by Vivian Wood
“I know, Sosie.”
She shrugged and checked her watch before sighing.
“I have three early morning interviews first thing tomorrow,” she murmured.
“So go. I’ll be fine,” he replied, hoping he didn’t sound rude.
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” she warned again. “And don't stay out too late. You have a busy day tomorrow as well.”
“Alright. I’ll be back by midnight,” he responded, and she nodded, evidently satisfied with that arrangement.
Who are you? Cinderella? Dude, get a life! a voice in his head mocked as he watched Sosie walk away.
Politely, he excused himself from the chitchat of the group around him, heading to where Meredith was – his eyes planted on her, afraid she might disappear if he took his eyes off her. She was talking with someone but when he approached them, the other woman politely excused herself and left the two of them alone.
He studied how lovely she looked with the way the gown accentuated her curvy body. She met his gaze when he edged closer to her. In her eyes was a glint of… he wasn’t so sure. Surprise? Interest? Hunger?
But he thought he must have been imagining things.
“I see you made yourself comfortable,” he commented.
“Yeah, well. I’m not sure why I’m here, so…” Meredith replied, shrugging.
Eli smirked.
“Dance with me,” he said. It sounded like more of an order and less than an invitation. But as long as she agreed, he didn't really care how it came off.
Meredith cast a furtive glance around, looking to see if anyone had heard him. Her eyes were wide, and he found the expression on her face absolutely adorable.
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” she said hesitantly.
“I'm willing to take that chance,” he whispered after taking her glass and setting it on a nearby table. “Come on,” he urged, leading her to the dance floor, pulling her into his arms.
Eli felt her body tense as he slid his hands a few inches down her spine.
He was playing with fire, that was for sure.
He was undeniably attracted to her.
Leading the dance, he got a whiff of her perfume. It smelled like mild vanilla with the hint of something spicier underneath.
How appropriate, he thought.
Meredith's movements were stiff, and she avoided his gaze as they danced. Maybe some small talk would help her relax.
“So, how are you liking the job so far? Is it everything you hoped it would be?”
Eli felt her hands tense on his shoulders as she glanced at him, shaking her head.
“Nope. And I didn’t have my choice of assignments,” she stated flatly.
“You do know that this is a very sought after assignment, right?” he asked, cocking an eyebrow at her.
“What? Being on a bus all day with a bunch of people I don’t know? I could do that anywhere,” she retorted with a frown.
“You’re with the best of the best. I bet if you ask around, you’ll find out that your rivals are quite well prepared for the task. I imagine some of them even fought to get the position. And yet, you seem to feel like your time could be better spent elsewhere.”
Meredith smiled impishly, melting his insides. He could feel his stomach twisting as his heart pounded against his ribcage. How did she fucking do that?
“It’s not that, exactly. It’s just… you know, my best friend is partying in Bali, going to huge ragers on yachts. And I’m… here,” she explained with a shrug.
“Did you even study journalism in school?” he questioned sarcastically, earning himself an offended look.
“I’ll have you know that I graduated at the top of my class. I just thought… I thought my concentration would be elsewhere.”
“Like going to parties on yachts?” he said teasingly.
He grinned. It was gone in an instant, but he noticed her looking at his mouth.
“I thought I’d concentrate on fashion, maybe. Or music…”
“Ah, I see. So the presidential race just isn’t exciting enough for you,” he noted.
She looked at him with a serious expression, meeting his eyes with her deep blues.
“Why are you so interested in me?” she questioned.
Eli chuckled in amusement. “It’s not every day that I run into the sexy stranger who gave me the lap dance of my life. You’re the only woman who’s been able to capture my attention for more than a fleeting instant. Why shouldn't I be interested?” he spoke huskily, maintaining eye contact. “Because you have a campaign to run?” she replied contemptuously.
He laughed softly.
“No, Sosie has a campaign to run. I just show up where she tells me to,” he mumbled, half to himself.
Meredith smirked at him like he had misspoke.
“Well, then I guess you shouldn't be interested in me because I'm twenty-three, and you're... what, thirty-six? Thirty-seven?” she said.
Eli winced upon the mention of their considerable age difference.
“Thirty-five,” he supplied. “My birthday is in January.”
Meredith sighed heavily. “If anyone sees you making a move on me, it’ll create trouble. And trouble is something that a presidential candidate does not need.”
“Touché,” he replied.
She stopped dancing and pulled away from his grasp, looking at him with a blank expression on her face. He didn't know how to react.
“So let me go,” she stated firmly in a low and very stern voice.
“Just give me until the end of this song,” he found himself begging.
But instead of saying anything, Meredith shot him a meaningful look and broke free from his hold. She walked away gracefully, and there was nothing he could do as she left.
Damn. He needed to get a hold of himself.
Chapter Twelve
After two weeks on the road, Meredith found herself back in D.C. She'd planned on spending her limited downtime relaxing, but instead she was roped into making an appearance at a party her parents had thrown. Her mother's friends had been asking her about marriage, and that was the last thing she wanted to think about.
Well, maybe the second to last thing she wanted to think about. Elijah Scott was actually the last thing she wanted to think about, as much as it pained her to admit that. She tried not to scowl when Mason, a guy she'd known in high school, approached her with a wide grin on his face.
He kissed her hand, and she resisted the urge to wipe it off on her dress.
“Lovely seeing you again, Mer,” he said.
Mason was gorgeous. With an Italian father and Russian mother, his good looks had ensured he'd never wanted for a date their entire time together in high school. He cleaned up nicely, too, she thought, looking at how he filled out his designer tux.
“Hi, Mason. It’s good to see you, too,” she replied coolly.
She didn't have anything against Mason per se. She just hated the idea of their parents conspiring to marry them off. She was well aware people had always assumed they'd end up together someday. Which was ridiculous, because they'd never gone on a date together, not even once.
Like her, Mason McGuire was practically American royalty. He was the heir to MG Holdings, the largest electric company in the country. His family's wealth rivaled that of hers. But she didn't care about any of that.
Mason McGuire held about as much attraction for her as a damp sponge. There was just something about his personality she'd always found off-putting.
“Would you care for a dance?” he asked.
She wanted to roll her eyes as she stared at his outstretched arm. As if she could possibly turn him down when he knew damn well both sets of their parents were watching them like hawks.
“Sure,” she said, plastering a huge fake smile on her face before setting her champagne flute down.
When they got to the dance floor, Mason pulled her close with his hands wrapped around her waist. She felt really awkward in his arms.
<
br /> “Our parents are practically planning our wedding,” he whispered in her ear.
Meredith tensed. She didn’t know how to respond without sounding rude and conceited. She knew Mason had his pick of women. But she wasn't sure if he liked the idea of marrying for business and not love.She fervently hoped he was against it.
“I know,” she responded simply.
“So, what do you think about it?” he asked, his grasp on her waist tightening.
“What do you think about it?” she asked, staring into his chocolate brown eyes that seemed to be always smiling. Eyes that didn't do a damn thing for her. Not like a certain someone's grey eyes...
“I asked you first.”
She shrugged.
“I don’t know. I haven’t given it a lot of thought. You know… I still have a lot of things I want to do,” she murmured hopefully.
Mason smiled.
“Like?” he urged.
“Like enjoying the single life?” she asked sarcastically, earning herself a soft chuckle.
“Your reason should be more compelling than that. You know, to make it sound more convincing,” he teased with a smirk, exposing his deep dimples. “You like someone else, don’t you?”
She tensed. Did she?
As much as she wanted to deny it, she knew she was doomed.
Yes, she liked Elijah Scott. Like, a lot.
Like, a lot a lot.
But being together with him would be impossible.
“Yes,” she admitted, feeling a lump in her throat.
His smirk turned into a wide grin.
“I see.”
After that, Mason thankfully remained silent. He led her back to the table where she'd left her champagne and kissed her hand once more before saying goodbye. Looking in his eyes, she thought she saw a glint of regret. But she was probably just imagining things.
Mason had never expressed any serious interest in her in all the years she'd known him.
The moment Meredith settled back into her seat, she soon felt a nudge on her side. It was her little sister, Bonnie.
If Meredith was her mother’s carbon copy, Bonnie took after their father. Her hair was dark, as were her eyes.
“What did you talk about?” Bonnie asked.
She shrugged. “Nothing.”
“Don’t lie to me, Mer. I saw you two,” her younger sister replied, rolling her eyes. “Now, come on. Spill the beans.”
Grabbing a crystal goblet filled with water on her right, she took a few sips to alleviate the sudden dryness of her throat. She was still surprised by how the conversation with Mason had gone.
“We talked about marriage,” she said dryly, looking across the room. It looked like their parents were having a cozy chat with the McGuires.
“What?!” Bonnie shrieked. “Are you saying that Mason McGuire is going to be my brother-in-law?” Meredith fought back the urge to chuckle when she saw the distressed look on Bonnie's face.
Bonnie had liked Mason for years. Meredith had assumed it was nothing more than a crush that Bonnie would eventually grow out of, but now she wasn't so sure judging by the bitter glare her sister was giving her. Bonnie was nineteen, so there was only a four year difference between her and Mason.
Her eyes widened when an idea crossed her mind.
“Why don’t you marry him?” she suggested.
“If only,” Bonnie huffed, lightly stomping her feet under the table.
A moment of silence passed, but when their eyes met they giggled playfully. They watched as their parents approached their table.
“Tell them,” her sister whispered, nudging her.
“You’re still nineteen, Bonnie. Let’s wait until you turn twenty-one, okay?” She added, “Don't you want to be able to drink and celebrate the toasts at your own wedding?”
“Whatever.,” the latter said stubbornly with a smile.
“Enjoying the night so far, girls?” Benedict Fields asked.
Meredith and Bonnie nodded their heads in response. Their mom eyed them suspiciously, but chose not to say a word.
Her parents turned away momentarily to greet more guests, but soon came back over to their table.
“May I please be excused? I haven't gotten much sleep lately while I've been on the road with the campaign,” Meredith said.
“Me too,” Bonnie stated.
“Bonnie, you too?” her father said with a slight frown.
“Please,” they chorused.
Their mom smiled.
“Just let them be, Benedict. They won’t be seeing each other often for the next few months,” Elizabeth pointed out, then smiled and nodded at the guests that passed by their table.
“Alright, alright.”
It didn't take long for Meredith and Bonnie to get ready for bed. Bonnie joined her in her room, something she'd done since she was a little girl and they'd held sleepover parties with just the two of them. They giggled and gossiped as they got caught up on what had been happening in each other's lives.
Bonnie soon passed out on Meredith's bed, and as she draped a soft cashmere throw over her slumbering sister, she realized that for the first time, she was truly glad she'd decided to accept her dad's offer for the summer. She really loved her little sister, and she was grateful to spend some time with her, brief as it was. Careful not to wake Bonnie up as she climbed into bed next to her, she soon fell into a dark, dreamless sleep.
Chapter Thirteen
Eli held a pool party at his place the day before he was scheduled to get back on the road for the campaign. All of his staff was invited, including his traveling press pool... and Meredith.
It was a decidedly casual affair. He wanted a chance to unwind and relax, and he hoped his guests would share this sentiment.
Looking at the crowd gathered by the pool, Eli searched for the one person he wanted to see. But it looked like Meredith hadn't yet arrived. If she was even coming to his party.
“Looking for someone?” Sosie asked.
She looked stunning in a yellow sundress. Eli had to admit she was gorgeous. And he was aware she had a thing for him.
He suspected it was her romantic feelings for him that had prompted her to volunteer to run his campaign.
And Eli was sincerely thankful for that.
But he didn't think he'd ever be able to return her feelings, as much as he wished he could sometimes. Then maybe things wouldn't seem so complicated.
“Nope,” he said, walking away before she could respond. He headed across the patio to where a large folding table had been set up to hold various party snacks and finger foods.
He poured himself a drink and stood next to the table, sipping at his whisky and tapping his foot impatiently against the ground. The party had started over thirty minutes ago, and Meredith still hadn't arrived.
Where the hell is she?
Eli didn't know why he was so eager to see Meredith. He'd just seen her two days ago when they'd returned to D.C. for the weekend. Those days had felt like months though.
He missed her.
“Pining for some jailbait is not a good look,” he heard Sosie practically snarl at his side.
Yes, he knew that Sosie was only looking out for him – and his political career. But there were times when he wanted to snap at her and tell her to mind her own business. Times like right now, for instance.
“I'm not pining for anyone,” he replied, smiling at Ava as she walked past them.
“I’m just reminding you to be careful,” Sosie murmured, tugging firmly at his sleeve.
“I already know that, Sosie. I’ll be fine. Now go have fun,” he said, shooing her away to avoid prolonging the conversation.
“Alright. Alright,” she grumbled, walking away from him, joining the group of women sitting by the pool who were soaking their feet in the water.
A few moments later, Eli headed inside. He didn't want to ruin the party for everyone else just because he was in a bad mood. He heard one of his favorite songs come on as he was washi
ng his hands.
At least there's one thing I can enjoy about this stupid party, he thought, singing along with the song at the top of his lungs while he looked at his reflection in the mirror. That seemed to do the trick.
Feeling a little better, he went back to the pool to accommodate his guests. He needed to be a good host instead of feeling sorry for himself.
Looking around, he saw Meredith chatting with Ava and some other people. She looked stunning in a dark denim dress and flats. Her hair was arranged into a messy bun with wispy strands surrounding her face, and she had worn minimal makeup. He found the whole look incredibly attractive.
Hanging back so she wouldn't see him, he continued to study her. He was captivated by all her mannerisms and quirks.
He watched as she licked at her luscious lips, and though it wasn't a sexual gesture, his thoughts quickly turned sexual in nature. He imagined how it would feel to fuck her in the pool, the water warm and only adding to their mutual pleasure.
“Eli!” he heard a familiar voice say behind him, jolting him out of his fantasy, back to reality. Familiar, but completely unexpected.
He turned to greet his younger brother, Ryan Scott.
“Ryan? What are you doing here?” he asked, embracing his brother in a tight hug. Now this was a pleasant surprise, but also a much-needed distraction.
Eli hadn't expected to see his brother at all this year. A decorated officer on active duty, Ryan Scott was rarely home for more than few days at a time. They'd barely seen each other since Eli had gone into politics, and his brother had joined the military.
“I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you,” his brother said with a wink as they shared a laugh. The joke never got old, and Eli knew there was probably a hint of truth to the statement.
“I'm gonna grab a drink,” Ryan said. “Be right back.”
Eli watched as his younger brother approached the table to get a drink. And he found himself holding his breath when Meredith accidentally bumped into him. She looked quite taken aback when she looked at Ryan.
Not that he was particularly surprised by her reaction.
Ryan looked like a younger version of him. They had the same frame, but Ryan was a few inches shorter than Eli. When they were kids, they were often mistaken for twins.