Dirty Work (14 page)

I
haven’t even had
a chance to change out of my suit and enjoy a drink before Carl comes barreling into my room in a panic. He’s pacing, pulling his hair, and ranting to the point I can’t understand a word he’s saying.

“What?” I ask, staring at him over the rim of my drink. “Calm down, Carl.”

The man’s going to have a heart attack any day now and end up in an early grave—everything stresses him out.

He stops in front of me and fists his hands at his sides. “They did it,” he huffs out, barely able to stand still.

“Who did what?” I place my glass on the table and brace myself for whatever news he’s about to hurl my way.

“Preston. We got her.”

My eyebrow rises. Now he’s piqued my curiosity. “We do?”

He’s pacing again, wearing a new pattern into the hotel carpet. “You know how I told you about Harbor joining her campaign staff yesterday?”

“Yep.” It didn’t faze me when I heard the news, and Carl didn’t seem worried or excited about the idea, but now he’s practically manic.

“Okay, so,” he says, pausing and smoothing down his hair before he starts flailing his arms around wildly. “Remember I told you I had the perfect thing to destroy Reagan, but you told me absolutely not?”

My body tenses, and I instantly feel protective of her. “I don’t want any part of this. I told you we’re not running a campaign to discredit her.”

“She slept with Harbor when he was married, Jude. This is so big it will ruin her political career.”

Wait—what?
Reagan fucked Harbor? Harbor was married? I know Harbor worked on her father’s campaign, but surely her father didn’t sanction this activity. If he knew about it, there’s no way he’d send Harbor back into her life.

I’m so shocked by the news I can’t even respond at first. My fist curls around the mug, and I want to crush it in my palm. “No, Carl! Absolutely not.”

His eyes go wide and his head jerks back. “Jude—”

“Listen,” I say as I stand and move into his personal space. “I don’t care who she fucked or when she did it. This is not something I want used to win the election. Do you understand me, Carl?”

“This is the final nail in the coffin—”

My nose touches his, and I’m reaching for his collar when I pull my hand back. “If this gets leaked—no matter who spills the beans—I’m coming for you, Carl. I’ll make sure you never work in politics again. I’ve made myself clear, and I expect you to follow orders.” My stare is icy as I peer into his eyes and wait for his word that he won’t leak this to the press.

His eyes narrow and are filled with rage. “I just don’t understand you, Titan.”

“You don’t need to understand, you just need to do as I command.”

Fuck asking him to do it.

I’m beyond asking people to follow my wishes.

Carl’s not above spilling the beans if he feels he’s right and I’m wrong. I know this about him. His loyalty to my victory will trump everything else—even Reagan’s honor and my wishes.

He backs away from me and shakes his head with his lips pursed. “You may not win without it.”

“So be it.” I’m so pissed off that I want to punch something or someone—preferably Tom Harbor. “We’ve always been honorable men, and I want the campaign to be no different.”

I can’t figure out who I’m angrier with—Carl or Reagan.

Carl because, well, he’s Carl. But he’s also only doing his job.

Or Reagan for fucking around with Tom Harbor and leaving a trail.

“I figured you to have bigger balls, Jude,” Carl replies, but he can’t goad me into giving him the go-ahead.

I grab my crotch, making sure he sees just how big of a handful it is, and laugh. “I don’t need to tear down a woman for something she did years ago to prove my manhood. Maybe you get off on hurting women, but I sure as fuck don’t.”

His head is shaking, muttering under his breath about the race and how I’m going to lose. I sit back down, glaring daggers at him and grab my coffee mug. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to finish my drink in peace and prep for tomorrow’s rally, Carl.”

He starts to leave, and before he closes the door, I hear him say, “Pussy.”

I lean forward in my chair, take a deep breath, and rub my eyes. When I woke up this morning, I thought it was going to be a good day—
fucking wrong!
I can’t wrap my head around the thought of Reagan sleeping with Tom, not only because he’s quite a few years older than her, but because he was married when she did it.

Reagan doesn’t seem to be the type who would take marriage lightly. But then again, what do I really know about her? Very little besides what I’ve read in the campaign file Carl compiled and what I’ve heard in the media.

It’s pretty basic information. Shit anyone could find searching the internet. There wasn’t even a rumor about her and Tom or any other man that had been found until Carl hired a private investigator.

Maybe there’s no truth to it. Maybe it’s the word of a jealous sorority sister trying to get her face on the news and have her ten seconds of fame.

I’m about to pour myself a second drink, when my phone beeps.

Boo: Hey.

I stare at the screen for a moment and think about saying something to her about Tom. I so badly want to hear her side of the story, but then she may think I’m accusing her of something. Plus, she’ll panic and probably assume that I’ll use it against her—I’m fucked no matter what if I bring it up.

Me: Hey, yourself.

Boo: Have a good day?

Me: It was…okay.

She’s typing back, the three little dots on the screen are moving quickly, and I take the chance to grab the bottle of whiskey and place it next to me at the table. I have a feeling I’m going to need it.

Boo: What happened? Mine was just okay too. Tom being here on the road is different. The crowd at today’s rally was smaller than Lexi had expected, and it has everyone worried.

Different. I’m sure being on the road with someone she’s fucked and texting the man she
wants
to fuck has to put a damper on her day—or least add to the excitement level.

Me: Are you naked?

I couldn’t help but gloss over the entire topic.

Boo: I only have on my Louboutin‬s

“Fuck,” I groan at the mental picture I have of her with her flawless white skin and a pair of black and red heels and nothing else.

Me: Liar.

Boo:

Me: So everyone’s in an uproar over there? I’m sure Tom can handle it with all of his experience.

Boo: He does have a lot of experience, but my crew isn’t used to the way he does shit.

Me: Tell me about those shoes again.

Boo: Want to FaceTime? Lexi’s gone for about twenty minutes.

Me: Lexi?

Boo: We’re sharing a room tonight.

Me: You call me when you’re ready.

Quickly, I remove my tie and open the top two buttons of my dress shirt to get more comfortable. I keep my clothes on in case Lexi walks in, although that could be interesting.

The annoying, space-age ringer plays, and I answer it on the third ring so I don’t seem too anxious.

She’s smiling with her face close to the camera and fully clothed.

“I didn’t think you were naked,” I say as my eyes move around the screen and take in the entirety of her.

She giggles, tipping her head back in laughter and exposing her beautiful neck. “No. I figured you’d want to FaceTime me if you thought I was, though.”

I smirk. I would’ve rather seen her naked, but I would’ve chatted with her no matter what. “So where’s Tom?” Lifting the whiskey to my lips, I watch her for any clues.

She gives away nothing, pulling the phone backward with her. “He’s somewhere. Not too far probably. He never is.”

“I’m sure,” I mumble into the bottom of the glass.

She tilts her head with furrowed brows. “What?”

“Nothing. So tell me about the rally. Is it because of the debate?”

“I don’t know.” She sighs. “I think everyone’s panicking for no reason. I swear, if they’re not stressed, they’re not happy.”

“Carl, too.”

There’s a loud knock at Reagan’s door, and she glances up, turning white. “Hold on one second,” she says and places her finger against her lips. “Don’t say anything while I get rid of whoever this is. Okay?”

“On my word,” I tell her and make a cross over my heart.

When she climbs off the bed, the camera points toward the ceiling, giving me nothing to go off of, but I hear her hotel room door open.

“What do you want?”

“I thought we could talk,” a man says.

“Tom, I’m busy. Can we do this another time?” she tells him, and I press my face practically against the screen like I can see something even though I know I can’t.

The door closes, and I think he’s gone until he says, “Come on, don’t be that way. What else do you have to do tonight?” His voice is louder now; he must’ve moved closer to the phone.

“Tom, you need to leave. This is Lexi’s room too, and she wouldn’t be happy about you being in here.” Reagan’s voice sounds strained.

I put my finger over my camera in case Tom’s close enough to see her screen, but I can still hear everything. I’m holding my breath at this point, taking tiny puffs of air when I can without making a sound.

“She seemed pretty busy down in the dining room. I say we have at least ten minutes until she gets back. Don’t you want to catch up? I haven’t seen you in a long time.”

I hear an impact, skin on skin, but I don’t dare take my finger off the camera, no matter how badly I want to see what’s going on.

“Don’t touch me, Tom. Go. Get out before I have you removed from my campaign. When I say leave, I mean it.”

“You’re much different than the last time I saw you. What happened to the Reagan I knew?” I can hear the frustration in his voice. He came to her room looking for something, maybe he expected it to happen—maybe they already picked up where they left off years ago.

“I grew up. I’m not a little girl anymore. I’m a woman, and this is my campaign. You’re interrupting my time to relax. I’d appreciate it if you leave now, or I’ll have you removed from the campaign.”

His laugh is deep and deafening. “Don’t be stupid, Reagan. You need me. That’s why I’m here.”

The sound of heavy footsteps followed by the door is all I hear for a moment.

“Out.” Her voice is louder this time, more commanding. “Don’t ever come to my room unless you’re invited.”

“Reagan,” he says, and his voice trails off. I move the phone closer to my ear, trying to hear what he says, but I hear nothing.

Moments later, the door closes and the phone jostles, my view changing to the shitty blue comforter on the bed. “Sorry,” she says, grimacing as she picks up the phone and looks into the camera.

“No problem.” I say nothing else and wait for her to start the conversation. Maybe she’ll fill me in on their past. Maybe she’ll actually confide in me.

Her eyes dart toward the door briefly, and she takes a deep breath. “How much did you hear?”

“Not much,” I lie. “Who was it?”

“Tom,” she says his name with a sour look on her face. “He wanted to talk strategy.”

The moment the lie trickles from her tongue, my stomach knots. “He’s like Carl. He could talk strategy all day long and never get tired of it.”

“Yeah. Winning is the only thing on his mind.”

Another lie. Tom didn’t come to her room to talk shop, and the only thing he wanted to win tonight was a dip inside Reagan’s panties. I couldn’t blame the guy for it. It’s on my mind every time I’m in the same room with her too.

“Shit, Lexi’s coming in. I have to run,” she says and waves at me. “Talk soon.”

Before I can answer, she disconnects the call, and I’m left with more questions than I had after Carl walked out of my room in a tizzy.

Does Reagan want to pick up right where she left off with Tom? Possibly… She could’ve just brushed him off because I could hear.

Is she playing me to win? Not improbable.

But there’s one thing I do know—I’m going to find out, and I’ll fight tooth and nail to win more than just the election.

I
t’s been more
than three weeks of nonstop campaigning since I last saw Jude. All we have is texts and occasional quick phone calls. Well, I also have my mid-orgasm photo of him.

But it’s not enough. I want to be with him, and I’m so over sneaking around. He’s been on edge lately, and I don’t know if it’s because of the campaign…or me.

My campaign bus is on its way to Elmhurst now. I’m speaking to a group of high school seniors in the Chicago suburb.

Lexi tosses the dress she got from the bus closet to me, and I go into the bathroom to change. It’s a light, sleeveless navy dress that pairs well with nude heels. Hopefully, it’ll help me stay cool in the blistering late-August heat. I tie my hair back in a ponytail and carefully put on some pale pink lip gloss. I’ve learned this summer that applying makeup on a moving bus can lead to some interesting looks.

When I walk out, Tom eyes me approvingly. “I just got a text that Titan’s coming to this shindig,” he says.

“What?” My tone is sharper than intended. I want to see Jude badly, but not under the campaign-required pretense that I can’t stand him.

“The government teacher said they invited both of you and he couldn’t initially make it, but now he can.” Tom shrugs. “It’s not a problem. Some of these kids are first-time voters, Reagan. Just go after their votes like you would any other voter.”

Lexi speaks up from the other side of the bus. “Yeah, but…”

“What?” Tom asks her.

“I think you need to keep this low-key,” she says to me. “No debating. This should just be you talking to the students and him talking to the students.”

I nod in agreement. Tom’s shaking his head.

“You’ll get shown up again. Mark my words.”

“Well, then I will. I’m not going into a high school and slinging mud at anyone.”

The bus stops, and Roy calls out that we’ve arrived. Lexi and I head for the door of the bus, neither of us in the mood for an argument with Tom.

“How do you feel about seeing him?” she asks under her breath.

“I’m excited and dreading it at the same time.” I cock a brow at her. “How weird is that? He’s been off lately, and I’m wondering if it’s because there’s someone else.”

“You think so?”

I sigh softly. “I’m sure he wants more than I can give him. And sneaking around is dangerous for both of us. Maybe he found some Republican chick who thinks he’s the shit.”

“Stop that,” Lexi says, taking my arm. “If he just wanted a warm body, he never would have gotten involved with you. He found you worth the risk.”

I smile at her. “You always know what to say. You know what to pick out for me to wear and when I need some alone time and how to make me laugh.”

“You know me the same way.”

“Yeah, but…” I stop outside the high school’s main entrance and turn to her. “You’ve given up a lot for me. You could be living in the suburbs, working at a regular job, and you’d have evenings and weekends for yourself. Instead, you spend pretty much every waking moment working with me.”

“I love this work,” she says. “And doing it for my best friend, who I believe in with all my heart, is a huge bonus.”

I take her hand and squeeze it. “I’d be lost without you.”

The high school doors burst open, and an excited woman comes out to greet us.

“Representative Preston,” she says, pumping my hand in a handshake. “I’m Tracy Tyler, the government teacher. We are
so
honored you accepted our invitation.”

“I’m so happy to be here,” I tell her. “This is my campaign manager, Lexi Grant.” I look over my shoulder. “And that’s my campaign consultant, Tom Harbor.”

She shakes Lexi’s and Tom’s hands and then says, “Mr. Titan just arrived. I’ll take you to the classroom.”

On the way, she rattles off all the units she’ll be teaching this year.

“Oh, local government?” I say, my interest piqued. “That’s a great idea. I wish more teachers would do that.”

Tracy’s beaming as she leads me into a large classroom, its fluorescent lights bringing me back to my own high school days. There’s a low whistle from one of the students as I walk in.

Jude, who stood up from the chair he was sitting on in front of the class, shoots a glare in the direction of the whistle.

My heart is pounding as our eyes lock. It’s been so long since I’ve seen him. He’s wearing a pale blue dress shirt, the top button open, and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. With gray suit pants on and his jacket and tie slung over the back of his chair, he looks casually sexy.

“Representative Preston,” he says in the low tone I fantasize about. “Nice to see you.”

When I shake the hand he’s holding out, the breath escapes my lungs in a whoosh. It’s been so long since we touched.

“Mr. Titan,” I say, my confident tone belying the way my insides are melting. “Nice to see you, too.”

I stand in front of the other chair at the front of the classroom and smooth down my dress and hair. Jude stands in front of his and watches me, waiting until I’m seated to sit down himself.

“Representative Preston,” Tracy says, “Can you tell us about yourself?”

I smile at the gathered students, most of whom look totally disinterested.

“It’s Reagan,” I say. “And a question I often get asked is whether I’m named after President Ronald Reagan. I am. My father has been a senator for twenty-four years, and even though he’s a Democrat, he admired Reagan’s style and integrity. I think our elected officials have to be able to work with and get along with everyone. I’m thirty years old, and I went to law school after college. I only practiced law for a few months before I decided to run for the state house, so if you need legal help…don’t call me.”

That gets a few laughs. When it’s Jude’s turn, he tells the students he went to high school in downstate Illinois, then attended the University of Illinois on a scholarship, and signed up for the Marine Corps. He doesn’t mention any of his military accolades.

“You know how people ask you when you’re a high school senior what you plan to do with your life?” he asks the students. Some of them nod. “I didn’t have a clue. And it’s okay if you don’t know yet, either. Give yourself time to figure it out, but I highly recommend you either attend college or join the military to help make your decision.”

There’s a girl in the front row of the classroom staring at him with a dreamy expression. When he turns to me with a sheepish smile, I feel the same way she looks.

“So are we ready to cage fight?” he asks me. “You’re definitely gonna win, because I don’t hit women.”

“Fighting in politics is so yesterday, don’t you think?” I say.

“I do. I say maybe you tell them a little bit about a day in the life of a state rep or senator, since you’re the more experienced one.”

His deference touches me. I have to turn away from him, or I know my feelings will show. I tell the students about my life in and out of session with the state house, and then Tracy opens up the floor for questions from the students.

A girl in the back shoots up her hand immediately. “Do you have a girlfriend?” she asks Jude, drawing nervous laughter.

He smiles. “Nothing official, but I do have someone special. My Facebook status would be ‘working on it.’”

When he turns to me, I feel such warmth that I have to cross my legs a little harder.

“What about you?” a male student asks me. “You want to go to homecoming with me?”

“Ah…” I tuck my hair behind my ear and clear my throat. “I’m kind of in the same place Jude is. Every part of my life is so public that I keep that relationship just for me.”

“You’re hot,” a male voice calls out from the back of the room. I open my mouth to respond, but I’ve got nothing, so I just close it again.

Jude sits up straighter in his chair. “So, guys…you may not want to hear this, but just sit tight and give me a minute. When I was growing up, my father took off when I was twelve. That left my mom to raise me alone, and you know what? She did a hell of a job. She always told me not having a father around would never be an excuse for me, and it never has been. Whether you’ve got a good example at home or not, do the right thing, man. Respect women. If you have sex, use protection. Get good grades. Be a person of integrity.”

The whole room is transfixed on Jude, whose earnest expression is calling out to me. I want to move closer to him, but I force myself to stay still.

“Reputation is what other people think of you,” he says. “Character is who you are deep down inside. Stay focused on your character, and your reputation will take care of itself. That’s the best advice anyone gave me.” He looks over at me. “What’s the best advice anyone ever gave you, Reagan?”

I take a deep breath, trying to get my wits back. Jude has an ability to mesmerize me.

“You only have one life,” I say. “Dream big and chase hard and know that only you get to decide what your dreams are. My mom told me that when I graduated high school.”

“That’s great advice,” Jude says, his eyes locked on mine. “Always fight for what matters to you.”

Tracy clears her throat. “All right, then. If anyone wants to shake hands with Reagan or Jude or get a selfie, this would be a good time.”

The girl in the front row jumps out of her seat and runs to Jude.

“I’ll be eighteen in October,” she says in a breathy tone. “And I’m
definitely
voting. I want you to be my first.”

Jude laughs lightly, his brow furrowed. “Thanks.”

We both take selfies with the students, and then Carl and Lexi gather everyone for a photo of us with the entire class. Jude and I are in the back row for the group photo, and he slides his palm over my ass and squeezes it just at the moment the photo is being taken.

I take a deep, cleansing breath. I’ve got to keep my head on straight here. But it’s hard with Jude so close I can smell the light scent of his cologne.

I want to be covered in that scent. I want every inch of his skin on every inch of mine. It’s getting harder and harder to resist jumping into bed and working out all this sexual frustration between us.

Tom’s watchful gaze is on me, and I don’t like it.

“Lex, I’m going to the bathroom,” I say. “Meet you on the bus.”

My heels click on the floor of the empty hallway as I make my way to the nearest ladies’ room. Once there, I brace my hands on a sink and look at my reflection in the mirror.

Just the usual Reagan. Nothing to see here. No one can tell I’m an emotional mess over Jude Titan. Only I know, and I can keep it buried inside.

The bathroom door opens, and when I look over, I see Jude striding in. My heart flies into overdrive as I step back from the sink.

His dark, hungry gaze washes over me. I can
feel
him, just from that look. I’m breathing hard as he backs me against the bathroom wall, out of view from the bathroom entrance.

“This guy you mentioned being involved with,” he says, wrapping his hands around my waist, “he’s a lucky bastard. Anyone I know?”

I run my palms over his chest, enjoying every ridge of muscle beneath my fingers. “He’s rather intoxicating,” I say. “He’s got this tattoo on his forearm that’s so sexy. I fantasize about him every night.”

His hands slide around to my ass and he hikes me up, my legs instinctively winding around his waist. “Is that right? You want him buried inside you?”

“Yes.” I thread my fingers into the back of his short hair, and our mouths collide in a hard, punishing kiss. His erection presses against my belly as we taste each other until I’m breathless.

“Am I the only man in your life?” Jude asks me, our faces still just an inch apart.

“Of course. Why would you ask me that?”

He tenses. “I just need to know. Don’t play me, Reagan.”

“I’m
not
,” I say in a low, firm tone. “There is no one else. Is there for you?”

He just shakes his head. “I’m out of my fucking mind for you. There’s no one else who does this to me.”

I cup his stubbled cheeks in my hands. “Is it the thrill of the forbidden? Will you still want me once you’ve had me?”

He lowers his brows. “Once I’ve
had
you? You mean once we’ve fucked?”

I nod once.

A wolfish smile creeps across his face. “That’s not
having
you, Reagan. To me,
having
you means you’re mine, body, heart, and soul. It means we belong to each other.”

My eyes fill with tears. “I don’t want to lose you to this election.”

“Reagan?” a male voice calls into the bathroom.

My eyes widen in horror. It’s Tom, and I’m making out with my opponent in here. Jude puts a finger to his lips and nods.

“What?” I call out in an aggravated tone. “I’m peeing.”

“Oh. Why is it taking so long?”

“Tom,
go away
. There are teenage girls in here.”

I hear the door closing, and Jude lowers my feet to the floor.

“Go get him out of here,” Jude whispers. “I’ll stay here for the next thirty seconds.”

He gives me a quick, soft kiss, and our eyes meet for a second before I rush out of the bathroom.

That was risky. And now Jude’s stuck in a high school girl’s bathroom while I get Tom out of here.