“That woman is a headcase,” Margaret says as we make our way to the dance floor. “Thank God security tossed her out.”

“Her hysterics certainly didn’t earn me any new voters, that’s for sure.” I place my hands on her waist as the next song queues up. I never noticed until now, but Margaret’s not bad to look at. Her raven hair and porcelain skin is an arresting combination in the right light. “I appreciate you coming to my rescue.”

We begin dancing, but thanks to my two left feet, I bump into someone. I’m not sure who though because all I see is a flash of black and red as they scurry off the dance floor.

“Daddy thinks very highly of you.” Margaret’s expression turns serious. “He’s ecstatic you’re going to be his son-in-law.”

“The feeling is mutual.” I spin us around and a woman standing nearby catches my eye. She’s wearing a striking black and red dress. “Your father is a good man.”

Margaret clasps her hands around my neck, pulling me closer. “What about you?”

“Pardon?” I’m trying to pay attention, but the other woman snags every ounce of my focus.  

“Katrina’s a bitch, but she was right about one thing. Your track record when it comes to love isn’t the greatest. Arrangement or not, I don’t want to marry you for all the wrong reasons. I’m the kind of girl who needs some of the right ones.”

“Right.”

“I won’t be made to look like a fool like all your other exes.”

I can’t see her face because she’s wearing a mask like the rest of us. Not that it matters…she’s utterly captivating.

She’s got the kind of body men worship—and the dress she’s wearing hugs her curves in all the right places.

My heart races as I continue my assessment. Her red lips are plump and heart-shaped, and her long legs seem to go on for miles thanks to the sexy dress, sheer black stockings, and high heels. Her long blonde hair falls down her back in loose tendrils. She has the kind of hair a man wants to run his hands through while kissing her.

The kind of hair you want to wrap around her throat and pull while you fuck her.

Given all the heads that are turning in her direction, other people are starting to notice her too. Probably wondering who she is like I am.

Margaret, appearing frustrated with my inability to hold a conversation, stops dancing. “I know you’re close with my father—but are you a good guy like he is? Or are you planning on using him and hurting me after you get what you want?”

Fuck. The last thing I need after Katrina’s episode is for Margaret to have second thoughts. Anyone standing near us earlier already heard her declare we’re an item.

If the governor’s daughter ends things with me right before the election, it will make voters wonder why. It will make them doubt me.

“No.” My throat feels like sawdust. “I’m a good guy.” I give her a boyish grin. “Just a little unlucky when it comes to love.” I skim a finger up her arm. “I’m hoping the right woman can change that.”

She blushes. “Well, if that’s the case, why don’t we find out?”

I’m about to ask what she means, but she closes the distance between us and kisses me. A public kiss wasn’t part of the plan for tonight, but I’m not about to dismiss her advances when we’ll be announcing our engagement shortly.

Therefore, I do what I’ve always done. Put on my other mask…and play the role I’m supposed to.

Cupping her cheek, I kiss her like I mean it. Like she’s my everything. Evidently, I’m a little too convincing because there are some claps and cheers.

Margaret, playing her own role, feigns the perfect mixture of embarrassment and happiness as she rests her head on my shoulder.

“What do you say we go somewhere more private?” I’m about to decline because we’re at a public event, but she whispers, “I want to take care of my future husband the way a wife should…with my mouth.”

I look around before I give her my answer, “Meet me upstairs in five minutes.”

With that, I turn around and start walking…

And end up bumping into the woman in the black and red dress for the second time that night. She looks different from before. Sadder.

“Sorry,” I toss out behind me, heading for the stairs.

It’s only after I’m entering an empty bedroom that I realize her eyes were glassy. As though she’d been crying.