Page 97 of Power
“I’ve got everything under control,” I say as I prepare the ingredients for the frittata.
“May, do you have any of the Harry Potter books?”
“Do I ever! Hell yeah, I do. The bedroom that’s right next to the bathroom, if you open the door, you’ll see there’s a bed in there, and I have all the Harry Potter books, along with all the Divergent books, and Hunger Games and so many others. But you can’t read the ones on the top shelf, they’re my spicy books.”
“Spicy books?” Emily asks innocently.
“Books with sex scenes, Emily,” I clarify.
“Oh, eww! Yeah, I don’t want to read those.”
“That’s why I was warning you,” May says. But you can lay on the bed, or take any book and sit out on the veranda. Whatever you want.”
“Thank you, May.” Emily skips down the hallway, happy to know May is a collector of books.
“I like her,” May says. “Does she read a lot?”
“Her nose is always in a book, and she likes playing board games.” I break the eggs into a container and lightly whisk them. “She’s a good kid.”
“What about her father?”
“Let’s not talk about him.”
“Okay, let’s not talk about him. But, what about you and our fearless leader the president?”
My egg whisking stutters and starts up slower. But I owe an explanation to May. “I wasn’t even his regular girl.”
“So, how did it all happen?”
“His regular girl wasn’t able to make their appointment, and my boss offered me more money to go because it was on a night I don’t usually work.” I turn to see May is thoroughly invested in this. “Anyway, I went, and we just...” I take a breath, trying to formulate a cohesive sentence. “He was an ass who wanted to know things I refused to tell him.”
May snorts a chuckle. “Sounds like most men.”
“But I don’t know. Something happened between us.” I shrug as I shake my head. “I don’t know what to tell you, May. My relationship with him went from professional to personal rather fast.”
“Am I right to assume this is more than a paid service now?”
“I thought it was. I really enjoyed spending time with him, and the sex was great. He even cooked for me.”
“A man who cooks, he’s one who’s good to keep around. It’s also a bonus that he’s not a two-thrust wonder.” I nearly choke on my own spit. I turn to stare at May, surprised by her blatant honesty. “What? I love sex, and I can tell you, having a man—or woman—who can move their hips...or tongues, is crucial to a healthy relationship.”
“I’m not really sure I know how to respond to that.”
May crinkles her brows. “I didn’t take you for such a square! Pffft.” She flicks her hand. “Anyway, so who ran to the press to tell them about you?”
“I have no idea.”
“And what is Bennett doing about it?”
“He told me he can’t be seen with me at the moment.”
“That damn dog. I never would’ve taken him to be a coward. And I was liking him too.” She runs her tongue over her teeth while shaking her head.
“I think he’s as overwhelmed as I am. Mind you, I let him have it.”
“Good! So you should.”
“He offered to send someone to pick us up and take us somewhere to keep us safe.”
