CHAPTER 11

“Here we go everybody,” JB Morris shouted exuberantly at his campaign staff. “The show’s about to begin.”

“Big smiles,” Tisha Morris said to Sasha as the doors opened.

Sasha frantically gulped down the last bit of coffee in her cup before doing exactly as her mother said.

As the supporters started pouring into the entertainment hall of the Country Club, Sasha briefly glanced at her mother. No one would guess that Tisha Morris had been up at four am readying for her husband’s first fundraiser for his re-election campaign. They had picked Sasha up at five am sharp to drive to the Hamptons.

By the time they reached the Country Club the campaign staff had already started to decorate the hall where the brunch was being held. Tisha and Sasha helped until every serviette was perfectly folded and every rosette faced the exact same way. The result was an elegant brunch room patriotically decorated with JB Morris’s face smiling down from all the banners against the walls.

Sasha knew how important this brunch was. Her father’s re-election campaign kicked off today and the press would be swarming, hoping to catch a sign of weakness, a terse hand shake or any other indication that JB Morris’s campaign wouldn’t be successful.

She wiped her sweaty palms against her thighs where the pale wheat colored dress came to an end. Her mother had bought her the dress especially for today. It was elegant yet reserved. Her hair had been professionally done by the hair dresser her mother had arranged for this morning. It was barely mid-morning and Sasha was already exhausted. Just another few hours of smiling and small talk before she would get out, she promised herself.

Sasha had learned a long time ago that when you entered politics, it wasn’t just you as a person who entered but your whole family. And with her mother she stood proudly smiling at the reporters and guests, supporting her father’s campaign one hundred percent.

People from all walks of life came into the room; old ladies with walkers, young business men in suits and even groups of women. Everyone’s reaction was the same.

“Oooh”

“Aaah”

“Wow”

They did it, Sasha thought, smiling at her mother. When someone paid $500 for a breakfast they expected to be wowed, not only by the candidate but by the food, the surroundings and the ambience.

Every time she helped with an event, her mother would start worrying an hour before the event whether the supporters would be happy. And every time their reaction was the same. Tisha Morris quite simply had the taste, vision and money to impress.

Last night had been one of the most magical nights of her life. At first, she had thought that whatever was brewing between her and Stefan was sexual, but last night he proved her wrong. He proved to her that could be as interested in her mind as he was in her body. It had taken a fierce will not to invite him up to her apartment, and Sasha had found that of will she wasn’t sure.

But now, standing amongst hundreds of people, she suddenly felt alone, missing the man she turned away last night. She knew that their fling/flirtation/affair; whatever one wanted to call it, should come to an end. If the press found out, they would drag her name through the papers in an effort to hurt the campaign; but it was easier said than done. No man had ever turned her one with a single touch, a mere look or with cocky words.

As the press photographer aimed the camera at Sasha and her mother, she let her mind drift. Where would he have taken her this weekend?

Sasha noticed Cole Matthewson wave at her from the donation table. Cole Matthewson had been doing business with her father for the last three years and during the first year her mother had tried to set her up with Cole numerous times.

Although Cole was attractive in a serious kind of way, they never had a spark that drove their acquaintance into something more passionate. Sasha didn’t regret it, especially since her father told her that he had met lovely girl who he consequently saved from the Hamptons serial killer last fall.

“Mom, I’m going to go say hi to Cole.” Sasha whispered into her mother’s ear before heading towards Cole.

“Sure honey. Remember: big smiles.” Tisha said before turning to a lady that had come to introduce herself.

With Mimosa in his hand Cole pulled her in for a one-armed hug. “Sasha, it’s great to see you again.”

“You too, Cole. I hear you’ve had quite some action since I last saw you?” Sasha asked, taking a Mimosa from a passing waiter.

“It was interesting, but the best part was meeting Rose. I wanted her to come with and meet you but since she’s now my assistant she insists it’s not her place to attend fundraisers.”

“Nonsense, she would’ve been welcome.” Sasha said big smile in place as Cole waved at someone behind her.

“Sasha, I hope you don’t mind but I bought along a friend.” Cole said indicating to someone behind her. With her big smile she turned around looking straight into the pale green eyes she had been wondering about all morning.

Her heart skipped a beat as Cole’s words drowned beneath the roar of blood rushing through her veins. He wore wranglers that rode low on his hips, a white V-neck t-shirt and a sports coat. She remembered how his beautiful long fingered hands had explored her body and blushed.

His eyes travelled from her face to her bare legs before trailing back up again. A smile spread across his face and Sasha felt the responding tingle between her thighs.

“Fancy meeting you here.” His voice sent thrills running up her spine, even as the accusatory tone washed over her.