Valentine Vote Read Online Free PDF

expectations? He was so calm and collected, a sophisticated man of the world. She’d been provocative, but did he see past the veneer to the sexual novice she truly was? Sure, they’d tantalized each other with talk about riding crops and sex toys, but if she were pressed to come up with a collection of sexual accoutrements, she’d have to march out her lucite statue of the Washington Monument. While phallic, it would be a stretch as a sex toy.
    And rather painful.
    But maybe he’d like that.
    Good grief, she’d never get out of the office if she didn’t buckle down. She’d worry later about her evening with Eric. For now, the stack of paperwork screamed for attention.

Chapter Five
    Eric leaned back in his chair and almost toppled over. He grabbed the edge of his desk to steady himself. Well, that was an interesting conversation, if you could call it that. He couldn’t tell whether Courtney was happy to hear from him or terrified. She’d said all of five words, but the most important one had been “yes,” so in the aggregate, he’d have to put the call in the plus column. And in just a few hours, he’d see her. So much for his “never date a lobbyist” rule. He’d let down his guard … big time.
    Oh, God, was he reading too much into her sex toy confession? Or was she just like him, a collector who’d never actually used the paraphernalia? He was reminded of a friend in high school who collected Star Trek sabers. Just because he could swing one around didn’t mean he was Luke Skywalker.
    He had to admit he loved the juxtaposition of a straight-laced woman with a tigress in the bedroom. He pictured her dressed like a schoolmarm, with her hair pulled back in a bun and her feet laced in matronly oxfords. She’d sit primly in a chair, smoothing down her long skirt, but underneath, she’d wear crotch-less panties.
    Was Courtney the woman of his dreams?
    Maybe he’d be too tame for her.
    Tonight he’d find out.
    • • •
    He arrived at her townhouse promptly at eight. Blowing on his fingers, he tightened the scarf around his neck just as the door opened.
    My, my, she was gorgeous, all pink, feminine, and hot. She was the kind of woman who made a man’s chest puff with pride.
    “You look incredible,” he said.
    “Thanks.” She ducked her head a bit. “Where’re we going tonight?”
    “I thought I’d subject you to my cooking, if that’s all right.” He hadn’t cooked for a woman since he’d last been home. And that woman was his mother.
    “That’s fine, but where did you find the time?” She motioned him into the foyer.
    “I had some serious help from the gourmet market on the corner. Actually, about all I have to do is warm things up.”
I’d like to warm you up
.
    “Nonetheless, I’m impressed.” She retrieved her coat from the hall closet.
    “Don’t be … yet.”
    They caught up with each other’s day on the way to Eric’s apartment in Arlington. Courtney mentioned three senatorial meetings, though she kept it vague as to the content. Maybe she’d decided to keep tobacco out of the conversation for the evening. That was a good sign.
    “Aren’t you a bit out of the action here?” Courtney asked as they pulled into Eric’s underground garage.
    “I’m just around the corner from the Clarendon Metro, so it’s an easy train ride downtown. Besides, I love the history in Arlington. And being close to the national cemetery keeps me humble. If I start to get a big head about being a senator, I remind myself that what I’m doing can’t begin to compare to the sacrifices some people have made.”
    Courtney pursed her lips, no doubt appraising him. He hated to waste that sweet pucker, but he’d bide his time.
    “Hope that didn’t sound sanctimonious,” Eric said.
    “No, I know exactly how you feel. Sometimes I walk around Georgetown like I own the place just because I went to school there. And then I remember something my mother always said—that we’re on this earth to