I nod. “Understood.”
“Not to have me a Mrs. Robinson moment here, but you and I have a common goal, and there’s something you need to know about me. I have reasons I date so frequently, but I was onlysleepingwith one particular man, who is no longer in the picture because he moved away for work last month.”
I nod again, because I think I’ve temporarily forgotten how to speak English. Or Spanish.
She steps closer. “You and me,” she says. “Because I’ve noticed the way you look at me when you think I’m not paying attention. Butonlyyou and me. It also has to stay secret.Andyou have to be okay with it looking like I’m dating other guys.”
I’m eagerly nodding now. If this is going the way Ithinkit’s going?
Ooohhhh,fuckyeah, I’m in.
She reaches up and cups my cheek, her thumb gently brushing my flesh. “I’m also in charge,” she adds, a steely tone seeping into her voice. “Period. I’m in charge, and you do what I say. Ineedto be in charge, for reasons you don’t need to know right now. Is that something you can agree to?”
Hell, she was already in charge. I happily followed her directions because she knew what the hell she was talking about. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Have you ever had sex before?”
My face has to be completely red. “No, ma’am.”
“You and I have a…plan,” she says. “Long-term plan. Don’t we?”
I swallow hard. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Do you trust me?”
“I do.”
“The reason our relationship has to stay secret is complicated. For a lot of reasons. We can be known as good friends. But there will come a point where I’ll need to hire you on as staff for a campaign, or for a political post. If people know we’re in a relationship, it’ll make that impossible. In fact, I’ll need you to help sell the story when it appears I’m dating other guys. I might need you to introduce me to people. The easiest way to meet the people I need political connections with is by attending events with someone.”
I’m tracking. “Introductions.”
She nods. “Introductions. And there will be times I’ll trade favors and introductions by taking someone to an event with me.”
“Quid pro quo,” I say.
“Exactly. But I promise you, no matter what it mightlooklike, I won’t have sex with any of them,onlyyou. If you need to go out on dates to make it look like you’re having relationships, that’s fine, too. As long as I’m the only one you’re sleeping with.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“I also need one other concession from you, which won’t make sense to you right now. If we are ever confronted about our relationship, I need you to lie and say that we have an agreement between each other that we can sleep with others as long as we talk to the other about it.”
That sort of puts a damper on my enthusiasm. “Why?”
“Politics and appearances. But rest assured, no matter what itlookslike, I won’t be sleeping with anyone else. I need to cultivate a certain…reputation. If our relationship is ever exposed, I don’t want people thinking you’re some sort of cuckold beholden to me. That’ll diminish your power and rep. I want people thinking you’re an equal partner in this and with the same freedoms I appear to have.”
It takes me a moment to digest all that. “That’s a pretty…ruthless strategy.”
“It is. It’s also the best way to achieve our goal.”
She’s got a point. “Yes, ma’am.”
“I mean this is long-term, too. Not just a few months, or until after you graduate. This will be ongoing. But I’m never going to get married. I’m not marriage material, and that’s something else you’ll have to be okay with. At some point…after, depending on our other circumstances, we might be able to go public with our relationship. But that will be onmytimetable,notyours.
“In return, I’m going to make sure your legal and political educations are extensive. I’ll introduce you to the most powerful people in this state.” Her smile widens. “And I’ll blow your mind in bed. All I ask for in return is loyalty, obedience, secrecy, and fidelity. I’ll give you all that in return, despite what it might appear to be publicly. Does that sound like something you can handle?”
I swallow to form spit. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Excellent. How about you finish making our dinner, and then I’ll help you with the dishes so we can get right to business of consummating this?”
