The Candidate's Affair Read Online Free Page B

could start with the book and then talk politics after.” His grin reached from one side of his face to the other. It was picture perfect.
    Tina glared at Lindsey. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to put you on the spot like that.” She looked annoyed that Tina forced an apology out of her.
    “It’s fine.” He sat back in his chair, then toward my ear. “Don’t worry. I still have an hour reserved just for you to convince you to vote for me.”
    I straightened my spine and worried someone had seen him whisper to me. It was too familiar. I had known the man only a few hours and it felt too comfortable.
    “I have my list of questions here.” Tina rattled the paper in the air. “Ok, who thought Donna Tartt wrote just too many pages?”
    The circle groaned. I tried to focus on the book resting in my lap. I drew over the silhouette of the bird with imaginary ink on my fingertip, the discussion picking up around me. All I could feel was Paxton’s stare needling my neck. I didn’t need to turn to know he was watching me.
    I opened the front cover and flipped to a page I had marked with a sticky note. I felt his eyes trace the lines on my fingers. His gaze had moved to my arm. I could feel every flinch. Every glimpse. Every time he turned his head. Every time he smiled at a comment.
    I fastened my fingers under the edge of the chair and picked it up enough to move it an inch. Another inch away felt safer.
    Book club always followed the same format. We gathered, drank, discussed a book, and then spent the next two hours finishing off our hostess’s wine before stumbling home. I poured my third glass, emptying the last of the Moscato.
    From the corner of the kitchen, the scene in front of me seemed surreal. I knew all these women, and I had never seen them act like they did in front of Paxton Tanner. He held them captive, spouting funny stories. They all laughed a little louder.
    He made a path through the center of the cluster, parking himself next to me at the kitchen island. I felt his hand on the small of my back. It was a friendly gesture, but I thought it hinted at something else.
    “You need a refill?”
    I stepped a few inches away from him, and his fingers fell from my shirt. “Maybe half a glass.”
    He moved around Tina’s kitchen as if this was his one hundredth book club meeting, and uncorked a new bottle of wine. It looked light as a feather in his hands.
    “Here you go.” He slid the glass across the counter. “Just for you.”
    I watched as he poured a second glass and took a sip. “Lively crowd.” His eyebrows waggled.
    “Usually is. This group always has a good time when they get together. But, I think you’ve stolen the show tonight.” My tongue started to feel thick as my fourth glass went down quickly—too quickly.
    “Not my intention. I don’t think I realized it was all women.” He shoved a hand in his front pocket. “Not that I’m complaining.”
    “You’re last book club was open?”
    “You could say it was unconventional.”
    “Does that mean it was a more liberal neighborhood?” I asked.
    “Ah-hah! Still trying to pin me down.”
    The wine stuck in my throat. I knew I didn’t mean anything suggestive, but the way he strung his words together made me second-guess everything I uttered to him. I was confused. Was he baiting me, or the other way around?
    “No, I’m not. I just—” I tipped the last drops of wine into my mouth and placed my empty glass next to the sink. “It’s getting late.”
    I brushed past him.
    “Tina, thanks for hostessing.” I pecked her on the cheek.
    “You’re going already?” It was a customary response.
    “Yes, I have a short day at school tomorrow, but have to get some sleep.”
    “We’ll see you next month.”
    I lugged my book under arm and pushed open the glass storm door. There was little relief outside from the stuffiness of Tina’s house, but the darkness made it feel cooler, even if it was only in my head.
    “Wait. Audrey,