The Gentlewoman by Lisa Durkin Page B

brought things back under control in
his sweatpants. They both laughed as he kissed her.
     
    The livery car made its way up to the Hill and rounded to
the entrance of the Rayburn Building. Rory and Jackson finalized their plans
for the evening. They would ride home together at about six and order dinner
before he would drive her to the airport. She had a ten o’clock flight to
Cleveland. Rory insisted that she could take a cab to the airport but Jackson
wouldn’t hear of it. If she was willing to explore the possibility of having at
least a physical relationship with him, he was going to take advantage of every
moment he could get with her. He cringed as he realized he dreaded her flying
out tonight, but he knew she had to take care of some business in her district.
She would be back on Sunday and would take a cab from the airport and join him
at his place, where his annual Super Bowl party would be under way. He was
fully aware that his happiness over his acquired relationship, friendship,
whatever this was with Rory Morgan, was not just about the business gains he was
seeking. For the first time in ten years, he wanted to be with a woman for more
than sex.
    As promised, Landon had arranged lunch with Rory and as they
were being seated in the restaurant, Rory was re-thinking her car situation in
Washington. A lot of business was done in restaurants and she thought she might
feel better if she had her own vehicle. It felt as though she was under others’
constant transport: Jackson’s livery car, Nicole’s car, Landon’s car. As she
mulled it over, she mused about how it all came down to control. Control kept
the panic at bay, the demons in order.
    She had been successful in shaking that dream this morning.
And she was following Nicole’s advice of giving things a try with Dorn. She was
amazed at how good it felt to let go and not fight her desire for him. It felt
good to embrace the comfort she found in being with him too, even if it was a
possible minefield.
    As Landon finished ordering and they handed the menus back
to the waiter they got down to business.
    “Well, my dear, the party was in full agreement with your
committee appointments. You now sit on Energy and Commerce, and Health and
Human Services.”
    “Good, that’s good, Uncle Landon. Thank you for your
sponsorship.” She smiled and was truly pleased that had gone well.
    “Well, it’s my pleasure. After all, I know your platform.
You are the right person for Ohio and the party.” The reminder of the debt to
the party was not veiled. She curled her lips into a slight smile as he
continued. “You have room for one more. Any ideas?”
    “I’ve given it some thought. Appropriations couldn’t hurt.
I’ve recently learned it can be helpful.” She rolled her eyes.
    “Yes that’s possible.”
    “I saw Roy last night at the business meeting. We talked
very briefly. I’ll seek him out next week and see what his thoughts are.”
    “That’s good.” Landon paused for a moment. “Rory, I know
you’re somewhat adamant, but what about giving some thought as to the
contributions you could make on Homeland Security one more time?”
    Rory’s eyes shot to Landon’s. What the fuck was this?
She leaned forward in her chair and lowered her voice.
    “I’m not somewhat adamant, Landon. I’m not interested
and I won’t do it. Some things I will not give in on. You tell whoever in our
precious party put you up to this that I’m not helping with whatever they need
on that committee.”
    “Settle down.” Landon glared back with his own steely stare.
After a moment of shifting in their chairs and gaining control over their
tempers, he started again. “It was a friend from the other party. They want
stricter laws so Homeland can sharpen their teeth, make a bigger dent.” She
noticed his irritation over her strong reaction, as if her behavior was more a
betrayal than his trespassing on this topic with her. He continued in a slow,
deliberate tone. “You