the other senator from Missouri, Bill Rudly.
A local businessman, Ron Spitz was earning a reputation for publicly blaming Warner, Edmund, and Adam Miles, Edmund’s partner and best friend, for breaking the union that Ron once headed. Senator Rudly supported Ron and the union.
She found Mark at the bar. “Would you care to dance?”
“The honor would be mine.”
Mark took her hand and led her onto the dance floor. She caught sight of Edmund as he and Adam Miles departed. Relaxing, she gave herself to the moment as Mark spun her among the other dancing couples. Carolyn drank in his clean scent of soap and aftershave.
“Want another drink?” Mark asked.
Carolyn hesitated. She’d already had her limit. “Sure. Vodka seven.”
“I’ll get the drinks and meet you back at the table.”
Carolyn took a few sips once he joined her, then carried the drink along as she visited other partygoers at another table. She returned with an empty glass. Mark offered to get her another. She accepted. Carolyn eventually realized her nose was numb. She felt giddy and light headed.
The lilting notes of “Blue Moon” filled the room.
“Let’s dance.” Carolyn took Mark’s hand and led him to the dance floor. She pressed her cheek to his as he pulled her neatly against his frame. His body felt solid and comforting. Carolyn sighed contentedly. The contact felt good.
When the song ended, she brushed her lips to his ear. “Thank you for the dance.”
They returned to the table, where they were left alone. Carolyn reached for her drink and knocked it all over the front of Mark’s pants.
“Damn it.” Carolyn said, picking up a napkin. “I’m so sorry.” Her face flamed at her clumsiness. She bent to wipe him off, gently rubbing the wet area. His hand covered hers. She stared for a moment at his fingers, then looked up. Their eyes met and held.
She felt the current of attraction arc between them.
“Maybe we should go.” she said.
She’d had too much to drink. Mark was married – out of bounds. She’d never cheated on Warner and she wasn’t starting now.
“Yeah, I guess. Where’re my keys?” he asked, his words slurred and his hands clumsy as he searched his pockets.
They got their coats, then stood just inside the lobby, waiting for the valet to bring the car around. Mark helped Carolyn into the passenger side. She dozed off as he drove to her home. At the house, he parked, and turned off the ignition.
“Wake up, sleepyhead,” Mark said.
“I’m sorry. How long have I been asleep?” Carolyn blinked to clear her vision. Definitely a headache tomorrow.
“Only a few minutes.”
Mark walked her to the door. Groggy, she fumbled in her purse for her keys, dropping them on the porch. Simultaneously they bent to retrieve the keys, cracking their heads together.
“Ouch,” he said while laughing.
“Are you okay?” Carolyn grabbed at the doorframe to steady herself.
He rubbed her forehead. “I’m sorry.”
“No, it was my fault.” A flush rose in her cheeks.
He traced the side of her face with his fingertips.
Carolyn closed her eyes at the gentle gesture. When she opened them, she noticed a small cut at his eyebrow. “You’re bleeding.” She reached out toward the cut.
Mark grasped her hand. “I’m fine.”
Carolyn turned away from him. “Let me get you some ice.”
She opened the door and led Mark to the kitchen. The house was dark and quiet.
Self-conscious, she moved awkwardly, taking too long to retrieve the ice cubes and place them in a towel. Carolyn couldn’t seem to escape the heat suffusing her entire body. Apprehensive, she turned back to Mark and applied the ice to his injury. Her hand trembled.
“How long have we known each other?”
“Stop it.” Carolyn laughed. “You’ll make me feel old.”
“You’ve become more beautiful over the years.” His gaze searched hers. “I didn’t think it was possible, but you’ve defied the laws of nature.”
She shook her head.
He leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips.
Involuntarily, Carolyn relaxed into him, drawn to his heat.
“Have you ever thought about me, about us?” he whispered against her lips.
Carolyn pushed herself out of his arms. “Mark, this is dangerous territory.”
Over the years, her feelings for him had grown. But what had they grown into? Love? She swallowed hard and relinquished the towel-wrapped ice to him.
“I’ll make some coffee.” Carolyn turned away, but Mark grasped her hand again, and stopped her.
“You feel it too.” Lightly he pulled her too him. “I need you, and you need me.”
She did feel it. Had felt it for long time. And it was a need, a need that had to be denied. Carolyn placed her hands on his chest. “We can’t.” Was it her or him? She didn’t know. Was she sending the wrong message? She hadn’t intended to mislead him.
His gaze intent, he studied her face.
She felt as if he were searching her soul.
Slowly, he lowered his mouth to hers.
Carolyn pulled back. “I can’t.” She could feel the warmth of his breath against her cheek. She couldn’t hurt Warner like this – fool – Warner doesn’t care.
Mark kissed her again, stifling her protests.
She found herself wrapping her arms around his neck. No, this was wrong. She didn’t want to hurt Mark’s wife. She didn’t want to hurt anybody. But she felt weak with such a staggering need. She couldn’t stop. Her body betrayed her.
She heard the ice cubes hit the floor.
Mark’s embrace tightened, his kisses urgent.
Her fingers were tangled in his hair. Why couldn’t Warner touch her, kiss her like this?
She hung on to Mark, starved for intimacy, starved for the reassurance that she deserved love.
The edge of the kitchen counter dug into her back. She hardly felt it. Mark leaned harder into her, pulling at her dress, his breathing rapid, his eyes glazed in excitement.
Her body screamed for fulfillment.
His hands ripped at her clothing. He lifted her off the ground. Then he was inside her. She clung to him
He moved slowly within her, all the while kissing her face and neck. “You feel so good,” he moaned. “So beautiful.”
She matched his rhythm.
The first tremors of his climax unraveled her pent-up desire. She arched into him as her body spun into a whirlpool of release. She moaned, equal parts amazement and disbelief over her own lack of control.
Mark set her down. “I love the way you smell.” He held her close, his face buried in her hair.
After a few moments, she pushed away from him.
He watched her as he straightened his clothes. “Are you all right?”
