The Convenient Wedding: a contemporary romance (The Rosa Legacy Book 3) (2 page)

She took another sip of Perrier. It made sense that the field was competitive.

“Mr. Gallagher, I’m a natural at PR and have a considerable amount of experience in the corporate world. I need experience in the political realm. I can work without compensation and will take the commitment seriously.”

An older man came up and interrupted them. He greeted Lucia but focused his attention on Brian. He was trying to convince him that Anderson needed to spend more time in Hartford and not gravitate to Greenwich exclusively.

Brian nodded, saying “I agree. We are adding a campaign office in Hartford.”

After several more minutes, the man left them and Brian Gallagher said, “You may do better working on a campaign for someone who is likely to be elected.”

Lucia decided not to hold back. “I’m looking for more of a challenge. I’ve worked for a few tech companies in California, an oil company and a not-for-profit. I have a sample portfolio of my work.”

Brian’s gaze wandered over the room before returning to meet her eyes. “The campaign needs experienced staffers. It’s not the place to try out new ideas.”

Lucia hit a stone wall with Brain Gallagher. For some reason, he was not open to her involvement with the campaign.

She was careful to keep her tone respectful, “I think the campaign does need innovative ideas. It’s not a typical situation. Anderson Adams is an unknown with almost no experience in politics and he has entered the race with just six months to Election Day.”

She watched Brian and knew he was carefully choosing his words.

Placing his hands in his pockets, he leaned back and said “Ms. Montgomery, with all due respect, I don’t think he needs a sexy socialite on his team. He is a single man who needs to be careful of his reputation with women.”

Lucia spine stiffened, “I’m not a socialite, Mr. Gallagher. I’ve held numerous, management positions and work exceptionally hard in the public relations field.”

Speaking in a flat voice, Brian said, “If you’ll excuse me, I have to talk to a few other people before I leave.”

She was in shock. Sexy socialite? Is that how people saw her? She was raised in California, far away from the wealth and prestige of her father’s family. Her father was a college professor and her mother a stay at home mom. How could he possibly have the idea that she was a socialite? She had always worked. Even during college, she had sought out internships and service trips. It was true that she had a substantial trust fund but she had been taught the value of money and living carefully.

Francine approached her. “Was he impressed with your background?”

“No.” She couldn’t believe she had bungled the entire approach. She thought the best way to approach Anderson Adams and his campaign manager would be at a social event. If she was being honest with herself, her family’s name allowed her access to the campaign. But in the world of public relations, contacts mattered. She hadn’t realized that his campaign manager would be overly concerned about his reputation as a single man. She knew in politics people assumed that a married man espoused family values and stability. But Anderson was a last minute candidate and a long shot. The public should be more forgiving of his background.

Francine gave her a brief hug. “It couldn’t have gone that badly. He is making his way over here. I’m going to help your grandfather say goodbye to the guests leaving.”

Glancing toward a group of people still mingling, Lucia caught Anderson’s gaze. She could feel a heightened awareness between them. It had happened when he took her in his arms to dance with her. Watching Anderson politely listen to each guest, she thought about her next move. He had glanced at her a few times, silently imploring her to wait for him.

A young man from his campaign interrupted his approach and Anderson exchanged a few words with him.

He stepped closer to her and said, “The helicopter is waiting.” He held her gaze and said, “I have another campaign event in Greenwich. Would you accompany me?”

He asked her so nicely that she didn’t want to decline but she didn’t want to be drawn into a romantic relationship. “I’d love the opportunity to speak with you further about working for your campaign but I don’t if attending an event with you would be the right thing.”

Anderson leaned toward her and said, “Instead of connecting with me socially, you mean?” 

She couldn’t believe he was forcing her to spell out her intentions. “I find you rather intriguing but ultimately I’m interested in working for your campaign.”

He lightly touched her bare arm and she could feel her heart accelerate. “You can use the time to talk about your ideas for the campaign.”

Lucia could see Brain Gallagher in her peripheral vision trying to capture Anderson’s attention. She said, “Could we meet up for coffee tomorrow?”

He shook his head, “My schedule is packed for the next few weeks.”

Lucia held her small clutch tightly, thinking about the best way to proceed. She decided to take a chance and said, “Tonight works in that case.”

Anderson turned her toward the exit without taking his eyes off of her.

Leaving the mansion, they approached her grandfather and aunt, and Anderson smoothly explained inviting her to Greenwich for the evening.

While Francine was speaking with Anderson, her grandfather pulled her aside and whispered, “Just be careful, Lucia. The press is watching his every move and you wouldn’t want to be seen as having a dalliance with him. It wouldn’t reflect well on the family.”

Lucia gave her grandfather a surprised look, “It’s an opportunity to talk about the campaign.”

He grandfather winked at her, “Keep your wits about you. I wouldn’t recommend getting involved with a man interested in politics.”

Francine kissed her cheek. The moment passed in a blur and she allowed Anderson to take her hand and pull her outside toward the waiting helicopter.

Anderson helped her inside and they were joined by Brian and two other campaign aides. The door closed and they buckled into their seats.

She had only been in a helicopter one other time and found the sensation of rising off the ground to be exhilarating. The ride lasted barely twenty minutes and they were safely delivered to the rooftop of a hotel in Greenwich, Connecticut.

The campaign staffers briefed Anderson on the event and they headed indoors.

Anderson turned to her and said, “Stick with Brian and he will entertain you. I have a few people to meet then we can get a coffee.”

Lucia purposely didn’t cling to Brian. She used the time to speak with a variety of people at the event and tried to gauge people’s attitudes and beliefs about Anderson. It surprised her that most people mentioned his ability to design impressive buildings and his willingness to invest in dilapidated downtown areas. Anderson had the right foundation for a campaign. The work would be carrying that message out beyond the city limits of Greenwich.

She was deep in conversation with a young, affluent couple when Anderson appeared at her side.

Anderson interrupted, “Don’t believe anything they tell you about me.”

Lucia turned toward him in surprise and then watched as Anderson greeted his friends warmly. He steered the conversation to a recent trip the couple had taken to Italy then within a few minutes, he made his excuses for leaving.

Anderson placed his hand around her waist and whispered, “We will need to be quick if we are to escape.”

He led her through the hotel’s grand foyer and then outside into the night air. They walked for a block in silence, each enjoying the quiet and solitude.

“Are you cold?” He asked her.

She ran her hands over her bare arms and rubbed them. “Maybe a little but the night air feels refreshing.”

He removed his dinner jacket and placed it on her shoulders, tugging it closed in the front. Immediately his warm jacket melted her reserve and his musky, clean scent enveloped her.

Standing before her, he gazed down into her eyes. The street light illuminated his features and Lucia found her herself staring at him. He was breathtaking. His masculine jawline and deep set eyes drew her in. She hoped he wouldn’t kiss her. It would be impossible to wipe away the memory and she already could tell her body was on fire for him. She could barely string together two coherent thoughts and her knees felt weak.

A slow smile formed on his lips and Lucia stepped back. She needed to push their interaction onto a more professional footing. She couldn’t allow herself to melt at his feet.

“I think you promised coffee?” It was nearly eleven and she needed to create some space between them. She started walking in the direction they had been going.

Anderson matched her stride. “You can drink caffeine this late at night?”

She shook her head. “Decaf. But it puts me in the mood to talk about work.” She touched the back of her neck and tried to dispel the tension building in her body.

He reached out at took her hand in his. “How about a walking tour of Greenwich first? This is where I grew up and started my company.”

Her fingers tingled. Why was he so hot? She tried to concentrate on the business of his campaign but her thoughts kept drifting back to his appeal. She walked along next to him and purposely kept her eyes on the different shops and gardens. She could feel warmth spreading up her arm and took a deep breath to counteract it. Unfortunately the warmth spread throughout her body. She pulled her hand away and pulled his jacket tightly around her.

Anderson slowed to examine a historic building in the moonlight. “My parents knew that I would be an architect when as a young boy. I preferred exploring old buildings to other pursuits more typical of children.”

Lucia stopped and gazed at the historic building. “Did your parents have an interest in architecture?”

He laughed deeply, “No. They thought I was peculiar.” 

She asked him, “When did you design your first building?”

They walked along the sidewalk, continuing to look at some of the magnificent architecture in Greenwich. “I was young. I built my first building at twenty over a summer.”

She smiled. “Was it a success?”

Anderson ran a hand threw his hair. “It’s still standing and has quadrupled in value in a dozen or years.”

A few boisterous college age men came out of a bar, singing a drinking song. Anderson placed his hand on her lower back and led her to a different path, crossing the landscaped yard in front of an old church.

Lucia asked him, “Why politics? It won’t allow you to design or build anything.”

He slowed his pace to match hers. ”I finished a major commercial project in New York and was frustrated by the red-tape. One of your grandfather’s friends was listening to me rant on about it and said he had a proposition for me. Within a day, I got a call from the chair of the party.”

They continued walking for a few minutes, Anderson broke the silence by saying, “Much of the ideas and funding for building in depressed areas is written by individuals without hands-on knowledge. The campaign is a starting point to help me figure out the next step in my life.”

Anderson watched her. She possessed an intoxicating combination of beauty and intelligence. The curiosity in her gaze and the dimple when she smiled made him want to get closer to her. He reminded himself that she was interested in working on his campaign. Complicating things further, her grandfather was the former governor of the state. A brief affair wouldn’t be welcomed by the party elite and he wasn’t interested in a long-term romance. He needed to be careful about letting his guard down. But he was beginning to crave her in a way that wasn’t helpful.

He pulled her into a coffee shop and enjoyed the nearness of her warm body. The place was moderately crowded and he guided her to the counter. Within a few minutes, they seated at a small table with their decaf lattes.

“Why the east coast?” He asked her.

He watched as she took a small sip of her coffee. “I grew in California but attended a boarding outside of Boston then went to Sarah Lawrence for undergraduate. So I’m not exactly an outsider.”

He nodded. “Your family wanted you to keep a connection to the northeast?”

Lucia pushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m only child and my mother had two sisters, each with an only daughter. We were all about the same age so our parents had us attend the same boarding school.”

He could tell she was hesitant to share too much information with him. “So the three of you became close?”

Smiling, Lucia said “We grew up together. I’m the youngest by a little over a year but they are more like siblings to me then cousins. One, Emilia, designs custom jewelry and is taking over the family business and the other, Isabel, produces documentaries.”

He kept asking her questions until they finished their coffees and he could tell she wanted to shift the conversation. She would be an asset to the campaign. She was articulate, diplomatic and intelligent. But for some reason, he wanted her for himself. Allowing her to come onto the campaign would create an unbearable situation. She would off limits but always there. Should he send her on her way or pull her in? 

Lucia picked up her phone and re-read the text. Have PR disaster. Need help. Room 407. The text was from Brain Gallagher and the word disaster jumped out at her. What could have possibly happened since last night? She could feel the adrenaline dispersing through her body and she cautioned herself to keep calm. If there were a crisis, she would need clear thinking and a logical plan.

Instead of returning to her grandfather’s mansion last night, she had spent the night in the Delamar Greenwich Harbor hotel. She had hoped to meet Anderson for an early breakfast but was waiting for him to call her.

She needed one of the local boutiques to open so she could purchase a simple dress. The only item of clothing she had with her was the gown from last night. She had put it back on this morning but the deep v-neckline was too revealing for a morning meeting. Especially to discuss a public relations crisis. She looked like she had stayed out all night.

She applied some makeup and ran a hairbrush through her hair instead of attempting to put it up. Slipping into her heels, she left her hotel room and walked towards the elevator. She received admiring glances from both the staff and people waiting to checkout of the hotel.

Stepping onto the elevator, Lucia pushed the button for the fourth floor and felt grateful for the moment alone to collect her thoughts.

Getting off the elevator on the top floor, she followed the long hallway to Brian Gallagher’s suite. Would Anderson be there? Lucia had a nagging feeling that this was not going to be a positive encounter. She was not prepared for the meeting; she had no idea what was needed, who would be there or why they weren’t meeting in a conference room.

Lucia knocked on the door and tried to dispel the feeling that she was about to walk into a hostile environment.

The door opened and Anderson Adams stood there wearing a white towel slung around his waist and his exposed chest was gleaming with water droplets. His dark eyes were on her cold and assessing.

Lucia felt a fluttering in her stomach. “Weren’t you expecting me?”

Lucia became aware of a movement behind her. Her mind was still trying to make sense of the interaction. Why was he undressed?

In an uncertain tone, he said “No.” 

A camera flashed behind her in rapid succession, and Anderson dragged her into his hotel room and the door was slammed shut. Before she could protest, his hot stare silenced her and his towel-clad wet body within inches added to her confusion.

“Why?”

She tried to move but Anderson held her against the door.

His eyes narrowed, “Why the photographer? Are you trying to create a media nightmare for me?”

Lucia shook her head. “I have no idea.”

“You set me up”. His hands tightened on her arms making her push against him in response. Her hands came into contact with his exposed chest and she realized her mistake. He was much too close and the heat emanating from him scorched her. She could feel an awareness growing within her and Anderson’s anger diminishing as his harshly set eyes collided with her confused expression.

Lucia recoiled, saying “Brian Gallagher texted me and asked me to come to this room to help with a media crisis.”

Anderson rubbed the back of his neck. “I can’t imagine that he would that.”

She held up her hands and shrugged. “I don’t know.”

After pacing for a moment, Anderson picked up his cell phone and dialed a number without taking his gaze off of her. “Brian. Did you text Lucia Montgomery?” He kept pacing. “She arrived at my hotel room with a photographer lurking in the background.”

Anderson was silent for a moment. “Yes, I answered the door in a towel.” There was a pause then Anderson exploded “I need you here now” and with displeasure ended the call.

His attention returned to her, “A negative media blitz could end my campaign before it gets off the ground.” 

Lucia found it difficult to think with Anderson barely covered by a towel. His body and muscles were perfectly sculpted, giving him the look of an elite athlete. But there was also a sophisticated elegance about him even while wearing just a towel.

“Maybe it was merely a coincidence that there was a photographer in that corridor”.

“Brian didn’t text you.”

Lucia crossed her arms. “Yes, he did. Why would I come to your hotel room?”

She took her cell phone out of her clutch, found the text and handed Anderson her phone.

A knock was heard and Anderson let Brian Gallagher into the suite. His campaign manager strode in and looked at both of them.

Brain said, “We are in trouble. You are wearing nothing and you are in last night’s attire.” Brian Gallagher was dressed in a suit but he didn’t look his usual pleased or approachable self. 

Anderson ran his hand through his hair. “I was getting out of the shower and heard a knock at the door. I assumed it was room service.”

As if on cue, a knock was heard. Brian responded, “I will answer that while you get dressed”.

Lucia had tightness in her chest. How they would get out of this mess? She thought back to the text she received and tried to dispel a feeling of guilt. Had she been gullible in accepting the message at face value and coming over here? Lucia reminded herself that she didn’t orchestrate this nightmare and shouldn’t feel responsible for being tricked.

When Brian came back into the room carrying a tray of coffee and breakfast food, he gave her a tentative smile and said soothingly “Why don’t you sit down and we will talk this out?”

Lucia nervously perched on the edge of the sofa. Her palms were sweaty as she tried to explain, “I received a text message from you that said there was some sort of crisis and asking me to come to this room.”

Brian asked her “Did you know this was Anderson’s room?”

“I wasn’t sure if it was your room but I thought there would be several staff members here.”

Lucia got up and walked across the room to the window and looked down at the harbor below. She thought about her grandfather. He had warned her to be careful about the media interest surrounding Anderson and after one night in Greenwich, she had walked into some type of debacle. Why did she attract problems? She had wanted to start fresh, away from all of the speculation of her failed engagement. And yet, she had walked into a new scandal.

Brian asked “Why are you dressed like that?”

“I spent the night in this hotel and didn’t bring a change of clothing.”

Brian interrupted, “With Anderson, you mean?”

She turned away from the window, saying “No. We went for a walk last night and had coffee then he walked me back to this hotel.”

Anderson walked back into the room, asking “Did you know that I stayed here last night?”

Lucia felt she was being examined under a microscope. Both men were looking at her. Her slim build had been transformed by the sexy dress into a feminine, alluring statement.

Brian waved his arms, and said “You don’t look like someone coming by for an interview. It looks like you spent the night with him and were leaving in the gown you wore last night.”

She glanced at Anderson. He was dressed in a suit with his tie hanging loose and his shirt unbuttoned at the top. He didn’t look relaxed or pleased. He had a thin veneer of politeness but from the way he held his body and the look in his eyes, she knew that he blamed her for the media capturing images of them.

Brian asked Anderson, “Why did you answer the door in a towel?”

Anderson raised his voice, “I expected room service not …” His eyes irreverently went over her body.

Lucia crossed her arms over her breasts and countered “I wasn’t expecting a naked man in a towel”.

“Then you shouldn’t make it a habit to go to a man’s hotel room uninvited.” Anderson said roughly.

She needed to keep calm and think through possible consequences. They were both single and adults. She wasn’t working for the campaign. Did it really matter that she was seen with him? This turn of events would mean that they wouldn’t extend an offer for her to work for the campaign. Would the media make a huge deal of this based on her family’s political background? Her head began to spin.

Brian said, “We need a strategy for the next several hours, attacking each other is not going to solve the problem. Lucia, can I see your phone?”

She pointed toward the cocktail table where Anderson had put it down.

Brian looked at the message and said, “This message came from my phone. I can’t understand how that would be possible.”

Anderson asked him, “Where were you at eight-thirty this morning?”

Brain’s voice faded slowly as he sat on the sofa, “I had a breakfast meeting with a few journalists who are covering the campaign. I allowed someone to use my phone.”

“I can’t believe that they know that much about my activities and whereabouts. We are going to have to change our tactics.”

Lucia had thought her grandfather was being paranoid. But after years in the spotlight, he understood the game. The press had been watching Anderson’s every move.

“I bet one of the aides told someone that you had brought Lucia down to Greenwich last night. The press had to have been tipped off.” 

Anderson poured himself coffee. Looking at her, he asked her “Did you talk with anyone from the press?”

Lucia returned Anderson’s soul searching stare and replied “No. Why would I?”

Brain removed his glassed, and interrupted “Because your actions tonight no matter how unintentional, could ruin Anderson’s chances of a successful run.”

“I can’t imagine speculation about a possible relationship could cause him to lose the election.” 

Anderson crossed his arms. He revealed in a steady voice, “A photograph of us outside my hotel room early in the morning will simply highlight larger cracks in the campaign.”

“Not if we steal their thunder,” Lucia quietly asserted. “We can appear tonight very much out in the open and madly in love.”

Anderson ran a hand through his hair. He remained silent for a few minutes.

Brian said “The best solution is to play along instead of trying to fight the incriminating photograph that is probably being emailed right now for tonight’s lead story.”

Lucia looked at both of them and said “Or we could issue a statement about what really happened. Insist that we were set-up by the tabloid. It is a riskier strategy but we have the truth on our side.”

“The truth is important. But in politics, appearances are everything and people believe what they see.” Anderson said. “My guess is that in the photograph, people will see a beautiful woman dressed provocatively and an eligible bachelor clearly interested. The issue becomes the Montgomery name and my reputation as careless with relationships.”

Brian said, “You could choose to walk away. But it would be perceived as a failure. Already millions of dollars have been raised, some of that spent already. I don’t know if another candidate would have enough time to put together a successful campaign.”

Lucia bit her lower lip, deep in thought. She knew the media would take full advantage but she also felt the truth should be told. It wasn’t only Anderson’s political aspirations; her grandfather’s reputation would be tarnished.

Anderson took a sip of coffee. “So Ms. Montgomery, are you in or out?”

Her glance locked with Anderson’s intense, watchful eyes. She tried to suppress the nervous tension tightly winding through her entire body. She said, “In.”

Anderson finished his tie in efficient movements and added polished silver cuff links before putting on his suit jacket.

Anderson told Brian, “Let your sources know that I am madly in love and will have an announcement to make tonight before the dinner.”

They continued talking while heading for the door.

Lucia thought about her family. Would they be upset with her decision? She could hear a brief exchange between Anderson and Brian at the door but couldn’t tell what was being discussed.

When Anderson walked back into the suite, Lucia studied him for a moment. He seemed at ease and he took another swallow of his coffee. There was so much they hadn’t discussed.

He picked up his wallet and cell phone off of a side table, saying “Shall we go?”

“Where?” Lucia said as she looked at him.

He said, “Don’t make the mistake of thinking that I’m pleased about any of this. I know you have an agenda. But for the moment, our goals happen to be the same.”

Lucia raised her palms toward him and said, “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.” 

He surprised her by asking “Can I trust you to not run from this?” Lucia wasn’t sure if he was talking about the impending scandal. 

Fighting the attraction between them, she took a step back and said “I’ll pretend to be in love with you to minimize the scandal if that’s what you mean.”

Anderson stepped closer, lightly touching the tops of her bare shoulders and he pulled her into an embrace. Lucia gazed up at him and watched him lower his mouth towards hers. “I expect you to see this through to the end.”

His whispered words broke the spell that held her immobile. “I don’t know if I will be able to convince the media.”