Free Jimmy: Red, Hot, & Blue, Book 3 by Cat Johnson Page A

of nerves I’m practically shaking.” He hooked her arm through the crook of his elbow and led her toward the bar.
    “Why are you nervous?” She glanced at him as they walked and her gaze caught on his medals and ribbons. Judging by the number, he’d been in a while and seen a lot. Certainly a lot more frightening things than a black-tie cocktail party.
    Jimmy covered her hand with his and gave it a small squeeze. “Because I’m officially meeting my girl’s daddy.”
    Her heart melted right there in a little puddle on the floor and she fought to not tear up. “I like being your girl.”
    “Good.” He treated her to his crooked smile.
    They paused near the bar, so she took the opportunity to stand on tiptoe and kiss him.
    Jimmy’s eyes drifted closed for a second. He groaned and pulled his lips from hers. “Don’t get me started, darlin’. I’ll embarrass myself.”
    She liked knowing he couldn’t resist her as much as she liked being his girl. Suddenly, her continuing to plan her life around the incessant round of political cocktail parties to please her father seemed absurd. This was not her place or her responsibility. Her mother was the other half in the Monroe-Carrington political dynasty, not Lia.
    Through misty eyes she noticed her lipstick smeared on Jimmy’s mouth. Reaching up, she wiped it from his lips. “Let’s get out of here.”
    His eyes opened wide. “Now? I didn’t even speak with your daddy yet.”
    Frustrated, Lia sighed. He was right of course. She’d invited Jimmy here for a reason. Them sneaking out before meeting her father so she could jump him made no sense. “Okay. We’ll go talk to my father. Then you’re taking me to your place.”
    He laughed. “I’m warning you, darlin’. It’s base housing. It’s no mansion.”
    “I don’t care, as long as you’re in it.”
    He touched her face lightly, his eyes looking suspiciously misty as well. “Then let’s go find your daddy.”
    Lia dreaded this meeting with every fiber of her being, but with Jimmy next to her and the promise that they could leave and be alone together as soon as it was over, she faced it bravely.
    Her father’s eyebrows couldn’t have risen any higher into his receding hairline when she introduced them.
    Fortunately, he didn’t have a chance to comment since Senator Dickson walked up at the same moment. “Governor. Lia. And whom might this be?”
    Lia smiled sweetly, enjoying this probably a bit too much. “Senator, I’d like to introduce you to my date. Actually, my boyfriend, James Gordon. You may remember him from Gordon Equine this afternoon.”
    The senator’s mouth dropped open just as his son joined them. With a soaring heart, Lia repeated the introduction to John Dickson III and watched his face react in kind. Taking control of her life and her future had been far easier and much more satisfying than she’d ever imagined.
    When they arrived at Jimmy’s apartment shortly after, Lia felt like they were two kids who’d just snuck out of the prom to fool around.
    “I still can’t get out of my head the expression on the senator’s face when you introduced me as your boyfriend.” He grabbed her and gave her butt a squeeze. “You enjoyed telling him that. Didn’t you?”
    “Yes. So?” She scowled. “He deserved it after he called me naïve today in front of all those men at your farm. And you should talk about enjoying things. You nearly crushed John’s hand when you shook it. Tell me you didn’t love doing that.”
    “Can I help it if I don’t know my own strength?” Jimmy shrugged. “And in my own defense, he was trying and failing to crush mine first.”
    She laughed and started to unbutton his jacket. “Why don’t you show me how strong you are right now?”
    “Gladly, darlin’.” He groaned, deep and low in his throat and then scooped her up into his arms. Jimmy carried her to the bedroom and laid her gently on the bed. Under the moonlight streaming through the