Candidate: A Love Story (21 page)

As promised, the next stop was The Mission homeless shelter, where Grady gave a speech on perseverance. After reading the speech Stanley had given to Kate, he couldn’t stomach it, so Grady improvised. Pulled in some of his favorite quotes from writers and historians. People who actually knew a thing or two about hanging on in the absence of hope. When he was finished, he and Kate agreed to help serve dinner. There were reporters covering his appearance, but he made his best efforts to point them toward the people staying in the shelter. He asked that the reporters listen to their stories rather than worrying about his ridiculous life. Most of them would ignore him, he knew, but he had to try.

When the bus pulled up to the campaign headquarters, everyone had left for the night. Grady and Kate said goodnight to the volunteers. Kate needed to grab some letterhead for Mark, so she ran into the office. Grady tipped the bus driver and followed her in.

“That was a great speech today,” Kate said, putting a stack of letterhead and some envelopes into a box. “I’m not sure I will ever figure you out.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” He stood behind her.

“It’s not a big deal. It was a terrific speech, it’s just hard to tell sometimes when you are faking it and when someone, something means . . . something.” He was standing right at her back, so Kate naturally turned around, quickly placing the box between them. “Christ Grady, no one knows who you are, the important parts of you are hidden away and then you pull out a speech like that, off the cuff? Does that make you a pro?”

“Peter knows me, Sam knows me, and so do you. You know me, Kate. Probably because I’ve lost the ability to fake it with you.”

“Oh, please. Just stop. You sound like a bad country song.”

Grady laughed. “Call it what you want, but it’s the truth. I couldn’t fake it with you if I tried. There’s no need. You care about me, have feelings, so we are both in.” Grady took the box from her hands and set it down on the table.

He felt her tense and then waited for her to shut him down. “I have feelings all right, but at the moment, they aren’t friendly. I want you to stop playing around.”

Grady took two steps and he was right in front of her. Kate backed up as far as she could, but stopped at the counter. The neon campaign sign glowed from outside of the small building. Grady moved closer, put one hand on either side of her, and Kate kept her eyes on him, she really had the most bewitching eyes. He could see her chest inflate and then a slow breath escaped her lips. Those lips, his eyes stayed on her moist, incredibly kissable lips.

“What are you doing?” barely escaped her mouth as he touched the side of her neck. Her eyes drifted and her skin was so soft that for a minute he almost thought he was imagining the touch.

“You can be mad at me tomorrow, but I’m going to kiss you. It’s past time, Kate.”

“Oh God, this is going to hurt,” she said, stiffening.

Grady laughed, he couldn’t help it. The look on her face sent a rush of warmth, a need to hold and protect, and when she placed her hands on his chest, he was pretty sure his heart jumped. Grady held her face, gently brushed her lips. When Kate’s eyes fluttered closed, he relaxed into the moment, this one moment, he had a feeling would only leave him wanting more.

“I’ll try to take it easy on you.” He smiled and noticed how her hands felt on his chest, how beautiful she was with her eyes closed cradled in his hands. And then he kissed her. His lips molded to hers, the scent of her Chapstick, the hum as her mouth opened to him. He was gone. His hands moved through her hair and down her back. Kate’s hands threaded under his arms and she pulled him closer. Her touch. He knew this was not going to be easy, that he did hide and give people something so fake it almost nauseated him sometimes, but in her arms, kissing her, he felt everything shift. He would need to find a way, find room in his life for this, for her. If she ever let him in, he would need to be ready. Kate moaned, tilted her head, giving him better access, and he took it. Everything she was willing to give in that moment, he took.

And then the moment was gone. Kate’s phone vibrated. She pulled away and looked around as if the empty office would somehow come to life and shake its finger at her. She cleared her throat, quickly touched the screen of her phone, and Kate Galloway was back on.

“Hello, Mark. Is everything all right?”

“Senator Malendar needs to go to Washington, D. C. for a function he committed to in exchange for campaign funding. Stanley just called and they need to leave the day after tomorrow. They anticipate the trip will take two days. I think we should use this opportunity for some photo ops and shoot our run-up to election commercial. Grady will need to be there for the last day, so you can fly over with us, or come a day later, up to you,” Mark’s voice said across the speaker phone. In her just-kissed fluster, Kate must have hit the wrong button. Grady smiled and could hear the rustling of papers, which meant Mark was still at his office at eight o’clock. Kate rubbed her tender lips together and Grady could actually see the sting of guilt that she was clearly not working.

“Will there be a press announcement discussing the senator’s trip? Anything we want to highlight that may help the strategy at this point?” Kate asked.

“Ernesto put together a statement. It’s fine, he copied you on it. It’s short and sweet. There are a lot of high-dollar donors at this thing, so it’s not really something we want to highlight. Sort of counter-productive to the whole ‘regular guy’ thing we’re pushing right now, but Washington is always good for publicity shots,” Mark said. “Listen, I need to get home before my family disowns me. We can talk more tomorrow, but I wanted to give you a heads up.”

“Okay, I’ll let you go. I got that letterhead you wanted, so I’ll bring that in tomorrow too. Have a good night.”

“You too.” As Kate was about to hang up, she heard Mark say, “Hey, how’d your stuff go today? I heard The Mission was a hit. Nice job. Is he driving you crazy yet?”

Grady smiled and wiggled his eyebrows. Kate hit a button and put the phone to her ear. “No, not yet.”
Who was she kidding?
Grady thought. They were driving each other crazy. “Yes, it was a good day. Grady was great.” Kate said her goodbyes again and hung up.

They stood in the neon-lit office space. Grady said nothing. There was nothing to say. That kiss said it all for both of them. Kate grabbed her box and turned to him. She took her bottom lip into her mouth as if he needed reminding of what just happened. He could still feel her lips on him and the look on her face said she wanted more. So did he, and because neither of them had any idea how much more, they turned, mumbled a goodbye to each other, and ran to their cars.

Chapter Twenty-Three

K
ate had avoided Grady for as long as she could, but she had a job to do and Mark asked her to check in at a volunteer dinner the following night. Kate had plans with Reagan, but she stopped by The Yard on her way home. The senator had invited all of his current volunteers hoping they would bring friends to expand his outreach force. He was shaking hands and talking to the restaurant staff when Kate arrived. Grady walked over to her and just as they were finished with awkward niceties that follow after you kiss someone you’re not supposed to be kissing, Grady’s sister, Kara, approached like a bad storm.

“Kate, it is Kate isn’t it?”

Kate looked at Grady as if she were asking if Kara bit, and then nodded.

“Great, well I just wanted to say that my father is running for re-election to the United States Senate, not some county seat in the backwoods.”

Kate wasn’t sure what to say.

“Kara, what’s this about?” Grady asked.

She flipped her hair and put her plate down on the table next to them.

“I’m saying, who picked this place? I mean, this venue, this place, is not exactly up to standards. We’re not playing in the farm league for Christ sake.”

Kate was about to mention that this was a neighborhood restaurant and exactly what they were going for, but a tall good-looking man with glasses and a white apron, all in contrast to his full-arm tattoo, approached from the kitchen and stopped behind Kara. Wiping his hands on a towel, he smiled at them. Oh that’s a deadly combination, Kate thought.

“Aw, Kara. You say the sweetest things.”

Kara flinched just a bit, clearly recognizing the voice, then she turned and rolled her eyes.

“Shouldn’t you be back behind the counter, in the kitchen sweating or something?”

Kate and Grady both looked at each other. Kara was never exactly nice, but even her attempts at tactful had gone out the window tonight.

“Well, you would know all about sweating in the kitchen, wouldn’t you?” he said. Kate could tell Kara was thrown, and she wondered who the hell this guy was. If he kept putting Kara in her place, she might have to buy him a drink. Kara seemed to hide behind her best snobby purpose, and if looks could kill this guy would be a dead man.

“You’re good on the counter too, if memory serves,” Mr. Sexy Chef said.

Kate almost choked on her drink and turned away, so Kara did not see her laugh, not that she was looking at Kate. Kara appeared frozen and speechless. Two things not often in her Gucci bag of tricks.

Just when things were getting off-the-charts awkward, Mystery Hottie extended his hand to Grady. “Logan. Nice to meet you, finally. It’s a pleasure hosting your dad at my place.”

Kara huffed and turned her back, grabbing another drink off a passing tray.

“Grady. Great to meet you. This is your place? It’s fantastic.”

Logan smiled the pride only hard work can put on a man’s face. “Thanks. It’s a real labor of love.”

Kara snorted this time.

“Been open just two months tomorrow,” Logan said.

“Well done, man. This used to be something didn’t it? Was it a garage?”

“Hardware store and a lumber yard.”

“Right, I see it now. Incredible building. I love what you’ve done. And the name, The Yard. Perfect.”

Logan beamed. “Thanks. Can I get you guys anything?”

Kara spun around as if on cue. “This food is atrocious.”

Grady was about to hold her off, but it seemed his new friend was perfectly comfortable. Logan stepped into her, shaking his head slowly. “No it’s not.”

She stepped back.

“I mean, seriously what were you going for here? The spices are all wrong, flat even.”

“Nope, the flavors are right on and you know it.”

“Maybe this just isn’t my speed. My pallet is a bit more sophisticated than backyard barbecue.”

Logan raised his eyebrow, held her gaze, and looked like he was waiting for a final blow. He must know Kara, Kate thought.

“That is what you’re going for, right?” She looked around his restaurant. “Barefoot backyard meat grillin’? You pairin’ this with some bathtub gin from the bar there, Logan?” she finished, mocking the casual comfort of the restaurant.

Logan shook his head slowly, stepped into her again and tilted, just a bit. Kara’s sarcasm fell to the floor as he reached forward, brushed past her body, and ran his thumb along the plate Kara had set down before she started her tirade.

This guy was in no need of rescuing; he could clearly take care of himself, and Kara too for that matter. Kara looked like she’d stopped breathing. One touch from Logan and it seemed her entire body was inoperable.

“Looks like you managed to get some of this atrocious food down after all. Empty plates don’t lie.” Logan said, then brought his thumb to his mouth and sucked. “Damn near perfect spice, I’d say,” he smirked and then walked away. “Great seeing you again, Kara. Be sure to stop by anytime.”

Kate and Grady both turned and moved to the bar as Kara stomped off toward the bathroom.

“Oh, Logan, whoever you are, I want you on my team,” Kate said, with a smile that made Grady’s heart race.

He was getting used to that, racing heart and Kate seemed to go hand and hand. It had only gotten worse now that he knew her taste, the sound she made when she let go. Even if it was for just a moment.

“Right? I’m not sure who the hell he is, but he knows my sister,” Grady said.

“And she clearly knows him,” Kate added, wondering how those two would ever be in the same circles. A server in a short skirt came by and practically melted into a puddle right in front of Grady.

“Can I get you anything, anything at all, Grady?” she asked in a smoky voice. Kate turned to Grady to see if he registered that this woman was clearly trying to climb him with her eyes. He did, of course, and smiled.

“I’m great, um,” he looked at her nametag, “Amanda. Just fine for now, thank you.”

“You certainly are,” smoldered Amanda.

“Kate, did you want—” Grady had turned to ask, but Amanda was gone.

“Good God, women of all shapes and sizes just swooning over you all the time. It must be exhausting,” Kate joked, as Grady grabbed some nuts off the tall table.

“Not all women swoon, Kate. Lately I’m encountering runners.” He smiled and she skipped right past swoon and on to complete paralysis. He leaned in, “You’re not swooning, are you, Kate?” The bar was packed and they were pressed together. Kate tried to breathe. She took another sip of the club soda in her hand, wishing it were tequila. Tequila would know what to say, how to put him in his place.

“Is that supposed to be some kind of turn on? You know, the whole lean in when I’m not expecting it thing?”

Oh, that was clearly not the right thing to say, club soda
, because Grady leaned in more and Kate looked for an exit.

“Do I turn you on, Kate?”

Exit, where was that exit?
In another second, she would be allowed to use the fire exit.

“I mean forget the swooning,” he continued, with hooded eyes and some sort of spicy sauce on his breath. “Since you brought it up, do I turn you on?”

Holy shit.
His eyes were locked on her and . . .
was he kidding with this?
This had to be some kind of joke, a test, and she was about to implode.

“Okay, well as fun as this is, I need to get going,” Kate said after she was able to close her mouth and miraculously keep from drooling.