Page 45 of The Senator

“I’ll leave you to explain it to the pigheaded one after I leave. Did you have… of course, you did. You look very relaxed.” Vani winked before she stood on her toes and kissed my cheek.

She moved to Spencer and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him down to look into her eyes. “It’s time, sweetheart. We both need to live our own lives, Spencer. I’ll be back tomorrow evening, and we can talk then.”

Vanessa faced the two of us and smiled, her eyes misting. “This is exactly what I hoped would happen. I couldn’t have planned this better myself.” Her phone chimed, breaking the silence.

“Ah, my driver is on the way. Spencer, start accepting this is the right step for us. Call me if you need me, boys. Love you both.” She ran upstairs, returning quickly with a small suitcase in her hand and a tote bag on her shoulder.

“I could have taken you to the airport.” Once the words left my mouth, I realized how ridiculous that was since I didn’t have a car.

Vani stopped and snapped her fingers. She reached into her tote and grabbed something before she turned to look at Spencer with a smile. “Let Nash use my car while I’m gone and think about what we should do with it. I’m not taking it to New York.” She kissed his cheek again and headed to the front door just as there was a buzzing sound by the intercom. Spencer walked over to it and looked at the small screen before pressing a button on the unit.

With a quick wave of her hand, Vani was out the front door—the human dynamo on a mission—leaving the two of us in stunned silence. I stayed where I was and watched Spencer for any reaction. When he sat down at the table, I picked up my cup and took a sip of the warm liquid as I leaned against the counter, waiting for him to react.

“I guess she’s ready, then.” I couldn’t tell if he was saying it to me or himself. Finally, he reached for his coffee, motioning for me to sit at the table next to him. Once I sat down, he took my hand, seeming to settle into his new reality. I was still fucking stunned.

“Do, uh, do you wanna talk about it?” I wasn’t sure what I would have to offer by way of comfort. I’d never been in his position, so I couldn’t commiserate, but I really wanted to try.

Spencer put his cup on the table and pulled my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles before holding it in both of his. “Not much to talk about. We always knew this day would come. I’m just glad I have you to get me through it. She knew you were perfect for me, and that pisses me off a little. She’s something else.”

He shook his head and laughed. I joined him, not sure why we were laughing, but it seemed to act as a pressure valve for both of us, and I was glad. Where we’d end up wasn’t known, but I was damn sure we’d get there together. That was my hope.

CHAPTER 20

SPENCER

“How do I look?” I asked Nash as I tightened the knot of my silver and navy tie while he sat on the side of the bed, watching me finish dressing after our shared shower.

I was more relaxed than I’d been in a long time, thanks to Nash. He was perfect at a shower blow job, and I’d admire his skills as often as he’d let me.

When I tried to return the favor, I nearly drowned myself! He laughed as I sputtered under the spray, but when we got out, I sucked him down my throat, and he wasn’t laughing any longer.

I had a meeting that morning, and I’d been nervous before the shower. Sean had summoned me to meet with him at his office on the Hill to discuss his job offer. After that, I had the annual Christmas luncheon with my staffers, my last official act as a Senator in the United States Congress. I had been nervous about both functions until Nash sucked the nerves out of me.

It was ridiculous to be worried about any of it, but in his beautiful way, Nash eased my concerns so I could get my head on straight. I’d been a member of the Senate for twelve years, but I felt like Sean knew shit I didn’t, and I kept waiting for the “gotcha” I was sure would come. It was pessimistic, of course, but show me an optimist in DC, and I’ll show you a damn fool.

“You look like a Senator,” Nash joked as he rose from the bed and walked behind me having already dressed. He tugged at the back of my suitcoat and dusted off my shoulders.

It was a move Vani had taught him when I went to buy a new suit after I ripped a pair of suit pants when I bent over to retrieve a nickel from the street while I was downtown for lunch with Mario so we could tie up loose ends. The middle-age spread had definitely caught up to me, and I was embarrassed to hell that I’d gained about ten pounds.

That night after shopping, Nash made passionate love to me, and I felt like a million bucks.

He’d offered to bottom several times, but I was coming to like being claimed by him. It helped me realize he didn’t pity me for being a man looking down the barrel of fifty. He loved me, and he loved me for who I was and how I looked. It was a shot to my ego, for sure.

“What are you guys doing today?” I asked him as I turned around and kissed his lips.

“Vanessa has roped me into taking her Christmas shopping. I’ll be carrying a lot of bags and nodding at her choices, I fear. Being her arm candy is tiresome.” Nash laughed.

He and Vani were very close, even more so since she’d returned from her overnight trip to New York. She had found an apartment, and I’d wired her the money to put a deposit on it. I was pleased Nash and Vani got along because there was no way she wasn’t going to remain one of my best friends.

It was incredible how at ease the three of us were together, and I’d even asked Vani if she was sure moving to Manhattan was the best idea for her. Of course, she’d laughed at me. I realized she was ready to move on, and I couldn’t have been happier for her.

“Oh, enjoy that! Please, remind her I don’t really have a job right now before she goes overboard.” I grabbed my wallet and watch from the valet on top of my dresser.

Nash’s things were in Vani’s old dresser, and I loved to see him pulling his clothes out of the drawers. It was a reminder that we were a couple, and I relished the feeling of not being alone.

“I should be home by four. The Christmas luncheon is usually followed by drinks at O’Tooles, but I’ll keep it short. I doubt many people will want to spend a lot of time with me.” I knew the lay of the land. It was a tradition to take the staff out. I had no illusions that most of them would rather take a stick in the eye than attend.

“Boys, we need to go!” Vani’s impatience made me smile.

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