Page 26 of Not the Plan

Daniel:No. They already knew the first few—SD, SJ & SF. Why?

Isadora:Wanna know if something the new aide said is legit. Let’s let it die in committee. Julian can’t blame you.

Daniel:Perfect.

Isadora:Gonna stay. “Negotiate.” Throw them off.

Daniel:And that’s why you’re the chief.

Isadora:Thx, Boss Man.

She locked her phone and slid it back onto the table. If the union reps already knew the correct cities and dates, why had Karim asked her about incorrect ones? Had he just made up the question? He’d also asked about environmental issues and funding. Those were general subjects. Anyone who’d heard a transportation bill was in the works could have made up similar questions. Karim was probably telling her the truth. If Julian hadn’t sent him this list until Sunday morning, Karim’s questions on Saturday night weren’t really him talking about work. They were him trying to talk toher.

No. You’re imagining things because he’s hot, and the idea is flattering. You can’t go there.Just focus on the part to be played today and get out of here. The longer you’re alone with him, the more tempting things are going to get.

“Karim?” she called out.

“Yes?” He appeared in the doorway.

“Thank you. I’m ready to get back to work on this bill, are you?”

He smiled as he returned, triggering a kaleidoscope of butterflies in her stomach. She smiled back.

“Your coffee has probably gone cold,” he said. “Would you like a fresh cup?”

“Yes, please.”

She checked him out as he walked away. His deep gray pants fit like they’d been tailored for him, outlining his tight, sexy little butt.

“Isadora,” he began, the warmth in his voice sending delicious shivers over her skin as he returned with the cup. “I want to apologize for the last-minute changes.”

“It’s okay. These things hap—” Their fingers brushed as she accepted the cup. It slid from her grasp, spilling the contents on the edge of her skirt, down her calf and onto the carpet.

“Oh! I’m sorry!” She searched for something to blot the floor.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be right back.” He grabbed some paper towels from the outer office. Giving her a few, he knelt to clean the carpet. She squatted down to help.

“Are you all right?” he asked. “Please, don’t worry about the floor, I’ll take care of it. Did you burn yourself?”

“No, I’m okay. I’ll do it, it was my clumsiness.” She moved closer to him, trying to absorb as much as possible.

“Really, don’t worry. I think you got some on your skirt. Are you sure you’re okay?”

There was a small stain on the hem, but she hadn’t burned herself.

“I’ll put some water on the skirt. And my leg’s a little warm, that’s all.” He was pressing some towels into the carpet, but his attention wasn’t on his hands. He might have been looking at her leg out of the corner of his eye. She followed his gaze and saw that the top of her stocking and a bit of the garter she’d worn for a confidence boost was visible.

“I’m really sorry,” she said, returning to her seat. “Please get up. I’ll call Senate Services and ask them to send someone to steam clean the spot. The smell will probably be awful for Christina when she gets back.”

“Okay. I didn’t know there was someone to call.”

“Do you mind if I use this phone?” She pointed to the one on a small table nearby.

“No, go ahead.” He left to toss the stained towels in the trash in the outer office.

“You didn’t know about Senate Services?” she asked while waiting for someone to pick up.

“No.” He returned. “Learning something new every day,” he said with a smile.

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