Scandalous (16 page)

“Hey, listen.” He held his hands up. “Don't look at me. I was trying to be politically correct,” he grinned.

Groans filled the room.

“Good to finally meet you. Justin's been so secretive lately.” Khendra cut Justin a nasty look.

“Maybe everybody doesn't always want to tell you everything all the time,” Sean teased, emphasizing every word.

Khendra laughed. “That's where my extraordinary
powers of drawing conclusions come into full swing,” she pointed out.

“Don't get them started,” Justin warned Vaughn. “I've taken the liberty of inviting these two charming individuals to join us for dinner. Hopefully, they'll be able to behave themselves.”

“The more the merrier,” Vaughn grinned, truly pleased. This would finally give her a chance to get to know the people Justin thought so highly of.

Justin checked his watch. “So, we'll meet out front in about twenty minutes?”

“That should give us enough time to finish up,” Sean said.

“I've been following your career for a few years now,” Khendra was saying. “You've been doing extraordinary work in your district. It's just a damn shame that all our elected officials don't have the same agenda,” she said vehemently.

“I know what you mean,” Vaughn stated solemnly. “Politics has a way of turning you away from your objectives. There are so many special interest groups, it's a miracle anything ever gets accomplished in government.”

“Enough talk about business,” Justin cut in, taking Vaughn's hand. “See you both in a bit,” he added, ushering Vaughn out of the office.

“Right this way, Assemblywoman Hamilton,” he breathed in her ear. The sensation sent up a flurry of tingles that thrilled her down to her toes.

“Very funny, Counselor,” she said in a husky whisper.

“If it were up to me,” he continued, as they made their way down the hall, “everyone I introduced you to would be required to bow.”

She angled her head to look quizzically up at him.

His look grew warm and serious. “Because you are without a doubt a queen. More specifically,
my
queen.”

Vaughn's heart did a hard knock against her chest. Warmth spread through her as if heated water had been injected into her veins.

“You make me feel like a queen,” she said softly.

“And I intend to keep doing just that—for as long as you let me.” He took a deep breath. “Now, before I just pull you into one of these empty offices and ravish that luscious body, let's go find Rush and Simone.”

 

Justin pushed open the swinging door that led to the reception area. “Did you find Rush and Simone, Barbara?”

“Yes,” she smiled. “They should be in Chad's office.”

Vaughn looked inquiringly from one to the other. “How come you call Chad ‘Rush'?”

Justin chuckled. “I started calling him Rush when he first arrived about—hmmm—four years ago. His last name is Rushmore and he always reminded me of someone who was in a hurry to get ahead.” Justin grinned wistfully as the early memories of Chad rumbled through his head.

“Well, that explains it,” Vaughn grinned “I was beginning to get confused.”

They turned to leave the way they'd come in.

“Oh, Mr. Montgomery,” Barbara called. “You have messages.”

“Thanks, Barb. If it's not urgent, just leave them on my desk. I'll have to return the calls on Monday.”

“Sure thing, Mr. M.” Barbara skimmed the notes again. Both of them were from Stan Waters. It was his third call in a little over a week, Barbara noted. According to Mr. Waters, Mr. Montgomery had not returned his call and had insinuated that he hadn't received his messages. Maybe
he had no intention of returning the calls, Barbara had wanted to say. If there was one thing she was confident of, it was her ability as a top-rate legal secretary. Not giving messages was something that wasn't in the realm of possibility for Barbara Crenshaw. She got up from her seat, took the messages to Justin's office, and she left them dutifully on his desk.

 

Justin and Vaughn turned down the corridor toward Chad's office. Justin lowered his head to speak to Vaughn in an intimate whisper. “Did I tell you that you look delicious in that outfit?” He ran his hand lightly up her back.

Vaughn's eyes sparkled when she looked up at him. “As a matter of fact, you didn't,” she answered coyly.

“Well, you do. You should wear red more often. It brings out the richness of that beautiful skin of yours.”

From his reaction, Vaughn was glad she'd taken the time to change out of her business suit and into the red cotton jersey. The dress was totally simple. It had a short mock turtleneck and long sleeves and was cut in such a way that it defined every curve without being obvious. She added a wide gold bracelet, strappy red leather pumps, and sheer hose, held up by a fire-engine red garter belt.

“Keep up the sweet talk, Counselor, and we really may not make it to dinner.” She gave him a quick wink just as they arrived at Chad's office.

The office door was open and Vaughn assumed that the young man behind the desk was Chad. A young woman with shoulder-length black hair had her back to them as they approached.

Justin stood in the open doorway partially blocking Simone's view. Justin stepped in as Chad got up from his seat. At the very moment Vaughn crossed the threshold, Simone turned around in her seat. Their eyes met and for
a never-ending moment, Vaughn felt as if all the air had been sucked from her lungs. Her head began to spin when Simone got up and smiled an unforgettable smile.

Vaughn was certain that she must be trapped in some sort of bizarre episode of
Twilight Zone.
Her body became infused with heat. A thin line of perspiration trickled down her back. Voices were humming around her. She was sure it must be introductions taking place, but she couldn't hear anything over the buzzing in her ears.

“Vaughn…Vaughn,” Justin was saying. “Are you all right?” He put his arm around her waist.

She took several gulps of air and laughed nervously. “I'm…so sorry. I felt so lightheaded all of a sudden.” She forced a wavering smile. “I guess it's because I didn't eat today,” she offered weakly.

“That's understandable,” Simone answered in response.

Vaughn laughed in embarrassment. “What a way to make an entrance, huh?” she smiled.

“It could never be said that you don't know how to get an audiences' attention,” Justin joked. But his eyes darkened with concern as he looked down at her.

Vaughn cleared her throat. She extended her hand to Simone and then to Chad. “I've heard so much about the two of you. It's a pleasure to finally meet you both. I'm looking forward to dinner so I can hear the uncut version,” she teased with a genuine smile.

Chad and Simone grinned at the implication.

Slowly Vaughn was beginning to regain her composure, but the lingering effects of seeing Simone still had her nerves on edge.

“Are you two about ready?” Justin asked.

“My stomach says I'm on overtime,” Chad grumbled good-naturedly.

The group chuckled as they filed out of the office. “My
stomach is agreeing one hundred percent,” Simone chimed in, “and I didn't even work today.”

“A girl after my own heart,” Vaughn said, smiling, looking at Simone over her shoulder.

“This meal isn't going to tap into my retirement account, is it?” Justin asked in mock concern.

“It just might,” Vaughn said, only loudly enough for him to hear. “You know how hungry I can get.” Slowly she moistened her lips with a flick of her tongue and Justin instantly felt his groin tighten. He was definitely going to have to tell her she was going to have to cut that out when they were in public. It could prove very embarrassing for him.

The two-hour dinner was a success. The soul food restaurant had some of the best fare in Richmond. The conversation was both stimulating and humorous.

Vaughn had the opportunity to see Justin through different eyes—how he interacted with his staff and his friends. She could see why he was so well liked. He treated everyone with the same degree of interest and respect. He was a born leader. It was apparent in the way he could subtly steer a conversation or make a suggestion that easily became accepted by all, and by the way his opinion was sought on any topic. Most of all, he didn't have to flaunt it, which was the quality that separated the real thing from the wannabes. But that didn't stop him from running his fingers across her thighs whenever he thought no one was watching. The sensuous feel of his fingertips seemed magnified because of the secrecy.

She also got a kick out of Khendra's not so subtle questions about her life and her views on relationships. It was hilariously apparent that Khendra had taken on the task of being Justin's keeper. Khendra Phillips-Michaels was even more charming than Vaughn had previously
witnessed, she thought, as Khen flashed her famous dimpled smile that made her feel instantly at home. What made Khendra so compelling was not just her stunning looks, but a powerful aura of self-possession that could not be ignored. Khendra was not the kind of woman to wait around to be asked. She took control. Vaughn couldn't help but admire her. And her husband—Sean—hot was the first word that popped into her head. It was no wonder that he won all his cases. The jury was probably mesmerized by his charisma and believed whatever that gospel-sounding voice said. She was sure that this fine brother even looked good first thing in the morning. He, too, was dynamic, exhibiting an inner strength that he wore with the utmost confidence.

After about the first hour of talking with Simone, her high level of anxiety was finally reduced. Her initial reaction at seeing the striking resemblance to Brian had truly shaken her. They said that everyone in the world had a twin. Today, she could confirm that the old saying was true. Simone was as intelligent, as sweet, and as pretty as Justin had described. She could see how he could easily identify with Simone. She was the kind of young woman anyone would be proud to have as a daughter. And the longer she was in Simone's company, the closer she felt to her. It was a strange sensation. But Vaughn attributed it to Simone's ability to charm everyone she came into contact with.

“So, Simone, how do you like Virginia so far?” Vaughn asked.

“Everything has been wonderful. I'm looking forward to being here. It'll be a great way to celebrate my birthday,” she grinned.

“When is it?” Chad questioned. “If you're going to be in town by then, maybe we could plan something.”

“It's in two weeks. May twentieth.”

Vaughn felt as if the breath was being squeezed out of her. Her head began to pound. Casually she took several sips of water to compose herself before she spoke. Maybe she had heard wrong.

“Did you say May twentieth?” she asked smoothly, magnificently camouflaging the tremor that seized her vocal cords.

“Yep,” Simone affirmed. “I'll finally be nineteen.”

“Nineteen!” Khendra sputtered. “And you're a senior? That's incredible. Your parents must be so proud.”

“They are…”

The conversation continued without Vaughn. Although she smiled and nodded in all the right places, she was on automatic pilot. Her years of training to be in the public eye had taken over. She masked her dismay behind a practiced smile.

It must be just some bizarre coincidence. It had to be, she concluded. If she could just have a moment to get herself together, she knew she would be fine. She pushed back in her seat and slowly stood up. “If you all will excuse me a minute, I'm going to find the ladies' room.”

“Woman—ladies' room—minute. Tell me what's wrong with that statement,” Sean chuckled, and the whole table joined in.

“Very funny,” all three women said at once, in varying tones of apathy, then turned to each other in amusement at the spontaneous response.

“I'll go with you,” offered Simone.

Justin watched the two walk off and the conversation resumed. But he knew that something was wrong. He could tell by the almost imperceptible tremor in Vaughn's voice and the way that her eyes seemed to take on a glinty edge. Her smile was tight around the edges. Her note of
laughter didn't ring true. Anyone who didn't know her, hadn't observed her as he had, would never be the wiser. He was beginning to worry.

At the start of dinner she'd seemed off center, but as the evening had progressed, she'd appeared to be her old self. Then suddenly she'd gotten this strange look in her eyes—just for an instant. The kind of expression a person has when they hear news that is too farfetched to believe.

 

“I'm really happy to finally meet you, Ms. Hamilton,” Simone was saying, as they stood facing the mirror.

The sincerity in Simone's voice touched her. “I feel the same way.” She smiled and applied a light stroke of lipstick.

“I've been following your career for years,” she confessed. She turned so that she faced Vaughn's profile. “I know that this may sound corny, but I really admire you. You've been an inspiration for me over the years.”

Slowly, Vaughn turned to face her. The shock hit her again, but not with as much force.

“I really appreciate that, Simone. It's important for me to know that I can make a difference.” Something made her want to reach out and touch her. She placed her hand on Simone's shoulder. Her smile was filled with warmth. “Even if it's just one difference at a time.”

Simone looked down at her shoes and then across at Vaughn. “When I come back next week, would it be all right if I came by your office? I'd really like to see how things operate.”

Vaughn chuckled. “Believe me, sweetheart, it's not as glamorous as you think. But you're more than welcome to drop by.”

They both began walking toward the door and for the first time that evening, Vaughn felt as if the weight had
been lifted off her chest. The flutters that had gone berserk for the last few hours had finally ceased. In the place of all that undefined tension was an overwhelming sense of peace. She couldn't explain it. She just knew that it was so.