“Dance with me.”
Immediately, he cursed himself for the demand instead of request, but it didn’t seem to matter. She smiled, a small, sad smile and extended her hand. He took the wine glass out of her other hand and gave it to a passing waiter then swept her into his arms and onto the dance floor. For several long beats, they moved in perfect harmony. It felt right, perfect, with her in his arms. He lowered his head, rested it next to hers and held her close, letting the music wash over them and just enjoyed the moment.
She sighed and started to speak, but he silenced her with a brief kiss, electricity sparking between them. “Not tonight. Just go with it.”
She sighed again but didn’t speak. The song ended far too soon and he escorted her off the floor and directly to her waiting father, Senator Kendall, and his escort, a woman much younger than the senator and clearly not accustomed to the society they were in. The senator’s bushy eyebrows furrowed into one long disapproving line as he glowered at Jason and Stacia.
“Stacia. Friar.”
“Father,” she replied, making no movement to greet her father more warmly despite his proffered cheek.
His gaze darkened further, anger lurking deep in his eyes, lips tightening, almost disappearing in his face. Stacia clenched Jason’s hand in a death grip, gathering strength from him, maintaining a connection that hopefully would give her courage to deal with her father.
“You remember Jason Friar, Father?”
“Of course. From his steroids deposition in front of Congress. We’re still investigating you for perjury, Friar.”
By the gleam of anticipation in his eyes, he was expecting a blowup from Jason. It was that expectation and Stacia’s grip that settled him. He smiled, a long lazy grin. “Investigate all you want, Senator. You won’t find anything. Shouldn’t Congress be doing something more beneficial for the American people than investigating a few ballplayers forpossibledrug use? Like passing a budget, dealing with our deficit, or, heaven forbid, protecting our country?”
The senator’s eyes blazed with rage. He ignored Jason, turning his attention to what he thought would be a softer target. “I’ve spoken with Glazier. You will resume work on his campaign next week. This dalliance withbaseballwill end immediately.” His spat out the wordbaseballlike it was a four letter curse and Jason growled low.
Stacia squeezed his hand, warning him to shut up. “I’ll be returning as PR manager?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You screwed that up months ago. No, my campaign manager is advising Glazier and you’ll report to him.”
“I’m quite familiar with Chicklin and his ways. So, I’ll be a glorified coffee maker, is that what you’re saying?” Her tone was flat and dead, cold even.
“You could learn a lot from him.”
“Right, like how women only have two places in this world—raising children or for sex? Is that any different from your thoughts, Father? Who is this with you, Vanessa’s replacement?” Her gaze flickered over the younger woman clutching her father’s arm.
Jason was stunned to see this other side of Stacia, cold and hard, even cruel. He wanted to step in but the father and daughter were duking it out and she needed to stand up to him. He could only be there for her when it ended. She needed to do this. Needed to know she could stand up to him. That she had worth.
“Stacia! That’s enough of your foul tongue. I see you’ve learned all the wrong things being associated with this man. You should be grateful I went out on a limb to find this position for you, saving your career. Now, be a good daughter and do what you’re told!”
She wrapped her arm around Jason. “I do wish you’d spoken to me before youwent out on a limbfor me. I have a few more weeks on this contract and I don’t break my word. Good luck finding someone else to help out and do all of your work. And good luck to you, dear. I suspect I’ll be calling you Mommy Dearest soon. If I call you at all.” She pulled Jason around and walked away.
Jason stared down at her. “I have been a bad influence on you. Wow.”
She laughed and hugged him tight. “No, you’ve been a very good influence on me.” She sighed and glanced around the crowd, her face reflecting the strain of the weeks of work. “When will this night end?”
“Who are you and what have you done with Miss High Society Stacia Kendall?” He liked this new Stacia, who stood up for what she wanted, fought for it, and protected even him. No one had done that before. He hugged her close and gave her a sound kiss for everyone to see.