Page 62 of Presidential Bargain
“Call me againtomorrow?”
“Asyouwish.”
The next day, Jameson calledme on his way to the airport. He was getting back on the campaign trail. He was going to defend himself against this new attack. I hadn’t bothered to turn on the news to see the latestdevelopments.
“When we win this goddamn election, I’m going to take you to London and properly propose. I’m going to find that fucking private garden inBelgravia—”
“I’m pretty sure Lewis and Jenkins told me you proposed in Covent Garden,” Iinterruptedhim.
“Well, wherever the fuck they said I proposed, I’m going to find it and I’m going to properlypropose.”
“Do I get anewring?”
“Do you want anewring?”
I looked down at the glittering emerald on my hand and wiggled my fingers. “Absolutelynot.”
He sighed heavily on the other end. “Thank fuck. I don’t think I could do anybetter.”
I smiled. “Call me when you get toPittsburgh.”
Our conversation ended and I busied myself, finding things to do around the cabin. It had hardly been used since my parents’ deaths and even though I had visited recently, it needed to be cleaned. I was happy for the distraction, otherwise I’d hover over my phone, waiting for Jameson’snextcall.
The sun had just set when Jameson called next. He told me all about the event in Pittsburgh and the asshole right-wing protesters who protested hisappearance.
“Jesus, how many times do I have to tell people I never paid anyone to have sex with me?” I listened to him rant and rave, letting him vent hisanger.
Then he sighed heavily because he was finished blowing off steam. “I wouldn’t blame you if you didleave.”
His statement surprised me. His voice was soft, revealing a more vulnerable, insecure side toJameson.
“I’m not going to leave you. I love you.” My voice was thick with emotion. I heard him suck in a sharp breath, like he didn’t expect me to still love him. “You know, after thinking about this latest scandal to hit the campaign, I can’t help but think the whole thing isridiculous.”
“What? Georgie, have you beendrinking?”
I eyed the ancient bottle of whiskey I found buried in a cabinet. I smirked because it was Jameson. I poured myself a glass, took one sip, and then spat it all out. Unlike my Jameson, this one hadn’tagedwell.
“No, I haven’t. Seriously, Jameson. Have you looked at yourself recently? You’re crazy handsome. Why would you ever have to pay a woman for sex? They should have to payyouto sleepwiththem!”
He laughed heartily on the other end. “Thank you, I think, for that compliment, and for your faith in my good looks to get me out of scandals involving high-end escorts. But if you said that publicly, you’d bevilified.”
“I know. It’s a weakargument.”
“And I do know all of thosewomen.”
I sighed because it pissed me off that heknewthem.
“I know. That doesn’t make me happy, but you know what really pisses me off about this whole entire fucked up situation, Jameson? That you put yourself in that position over and over again. You knew those women were escorts, but you still went out with themanyway.”
“They’re my fucking colleagues, Georgie! It was a part of my job! Business is not solely conducted in the halls of the Capital. I’m sorry I was being nice and polite to those women. God knows they probably received very little respect from the men whohiredthem.”
“I don’t want to fight with youoverthis.”
“Then don’t fight me with me. Fight next to me. Let me come andgetyou.”
“I need more time,Jameson.”
On the other end, he sighed heavily as he listened to my repeated rejection for him to come and get me. He was probably exhausted too. I could only imagine how much sleep he was getting, knowing that I wasn’t there to keep his nightmaresatbay.
