Rumor Has It by Cheris Hodges Page B

tantalizing pectorals. “I-I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
    â€œJust my breakfast. How did you find my address?” he asked.
    â€œIt’s not as if you’re unlisted. You might want to think about that when you win the election.”
    â€œAs I recall, a couple of days ago, you were sure that I’d lose. And you told me to drop out.”
    â€œThings have changed and I have what you need to win,” she said. “May I come in?”
    Jackson folded his arms and she saw the 82nd Airborne tattoo on his forearm. God, that was sexy. Focus, damn it! she thought.
    â€œWhy should I let you in?”
    â€œBecause I can no longer stand behind Robert Montgomery and I want you to win this election.”
    Jackson tilted his head to the side. Dirty tricks were a part of politics and he wanted to believe that Liza was different. But why was she on his side all of a sudden?
    â€œI’m not buying this, and I thought we were running clean campaigns around here.”
    Liza pulled her phone out and flashed Jackson one of the pictures of Robert and that woman having sex. “This is all you need to win.”
    â€œI’m not running that kind of campaign. And I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but I’m not falling for it.”
    â€œThis isn’t a game. This is your ticket to that senate seat.”
    Jackson leaned against the doorjamb and folded his arms across his massive chest. “You’ve been his cheerleader since this began and even longer, according to you. Now you want to help me? Darling, I was born at night, but not last night.”
    Liza focused on his eyes, hoping they’d be less distracting than his muscular arms. Big mistake. They were intoxicating. Hypnotic.
    â€œI thought Robert was someone else. I thought he was a champion I could stand behind. But he’s not. People should know that.”
    â€œSo, you’re morally outraged because he had sex in the office with his fiancée, or are you jealous?”
    Standing on her tiptoes, Liza gripped his arm. “I’m sick of people thinking that I’m petty and bitter. I can have a man if I wanted to be lied to and played. But I chose to blaze my own path. I’m sick and seriously tired of men lying and doing whatever the hell they want to do! I guess you’re one of those men too!”
    â€œActually, I’m not. Because watching you stand here all indignant and angry, I want to scoop you up in my arms and take you inside to see how mad you really are,” he said with a slick smile.
    Liza dropped her hand from his arm and stepped back. “Uh, I—”
    â€œDon’t worry, I have self-control. And I have sense enough to know that a man sleeping with his woman in his office doesn’t make him—”
    â€œThat’s not his fiancée, and if a man will lie to the woman he allegedly loves, why would he be honest with the public?” Her voice rose and Jackson did usher her inside, fearing that a neighbor would hear her.
    â€œWould you like a cup of coffee to go with that pissed-off feeling inside you?” he asked as he led her into the kitchen.
    Liza rolled her eyes and paced back and forth around the breakfast nook. “Don’t patronize me.”
    Jackson poured her a cup of coffee and handed it to her. “Have a seat and let’s talk rationally.”
    â€œDo you want my help or not?”
    â€œI don’t want your help like this.”
    She sipped the black coffee and rolled her eyes. “Like this? What does that mean?”
    â€œIt means, I’m not going to use scandalous pictures to win the election. People shouldn’t worry about what others are doing in their bedroom.”
    Liza flashed the picture again. “Does this look like a bedroom?”
    â€œYou know what I mean. Liza, let’s be honest, your feelings are hurt. He’s engaged to your friend, you caught him cheating, and