Page 33 of The Deceived

“Thank you and be sure you get out there and vote!” I wave and bow in appreciation to the cheering audience, mouthing thank you, accepting the adulation and cheers from the gathered crowd as I slowly make my way off the stage. This leg of the campaign has picked up steam and we are looking good in the polls. I hope our pace continues on the same track. We’re steadily gaining a significant lead. It only takes one set back though. Running for office is like building a house of cards. One wrong move and it may all topple down.

I look off to the side of the stage seeing Winter standing there in the wings. I notice Tori and Steven standing not far from her, chatting feverishly.I wonder what that’s all about?I gaze back at Winter and as soon as her eyes meet mine, I smile so hard my cheeks nearly hurt. My heart pounds against my ribs.I’ve got it bad.It’s crazy, but in a short time, she’s grown to be very important to me and more so each day that I spend with her.

Yes, it’s new and exciting but it’s more than that. We talk and share things and I feel like I know her. I can relate to her. I think a few more weeks and we may have to discuss taking this relationship public. That’s assuming that I can buy her fully out of the contract with the Manor. Whatever they want, I’ll pay for it. Winter is worth it.

“Hello, fine ass-istant. Any urgent matters?” I whisper over the din of noise. I waggle my eyebrows at her and she smiles at me in that sexy way that she has, that I’m learning that I love, then she smirks and replies, “We need to talk about the latest issues that are arising, down under.” I bite back a laugh. It’s immature and unprofessional as hell, but I love every second of joking with her.

“After you my assistant’s assistant.” I usher her off the stage and through the crowd to the waiting bus. The driver opens the door for us and we stay quiet as we board. I follow her and can’t seem to stop looking at her ass in this form-fitting red dress as it shimmies to the back of the bus. I slide open the pocket door to the room that is acting as my office on wheels. I shut the door behind us, locking it and once inside she turns to face me.

“You were amazing out there today. The constituents here adore you. This suit looks sexy as hell on you and that green tie brings out your eyes.”

“I only care about one constituent and I hope she adores me.” I waste no more time grabbing her and kissing her senselessly.

“Do you know how hard it is to hide you? I hate it.” I peck her lips feverishly. “I’d much rather show you off.”

“I know but we have to keep things quiet, right? Besides I head back to the Manor in a few days.”

The thought that she could be back there and that some man could touch her, kiss her, fuck her, pisses me off and I practically growl. “I hate it. If you go back there, I will be there every fucking night. No one touches you but me.”

“That’s almost sweet and a little scary, but you are the governor of this state; you can’t be at a sex club every night.” She kisses me, her soft lips brushing against mine and I can’t help but hold her tighter as if someone may come along and steal her away from my arms.

“I’ll figure it out. I’ll buy out your contract.”

“Why would you do that?”

I hold her at arm's length and look at her. “Why would I do that?” I parrot back in disbelief. “Why wouldn’t I? Do you want to go back there?”

I thought we were growing closer the last few days, that maybe some feelings were starting to blossom for the both of us. Has this been one-sided? I can’t make her stay nor do I have the desire to do so, but I had hoped that she would want to, maybe even just consider staying as a possibility.

“No. Of course, I want to stay with you. It’s just that it doesn’t make sense. You’re the Governor and I am well, a whore.” She whispers the words as if someone will hear her in the back of my bus. “Being with me;” She shakes her head and I’m trying my damndest to follow her line of thought but I’m just not there. “I could destroy everything that you have worked so hard for. And others, who are depending on you to keep their jobs.” She bites at her thumbnail as worry lines form in between her eyebrows then she sighs a heavy, sad sound.

“I just didn’t realize how many people that you employ and if we are found out, it doesn’t just affect us. I didn’t think about that… before.”

I give Winter a confused look because as sweet as she is to consider others, I wonder, “Why would you need to consider them at all?”

Before Winter can answer, there is a loud commotion from outside of the bus and then I hear Tori shouting as she storms on board and makes her way to the other side of the locked door that separates us.

“Open up.” Tori shouts and bangs on the door.

“What in the fuck?” I grumble but turn the lock on the sliding door, then push it open. An angry, red-faced, seething Tori stands on the other side.

She doesn’t wait for an invitation as she storms passed me, then shoots Winter a dirty look before she slams a newspaper down on the desk in front of us. “News of this is spreading fast. I just had to fight my way onto the bus through a growing crowd of gathered reporters. I told you this would happen. I warned you and you didn’t listen.” Tori shakes her head as if she is disgusted. “You've been foolish with this girl and you’re ruining everything we’ve worked for! You and Winter are front-page news!”

What? How did they find out?

I pick up the paper and it’s a picture of us from the first night that Winter stayed with me at the hotel. We had dinner and then I had Winter for dessert. Then we made our way out to the balcony and I fucked her on that bistro table just like I had imagined. The picture is in full color and it’s a picture of me embracing Winter from behind with one hand at her throat and our faces contorted with passion. Luckily, we were too turned on to get fully naked. She still has her dress on, thank God for that.

The headline says theGovernor’s New Toy.

“This is ridiculous! Someone has leaked this to the press. These photos were taken from the woods behind the hotel.” I slam the paper down on the desk with enough force that the few items resting there on the surface shake with the motion.

“We’ll be lucky if we can recover from this. I told you she was trouble. She’s probably leaked it so she can get some money.” Tori points at Winter and I want to break her finger. Winter stays quiet, too quiet as I cut my hard gaze to Tori.Unbelievable.I understand that Tori isn’t on board with Winter’s presence on the campaign trail but she’s on my fucking payroll, not vice versa.

“God, Tori. What in the hell has gotten into you?” I scape a hand over my face as I try to retain some fucking semblance of composure. I look out into the rest of the bus to see who is lucky enough to be witnessing this god damned fiasco and only Steven stands in the kitchenette. Let him listen I decide.

“Winter is a victim in this as much as I am. Our privacy was invaded and turned into a headline! Besides, Tori, Winter signed a fucking NDA with the Manor. She can’t discuss any of this with anyone, even if she fucking wanted to.” I storm over to Winter where she stands frozen in place and wrap my arm around her shoulders. “Are you okay?” she nods her head in answer and I don’t pry. I just walk her around my desk, pull out the chair and sit her down in it before I return my attention to Tori.

“No, this bullshit came from somebody on my fucking team and when I find out who was stupid enough to betray me, I will fucking kill them.” I bang my fist down onto the desk and notice that Tori flinches and I realize I’ve scared her. But it’s not like she doesn’t know me.

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