Midnight (McKenna Chronicles Book 1) Read Online Free

attributes of those surrounding them. There are few people I’m
unable to find a positive quality I can connect with. I understand human
nature—or at least, I try to. It’s that connection that allows me to capture
the true nature of my subject. They feel comfortable with me and share their
truth.”
    He
nods, eyes twinkling mischievously like he’s in on a joke I’m not aware of.
    I
turn back to Colin. His eyes darken and his face grows very serious, “Ms.
Carter, I’m about to embark on a tour of the United States seeking the
Republican presidential nomination. I would like for you to accompany me as I
campaign. Use your expertise to understand my motivations and connect my
beliefs and me to voters via the Internet. Will you come?”
    It
takes a moment to formulate a response, and the only thing I can think to say
is “Charlie.” He looks at me quizzically, his right eyebrow lifting in
question. “Please call me Charlie. Mrs. Carter is my mom, and Charlise is so
formal; everyone calls me Charlie.”  
    “Charlie,”
he says as if tasting my name, savoring it. When I don’t answer he tries again.
“Charlie,” he says softly. “I want you to contemplate my offer. Would you
consider meeting me tomorrow for breakfast?” he asks, with beseeching eyes. “It
will give you an opportunity to learn more about the campaign and more about
me.”
    I’m
drawn to this man, his masculine, chiseled jaw and cheekbones, straight nose,
blue eyes and the glorious waves in his hair. This is unchartered territory,
and I’m not sure accepting his offer is the right thing to do—for him or for
me.
    “I’m
leaving this afternoon. I haven’t booked a room to stay through the morning.”
    He
glances over my shoulder. I turn, following his eyes to the window and the snow
that has started tumbling from the sky. Big, wet flakes fall, the roof of the
building next to ours already thick with buildup.
    “Charlie,
I'll take care of the room for you this evening. Please don’t drive in this
weather.” His words are pleasant, but his tone is demanding.
    I
agree with him; snow is not my favorite driving condition, especially for an
almost four-hour drive. “Okay.”
    “Good,”
he says simply. He stands, staring down at me, his face unreadable. “If you
agree to work with me, Charlie, I would like for you to enter into our
agreement knowing little about me or my campaign. Base your perspective on what
you learn firsthand. Can you promise me you'll forgo any research from this
moment forward?”
    I’m
surprised by his request. Most journalists engage in extensive preparation
prior to embarking on such a journey. “Will you promise to be forthright and
honest with information when I ask for it and have a need to know?” I gaze into
his eyes to determine the truthfulness of his answer.
    “On
my honor,” he says with sincerity, his eyes piercing in their connection with
mine.
    “I
promise.”
    “Until
tomorrow then.”
    Standing,
my hands unconsciously fan over my skirt to ensure it’s lying smoothly over my
rounded hips. His eyes flick quickly over the area my hands just caressed.
Lifting his hand to shake mine in farewell, the electricity pulses through me
immediately when we touch.
    I
look into his eyes once more. “Good night, Senator McKenna.”

 
TWO
     
                                                                                      
     
    FEELING
LAZY, I snuggle deeper into the warmth of the bed, unwilling to start the
day. Last night there were no erotic dreams of a man with deep, intense blue
eyes or nightmares from a past I can never seem to fully escape.
    I
haven’t spent any time trying to decipher my reaction to Colin McKenna, pushing
thoughts of him out of my mind each time they drive forward. Lying under the
thick covers, I’m cocooned in the soft warmth of the hotel bed. Yesterday's
dream and my reaction to the real man