Carolyn smiled gently, then said. “Carolyn, please. My God, you’re my closest friend. I know that these walls and this city can be intimidating, but I’m still me. Okay?”
“Of course. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. We both have to learn how to navigate these new waters. I wouldn’t admit this to anyone but you, but there are times when I wonder what I’m doing here. Can I handle this immense responsibility? It feels very daunting.” Carolyn lowered her voice conspiratorially. “So we’ll just stick together. Deal?”
Katherine relaxed. “Deal.”
“Why don’t you take a seat, and we can talk about how we’re going to handle this job.” Carolyn shut the door behind her, then walked to her desk. “We have a large staff here, and you. Katherine, are going to help me run things. I consider you my right hand. The rest of the staff will report to Randy McCabe, my Chief of Staff, but you and I are going to work together as a team.”
“Just like the old days.”
“Of course.” Carolyn grinned. “My war on drugs platform was so well received during the election, I’ve decided to make it my signature cause. You and I are going to write new legislation to attack the drug problem and reform the social services system. Warner’s given it a rubber stamp, so my task force will have as much funding as we need to achieve our goals.”
“My God, Carolyn, with the U.S. Treasury to back your platform, we can’t lose. This is what you’ve always wanted.” Katherine’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Can you believe we’re actually here, in the White House, doing what you dreamt about?”
“You mean, ‘what
“How is Warner?”
Carolyn hesitated a moment, her smile fading. “He’s fine. Great, actually.” Her gaze met Katherine’s.
“Is everything all right?” Katherine asked, concern etched in her features.
“Warner’s a brilliant man who’s going to do wonderful things for this country. I’m thankful to be a part of his legacy.”
“But you want more.”
Carolyn shrugged. “We always want what we can’t have.”
Katherine could see the pain in Carolyn’s eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“Oh, don’t be. It’s my own fault.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Someday we’ll talk, but not now.” Carolyn waved her hand and forced a smile. “I certainly didn’t mean to unload on you during your first day. I’m sorry.”
“Just remember, I’m always here for you,” Katherine offered.
“Thanks, that means a lot.” she responded.
It was after midnight when Katherine returned to her townhouse. When she found no message from Jack on her answering machine, she called him at his hotel in Missouri, but he didn’t answer. Odd, Katherine thought, hanging up. She took a quick shower and tried calling him again, still with no luck. Exhausted she dropped onto her bed, and fell sound asleep.
Morning came and Katherine awoke to the pre-dawn light. She made herself some coffee and picked up the phone. Glancing at the clock she realized that although it was 5:35 A.M. in Washington, it would only be 4:35 A.M. in Missouri. She hesitated, then dialed, knowing that her day at the White House would be busy, and this would be her only chance to talk to Jack. She let the phone ring ten times, then dialed back to the hotel operator to make sure she was connecting to the correct room. Still, there was no answer.
SIXTY-ONE
Carolyn rose from her desk when he entered. “I wondered if you’d come.” She knew what he had come for. It was only a matter of time, or so she had hoped.
He wrapped her in an embrace. “I couldn’t wait any longer,” he searched her eyes. “Tell me you feel the same.”
She nodded, unable to speak.
He kissed her neck. “You smell good,” he whispered.
A small sigh escaped her lips. Throughout the campaign the tension between them had built, but neither had dared to act upon it. Now, the White House was theirs, and their privacy insured.
Without releasing her from his embrace, he took a moment to lock her office door.
“Are you sure about this?” he asked.
She wound her arms around his neck. “I’ve never been more sure about anything.”
His lips covered hers.
She responded hungrily.
His hands traveled over her body, lingering, worshiping, then moving on until she grew breathless from desire.
Carolyn felt herself spiraling into a beautiful. warm light. A light she had longed to see and feel for far too many years.
Without breaking their kiss, he scooped her up and carried her to the couch opposite her desk.
He gathered her into his arms as they lay together.
Gently, slowly he made love to her. Carolyn felt as if she would burst with joy as he used his hands and mouth to bring her pleasure again and again. She reached for him, wanting to reciprocate as she savored his tenderness, but he refused her.
“This is about you,” he whispered. “Only you.”
SIXTY-TWO
Jack put on his leather jacket, shoved a few bucks into his right pocket, grabbed his pack of cigarettes, and stuffed them into his left pocket. After turning off his laptop, he started out the door. Realizing his room key was still on the dresser. Jack backtracked. He retrieved the key and, remembering the package he wanted to mail to Maureen, picked it up and left the hotel room. He decided he’d head to the post office before going to the diner.
Jack, a creature of habit, ate supper every night at the same diner. The food was homemade, and the place was comfortable.
He patted his pockets, checking for all of the necessary items as he exited the hotel.
The diner was a short walk from the hotel, but he headed to the post office first. Jack enjoyed the fresh air. He mailed his parcel and then backtracked to the diner. As he entered the place, Jack bumped into an exiting patron.
“I’m sorry.” Jack said. The guy never looked up, just kept walking. That was weird. Jack thought, as he continued over to the counter.
Dismissing the encounter, Jack took a seat and read the menu. He always looked it over, although he never ordered anything but his standard cup of coffee and the house meat loaf special. Jack loved meat loaf with mashed potatoes and gravy, and he felt the diner did a fair job at preparing it.
Deciding to read the local newspaper, Jack got change from the waitress. He walked over to the newspaper
