Chapter Three
My throat still constricted uncomfortably whenever I thought about the New Hampshire incident. Cyrus had been right; we'd lost miserably after the allegations leaked. I'd stayed up all night trying to figure out a strategy or a statement to make but it was worthless. This kind of scandal didn't only hurt a Republican candidate but any candidate.
And it set Fitzgerald Grant III back to before anybody even knew his name. He wasn't only set back in the polls by a small margin, but a gargantuan! Reportedly there was going to be a record breaking number of voters in the small east coast state but that was before anyone spoke of the governor's wife and her suspected trysts. Our luck leads seventy-eight percent of New Hampshire residents to vote... In favor of Senator Sally Langston. She won in a landslide, fifty-five percent to our measly twenty-three percent.
The last week or so had been miserable. We'd moved from New Hampshire to South Carolina and the allegations had only gotten worse. Cyrus had hoped that after we'd made an official statement disputing them that the next disastrous event would come along and the governor and his wife would be old news. That plan had not worked; the story had slowly picked up more coverage because the man wasn't denying it. That's how I ended up in swanky bar sipping scotch at twelve thirty in the afternoon waiting for Billy Chambers.
It was horribly humbling having to take a meeting with the competition, but for the first time I didn't know how to make this go away. No matter what we tried to do, the church meetings, baseball games, school functions, it wasn't enough to make this disappear.
I was frustrated to no end and all that I wanted to do was pound back my glass of scotch and order another, but I had to remain professional. Normally, I didn't have a problem keeping my private life tendencies, just that, private. But the situation I had gotten myself into made me lose my equilibrium.
Adding to my stress was the impending meeting with Billy, which he was three minutes late for and the television above me was tuned into CNN which was showing full coverage of the ever present thorn in my side that was Governor Grant's marriage. I was ordering my second glass of scotch when Billy Chambers arrived, texting on his Blackberry no less. "So nice of you to spare me a moment of your time Billy," I smiled trying to hide the sarcasm in my voice.
His receding hairline looked up in shock before a smarmy smile spread across his oval face with the too wide forehead and broad, crocked nose. "Olivia Pope," his smirk widened as he sat down ordering whiskey. "Thanks for meeting me," the hand he extended to me almost made the formal smile slide from its place securely stuck position on my face. The man gave me the creeps, his blue eyes held a dark edge to them that made my gut twist uncomfortably, automatically making my shoulder muscles coil into tight little knots.
Taking his hand, I shook it firmly before quickly withdrawing it and wrapping it around my glass taking another sip. "What do you want Billy," I finally asked exasperatedly when he made no move to continue. Turning I looked at him with a perfectly arched eyebrow as a cat-who-ate-the-canary look spread across his ugly, impish face.
"Ahh," sighing as he drug out the 'h', "You always were one to take charge, I like that about you," Billy smiled, gulping down his lighter fluid, as my grandpapi used to call the coppery drink.
I was getting irritated and it was getting harder to keep the neutral smile on my face. Pushing my glass away, I was waiting for Billy to get to his point, but he kept stalling. "No bullshit makes for a good head of communications, you must not know that," I replied cheekily. "So I ask again, what do you want Billy or I'm leaving and you can pay my tab."
His eyebrows rose again, his smarmy smile deepening before he shook his head slowly at me. "Can't we just enjoy each other's company for a bit, have a couple drinks, get to know each other," firing the questions at me in a slow, laid-back pace. It seemed like the words would get stuck in his throat before he spoke them.
"Billy, I don't have time for this, I have a campaign to run," sighing before pulling my drink closer again to take a large sip, "And from what I've heard enjoying each other's company either means you're interested and feelings get involved or that you're just horny and need a good fuck," I smirked as the shock expression from before came to Billy's opaque, wrinkled skin. "Considering I don't shit where I eat the first option is a no go and the second no thank you. I have a B.O.B which makes me a very happy girl and you have hands," clapping my hands together animatedly before continuing on to explain why all of his other suggestions wouldn't work. Enunciating clearly and quickly, I smiled, "Now Billy please, why did you call me here because we both know it's not because you wanted to get to know me better," smiling falsely while scrunching up my nose.
Smirking again, Billy shook his head. "Well when you put it that way," he trails off before locking eyes with me and a genuine smile crosses his face for a moment, "You did a hell of a job with those two," congratulating me. "But Livi," sneering at the nickname I allow few to call me, "You can't spin a dead marriage. Now Sally and Doug though, wow," his eyes bulge and a small shiver racks through his body, "They are like a couple of teenagers, can't keep their hands off each other," exclaiming as he throws his soft baby hands up in the air. "It is actually disgusting," he admits.
Shaking my head I can feel the pressure building by my temples signaling that a severe migraine is coming on. "As fascinating as that is, I don't care, what do you want," I asked harshly, causing my brows to furrow.
"Concede before South Carolina and we will give you the VP slot," Billy stated bluntly. A huge smile spread out across his face, like he actually thought we'd take the offer.
I had to have a little fun with the poor guy though. I widened my eyes, biting my lip and a sheepish smile crossed my face before I bite my lip again, nodding my head up and down as I debated how to let him down so harshly that he didn't even remember why he had become a communications director. Dropping eye contact, so did the innocent, submissive act. "I'll take my check now," I motioned for the bar tender to bring over the tiny white slip of glossy paper. I gave the man a nice smile before hearing Billy laughing to the side of me.
Still chuckling, he began speaking quickly and enthusiastically. "Oh come on, imagine us on the same team. We'd be unstoppable!" His eyes sparkled and it made me want to laugh in his face. If this was how he got people to do things for him, he needed to go back to school and get some new pointers. "Play the spin machine, wrangle reporters, order some nice meals on the trail, do you like barbecue," he asked. Billy Chambers must be one delusional man if he seriously thinks that his sweet talking could get me to give up Governor Grant's dream.
Looking up from pulling the cash out of my wallet, I rolled my eyes at the check. Setting the correct amount of money down, I glanced up through my lashes at Billy, a crooked smile gracing my lips as my eyes flashed with mirth, "Are you asking me to concede or out on a date," the question hung in the air between us as Billy decided between the two.
It took him several minutes to decide and in that time, I decided that the man before me really was delusional. "Maybe a little bit of both," winking one of his cerulean eyes at me.
Standing up, it was my turn to chuckle at his answer. Walking to the next chair I grabbed my bag before responding to his comment, "I hate barbeque." Pushing my purse up to my shoulder and beginning to turn as he spoke again.
"You are awfully confident for someone who doesn't have any cards left to play," Billy grinned. He should really get his head checked if he thought I'd go down so easily without a fight. I just laughed as I began walking out the door again.
When I got to the exit I turned and winked at him with a bright smile on my face. "I always have cards left to play," smiling as I strutted out of the bar. Leaving the bar, I went down the street to find one of the men that would help me get this campaign back on course.
It hadn't taken long to find Huck. I knew he would still be in DC in case I ever needed him and my heart swelled with appreciation and love that he would do that for me. Stopping into the nearby Starbucks, I grabbed two black coffees. Walking further down the street I saw what appeared to be a homeless person sitting in the opening of an alleyway. Little did everyone know that he could kill you twenty-seven ways with his bare hands in less than six minutes.
That thought alone should have scared me off, but I knew deep down that Huck wasn't a coldblooded killer like most would assume. He was just a scared, confused man that had had everything taken from him by the government. Walking by him, his head immediately shot up and a weak, hoarse voice called out my name.
Turning around I gave him a warm, open smile, bending down to give him his coffee. "Hey Huck," I sighed, taking in his appearance. All that I could say was that when he didn't want anyone finding him, he truly made sure they didn't. Huck had a long stringy beard covering most of his face with old, falling apart combat boots and a long green trench coat on. His beady black eyes looked hollow and cold, almost calculating if he could trust you or not, but I knew that was just how he was now that he had been black balled.
"Are you ready to renter the real world today," asking softly with a firm tone. I felt if I spoke to loud I'd scare him off. "We need you out here," I smiled again as he gulped down his coffee. Huck looked up at me as I spoke a small smile graced his mangled features.
It took him several minutes and many strange looks before the hoarse voice spoke again, "I am Livi," sighing I stand up and reach down for his hand which he refuses to touch and stands up on his own. "What are we doing this time babe," he whispers as he follows me into an awaiting car.
As we pulled up to the hotel I could practically feel Huck's anxiety rolling off him in waves. "It'll be okay," I whisper, grasping his hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze as we got out of the car and began to enter the facility. Upon actually entering the campaign room, I got the exact reaction I thought I would. It didn't bother either of us though.
All of the stares and nasty looks would not matter after Huck saved the campaign. If that happened, I would make sure that Huck didn't have to go back to his alleyway either.
However, neither Governor Grant nor Mellie were as grateful or as welcoming as I thought they would be. "This is the man that is supposed to save my campaign," Governor Grant asked unimpressed and Mellie was silent with a look of unabashed horror as Huck looked around sizing everyone up and eating like there was no tomorrow.
Nodding my head with a knowing smile, "Governor if they look like weapons they are hard to keep secret," I sighed with my hand on my hip as I was looking at Huck with admiration and hope. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Governor Grant clenching and unclenching his fists as he jaw grew tight. "Trust me," I whispered to the small group.
When Huck was full, he stood and commanded the room. It made everyone look and stare in astonishment. "Paul Mosley, literacy policy adviser-," Huck spoke in his deep raspy voice and was interrupted by Mellie. I was about to hush Mellie because I wasn't sure how Huck would act being interrupted. He didn't talk much and when he did everyone knew it was important, apparently Mellie didn't understand this.
"We all know who he is," she snipped, her eyes watering like the true actress she was, "He was advising me on literacy, but that's it. I couldn't, I would never," sighing, her head whipped to the governor, Cyrus and I, trying to sell us on the story. I couldn't even act like I believed the lies she was spewing to the room. I could feel my right eye start to twitch and I knew I had to excuse myself before someone noticed I was giving Mellie an evil look. I whispered quietly that I had to use the bathroom.
Upon getting out of the room I slipped into the launders area and all the staff cleared out in a matter of seconds. The room was heady with steam and the smell of soap. As the head launder was walking by I gave him a small thankful smile. Soon the room was vacated and I leaned back against the wall, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath.
I couldn't even look at Mellie as she churned out the lies about being faithful and loving; it made me see red that two people could so easily fake love. They were so free with such a sacred bonding, they really were good politicians. Nothing and nobody would ever stand in their way if they were as ruthless in their marriage as they were with everyone else. My thoughts were interrupted when the door burst open and I immediately straightened, ready to yell at anyone who entered while I was letting my guard down.
There was a crushing feeling in my chest before words were even spoken. I immediately knew who would dare pull me so close in such a public setting. "Are you okay," he breathed out as a statement instead of a question. I was fighting against him when his lips reverently kept touching my hair. He couldn't do this, he had a wife two doors down and I couldn't do this. He knew I couldn't do this.
"Governor Grant let me go," I voiced sternly. The formal title made him spring away from me. "Please go away, I just need a minute," I murmured, looking down at the ground.
I hated being this close to him, it made me feel appalling and dirty. Because no matter how many times I told myself that this thing between us wasn't there and no matter how many times I denied it, the truth of the matter is, there was something between us. And sooner or later, I wasn't going to be able to stay strong.
Whenever the governor was near me, I felt more alive than I had ever felt around any other man but it didn't change anything because what we had done was wrong. Oh so very wrong and I would never let that happen, or so I told myself. I didn't care if he had an unconventional marriage, he can go bark up another tree in that case. "You should get back to the conference room, I-I just need a minute."
His stone eyes were pleading, but I couldn't give them what they wanted. I wouldn't give into him. Even if he was my kryptonite. "I need you," he breathed. Fitz's hand snuck out to caress my cheek and I instinctively moved away. He unraveled me, I couldn't think rationally around him. Especially like this.
The two grey orbs captivated me. His eyes held a blazing, warm fire in them whenever our drastically different gazes met. I felt like he was always looking through me instead of at me, reading my mind. As if he knew that I constantly thought of how his hands had pawed at me or how I had submissively fallen to my knees to pleasure him. All the dirty things that fell from my mouth, it was like he could tell I needed to buy new panties everyday because I always ruined them. Because of him.
"Leave now," I whispered, with dominating authority. "Go back to your wife governor, she needs you more than I ever will," I bite out. Once the words are out, I know they are lies. I need him to stay. I need him.
His eyes flash with a challenging gleam. "Mellie needs me," he mocked, backing further away to flick the lock on the cheap door handle. "She needs as much as I need a warm shower to wake me up in the morning," the governor smirked as he stalked me like a lion ready to pounce on an unsuspecting gazelle. "What I need," the dictating governor before me whispered as he bent down to my ear, "Is you, one more time, a hundred more times. You," he emphasized with a long finger trailing down the buttons of my shirt. His bewitching fingers were just pulling the pearl button through the loop when I realized what he was doing.
"Stop," the word slipped out as a moan instead of a demand. I was weak and horny, we both knew it, but the images of my father tucking in his shirt as a mussed up secretary scurried out of his office kept flitting through my mind. The emotions made my throat raw, unable to speak. His dexterous fingers had unbuttoned the first three buttons and was working on the fourth when I stood back, pushing his hands away. "Stop," I hurriedly began threading the small pearls through their correct hole when his hands halted my own.
Why couldn't he understand how wrong this was? How could he not see that after one time my sin was tearing me apart? I wasn't a particularly religious person, but if there was a god, I was hoping he could save my wretched soul. "I can't Olivia, I wish I could," he pleaded, his steely gray eyes meeting mine. They looked tormented and regretful, it made me gasp. "I can't stay away from you. I know I should, but when I'm away I can't think, I can't sleep, I can barely function," he whimpered as if in physical pain. There was a small part of me that wanted to believe every word that spilled from his perfect mouth. But I couldn't. I wanted something, this, to be real. It wasn't though, it couldn't be, and it never would be.
The tears welled in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I had barely known Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III for three months and I would never let someone who I had known for such diminutive time have such an effect on me. Nobody had ever gotten that close and nobody would, especially a married man. I would, no couldn't be like my father's women. "Do you still sleep with your wife? Do you still fuck her like you fuck me," I bit out with venom in my words, wanting to offend him. Fitzgerald Grant needs to learn he can't always get what he wants. "Do you wake up in the middle of the night and wish it was me you were screwing," the questions roll from my pursed lips and I don't feel the least bit sorry. Because then I did everything in my power to stop another child seeing the parade of women go through their front door. Then I could rest in peace, despite my heart getting torn apart in the process.
"Olivia," Fitz stepped closer, his thumbs coming up to caress my cheeks, "Livvie," he whispered my name reverently. His reaction shocked me; he wouldn't give up even with my biting words. I needed him to give up. When his eyes caught mine again, he didn't give me a chance to push away or come up with a witty or biting comment again. Fitz's supple lips were on mine and unwavering, bruising my own. And for just a moment, I let myself melt into his sculpted body-we fit perfectly together.
He sighs into my mouth and it doesn't go unnoticed that he pulls me impossibly closer, bruising my hip bone with his vice grip. However, I know that we can only afford one minute. "Governor Grant," I moan as I shove his rigid chest away from me, while the good governor keeps me close with his grip never wavering. Every kiss and touch and stolen moment, Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III was worming his way into my heart and I hated myself for it.
When breathing was a necessity, I grabbed his hands from around my waist, gasping for the oxygen to fill my lungs, "All pretenses aside," I grabbed his hand more forcefully, as our drastically different gazes held the others; mine filled with begging, pleading and hatred, while his were filled with determination, exasperation, and desire. "I-We-This," I gestured back and forth between us, unsure how to continue because deep down I knew I didn't want this to end. His eyes now held a slight glimmer of doubt they hadn't moments ago, but fumbling over my words, we both knew my argument wouldn't be strong enough.
"This is wrong, so fucking wrong," I burst, my emotions going up and down every other moment. "Why the hell can't you see that," throwing his hands away from me, finally allowing some space between us. "Why can't you go back to your wife like this never happened, why can't you let me figure out my own shit, I can't do this," I thrust my hands into my thick, tamed hair, closing my eyes in hope my life wasn't as fucked up as I thought. "I just can't do this," I whispered again, sighing dejectedly. But it was.
His shallow breathing alerted me to the control he was exerting to stay calm or stay away, which I was not entirely sure. "Please, just let me go," I beg, the fact of the matter was, I'm so afraid of what will happen, who I'll become, what I'll do, how weak I'll get, I don't even care that in reality I'm already there. I'm already in too deep to see another way out. "We need to keep this professional," I breathe, but once again, he's invading my senses. His hands are back on my hips crushing me too him and I can't let go. I can't just leave.
"One minute," is hushed between us as our eyes meet again and we hold each other's burning eyes, unable to look anywhere else, see the time elapsing, see us slipping away.
"One-," there's a harsh knock on the door, and I'm thankful for it, but somewhere in the back of my mind, I know, we can't keep playing cat and mouse forever. One day I'll cave, one day I'll fuck up my career, his marriage, my life, my engagement. I give him a soft smile before breathing deeply and opening the door to the confused staff.
"Thank you, I'm sorry for wasting your time," I smile to the launderers and other staff milling in the hallway. In the distance, I see Cyrus smiling sadly at me, like he knows what's going to happen, what has happened. I smile back reassuringly and walk forward with as much dignity as I can, before going back into the clusterfuck of a hell hole that is my life.
Hi everybody! I'm sorry for not updating in forever, my life has gotten hectic and as much as I'd love to say it's going to get better, it probably won't. So anyway A) sorry for the long wait again! B) Hope you like it.. And I'm curious to see if anybody catches the little twist I threw in.. C) This isn't proofread by anybody, so I take blame for every and all errors, please don't be too harsh! D) I'm sorry that not a lot has happened.. I'm not 100% sure where I'm going with it yet, any ideas, feel free to give em' to me! E) I know I may have promised a sex scene to some of you.. But it hasn't felt right yet. I don't want to rush it, I want it to build and be magical! Anyway, F) leave me a review, please! I love every single one! oHJH
