The Senator's Secret Read online

  Becky poked her head around her door. “My, my, look at you, Mr. Cat Who Got the Cream. Someone’s had a good few days away from the office.” Her grin was positively evil. “I’ll be out in a second with your coffee.”

  Sam took off his coat, hung it up, and sat behind his desk. That last encounter with Gary had left him with a warm glow, one he was determined to hold on to for as long as possible.

  Curtis entered the office, his forehead furrowed. “We need to talk.”

  Sam raised his eyebrows. “And good morning to you too.”

  Curtis flopped down into the chair facing Sam’s desk and leaned back. “Good morning. And now that we’ve gotten the social niceties out of the way, where’s your partner in crime?”

  “Excuse me?”

  Curtis stared. “You know, the guy who lets air out of people’s tires? I swear, I have never heard Josh so pissed. Whose idea was that, by the way?”

  “His.” Sam grinned. “Mine was ditching Steven and making a run for it.”

  Curtis nodded. “Amazing. You got engaged to Gary on Tuesday and by Friday he’d managed to regress you into a schoolboy.” When Sam stared at him in amazement, Curtis snorted. “Oh, come on. You weren’t that childish even in high school. I’m beginning to think he’s a bad influence on you.”

  “You’d have an argument from my mom on that one.”

  Curtis’s eyes widened. “Oh my God. The world is about to end. Moira likes him.”

  “Oh yes. She thinks he’s taken years off me.”

  At that moment Becky came in with two mugs of coffee. She deposited them on the desk and quickly retreated into her office, closing the door behind her.

  Sam frowned. “What’s up with her?” Usually Becky would stay and chat with them.

  “Your loyal secretary obviously follows social media, unlike you.”

  Sam had been clinging to his good mood by his fingertips, but the edge crumbled away with that last comment. “Okay, you have my attention. What’s going on?”

  Curtis scrolled through on his phone. “It’s not all bad news.”

  “Oh, great,” Sam groaned. “There’s bad news?”

  Curtis merely peered at him intently. “I’ll go on, shall I? The photos on various social media platforms were paying off. Saturday evening we did a quick online poll, and your popularity among the younger voters was significantly improved. The Twitter and Instagram initiatives in particular had gained a very favorable reaction.”

  “I’m sensing a ‘but’ on the horizon.”

  Curtis nodded. “That made its appearance last night. Hartsell put out a statement, and all our good work was virtually wiped out.”

  Sam’s heart sank. “That must have been one hell of a statement. Why am I only hearing about this now?”

  “Because we didn’t want to disturb you, that’s why!” Curtis got up from his chair and paced a little. “Those selfies you guys took in the Blue Ridge Parkway?” He let out a sigh. “I haven’t seen you look that relaxed in a long time. Can you blame me for not wanting to burst your bubble?” He handed Sam the phone. “Especially when they were exactly what Hartsell was using against you.”

  Sam stared at the screen. Just the length of the post had his chest tightening.

  This is not going to be good.

  The post was headed with a banner showing the pastor sitting at a desk, looking pensive.

  I’m taking a moment from a busy schedule to share with you some of the activities and events that I’ve been proud to participate in this last week. As many of you will know, I take an active interest in what goes on in my native state. I’ve been blessed to meet with so many constituents, to hear their views and take on board their suggestions for where they feel attention should be paid.

  So what have I been doing this last week?

  I attended a forum on climate change and a rally on the importance of family values in modern-day America. I visited a couple of our high schools to talk with students about their futures. I met with business leaders and representatives from the various industries that flourish here in North Carolina, such as aviation, green and sustainable energy, and pharmaceuticals.

  Now that I write it all down, I see just how busy I was.

  And in the meantime, what did Senator Samuel Dalton do with his week? Let’s take a look, shall we?

  He bathed a dog. Cleaned out kitty boxes. Walked a dog.

  He went for a hike in the Blue Ridge Parkway.

  He did some shopping in the Biltmore Village.

  He visited the Biltmore Estate, apparently with a view to using it as a possible wedding venue.

  Oh, and he and his fiancé were the subject of countless photos. It seemed every time I opened a magazine or scrolled through social media, there he was.

  Now, I understand the necessity of promotion. It’s a beast all public figures must harness and employ as best we can. But this was excessive, to say the least, and I know from talking to the countless people I met during my week that I’m not the only one who thinks this way. We grew heartily tired of seeing these contrived images everywhere we looked.

  But surely, with an election coming up, there were things that should have taken precedence over dog-bathing and window-shopping? I don’t know about you good people out there, but I for one am thinking that these activities, while clearly pleasurable, did little to serve the constituents of North Carolina.

  Sam slowly raised his head to stare at Curtis. “Damn, he’s a clever son of a bitch, isn’t he?” He handed over the phone. “Whatever I do, he’s the one who comes up smelling of roses. It doesn’t matter what engagements I have this week—they’ll simply be seen as me reacting to this post. Everything he said I did is true—there are the photos to back it up. He doesn’t make it a personal attack; he sticks to the facts. Although I do wonder what number constitutes ‘countless’ people. He was a little too vague on that point.”

  “Yeah, I noticed.” Curtis huffed. “And you’re right. There’s no way to come back on any of this.”

  “It may also be an indication that we’ve reached saturation point with the photos. I sure didn’t miss that ‘contrived’ barb, and I’m guessing you didn’t either. Better make sure Josh is aware of this.”

  “Oh, he’s aware, all right. Steven was due to take more photos this week, but I think Josh has canceled it.” Curtis scrolled through once more. “I’d only scheduled a couple of events, but in the light of this, do you want me to schedule more?”

  Sam shook his head. “That’ll make matters worse. We don’t want to play into his hands any more than we already have done.”

  The outer door was flung open, and Gary burst in, his face flushed. “Have you seen what that ba—”

  “Yes, yes,” Sam assured him quickly. “Now shut the door and take a seat.”

  Gary did as instructed. “I take it Josh has already come up with a rebuttal?”

  There was an uneasy silence.

  Gary looked from Sam to Curtis and back to Sam again. “Guys? You can’t mean you’re just going to do nothing?” His face darkened. “You can’t let him get away with this!”

  “Gary, there isn’t a lot we can—”

  Gary glared at Curtis. “Sure there is. There has to be.”

  Curtis set his jaw. “Look, I know you feel involved, but you’re—”

  “You’re damn right I feel involved.” Gary’s eyes flashed and he turned to Sam. “Hartsell’s always going on about family, right? Well, once we’re married, we will be family. It’ll be a damn sight more family than I’ve got right now, that’s for sure. And that’s what last week was: spending time with your family, Senator.” He lunged to his feet. “So you’d better come up with something to throw back at him, because silence just plays right into his hands. And while you’re at it? You might want to do some investigating, because I already have. This ‘forum’ he attended on climate change? It was organized by the Kellem Foundation.”

  Sam stared at him, Curtis did too, and Gary nodded.
“Yeah, that was my reaction. Seems like the good pastor is being a little economical with the truth, wouldn’t you say? That might be something you feel should be shared with these ‘countless people’ he was talking about.” He patted his pockets. “Why is it when I really need a cigarette, I don’t have them on me?”

  “I thought we were quitting,” Sam said with a half smile. Seeing Gary so passionate, so… vital, had stirred something inside him.

  He’s ready to fight for me.

  The least Sam could do would be to do the same.

  “So I’ll quit tomorrow,” Gary said, his eyes glinting. “I need one.”

  Sam nodded and stood. “So do I.” He glanced at Curtis. “We’re going to go outside for one cigarette, and when we come back, the three of us—four, if we can get Josh in here—are going to put our heads together and come up with something. Because Gary’s right. Doing nothing isn’t an option.”

  Gary stared at him, a slow smile creeping over his face.

  Curtis met his gaze, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. Then he nodded. “Fine. Go fill up your lungs with foul-smelling smoke. When you’ve both sucked on a breath mint, then we’ll talk.”

  Sam chuckled. “See, now I see why you don’t make the speeches. We won’t be long.” He guided Gary out of the office, down the stairs, through the kitchen, and out into the cool early February morning.

  Gary leaned on the porch wall and sucked in a few deep breaths of fresh air. “I’m sorry for barging in like that, but when someone showed me what he’d been saying, I saw red.”

  “So if I were to say that seeing you support me like that was incredibly sweet, touching, stirring….?”

  Gary moved closer, until Sam could feel the warmth of his body through his shirt. “You listened to me,” he said quietly.

  “Of course I listened to you. Why wouldn’t I?” Anything else he’d been about to say was lost when Gary placed a finger against Sam’s lips.

  “Sam? Stop talking? I want to kiss you.”

  Then Sam stopped breathing when Gary’s lips met his, soft as a whisper, warm and inviting. Gary cupped Sam’s head, his body pressed up against Sam’s, firm and sexy as hell.

  When they parted, Sam felt drunk. “I know I have nothing to compare you with, but….” He could hear the tremor in his own voice. “I love the way you kiss.”

  Gary smiled. “I love the way you kiss back.” He pulled away. “Now, wasn’t that better than a cigarette?”

  Sam was having a hard time keeping up. That kiss must have addled my brains. Then it dawned on him. “You didn’t come down here for a smoke, did you?”

  Gary’s smile was wicked. “I figured you’d come with me.”

  “Are you saying I’m predictable?” Sam speared him with a glance. “Just remember—I know where you’re sleeping tonight.”

  Oh hell.

  Gary’s lips parted. His eyes shone. His tongue darted out to lick his lips. His skin flushed above the collar of his shirt. Slowly he nodded. “In the room next to yours,” he said quietly.

  Sam coughed. “Maybe we should get back to work.” Anything rather than confront the way Gary had just made him feel.

  Not ready for this.

  “WELL?” Sam demanded. Beside him, Gary was focused on Curtis too.

  Curtis looked up from Sam’s monitor and smiled. “I like it. How about we try it out on a volunteer?” Before Sam could react, Curtis raised his voice. “Becky? Get in here.”

  “What now?” She bustled into the office. “You’ve been through two pots of coffee already.”

  Sam pointed to an empty chair. “Sit.”

  Becky complied, her eyebrows lifted so high they almost disappeared into her hairline. “I am not Dinky,” she said huffily.

  “No, you’re not,” Sam agreed. He caught Gary’s eye and winked. “At least Dinky could be trained.”

  He could have sworn he heard Becky growl.

  Josh cleared his throat. “We want to read something to you before we publish it. Get your reaction, okay?”

  She nodded. “Go for it.”

  Josh gave a cough and began to read. Sam felt Gary’s hand curl around his.

  Pastor Hartsell has been campaigning about family values and how they’re the bedrock of civilization. He has a good point, and it’s one of the things on which we are in agreement. During the past five days, however, I tried to spend time with my family, but according to the pastor, this was wrong. In the six years that I have represented the citizens of this state, I have always given my all, but at the same time, I will always make time for my family—including the man I’m going to marry. Because if we don’t find the time to do that, what are we really working for?

  My parents are the reason that I’m able to represent you in the General Assembly. My father works at the store my great-grandfather opened, while I’m fighting for your families.

  I’m sorry to have to break this to you good people, but I’m only human. I can provide you with my calendar for the last six years. You’ll see where I’ve been, what I’ve been doing—and how long it’s been since I’ve taken some time away from being your representative. And that’s what I was doing these past few days: taking time away from my work to spend it with my family. I’m sharing this in the hope that you’ll understand my desire to have it all: a job I love, and a family I love just as much. Like I said, I’m only human.

  We all agree that climate change is one of the biggest threats to the stability of our planet. For years now, countries have been striving to bring down their CO2 emissions in a bid to halt this change. Pastor Hartsell says that he was attending a forum on climate change, and that’s true: he was. He was the keynote speaker for the Kellem Foundation, the very same people who deny climate change is real. I’d be the first to admit I don’t have all the answers on this one, but I have to trust our scientists when they say we’re impacting the future of your children and, maybe one day, ours.

  Take a moment today to reach out to those you love, those you consider family. They are what matters, after all.

  Josh fell silent. The four men turned to gauge Becky’s reaction.

  To Sam’s surprise she wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her blouse. “Don’t you change one word of that,” she said roughly. “And if you’ll excuse me? I want to call my kids.” She disappeared back into her office.

  Sam met Josh’s gaze. “Run it,” he said simply.

  Josh grinned. “With pleasure, boss.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Monday night

  “I LOVED what you said in that post, you know,” Gary said quietly, his gaze focused on the flickering flames. He was curled up on the couch, a glass of red wine in his hand and Sam beside him.

  Perfect.

  Sam inclined his head to regard him. “You helped write it, remember? And it was your comments about family that gave me the idea.” He sipped his wine. “I guess we’ll have to wait and see if it had an impact. We might get an indication of that tomorrow.”

  Gary wracked his brains, but nothing was forthcoming. “Okay, pretend like I’ve forgotten. What’s tomorrow?”

  “I’m at Duke University tomorrow afternoon for a Q&A session, and there’s a mixer afterward. You could come with me. I’m sure that would go down well with the students attending the session.” He smiled. “What am I saying? You are coming with me. Josh’s instructions.”

  For one brief moment, the words were right on the tip of Gary’s tongue. How about me being there because you want me there? “I have classes in the morning,” he said when he found his voice.

  Sam stretched out a hand and squeezed his knee. “Forget what Josh said; I’d really like it if you could come along.” He uttered the words softly, the firelight catching in his dark eyes.

  Like Gary could resist that.

  “Sure, I’ll come.”

  Sam’s face glowed, and Gary wasn’t entirely sure it was because of the fire. “Thank you. We can meet at the office and you can travel there with me and
Josh.” He took another drink of wine. “This is really nice.”

  “It is,” Gary agreed. Dinner had been simple but delicious, and sitting on the couch, letting the evening slowly tick by, was heavenly. He knew he’d need to sleep soon, but having Sam all to himself was too good an opportunity to pass up, especially when there was something on his mind.

  No time like the present.

  “I have a confession,” he began, shifting his position until he was sitting at a right angle to Sam, his bare feet propped up on Sam’s thigh.

  “Should I be worried?” Sam said with the hint of a smile.

  “It’s about Sunday.” Gary took a sip of wine and plunged forward. “I… I heard what your mom said to you in the kitchen.”

  Sam stared. “Oh?” He leaned forward and put his glass on the floor next to the couch. “All of it or a particular part?”

  “The bit about not believing we’d been together a year. I agree with her. We need to work on our act.” Only that’s not how it feels, is it?

  “Our act?” The questioning tone in Sam’s voice caught Gary off guard. “Ah, I see.”

  Gary took hold of his courage with both hands. “No, I don’t think you do.” He put his own glass down and moved closer to Sam. “Just for the record?” He looked Sam in the eye. “I like you. I like you a lot.” In fact, I could really like you a whole lot more.

  “I like you too.”

  “But your mom’s not that far off base. We knew saying we’d been together a year would be pushing it. Sure, we’ve had to sidestep a couple of questions, but we did it. Your mom is right, though. We work well together. But I think we could improve even on that.”

  Sam was silent, his gaze fixed on Gary, his breathing just that little bit quicker.

  I’m going to have to make the first move here, aren’t I?

  “Care to try a little experiment?” Gary asked.

  “Okay.” The cautious tone wasn’t lost on Gary, but Sam’s staccato breaths set his own heart racing.