Chapter 11
After all the festivities and the press briefing, Kelsey headed to her room and changed into a pair of jeans and her favorite blue sweater. She was too wound up from the excitement of her first
trip and the news about her mom to go to sleep so; she decided to take a walk.
Toby wasn't tired either. He had changed into his casual clothes and was sitting in the bar when he noticed a very beautiful woman walk past. Looking closer, he saw Kelsey heading out the
door of the hotel. He decided to follow her.
"Would you mind some company?" he asked when he caught up with her outside the hotel.
"Sure. But, I'm going to warn you I'm heading over to the lakefront."
Inwardly, Toby grimaced, but on the outside he merely shrugged and fell into step besides Kelsey.
They walked silently towards the lakefront until the reached a secluded section. Kelsey climbed up onto some rocks and reached down to offer Toby a hand.
"Uhm…you know this is illegal," he commented.
"I've never been caught before. Take a chance, Toby. What's the worst that can happen?"
"We get arrested and it's all over the front page tomorrow."
"It'll never happen. C'mon."
Toby took her hand and pulled himself up the rocks.
"All right, you've lost your mind. That's what it is," he thought to himself as he tried to keep his balance.
Finally, Kelsey sat down and Toby sat next to her.
"Isn't it beautiful?" she asked pointing out at the lake.
Toby looked up and was immediately entranced by the moonlight dancing on the water. The sky was lit up by what seemed to be a thousand stars. He glanced over at Kelsey as she sat gazing
out onto the water, taking it all in. A breeze sent a chill into the air and Toby instinctively put his arm around her shoulders. They sat there for a long time, watching the waves meet the
shore.
"I probably should have flown back to DC," Kelsey remarked gazing up at the stars.
"Why didn't you?"
"Because I promised my mother I would stay and enjoy my first trip with the President."
"And are you?" he inquired.
"As much as I can. How's this trip been for you?" she asked wanting to get off the subject of her mother.
"Fine. Better in some ways."
"In what ways?"
"Well, I don't normally climb rocks and gaze at stars in the middle of the night," replied Toby.
"Why tonight?"
"Because I wanted to take a chance."
Kelsey turned to face him. "Then take a chance, Toby."
Slowly he slid his hand down her shoulders, along her arms, and then he took hold of her hands. She leaned back against him and felt his breath on the top of her head. She leaned back more
and his hands again moved to her shoulders. She didn't resist when she felt him turn her around. She stared at his neck for a second before lifting her eyes to meet his. His arms had encircled
her, and she did the same as their lips met briefly. Her stomach lurched as they kissed. Slowly, they pulled each other closer. His hands were caressing her back, then her sides. She moved her
hand to his face and caressed his cheek. They broke the kiss long enough to smile at each other and then kissed again.
"Excuse me," a disembodied voice called out from the darkness.
Toby and Kelsey disentangled themselves from their embrace and peered in the direction of the voice. Shielding his eyes from the light shining in his face, Toby called out.
"Good evening, officer."
"Evening? Good morning is more like it. May I see some i.d., please?" the officer asked.
Toby reached into his back pocket, pulled out his wallet and handed his driver's license to the officer who shined his flashlight onto the identification.
"Toby Ziegler. I see here Mr. Ziegler that you live in Washington DC."
"Yes, sir."
"And you're in Chicago for…"
"Business."
"And the lady?"
"I'm Kelsey Saufl. I'm afraid I left my wallet back at the Drake. I could go and get it," she offered.
"That won't be necessary, Ms. Saufl. I take it that you're here with Mr. Ziegler of your own will?"
"I am."
"May I ask what you and Ms. Saufl are doing here at this late hour?" inquired the officer.
"We're...um...stargazing," fumbled Toby.
"Stargazing?! Is that what they're calling it these days?! May I suggest that the two of you find a more appropriate spot to ... stargaze?" he remarked and handed Toby back his license.
"Yes, sir. Thank you," Kelsey replied.
They waited until the officer had left and then Toby climbed down off the rocks, offering a hand to Kelsey.
"I can just see the papers tomorrow. 'Communications Director and Deputy Press Secretary Arrested for Necking'," joked Kelsey.
Toby took her hand in his and they walked back to the hotel, joking about what the reporters would say if they ever found out.
Returning to the hotel, Toby walked Kelsey to her room. They stood outside the door, holding hands and staring at each other.
"I should really get some sleep," said Kelsey, breaking the silence.
"So should I. But for some reason I can't get my feet to move," added Toby.
He stepped forward and clasped her body tightly to his. First, he kissed the tip of her nose, then her eyes and finally, he satisfyingly kissed her soft mouth.
"Good night, Kelsey," he whispered.
"Good night," she replied, not knowing just how sensuous her voice sounded.