Page 113 of Catfish

“I apologize,” I croon, half-heartedly. “I’ve just never seen you smile like that before. I was starting to think you had a good twin that you brought out to socialize for you or something.”

He looks down at me, still unamused. “I can socialize, Miss Shelton.”

I give him a leery once-over before saying, “Sure you can, Governor. Just never saw you do it without scowling or looking like you were bored to death.”

He doesn’t give up a curve of his lips or a break in his cool facade.

“I apologize, it’ll never happen again.” He scoffs then looks over my shoulder. “If you’re so adamant on making it official or believing me, feel free to add it to an amendment of our contract. I’ll be sure to sign it. I wouldn’t want you to lose any sleep at night.”

He peers down at me again. “The fundraiser, can you have your ideas ready for me on Monday?”

"They're done. I'll look them over again, but I'm pretty confident in them."

“Surprised you found the time,” he snarls. “Especially when you’re fraternizing with the enemy.”

“The enemy?”

“Jed Hardison,” he alludes. “I know you know who that is.”

I wrinkle my nose. "Of course, I know who he is. He's—"

“Your ex-fiancé’s brother and part of the family who is running against me in the election.”

I gape at him. “Grant’s not—”

“He is,” he snaps, blue eyes steel and boring in my head. “Grant Hardison is running on the Republican side of the candidacy.”

“I didn’t know,” I vouch. “I don’t—we don’t talk.”

Well, I mean, except for the other day, but that was it. We weren’t going to become friends or hash out what happened between us.

"Keep it that way," he orders. "I'd hate to use my power differently to destroy our beautiful co-worker mentality."

I cock my head to the side. “Are you threatening me?” Wade’s lips curve into a smile then, looking exactly like the devil he is perceived to be.

Delicious as fucking ever, a force to be reckoned with, and I applaud him that he can turn it on whenever he wants.

Just not in my direction.

“I never threaten,” he confesses. “I’m sure you can guess the other part.”

He only promises.

Right, because he’s a politician. Molded to say what people want to hear.

“Jed has nothing to do with his brother, if anything, he’s not a big fan.” Hence why it was perfect to use his big brother to hurt him.

“I’m not a big believer in trusting people I’ve just met,” Wade surmises. “It’s a little naive and stupid on my part.”

“Then just fire me,” I seeth. “Because Jed is a very old friend. I’m not tossing him away because you want me to.” Something in his eyes convinces me that he already knows the truth. That he’s done his research and knows the dirty little things I’ve done.

He’d have to dig deep, Jed and I weren’t ones for public displays when we dated. In fact, we stayed cooped up in his room or a few towns over.

My nostrils flare as Wade continues to gawk at me. “Don’t betray me,” he mutters. “I opened my door to you. Don’t make me throw you out on your sweet little ass, Miss Shelton.”

Then he flanks me, leaving me to stare at the front door of the hall while the scent of his cologne wafts in the air behind him.

Don’t betray me.

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