that call revealing whether or not she’d be allowed to give a child the love she’d never had was daily torture. “No, I haven’t forgotten. You know I want to adopt a child more than anything in this world.”
“Lauder’s proposition could be the answer. A senatorial candidate has clout.”
For the first time, Lauder’s proposal had her attention. But it only lasted briefly. “I don’t agree with what he’s doing.”
“But we can agree that it’s not the worst thing in the world. If it’s not you, babe, it’ll be someone else.”
For some crazy reason, the idea of another woman playing the role she’d been handpicked for troubled her more than it should. Actually, it shouldn’t have bothered her at all.
“Who would you rather see win, Edmondson or that fine, fine chocolate Lauder Tolson?”
That was an easy one. Edmondson was a joke, parading around town with his robotic family, when everyone knew he didn’t care one iota about improving anyone’s life but his own. “Lauder, of course, but—”
“But nothing. It’s settled. You’re doing this. For the good of your fellow voters of this state. And the precious child who’s going to have the most amazing mother in the whole wide world.” Hannah hugged Willow, then held her at arm’s length. “Now repeat after me: I’m going to do this.”
Willow bit at the corner of her lip, still unconvinced that this was a road she wanted to travel. Hannah had made valid points, but there were risks involved with playing Lauder’s pretend lover. So many risks. Clearly, there was a real attraction between them. Could she actually spend extended amounts of time with him and not fall prey to his charm?
“Say it,” Hannah continued. “Say, I’m going to do this.”
After several moments, Willow mumbled under her breath.
“What was that? I didn’t hear you.”
“I’m going to do this,” she said, the declaration feeling like the kiss of doom.
* * *
Lauder hadn’t expected Willow’s impromptu visit, especially since he hadn’t had any contact with her for close to a week. Now here she stood, mere feet from him and looking like the gold at the end of a rainbow. He played it cool, but all he wanted to do was yank her against his chest, sweep an arm across his desk, gently place Willow on top of it and bury himself inside her.
Unfortunately, none of that would happen. However, his aching body certainly wished it would.
“Willow? What a pleasant surprise.” He eased onto the edge of his desk and folded his arms across his chest. “It’s nice to—”
“I’ll allow you to use me, but I’m going to use you in return,” she said, her expression void of emotion.
Use her? Was that what she thought he wanted to do? Lauder massaged the side of his face, needing a second to recover from her words. Actually, as harsh as it sounded, it was exactly what he was doing, but she then intended to benefit from him, too. “And how will you use me, Willow?” He could think of several ways he would have liked for the usage to occur, none of them suitable to mention aloud. But every one of them stirred him below the waist.
“You were correct. I do want to adopt a child. But I don’t want any unfair advantage,” Willow continued.
Unfair advantage. Had that been meant to be a jab? “I see. So what do you need from me?”
“I don’t need anything from you, Lauder. What I want is for you to put in a good word for me when the time comes.”
Obviously, she had a distorted definition of the term unfair advantage, because her request fell snugly within those perimeters. However, he allowed her to continue to believe otherwise. She seemed set on riding her high horse until the thing died of exhaustion.
Deciding to make her sweat a bit, he said, “I don’t think this will work, Willow.”
“May I ask why?”
Lauder braced a hand on either side of the desk. “For us to be convincing as a couple, we would actually need to like one another. Now, I like you plenty, but you act as if you can’t bear the sight of me.” He shrugged. “It won’t—”
Before he could finish the thought, Willow was between his legs, her arms wrapped around his neck and lips locked to his. The sensation that shot to his groin nearly toppled him off the desk’s edge.
The kiss was unhurried and sensual.
Profound and thorough.
Hot and delicious.
Absolutely perfect.
Willow’s tongue probed the inside of his mouth without hesitation. She tasted sweet, like grape candy. Lip gloss, maybe. When his brain finally rebooted, he responded to their intimate connection, enveloping his arms around her warm body and holding her close to him.
He wanted her.
Desperately needed her.
Willow’s tense frame relaxed against him, and he held her a little more lightly. He wanted this moment to last forever. Unfortunately, several sizzling seconds later, the pleasure came to an abrupt end with Willow pulling away. She ran the pad of her thumb across his bottom lip, then stared him square in the eyes.
“I trust that was convincing enough.”
Like a deer trapped in the headlights of a big rig, he couldn’t speak or move. All he could do was gape into her dazzling eyes.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
He didn’t miss the smugness in her tone. A beat later, she freed herself from his hold and moved toward the door like a sexy siren. His eyes fixed on her ample behind in those figure-flattering jeans. His manhood throbbed so hard, he had to adjust himself. Oh, you will pay for this in the most sensual manner possible.
Blame it on ego, but Lauder couldn’t allow her to get away believing she had the upper hand—despite the fact that she did have it. Pushing to a full stand, he said, “We’re going to need to spend some time together. Get to know each other.” He already knew one thing about her for sure...she was one hell of a kisser.
Willow stopped at the door, her hand resting on the knob. Over her shoulder, she said, “This Saturday. Six o’clock.”
Opening the door, she was gone.
Lauder chuckled and massaged his jaw. He wasn’t sure what, but Willow was doing something to his guarded heart. What was worse, he liked it.
Returning behind his desk, he dropped into the plush office chair, rested his elbow on the armrest and gingerly glided two fingers across his bottom lip. The next time their lips touched—and there would be a next time—he would be the one in control.
Two taps sounded at his door, and Lauder grew overly excited. Had Willow returned? “Come in.” A smile lit his face, then melted away. “Oh, it’s just you,” he said to his foster
