Dissident (17 page)

“No, you’ll end up as a Capitol tour guide. You’re good at walking backwards.”

Caroline had a reputation for giving personalized tours for her constituents. Whenever Ellen saw her leading visitors around, she always cracked a joke. Especially if Caroline was wearing heels.

“It takes talent to lead a group while sporting a wicked pair of slingbacks,” Caroline said.

Ellen reflexively looked down at Caroline’s shoes, giving her an approving glance. “You’ve got a good receptionist’s voice too. Very soothing.”

“I’m not giving tours for your office. So don’t ask.”

“See if I ask you on another chartered trip to Israel.”

“So, do they sell kugel at every restaurant in Jerusalem?” Caroline asked. “I was planning on eating nothing but noodles and raisins the entire time I was here. And challah. I want lots and lots of challah.”

Ellen shook her head. “Oh, Caroline. Even though your stereotypes are positive and yummy, we must still try to break you of them.”

“No gefilte fish. I draw the line. Only desserts and non-pickled food.”

Ellen sighed loudly. “You’ve got a lot to learn.”

Caroline folded her arms. “Then tell me what you know, Senator.”

“We’ve got a good ten hours or so before we get there. You sure you can handle all that knowledge?”

She had been well prepared to talk about porn the entire flight but was willing to switch gears. “Try me.”

*              *              *              *              *

Caroline yawned as she hung up the last of her suits, lugging her suitcase over to the closet. She hated how she felt after transatlantic flights. She also hated unpacking. She wasn’t a big fan of Congressional jaunts either, even though they were almost all privately funded.

The six members of Congress and their staffers deplaned and settled into their hotel in the early afternoon, leaving the rest of the day for sleep and relaxation. They were staying at the Mamilla Hotel.  Caroline had underestimated the deep pockets of the foundation paying for the trip; they were really shelling out for their little group. She’d stayed in many nice hotels as a member of Congress but was very impressed with what she’d seen so far.

She was ready to fall onto the bed for a well-deserved nap when she heard a soft knock at the door. Caroline practiced her politician smile, which turned into a genuine grin once she peeked through the peephole and saw who was standing in the hallway. She threw the door open.

“Hi,” she said.

Jack stepped into the room and grabbed Caroline around the waist and pressed his lips to hers. He laughed at her expression as he pulled away. “Hi, yourself.”

She straightened her hair, not wanting to admit he’d thrown her off. “That was one hell of a greeting,” she stammered.

“You’re the one who ignored me on the plane. I was making up for it.”

“We talked about that. I think I waved at you once or twice while we were in the air. And I don’t recall ignoring you before we left for the airport.”

“Oh, yes. I remember that. The early morning sex was nice.”

They had spent the night at his townhouse in Georgetown since their chartered flight was departing from Dulles the next morning.  Caroline had little desire to drive the long distance from Maryland to northern Virginia, and she figured out pretty quickly that Jack’s desire was to spend as much time with her as possible. She did her best to wake him up in a very pleasant manner before their car arrived.

They had discussed protocol for the trip while they were stuck in traffic. Don’t make things too obvious. Try to stay platonic. Be discreet.

“I could have had someone in here,” she accused. “We’re trying to be careful, you know.”

“I know.” Jack led her to the couch in the middle of the suite, falling back into the cushions. “But I figured you were settling in. Plus it’s not like everyone doesn’t already know.”

“Everyone? Meaning all the people here?”

“Senator Wagner had his suspicions.”

“Only because you kept trying to make googly eyes at me on the plane.”

Jack rubbed her shoulder. “You noticed, huh?”

“What about the staffers?”

“They’re too busy brown nosing to pay attention.”

“Ellen and I brought our chiefs of staff, as did Bob. There’s not much brown nosing for them to do.”

“They aren’t the ones I’m thinking of.”

“Fair enough. Anybody else?”

“I’m not sure,” Jack said. “Don’t worry about it.  We can trust these people. I think.”

“Speak for yourself. I trust you and Ellen and Bob.  I don’t know Wagner at all.”

“He was nice enough on the plane.”

“What did you two talk about?”

“I now know much more than any one man needs to know about fly fishing.”

Caroline laughed. Senator Wagner was from Wyoming and was completely in touch with nature. That was about the only thing she knew about him. “Good to know he’s a one trick pony. Ellen strove for diversity on this trip. I’m pretty sure his aide was watching porn in the back of the plane the entire flight.”

“Wagner has good taste when it comes to his hiring practices, then,” Jack said.

“He might have been watching midget porn. You don’t know.”

“Is there anything wrong with that?”

“No. Ellen was wondering if it was something just as naughty.”

“Like what?”

“Cougars and MILFs.”

“Ellen knows what a MILF is?”

Caroline laughed again. “I was just as amazed as you.”

“I think I’m going to have to spend more time with Senator Goldman on this trip,” Jack said.

“She’s a sweetheart. I hope you can.”

“I’ll certainly try.”

“Who’d you bring?” Caroline asked. “I didn’t recognize him.”

“One of my legislative aides. He just graduated from Villanova. His name’s Joshua.”

“A little bit of alma mater nepotism, I see.”

“How many Marquette and Notre Dame students roll through your office?”

“No comment.”

“He seemed really eager to go, so I invited him and left my chief of staff at home. Joshua is very, very religious.”

She tried to imagine how a kid like that ended up on Jack’s payroll. “Much like his oh so reverent boss. So Joshua wasn’t watching porn during the flight?”

“He was probably memorizing fun facts about the Dead Sea Scrolls or something equally dull.”

Caroline thought of Jack’s eclectic reading tastes. “You’re one to talk. He was likely grinding through a book you lent him.”

“What was it you said a minute ago? Ah, yes. No comment.”

“Was your chief of staff upset you didn’t bring him along?”

“A little. He wanted to pop his Middle East cherry.”

“What a delightful way to put it.”

“I never said I couldn’t be crude.” Jack paused. “What do you know about the Senate Democratic Leader?” he asked. “Is he trustworthy?”

“Grimes? He’s a carbon copy of Langlade. Ellen only invited him along because he was powerful enough that she’d suffer if she didn’t.”

“I’ll keep my mouth shut around him, then.”

“Ellie figured it out,” Caroline said. “And obviously Jen and Eric know.”

“Bob knows too.”

“He does? I didn’t tell him anything.”

“He most definitely knows.” Jack looked a bit uncomfortable. “Didn’t you notice me switch seats halfway through the flight? I was summoned to the Speaker’s side.”

“For what?”

“I believe he wanted to take the opportunity to counsel me in The Way Things Are.”

“And how’s that?”

“Veiled threats. Angry looks. Pseudo-fatherly advice. You know.”

Caroline rolled her eyes. “Jack, come on.”

“I’m not kidding. You have quite a few friends who are very, very protective of you.”

She leaned into his side as he wrapped his arm around her. “Contrast that with Ellen, who thinks you’re just gorgeous.”

“Good,” Jack said. “I’m definitely spending more time with her.”

“Did the Speaker of the House really threaten you?”

“No. But Bob made it clear that I am not to behave like a cad.”

Caroline tugged at his tie. “Then don’t tell him about our sex life.”

Jack kissed her. “Wouldn’t think of divulging those secrets.”

“Are you upset I didn’t sit next to you on the plane?”

“I understand why. This isn’t our trip. It’s Ellen’s show. I’m glad she asked me to come but I could tell she wanted to spend some time with you. I wasn’t going to interfere with that.”

Caroline kissed him back. “You’re so thoughtful.”

“Not a cad, then?”

“Not in the slightest.” She smiled at him again. “Are you one of those people trying to protect me?”

“Absolutely,” Jack said. “Robert Allen has nothing to worry about.”

“Nor do I.” Caroline stood up and crossed the room to the desk, picking up her spare room key. She handed it to Jack. “Before I forget, I want to give you this.”

“You sure about this?”

“Absolutely. How else can I get you to visit me in the dead of night?”

Jack pulled her onto his lap. “There are other ways.”

“I don’t expect you to come crawling in through the window.”

“Seems more romantic, if you ask me.”

“Or more dangerous. Do I get your extra room key?” Caroline asked.

“Only got one. I wasn’t sure you’d accept it if I gave it to you. Looks like someone planned ahead.”

She traced the shell of his ear. “It seems silly for us to be here together and not spend time…together.”

“What about our discretion?”

“I trust your judgment. Just don’t go wandering into my room in the middle of the day when there are a ton of people around. And don’t play grab ass in public.”

“I like grabbing your ass. It’s just the right size.”

“My ass appreciates your well wishes but you know what I mean.”

“Message received. No goosing except when we’re alone.” Jack held up the key card before placing it on the side table. “So this is for late night trysts?”

She loosened his tie. “Anytime trysts. Our schedule is fluid.”

“I’ll probably have to spend some time in my own room, for appearance’s sake.” Jack started unbuttoning her blouse.

“That’s fine,” Caroline said absently, kissing his neck.

“I can keep a spare suit in here, if you’d like.”

“I would definitely like. I enjoy spending the night with you.”

He started to let down her hair. “Me too. How was last night?”

“Wonderful, as always.”

“‘Always’ meaning the one or two nights we’ve been able to spend time together lately?”

Caroline pressed her forehead to his shoulder. “I’m sorry we haven’t been able to be with each other all that much since the fundraiser.”

“We live busy lives.” Jack put both arms around her. “I understand. As long as your phone is fully charged and you accept my text messages and late night calls, I don’t care.”

“You do care. I can see it in your eyes.”

“Then let’s try to prioritize each other as much as we can.”

“Deal.” Caroline stifled a yawn. Leaning against him had been a bad idea. “Now, what was I doing? Oh yeah.” She kissed his neck again, drawing a low moan from Jack.

“Sweetheart, not that I don’t enjoy this, but I was hoping to take you to dinner. Aren’t you hungry?”

“That can wait.” Caroline tried to disguise another yawn and failed.

Jack chuckled. “Do you need to get some sleep first?”

“I’m fine.” She began to unbutton his shirt. “Why are you so perky?”

“Unlike you, I napped on the plane. But you spent all your time chatting with our trip organizer.”

“I did not.” Her voice was flagging.

He tipped her chin up. “You’re exhausted. I’d much rather you be fully engaged for this.”

“I’d much rather you try and wake me up.”

Jack gave her a fond look, pulling her off the couch and guiding her to the bedroom. “Come on, Caroline. A quick nap before dinner and then I promise you I’ll have my way with you after we eat. Multiple times, most likely.”

“Promise?”

Jack pulled the bedspread off the bed and fluffed the pillows, taking off his shirt and tie. “Come here.”

Caroline took off her skirt and blouse and curled up against him. He was warm. “This is nice,” she whispered.

“It certainly is,” Jack said. “If you weren’t so damn tired I’d be admiring that garter belt for the next hour or so.”

“Just admiring it?”

“I’m very physically demonstrative when it comes to my admiration. And I’m impressed that you wore it on that long flight.”

“It’s force of habit now. A natural impulse when I know you’re going to be around.”