My face heats. “Thank you, Leo. I really appreciate it.” I want to offer…something, anything, in return. “I could cook dinner for you sometime. I mean, at your place, because I’m in a hotel. I love to cook, and I’m not bad at it.”
I hope he’s not merely humoring me when he smiles. “We’re going to be crazy busy, but hopefully I can take you up on that offer.” He glances at his phone. “We’ve got a little time in the schedule. Want to do some sightseeing before we catch up with President-elect Samuels?”
Spending more time alone with this hottie? What do you think I say?
I nod. “Yeah, thanks.”
* * * *
By the time we meet up with President-elect Samuels, her husband, and her chief of staff at six p.m. at campaign headquarters, Leo’s taken me around the city by cab and shown me most of the major tourist landmarks.
Still, I’m blown away.
Seeing all of this in real-life is sooo different than seeing it on TV, or looking it up on Google Earth.
Mimi’s voice in my head tells me I should be enjoying myself because I’ve earned it, but there’s another, competing voice.
The one growing increasingly certain Leo might be into me.
I try to strangle that voice into submission. Mostly because this is a chance for me to make a name for myself, and the last thing I want to do is fuck it up by making a massive mistake, like sleeping with someone I work with.
Or wrongly assuming the guy is into me. I mean, he didn’t admit he’s gay, but he damned sure seemed happy to learn I was.
Yet that voice in my head is loudly singing the praises of Leo’s gorgeously tight ass in his perfectly tailored suit as I follow him into the president-elect’s campaign headquarters.
One of the things I have learned today from Leo is that, yes, I can address the president-elect as Senator Samuels, until she’s officially sworn in, or I can call her President-elect Samuels. And that she won’t have me shot by Secret Service if I goof up and call her Ms. Samuels.
I’m stillsqueeinginside a little—okay,morethan a little—when we walk into a conference room and she’s sitting there with her husband, and Kevin Markos, and a few other staffers.
Mr. Woodley isn’t here yet, which is a little disappointing. He’s cute, too. I’m surrounded by suit-clad hunks.
That was another thing I learned from Leo today—I can address the vice president-elect as Mr. Woodley, or Congressman Woodley, and not be committing a breach of protocol.
I have alotto learn.
Seriously, I don’t know where DC is getting these hunks, but what a great chunk of eye-candy I’ll be able to enjoy while I’m here!
The president-elect smiles when she spots us. “Jordan, welcome.”
And then she stands—as does everyone else in the room who was sitting, with the exception of her husband, Mr. Bruunt. I think she’s going to shake my hand, but she hugs me, leaving me totally stunned in a good way.
“Th-thank you, ma’am.”
“Sit and join us. Elliot’s on his way.” She returns to her chair, and everyone else waits until she sits to retake their seats. Someone brings in two more chairs for me and Leo. “Has Leo taken good care of you today?”
“Yes, ma’am. This has been amazing. Thank you, again, for this opportunity. I can’t tell you how grateful I am.”
“We believe in paying things forward,” Mr. Bruunt says. “Especially if it means we can highlight talent from our native state. Dr. Sently spoke very highly of you.”
“I gave him a cab tour after lunch,” Leo tells them. “I figure we’re going to be running him ragged, the least I could do was show him a little of the city today.”
President-elect Samuels has a lovely, genuine smile. “Leo’s a great guy. I’m so glad Chris was able to snag him for me as my body man. I’m also glad you two hit it off so well. You’re in good hands with him.”
I’d love to be Leo’s body man and in his hands.
Oops, did I think that out loud? Apparently not, because no one looks scandalized.
“Is your hotel room all right?” Kevin asks.
