Incumbent(30)

When I opened the door, my heart shuddered to a stop at the sight of Drake in a black tux. It looked expensive, and definitely wasn’t a rental. I wasn’t breathing, and wasn’t even sure I was blinking.

“Wow, Lucy, you look stunning.” He leaned in and gave me a peck on the cheek.

“Thank you.” I picked up the red clutch handbag that matched my shoes. “Should we go?”

Drake stared at me. The contrast between his blue eyes and black suit made my thighs clench. I was sure my new panties would be ruined before night’s end.

“Turn around,” he said, his voice a little hoarse. “Let me get a good look at you.”

I flushed with embarrassment, but he did buy the gown after all. So I complied and gingerly pivoted in a complete circle, making sure I didn’t stumble. An audible gasp came from him as he saw the back of my dress, or the lack thereof. When I finally completed my rotation and looked at him, he smiled, revealing my favorite dimple.

“You need to do me a favor tonight.” He took a step forward and placed his hands on my arms.

“What would that be?” I swallowed hard, not knowing what he was going to say. My nerves were already at an all-time high.

“Don’t leave my side. I’ve never seen a woman more beautiful. The men at the event are going to want to dance with you, talk to you, and be close to you. You’re mine, not as a possession, but as my girl, and I’ll be damned if anyone but me holds you tonight. So, like I said, don’t leave my side.”

Crystal-clear blue eyes implored me, and who was I to deny him?

“I promise I won’t leave your side.” I smiled. “But I may need to use the ladies’ room tonight. Then what are we going to do?”

“I’m not worried about the women, but the men . . . they’re a different story. Some are stodgy old men who might need a blue pill, but they aren’t dead.”

“You shouldn’t worry at all. I said I wanted to be with you, and that’s all that matters.”

His hands cupped my face. “Thank you.” He gently kissed me. “Let’s go.”

? ? ?

The event was being held at the fanciest hotel in DC. I’d never been here before, but it was gorgeous. My gaze was instantly drawn to the ceiling, which was illuminated with chandeliers that appeared to have hundreds of teardrop-shaped crystals hanging from them. The room was a sea of round tables covered in white linen, each sporting red-and-white floral centerpieces and navy-blue cloth napkins. It looked like the Fourth of July, but without the fireworks.

Hand in hand, Drake and I made our way farther into the room, and a distinguished-looking older man walked up to us.

“Drake, my boy, it’s good to see you.” They shook hands, and the man turned his sights on me. “Who is this lovely woman?” The fine lines of his face curved upward.

“Hello, Colonel Higgins. This is my girlfriend, Lucy Washburn.”

Girlfriend?

“Lucy, I’d like you to meet Colonel Higgins.”

I smiled and took the hand the man extended to me. He brought mine to his lips and placed a kiss on the back of it.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I was unaware Drake had a girlfriend, and if I may say, he picked a fine one. Yes, a fine one indeed.” He winked. “Maybe you can save a dance for an old man later.”

My mouth opened, but no sound came out. I glanced at Drake, unsure how to respond, and he answered for me.

“I think I could let my girl dance with you. But the rest of her dance card is full.”

Thank goodness Drake spoke up and took the pressure off of me. I relaxed and brought my attention back to the colonel. “Thank you for asking. I’ll look forward to it.”

We walked toward our table, which was right in front of the dais, and sat down. A waiter came by with bottles of white and red wine, and asked us which we preferred. After he poured us each a glass of the red, I was tempted to ask him to leave the bottle.

After taking a sip of my wine, I said, “Thank you for answering the colonel for me.”

Drake leveled a knowing look on me. “I told you men would want to be with you tonight. I don’t think you understand how gorgeous you are.”

“Well, you had me so freaked out, I didn’t know what to do.” I took another sip.

“Colonel Higgins is old enough to be my grandfather,” he said with a chuckle, “and he’s one of my most trusted confidants. When I was in high school, different branches of the military came to try and recruit the seniors, similar to a college fair. I’d always wanted to be in the Army, so I was thrilled to have that opportunity. The colonel was the recruiter I spoke to. Then when I got injured playing ball, he was the one who informed me I couldn’t enlist.”

He took a sip of his wine before he continued. “I told him I felt fine and begged him to cut me a break. All I wanted to do was to serve my country, but it was out of his hands. My medical clearance didn’t hold up, and my military career ended before it started.”

“I’m so sorry, Drake.”

“Thank you, but when I told him I wanted to pursue politics, he encouraged me and introduced me to the right people. So I owe him a lot.”

“So do I.”

Drake’s brows lowered. “What do you mean?”

“If he didn’t encourage you and give you the support you needed, you may never have run for the Senate. If you didn’t do that, you never would have been elected, therefore, you never would have come to my class.” I rested my hand on his forearm and gently squeezed. “You’re not the only one who owes him. I do too.”