Eli looked out over the crowd as he wrapped up the last few lines of his speech. Charity events such as this one weren't anything new, but he had to appear appropriately impressed, after all. He was virtually on autopilot, so he was mildly startled when the crowd broke into thunderous applause, and he quickly moved to step down from the podium.

Sosie immediately came and wrapped a hand around his upper arm, steering him toward a crowded table.

“Remember that we're here for donor support,” she whispered under her breath as she smiled at a couple of middle-aged benefactors.

He sighed.

Eli hadn't grown up with this kind of wealth, and he certainly hadn't been raised in this kind of environment. But running for president meant he'd have to grin and bear it. It wasn't that he hated rich people. He just wasn't comfortable around them.

He shook hands with everyone Sosie introduced him to, made appropriate small talk, told jokes. But he couldn't remember the names of anyone he'd just met as his eyes constantly searched for Meredith.

He allowed himself to briefly fantasize about what it would be like to have Meredith as his date for an event like this. He suspected it would be fantastic. But he surprised himself by how much he wished that fantasy could become reality.

A few more minutes passed before he finally located her. She was fitting in quite well from the looks of things, looking completely at ease and in her element as she flitted around, chatting with various people. Of course the daughter of Benedict Fields would thrive in an environment like this. But he had never seen her wear her money like a mantle before, like these people.

Sosie led him to yet another table and introduced him to even more donors. He smiled and listened to their issues, promising their concerns would be his number one concerns if elected. Sosie expertly whisked him away just as the conversation started to lag.

“I think we can leave,” Sosie whispered as a jazz band started playing in the background.

Eli smiled when he saw some of the guests get up on their feet and start to dance enthusiastically. He thought that maybe it wouldn't be so bad to stay and enjoy things a little bit longer.

“I want to stay and enjoy the drinks and music, I think,” he mumbled.

He knew his campaign manager would be surprised. Inwardly he prepared to do battle, fully expecting her to argue with him and try to talk him out of the idea.

Sosie blinked.

“What?” she asked.

Eli understood where she was coming from. It was because she knew how much he found it uncomfortable to hang out with the rich crowd. And saying that he’d want to stay was a first.

“I’ll stay,” he repeated, gazing at Meredith again.

Following his stare, Sosie frowned.

“You shouldn’t get involved with anyone. You know that,” she reminded him.

He scowled. He knew that more than anyone else. She didn't need to tell him something he already knew.

“I know, Sosie.”

She shrugged and checked her watch before sighing.

“I have three early morning interviews first thing tomorrow,” she murmured.

“So go. I’ll be fine,” he replied, hoping he didn’t sound rude.

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” she warned again. “And don't stay out too late. You have a busy day tomorrow as well.”

“Alright. I’ll be back by midnight,” he responded, and she nodded, evidently satisfied with that arrangement.

Who are you? Cinderella? Dude, get a life! a voice in his head mocked as he watched Sosie walk away.

Politely, he excused himself from the chitchat of the group around him, heading to where Meredith was – his eyes planted on her, afraid she might disappear if he took his eyes off her. She was talking with someone but when he approached them, the other woman politely excused herself and left the two of them alone.

He studied how lovely she looked with the way the gown accentuated her curvy body. She met his gaze when he edged closer to her. In her eyes was a glint of… he wasn’t so sure. Surprise? Interest? Hunger?

But he thought he must have been imagining things.

“I see you made yourself comfortable,” he commented.

“Yeah, well. I’m not sure why I’m here, so…” Meredith replied, shrugging.

Eli smirked.

“Dance with me,” he said. It sounded like more of an order and less than an invitation. But as long as she agreed, he didn't really care how it came off.

Meredith cast a furtive glance around, looking to see if anyone had heard him. Her eyes were wide, and he found the expression on her face absolutely adorable.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” she said hesitantly.

“I'm willing to take that chance,” he whispered after taking her glass and setting it on a nearby table. “Come on,” he urged, leading her to the dance floor, pulling her into his arms.

Eli felt her body tense as he slid his hands a few inches down her spine.

He was playing with fire, that was for sure.

He was undeniably attracted to her.

Leading the dance, he got a whiff of her perfume. It smelled like mild vanilla with the hint of something spicier underneath.

How appropriate, he thought.

Meredith's movements were stiff, and she avoided his gaze as they danced. Maybe some small talk would help her relax.

“So, how are you liking the job so far? Is it everything you hoped it would be?”

Eli felt her hands tense on his shoulders as she glanced at him, shaking her head.

“Nope. And I didn’t have my choice of assignments,” she stated flatly.

“You do know that this is a very sought after assignment, right?” he asked, cocking an eyebrow at her.

“What? Being on a bus all day with a bunch of people I don’t know? I could do that anywhere,” she retorted with a frown.

“You’re with the best of the best. I bet if you ask around, you’ll find out that your rivals are quite well prepared for the task. I imagine some of them even fought to get the position. And yet, you seem to feel like your time could be better spent elsewhere.”

Meredith smiled impishly, melting his insides. He could feel his stomach twisting as his heart pounded against his ribcage. How did she fucking do that?

“It’s not that, exactly. It’s just… you know, my best friend is partying in Bali, going to huge ragers on yachts. And I’m… here,” she explained with a shrug.

“Did you even study journalism in school?” he questioned sarcastically, earning himself an offended look.

“I’ll have you know that I graduated at the top of my class. I just thought… I thought my concentration would be elsewhere.”

“Like going to parties on yachts?” he said teasingly.

He grinned. It was gone in an instant, but he noticed her looking at his mouth.

“I thought I’d concentrate on fashion, maybe. Or music…”

“Ah, I see. So the presidential race just isn’t exciting enough for you,” he noted.

She looked at him with a serious expression, meeting his eyes with her deep blues.

“Why are you so interested in me?” she questioned.

Eli chuckled in amusement. “It’s not every day that I run into the sexy stranger who gave me the lap dance of my life. You’re the only woman who’s been able to capture my attention for more than a fleeting instant. Why shouldn't I be interested?” he spoke huskily, maintaining eye contact. “Because you have a campaign to run?” she replied contemptuously.

He laughed softly.

“No, Sosie has a campaign to run. I just show up where she tells me to,” he mumbled, half to himself.

Meredith smirked at him like he had misspoke.

“Well, then I guess you shouldn't be interested in me because I'm twenty-three, and you're... what, thirty-six? Thirty-seven?” she said.

Eli winced upon the mention of their considerable age difference.

“Thirty-five,” he supplied. “My birthday is in January.”

Meredith sighed heavily. “If anyone sees you making a move on me, it’ll create trouble. And trouble is something that a presidential candidate does not need.”

“Touché,” he replied.

She stopped dancing and pulled away from his grasp, looking at him with a blank expression on her face. He didn't know how to react.

“So let me go,” she stated firmly in a low and very stern voice.

“Just give me until the end of this song,” he found himself begging.

But instead of saying anything, Meredith shot him a meaningful look and broke free from his hold. She walked away gracefully, and there was nothing he could do as she left.

Damn. He needed to get a hold of himself.