Incumbent(28)
Lucy sat quietly, and it didn’t escape me that she stopped fiddling with her hair the moment I mentioned it. I sat down again on the sofa and tried to relax against the back pillow as I turned to look at her.
She smiled and rested her head against the pillow, mirroring my pose. “Where should I start?”
“For one, I asked you on a date over an hour ago, and I’m still waiting for that answer.”
“Oh, sorry.” A cute giggle escaped her. “Yes. I’d love to be your date.”
“I’m glad.”
“As far as the rest of it, let’s just take it one day at a time. I like you a lot, Drake, and I’d love to be yours one day, but we need to take it slow. This is a big year for you, and you don’t need any distractions.”
“The only time I’m distracted is when I’m wondering what you’re doing or thinking. But I know what will help.”
“What’s that?”
“Knowing you aren’t dating anyone else.”
She shook her head with a small smile. “I’m not dating anyone else. I really haven’t dated anyone exclusively in years.”
“I hope you’ll allow me to change that.” I brought her hand to my lips and kissed her palm. “Ms. Washburn, will you date me and only me?”
She nodded and her smile rose, creating fine laugh lines beside her eyes. “Yes, Senator Prescott, I’d love to.”
Relief washed over me. “Please, call me Drake.” I knew she was kidding using my title, but I wanted to hear my name pass her lips.
Her body shifted as she brought my hand to her mouth and placed her soft lips on the back of it. “Drake.”
No woman had ever kissed my hand before, and there was something oddly seductive about it. The warmth of her lips as they pressed against my skin sent a shock wave up my arm.
Yes, I’d made the right choice. Lucy was perfect for me.
CHAPTER 9
Lucy
On Thursday, I went gown shopping with Gretchen. Drake had given her my number after he told me the event we were going to was a black tie affair. I had pretty dresses, but not one that would work for Saturday night.
I’d arranged to meet her at Tyson’s Galleria after work. The most shopping I’d ever done at this mall was via the windows. The stores here weren’t exactly in the price range of someone on a teacher’s salary, but I did have some money set aside in an emergency fund. And to me, this was an emergency.
When I walked into the ladies’ department at Saks, Gretchen already had several gowns waiting for me on a rolling rack. As I approached her and the dresses, my nerves spiked. They looked extremely expensive, which worried me. Even using my savings, I probably couldn’t afford them.
“There you are.” Gretchen hurried over to me and gave me a hug. “As you can see, I pulled some gowns that I thought might work for you. I guessed you were about a size four, right?”
“Hi, Gretchen, and yes, in most cases I’m a four or a six.”
“Fantastic. I wasn’t sure about your shoe size, so I grabbed a few different styles and sizes.” She tugged on my hand and led me toward the dressing rooms, where a very well-put-together woman was waiting for us, while another wheeled in the rack of gowns.
The saleswoman introduced herself and told us if we needed different styles or sizes to let her know. Before I knew it, I was in my underwear and bra, and Gretchen was helping me into my first gown. It was a black silk number and although it was pretty, it was too slinky for me.
Gretchen eyed me as I did a slow turn in front of the three-way mirror. “I don’t think that’s the one.” She went through the rack and handed me another. “Try this one.”
I slid into a black-and-red embroidered gown with an open back. It was gorgeous.
“Wow, Lucy. It’s beautiful on you. You have such great boobs, you won’t even need a bra.”
My face heated as I’m sure all the blood in my body filled my face. “There are cups sewn in, so this isn’t all me.” I tried to smile, but I was embarrassed.
“Do you have any idea how stunning your body is?” Gretchen shook her head. “Look at yourself. What do you think?”
“I think it’s the most beautiful dress I’ve ever had on.” I did a one-eighty on the little pedestal, and when the saleswoman walked in, her opinion was the same as Gretchen’s.
The gown was a bit long, but I wearing high heels. As if she read my mind, Gretchen said, “You need a kickass pair of shoes.”
I grabbed the tag that hung under my arm, and when I read it, my heart stopped. The gown cost nearly four hundred dollars.
Gretchen shook her head. “Don’t be angry.”
“Why would I be angry?”
“Because the gown is paid for.”
“What? Who paid for it?”
“Drake did.” She lifted her palm to stop me from arguing. “He wanted to do it. When he wants something, he generally gets it, so he had me give his credit card information to the saleswoman.”
I frowned. “Yes. I’m figuring this out about him.” Inspecting the dress in the mirror, I did one final spin. “Hmm, I guess I have more money for shoes now.” Then I had an idea. “Would it be weird for you if we went to the lingerie department?”