going to be surprised if I broach this topic with him?”
Her cheeks reddened. Despite all her efforts, the blush still creeped up at inopportune times. Particularly when she felt a little sneaky. “I might have told him to start planning because I was sure I’d be able to talk you into it.”
Jack kissed her lightly on the lips. “You’re a tricky one.”
“Oh, there is one more thing.”
“If this involves me having to buy a pony for you too, I’m going to be very upset.”
“My birthday is next month.”
“That’s covered. What else?”
Caroline grinned. “It’s not a pony. Or even a dog. I want to get married soon.”
“How soon?”
“October or November?”
“That’s soon.”
Yes, but they had to start worrying about public perception. “I thought it would be better if we weren’t totally disrespecting our faith while you were campaigning, not for too long. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate. I want us to get married in the next couple of months. In the church if possible.”
“That’s a quick turnaround time.”
“You don’t want to get married that quickly?”
“I’d marry you tomorrow if you’d let me. But we may want to take time to plan something.”
She tried not to sound too sheepish. “I talked to the priest at Chrissy’s parish. He’s nice.”
Jack frowned at her. “How many people have you been talking to lately? I feel like all your talk about rest and recovery has been a ruse.”
“I might have exaggerated a little,” she admitted. “Although I still have a way to go. But he can pull a couple of strings to fit us in. This is really important to me.”
“Does this mean you’re officially accepting my proposal?”
Caroline beamed. “I am. Katie’s going to have a hell of a time drafting a press release. I’m never going to hear the end of it from her. Or Jen.”
“I’m sure my staffers are going to say the same thing.” Jack slipped the engagement ring onto her finger. “I love you.” He cradled her face in his hands and kissed her deeply. She pulled him closer to him with her good hand until he was on top of her.
“Is your arm okay?” he asked in between kisses.
Caroline adjusted herself so her cast was resting against the back of the couch. “It’s fine. Don’t stop.”
She giggled as he began nuzzling her neck, putting his hand under her t-shirt to fondle her breasts over her bra. Very high school. Jack started to pull down her shorts and she realized they didn’t have much room to work with. She wasn’t particularly nimble under the best of circumstances, and her cast was a serious impediment to full-on couch sex.
“How do you feel about going to celebrate this occasion upstairs?” he asked.
“Are you okay with maneuvering around my gimpiness?”
Jack smiled. “Haven’t you been paying attention the last few minutes? I’m a very enterprising man. I can do even more in a giant bed.”
She grinned. “I can’t wait to find out.”
They walked hand in hand toward the stairs, until Jack tugged at her hand and switched direction.
Thoroughly confused and increasingly horny, Caroline stated the obvious. “Um, that’s the only way up to the bedroom.”
Jack pressed his finger to her lips. “Quiet. Follow me. Close your eyes.”
“I don’t know if I should trust you.”
“I just had an inspiration. Roll with it.”
There were a million places he could be taking her, but none of them got her to the promised land. They hadn’t had sex in well over a month and she wasn’t inclined to wait much longer. “Okay.”
He guided Caroline down the hallway. It didn’t take her long to figure out where they were going. If she was right, she could hold out a bit.
“I only have one good arm,” she pointed out.
“Doesn’t matter. As long as it’s wrapped around my neck I don’t care.”
She heard the soft flick of a switch as a door creaked open.
“I think you know where we are,” Jack murmured.
She opened her eyes. The ballroom was a cavernous space with French doors leading out to a terrace overlooking the backyard. There was a small stage in the corner, and tasteful fixtures lined the walls. The room was large. Large enough for – the light went off in her head – a modest wedding reception. One less thing to worry about. Jack led her over to a table near the stage, where a bottle of champagne sat chilling next to an iPod speaker dock.
“Well played, sir,” she said. “You had me going for a minute.”