She didn’t blink; she just stared at me while I begged her with my eyes to communicate with me. Could she see how much I wanted her?
Then a thought hit me, and it curled into a ball in the pit of my stomach.
“Do you think you’re going to get hurt? Has someone hurt you in the past?”
She started to lower her face, but my index finger halted her chin, and she shook her head.
“No. I’m afraid of the opposite.”
My shoulders dropped. “You’re afraid of hurting me?” I traced her cheekbone from her adorable freckle to the corner of her lip, which was curved down. “The only way you can hurt me is by not letting whatever this is between us to happen.”
“Drake . . .” She pull away and visibly relaxed when a beep sounded from the kitchen. “The coffee is ready.”
I snatched her hand. “I don’t care about the coffee. I need you to talk to me. Please tell me what it is.”
Frowning, she said, “Look, this is what I know. Public figures are scrutinized for everything they say and do, and so are the people around them. If we’re together, then my problems become your problems, and you don’t need that. You’re seeking reelection, and you’re the best senator this state has produced in decades. Not to mention you want the presidency one day. It’s too much responsibility. I can’t risk that.”
My chest swelled a little at her praise. “So you think I’m one of the best senators?”
“Yes.”
“Do you think I’d make a good president?”
“No, I think you’d make a great one.”
“Does that mean I’m a smart man and make intelligent and rational decisions?”
She nodded and finally gave me a shy smile before she said, “Yes, of course.”
“Good. So it’s settled.”
I crossed my arms in front of me as I waited for it to click with her. When she continued to squint at me in confusion, I helped her along.
“I’m a smart man, and you agreed that I make rational decisions. So I’m deciding that you need to give us a chance. If you disagree with me, then you’re reneging on everything you just said.”
She shook her head. “That’s not fair.”
“But it’s true. Just give us a chance; that’s all I’m asking. Whatever it is you think will hurt me, I promise you, it won’t.”
I stood up. “Coffee?”
She nodded. We both took our coffee black and sat back down. For a moment, the only sounds were our breathing and the slight slurp as we sipped.
“So,” she said, peering at me over the rim of her coffee cup, “I read that Grissett is the Democrats’ frontrunner.”
I frowned. “He is.” The mere mention of that man’s name irritated me. I knew he would probably be my opposition, but he was the type of politician that gave us all a bad name.
Her expression turned thoughtful. “Of all the candidates, I’m surprised he’s leading in the polls. He seems like an ass.”
When Lucy wrinkled her nose in distaste, I chuckled. “See? We do have the same views.”
“I suppose we do,” she said, giving me a slight smile, “when it comes to certain things.”
Relieved that she seemed to be relaxing again, I decided not to push my luck. Getting to know Lucy and gain her trust was going to take time and patience, it seemed. Something had obviously happened to her that kept her from feeling comfortable with me. Whatever it was, I wanted to help her get over it, because I intended to spend a lot of time with her.
“It’s late,” I said reluctantly. “I should be going.”
We walked to her front door and before I left, I took her face in my hands. She looked up at me, her eyes wide as I rested my thumbs on her temples and brought my lips close to hers. I could feel her heart rate increase beneath my fingertips, and her breathing changed. But it wasn’t until her lips parted that I kissed her.
My hopes rose as she reciprocated, resting her hands on my biceps. She didn’t push me away. Instead, she held on tight as I gave her an easy good-night kiss.