Chapter 8
Liliana showered, dried her hair and ironed her dress, her mind rolling over and over that kiss.
Where had that come from? What had made him lean down and her rise up to meet him?
They barely knew each other. Well, other than what they’d talked about on the drive down.
Still, they really didn’t know each other.
Oh, but they had chemistry.
No doubt.
But was chemistry enough, considering everything stacked against them?
Whatever was between them, she couldn’t lose herself so completely like she had as soon as his lips had touched hers.
After she applied a light amount of makeup, she slipped into the dress and the high heels that matched and then studied her reflection in the mirror.
Her lips were still slightly swollen from the incredible kiss she’d shared with Dax. She raised her hand to touch her fingertips to her mouth, still tingling from his.
How could she face him when all she wanted to do was kiss him again?
Truthfully, that wasn’t all she wanted to do to him, but it was enough to make her shy and hesitant when she opened the bedroom door.
He stood at the window, overlooking the mountain, his broad shoulders, narrow hips and muscular thighs making her heart race. He still wore the same clothes he’d worn earlier. Draped over the back of the sofa were a black suit and white shirt. He turned.
“The bathroom is all yours,” she said. “I left the ironing board up if you’d like me to iron your suit while you’re getting ready.”
He turned to face her, his gaze sweeping over her from head to toe, his eyes flaring. “Wow,” he said. “You clean up beautifully.”
Her cheeks heated. “I’m sorry I took so long.”
“Don’t be sorry. The time was well-spent.” He smiled. “You’re gorgeous.”
Liliana didn’t think her cheeks could get hotter. She must be beet-red by now. Very unflattering. “Thank you.”
She left the doorway, walked to the mini bar and found a bottle of red wine.
Dax gathered his toiletries, suit and dress shoes and entered the bedroom, calling out over his shoulder, “I won’t be long.”
“I’m not in a hurry. I need to go over my speech for tomorrow.”
He turned around. “I’d be happy to listen if you’d like.”
“Thanks,” she said. “I’ve given most of this before. I just need to review and remember the words I want them to hear most. I believe every word and know them deep in my heart. I just don’t want to say them wrong and have someone misquote me.”
He nodded. “The media can be ruthless.”
“Yes, they can. They can also be helpful.”
“If they’re on your side,” he finished.
“True.”
“Ten minutes, tops,” he said and entered the bathroom, closing the door behind him.
Liliana found herself straining to hear the sound of the water going on in the shower. Her imagination took flight with thoughts of Dax standing beneath the spray, naked, wet and so very tempting.
Her pulse sped and heat burned at her core. She poured herself a glass of wine and carried it to the window. Though it was dark outside, the stars shone on the mountain, bathing it in a blue glow.
The wine and the view helped to calm her raging libido. By the time Dax emerged from the bathroom, she was almost back to her cool, collected self.
Then he stepped out into the living room, dressed in the neatly pressed black suit, his damp hair slicked back and more handsome than a man had a right to be.
“Wow,” she said. “You clean up well.”
He chuckled. “Thank you.”
“Do you have much call for a black suit as a protector?” she asked, taking a sip of her wine, enjoying the warmth spreading through her body. She blamed it on the wine though she knew better. Dax made her warm all over.
His smile faded. “I bought this suit after I got out of the Navy. I’ve only worn it to funerals.”
“Oh,” she said. “That’s incredibly sad.”
He nodded. “But tonight, the suit gets a break. It gets to celebrate going out with a beautiful woman.” Dax held out his arm. “Shall we?”
Liliana hooked her arm through his, shrugging away the image of the funerals the suit had been to. “I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry.”
“Me, too.”
“The resort has one of the best chefs in all of Wyoming and most of the west coast.”
“Great. Hopefully, he serves man-sized portions.”
Liliana laughed. “Man-sized portions?”
“Not the dainty bites they serve at fancy restaurants for insane prices.” He opened the door, checked the hallway and led her to the elevator.
“I’m sure we can ask for more if you don’t get enough.” Her heart lighter, she stepped onto the elevator with the mirrored walls, thinking what a great-looking couple they made. They even looked happy, like a newly engaged pair should.
Too bad it was all just pretend.
That thought put a little damper on her mood as she rode the elevator down to the restaurant level and stepped out.
As they approached the restaurant doors, the hotel manager was there to greet them. “Your table is ready, Miss Lightfeather.”
“Thank you.”
He led the way to a table near the back of the room, away from the swinging door to the kitchen.
Rachel was there, seated beside a man with black hair and blue eyes. Lying on the floor beside him was a sable German Shepherd, patiently waiting for his person’s next command.
Rachel leaped to her feet. “There you are.” She turned to the man who’d risen from his chair.
“I’ve been getting acquainted with Mr. Kuntz and his dog, Six.
” She smiled at the pair. “Did you know Six served in Afghanistan for three years? He saved so many lives in his work.” She laughed.
“Oh, and this is Joseph Kuntz, Six’s handler. ”
The man held out one hand while he scratched behind Six’s ear. “That’s right. I’m Six’s handler.” He grinned. “Liliana and I met in Montana.”
Kujo’s firm handshake and obvious love for his dog made Liliana like the man even more. “Thank you for coming along on my campaign trail. I never thought I’d need a bomb-sniffing dog to help me run for office, but here you are.” She bent toward Six and stopped. “May I pet him?”
Kujo nodded. “Thanks for asking. Not all working dogs are people friendly.”
Liliana held out her hand in front of Six. “Hey, big guy. Do you mind if I pet you?”
Six sniffed her hand and stared up into her eyes.
When she reached out to scratch behind his ear, he leaned into her hand.
“Good boy,” she said, delighted that he’d taken to her so quickly. “He’s beautiful.”
“Thank you,” Kujo tightened his hand on the dog’s lead then reached out and touched Liliana’s arm. “Six. Liliana,” he said to the dog. Then to Liliana, “Let him sniff your hand again.”
She held her hand in front of the dog’s nose.
“Liliana,” Kujo said in a stern tone.
Six sniffed the hand, then looked up at Kujo.
Kujo nodded. “Good boy.”
They took their seats and kept a lively conversation running throughout the meal.
Kujo wasn’t a big conversationalist, but he was happy to talk about how he’d come to adopt Six and when he went to work for Hank Patterson and the Brotherhood Protectors.
He was especially proud of his wife, Molly, who worked for the FBI.
Mostly, he was head over heels in love with their baby girl, Sarah.
“Don’t you miss them when you’re on assignment?” Liliana asked.
“More than they’ll ever know.” Kujo stared down at the photo of his wife holding his daughter.
Liliana’s heart contracted. How she’d love to be loved like Kujo loved his family. Sometimes, her journey to help others left her alone in hotel rooms. She’d accepted it as part of the life and career she’d chosen.
Her gaze darted to Dax. She wondered if she’d given up too much, or if she dared to want more, whether it would hurt her career.
If she managed to juggle a husband and children, would they resent the time she spent working?
Or would she grow to regret missing out on so much of their lives because she was too busy helping others improve their situations?
Most male politicians had stay-at-home spouses who cared for the children and were there full-time to see to their needs.
Liliana didn’t know how a life with children would work for her. If she continued to pursue her career as a congresswoman, who would take care of any children that came along? Dax had a job that would take him away from home more than Liliana’s. Not that he’d want to marry her.
But if he did, he wouldn’t want to be the stay-at-home dad taking care of the children, which meant leaving the children in the care of a stranger.
Again, Dax wasn’t signing on to any of her musings. It wasn’t the kind of life he’d willingly walk into.
Growing up on the rez with a mother who had worked two jobs to put food on the table, Liliana had spent time with caregivers who, for the most part, had been good. They were members of her tribe who’d stayed home with their own children and earned money caring for others.
It takes a village to raise a child was true in Liliana’s case. Her mother had gone to work, knowing someone would make sure Liliana was fed and safe. She hadn’t loved Liliana any less.
“Tomorrow will be a busy day,” Rachel said. “I’m not sure how Kujo and Six can help out, as we won’t have a specific venue for him to inspect beforehand.”
“We can walk among the crowd, blending in with others who walk their dogs,” Kujo suggested.
Liliana nodded, pulling herself out of her musings about marriage and children in a female politician’s life. That she even bothered to mull over far-fetched dreams was a waste of time. It would never happen. Not as long as she was in congress.
If she won the election.
“It will be comforting to know Six is out there, sniffing for explosives,” Liliana said. “I admit to a little nervousness getting up in front of people again after the last time.”
Rachel reached over the table and covered her hand. “You don’t have to do it. Concede the race, and you can go home and not worry that someone is out to get you.” She smiled gently. “No one would blame you for wanting out.”
If Liliana backed out of the race, she could have any other life she chose to live. Maybe one with a real fiancé and, eventually, children.