The Candidate (Romantic Suspense) (The Candidate Series) by Josie Brown

that had popped into it: his hand, tearing at the seam of Maddy’s red velvet gown as it made its way to the warm thigh beneath it. “I guess what I’m trying to say is that—well, this isn’t going to work out.” And no one is sadder about that than me.
    “You’re wrong. It works perfectly, because neither of us wants this relationship to go public. And it shouldn’t. Ben, seriously, it has nothing to do with anyone but us. That is, if we want to stay fuck buddies.”
    Fuck buddies . Ben couldn’t believe his ears. Keeping it on the lowdown, with no obligations, no drama? Tantalizing...
    “Interesting proposition. Not to look a gift horse in the mouth or anything, but do you mind me telling why you don’t want anyone to know about us?”
    “Because it’s no one else’s business. Ben, you have no idea what it’s like to be a Vandergalen. The one thing I want more than anything—anonymity—I can’t have, because of my name. Frankly, that’s why you and I are perfect for each other. And not just in the obvious way.” She cast her eyes lovingly at his cock. “Besides, Andy needs you on his team. Don’t you think I know that? Don’t you think I want that for him—and for Abby? If he wins, we all do. So let’s just keep things spontaneous. You know, friends with benefits. It’s more fun that way, isn’t it?”
     “But don’t you think it’ll be somewhat awkward when we run into each other at his political events? I know it will be for me.”
    “You know better than anyone what Andy’s schedule will be like, from now until the end of primaries. Look, I’ll make it easy for you. I just won’t go to any.” Her face hardened. “Abby won’t expect me there, anyway. We aren’t that close. We lead very different lives.” 
    The pictures in Kenny’s file were proof of that. 
    Ben sighed. Seriously, if they both kept their mouths shut, what was the downside? In hindsight, it was flattering to think that she was the one trying to keep their relationship under wraps so that his job wouldn’t be jeopardized—
    But he knew better than that. Whatever her reasons were, he couldn’t fathom them now, not with her hands roaming between his thighs, cupping his balls...
    By the time she knelt down and took him in her mouth, he could care less about her reason for secrecy. He had already forgiven her. 

Chapter 11
     
    “I just looooove that man,” cooed the legs-up-to-there single-mommy Bally’s showgirl to her much shorter gal pal, the croupier from the MGM Grand. “Deep down in my heart, I truly believe that we’ll finally get universal healthcare if he’s elected.”
    Her friend shushed her loudly. But Ben, who was standing just behind the women, gave a silent prayer of thanks. And they weren’t the only ones enthralled with what they were hearing from Senator Andrew Jackson Mansfield at the candidate’s town hall meeting there in the Clark County Library’s large theater. Ben flipped through the 399 reservation profile cards so that he could match names and occupations to those who sat in the seat numbers around the two women. The faces that went with the cards he chose—five self-employeds, three housewives, and a long distance trucker—were also nodding involuntarily as they leaned forward to catch each inspiring word.
    Because Andy Mansfield was on fire.
    Like a Baptist preacher at a revival meeting, Andy’s voice, nuanced with compassion, filled the auditorium with the strength of his conviction. “In recent years, my friends, we have witnessed drastic changes—affecting our jobs, our environment, and our personal lives.”
    Without missing a beat, he took the cordless microphone with him as he strolled off the stage in order to pace up and down the broad aisle that divided the auditorium. “But while the world changes around us, our leaders have stood still. Answer this: Which leaders inspire our nation and lead us to the good deeds that need to be done? We have seen Washington