Risky Business of Love. Yahrah St. John
you to get a good shot of Congressman Butler.” They’d discussed what she was looking for and her expectations for the story on the drive over.
“Will do,” Lance said, focusing his camera on the podium. “Have you heard that his son may be running for office?”
Ciara turned around to face him. “Yes, I’d heard that rumor, but nothing’s official yet. Though I’m sure he’s a shoo-in. He comes from a political family with a spotless reputation.”
“Have you seen him before? I heard he’s quite attractive,” Lance teased. He knew how Ciara enjoyed pretty boys.
“Hmmm, I doubt he’s all that,” Ciara commented. “Those political types are always stiff fuddy-duddies.”
“Is that right?” Lance asked as the Butlers took the opportunity to appear at just that moment. Ciara would sure be surprised though because Jonathan Butler was a far cry from one of those political types. Matter of fact, he looked exactly like Ciara’s cup of tea.
“Well, of course.” Ciara whirled around, but when she did she nearly lost her balance because the drop-dead gorgeous Jonathan Butler was not a stiff fuddyduddy at all, but the sexy mystery man from last night.
Ciara was completely thrown as the Butlers stepped onto the podium. Charles was first, standing center stage, while his wife, Dominique; son, Jonathan; and campaign manager, Reid Hamilton, flagged either side of him. Several female reporters nearly pushed her aside as all eyes focused on the handsome specimen of a man standing in front of them.
Charles Butler approached the mike and gave a brief speech that summarized what the press already knew—that he’d enjoyed his tenure in office, but after twenty-five years he was stepping down due to angina.
Ciara heard none of it though because her heart was thumping so loudly in her chest, she could hardly think.
How could her one-night stand be Jonathan Butler? It hardly seemed possible. Maybe she should make a fast exit before he noticed her.
Lance looked down at his counterpart, saw how fixated she was on the dazzling politico and asked, “What was it you said about political types?”
Ciara blushed. “Ummm, I don’t remember,” she lied. She knew exactly what she’d said, but that statement didn’t apply to a man like Jonathan Butler. He was an enigma, to say the least.
If she ran away, she’d appear like a coward, kind of the way she had earlier that morning. No, she had to face Jonathan Butler head-on, and her job gave her the opportunity to catch his attention. Ciara pushed her way back up to the front of the pack. Thankfully, her mother had taught her how to stop a man in his tracks. Charles Butler surveyed the crowd and Ciara raised her arm, hoping he would call on her, and after several questions about his health, she got her wish.
“The lady in the front, you have a question?”
“Congressman Butler, some might consider the announcement that you’re stepping down as a prime opportunity to introduce your son, Jonathan Butler, as your successor. Would that be a valid statement?”
Charles Butler was temporarily flabbergasted. “Well, uh…” Charles Butler stammered. Jonathan couldn’t remember a time when his father had gotten flustered by a pretty face, so he stepped to the podium to cover for his smitten father.
And that was when he saw her.
Chapter 3
She was stunning. Jonathan would never forget how that honey-blond hair had luxuriously lain across his pillow. From where he was standing, she was as delicious a sexpot in the morning light as she’d been in the moonlight. A hint of cleavage peaked out of her buttercup suit jacket, making any man curious to find out what other pleasures she hid underneath.
“I’m here in an unofficial capacity. I’m here as a son, supporting his father,” Jonathan replied, smiling down at Ciara. She returned it with a knowing smile of her own. So, she recognized him from last night? Let the games begin, he thought.
“Well, that doesn’t exactly answer my question, now does it, Mr. Butler?” Ciara replied silkily, looking up at him beneath heavy eyelashes.
Jonathan raised an eyebrow at her unwillingness to take no for an answer. And was she giving him that same come-hither look? Because if so, he would and could most certainly oblige.
“Do you intend to run at some point in the future, Mr. Butler?” Ciara flashed Jonathan a sexy grin, eager to be the first to get the scoop.
Lance looked down at Ciara. He couldn’t believe Ciara’s boldness. Here she was flirting with Jonathan on-screen. He hoped Shannon didn’t see this.
“I may run for public office at some point in the future,” Jonathan answered evasively.
More like the immediate future, Ciara thought but she let it rest. She’d hit her mark! Jonathan Butler was flustered.
“One final question for Congressman Butler. What’s next on the agenda for you?” Ciara asked, batting her eyelashes at the senior Butler.
“Mostly a whole lot of golf,” Charles Butler replied.
“And with that last statement, the press conference is concluded,” Reid said, coming forward to the microphone. “We thank all the members of the press for their attendance.” Then he turned and glowered at Jonathan. He couldn’t believe that young snot was flirting with a reporter in the middle of a conference. Didn’t he know how unprofessional his behavior was? Jonathan Butler had no place in the public arena and Reid was determined to ensure he did not succeed in his election quest.
“Son, I think you…” Charles Butler began, but Jonathan shooed him away.
“Not now, Dad,” he said, his eyes never leaving Ciara’s. He longed to have her tiger eyes gaze at him again, and no one was getting in his way.
“Excuse me for a moment.” He patted his father on the shoulder and stepped down from the podium.
When he reached his destination, he found her speaking with her cameraman. Jonathan tapped him on the shoulder. “Excuse me, do you mind if I interrupt?” he asked Lance, eager to talk to the woman who’d garnered his attention the moment he’d laid eyes on her at the bar.
His eyes traveled slowly down her curvy frame, taking in her buttercup pantsuit and low-cut jacket with one of those lacy things underneath. He loved the vibrant, sun-kissed hair, pert breasts and long, shapely legs that the formfitting fabric clung to. Her beautifully clear café au lait skin was perfect with the exception of a sexy mole near her mouth.
He seized her beautifully manicured hand and lightly brushed his lips across it. A tingle of excitement rushed through Ciara at the feel of Jonathan’s lips on her skin. She remembered what it felt like to have his lips on other parts of her body, which caused her skin to color a bright red.
Another reporter bumped into Ciara. Jonathan’s reflexes were impeccable and he placed his hand on the side of her back to steady her, sending an electric current right through Ciara’s spine.
“My, my, my, Mr. Butler, you certainly are gallant.” Ciara fanned herself.
“My pleasure,” Jonathan said, honoring her with a breathtaking smile, all the while inching closer. Ciara stepped backward to escape the heat being generated by his nearness.
“You know that’s quite a bold move you made earlier, calling me out on my announcement.”
“Really?” Ciara touched her chest, drawing Jonathan’s attention to her sumptuous endowments. “C’mon, you’re the news story here. Not your father. Everyone wanted to know if you were running for office. All I did was let the cat out of the bag.”
“So your cornering me on live television was strictly for the public?” Jonathan asked, captivated by the honey-coated tone of her voice.
“No, not completely.” Ciara smiled. “It was personal as