Free Politically Incorrect by Jeanne McDonald Page A

and Aaron that I’d barely noticed Harper. I patted my old friend on the back. “Thanks.” I adjusted my bag on my arm. “Aaron, to answer your question, Scout will be here tonight, but more than likely she’ll be a little late. She’s flying in from Nebraska.”
    Aaron crossed his arms over his broad chest. “Nebraska? She’s not a Texas native?”
    “No, is that a problem?”
    Liam shook his head. “None at all. Right, Aaron?”
    Aaron smirked, nodding. “Nope. Not a problem at all.”
    “With that, I think I’ll bid my leave and go get ready for the evening.” I nodded to Aaron. “It’s nice to meet you and I promise we’ll go over everything I have planned for your brother’s campaign and then some. Maybe we can talk tonight after the party so you can get a feel for what Scout has in mind as well.”
    Aaron nodded. “I’d appreciate that.”
    Liam reached for my arm, his long fingers slinking around my wrist. “Am I allowed to be a part of this little impromptu meeting?”
    I had to fight the feeling of excitement at his touch. This had to stop. I had to get myself under control. “Of course, Congressman. Although, you might be bored. I’ll only be recapping what you and I have discussed today.”
    Liam lightly trailed his fingers down the inside of my palm as he released me. “I could never be bored.”
    “Well,” Harper reached for my arm, “I’ll make sure everything is arranged in the den where you’ll have more room to spread out.” He tucked my hand into the crook of his elbow. “I’ll escort you upstairs, Liz.”
    “I think I know where I’m going,” I slipped my hand from his arm, “but thanks.”
    Liam smirked, appearing almost pleased by my interactions with Harper.
    How odd.
    I shuffled the thought to the back of my mind and nodded to each man. “Gentlemen, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to take a shower and prepare for the evening.”
    As I started out of the room, Liam called out, “Be careful. The door on the guest bathroom upstairs has a faulty lock. I’d hate for someone to walk in on you while showering.”
    I stopped for a moment, feeling heat rise up my neck.
    Dammit! He made me blush again.
    “Thank you, Congressman,” I managed. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
    I rushed out of the room without so much as a glance over the shoulder. He’d won that round, and he knew it.
    Liam 1 - Elizabeth zip.
    You picked on the wrong girl, buddy. Just wait. I’ll own your ass.
    I trampled up the stairs, chuckling to myself at the thought. One way or another, I’d get him back. All I had to do was wait for the perfect moment. And I was patient. I could wait.
     

 
    Excitement, the thrill of the hunt, purred inside my chest. My hand brushed along the smooth bannister as I sashayed downstairs. In the distance, I could hear soft music playing and the warm chatter of voices mingling. Lone Star Ranch was alive with wealth and intrigue.
    Over the years, I’d become the master of working a crowd. In my younger years, I was intimidated by mingling with the rich. My old boss and mentor, John Beckman, use to tell me that private donors were like puppies. They would piddle all over your floor, but as long as you showed them the right amount of love, you could train them to eat from the palm of your hand. He was right, of course, which was why he was the best in the business until the day he retired and passed that torch on to me.
    The house was fragrant with the aroma of barbeque and of course, money. Bright lights glistened throughout the room adding elegance to an already exquisite decor. The women were beautiful in their evening best laced with diamonds, and the men were dashing in their five thousand dollar suits and elegant ties. As for me, I wore a black tea length cocktail dress I’d ordered from my favorite Dallas boutique. To finish my classic look, I pulled my hair back in a loose ponytail at the nape of my neck and finished my ensemble with the pumps I’d worn on my