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Christian’s eyes say that he’s understanding there is something much deeper going on here.
“I apologize. I knew Jonah was Torin’s head of security. I just assumed he was traveling with you for safety.”
“Well, Jonah is much more than that to Torin as well. He definitely leads the security team around Torin and myself, but that’s the least of the things he does,” Linnea says.
Christian meets my gaze. “I apologize for not understanding the full breadth of your role.”
“No problem. I’m really just here for whatever Linnea needs.”
She turns, our gazes locking.
I know that statement means more to her than it does to Christian. Exactly the way it should.
“The gala is a fundraising event for conservation efforts,” Christian says, pulling Linnea’s attention back to him. “It’s one of those ridiculous things where attending costs money that should probably be given directly to the charity, but it does drum up publicity for the organization, and gives us a chance to rub elbows with people we wouldn’t usually see in a social setting. People are a little more relaxed and friendly. You understand these things.”
“And what will it mean if I show up as your plus one?” Linnea asks him. “I assume there will be photos? Reporters asking questions about me?”
“Yes. They’ll want to know who the gorgeous woman on my arm is.” Waite gives her a charming, seemingly sincere, smile.
“And what would you tell them?”
My thumb starts stroking over her thigh. Not unintentionally.
If she wants to know what kind of choice she has, this is the perfect moment. Christian Waite is asking her to show up at a major public event, where photographers and reporters will capture her name and give her a title in relation to him. And my hand is on her thigh, stroking, communicating that I am right here, ready to give her whatever she wants from me.
“I will tell them whatever you want me to tell them,” Christian says. “But I would very much like to get to know you better in the next month before that time. And maybe by then, be able to introduce you as my girlfriend.”
My thumb stops. Linnea’s eyes go wide. “I see.”
“I figured you would appreciate me being direct,” he says.
“I do,” she agrees.
Christian is doing a great job of ignoring me sitting right here. He leans in. “I like you,” he tells Linnea. “I think you’re beautiful, intelligent, interesting, and I think we have a lot in common. I would like to get to know you better, but I have every reason to believe that we could be an amazing power couple. With my connections and future here in the United States along with your connections and past in Cara, not to mention your connections in Europe, I think we could do some amazing things.”
“Such as?”
“I’m up for re-election in November. I will most likely win. My party is excited about my future in politics. There’s a very good chance that I could be vice president. And someday…”
“President,” Linnea fills in.
His smile is actually a bit self-deprecating. “Yes. And like it or not, my chances for all of those things increase if I’m married. I’m not saying I would get married just for that reason, but I do want to marry and have a family someday. And I believe that there are certain women who would be better matches than others for someone in my position.”
Linnea tips her head to the side. “So you are looking for women of a certain…caliber.”
It is not lost on me that she uses the same term that Torin used when discussing the men he was looking at for her.
“Yes, I suppose you could put it that way. There are certain women who are probably better suited for life married to a politician.”
“And you think I might be one of them.”
He nods with a smile. “I know so. In fact, I think you would enjoy it. In many ways, you would be a politician yourself. Some first ladies are simply that. A wife. They have a few projects of their own. They do a few public appearances here and there. But mostly they are known for being the first lady. I have every reason to think that you would be as influential, if not more in many ways, than your husband would be.”
He’s figured her out perfectly.
Linnea Olsen would be a leader. No matter who she’s married to, she will be influential in her own way. She could also lead all on her own.
I like the guy in that moment, knowing that he is recognizing and appreciating her for who she is. And I don’t blame him for recognizing her for what she can do for him.