We head in and, fortunately, I have another excuse not to talk.
Ward’s gaze immediately homes in on me when I enter…and then he seems to pause at the sight of Daniel with me. And when Daniel peels off to go stand with other staffers so they’re out of the shot, Ward watches him.
Like he knows damn well who Daniel is to me. That he’s not just another staffer, even though Daniel’s wearing his ID badge and would appear to be that to anyone else.
Fuuuuck.
I wonder if this means Ward’s been reading my e-mails after all.
Or if he Googled me. Or—
The ceremonial swearing in and pictures are over before I realize it.
“You feeling okay?” Daniel whispers when I walk over to rejoin him.
No, I’m not, but I nod. “Yeah, sorry.” I brush a kiss against his lips and when I glance back, there stands Ward,rightbehind us now and practically glaring at Daniel.
I forgot how quietly and quickly he can move.
My cock stirs even while I hope the heat filling my face isn’t visible as red in my cheeks.
Daniel notices Ward’s presence, and then Chief of Staff Walker is back in the house. “Hi,” he says, offering his hand. “Daniel Walker. Chief of staff to Congressman Effings.” He smirks and tips his head my way. “And this senator’s husband. I don’t think we’ve met.”
They shake hands. I’m almost certain I’m going to pass out as Ward starts to introduce himself. “Ward. Callahan,” he adds. “Senator now. Georgia.” Yep, that’s definitely a possessive glare in my boy’s eyes.
Ward’seyes. I meanWard’seyes.
Dammit!
I’d know that glare anywhere, because there were plenty of times he leveled that same dark and piercing look at guys who he thought were moving in on me when we were out together. He always did walk that tightrope of not being out of the closet, while trying to defend his territory at the same time.
Daniel cocks his head. “Do you two know each other?”
“We met years ago,” I croak without thinking as my panic rises. “In college. I need to go pay my respects to the vice president before he leaves. Excuse me for a momente, please,” I manage to spit out and then I bolt.
Which is the lamest excuse in the world, because I hate Fullmer’s VP, Edward Jackson. He’s a crass, vain, stupid man,andGOP, so that doesn’t help my perception of him any. I’m reasonably certain the hatred’s mutual on his part.
But I trot my happy little ass over to him and force myself to smile and make nice, because it’s that or faint because my possessive hubby just shook hands with my equally possessive ghost.
The man I spent years mourning.
Fuuuuck me.
When I rejoin Daniel about five minutes later, Ward’s been scooped up by the minority whip and is being introduced to others around the room.
Daniel watches Ward and wears a slightly odd expression. “He seems…nice. I guess? Too bad he’s one ofthem.” That’s his favorite tone for referring to a Republican, a radically conservative Independent, or the few DINOs still in office. It’s accompanied by a distasteful expression, as if just saying it lays unpleasantly sour on his tongue. “I bet we end up having to tolerate him in a prayer group.” He focuses on me again, his expression softening. “You all right, babe?”
“Yeah.” I force a smile. “First-day jitters.” Then I realize I have the perfect distraction. “Hey, walk with me for a minute. I want to talk to you.”
He chuckles as we head out and down the hall. “Are we testing out the hideaway this early? I’m good with that, but I have a meeting in an hour I cannot miss.”
“No.” I glance around to make sure we’re alone. “Sorry I’m distracted, but I have a reason. This morning, Kevin Markos caught up with me right after you left me.”
He grabs my arm, pulling me to a stop. “Shut.Up! What’d he want?”
I tell him, and relief fills me that, yes, I have a legitimate reason to appear off my game.
Worse, that Daniel believes me.
