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He was stunning Wet with sweat and s to his forehead and neck, and with his fire suit unzipped, he was the sexiest man she’d ever laid eyes on And when he’d directed his war quivered between her legs

Evelyn wasn’t the type to go liquid over a good-looking oing to get her , one would think it would be a political type Business suit with a lock on a major office? Now that was her bailiwick Not sorease monkey who craved a hot track over a hot political race So her libido firing up over Gray Preston likely had et to the White House rather than his good looks and bedroom eyes She wasn’t the type to fall for a man simply because he was pretty

Besides, he was stubborn and uncooperative and in her way, and she could already tell this assign to be easy She’d rather be by Senator Preston’s side, where she belonged, helping him onto the presidential ticket in Nove for his cooperation in order to get a few hundred thousand votes, even if those potential votes were important ones

But she knew she’d do whatever it took, so when her phone rang and Gray told her where they could , climbed into her rental car, and drove the short distance to the restaurant

He was already waiting for her at the front door And he didn’t look happy about it, either

Tough She dealt with unpleasant people all the ti," she said, pasting on her friendliest smile

He nodded and held the door for her

Okay, that’s hoas going to be She could deal Eventually he’d have to talk to her

The waitress, who obviously recognized Gray, grinned, pushed back her out-of-control, overprocessed hair, and hurried the Evelyn a look she wasn’t certain was admiration or pure jealousy

"Coffee?" the waitress asked Her name was Aileen and she looked to be in her forties

"Thank you, Aileen With cream," Evelyn said

"Same here," Gray said with a smile At Aileen, of course

At least she kne that he wasn’t suffering froitis

They looked over their menus, and by the time Aileen came with their coffees, they ordered breakfast Since Evelyn hadn’t had a chance to have a cup of coffee yet-- usually her first task of the day, even before her shower--she took a couple quick sips, needing that caffeine surge She added a couple aze to Gray, finding hi at her

"I can survive without it, but if you want to have an intelligent conversation with me, I’m better after coffee"

"Good to know" He lifted his cup, and she was struck again by his a at her, too, which she found decidedly

uncomfortable

She laid her cup down "Let’s clear the air You’re obviously not happy with e to smile at the accusatory tone in his voice Evelyn loved Loretta Preston, one of the kindest, sweetest, most patient woether, about both her husband and her son She’d hoped Loretta had soht The woman was fierce about her causes and didn’t take no for an answer

"Of course I did You left me no choice"

"Sure I did I said no That was your cue to walk away"

Her lips lifted "Clearly, you don’t know nnive up And since your ured she’d be an asset in persuading you"

He didn’t answer

"You don’t like your aze shot to hers "I love my mother"

"Then I don’t see the problem"

"You went behind my back to serve your own purpose"

She rolled her eyes "Do you have a fundaenda?"

He frowned "No"

"Then I don’t see what the proble to see eye to eye on this"

"That’s okay with ave her a blank stare "I didn’t know there was a plan"

"Oh I thought n’s objectives"

"My mother spoke to me about her objectives, and asked me to help That was it"

Her lips curved

"Obviously you know her"

"Very well I’ve spent a lot of ti with your father She runs a tight ship and doesn’t take no for an answer"

"Then you’ve come to know her well, and you know that while she has a soft voice, she has an iron will"

"Yes She’s a wonderful asset for your father, both personally and politically"

Gray stared down at his coffee "My father doesn’t deserve her"

She had no idea what Gray’s relationship with his father was, nor was it her intention to pry Her only job was to ith Gray on his father’s caet involved in family dynamics, unless it interfered in the political process Then she was required to ss over, not intervene, and above all, never let things get uess you and I will be working together"

She couldn’t resist lifting her shoulders in excitement "Wonderful I’ret it"

"Oh, I already regret it But this is i it for her"