Her most recent article on Charles was with Stanley, her manager at In Step, for review, so while she waited to hear back from him, she was jotting down ideas for her next article that she wanted to review with her editor. Caitlin, an intern working the campaign as part of a night school poli-sci class, stopped by.
“Ember, would you mind keeping Brandon company? I have to get to class.”
“Sure.”
“I’m back tomorrow afternoon, so I can go over his instruction then.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Ember turned to Brandon and extended her hand. “I’m Ember. Nice to meet you, Brandon.”
“Hey.”
“Okay, so I’ll see you both tomorrow. Thanks, Ember.”
Brandon watched Caitlin until she disappeared, so Ember took the opportunity to study the boy. He had dark-brown hair and greenish-gray eyes. And he was tall, close to six feet, and surprisingly muscled for a teenager.
His eyes suddenly turned back to Ember and she blushed at getting caught staring. He grinned, and Ember couldn’t help but think that this boy was going to be trouble when he got older.
“What brings you here? Charles doesn’t often get volunteers that are still in high school. Are you interested in politics?”
All traces of humor left Brandon’s expression before he said, “Didn’t really have a choice.”
“Your parents?”
“Don’t have any. I live in a group home.”
“Oh, sorry.”
“It’s cool. I got in some trouble so it was either this or juvie.”
As arrogant as Charles was, Ember was surprised he was okay with the arrangement. Brandon seemed to read her thoughts and added, “Mr. Michaels is cool with it.”
Ember thought that was an interesting tidbit on Charles. Was it possible there was another side to him? The thought had just entered her head when the door to his office slammed open and out came Heidi Moore, red-faced. At first Ember thought she was seeing things, but no, it was definitely Heidi. She had been so infatuated with Trace for a time that she’d actually stalked him. A knot formed in Ember’s stomach since she knew there was more to Trace and Heidi’s relationship than Heidi’s unrequited love; Trace had also once used her to try to drive Ember away. She tried to ignore her reaction to that fact and focused instead on the scene before her. What the hell was Heidi doing here? And how did she know Charles?
“I’m not kidding. Don’t fuck with me or you’ll regret it,” Heidi yelled.
“What the . . . ?” Charles grabbed her by the arm and pulled her from the office and Ember shamelessly strained her neck looking out the window to see him haul her down the street.
“What was that all about?” Brandon said.
“Politics,” Ember answered, but she knew even as she spoke the words that politics had very little to do with that scene. What the hell was that all about?
Ember returned home later in the day and, based on the incredible smell wafting down the hall from the kitchen, Trace had beaten her home. As if on cue, her stomach growled. Dropping her keys on the table, she walked into the kitchen.
“Hello, beautiful.”
“Hi. What are you making?”
“My sister was in the mood for mac and cheese.”
“Sounds good, smells better. Chelsea has good taste.”
He looked at Ember from over his shoulder, but whatever was on the tip of his tongue was replaced with a look of concern. He moved to the table and pulled out a chair.
“You should sit. You look exhausted.”
She dropped down into the chair just as he knelt down next to her. “Can I get you anything?” he asked her.
“Some of that mac and cheese when it’s done.”
“You got it.”
“So guess who I saw today at campaign headquarters?”
“No idea.”
“Heidi.”
For just a second, Ember saw rage sweep Trace’s expression before he pulled it under control. He lowered himself so that they were eye level and then he kissed her. It started out as a chaste kiss, but his tongue sought and was granted access into her mouth. He cradled the back of her head to take the kiss deeper. In the next minute, he lifted her into his arms. He turned the heat off on the stove and carried her down the hall to their bedroom. Ember barely heard the click of the lock before Trace had her on the bed where he slowly undressed her. Exhaustion took a backseat to desire as tingles burned through her. Edginess made her reach for him, but her hands came away empty. Her eyes opened to find Trace reaching