by Donna Hill
Justin kept a subtle eye on the guest of honor for the early part of the evening—over the rim of his champagne glass, throughout the six-course meal, from a corner shaded by a blooming potted tree, and from the center of the dance floor, where he glided effortlessly with an array of faceless beauties.
Her every movement was fluid and almost choreographed in its perfection, Justin thought. Her shimmering spaghetti-strap black gown dotted with countless black sequins and tiny rhinestones, fit that lithe body like a glove. Damn! Every time he looked at her, his thoughts ran off in dangerous directions and his body threatened to let everyone know exactly what was on his mind.
He continued to watch Vaughn closely, waiting for his opportunity to approach her, when he saw District Attorney Paul Lawrence go up to her, accompanied by a woman who hung onto his arm. Justin had paid such close attention to Vaughn for the better part of the evening that he instantly sensed her tension upon the arrival of Paul Lawrence. He waited for the flash of dimples, but the smile never came, and Justin cautiously waited with a mixture of curiosity and concern.
“Vaughn, it’s good to see you again,” Paul greeted her, showing her his famous campaign smile.
“Paul. It’s been awhile,” Vaughn replied in a monotone.
“This is Victoria Fleming. Vikki, Vaughn Hamilton, our guest of honor.”
Victoria stuck out her pale porcelain hand and smiled effusively, her shimmering red hair glistening in the light. “This is a wonderful party,” Vikki said, apparently oblivious to the tension that sparked like electricity between Paul and Vaughn. “I wish you the best of luck with your campaign.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
Paul tightened his hold on Victoria’s waist. “Vaughn doesn’t need luck. She has a judge for a father,” Paul taunted, the smile never leaving his face.
Vaughn felt as if she’d been slapped, but she didn’t miss a beat. “You would know,” she tossed back coolly.
Paul’s hazel eyes darkened and his honey-toned skin flushed. “If there’s anything my office can do,” Paul said, “do give me a call. You know I’d be happy to help in any way that I can.”
“I’m sure. Nice to meet you, Vikki.” She inclined her head to Paul, turned, and walked away, her fury barely contained as she headed for the terrace, her heels beating a vicious rhythm against the marble floor.
She gripped the rail of the balcony with such force, her fingertips began to burn from the pressure.
“Can I refresh that drink, Ms. Hamilton?”
Vaughn turned with a start, but all traces of her distress were masked, by her public face. She stared into the searching brown eyes. Her stomach fluttered. “Mr. Hamilton.”
“Justin,” he corrected.
She cleared her throat and looked down at her half empty glass. “No, thank you…Justin. I’m not really a drinker.”
“I know,” he grinned. “You’ve been nursing that for hours.”
Vaughn felt a rush of embarrassment sweep through her, but it was quickly replaced with a sense of warning. “You’re very observant,” she replied pointedly.
Justin stepped closer and leaned his hip against the rail. The soft, sensual scent of her floated to him, momentarily clouding his thoughts. His eyes settled on her upturned face and he realized that he’d never before seen a woman with such flawless ebony skin. It seemed to radiate with a vitality that was magnified by sculpted cheekbones and large, luminous brown eyes that must surely peer into one’s soul. And that mouth! What would those luscious lips feel like, pressed against his?
“Is something wrong?” she asked, beginning to feel as if she were being disrobed.
“That was my next question to you,” he said, recovering smoothly.
Vaughn tilted her head in question. “I beg your pardon?”
Justin angled his chin in the direction of Paul and his date. “Mr. Lawrence seemed to have rubbed you the wrong way,” he stated casually.
Vaughn turned away to look out onto the expansive lawn below. “Have you spent your entire evening watching me?” she asked, both flattered and defensive.
“Pretty much,” Justin said, a hint of amusement rippling through his deep voice.
Vaughn turned to look at him and saw the beginnings of a smile tug at the corners of his lips.
“It seems I’m learning an awful lot about you very quickly…Justin. You’re observant and blunt. Is there anything else I should know?”
“There’s plenty.” He stepped a bit closer and her pulse raced. “Unfortunately, it would take a lot longer than one night to reveal it all.”
Her heart beat so fast she was afraid she’d stop breathing altogether. Why did he have to look at her like that—as though he were truly interested in her. She had yet to meet a man who didn’t want her because of her power and political influence. Paul was a perfect example of that. She was sure that this Justin Montgomery was no different. Her defenses kicked in. She was sure he had an agenda, and she wasn’t going to be on his itinerary of things to do.
Vaughn took a deep, steadying breath and exhaled. “Well, Justin, that’s a great line. However, I’m not interested.”
“Hmmm, very defensive,” he said, stifling a chuckle.
Her dark eyes flashed until she caught the gleam of amusement in his. She suddenly felt totally ridiculous for acting like a shrew.
“I’m sorry,” she said finally. She looked around, her dark eyes sweeping across the throng of guests who had come to contribute to her nomination campaign. “I don’t really like fundraisers,” she admitted on a long sigh.
“Who would?” he agreed gently. “Who would like pretending to adore a bunch of stuffed shirts.”
She smiled. “I’m glad you understand,” she replied softly, surprising herself at her candor. He was a perfect stranger.
Justin turned and braced his hip against the balcony railing. Vaughn stood with her back to it. Inches separated them.
“Why are you involved, then,” he asked, “in politics? If you don’t like…all this?”
Vaughn sighed wistfully. “Maybe one day I’ll tell you all about it.” She took a sip of the warm wine.
Why did I say that? she wondered.
Justin turned sideways and looked down at her. “I hope that’s a platform promise, Ms. Hamilton, because I intend to hold you to it.”
She gazed up at him and saw the warm sincerity in his eyes and let the caress of his voice wash over her.
She swallowed hard, and their eyes held for what seemed an eternity. She didn’t realize that he’d taken the glass from her hand, and she couldn’t find her voice to either accept or decline when he swept her onto the dance floor.
The band was playing a slow, bluesy Nancy Wilson song, and Vaughn felt her tense body slowly begin to relax in the comforting embrace of Justin’s arms. Their bodies seemed to fit together like puzzle pieces, Vaughn realized with alarm.
They danced in silence through three numbers before Justin spoke. “Actually,” he said, speaking into the silky texture of her upswept hair, “you’d make an excellent politician.”
Vaughn arched her neck to look quizzically up at him. Her dimples flashed for the first time in hours. “Why is that?”
“You have a knack for evading direct questions.”
“I am a politician,” Vaughn snapped. “What do you mean?” she said more softly.
“You very skillfully avoided answering me about Paul Lawrence. He seemed to have upset you earlier.” Then he smiled sheepishly. “I couldn’t help but notice.”
“Some things are better left unsaid,” she answered quietly.
The music ended and Vaughn stepped out of Justin’s arms. “I have a question for you,” she said. “Shoot.”
“Are you acquainted with Paul?”
“In a manner of speaking.”
“Now, you’re beginning to sound like a politician,” she countered with a smile.
“Touché. Paul and I have crossed paths on several occasions.”
“Personally or professionally?”
“Professionally.”
Vaughn’s brows rose in surprise. “He didn’t try to convict you of anything?” she asked drolly.
Justin laughed heartily. The deep sound rumbled through his chest. It made her feel warm and tingly inside. “No. We stood on opposite sides of the table.”
“You’re an attorney?”
“Don’t say it with such disdain,” he said, pretending offense. “Politicians and lawyers don’t make such strange bedfellows, you know.”
Her dimples winked at him. “I deserved that one.”
They fell in step next to each other and headed for the bar.
“So, who do you work for?” Vaughn asked.
“Scotch-and-soda, and a white wine for our hostess,” he said to the bartender. He turned his lazy gaze on Vaughn. “I don’t work for anyone,” he said, evasively. “I have a small private practice.”
Vaughn held her snappy retort in check. She was beginning to enjoy the verbal sparring. “Alone, or with partners?”
“I have two partners,” he said matter-of-factly.
“Really?” Her interest peaked. “What’s the name of your firm?”
He looked her full in the face, a bold grin lighting his eyes. “Montgomery, Phillips, and Michaels.”
It took all she had for her mouth not to drop open in astonished embarrassment. “You’re that Justin Montgomery?”
“I guess so,” he chuckled. “Disappointed?”
“You don’t have some ‘little’ practice! You have one of the busiest firms in D.C.” His notoriety didn’t end there, Vaughn thought. Justin Montgomery was also known for his eye for investments, which had afforded him a luxurious life-style.
Justin noted that she’d expertly sidestepped his question once again. He shrugged his broad shoulders. “We keep busy.”
“I know your partners—Khendra Phillips and Sean Michaels. They were involved in a major case a couple of years back.” How could anyone not notice Khendra Phillips, with her gleaming auburn tresses, wide eyes, and expressive mouth? Khendra always reminded Vaughn of the singer-turned-actress, Sheryl Lee Ralph, of Dreamgirls fame. And Khendra’s husband, Sean Michaels, was to die for.
He nodded. “Those are the ones.”
Her brow crinkled. “How come you and I have never crossed paths?”
“I try to keep a low profile. Actually,” he took a sip of his drink, “I do more speaking engagements than litigation. I let those two hotshots handle that. They say it keeps the spark in their marriage going.”
As she listened, glimmers of press clips flashed through her head. Her past was haunting her more than usual tonight. “I see,” she said stiffly. “Listen, Justin…I really should mingle with the other guests. They are paying a lot of money to be here tonight.” Her smile was devoid of emotion. “Please excuse me.”
She made a move to leave. Justin touched her arm and a tremor raced through her. “Is it something I said?” he asked, perplexed by her sudden change in attitude.
“It was nice talking with you, Justin. Good luck with your practice.”
He stared at her hard. “There you go again, avoiding my question.”
She returned his look without flinching. “Thanks for the drink. And the dance,” she said with finality. She eased away and was quickly swallowed up in the crowd.
Justin stayed long enough to listen to the round of toasts on behalf of Vaughn, who made a point of avoiding him for the rest of his stay. Shortly after, he said his goodbyes.
Just as he was heading for the door, Vaughn crossed his path. She stopped short.
“I hope you enjoyed yourself tonight. I appreciate your coming,” she said formally.
“Listen,” he began, his thick brows forming a thunderous line, “I don’t know what happened between us back there. But if I’ve offended you in any way, I apologize. I know that sometimes I have a tendency to come on a little strong.” He stepped closer, cutting off the space and the air between them. Her head swam and her pulse pounded in her ears as the heavenly scent of him rushed to her brain. “But I’m also known for going after what I want—in the courtroom and out.” His dark eyes stared deeply into hers. “This isn’t the end, Ms. Hamilton.” He raised a finger and gently stroked her jaw. “Not by any means. You can either do this the easy way,” he shrugged his shoulder, “or my way. It’s your choice.” His smile was devilishly wicked, but his eyes were deadly serious.
Vaughn’s eyes widened in disbelief. Who the hell did he think he was, anyway? Vaughn thought in a rush, her thoughts finally focusing. She was an assemblywoman for the state of Virginia. She was the daughter of a Superior Court judge. How dared he talk to her as if she were just…just a woman? As she opened her mouth to tell him just where he could go, he leaned down and placed a silencing kiss on her pouting lips. “Think about it,” he said, brushing past her. “I will.”
Vaughn spun around in open-mouthed astonishment to watch his casual departure as though nothing more had transpired between them than an impersonal goodbye.
“Wasn’t that Justin Montgomery I just saw kissing you?” came a friendly voice practically in her ear.
Vaughn turned quickly back around, her thoughts spinning. She forced her mind to clear as her eyes rested on her best friend and chief of staff, Crystal Porter.
“Crystal,” she responded stupidly.
“Very good,” she teased. “Now, back to my question.”
“Oh, that,” Vaughn answered casually, recovering her poise. She waved her hand in dismissal. “Just a friendly goodbye, that’s all.” Her dimples flashed.
Crystal’s thick eyebrows arched in disbelief. “You can tell me anything, girlfriend. But you know that I know better.” Her voice lowered to a sassy whisper. “You haven’t let anyone, or should I say, any man, get close enough to you even to smell your perfume, let alone give you a kiss. And on the mouth, at that.” She pursed her lips and peered at Vaughn from beneath thick black lashes.
“Don’t be dramatic, Crystal. That’s not true.”
“Yeah, right. Anyway, it’s time to make your goodbye and thank-you speech to the masses.”
“Thanks.” They began walking toward the dining room. “Actually, I’ll be glad when this whole night is over,” she said, trying unsuccessfully to shake off the lingering effects of Justin’s kiss.
“You think you will. But you know you love the limelight. You were born for this sort of stuff. And Virginia would be a helluva better place if you had a seat in Congress.”
Vaughn squeezed Crystal’s arm. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, Chris.”
“Sure you do. You’d hire someone almost as qualified as I am. Because you know I’m the best.”
“Yeah, you keep reminding me. Now, let’s go and get these people out of here.”
“Go for it. And lay it on thick,” she added with a smile, as Vaughn made her way to the front of the hall.
Flashbulbs and applause competed feverishly as Vaughn spoke both passionately and humorously about her bid for Congress.
“…your presence here tonight renews my determination to win this election. I stand by my conviction that government is ultimately responsible for its people.” A roar of applause filled the room. “I intend to take the voices and needs of my constituency to Capitol Hill. I have no intention of becoming,” she paused for effect, “one of the good ol’ boys.” Laughter filled the air. “My stand on women’s rights has caused storm clouds to gather, but that’s what umbrellas are for.”
“The crowd loves her and the press adores her,” Sheila whispered to Crystal as she eased up beside her, both of them watching Vaughn enchant the ballroom crowd.
“She definitely has what it takes, Mrs. Hamilton. There’s no question about that.”
“But there’s a long road ahead,” Sheila continued. “There’ll be those who’d rather she stayed at home, barefoot and pregnant, than run for higher office. You be there for her, Crystal,” Sheil
a pressed, squeezing Crystal’s arm for emphasis.
Crystal turned to look at Sheila, the faint hint of warning in her voice sending a shudder of alarm skimming up her spine. “I’m sure we can handle any mud that gets slung,” Crystal assured. “Vaughn is tough.”
“She’ll have to be tougher,” Elliott interjected, joining the two women. “There’s no room in politics for the weak of heart.” He put his hand around his wife’s waist. “I’ve paved the way for that girl. I know she’s not going to let me down.”
Sheila straightened her shoulders and fixed a smile on her face. “Of course she won’t, sugar,” Sheila assured her husband, even as a sense of foreboding found a haven in her heart.
The room erupted into thunderous applause as Vaughn concluded her speech. She joined her parents on the sidelines.
“Whew. That’s that,” Vaughn breathed with relief.
“You did good, girl,” Crystal said giving her a brief hug.
“Thanks.” Vaughn grinned. Crystal Porter was the only person she knew who could turn girl into a three-syllable word.
“This is only the beginning, princess,” Elliott said. “So you’d best be prepared.” He clamped his lips around the unlit pipe that was his trademark.
“I will, Daddy. I will,” she said wearily. “Mama, I’m going to be heading home. I’m beat.”
“I know you are, sugar. You must have shaken a thousand hands tonight.”
“Not to mention the countless wet kisses,” Crystal chimed in.
Vaughn switched her gaze to Crystal, her eyes flashing in annoyance.
“What?” Crystal asked innocently.
Vaughn shook her head. “Never mind. I’m getting out of here. Mama, Daddy, I’ll speak to you both tomorrow.”
“If you’re that tired, Vaughn,” her father said, “I think it best you stay here tonight. You don’t need to be driving home half asleep.”
She heard the beginnings of an order in his voice but she wasn’t having it. Not tonight. “I’ll be fine.” She kissed his cheek and then her mother’s. “I promise. I’ll call as soon as I get in.”
Elliott frowned and gnawed on his pipe, not at all pleased. But there was no point in getting his shorts twisted in a knot on such an auspicious night. This one time he’d let her rebellious streak go. “You just make sure you do that.”