Jessica swallowed a gasp. What she could seeof him, told her he was ruggedly handsome with hair as black as thenight. It was like he was holding back, trying not to invade anymore of her space than what she might have wanted.
She shook her head, what would probably seemin madness to him, and answered.
“No, no. I, I just didn’t expect, didn’t seeanyone else out here. I’m not use to all that noise and thosepeople. I’m a country girl really, and, oh dear, I’m rambling,aren’t I?”
“And, quite a beautiful one, I mightadd.”
She could feel her face begin to flush andprayed that the moon’s glow she seemed to be now standing under,did not give away her embarrassment.
“I’m one myself,” he titled his headslightly, as he took a step closer. “A country boy, that is. I grewup near a lake with not a tall building in sight. Still can’t getuse to the hustle and bustle of city life. This oneespecially.”
“Well, that’s a first!”
His tone was one of uncertainty as hereplied. “The first?”
She chuckled.
“To openly admit your lack of admiration,”she replied. “No matter who I spoke to so far this eveningexpressed nothing but an overabundant love for this city. No otherhas quite the style,” she waved her arm widely. “I guess nowhereare things done in such a grand American way as the Big Apple.”
His eyes twinkled, as he moved even closer,and she found herself squinting to see what color they were.
“I know what you mean,” he continued. “It’skind of sickening really. Where I come from, the people and theland represent the All-American way.”
She couldn’t get over the stir he causedinside of her. She loved the smell of his cologne, as it driftedaround her on the night air and the deeply-seated dimple she couldsee at the right corner of his lip. He seemed so familiar somehow,but she couldn’t quite place where she could have met him. Shewanted to reach out and pull at his arm to draw him out of theshadows, so she could get a better look at him. All she could tell,was that his hair was as black as the tuxedo he wore, which fittedhis tall, muscular form nicely. As chiseled as his profile seemed,his charm softened its edges.
She found herself comfortably attracted tohim and then it was as if a light bulb went off in her head.
What the hell am I doing? This guy is a totalstranger, and I’m goggling over him like a star struckteenager.
Just as quickly, she remembered herconversation earlier with her Aunt. She knew she had to work at notletting Richard’s ghost destroy her chance at happiness. She willedherself to relax. Not all men, were like her dead husband. Shecouldn’t let her memory of him, cloud her judgement of others.
“You’re Florence’s niece, right?”
His question snapped her out of hertrance.
“Um … ah … yes,” she stammered.
It was like the moon decided to shine muchbrighter at that moment, as he stepped into its light. Her breathcaught in her throat, as she became entranced by the beautiful,blue cobalt of his eyes.
The bewitching attraction was broken, whenthe sound of someone calling out her name filled the night air.
“Jessie! Jessie, is that you out there dear?”Florence called, as she slowly approached them both. “I was worriedand … Bryan! Is that you dear?” She gasped in surprise, as she madeher way closer. “Well, I’ll be … if, it isn’t you!” She exclaimed,as she opened her arms wide to hug him. “You’ve met my niece again,I see.”
He smiled adoringly, as he stepped into herAunt’s embrace.
“Well, Florence, we were just getting …”
“I am such a jerk!” Jessica bellowed. “Ishould have recognized you, and to think you offered a position onyour staff, and I didn’t … I so apologize, Senator.”
Her look of surprise matched his, as heanswered.
“Well, to be quite honest, I didn’t know itwas you at first either.”
“Oh, for Lord’s sake you two,” Florenceblustered, as she pushed the Senator playfully, making him breakinto laughter. “Let me reacquaint you two. Jessica, you met Bryanrather briefly, which probably explains the confusion, a few weeksago at a party hosted in his honor. Senator Bryan Gallagher, myniece Jessica, who as you remember, would be a wonderful asset asyour Director of Communications.”
The Senator reached for her hand and bowedrespectfully.
“It’s a pleasure Mrs. Wilton, I assureyou.”
