Scandalous: The Senator's Secret Bride by Imani King

time?”

    “Probably all the days after that too. I am helping run your campaign,” I said, fumbling back into the formal dress. It felt tight in all of the wrong places, my breasts uncommonly sore.

    “No, I mean, like this. You and me, together.”

    “I’ll think about it,” I said. “But what’s fun for us might not be the best thing for your campaign.” He nodded, his face somber. I picked up my bag and waved awkwardly as I made my way over to the door.  

    “Even still. Maybe what’s fun for us... well, maybe it’ll keep me going. Give me a reason to win.” My heart pounded for a moment, and I looked at him, considering a world where a real relationship between us might be possible. It was a nice thought.

    “We can talk about that some other time, John.”  

    “Okay,” he said, falling back onto his pillow and watching me as I left.

    I walked out of the hotel into the cool air of the morning, starting my second walk of shame from the Four Seasons back to my apartment. Well, the taxi ride of shame, anyway. My body buzzed from the attention John had paid to each curve… each soft spot where my skin met his. Last night, and again this morning. I paused at the curb, looking behind me.  

    Did anyone see me going up to his room? Did they notice when I didn’t come back down? Did Kelly?

    My stomach roiled again, and I brought my hands to my belly. I swayed a bit, clenching my hands as another wave of nausea hit.  

    Get ahold of yourself, Sonia. No one saw you. And they won’t see you. Because there won’t be another time. I stepped out to the street and waved my arm, my stomach pitching again as a cab passed. Dammit, I’ll have to get to a doctor if this shit keeps happening. Get some sleeping pills or… something for my nerves. Another cab rolled by.  

    “Dammit!” I shouted. “I need to get my ass back home.” I swayed again and shut my eyes tight, trying to calm myself. I must have looked a sight in my formal wear with my hair flying every which a way. Anyone who saw me could have guessed exactly where I’d come from.

    Hopefully, though, they wouldn’t guess who I’d been with. When I opened my eyes, I saw a dark Rolls Royce turn onto the street, slowing as it approached the hotel. The windows were tinted black. It rolled close to where I was standing and then sped past, turning around the block again. My heart pounded as it passed by, and I waved frantically for a taxi to stop. Yet another passed by, almost as if it were avoiding me.  

    “Come the fuck on!” I groaned and kicked at the pavement. As exciting as last night had been, it was morning now, and I needed to get the hell out of there. To my horror, the Rolls turned the corner again, slowing to a crawl as it approached the hotel.  

    Some dude thinks I’m a hooker. Fantastic. The rolls pulled to a halt right in front of me, one dark window rolling down. I laughed nervously.  

    “I’m just waiting for a cab,” I said, swinging my purse. An angular, thin face peeked through the window, and I immediately recognized Janice Howell, the Republican candidate for Senate.  

    “Get in,” she said. “I know your secret.”  

CHAPTER SEVEN

    October 1, 2016
    Five Weeks until Election Day

    The door to the Rolls opened, revealing its immaculate leather seats and the long, thin leg of Janice Howell.  

    “My team has been hard at work, Miss Mills. And it looks like you have too.”

    “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I said, stumbling backwards and almost falling onto the sidewalk. I looked around desperately for a taxi.  

    “I had the taxi company that trolls through here stop service to this street for the next hour. And believe me, sweetheart, we’ll follow you all the way home. But it looks like my ex-husband wore you out last night. I’m betting your legs are sore.” My eyes went wide, and I stared blankly at Janice’s icy, cool expression.  

    “What are you talking about?”

    “Oh