by Kylie Jack
I nodded.
There was a knock at the door, and Dave called, “Come in!” Will walked into the office with his hand extended holding his Amex black card.
“You need to get something to wear for the fundraiser. Go buy yourself a dress and a pair of shoes, and whatever else you need. Make a stop at Tiffany's, get yourself something nice to go with it.” Will explained.
I stared at him slightly shocked, “Ok, that's very generous of you. Thank you.” I said as he placed the card in my hand.
“So, how did it go with Bianca, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“Not well,” Will replied, “I don't know exactly what she's going to do at this point, but for right now I think she’ll keep it close to the cuff. She doesn’t think the break-up will stick, so she’ll keep quiet for the time being. But when she realizes I have no intention of getting back together with her, who knows what she will do. She can be pretty vindictive.” Will shook his head and sighed, “I should have never gotten involved with her in the first place. She's done nothing but ruin the future that I had planned for myself. Hopefully, I can climb out of the hole she threw me into.”
Will looked at me with determination, “Let's make tonight spectacular.” He winked again, and I took that as my cue to go get myself ready for the fundraiser, and left Dave’s office.
I overheard Will instructing Dave to inform the news media about the split and the reasoning behind it. Apparently, the story we were feeding to the media was that Bianca’s family values didn’t align with his own. He was set on having a family in the future, and Bianca had decided that wasn't what she wanted for herself. So they thought it was best to split before getting married if they disagreed with what expectations that marriage would entail.
I had no idea that he had wanted a family, but considering his platform was family-values oriented, it made sense. I could see him being the type that would want to have a family. If, at least, only for the good of his campaign, and political career. I slipped back to my desk and put on my coat and left the building.
Walking out into the sunshine was refreshing and made me feel just a bit lighter with everything that had happened today. It was also reassuring that Will had been so generous, and had given me the gift of plastic to ensure I was confident about being beautiful for him tonight. I had to admit, I felt a little bit like a princess. I’d never been to any formal event, let alone have the means to make sure I fit right in with the upper crust of society. I smiled to myself. I was excited and nervous at the same time.
I decided my first stop would be Neiman Marcus to pick out a dress and shoes, and then onto Tiffany’s for the sparklies. I had never had anything from either store on my limited budget, but I had always lusted after the pretty clothes in their plus-size department. I had vowed I would get myself designer clothes when I could afford it, and now, thanks to Will’s generosity, I could start with a dress. There was a gorgeous heather-grey dress I had been eyeing, and I was confident it would hug my curves just right. I was eager to get started and walked faster with a little skip in my step. A final stop at the salon after for my hair and make-up would complete the transformation.
***
I was twirling in front of my floor length mirror like a little girl in a princess gown when the town car pulled up in front of my building. I lurched to a stop and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. This was my chance to really impress Will. I looked out the window and saw him run up the steps of the brownstone to buzz my apartment.
I answered the buzzer, “Just a second!”
“Ok, whenever you're ready. I'll be waiting down here.” He replied.
I took one last look at myself and slipped into my new fabulous Christian Louboutin’s. I had waited for what seemed like a lifetime to be able wear a pair of the gorgeous red-soled pumps, and I was proud to say that my shapely legs made them look fantastic. Especially with the beautiful dress I had bought for the fundraiser. I grabbed the pashmina I had bought with the dress and ran down the stairs as quickly as I could in my 4-inch silver Louboutin’s. I stopped at the bottom of the stairs and took another calming breath.
I opened the door. He was standing there waiting for me in a black tux and my jaw dropped. He was so amazingly gorgeous, more handsome than anyone else I had ever met. He stood there just staring at me.
“Wow.” He seemed stunned with my transformation.
“You like?” I asked a little shy being gawked at so openly.
“More than like.” He finally shut his gaping mouth and smiled, “I knew you would be beautiful, but this,” He motioned with his hand, “I really had no idea you’d be this breathtaking, Amy.”
His smile was intoxicating and I couldn’t help but smile back, “Thank you. Hopefully, I won't make too big of a mess of this tonight. I'm a little worried.”
“You'll do fine, Amy. I know you, and I know that you can do this. Especially, looking like that. I would bet all you’d have to do is just stand there and the room would be utterly charmed by your presence. We’ll raise a lot of money tonight, I promise you. And it will all be because of you.”
I gazed up at his remarkably handsome face, and could see he genuinely meant what he said. It was the kind of assurance I needed, and my nerves were immediately calmed.
Beaming up at him, I shrugged my shoulders playfully, “Okay.” He chuckled, offered his arm and we walked down the stairs. Thankfully, I made it gracefully into the town car without any awkward mishaps. So far, so good.
The leather seat of the car was cold and I shivered. Will glanced at my face and I could tell he knew I was still a tiny bit nervous. We sat there in silence longer than I would have liked. It was feeling a little awkward. I spied one of his hands shaking the tiniest bit, and realized he was nervous too. It was sweet, really, seeing him vulnerable. I had to do something to ease the minor tension and awkward silence we had fallen into. The only thing I could think of doing was to tell him the lamest joke I knew.
“What is the difference between politicians and diapers?” I asked him. Ok, so it was a bit cheeky, but I couldn’t think of anything else.
He raised an eyebrow, “I don’t know. What?”
“Nothing— they are both full of crap and need to be changed often.”
He looked at me like I was insane. His mouth twitched just slightly, and he burst into laughter. I had never heard him laugh like that before. I guess I was funny. He shook his head as he laughed and took my hand in his and squeezed.
“You really are charming. You do know that, Amy?”
I shook my head, “I’m just being me. That's all I can do, and that's all I know how to do.” I replied matter-of-factly.
“Well, don't change that. It works for you.”
“I wasn’t planning on changing anything.” I replied in playful indignation.
He smiled at me and gave me his signature wink for the thousandth time that day. My heart pounded and the butterflies fluttering in my tummy flew up to my throat. Rendered speechless by that stupidly charming wink, I ended up patting his hand like I was his Grandmother or something just as equally awful. The curious eyebrow was raised with my awkward gesture. If we didn’t get out the car soon, I was bound to keep embarrassing myself. As we pulled up to stop in front of the building where the fundraiser was being held I could see the media packed on the sidewalk waiting for Will.
He enfolded my hand in his and asked, “Ready?”
“Yes.” I replied firmly with a brisk nod.
“Ok, here we go.”
The driver opened the door and Will stepped out of the car, helping me out after him. There was a collective gasp as the media saw that it wasn't Bianca in tow. The questions flew at Will all at once.
“Who’s your date?” One reporter asked.
Will responded, “This is Amy Shifton, an old childhood friend. We met at camp when we were kids and we've been friends ever since. She's one of my dearest.”
“Are you dating?” Another reporter asked.
I smiled for the flashing cameras as I stood there with Will, but refrained from holding his hand. We had to make it look like we weren't dating yet. The fact that he had just broken up with Bianca that day had to be dealt with delicately. He had to assure the public that she was completely out of the picture first in order to avoid rumors of cheating. Despite how much the public hated her, the appearance of cheating still had to be strictly avoided. Will needed to keep his squeaky clean image intact at all costs.
“Where is Bianca?” A different reporter asked.
“We are no longer together.” Will replied. He did his best to sound mournful of the loss of the relationship.
“What happened?” Another reporter shouted.
“We realized our fundamental values were quite different from one another. I wanted a family and she didn't.” Will shrugged with the simple explanation.
“If you'll excuse us now, we should make our way inside.” He escorted me into the building and up the stairs into the enormous room where the fundraiser was being held.
Will did his magic and mingled with everyone in which he came into contact. He was charming as always, and politely introduced me to those we happened upon. They weren’t all complete strangers to me. With my job, I knew many of Will’s supporters, including personal information about them. The CEO of a huge financial Corporation and his wife greeted us, unaware that I knew who they were. Will introduced me and I asked his wife about their children by name, what charity work she was involved with, and how that was coming along.
She seemed surprised that I would know so much about her, but grateful that I had taken the time to ask her about her daily affairs. I noticed her husband chuckle a little, and raised an eyebrow to Will in response to my attention to his wife. He left us to talk and I overheard him say quietly to Will, “She's a keeper.”
There was secret smile in my heart as I talked with his wife. Glancing over at Will, he snuck a peek at me, too and winked. I was really growing fond of that wink. He slipped a finger between his neck and a collar to loosen it just a bit. The unconscious act was somewhat telling. I couldn’t help but think he was actually charmed just a little by me. He slipped away from his audience and joined me. He wrapped his arm around my waist and waited patiently while I finished my lovely conversation with the CEO’s wife.
The CEO made his way back to commandeer his wife to introduce her to a business acquaintance of his.
“I think we need to find someplace secluded.” Will softly whispered into my ear when they were gone.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because you're positively enchanting and I don't think I can wait any longer.” Will replied and he hurried me out of the room. The possessiveness of his grasp on the curve of my waist was definitely telling of how urgent his need was for me. It also blatantly told others that I with his. As he moved us swiftly through the room people were eyeing us, and it was obvious that they could tell how much Will wanted me.
We walked out of the room through a side door, into a dark hallway, and down to where it was a little more secluded. He pulled me into an alcove off to the left.
He pushed my back up against the wall and it surprised me how aggressive he had become in his desire for me. He held onto the soft curve of my hips with both hands possessively. His fingers dug into the soft flesh.
“What if someone sees us? Should we really be doing this here?” My voice had a slightly frantic tone to it.
“It's fine. Just go with it.” He replied.
“Are you sure?” I asked. He growled and silenced my questions with a rough kiss.
The kiss left me breathless, and my full lips feeling much more pouty than before, not to mention a little bruised. His lips descended down my neck, and the ache of my core was once more awakened with the touch. My head arched back as his mouth devoured my flesh and the heat within me grew with every demanding caress of his lips.
He slowly moved down the plunging neck line of my gown that had seductively teased him throughout the night. My assets were great. I had no doubt that he would be pleased with what he found there. It was everything else that I was beginning to worry about. I tried to push the thoughts of inadequacy to the back of my mind. I wanted to enjoy this. I wanted nothing more than to savor the feeling of being truly wanted despite my unpopular full-figure.
His lips grazed my enviable cleavage. Other women paid large amounts of money for what I had come by naturally. I needed to remember that. I was just as desirable as any of them. Will obviously thought so, anyway.
His hands were all over my perfectly plump, lush body. Like, he couldn’t get enough of me between his hands and his mouth. He groaned as he felt me up. His hands had found my full mounds of my breasts. He massaged the mounds roughly while his mouth seared the fleshy swell rising above the neck line.
Slipping a hand down my waist and around to my backside, he grabbed my firmly. He pushed his hips into the apex of my shapely legs, and I could feel just how much he wanted me.
He groaned, “I need to touch you, Amy.” The sound was muffled by the swell of my breast as he buried his face into the inviting pillow.
His obvious erection was pushing into me. I wanted to feel him. My hand shook just a little with what I was about to do, it had been years since I had touched a man intimately, but my want was greater than my fear and I unzipped his pants. I slipped my hand inside to feel him. His shaft was silken and hard. And to my surprise (and delight) much larger than I had anticipated. He would be able to fill me nicely. His breath caught with my touch, and I stroked him softly.
“Will!” The light sound footsteps echoed down the hall with the call. I quickly removed myself from Will. It was Dave’s voice that was calling for him. Will swiftly zipped up his pants. I righted my gown over my semi-exposed breasts, and made sure my hair was in place.
He brushed his hand through his hair trying to calm himself. He looked at me and shook his head.
“What?” I asked trying not to smile.
“You surprise me, that’s all.” He chuckled a little bewildered.
“Good surprise, or bad surprise?” I asked.
“Good. Most definitely good.” He shook his head again, “Man, oh man…” He said it under his breath, but I had caught it anyway. I smiled with the thought that I could affect the man that much.
“What’s the smile for?”
“A lady never tells her secrets.” I winked.
He laughed.
“We should probably put Dave out of his misery, and go find him. He’s more than likely freaking out that I’m nowhere to be found for my speech.” He grabbed my hand, “Remember, not a word about this to anyone.”
I nodded not knowing what to say. As excited as I was about this, I had to remember that our relationship wasn’t real. It was pretend. I was his pretend girlfriend. The making-out was happening just so the chemistry between us was believable to the public. That was the only rational explanation for it. He couldn’t possibly actually like me. I just wasn’t his type. Thin as a whip model-esqe Bianca was his type. The surprising chemistry between us was fogging my senses. I had to get a grip.
We met a frantic Dave halfway down the hall and he walked with us back into the fundraiser. I hated that I was still confused by the intoxicating encounter.
Chapter 3
We walked back into the ballroom just as everyone was being seated for dinner and Will’s accompanying speech. He led me to a table at the front of the room and pulled out a chair for me. Of course, his manners were impeccable and I shouldn’t have been surprised by the gesture. His hand grazed my back and lingered there a moment as I sat in the chair he had pulled out.
Will placed his other hand on the shoulder of the older gentleman sitting next to me, “Amy, I’d like you to meet my good friend, Ed Simpson, and his wife, Beth.”
“Hello, it’s nice to meet you,” I replied with a genuine smile. They seemed
like such a happy couple sitting there while Ed sweetly held his wife’s hand comfortably on the table.
Beth beamed back at me with a bright smile of her own, “Hello, Dear.” She leaned across her husband and waved for me to lean in closer, “You seem to be a little more down to earth than the other one Will had hanging on his arm before. I hope you’re in for the long haul… we’d rather not see her back with him.” She loudly whispered with a playful scowl.
Blushing, I sat there for a second completely speechless, and Will burst out laughing, “Oh Beth, what would I do without you keeping me in line?” He said bending down and kissing her cheek, “We’ll just have to wait and see if Amy can put up with me, eh?” He winked at me, not so secretly, a little over exaggerated for the benefit of the Simpsons. The Will Channing charm was in full force.
I joined in the laughter sensing the happy ease that this couple brought out in him, but I couldn’t help but feel like his feelings for me were a little bit of an act. Granted, I really couldn’t help but be charmed by the man. I mean, charm is what he did for a living, he was just so good at it, and obviously I wasn’t immune to it. He made my insides complete mush with his smile and that damned wink that made me forget I had legs to hold me up. But, on the other hand, my senses screamed at me to keep the wall I had safely built around my heart to remain intact. I would do just that, even if I had to pretend he didn’t affect me the way he did. I had to keep myself safe. And Will Channing had to win the election.
Will sat next to me and happily conversed with those at our table while we ate our meal. Watching him I could see he truly cared for the people seated with us and I wondered what the connection was that allowed him to be so at ease with them. He was charming, yes, but it wasn’t the contrived or practiced charm he displayed for those he wanted to sway, it was different. It was real.