“Yeah?” I stare up in confusion.
“You locked it three times,” he rasps out, emotions swirling in his eyes. “You locked it three times, Trésor. You didn’t even realize it, did you?” He pushes me into the door and presses his forehead to mine before exhaling and looking down at me, swallowing repeatedly.
“Tobias—”
He shakes his head gently, running his nose along mine. “I’m…fuck, Cecelia. I asked you if you thought being happy was possible for me, but that wasn’t fair, and you couldn’t answer that,” he says softly. “But I can. I am. You make me happy.”
The emotion in his voice brings me to fast tears.
“I would get on my knees right now and ask you to marry me if I could.”
Gaping at him, he grips both my hands in his. “Sometimes, I wish I could be as selfish with you now as I was before.”
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing,” he says softly. “But I do want to say this, and I never thought I would ever say this.” He exhales a slow breath and peers down at me. “I’m glad that you loved him, and I’m glad he knew what it felt like to be loved by you before he died, and it’s because of the way you love, Cecelia.”
“Tobias—” he captures my lips and kisses me until I’m gasping, then he pulls away. “Nothing above you,” he assures with brief eye contact before he grabs my hand and whisks me toward the limo while my head swims with his confessions. When the driver opens the door, Tyler steps out, a blinding smile on his face as he surveys the two of us.
“Oh my God, you’ve been here the whole time?”
“Hey, beautiful girl,” he says as I leap into his open arms. “What the hell took you two so fucking long?” He asks, his chin digging into my shoulder before he releases me. “I was getting too pissed off to properly surprise you.”
I nod over my shoulder. “Blame him. He’s the one who took half an hour to dress.”
Tobias cuts his eyes to me. “I spent fifteen of those minutes spelling my name with my tongue, first, middle, and last,” he announces unabashedly as my cheeks heat.
Tyler shakes his head with a chuckle as I glare at Tobias. “What are you, a fifteen-year-old boy?”
“Would you two freaks get in the limo, please? We’re going to be late.”
Tobias ushers me in, and I hear their hushed exchange, their legs still in view.
“Guess things are going better?” Tyler muses.
“Thank God. I was this close to starting on a Dad bod and researching lawnmowers.”
“I heard that,” I snap, and they both pop their heads in the limo to see my narrowed eyes. I can’t help my laugh at their collective ‘busted’ expressions before they slide in. I’m thankful I’m in the seat opposite of Tobias so I can admire him in the suit. Not only that, I’m graced with the sight of Tyler, who only gets better with age. His warm brown eyes are slightly jaded by a lot of living, the small crinkles around them not doing a damn thing to detract from his appeal. All of his boyish good looks are gone, sculpted features taking their place, but his dimple still peeks out when he smiles, and for that, I’m thankful. There’s more wear in his muscular posture since the last time I saw him.
Seeing them together like this is jarring. Added with knowledge of who they are, where they’ve been, and what they’ve accomplished together makes it all the more fascinating.
If the world knew their story, they wouldn’t believe it. I still have a hard time believing it.
“Don’t be nervous,” Tyler speaks up as I fidget. “Preston will love you. So will Molly. She’s good people. You look beautiful, Cee.”
“Well, I was about to say the same to you. You look incredible. Are you seeing anyone?”
Ignoring the flaming jealous glare my compliment and my question earns me, I keep my eyes on Tyler. He shakes his head slightly, his eyes dulling with a flash of pain. “No time right now.”
He’s not ready. Even after all this time. It’s been years since Delphine died, and he wants no part of trying to move on yet. Sadly, I understand it, because I felt the same. He lost the only woman he considered his true love and not by choice, not due to selfishness, fear, or any other idiotic reason that keeps people apart. A long silence ensues. I share a look with Tobias, and I know we’re thinking the same thing.
“You two finally realizing what idiots you’ve been?” Tyler chimes in. “Because I seriously fucking begrudge you both for it.”
“We are,” Tobias says, keeping his eyes on me.
“As long as we know who the bigger idiot is,” I point out.
“Glad to see you two so happy,” Tyler interjects. “You deserve it.” He gives me a pointed look. “I was charged with checking in on you every so often. I was pissed you didn’t come back raising hell a lot sooner.”
“Should have told me I had a good reason to come back.”
“Couldn’t. I had a psycho for a boss.”
“Eh? What are you going to do?” I shrug, and we share a sad smile, “But we aren’t the only ones that deserve to be happy.”
He winks in response, but I can feel the plea in his eyes not to press the conversation any further. I don’t want a loveless life for his future, that much I do know. I hate the thought of it.
After a few minutes of chit chat, Tyler rolls up the partition and checks the clock. “We have about eighty minutes until we pull up.”
“Speak freely,” Tobias says, and Tyler nods.
“I can tell you pretty much everything, but I’d rather Preston explain it, so you don’t have to hear it twice.”
“Please don’t make me wait,” I ask between them, noting the fact that Tyler calls the President by his first name. The reality is, I’m on my way to meet the leader of the free world. The President that my gorgeous soulmate and lover helped put into office with a scheme they cooked up when they were teenagers. And I’m afraid I won’t be paying close enough attention to details once I get there. I don’t let my nerves get the best of me often, but this is a big fucking deal. Eyes roving from Tobias to Tyler and back, I can see the hesitation.
“I’m going to legitimize us,” Tobias says simply.
“What?” It’s the last thing I expected him to say.
“To an extent,” Tyler adds.
“Meaning?”
“Meaning no more hiding from ‘Big Brother’ and we’ll no longer be at risk for doing felony or any other type of time.”
I dart my eyes between them. “You’re serious?”
They both nod.
Tobias leans forward and takes my hand in his as I speak up. “This is your plan B, your window?”
“It has to happen, Trésor.”
“But…this goes against everything you stand for. Why would you…” I shake my head, “Oh, no, hell no, you don’t get to use me as an excuse to do this.”
“I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”
“But this is…Tobias. This is conformity!” I shriek. “No.” I snap at Tobias before turning to Tyler with another emphatic, “No.”
“Told you she would hate it,” Tobias says, a barely perceptible smile on his lips.
“Monroe is only going to be in office for seven more years at most” I remind him, “and then what?”
Tobias shrugs. “Then we’ll have a lot to accomplish during that time. This can’t last forever.”
“And what about the others, what about—”
“They’ll come around, or they can kick fucking rocks,” Tyler speaks up. “This isn’t selling out, Cecelia. This is next level. It wouldn’t be a new CIA or anything. Don’t jump to conclusions. But if there’s a way for us to evolve without further risk, then it’s worth exploring. We want to change and work with a government we can trust. That’s the whole point of all of this. And if it’s temporary, which history guarantees it will be, we’ll do what we can, while we can. If I didn’t think it was a good idea, I wouldn’t have put it on the table. Right now, we’re in the position to write our own rules.”
/>
“I don’t understand. Why now?” But I know the answer. I look to Tyler, widening my eyes at him and mouth, ‘what the fuck?’ His features remain impassive as he stares back at me.
“It will work out. Trust me.”
I shake my head and turn my attention to Tobias. “Don’t do this. You don’t have to.”
“We do have to, Trésor.”
“I’m not a fucking treasure, or a delicate rose, or a shrinking violet or a damsel in distress, or a fucking mouse! I’m just as capable as either of you and as soon as I’m able, I’m going to kick both your asses!”
They burst into laughter as I cross my arms, fury rolling through me.
“Spoken like a true queen,” Tobias muses.
“Please don’t do this for me,” I beg. Angry tears threaten. “Neither of you will be my fucking hero for this.”
“Again,” Tobias points to his chest, “Villain.”
“Yeah, such a horrible man. How much will you lose for me?”
“Everything,” he says without hesitation. “But this isn’t about losing.”
“Please don’t put this on me.”
“Okay, I won’t.”
Hope springs inside of me.
“I’ll do it for Sean. He’s got another baby on the way.” All my objections cease. He didn’t deliver the news with the intent to hurt me, but the long look we share tells me he’s afraid it might.
“Cecelia,” Tyler says, taking my attention away. “I promise you. This is a good thing.”
I swallow and stare at the two of them, knowing it’s happening with or without my support.
“You’ve worked your whole lives—”
“To change the rules,” Tobias states. “And we are.”
I chew over his words as we ride in amicable silence before Tyler speaks up.
“You’re all grown up, Cee.”
I look over to him and see him staring at me with warm eyes.
“You’re just…” He shakes his head. “When I met you, well, you were…it’s just wild, the changes.”
“I could say the same about you.”
He turns to Tobias. “Are you going to put a ring on this woman or what?”
Tobias gazes on at me, completely silent, without any intention of replying. He asked me if I wanted children, and not even an hour ago said he would marry me if he were selfish, which only confused me further. Breaking our gaze, I stare out the window. “He’s barely managed to get through six weeks of domesticity, Tyler,” I smirk. “Let’s cut him a break.”
Buttoning his jacket, earpiece in place, Tyler exits the limo and leads us into an underground entrance. We walk down a long, lifeless corridor and enter the elevator. Minutes later, we step into the Oval Office as the President hovers over his wife, who seems to be giving him hell from where she sits on the couch.
“—you stubborn ass.”
“Baby, don’t be rude,” he glances up, his politician’s smile firmly in place, “we have company.”
The First Lady directs her attention to us, her scowl giving way to a playful smile as she stands. The President’s eyes land on Tobias a second before they rush toward the other, doing the man clap thing and holding their embrace for a few lingering seconds.
“It’s been too long,” the President says as they break and take a seconds long look at each other before his eyes roll over Tobias in appraisal. “Nice suit. You look good, brother.”
“And you look like shit,” Tobias quips.
“Goes with the job. I’m projected to look mid-forties by the end of my first term.”
His wife speaks up. “I’ve told you a thousand times not to pay attention to that bullshit.”
The President’s sparkling eyes find me, and I’m so flustered by the sight of him that I flush.
“I can see why you have taken an interest in Virginia.”
Tobias turns, pride in his eyes as he reaches for me and introduces me to them both.
“Mr. President—”
“Cut the crap, King,” the First Lady says.
“This is Cecelia Horner.”
“So nice to meet you, sir,” I say, pumping his hand, my voice shaking at the reality I’m currently in. Mere hours ago, I was in Virginia, fighting with Tobias in a closet as he ripped my panties off, licking me senseless while demanding I pick out a dress. Now I’m standing in the Oval Office.
“Call me Preston.”
“And I’m Molly,” his wife adds, her eyes sweeping me. “So, you’re the one that got away.”
“I didn’t run far enough, apparently.”
Her eyes light with her laugh. “I hope you’re giving him hell.”
“She is,” Tobias chimes in.
“It’s truly an honor to meet you both,” I say, allowing myself the moment. Molly Monroe has been a sort of idol for me since the campaign trail. No bullshit in her delivery, both on and off camera, and she constantly reins hell on the media. She’s very much ‘what you see is what you get’ in an ‘in your face’ way. She seems to truly care about the work she’s doing, has amazing fashion sense, and doesn’t seem to give two shits about outsider’s opinions.
“You’ll have to excuse my outburst when you got here. My jackass of a husband seems to think calling my bluff on quitting time is a good idea. He’s under some notion that he’s boss.”
Preston looks our way, his eyes wary. “I had my pick of debutantes from every state to choose from, and I happened to pick the sassiest, most stubborn woman alive to badger me until death do us part.”
“Which will be a premature death if you keep jacking your jaws,” Molly tells him off without sparing him a glance, and I can’t help my laugh. Tyler signals to all of us that he’ll be back and gives me a wink before he shuts the door.
“I’ve got a helicopter ride, a little air tour of D.C. set up for us girls, while the boys talk business.”
I hesitate because I don’t want to be outside of the room when it happens, but this isn’t a club meeting, this is the United States government, and I just have to try and trust that my boys will keep me in the loop.
“That sounds incredible,” I say honestly.
“Don’t steal her away just yet,” Preston speaks up before taking a seat on the couch.
“You up for a mimosa?” Molly asks, lifting two flutes from a ready tray. “I know Preston woke you up early, but I’ve got a boring as hell day ahead, and I could use a little numbing.”
“Sure,” I say, glancing over to Tobias, who stares back at me like I’m the most important person in the room. I can see the clear ‘I love you’ in his eyes and have to dart mine away when our connection gets to be too much for the situation.
“Wow, that’s refreshing to see, isn’t it, Pres?” Molly asks, a hint of her Boston accent sneaking through as I take the offered drink.
“Sure is, take notes,” he snarks, gripping her wrist just as she lifts the flute to her lips. “Only one for you.” He instructs before looking between Tobias and me. “We’re doing IVF. That’s why she’s lost her damned mind lately. I’m pretty sure she’s about to start challenging our guys to arm wrestling.”
They’ve been open about their journey to start a family in the media, but to see them talking about it so openly has me a little awestruck. It’s painfully apparent they want to become parents so badly to resemble the true definition of a First Family, and I hope with all my heart it becomes a reality.
“If I’ve lost my mind,” she quips, “it’s because I married a man capable of running a country but has zero hang time.”
“Gives, baby, let’s be careful with the verbiage, gives you zero hang time, lately,” he corrects pointedly. “Let’s not poke holes in my manhood today, tiger. And rest assured, I’m going to put a baby in you tonight.” Preston fires back, his voice heating. “And five more after, so you have six replicas of me to deal with on the daily.”
They share a hopeful look, and I can see some of the heartbreak in Molly’s eyes when she turns to me.
“It’s our fourth try. But it’s going to happen this time,” she whispers, “I can feel it.” She snatches another mimosa off the tray and dares Preston to object. He squeezes her knee in encouragement as he kicks back and crosses his leg over his other. I can’t help but take in how beautiful he is in person. The camera truly doesn’t do him enough justice.
“I can’t believe you two went to school together.”
“Good times,” Preston says. “I bet he never told you about the night he saved my life.”
“That’s a stretch,” Tobias says.
“The hell it is,” Preston retorts.
“I guess I owe you, Tobias,” Molly shrugs. “Or do I?”
“Keep it up, woman,” Preston smiles at his wife, his eyes thirsty as he rolls them over her, giving Tobias and I more of a peek inside their private life. Tobias grips my hand in his, and Preston clears his throat when Tyler walks in.
“Ready to do this?” Preston asks, standing.
“To hell with that, you’re going to eat your breakfast first, then business.”
“Molly—”
She turns to him, her stare murderous, and he bites his fist before shaking it at her. And it’s then I fall for them both.
Tobias bursts into laughter across the table from Preston, and the sound of it has me pausing mid-conversation with Molly. I haven’t heard him laugh like that in years, if ever, and I dart my gaze between the two of them, a little awestruck.
“We’re lucky, aren’t we?” Molly asks, sipping the orange juice she switched to after her second glass. She looks between the two of them as they talk. “We’re sitting with the two most powerful men in the world, but that isn’t what makes it so special. If anything, it makes it harder to love them, not to respect them, but to love them, doesn’t it?”
I nod.
“But that’s what makes us special,” she continues. “This isn’t just a courtship of boy meets girl. They fall in love, yadda, yadda. This is a lifelong commitment to men who aren’t satisfied living ordinary lives. It sometimes seems more of an obsession than a mission. One that can test a woman to her absolute limits.” She grins over at me, “But for him, for that man, I’ll do it. I’ll be there when he fucks up so badly he can’t celebrate how good he is or what he’s done. I’ll be there whenever he doubts himself and our relationship suffers because of those doubts. I’ll be there with my hair done, and my lipstick on, in my best heels, with my head held high on his darkest days, because that’s what he needs. And I don’t want him changing. I don’t want him to stop being who he is, not ever, not for me, and not for any baby we make.” She turns her gaze to me. “But I will use the tips of these heels to pierce and pin his brass balls down if he ever stops giving me what I need.” She winks and takes another sip of her OJ, and from the sparkle in her eye, I can see it might not all be juice. Heat licks my profile, and I know he’s watching me, curious about our hushed conversation.
The Finish Line Page 35
