Page 50 of Presidential Bargain
“I think I know.” His voice was a hoarse whisper, thick with an unnamedemotion.
“You do?” I looked up at him, surprised. What could he possiblythink?
He leaned forward, sliding his large hand against my cheek, and pressed our foreheads together. “I missedyoutoo.”
I sucked in a shaky breath and swallowed the lump that instantly formed in my throat. I reached up to grasp his bicep and held on tightly. “I missed yousomuch.”
“I know, Georgie. And I’m sorry for being an asshole, for snapping at you…for not telling you about the tape. You didn’t deserve anyofit.”
“Jameson, I can deal with that. I can deal with all of that. But I need to know that there’s a place for me in your life. I don’t want to just be a campaign gimmick. I want tobemore.”
Jameson inhaled sharply and pressed his hand firmly to my cheek. His expression told me he was just as confused. I tilted my head into his touch and reached up to place my hand over his. He was thinking about me, about us. What more could I ask from him? “I know. I don’t have an answer for that yet. I’m figuring it all outstill.”
I felt a little lighter, telling him what I wanted. I didn’t know how long I could wait for him to decide, but at leastheknew.
“It’s okay,” I finally replied. He smiled tightly and then placed his arm around my shoulders, pulling me against his body. He kissed the top of my head beforelettinggo.
“We have to get ready. Everyone will beheresoon.”
“Are Avon and DeWayne comingtonight?”
“Yes, they’ll be here. Apparently, you, my mom, and Avon need to talk with the stylists about your debate outfits. Whatever you choose to wear is symbolic or something. I think it’s a bunch of horseshit, but Lewis and Jenkins swear it’s true. I had to listen to them ramble for twenty minutes about dresses versuspantsuits.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. I knew exactly what Lewis and Jenkins meant. My appearance was a reflection of Jameson, of his campaign. I needed to convey the right message with my wardrobe. Maybe it would be the perfect time to wear a scarlet reddress.
“Absolutely not!” That was thereaction of not only Jameson, but also Lewis, Jenkins,andSean.
“You’re not Hester Prynne and I’m certainly not Arthur fucking Dimmesdale.” Jameson’s tone was incredulous as he looked over the gorgeous red dress I held out in front of me. It was so beautiful and I looked amazing in red. Disappointed, I put the dress back on the rack and looked at my otheroptions.
Jameson came up behind me and slipped an arm around my waist. He nuzzled my hair and I heard an inhale of breath. “You could wear a paper bag and you would still begorgeous.”
I smiled at his compliment and then he was gone, disappearing upstairs with all the other men while I remained with AvonandRuth.
“Did you and Jameson have a talk last night?” Ruthinquired.
I shook my head. “He had a nightmare last night. I asked him to tell meaboutit.”
I heard Ruth gasp and looked over to see her covering her surprise with a hand. “He hardly ever talksaboutthat.”
I understood. I rarely talked about the haunting dreams of my parents. It was a private pain, one that wasn’t easilyshared.
“We talked a little bit earlier today, though. He doesn’t know what he wants and I made it clear exactly what I wanted. I want him, with or withouttheOval.”
“I clearly missed something,” Avon interjected, her gorgeous toffee-colored eyes darting between meandRuth.
“Jameson and I are at an impasse right now. I don’t want to just be some campaign ploy, used to get him to the White House. He has to figure out my role inhislife.”
“You mean, the two of you aren’t the real deal? It sure looked that way on that video.” Avon smiled like the cat that just ate the canary, and I couldn’t help the blush that bloomed on my cheeks. “Not to mention, you both act like it when you’re around each other. You’re like two magnets, drawn to eachother.”
“I guess we put on a good show.” I shrugged off the rest of hercomment.
“Honey, you cannot fake the way he looksatyou.”
“I guess I’ve never paid much attention to how he looks at me.”Because I am always too busy looking at him, I addedmentally.
“Well, then I suggest you Google yourself because if he doesn’t want you for real, then that man is a true politician.” She glanced over at Ruth and smiled shyly. “Sorry, Mrs.Martin.”
“I’m not offended. Jameson can be stubborn. When he sets his mind on accomplishing a goal, he gets tunnel vision. It’s all he can see. He’s been that way his whole life and he’s never let anything, or anyone, distract him. Until now. He’s never brought someone home for us to meet. Every relationship he’s had has been casual, or only lasted a few months. His drive and tenacity are things I both love and hate about him. He never lets anyone in,exceptSean.”
