“My name is Theo. Not Mr. Mayor. Not boss or boss man,” he gritted out. “Just Theo.” He could have sworn he heard her mutter “boss hole,” but he let it go. “We’re meeting a reporter at the Red Lounge for an interview at nine thirty.” He was already setting up his laptop for the first call of the day. “I have to take an important call right now. I programmed the address into the navigation system already. Just get us there on time, please.” He put in his ear buds and straightened his tie. The governor of New York was an old friend of his father’s. He had scheduled a video call to talk about Theo’s future after the election.
With another distracting wiggle, she hiked her skirt up to mid-thigh to drive, and Theo’s concentration went out the window. The rhythmic play of muscles as she sped up drew his eyes back to that smooth expanse until he was furious with himself. Since when did a fantastic pair of legs distract him from his work?
Through sheer force of will, Theo dragged his eyes away in time to assure the governor that he would win the election and join him in the city to strategize his next political move. The governor had a few choice things to say about the latest polls. Theo did his best to assure him he would do everything in his power to change that in the coming weeks.
“Sounded intense.” She glanced over at him curiously when he disconnected. “This Beckerman guy’s creeping up on you in the polls, huh?”
“A healthy democracy thrives on diversity,” Theo said stiffly.
“Sounds thrilling,” she said, sounding anything but. “Do you ever do anything just for fun, or is it all work and no playwith you?” She hit the button to roll down the window and held out her hand in the oncoming wind. “Do you feel that?” she shouted over the wind. “Isn’t it wild?”
“Slow down,” he snapped. “The speed limit’s forty-five.” They were on a stretch of road leading toward the outskirts of town, heading into downtown Rochester. Theo knew from experience there was a small hill that could make a car catch air if you were going too fast. “You’re going to get us pulled over.”
“No, it’s not. It’s sixty-five,” Amber laughed. “I know this road like the back of my hand.” She looked over at him, her hair whipping wildly around, her full lips curving, and her skirt inching higher until Theo caught a glimpse of blue panties. She looked so alive in that moment that Theo found himself staring.
The hill was just ahead, and the low purr of the engine let him know she was speeding up. “Dammit! Slow down.” The Mercedes took the hill lightly, catching air for a long, weightless moment that flipped his stomach and reminded him of roller coasters he had ridden as a child, until the car hit the ground hard enough to jar his teeth.
He shot forward and instinctively reached over to grip her thigh, hard, steadying her. The muscles jerked, and she turned to look at him, exhilaration and laughter bubbling from her. Theo’s breath caught at the look there. His hand still gripped her thigh.
“Wasn’t that fun?” she asked, grinning at him until flashing lights in the rearview mirror cut her off.
“Fuck.” Theo swore, pulling back his hand as if he’d touched fire.
“Relax. It’s fine. You’re gonna pop a blood vessel if you keep it up.”
“Relax?” He bit out. “Did you miss the conversation I just had with the governor of New York about not making any waves before the election?” But she wasn’t listening. She was wavingat the officer. He’d give it until tonight before this was all over social media.
“Hi, Ben,” she called. “I’m so sorry,” she said, sweeter than any other time Theo had heard her. She pushed her hair out of her eyes and bit her plump bottom lip. Ben, who looked all of twenty years old, grinned down at her appreciatively. Unreal. Theo’s mood soured even more.
“Hi, Amber.” The officer whistled. “Sweet car. This yours?”
“I wish,” she purred. “This is my friend’s car, but he let me drive it. I got a little carried away. Sorry about that.”
Theo leaned around her and the stupid grin on Ben’s face faded. “I’m sorry about that, Officer,” Theo started, but Ben wasn’t paying attention.
“Yeah, it’s fine,” he nodded at Theo and leaned his elbows on the window to talk to Amber. “You know how you told me not to keep calling Delaney?” he asked Amber. “You said chicks like it when we give them some space to miss us? Well, I took your advice and it worked! She called me this morning and we’re going out later this week.” He beamed at her. Theo tapped his finger impatiently. No one noticed.
“What a lucky girl she is!” Amber said. She patted his cheek. “You make sure to bring her flowers.”
“I will. Thanks a lot, Amber. Hey, we miss you over at the pub, you know. A bunch of the guys told Killian he was a dick for firing you. Everyone knows karaoke is your thing.”
Amber sighed. “I miss you boys too. But I have a new job with the mayor.” She leaned back and for the first time, recognition showed on the kid’s face.
“No shit. Hey, you sign my paycheck,” he said. “Cool. Thanks for approving that raise. Okay, well don’t go so fast next time. It’s not safe.” He leaned in and whispered something in Amber’s ear that Theo didn’t catch. “See ya, Mr. Mayor.” Hetapped twice on the hood of the car and loped back to his cruiser.
Amber opened her mouth, but Theo cut her off. “Don’t say a word.”
And she didn’t. All the way up until she parked the car in front of the restaurant. “My lord, we have arrived,” she said with a flourish of her hand. A grin teased the corner of her mouth.
Theo’s patience snapped. “You think this is a joke? This is amusing to you? This is my career at stake. I know that means nothing to you, but this is important to me." He took a deep breath. “Look, just...try to take this job seriously, please.” He got out of the car and slammed the door. And for once in his life, he didn't help a woman out of the car.
Inside, the lounge was quiet. Small groups of guests in suits sat around the lobby area talking quietly. Servers milled around getting ready for the lunch rush, polishing silverware, while a bartender wiped down the bar.
The calm was soothing after the wild ride getting there. Sitting on the black leather couch in the middle of the lobby was his second meeting of the day, Pippa Shelton. She sat on the couch, her long legs crossed elegantly. He took a deep breath and smiled.
“I’m sorry I’m late,” he said, leaning in to kiss the cheek she lifted. “We ran into some traffic,” he murmured.
“It seems I’m destined to wait for you, Theo,” she said, just as intimately, smiling into his eyes. Theo knew that smile. He’d tasted it, and felt it whispered against his skin in the early morning light. He returned it, only to stiffen when he heard the telltale sound of Amber’s heels coming in behind him.
