Page 17 of Presidential Bargain
“Already?” I asked in disbelief. It didn’t feel like we had been in the car very long. I marked my spot and placed the materials in between us so they would be waiting for me when we finished with theseevents.
“What did you think?” he asked. The door opened and the driver stood there, but Jameson swooped in front of him and offered me his hand. I looked at him, surprised. One look from Jameson held so much power and I instantly relaxed when I saw hissmile.
Our hands locked as he helped me out of the car. This was an official event; we were a real engaged couple now. “I think your policies are fantastic! They matched exactly what I believe about education and every area that I feel needs improving, youidentified.”
“So can I count on your vote in the election this November?” His comment was cheeky and I couldn’t help but laugh. He looked down at me and his smile was mischievous andplayful.
“Of course, Senator Martin.” My voice was husky and flirtatious and I gave him a coysmile.
“That’s President Martin.” He lifted my left hand to his lips and I realized this was now becoming a thing. He recognized that the press and his supporters loved any display of affection, and yesterday’s spontaneous kiss on the hand was now going to become his move. I looked around and noticed our entrance into the community center was being tracked by the countless number of reporters and photographers in attendance. He was giving them a show. The cheeky comment had been on purpose; he wanted them to see us laughing. And I’d played rightintoit.
“CanI introduce you tothe next First Lady?” I had long ago lost my suit jacket and tie and stood before the packed auditorium with my shirtsleeves rolled up to my elbows and the top button of my once pristine shirtundone.
The audience cheered because they knew who I meant. I turned around to find Georgie. She was sitting in the first row, looking around her. Avon sat next to her and the two women shared a knowing look. Georgie looked practically giddy, but her face was crimson with embarrassment. She placed her hands on her cheeks and shook her head. I could tell that she didn’t want me to bring her up on stage; she was still so new to this. “Can I introduce you to the woman who has made my daysbrighter?”
The audience roared and my grin grew wider. Georgie bowed her head and covered it with her hands. After nearly three days of campaigning together, her nerves hadn’t disappeared. I walked to the edge of the stage and held out my hand to her. “Come on up here, littledarling.”
I hadn’t meant to allude to the Beatles’ song during our first press conference together, but the moment I saw her, the lyrics popped into my head. Lewis and Jenkins advised me that I should stick with it; that it would become a “thing” to my supporters. When I looked out into the audience, I spotted a few signs with Georgie’s name written in a bright yellow sun. It amazed me how quickly she was accepted by the public. I was also advised to keep kissing her left hand because “it polled well with women in alldemographics.”
“Have you met this beautiful woman? In case you haven’t, let me introduce youtoher.”
Georgie took my hand and I pulled her up on the stage with me. She waved graciously and gracefully. She didn’t look wilted at all. She still looked fresh-faced, but that might have been because Lewis and Jenkins asked one of the stylists to follow us and provide constant touch-up to her hair and makeup. This afternoon, she wore a demure, white dress that was pleated on the bottom and had fluttery sleeves. Her hair was styled into a soft bun with loose pieces that framedherface.
I put my arm around her waist and pulled her into my body. I kissed the side of her head and we both smiled triumphantly as the crowd cheered. “Georgie, this is the crowd. Crowd, meetGeorgie.”
There were choruses of “Hi, Georgie!” which made her laugh. She waved back and then took the microphone from me. We hadn’t prepared a speech for her for these first few days. We wanted her to speak off-the-cuff. She surprised me the first day, giving a short speech that could only be described as political gold. Georgie was gently encouraged to continue giving that speech; this was her third day and I found myself listening just as intently as thefirsttime.
“Thank you so much for that amazing welcome! I am so honored to be here!” She paused, like a seasoned professional, while they applauded her. “I just wanted to speak to you for a moment about Jameson Martin and how I knew he was the one. I knew he was the one for me when he told me he supported funding early childhood education for low-income families because he believed that every child should have the opportunity to be successful. Idefinitelyknew he was the one when he told me he wanted to expand funding for career and technical education so that students who wanted could begin their careers as soon as they graduated high school. He finally convinced me that he was the one when, instead of giving me flowers and jewelry, he gave me a copy of his educational policy proposals. Talk about a romantic,right?”
The crowd laughed. She was such a dynamo, fired up over education policy. It would be easy to love her if I just wanted to be Senator Martin for the rest of my life. But I didn’t. I wanted to be the next President of the United States ofAmerica.
“He’s the one, isn’t he? The one we need to elect to be our next President!” She grinned, feeding off the excitement of the crowd. We turned toward each other and I was ready to give her a hug, but she surprised me by wrapping her arms around my neck, standing on tiptoe, and planting her lips firmly on mine. My initial shock soon wore off; I reciprocated her kiss and pulled her closer, holding her firmly. She tasted vaguely of chocolate and mint and I was starved for more of her sweetness. I could tell she was surprised the moment she started to pull back, but I refused to let her. I held her tightly against my own body, relishing in the softness of her skin and the warmth ofherlips.
Georgie started this kiss, but I ended it. I pulled away slowly; I wanted to remain connected for as long as possible. I touched my forehead to hers and whispered, loud enough so only she could hear, “You’re full ofsurprises.”
She giggled. A gorgeous, musical laugh that was the most beautiful sound I’d ever heard. I turned my attention back toward the crowd. The sound was deafening. I gently took the microphone fromGeorgie.
“I’m a lucky man.” I couldn’t help the sheepish smile that exploded on my face. “She’s going to make an amazing First Lady, don’t youthink?”
The crowd roared. “Iagree.”
Georgie stayed by my side while I finished my speech. I held tightly to her hand, refusing to let go until the very lastsecond.
We were ushered out ofthe community center and into a waiting SUV. It was just the two of us; Lewis and Jenkins were riding with Sean, and the rest of my aides were in another SUV. I was completely alone with the woman I was engaged to and, for once, it was the only place I wantedtobe.
I hit a button on the door and raised the partition screen that would give us a little more privacy. I didn’t want to scare her, but I wanted to be close to her again. I wanted her in my arms and my lips all overherbody.
“Georgie,” I said softly, grabbingherhand.
“I know. I’m sorry,” she murmured,surprisingme.
“Sorry?Aboutwhat?”
“Kissing you. I was so excited and I got caught up in the moment. It won’t happen again.” She gave me a tight smile and pulled her hand from mine before turning back to thewindow.
But what if I wanted it to happen again? What if I could have both herandthepresidency?
Ihadto stop whateverwas starting in its tracks. I got carried away with my speech, had let the excitement of the crowd fill me. Watching Jameson deliver his stump speeches throughout the last few days was inspirational. He was so passionate about this country, it was hard not to get excited, not to feelempowered.
