The Governor's gala (4)

May's hand was on Chris's lips, preventing him from finishing his sentence.

«Don't mention them here!» she whispered, looking around to check if anyone could hear. But they were alone.

He knew it had been a risk, mentioning the Insurgent in the hotel partially owned by Leonard Thorne. But it was too much of a challenge to forget it. He wanted to know more about May's secret life, starting from the reasons pushing her in that direction.

He had just got a preview of what those reasons could be. Her family, not just her grandfather, treated her like an intruder, someone who wasn't supposed to be part of it. Which was laughable because who more than May had that right? Her brother was the heir to Leonard Thorne's political career, and he would become his successor one day. As his sister, May was supposed to enjoy part of the fame and nice treatment.

Chris nodded against her hand, not saying anything because he didn't really want her to step back. However, May did notice how close they were.

She had moved on instinct when she heard that word, so she hadn't really thought it through. But, now that she had time to do so, she realised she had been a little impolite.

Who was she to shut up the great Senator Lindt?

Meanwhile, the said great man was observing her with a keen eye, not losing any detail of her embarrassed face. She was so cute while she was blushing. It made him want to bring her home with him and never let her go away... Which wasn't such a bad idea, at least part of it.

As for May, her embarrassment was tuned down as she realised she had acted without thinking.

But - she had proof Chris knew about her secret activities. She couldn't play with him anymore, for he was dangerous to her and to the people around her. He could attract attention, which would make her grandfather find out about the Oracle and the others. She didn't want to put them in danger, not even for a moment.

«I can bring you home,» Chris said. «I'll be done in about one hour.»

May blinked, surprised by his offer. Was it related to the Insurgents? Did he want to place his conditions to keep her secret?

She wouldn't allow him to blackmail her, but refusing just yet might have been troublesome.

She shrugged, looking up at him.

«It's about the time you shower and change clothes,» he added. «I won't let you wait for too long. I promise.»

She nodded, more to make him leave than for acceptance. He was going into political mode: he was talking much to confuse her, and he was giving reasons to accept. She had grown up surrounded by politicians, so she could recognise when they were trying to trick her. And Chris Lindt was. She couldn't guess how, but he was going to trick her.

He finally let her pass, so she walked past the door and closed it. Finally alone, she leaned on the wood and observed the same hand she had used to silence him.

It was burning, her skin tingling where she still felt the shape of his lips. What was happening to her? Why was she acting so strangely? And so irrationally!

That man was such a danger that she should have stayed far away, but she couldn't resist when he approached her with that handsome face and that smirk... Even being tricked didn't mean much if it was by him.

Unless it involved other people, she thought while shaking her head. She woke up from that weird daze and walked to the shower.

She wore the clothes delivered by a maid and collected her purse. At least, the phone was saved that day. Getting another one would surely make her grandfather frown.

She then looked around the sofa in search of shoes but there weren't any.

She searched the whole room, but she couldn't find shoes no matter how hard she looked for them. When she heard a knock, she opened, in the hope the maid had gotten back to deliver them.

But it was Chris Lindt. As promised, she hadn't waited for him.

He would need to wait for her, May realised. Unless she found the shoes quickly. Disappointment grew in her heart as she realised he was probably going to leave her there. He was a busy man: how could he stop to look for shoes?

She passed a hand through her hair - still humid from the shower, but almost dry - while her brain caught something was off. Why did she feel so disappointed? Why did she care?

Something was wrong. She needed to fix it before she caused trouble for herself.

«I can't find my shoes,» she said. «They're not here. I can't go now.»

«Hmm?» he hummed, lifting his brow. «You can't find them?»

«The pair I was wearing might be still next to the pool,» she said. «I guess one is in it.»

«It's a tough situation.»

«It is,» she sighed, sorry for making him waste time.

«Miss Thorne, I might have the solution to your problem,» he said, with a smirk similar to that of a sales agent.

Part of May's instinct told her she could finally see which was the trick, but she ignored it. Chris was helping her; how dared she doubt him?