up beside his.
“Nice toes,” he commented.
She wiggled the digits in question, enjoying the little flowers painted on her freshly manicured toes. They even had a tiny crystal glued in the center of each flower. They were cute. “Foot fetish?” she asked conversationally.
He laughed quietly. “Not especially. But I confess to enjoying every part of a woman. Fascinating creatures, you are.”
The fire hissed quietly, and the dance of flames between the logs soothed her.
“So how did your first day as a senator go?” he asked.
“Not too bad, considering. No one has tried to kill me yet, and I was only partially flayed alive at that party.”
“I’m sorry about that. I shouldn’t have left you alone. I knew they’d jump you, but I didn’t think they’d go for the jugular so fast. Vicious bunch of hyenas.”
“Can I quote you on that?”
“Absolutely. What’s on your agenda for tomorrow?”
She studied him quizzically. “Why do you ask?”
“Far be it for me to tell you what to do...” he trailed off.
“Go ahead.”
“You might want to take a look at the candidates to fill your father’s slot in the upcoming election.”
“Do you have a favorite?”
He shrugged evasively.
She turned to face him. “Who do you like?”
“Your father’s opponent. I’ve donated a fair bit of money to his campaign.”
She laughed, genuinely amused. “I should’ve known.”
“You’re not mad at me?”
It was her turn to shrug. “It’s just politics. For all I know, I may endorse the guy, too.”
Gabe stared, shocked. “You’d turn on your father’s political party?”
“If I don’t like their platform, I will.”
“And I thought I was a rebel. Your father created a monster when he gave you his job.”
“I’ve spent my whole life living in his shadow. I’m sick and tired of it. I’m stepping out into the light.”
He reached up to smooth a strand of hair back from her cheek. “Just be careful, okay? Life in the spotlight can get rough.”
“What do you mean?”
“Not only does everyone see the good things you do, but your mistakes are out there for the whole world to see. It takes a tough hide to deal with the negative stuff that comes with fame.”
“You mean like crazy stalkers breaking into your home?” she asked soberly.
“Among other things. The press delights in crucifying public figures.”
“I believe I got that memo already,” she replied drily.
He sighed, his fingers trailing through the ends of her hair. “I suppose you’re more prepared than most for the storm that’s headed your way. You’ve watched your father live in it for years.” He laid his palm at the base of her neck as if contemplating the pulse fluttering there beneath his touch. He added reflectively, “Although I suppose you’ve been caught in the edges of that storm long enough to know what you’re getting into, don’t you? You’re so much stronger than you look.”
She tilted her head. “Do I come across as weak? A victim?”
He frowned, his hand going still on her skin. “Why do you ask that?”
“I read online that women who are raped often give off signals that they’re weak and would make easy victims.”
“Christ, Will. The bastard wouldn’t even let you talk to a live counselor?” Gabe’s voice was abruptly harsh. Furious. She didn’t need to ask which bastard he was referring to. That would be John Merris.
“It’s okay. I read up on it. I understand how I feel and why I feel that way. And I know what I have to do to put it behind me. I’ll be okay, no problem.”
Gabe’s jaw rippled, and there was abruptly a faint tremor in the hand on her neck. “It’s not that easy, Willa. This is going to take time. I swear, I’d kill him myself if he was still alive.”
She put a soothing hand on his cheek, forcing him to open his tightly shut eyes and look at her. “Gabe. I appreciate your protective urges. But I’m a grown-up. I can take care of myself.”
“Like when that guy broke in to your mom’s house? Or when the police wouldn’t come to your place last night?” he snapped.
Her hand fell into her lap. Was he right? Was she doomed to be taken advantage of and picked on for the rest of her life because she was too wimpy and afraid to stand up for herself? Would she always have to depend on other people to charge in to her rescue when she got in over her head?
Big hands came up to either side of her face. Tilted her unwilling gaze up to meet the color