Page 16 of Campaign Season (By Design #18)

Candace surrendered to the rhythm, her focus dissolving as Jameson's touch sent delicious waves through her body.

Each caress spoke of devotion. Her muscles tensed with sweet anticipation, her pulse a wild drumbeat against her skin.

Jameson's body responded to hers like a perfect countermelody—muscles tightening and thighs trembling. Candace pressed closer, her breasts meeting Jameson’s flesh, nipples grazing in an electric harmony.

Candace's body arched like a bow, strung so tightly it begged to be unwound.

Release gripped her without warning, sending her spiraling through waves of ecstasy.

She fought to concentrate on Jameson's pleasure, her fingers finding their mark as Jameson's hips rose to meet her.

The sight of Jameson's body as it pulsed with pleasure triggered another crest of desire within her, softer this time, yet even more fulfilling.

“Jameson,” Candace cried out.

Jameson guided Candace back into her arms, tracing the curve of her cheek with trembling fingertips and brushing a strand of blonde hair from her eyes. “I would give you the world if I could,” she whispered.

“You already have, Jameson. You already have,” Candace promised.

Jameson inhaled the familiar scent of her skin. A soft laugh escaped as Candace’s breathing slowed. “I love you, Candace,” she murmured against her temple. “More than you will ever know.”

“I know,” Candace replied softly. “Thank you for knowing how much I need you.”

“You underestimate how much I need you.”

“No.” Candace propped herself up to look into Jameson’s eyes. “Life gets away from us both—me most of all. I promise to make more time for us. Just us.”

Jameson smiled, pressing her lips to Candace’s forehead. “You always make time for us.”

“I wish?—”

“Stop.” Jameson silenced her with a kiss. “Just let me hold you now.”

Candace settled into her embrace with a sigh. “What do you want to do when this is all over?”

“You mean, when you finish your second term?”

Candace nodded.

“I don’t know. Maybe I’ll finally clean out the old barn.”

Candace laughed. “You want to clean out the barn?”

“Yeah. I think we should convert it into a guest house.”

“You’re serious.”

“Completely. I was out there today. This family isn’t getting smaller. I’ve been thinking about it for years, but watching Coop and Spencer together today, I realized it might become more a necessity than just an idea.”

“Why is that?”

“They’re not little anymore. Coop seems more like a teenager most days than a kid about to turn ten.”

“That he does,” Candace agreed.

“It would help to have more space when everyone’s together. And honestly, I don’t think this family’s done growing.”

Candace arched a brow and patted Jameson’s stomach. “Something you want to tell me?”

“What?”

Candace chuckled. “Didn’t your fortune cookie the other day say, ‘The smartest thing you can do is plan for the unexpected’?”

Jameson pursed her lips. “Cute. You’re supposed to add ‘in bed’ to that,” she said, flipping Candace beneath her.

“What are you doing?”

“Proving how smart I am,” Jameson replied, hopping off the bed.

“Jameson! Where are you going?”

“To get another fortune cookie.”

“What—”

“Gotta prepare for the unexpected. In bed.”

Candace groaned, laughing. “Get back here, you lunatic.”

Jameson jumped back onto the mattress with a thud.

“You are a little crazy, honey,” Candace said.

“Guilty. A little lunacy helps sometimes.”

“Living in your mouse house?”

“Mm. Just living,” Jameson said, pulling Candace back into his arms. “I don’t know if we’ll have more grandkids, but I do know the ones we have will start bringing friends home soon—then boyfriends, girlfriends. Imagine this place in another fifteen, twenty years? There’s no way everyone will fit.”

Candace let out a small sigh. “I hope I’m here to see it.”

“You will be.”

“Jameson.”

“You will be,” Jameson repeated firmly.

“Maybe you should start on that project now.”

“Start remodeling the barn?”

“Why not?”

“I could start designing something,” Jameson said.

“I think you should.”

“You’re not going to lose the next election.”

“Time will tell.”

“Candace.”

“Time will tell, Jameson. That’s not why I told you to start the project.”

“No?”

“No. There’s always been something new on the horizon—something to keep me from drowning in sadness or doubt.

First, it was the kids; now it’s the grandkids and Cooper.

There’s always a milestone ahead, something to look forward to.

Renovating the barn is a reminder that even as we let go of what we’ve always known, there’s purpose in change.

In loss, too. It’s not a replacement—it’s a promise that there’s more life ahead. ”

“I’m sorry about Jonathan,” Jameson said softly.

“Me too.”

“Get some sleep.”

“Thank you for loving me. I know this life we lead isn’t an easy road.”

“Maybe not. But I wouldn’t change it. Easy is overrated. Besides, I think it’s relative.”

“Oh?” Candace asked.

“I do. No one thinks their life is easy. We all fixate on the obstacles. And sure, some people face unfair odds—unthinkable ones. But plenty of people with little live happier lives than some of the wealthiest. Look at Lawson. He has money, family, and he’s miserable.

So miserable he makes life hard for everyone around him, even for himself.

I didn’t marry you expecting easy. I married you knowing it would be full. And fulfilling isn’t the same as easy.”

Candace exhaled and stretched to kiss his cheek. “No, it’s not.”

Jameson threaded his fingers through Candace’s, their hands resting together in the quiet between them. The hum of the house felt far away now, softened by the late hour and the simple comfort of being side by side.

Candace’s breathing grew slower, her head nestling more firmly against Jameson’s shoulder. The weight of her finally at ease was its own kind of gift.

Jameson kissed the crown of her hair and whispered, “Sleep. I’ve got you.”

Candace sighed, the sound full of trust, and drifted toward sleep. Jameson held her close, content to let the world wait until morning.

“I love you, Candace.”

“I love you too, even if you are a lunatic.”