Elected

Available Now

Owen Horn, former Democratic strategist, is more than a little invested in the current presidential election. But on the night of the election, he has other things on his mind. On the surface, Sam Delgado, key Republican strategist, is everything that Owen detests. He's on the wrong side of the conservative spectrum. He takes his marching orders from a man Owen disagrees with on every single policy. But Sam is friendly, smart, and gorgeous. Owen has a tendency to forget their enemies.

While the country holds its collective breath waiting for the presidential results, Owen holds his own election.

What People Are Saying

There is always a plus for me reading one of Pepper Espinoza’s books - they are character driven and you really are amazed at the dynamics of her protagonists.With ELECTED, this is never truer – Owen and Sam are not only on the opposite sides of the electoral viewpoint, they have different life styles and the only things they have in common are that they don’t mince words and they are very much attracted to each other. --4.5 Ribbons at Romance Junkies

What I like about Pepper Espinoza's stories is that they're all about the characters and she has two delightful protagonists in Sam and Owen. They are not just on the opposite side of the political fence but everything else as well so there's a lot of internal conflict. However, there is one area where they definitely see eye to eye and that is in bed. The sex is emotional and hot and these two men don't need words to express what they want. The dialogue is fresh and smart and there is an exchange of power and vulnerability between Owen and Sam that makes the story even better.--4.5 stars from JesseWave

Excerpt

Owen wasn't sure if Sam really wanted something to eat, but if that was just a ploy to get Owen out of the studio, then it worked. And the bar happened to be in a hotel. If they needed more private space. He hung back, following Sam as he wound his way to the exit. Ostensibly, it was to make sure nobody saw them leaving together. But in reality, Owen just wanted to check out Sam's ass.

Like most things about Sam, it was perfect.

Owen could write an entire paper about the curve, the texture, and tautness, and the heat of Sam's ass. It might have been the first thing that attracted Owen to the man, even when he knew that things between them could never, ever work out. Of course, he hadn't been looking for a relationship when they met, which meant Sam was a great candidate for a one-night stand. It just never actually worked out that way.

Nobody stopped him as he left, and Sam was waiting for him on the sidewalk, bundled in a heavy coat. It was a new coat. Owen had never seen it before.

"Are you going to admit it?" Sam asked as soon as Owen fell in step beside him.

"Admit what?"

"That you've lied on camera."

"No."

"Are you going on your self-righteous kick tonight? Is that really necessary?"

"I'm not going on any sort of kick, self-righteous or otherwise. I'm just annoyed with your lies. Do I need to have a special reason for that?"

"Yes."

"I know it's not because of the election results. In fact, I thought you would be in a better mood than this."

That only deepened Owen's frown. He knew he should be in a better move. Hell, he should have been ecstatic, and happily pushing Sam's face in it. But he couldn't shake the darkness hanging over him, and every time he looked at Sam, that bleakness only increased.

"I don't know. It's just been a long day. A long month. I've been running myself ragged, and I guess it's all just starting to wear me down."

"Yeah, tell me about it." Sam casually pulled a pack of cigarettes from his coat pocket and used his lips to pull one out. When he noticed Owen watching, he grimaced and shook his head. "I know, I know. Don't start, okay?"

"I won't. I've started smoking again, too."

"Really?"

"My nerves would be shot, otherwise."

"Do you want one?"

Owen nodded, expecting Sam to pass over the pack. Instead, he lit the cigarette between his lips and passed it over. The butt was warm, and Owen knew it was just his imagination, but he thought he might have tasted vaguely of Sam. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it. And I didn't lie to you, you know."

"I never said you did."

"Yes, I know what all this is about." He lit a second cigarette and took a deep drag. "You think I've been out on the campaign trail, partying? Having a good time?"

"Haven't you been?"

"Has it been that long since you've been on a campaign?" Sam flicked his ash. "Sorry. That isn't what I meant. The point is, this has been a really hard month."

"I know," Owen conceded. "Where are you going tomorrow?"

"I don't know. I'm not going to have a job tomorrow. Maybe you were the smarter one all along."

"It is a bit nice to have job security." Owen exhaled his smoke, watching the wisps dance away on the frigid air. The streets had quieted, and there weren't too many people around to notice them. Or block their paths. "At least, I know where I'm going to be tomorrow."

The corner of Sam's mouth lifted. "I have a hotel room. I might lock myself in it and get some sleep. Or drink a lot."

"Is it a nice hotel room?"

"It's not too bad. I've had worse."

Owen bit his tongue from adding more. Chances were good that he would offer Sam a place to crash for the night, or for the whole week, but he didn't need to jump at the chance. It would happen, sooner or later. He might as well wait until later.
"Do you want to see it?"

Owen didn't respond immediately. He took another drag from the cigarette, as casually as he could. "What about getting something to eat?"

"There's room service."

"You know, I could get into serious trouble if I just disappear on election night. Are you trying to make sure I don't have a job tomorrow, either?"

"Do you really think I'm that evil?"

"Honestly?"

"Also, it's not fair to call me evil just because I'm a Republican."

"To hear some people talk, you're not only evil, you're breaking strategy with Satan himself every Thursday over breakfast."

"No, he's usually busy on Thursday mornings."