Under His Cover-nook by Lyric James

left, it was nearing six o’clock, and Jade had written almost ten pages of notes. In the end, Rhys had gotten what he wanted. Money for their after school program, money for educational field trips and new computers for their lab. He had a big grin on his face as he shook the chairman’s hand.
    “Thanks, Bob. You don’t know how much this is going to mean to these children.”
    “It’s all due to you, Lieutenant Governor. If it wasn’t for your staunch support, I think that center would have closed a long time ago. Your father would be proud.”
    “Yes, I think so too.”
    “I’ll see you next month.”
    “Sure thing.”
    The smile on his face brightened as they walked out the door. She couldn’t help but be proud of what he’d done. He could have just written a check himself, but he went out of his way to make them understand that it took an entire community to help support the center, not just one single individual.
    After they were settled inside the car, she said, “That was really great what you did in there.”
    He clapped his hands together. “Thanks. I want to celebrate. How about dinner?”
    He wrapped his knuckles against the glass enclosure that separated the driver from the rest of the car. It slid open. But before she could even answer him, he was already issuing his chauffer instructions.
    “Charles, take us to Copelands.” He turned back to her. “Is that alright with you?”
    Jade nodded her head. “Um…sure. It’s fine.”
    The happiness exuding from him was intoxicating. By the time the center received the money and began the after school program and bought the computers, she was sure to be back in her office, investigating other cases, catching more cheating spouses, calling her contacts at the phone company and the revenue office. But right now, his excitement was intoxicating, his joy in helping those kids palpable.
    As soon as they got inside the restaurant, they were led to a table. Being a Cunningham and also the lieutenant governor of Tennessee had its privileges.
    The restaurant was cozy and romantic. The lights were dim, and each table seemed set for a romantic candlelight dinner. They sat in a corner booth next to a window and were able to catch the sun just as it began its descent into the horizon.
    Rhys ordered champagne for both of them, then draped his arm across the back of the booth behind her. Suddenly, the booth they were sitting in was too small. He gazed into her eyes, and for a moment she saw a flash of the lust that permeated his features earlier that day when he was making love to her.
    She gulped.
    “How is the investigation going so far? Anything new?” He was almost too cheerful, despite what was going on in his personal life.
    Jade took a deep breath and pinched herself under the table in an effort to snap herself out of the lust-filled haze that clogged her mind. Even now, she wanted him, but she shook the sensation away. “Yes, actually. One of my contacts called me back today. There were no fingerprints on the letters.”
    He circled the rim of his glass with his index finger. “Somehow I knew they wouldn’t find any.”
    “Me too. But I was hoping for something. He did say they were using newspapers from The Herald printed in the last year. But other than that, I’m clueless.”
    Rhys took a sip then set the glass down. “Well, what other ideas do you have, besides ex-lovers wanting revenge?” The left side of his mouth tilted up in a smile.
    Jade blushed all the way to her roots, if that were possible. “The only thing I can think of, if it’s not personal, then it has to be business related. Are there any important proposals or senate measures you’re working on?”
    His left brow rose. “Not worth killing over, I don’t think.”
    “People have threatened and killed for some pretty stupid reasons.”
    He nodded his head. “You’re right.” He leaned back against the seat. “There are proposals on the Senate floor to increase teacher