Lorna Sable looked up as Jamal entered the lobby with several bouquets of flowers. He smiled and stopped across from her.
“Good afternoon to the beautiful Lorna Sable,” he greeted.
Lorna blushed. “Hi Jamal. Who are all those flowers for?”
Jamal glanced down at the bundles of fragrant petals. “Well these were ordered by Lana’s Casanova. He instructed me to put them in his room.”
“Derek ordered those for Lana?” she questioned.
He nodded. “But I have something for you out in my truck.”
She gave him a suspicious look. “And exactly what is that?”
Jamal leaned forward. “You have to come and find out.”
Lorna smiled. “You aren’t fooling me with that one. I’m not sixteen anymore.”
“But you’re still just as sweet and fine,” Jamal said softly.
“You can put the flowers in the Blue Room,” Lorna told him. “And get back to your job so that I can get back to mine.”
Jamal smiled. “Pretty soon, I’m going to catch you for good, Lorna.”
She winked at him. “You keep chasing, Jamal.”
“Oh, I will beautiful…trust.”
Lorna watched as he turned and headed up the stairs then returned a minute later empty handed. “I put them on his table. That dude’s room is spotless, not a thing out of place.”
She lifted a brow. “Easier to tell if anyone’s been touching things that they have no business,” she said pointedly.
Jamal smiled. “Nah, I’m not sixteen anymore either.”
Lorna sighed. “I’m really proud of you Jamal. You’ve turned your entire life around.”
“Lorna Sable did that, all by herself.”
She laughed softly. “Get out of here boy.”
Jamal nodded slowly before leaving and closing the door behind him. A minute later, he returned with another colorful bouquet and Lorna’s eyes widened as he sat them on the counter.
“I arranged these for you, because they are just as bright and beautiful as my Lorna.” He winked at her, then left for good.
Lorna studied the arrangement, then smiled. “I’m waiting for you to catch me, Jamal,” she whispered to herself.
She glanced up again as Lana and Derek entered the door hand in hand before Derek released Lana’s hand immediately and she looked up at him.
“I’ll see you later,” Derek said quietly and Lana smiled softly.
“Yes,”
She reached for the basket and he transferred it to her grasp. “Thank you for lunch, Lana.”
“It was very much my pleasure, Derek.”
He smiled then headed to the stairs, passing Lorna in the lobby. “Hi Lorna.”
“Hey Derek, did you have a good lunch?”
Derek glanced back at where Lana still stood with the basket in her hand. “It was incredible,” he answered and disappeared up the stairs.
When he was gone, Lana approached the counter and sat the basket on top. She glanced back to the empty stairway and sighed.
“So, I guess things went well?” Lorna questioned.
Lana ran her tongue along her bottom lip, still tasting Derek’s kisses on her tongue. “Yes, I think so.”
“Are you spending more time with him?”
She nodded. “Not around guests, though. We agreed on that.”
“He’s a very important guy. We found out all kinds of information about him when Lena and I googled him…”
Lana’s eyes widened. “You and Lena googled Derek?”
“And ran a background check.” Lorna confirmed.
“Are you serious?”
Lorna lifted a brow. “You think we’d just let you go off with some guy that we didn’t know anything about? You’re our big sister and we look out for you, just like you look out for us.”
Lana smiled. “You two are something else, and don’t worry…I did my own checking out of Mr. Derek Wells.”
“Were you impressed?” Lorna questioned.
“Very much so, and I’m being impressed even more each time I’m with him,” Lana confessed.
Lorna smiled. “Lena says that she hopes you can hold on to him.”
Lana frowned. “First, you don’t ‘hold’ on to a man. He either wants to be with you or not. Secondly, Lena should focus on marketing the Inn and lastly, you two need to get some business of your own.”
Lorna laughed. “Yes, boss.”
“I’m not your boss,” Lana corrected. “We all run this place together.”
“Right boss…”
Lana grabbed the basket. “I’m taking this back to Mrs. Langston and then I’ll be back to cover the front.”
Lorna saluted her with a smile and Lana shook her head as she walked away.
“I hope he likes bosses,” Lorna mumbled to her herself.
******
Upstairs in his room, Derek looked around at the delivered flowers. Jamal handled his business very well. He kicked off his boots and headed to the bed, where he sat and glanced at his phone on the nightstand.
He picked it up and touched the screen to reveal a long list of missed calls and messages. One in particular caught his eye and he dialed the number quickly.
“Where the hell are you?” the female voice demanded. “I’ve left a hundred messages.”
Derek sat back against the pillows. “First, you haven’t called a hundred times because I’ve only been on DND for the last two days. Second, I told you that I was taking a break and lastly, what is so important?”
“Well it seems, you’re in demand. People are even calling me asking where you are.”
Derek frowned. “Who’s calling you?”
“Derek, Washington is in turmoil and everybody is looking for you,” she told him.
“What the hell am I supposed to do?”
She sighed. “Listen, little brother, you created this reputation and you’ve earned it with your hard work. As a law professor, I can tell you that our so called democracy is being destroyed before our very eyes and people are looking for solutions.”
“You’re one of the solutions,” she finished.
“I’m working on something else right now,” he told her.
“A new candidate?”
Derek glanced out the window. “It’s personal.”
“Personal?”
“That’s what I said,” he confirmed.
Sighing again, she said, “Look Derek, this isn’t the time for you to go playing Romeo. There is important work that needs to be done.”
“Listen, Dina…I’ve busted my ass getting qualified candidates in office, in this one-sided system we have in this country. It’s not my job to fix what’s broken in politics. The people elected who they wanted,” Derek rebutted.
“Are you sure of that?”
Derek lifted a brow. “What are you talking about?”
“The news over the last few days, Derek. You need to plug back in…now.”
He reached for his bag that held his computer. “Let me see what’s up,” he told her. “I’ll call you back.”
“Call me,” she said pointedly.
“I will.” Derek disconnected the call and turned on his computer. After searching the political news, what he saw, rocked him to the core. While in Washington, he’d heard rumors of election fraud and conspiracies of treason, but he’d chalked them up to just that…rumors and conspiracies. However, over the last day it seemed that actual evidence was now coming into play.
“What the hell?” he said aloud.
Continuing to read through the articles, he picked up his phone again.
Derek began as soon as they answered. “Brian, I just plugged in. Is this true?”
“Derek, man I’ve been trying to reach you since the news broke the other day. This is some real deep shit. We’ve never seen anything like this before,” Brian replied.
Derek shook his head. “I can’t even understand this.”
“Nobody can right now, new information and evidence is being leaked every day to the press,” he explained.
“What is the other party doing?” Derek questioned.
“With one party running the White House, and controlling the Congress, they have basically no power. And the controlling party is rolling right along with this underhanded agenda,” Brian told him.
“The Congressional Black Caucus?” Derek asked.
“They’re trying but basically being ignored by this administration.”
Derek scratched his head. “Damn, this is crazy. They actually have some real evidence?”
“It appears that way and there’s probably so much more out there that this is going to be a real scandal when it’s all said and done.”
“Democracy is dying a slow death,” Derek commented. “Although, we’re still working to reap the benefits that are already afforded to those currently in power.”
“We need to get organized because this is going to affect the next congressional elections like never before,” Brian advised.
“I agree,” Derek told him. “This is changing the entire political landscape.”
“That’s why you’re in demand. Every possible candidate is looking for you because seats are going to be up for grabs.”
Derek closed his computer. “I was supposed to be taking a break while this new administration settled in.”
“They may not be there for the duration.”
“I see,” Derek paused. “But, I have another situation.”
“You’ve already committed to a candidate?” Brian questioned.
“No, I’ve committed to a woman.” Derek answered.
“How long have you known this woman?” Brian asked. “You’ve never mentioned anyone.”
“I just met her yesterday.”
“Yesterday?”
He sighed. “I stopped at an Inn in the country, here in Michigan and I met one of the owners,” Derek explained.
“Okay, so what’s the problem?”
“I promised her I’d be here for thirty days, at least. I had no idea things would change so quickly.”
Brian replied, “Derek this is our business.”
Derek stood to his feet and walked to the window. “I’ll stay plugged in and monitor things from here.”
“The way things are moving, in a month, we can have lost a year’s worth of ground,” Brian advised.
Looking down, Derek saw Lana giving another tour of the grounds. As the couple marveled at the scenery, she peeked up at his window. Their eyes met and unbeknownst to her guests, she gave a small wave.
Derek waved back and she returned to her job. Into the phone, he said, “Yeah, like I said…I’ll monitor things from here and if I need to move, I’ll do it when necessary.”
Brian paused. “So it’s like that?”
“Yeah, it is.”
“I hope she’s worth it.”
Derek got another glimpse of Lana as she walked. “She’s definitely worth finding out.”
“Okay, I’ll be in touch.”
“Talk to you later. I’ll work on some strategizing.”
They ended the call and Derek returned to the bed. Sitting his phone aside, he reopened his computer and began getting up to speed, since it seemed like his vacation had been interrupted. He put on his glasses and threw himself into his work.
A few hours later, the phone rang beside his bed and he answered. “Hello?”
“Hi, it’s Lana. I don’t want to disturb you, but you didn’t order dinner and the kitchen will be closing soon,” she told him.
Derek looked at his watch. “Damn, I didn’t know it was this late.”
“Were you sleeping?” she asked.
“Nah, I was working.”
“I thought you were on break?”
Derek glanced at his computer screen. “Yeah, I thought so too.”
“Would you like me to bring something up to you?” Lana offered.
He smiled. “Yes, I’d like that.”
“What would you like?”
“Whatever you bring.”
Lana laughed softly. “That could mean a lot of different things.”
“I know.”
“I’ll see you in about twenty minutes.”
“I’ll be right here,” Derek told her. “Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome. We take care of our guests here at the Sable Inn.”
Lana hung up and Derek went to take a quick shower before she arrived with his meal. Derek wasn’t accustomed to a woman he was interested in, bringing him food on a tray. He’d certainly not been raised with traditional gender roles. He had learned to cook and clean, while his sisters could mow the lawn and take out the trash. They’d been raised as a family where everyone could do everything, when necessary.
Underneath the hot spray of the shower, he thought about his job. He and Brian, were both campaign managers at Derek’s firm. Brian worked more behind the scenes, while Derek was hands on with the candidates. These new developments meant that all upcoming elections were more relevant than ever before, meaning that Derek had to be on top of his game.
He dried off and slipped into some sweatpants and a T-shirt just as there was a knock on the door. Quickly, he answered and opened it to find the beauty on the other side.
“Your dinner, sir…” Lana said with a smile.
Derek reached for the tray and carried it inside while she followed, closing the door behind her. “You smell…good,” she whispered.
After settling the tray, he turned to her. “I just showered.”
“That’s not our soap,” she inhaled again.
Derek walked closer. “No, it’s my own.”
“It’s very nice,” Lana said looking up at him.
He touched her hair. “Are you still working?”
Lana shook her head. “No, I’m done for the night.”
“Then come and let me seat you,” Derek said taking her hand and walking her over to where the tray sat. He held out the chair and she sat then waited for him to sit on the other side.
“I wasn’t expecting to dine with you,” he said quietly. “But it’s a wonderful surprise.”
Lana smiled. “I don’t want to wear out my welcome.”
“That’s not possible,”
She looked away and lifted the covers from the plates. “I hadn’t expected to eat with you either, but since it’s so late, I closed down the dining with my sisters and the Night Manager came in early…so here I am.” Lana uncovered the two glasses of lemonade.
“In that case, I’m thankful for the late hour, your sisters and the Night Manager.” Derek picked up his glass. “To my good fortune.”
Lana matched his motion and touched her glass to his. “And to mine.”
They both took a sip before turning to their meals. “So, why were you working so hard today?” she inquired.
“My sister called me with some information,” he explained. “Some turmoil in D.C.”
Lana nodded. “Your sister is also into politics?”
“She’s a Constitutional Law Professor.”
“Your mother had some really smart kids,”
He smiled. “We’re almost as smart as the Sable sisters are beautiful.”
Lana smiled softly and went back to her dinner. “So I assume you’ll be leaving soon?” she threw out.
“I have unfinished business here,”
He waited until she lifted her gaze to his. “It’s still early…no one is in too deep,” Lana whispered.
Derek lifted a brow. “Are you sure?”
Picking up her glass, she answered, “It’s only been two days.”
“I asked to spend time with you,” Derek said taking her hand. “And that’s what I’m going to do, every chance I get, but I may need you to work with me.”
Lana looked at their intertwined hands. “How?”
“Trust that I’m a man of integrity, and my word means everything,” he said earnestly.
She smiled. “That’s why you’d make a lousy politician.”
Derek laughed softly. “That’s true.”
“So what do I need to trust you on?” Lana asked.
He held her gaze. “That whenever I leave here, I’m doing everything in my power to get back to you as soon as possible.”
“You don’t have to do that Derek,” she protested.
He squeezed her hand gently. “Yes, I do…because Lana Sable doesn’t trust easily and she doesn’t handle goodbyes well, so I need her to know that she can trust me and I have no intentions of saying goodbye.”
Lana returned his gentle squeeze. “I may need you to work with me too,” she said quietly.
Derek nodded. “Okay,”
“If I begin to push, it may only be a reflex…”
He kissed the back of her hand. “I’m not very good at this,” she finished.
“I don’t know about that,” Derek told her. “You took me on a picnic lunch and now you’re here with me for dinner. I think you’re doing okay.”
Lana smiled. “Just keep moving in that direction?”
He nodded. “It works for me.”
Laughing, she removed her hand and went to work on her dinner. She sniffed and turned her attention to the bed. “Why does your room smell so good?”
“Is it supposed to stink?” he asked.
She ignored him and stood to her feet. “It smells like flowers.”
Lana began to look around then moved to the bathroom. Peeking inside she saw the bouquets resting on the sink. Turning back to where he sat at the table, she looked confused.
“Why do you have so many flowers in your bathroom?”
“I was going to surprise a woman tonight at the pool with them, but now that I know that she’s nosey as hell, I’ll do better,” he explained.
Lana froze. “Those are for me?”
Derek stood to his feet and walked over to her. “Who else would they be for, Lana?”
She looked back at the bunches of fragrant flowers. “They’re really beautiful.”
He slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. “Jamal knows his flowers.”
“He’s really good and we’re all proud of him,” Lana said wrapping her arms around his neck.
“I was trying to wait until dinner was done, but now that I have you in my arms…my thoughts have changed,” Derek said kissing her neck.
“I like these new thoughts,” Lana breathed tilting her head to give him better access.
“You want to hear some more?” he asked against her skin.
“Mmmmm…I’m listening.”
Derek lifted his head and looked down at her. “Let’s finish dinner, then kick back and relax before we go down to the pool.”
“I can get with that.” Lana agreed.
He kissed her gently while enfolding her tightly in his embrace and Lana responded in kind. When they finally broke apart, he placed tiny kisses on her moist lips.
“You have the softest lips,” he whispered against her mouth. “The prettiest eyes and the sweetest voice.”
When he kissed her again, Lana simply held on to his broad shoulders. His large hands held her in place as he pleasured her lips and tongue.
“Lana…”
“Don’t say my name like that,” she warned.
Derek looked into her eyes. “Lana…” he repeated.
She closed her eyes to the sensual onslaught overtaking her body. “I told you that I’m not very good at this.”
Lana felt his lips on her cheek. “On the contrary, I think you’re going to be very good at this, Lana.”
She turned her mouth to his and initiated the next round of kisses that had her warm and breathing hard.
“Mrs. Langston will take a switch to both of us if we waste her food,” Lana said still kissing him.
“You’re the one who interrupted the meal,”
They continued to connect their moistened lips. “Because you got me more flowers.”
“I’ll get you flowers every day. If necessary, I’ll become a silent partner in Jamal’s business.”
Lana laughed. “He’d probably like that.”
“Come and eat, pretty brown girl.” Derek led her back to the table and held out her chair again.
He sat across from her again and they slowly ate the prepared meal over light conversation about his work. When they were done, Lana looked at him.
“So what do you need to do now, Derek?”
He shrugged. “I’ve spent the afternoon getting updated on what the current situation is. The new developments are more than I ever expected to see.”
“What is really going on?” Lana questioned.
Standing, he held out his hand and she took it before he led her over to the bed and picked up his computer. “Let me show you.”
Derek sat next to her and began to go over the breaking stories about the corruption taking place in the current administration.
“Did you know anything about this?” Lana asked at one point.
He shook his head. “I’d heard rumors but never believed that anyone in our government would go to these measures, or be allowed to. My phone is filled with messages from candidates all over the country gearing up for upcoming congressional seats. The minority party is desperate to gain the majority.”
“How many candidates can you help at one time?” she questioned.
“There may be some special elections, but during the general election…only one.”
Lana looked at him. “How do you choose?”
“I try to find the one who I believe can make the most difference,” he informed her.
“Does who can pay the most play a factor?”
Derek nodded. “Yes, a candidate needs funds. Politics is money and money does all the talking.”
“Do they buy votes?”
“Votes are bought and sold every day in the government. Laws are created, change and abolished whenever they so choose. That’s why representation is so important. We need our people in positions of power.”
Lana nodded. “I agree, and although I’m not sold on this party system that we have, I know that our people need a louder voice in the laws that are made to control and punish us.”
Their conversation continued until they both were sitting against the pillows on the bed sharing opinions and observations. A knock on his door had them both looking up.
“They probably want the tray,” Lana told him.
Derek nodded and got to his feet. “I’ll get it.”
Grabbing the tray, Derek went to the door and opened it to find a man standing on the other side.
“Are you here for the tray?” Derek asked.
“Actually, I’m looking for my daughter…”