DC Affairs by Selene Chardou Read Free Book Online Page A

question was charming.”
    “That means nothing , Kylie.”
    “To you maybe but what I’m trying to say is…don’t assume this is going to be a quick fling and they’ll go their separate ways. Sigourney isn’t stupid—she knows you’re off limits and let’s just leave it at that. Why would you bother stirring up a hornet’s nest? You might end up getting stung…badly, and in more ways than one.”
    Peter stood abruptly. “Are you done with your speech making? Jesus, woman, you’re worse than me.”
    Kylie faced the Governor and crossed her arms against her breasts defensively. “I couldn’t ever be worse than you.”
    “Go home to your Ben & Jerry’s and your dearly departed Paul Walker. I’m sick of going round and round in circles with you.”
    “I’m actually a Vin Diesel gal, Peter.” She narrowed bright green eyes. “You see? It shows you what you know about me. Just remember I’m here for a reason and it’s not because of my beauty. Get your head out of your ass, focus on the campaign, and keep your eyes on the prize. Newsflash, it isn’t scoring with Sigourney. Jeez, you can have such bad tunnel vision. That’s when I know you were a born politician.”
    He raised both eyebrows in bemusement. “Is that an insult or a compliment?”
    “In this situation, it’s both .”
    “Fine. I’m going back to my hotel. Are you still meeting Liz and me for brunch on Sunday?”
    “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
    “Okay, see you then.”
    He stood and left with his bodyguards while she left on her own.
    Peter knew what was happening and though he didn’t have to like it, he would have to deal with it for the time being. Sometimes the best advice was to be patient and though he felt like his was in short supply, he simply had no choice in the matter.
    He would have to continue his lust for Sigourney from afar.

 

     
    Chapter Seven

     
    Sigourney
     
    I t’d been quite a while but I laughed more with Russell than I had in a long time. Our date was a spectacular hit where we enjoyed great food, good wine and witty conversation.
    My self-imposed hiatus from relationships had definitely come to an end, and not a moment too soon.
    After my ordeal between two very passionate men in Western Europe, I wasn’t ready to throw in the towel but I came back to the States frustrated by my lack of choice. I couldn’t find anyone cultured enough or good enough for my cathedral-high standards.
    It occurred to me on more than one occasion that it wasn’t the men who were the issue but me. I’d set the bar so high because I didn’t truly want anyone to break through the barrier I’d erected around my body and heart. It was simply easier to not feel than to do so and risk having my heart broken all over again.
    Over the years, bitterness had turned into a syrupy acid of cynicism and I realized no one would be ever good enough for me because I didn’t want them to be. Russell had shattered whatever was left of my reserve and it was too easy to give in to him, to laugh at his funny jokes and his dry wit. The guy wasn’t a classic Casanova, bad-boy or alpha male but he was perfect boyfriend material and that was what mattered.
    I stole glances from him as we ate from one another’s dessert. I’d ordered the Devil’s food chocolate cake with a side of vanilla bean ice cream while he’d gotten the traditional cheesecake. Since we seemed to be enjoying each other’s selection more than our own, it was more of a foodie seduction. We wouldn’t trade plates so we had to reach across the table to taste one another’s dessert and it was a huge turn-on.
    I wouldn’t be sleeping with him tonight but something told me I wouldn’t hold out for long. I just hoped when we got to that point, we sizzled in the bedroom like we did when we were out in public together.
    “So, how long have you been working on the Coburn campaign?” I inquired casually as I sliced off another bite of his cheesecake and placed it