“Open for me, Lucy,” he said, and I did as he asked. “So pretty.”

Before I could tell him what I thought of him, he was inside me, thrusting. No warning, no foreplay—just us.

“I’ve missed you,” he said as he trailed kisses over my body.

Little nips and licks tortured me, which made me urge him to move faster. When I felt his tongue on the base of my neck move upward, my entire body shuddered. He covered my mouth with his and swallowed my moans.

My hands roamed his back and when I got to his tight ass, I gave it a squeeze. His entire body stiffened and his tempo picked up. The thrusts quickened until he arched his neck and groaned just as I reached my pinnacle. A myriad of colors flashed behind my eyelids as I slid into euphoria.

“Lucy!” He stilled and then rocked slowly until he came down from his orgasm. “Fuck. Making love to you is the best.” He kissed each of my cheeks. “I must be the luckiest man alive.”

My heart soared. Making love.

“I feel pretty lucky too.”

We tumbled to our sides, still connected, and stared into each other’s eyes. I could truly fall in love with Drake, and although it was too soon and I wasn’t there yet, I felt so safe when we were together.

“I’ll be right back,” he said. “Don’t move.”

My body missed him the instant he pulled out of me. I watched him walk in all his naked glory to my bathroom, which looked just as good going as it did when he came back.

“You could really be a model,” I said. “It’s a shame you cover up your goods in a suit every day.”

I shifted on my pillow, and he brought his arm under my head when he slid in next to me. Once we were facing each other again, his eyebrows rose.

“My goods?”

“Um-hmm. If you weren’t already the popular candidate, I’d suggest half-naked campaign posters.” I smiled. “You know. To get the female vote.”

His expression changed as he linked our hands together. He brought them to his lips and tenderly kissed my knuckles.

“What’s wrong, Drake? I was just kidding. I’m sure the women would vote for you no matter what you looked like.”

Surely he didn’t think I was only with him because of his looks. This man was the entire package—handsome, smart, funny, and kind.

“No, I know you were joking. It’s just something Ben said.” A chill ran down my spine, making me tense. Apparently sensing it, he said, “I’m sorry. I know you don’t like him.”

“What did he say?”

“He told me I’m slipping in the polls, and my head isn’t in the game.” His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard.

“Does Ben think it’s because of me?”

Pressure built behind my eyes. The thought of my being responsible for Drake losing his Senate seat made my stomach churn.

When Drake didn’t answer immediately, merely averted his gaze, I had my answer. “Never mind. I get it.”

That was it. I needed to let him go until after Election Day. It wasn’t impossible; after all, it was only six months. It would be the longest six months of my life, but for him I’d do it.

“Maybe we shouldn’t see each other until—”

“No,” Drake said, his voice sterner than I’d ever heard it. “Ben doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Truth be told, I think he’s a bit more concerned about himself right now.” Pulling me closer, he said in a softer tone, “I want you by my side when I announce I’ll be running as the incumbent, and I want you with me after I win.”

My heart soared at his words. “I’d love nothing more.”

“Good. I don’t want to talk about work anymore. I just want to hold you.”

Intensely happy, I curled up as close to Drake as I possibly could and fell asleep in his arms.

• • •

When I walked into school the following Monday, my thoughts were preoccupied by a hot, sexy senator. Sadly, I wasn’t thinking about the intimate times we spent together, but rather what he had told me about the latest poll numbers. Granted, he’d told me not to worry about it, but how could I not? As far as I knew, he would be the frontrunner no matter who the Democrats chose to represent them. I knew there was another Republican who wanted to be in the running, but Drake would most likely be running in the primary unopposed.

Mason popped his head in as I was writing the day’s homework assignment on the whiteboard for my next class.

“Hey, Luce.”

“Hey, yourself.” After I set the marker down, I sat at my desk. We had about fifteen more minutes until our free period was over.

“I’m sorry I’ve been MIA lately, but I had some things to take care of with the NCAA and a couple of my players.” He sat on my desk. “How are things?”

“They’re good.” I smiled, but it felt forced.

“Okay, what’s up? Is it Drake?” He bit into an apple he’d pulled from his backpack. “Do you want a bite?” He extended the apple to me.

“No, thanks.” I laughed. “Things are good; really good, in fact. It’s just something he said to me that has me on edge, and my mind is racing.”

“What did he say?” He took another bite, and my stomach growled. “You sure you don’t want any?”

“Yes, I’m fine.” Biting my bottom lip, I said, “He’s slipping in the polls.”

Mason furrowed his brow. “Isn’t it a bit early for that?”

“Apparently not.” My shoulders slumped. “It’s because of me.”

“Okay, now you’re being paranoid.”

I began to explain what Ben had told Drake, but we were interrupted by the bell. We agreed to talk about it later.

After my class, I went to the office to confirm I had a vacation day available so I could go to the Outer Banks with Drake for Memorial Day weekend. Thankfully, I did, and I arranged for a sub to cover my classes on that Friday.

• • •

On my drive home that afternoon, I called Drake to tell him I had the time off, but my call went to voice mail, so I just left a message. This was the first day in a long time I hadn’t received a text message or a phone call from him during the day. It made me a little nervous, but I was sure he was busy. He was a US senator, for God’s sake.

When my phone rang a few minutes later, I snagged it from the passenger seat to answer it, but it wasn’t Drake.

“Hey, Mace.”

“Hi. I’m stopping at Five Guys. Want to have dinner with me? I’ll bring it over.”

“Who can pass up a greasy burger and fries? Yes. I’ll see you soon.”

When I got home, I threw on my favorite yoga pants and a hoodie, and pulled my hair into a high ponytail. Mason had a key, so when I walked into my kitchen, he was there setting our food on the table.

He glanced up at me and smirked. “You’re the only woman I know who looks great without makeup.”

Once we finished eating, Mason told me he had an early day the next day, so he took off.

With no papers or tests to grade that night, I curled up on the sofa with a romance novel. I was so engrossed, I lost track of time. When I glanced at my phone later, I was surprised to find it after eleven. Also surprising was there were no calls or texts. Not wanting to be too clingy, I decided not to call Drake and went to bed instead.

Just as I was about to set up my phone to recharge, it buzzed.

D

RAKE

: Hi. I’m so sorry I haven’t called you. We’ve been in strategy meetings all day.

L

UCY

: Oh. Glad you’re okay.

D

RAKE

: I am. How are you?

L

UCY

: Better now that I know you’re all right.

D

RAKE

: I got your voice mail. I can’t wait to get away with you.

L

UCY

: I’m looking forward to it.

The truth was, I was dreading it. Not spending time with him, of course, but I’d decided it would be a good time to tell him how and why I ended up in Virginia. My stomach rolled at the thought of it, but he needed to know and I needed to tell him.