared for him deeply. Of that, I was certain. But love? Preposterous.

I didn’t do love. Love was messy. Uncontrollable.

But wasn’t that what Liam and I were. We were everything wild and chaotic.

Liam pressed his face in my shoulder. “Fuck,” he rasped.

As he thrust once more, his body jerked, finding his own release. I rested my forehead against the cool glass, looking out at the Capitol buildings, lost inside my head.

I caught Liam’s reflection in the window. His brow knitted tight together, as he slipped out of me. He reached around and released my hands from his tie. The mood between us changed from passion to uncertain.

I didn’t like it.

Liam turned me to face him, cupping my chin between his fingers. “What just happened?”

“Nothing,” I fibbed.

“No. You were into this, but then…” His face scrunched up. “I don’t know. Something’s wrong.”

I shifted my skirt back down my hips and teetered on my toes, pressing a fiery kiss to his lips. “Nothing’s wrong. I promise.”

Liam searched my face, seeking answers he wouldn’t find. My head was reeling with my new found knowledge.

Sure, Liam said he didn’t do casual, but that didn’t mean he loved me. What if I was in love with him and he wasn’t with me? It would hurt, but I could handle that. I’d simply have to find the strength within myself to walk away once the election was over. But what if he was in love with me? He’d want things that a young man in his position should want. A wife. A family. I’d done those things. I didn’t think I could do them again. Being a wife didn’t work out so well for me the first time and I already had a beautiful, grown daughter. I’d be stepping backward, not moving forward.

I forced a smile and touched my fingers to his forehead. Lines rippled across his usually smooth skin. He really was the most handsome man I’d ever met. Not to mention the best sex partner I’d ever had. He understood me as I did him. So, if he did love me, would it really be moving backward to give him those things?

Gah! My head hurt. This was all too complicated.

“That was amazing,” I cooed, pressing a chaste kiss to his half-opened mouth. His shoulders relaxed some. “You’re amazing.”

Liam adjusted his pants, concealing his slight nudity. Had anyone told me that night at Harper’s, when I walked in on him getting out of the shower, that I’d actually enjoy the pleasures created by that body, I would’ve laughed in their face. Now, here I was, toying with the notion that I was in love with this man. Madly, deeply, head over heels in love with him.

I couldn’t help but smile at the thought, no matter how much it frightened me.

He returned the smile, drawing the worry away from his face. “As are you.”

Liam latched his belt and I turned back to the city view, submerging myself in my emotions.

I was in love with William Baxter.

Liam rested his hands on my shoulders. “Are you sure you’re all right? You have me worried. I didn’t mean to push you too far. You know I have nothing but…”

I whipped around, pressing my fingers to his lips. “Liam, please stop. You did nothing wrong. I’m happy. That’s all. Now, you better get back out there before someone starts suspecting we’re doing more in here than yelling at each other.”

Liam gauged me. He was no fool. He felt the shift in me, but how was I to tell him that I was freaking out over discovering I was in love with him?

Finally he nodded. “Okay,” he muttered against my fingertips. “If you say so.”

I brushed my fingers along his kiss swollen lips. “I do. Now, go.”

Liam staggered toward the exit. He paused to use the mirror by the door to return his tie to his neck. He scratched his forehead after adjusting his tie, his eyes honed in on mine. I plastered a smile to my face.

“You’re wearing the wrong smile,” he muttered.

My smile dropped. Tears burned at the corners of my eyes. “I’m just tired, sweetheart.”

“Do you want me to stay home tonight so you can get some rest?”

“Are you crazy? I sleep better when you’re next to me. Besides, we leave for Texas in a few days and I’ll be forced to keep my distance from you. I need my Liam fix before then.”

A true smile spread over my face. One in which he returned.

“I need my Lizzy time, too.”

“Good. Now go!” I repeated.

Liam released a tight laugh. “Fine. I’m going.”

He popped the lock on the door and left my office, once again greeting Brandy on his way out.

I sat down at my desk and dropped my head in my hands. I had no idea how to handle myself with him now. After today, nothing would ever be the same again. Maybe it would be a good thing we were about to be back on the tour bus. It might give me a bit of clarity.

Or more like a little distance to come to terms with the truth.

I loved him. I really, truly loved him.

So basically, I was screwed!

So much had changed since I was last at Harper’s ranch that it felt strange walking back into that place. Not that the house was anomalous. That never seemed to change. It withstood the pillar of time. The differences were within me.

The last time I was there, I was alone and content to be so. I believed my life was perfect and thought the two most important things in my life, Jordyn and my job, were all I needed. I had money. I had success. I had power. I had it all.

Everything but love.

While I carried the secret of my love close to my heart, I somehow felt free.

When Harper offered for us to stay at the ranch rather than on the tour bus, I jumped at the chance. I’d still have to mind myself with Liam, but at least I would have a soft, comfy bed to sleep in.

Before we left, we made the painful decision to keep our interactions, even in private, as professional as possible. We’d already taken enough risks with our little office stunt. It was best to simply put on our political game faces and buckle down until the end of the race.

No sooner were we off the plane when that plan failed.

In the main hall of the Lone Star Ranch, Liam and I stood awaiting our gracious host. Upon entering, Ivory took our luggage, which gave Liam free hands.

Never a good thing with him.

He slipped in as close as possible, ghosting his hand over the small of my back. Touching without touching made my skin hum.

I glanced up at him, raising my eyebrows in warning. It was times like this where I envied him most for being able to scold me with a single brow lift.

Cocky and smug, he pretended not to notice my silent reprimand, making no move to separate from me.

“Bet!” Harper’s deep voice called from the staircase.

Liam let out a groan and dropped his hand.

“Harper!” I sang, extending my arms out toward him as he approached us. “It’s so good to see you.” Harper pulled me into a hug, lifting me off the floor in the process. I squeaked, a little embarrassed by his actions. It wasn’t like him to make such a scene. “Put me down!” I smacked him against the chest. “Have you lost your mind?”

Harper settled me on my feet, laughing. “Maybe. It’s been too long since you were last here.”

I took a step back, adjusting my skewed blouse. “I saw you a month ago.”

Harper tucked his thumbs into the waistband of his overly starched jeans. “But that was in DC. It’s always nice to have you back home.”

My mouth set in a grim line, I eyed him in askance. He was acting rather peculiar, even for Harper. “You mean back in Dallas, right?”

His jaw flinched, but he smiled. “Of course that’s what I meant. Home in Dallas.”

Liam moved from behind me. “How’s it going, Guy?” He extended his hand to Harper.

Harper grasped his hand, hard. I could feel the strain in Liam’s arm as they shook. “Congressman, welcome back to Lone Star.”

“It’s always a pleasure to be here.” Liam’s cadence was polite but formal. That was his business tone. I glanced up at Liam and then back at Harper. They both were grinning but it was forced, and in Harper’s case, a little eerie. The two men released each other’s hands but neither moved. I felt stuck. Caught between a rock and a hard place.

“Yes,” I piped in. “Thanks for inviting us to stay here. It’s very generous of you.”

Harper dropped his gaze to me and grinned. “Anything for you, Bet. You know that.”

Liam stepped in closer to me. I side-eyed him. There was an intense, predatory look on his face. I shook my head slightly, silently telling him to back down.

He didn’t listen.

“Will Aaron and Scout be joining you?” Harper inquired, oblivious to what was going on.

I brushed my bangs back from my face, tucking my hair behind my ear. “Those two lovebirds decided to stay in a hotel.”

“Afraid the whole house will hear them?” Harper chortled.

“I don’t even want to think about it.” I feigned a dramatic shudder. “And I’m certain Liam wouldn’t wish to listen to his brother get his groove on down the hall.”

“The Congressman looks like the kind of guy who likes things a little…” Harper wrinkled his nose then wiggled his eyebrows, “
rough
. I doubt he’d mind.”

My mouth popped open. “Harper!”

Warning! Warning!

I nudged back that red light going off in my head. This was Harper. He liked to get a rise out of people.

He lifted his shoulders. “The Congressman knows I’m joking. Right, Liam?” Harper clapped Liam’s bicep. Liam looked at Harper’s hand then moved just enough to free himself.

“Sure,” Liam hummed. His hand flattened against my back. My head shot up, giving him yet another warning look. “You know, we’ve had a long flight,” Liam crooned, refusing to meet my eyes, “will we be in the same rooms as last time?”

His eyes crinkled with amusement, Harper stretched a hand toward the staircase.
“You are. They’re all set up for you. I’ll show you the way.”

Liam marched out in front of me, blocking Harper from stepping any closer. “No need. We know the way, but thank you for your hospitality.”

Wordless and a little annoyed, I stared at both men with my mouth hanging open. At any moment, I expected one or both to start throwing punches. Knockdown, drag out fights were commonplace in the political arena and these two had the telltale signs of a battle brewing.

“It’s no trouble at all. You’re a guest in my house.”

“She’s more like family, wouldn’t you say, Harper?” Liam bounced back.

“Fellas,” I stepped in. “We’re tired,” I informed Harper, “so please forgive our rudeness. Your hospitality is greatly appreciated, but we can show ourselves to our rooms.”

“Well, all right.” Harper took a step back, but not before catching my hand. “We’re still doing our dinner at the Palm tonight, right?”

Shit! I’d forgotten. Every time I came to Dallas, Harper and I had a standing dinner date. I rubbed the back of my neck, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. “Harper, I have a lot of work to do. Raincheck?”

Harper’s shoulders slumped, and his smile fell. “Seriously? I already got our usual table reserved. C’mon, Bet. It’s tradition.”

There was that damn rock and hard place thing again, because I could feel Liam’s eyes searing holes into the side of my head. And damn Harper for using those pouty blue eyes on me. I huffed in frustration. “Okay. Fine. I can put off work for a couple hours. It’s not like I can turn down a Palm steak.”

Harper clapped his hands together once, the sound reverberating through the great room. “Perfect. Our reservation’s at eight. Car will be ready at seven.” He inclined his head to Liam. “I’d invite you to join us, but this is a family engagement. I’m sure you understand.”

I gaped at him. “What the hell, Harper? That was rude.”