Compromising Positions (29 page)

“Afraid he’s moved on?” She gave me a disapproving look. “If that’s the case, you need to know immediately and get on with your life.”

“I know. I know.” I gripped the steering wheel as if that might lend me some support. “Maybe I’m also afraid we’ve hit an impossible impasse, and we have to acknowledge it and break up.”

As I parked the car in the driveway, she wrinkled her nose like something didn’t pass her smell test. “An impossible impasse? If you two are committed to one another, there is no such thing.” She then shook her head. “Do you believe your father supported every war the United States has participated in?”

“No, of course not. How could he? We’ve done some stupid things as a country militarily.”

“Do you think I’ve supported everything he’s ever done or vice-versa?”

“Well, no…”

She opened up the car door and gave me the same admonishing look she had since I was four, whenever I was doing something silly. “I think you and Michael both need to get off your high horse and take this down a notch. Yes, you’re members of Congress, but you’re still people. I promise you the day after this vote that the sun will rise again and life will go on. I’m guessing you’d want to live it together.”

She gave me one last maternal scowl and got out of the car. I sat alone there for a while, taking it all in. Despite my mom’s advice, I was paralyzed in every way. Only the buzz from my phone alerting me of a text made me move. It was from Trish.

Just heard the vote is going to be this week.

The universe wasn’t going to let me wallow and dither anymore. I was going to have to act. Maybe my mom was right.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Michael

The following Wednesday, I frowned as I stared at the form on my desk. Unlike other members of Congress, I was very particular as to when and where my name was used. My father had always taught me that the Grath name was something that needed to be protected. In Congress, “Dear colleague” letters were often used to show strength in numbers on a particular issue by showing all the names of supporters. Many members simply let their staff decide if they would sign on to a particular letter—not me. I’d instituted an internal form in my office that required my personal signature before any dear colleague letter bore my name.

Picking up the paper, I leaned back in my seat and exhaled. The time of reckoning had arrived. Would I sign the letter urging my colleagues to defeat Jessie’s amendment?

The door to my office opened, breaking my concentration, and I looked up to see Jeff walking in. He tapped his watch. “Just a reminder, you’ve got a meeting in ten with those insurance guys.”

“Yeah, I know,” I grumbled.

Taking a seat in the wooden chair near my desk, Jeff pointed to the paper in my hands, “You still haven’t signed that, have you?”

“No, not yet. What are we hearing from the district? How are the calls?”

“Things haven’t changed,” he said, looking at his notes. “About sixty percent of the calls are opposed to defunding Planned Parenthood. About forty percent support it. You could vote either way, and you’d have backing.”

“Hmph.”

“What’s holding you back? The vote’s tomorrow. They want the letter out by two.”

I slumped in my chair. “I wish I had a little more resolution with Jessie before I do it.”

“You haven’t talked at all?”

“No.”

“Still?” He looked befuddled. I’d told him about my little encounter to Cathy.

“I’ve been waiting for her to contact me. She said she’d call me if she had an idea.”

“But you told me she asked you to do the same.”

“Yes, but…”

“But what?”

“I don’t know.” I sighed. “I’ve begun to wonder how she really feels about me.”

“Huh?” Jeff scratched his head in thought. “Come on. She loves you. Everyone can see it. You two are the congressional lovebirds.”

“But it seems like she’s willing to sacrifice our relationship for some cause. Do I want to be with a crazy crusader like that?”

“Dude.” Jeff shook his head, looking at me like I was nuts. “The same can be said about you.”

“Pot calling the kettle black?”

“Uh, yeah…”

“I just wish I could talk with her.”

Jeff’s mouth twitched, and I knew the expression well. It always occurred when we were in disagreement and right before he’d say nothing more on an issue.

At that moment, there was a soft knock on the door. I called out, “Come in.”

The door opened, and a shy legislative assistant, Jennifer, entered holding a piece of paper. “Excuse me, Congressman Grath. Jeff.”

“Yes, what is it?” I asked.

“Um,” she said, her voice straining to find strength. “Jeff told me to monitor the press for any stories about the Planned Parenthood amendment where your name is mentioned. He told me to notify him immediately.”

“And there’s a new one?” I asked. I worried whenever I heard of a new story because so far the media had been kind to Jessie and me. I’d informed my staff that the only statement my office would make to the press on the issue was “Congressman Grath has a strong pro-life record and will continue in that regard.” I liked it because it simultaneously said everything about my position in general and nothing about the specific amendment.

“Yes,” she walked toward us and passed out two pages. “One just popped up. I printed it out for you.”

“Thank you, Jennifer,” I said, taking the paper.

“You’re welcome,” she said and scurried out the door.

As she exited the office, Jeff and I focused on the printouts. When I finished reading it, I said nothing, but looked at Jeff, who was still reading. Our eyes soon met, and Jeff raised his eyebrows. He held the page up and read aloud. “When asked how she felt about her congressman-boyfriend publicly opposing her amendment, the Congresswoman issued the following statement: ‘Congressman Grath and I agree and disagree about many things in life—just as I do with all of my loved ones. I believe his anti-choice position on abortion is wrong-headed, to say the least, and as a Phoenix Cardinals fan, I also think his support of the Chicago Bears is foolish.”

My smile grew as Jeff read. After he had finished, Jeff raised his head and laughed. “That’s an awesome quote.”

“It’s great, isn’t it?” I said with a mixture of pride and relief.

Setting the paper on the desk, Jeff asked, “So do you think this was some sort of signal for you? Like she wants you to know things are okay?”

“Maybe. I don’t know…” My voice trailed, but the smile didn’t leave my face.

“So are you going to call her? I think since you’ve read this, it’s appropriate for you to call her first.”

“I’m not going to call her.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m going to go see her.”

“Really? When?” Jeff chuckled.

“I’m going to surprise her tonight,” I said with a wink.

“I’ve been married for ten years, and I’d say that’s a good idea.” He nodded toward the door. “I bet those insurance execs are here now. I’ll bring them in.”

“Thanks. That would be great.”

He headed for the door, but soon turned around and smirked, “Oh, and you might want to wipe that shit-eating grin off your face, or they’re going to ask why you’re so happy.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Jessie

Late that night, I trudged home. My mind was still busy, though my body was about to give out. As I rattled through the things I needed to add to my to-do list, images of a bath and pillow popped into my head like little reminders of my weary body. When I turned the corner to my street, I smiled when I saw the darkened upstairs. Trish had obeyed my order to go home and spend time with Larry.

Then my smile dropped into a gape when I spotted Michael sitting on the stoop.

The early August night was hot, but because he, too, had just come from work, he still wore his suit pants and dress shirt. The missing tie and rolled up shirtsleeves were the only recognition of summer. His phone added a little glow to the night, as he sat reading it. Though my heart warmed just seeing my handsome boyfriend, I instantly became unsure why he was waiting for me.

Was he coming to make up or to further hash things out? Or was this the end? Drawing closer, I gulped and found a smile for him. “Hello, stranger.”

Michael’s head popped up as if I’d pressed a button, and he chuckled, stashing his phone in a pocket. “I’d say you’re the beautiful stranger.”

He’d called me beautiful. That was a very good sign. All the barriers that had come between us in the last few weeks disappeared for me. My lonely heart and tired body only sensed the love of my man. I walked up to him and touched his shoulder. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”

“So are you,” he said as his hand grazed my arm. His expression hardened. “I felt that we needed to talk.”

“Yeah?” I asked with trepidation.

“With what you said in the press today…” Michael first shook his head. I was sure he was pissed, but then his lips soon formed into a sneaky smile. “I know I screwed up before with my pillow talk comment, but I can’t have you saying things like that about me and my Bears.”

Relief overcame me, and I grinned in liberation. I was tickled. “You didn’t like that?”

“Not at all.”

“Got your attention though, didn’t it?”

“It did.” He smiled and took my hand. “Great quote, Congresswoman.”

“Thanks.” I gestured down to my apartment door. “Want to come inside?”

“Hell, yes.” He jumped to his feet.

After I had shut the door behind us, I dropped my laptop and purse on the little desk, where they landed with a thud. I turned to Michael, who frowned. Walking toward me, he said, “You seem awfully tired, babe.”

Now, he’d called me babe. Things were definitely looking up. “I am tired,” I admitted.

“I’m sorry. What can I do for you? Do you want some food?” He looked down at Severus and scratched his head. “I know Severus does.”

“Severus wants to be let out, and I ordered pizza at the office.”

“Then sit down.” Now closer to me, he kissed my forehead. “I’ll let your tragic hero outside and get you a drink.”

His kiss reminded me that I’d started the morning banking on the fact that I wouldn’t be in close physical proximity to anyone over the course of the day, especially not an estranged boyfriend. I placed my hand on my chest and took a step back. “I’m really sorry. I was in such a hurry this morning I skipped a shower.” I touched the now messy bun which held my hair together. “Do you mind if I get cleaned up?”

“No, go right ahead. I’ll get a beer and watch television for a bit.”

When I entered the bathroom, I knew I should just take a quick shower, but as the water ran over me the bathtub called. I’d longed for a hot bath most of the day. With a glance at the door, I told myself a bath would only take a few minutes longer than a shower. But after I settled into the pooling water of the tub, I started to really relax. As soon as the water reached the right level, I turned it off and leaned back, closing my eyes. The next thing I knew, I heard Michael’s voice say, “Jessie, are you okay?”

My body jerked as I came to, and my eyes sprang open to see Michael standing next to the tub. “Oh, crap. I’m sorry I fell asleep.”

“That’s what I thought when you didn’t come out after thirty minutes.”

“Thirty minutes? I’m so sorry. That was really rude of me.”

“Not rude. Just a little dangerous. Don’t sleep in the tub. You could drown.”

“I know. I know.” I stretched my arms into the water and smiled. “I feel better, though.”

“That’s good.” He stole a look at the water and suds covering my body. “You look better, too.”

The bubbles were disappearing around me, and my naked body was exposed. I hadn’t been naked in front of him in a while. I knew we needed to talk. The healthy route was to clear the air between us and
then
have sex. I was naked though… I rolled my tongue coyly in my cheek. “Can you give me a towel?”

“I’d rather not,” he said, raising a brow. “But I will.” He grabbed the nearest bath towel and held it up so he could wrap it around me. “Come here.”

All the while knowing he was eyeing my body, I rose and stepped out of the tub. I stood before him with my arms raised as he took his time cloaking me. When he was finished, I draped my arms around his neck. “It’s good to see you again.”

His blue eyes darkened as he said in a rough voice, “Yes, it is.”

The mood was all sex in the tiny room, and how I wanted to have sex with him without another thought, but my better angels wouldn’t allow it. First, I had to know what sort of emotional catastrophe I might be setting myself up for. My stomach flipped as I posed the fateful question. “Michael, I have to know. While we’ve been apart… have you been with anyone else?”

I held my breath waiting for his answer. He blinked twice. I’d clearly broadsided him, but then he gave me reassuring smile and shook his head. “No.” He placed both of his hands on my cheeks and said, “But because I don’t want any secrets between us, I’ll tell you I had the opportunity, but I couldn’t even kiss her.”

I was sure the “her” was Cathy, but I really didn’t need confirmation. That seemed like a secondary question. Instead, I asked, “Why? Why couldn’t you?”

He chuckled. “Because I’m hopelessly in love with you. Can’t you see it?”

With that, his arms encircled me, and my heart and soul swooned. The towel landed on the floor in a matter of seconds. His kisses came fast and furious, and I responded by pressing my body to his. In no time, I felt his penis hard against me. Ignoring what my wet skin was going to do to his nice suit pants, I stood on my tip toes to position myself so I could feel him.

Clothing apparently wasn’t on his mind either, because he gripped my rear to lift me closer. As we found our favorite rhythm to our mutual desire, he moved kisses from my lips to my neck and then down to my breasts. I lost myself once again with the man I loved. It took the shock of the cold marble against my bottom for me to realize that he’d placed me on the vanity. I pulled back to look at our position and smiled. “This should be fun.”