An Irresistible Bachelor(81)
"You mentioned damage control. Do you want me to talk to Blair?"
"No, I'm really not concerned about her." There was a pause. "I want you to talk to Callie."
Jack frowned. "About what?"
"She's the one who changed your mind about marrying Blake, right?" When he nodded, Gray said, "Do you plan on keeping her around for a while? Or is she just a temporary diversion?"
"What the hell kind of question is that?"
"A pretty damned important one. And later we can cover why you wanted to set me up with the woman if you were so into her."
Jack stood up and went to the bar. "You want some bourbon?"
"Bradford's?"
"Is there any other kind?"
When Jack handed Gray his drink, they both sat down.
"Callie is much more than a one-night stand. I'm in love with her."
Gray's glass stopped on the way to his mouth. "My God. You're serious."
"Very. She's everything I wasn't looking for and exactly who I want."
Gray shook his head ruefully. "I'm happy for you. Really happy. If I seem surprised..."
Jack laughed. "It's completely understandable. And just remember, if it can happen to me, it can happen—”
"Don't even say it." Gray took a long swallow of his drink and gritted his teeth. "Back to business. I'm going to assume Callie's a factor in the election next year. She needs to know what she's getting into if she sticks around. She's going to get dragged into the fray, and it's only fair to prepare her."
Jack nodded while despising the truth. The last thing he wanted was to have her subjected to the media rush, but he couldn't ignore the inevitable.
"I'll speak with her."
"And it would be helpful to know a little bit about her background."
"That's easy enough." He shrugged and recited her resume.
"What about her family?"
"She doesn't talk about them much."
"Find out why."
"Gray, I'm not going to play private detective on my ..." He wasn't sure how to finish the sentence. Lover? Girlfriend? Those sounded weak compared to how he felt whenever he was with her.
As he struggled, his friend said softly, "We need to know."
When he swore under his breath, Gray shook his head. "This is only the beginning. Have you really thought about what the election is going to do to your life? Are you sure you're up for the scrutiny?"
"I know I want the job." Jack took a drink. "So I'll do what I have to do to get it. But I don't want Callie getting pulled into all the mudslinging. I'm willing to take the hits, but I won't stand for anyone taking shots at her."
Gray hesitated. "Listen, maybe you need to consider what you're signing up for a little more. You know I wouldn't think less of you if you decided to pull out. You can quit anytime before you officially announce."
A knock sounded at the door.
"Come in," Jack said.
Callie put her head inside. "Gray! I didn't know you were coming over. Are you going to have dinner with us?"
Gray smiled in an easy way, tossed back the tail end of his drink, and put the glass on the desk.
"No, I was just leaving." He picked up his coat. "I'll talk to you later, Jack?"
Jack nodded while staring into Callie's face.
When they were alone, she frowned. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Because I'm prepared to kill anyone who tries to get at you, he thought.
"Jack?"
He held his good arm out. "Sorry. Come over here, so I can kiss you."
She shut the door and walked across the room. As he watched her, he felt his blood thickening in his veins and his eyes lingered on her mouth. For all the times they'd been together, he couldn't believe his attraction to her was still so fresh. That he could want someone so much, even after he'd had her, was a revelation.
But that was love, Jack thought.
Positioning her in his lap, he ran his hand down her thigh. "You know something?"
"What?"
"You're beautiful." He pressed his lips onto hers.
As she settled against his body, he thought about what Gray had said. Had he truly considered the ramifications of running? Butch Callahan wasn't going to give up without a serious brawl and all of the other candidates were going to want to win just as badly as Jack did.