by Ciana Stone
She looked at John as she listened, and finally, when her mother finished, she spoke. "It'll take me at least an hour, probably more. I'm not home. Yes, yes, I will. Yes, Mom. I will. Bye."
Amber put her phone away and looked again at John. "I'm so sorry, but I need to go to my parent's. It's closer than my place."
"Is everyone okay?"
She knew he wanted an explanation and wished she could give him one, but she couldn't. All she could do was reach out and squeeze his arm. "Just family stuff. No one's dying – just – stuff that can't be put off. I'm sorry."
"It's okay, family is important."
Amber wasn't sure what to say to that, knowing that he had no family other than his grandmother. She was annoyed that her mother had insisted she drop what she was doing to go to her parent's house, but her mother indicated it was serious, so she felt she had no choice.
"I hope we can try this again. Maybe one night when my place is clean?"
"Or mine?" He looked over at her and smiled.
She returned the smile. "Thanks for being so understanding."
"You're worth it."
"Am I?"
"Absolutely."
Amber thought about that. A lot, in fact, despite the conversation, she couldn't stop thinking about it. She would be glad to get this meeting with her parents done and get home. She needed to talk to someone. Naomie was the first person that came to mind, and even that made Amber a bit nervous. She hadn't been entirely aboveboard with Naomie, and there was a strong possibility Naomie would be angry, but she was, before anything else, Amber's friend and Amber was counting on Naomie to put their friendship first.
She'd never found herself in this position before. Amber wasn't the kind of woman who longed for marriage or even a commitment from a man. She'd been quite happy with her unattached and therefore, unencumbered status. At least until now.
John changed all that, and for the first time in her life, she didn't have a clue what to do.
Chapter Twelve
Washington, D.C
Were it not for her parents' respective security details, Amber would not have made it to the front door of her family home. Whatever was going on had the press present in droves. As soon as she got inside, her mother appeared, took her arm and led her back to the kitchen where Amber's father was sitting at the table with his phone to his ear.
"This thing has exploded," Sharon said. "And threatening to get worse."
"What thing? What are you talking about?"
"Those photos and Petrov."
"Oh."
"Sit. Are you hungry? We have some leftover Thai from that place on–"
"I've eaten thanks." Amber pulled out her phone and accessed the news app. It didn't take long to see what her mother referred to as "this thing exploding."
One video splashed copies of the photos on the screen complete with black rectangles to cover genitalia, then a clip of the President, red-faced and spittle flying as he shouted at reporters about fake news and how his son was being set up.
Another video displayed Aleksei Petrov and Delaney, getting out of the back of a limo, under siege by reporters. Amber was guessing from the rage on his face that the harsh words he spewed in Russian were something similar to the President's. She wasn't sure why he was so upset, until she watched a news clip of the Russian President basically tossing Petrov to the wolves and saying that if the photos and claims were genuine, Petrov acted on his own to blackmail the American President's son and the Russian government had no knowledge or part of the sordid affair.
Members of the opposing party were screaming for an immediate investigation while the party in power released more than a few statements suggesting that this set-up may have been orchestrated by the folks on the other side of the aisle.
It was, without doubt, a circus. Amber tried to keep a straight face, but secretly wanted to laugh and wondered if Naomie was watching.
Her father put his phone on the table. "I'd appreciate if you'd refrain from speaking with the press."
"Sure. I don't have anything to say. I'm not involved. But, I don't think it will be long before someone recognizes or identifies Delaney."
"Exactly what your mother said."
"So what are you going to do about it?"
"I don't know. I'll speak with Russ. Maybe he can talk her into breaking it off, or at least putting some distance between her and Petrov."
"Or not. She's pretty much told the whole family to go fuck themselves."
"Well, he has to try. Thank god it's her and not you."
"Yeah, that's one thing you'd never have to worry about. I'd rather jab a fork in the man's eyes than have him touch me."
"That seems like a lot of hate for someone you've never met."
Amber shrugged and looked away. "I didn't like what I saw when they came to Cici's wedding."
"No one did."
"Maybe Cici could talk to Delaney. No, Dillon. Dillon and Josie. She's closer to them than anyone. You should suggest that to Uncle Russ."
"I will." His phone rang. "Damn. I need to take this."
"Go on."
She got up and was leaving the room when her mother entered. "I think I'm going to head home. Any chance you'd get your driver to give me a ride?"
"Of course. I'll have him pull around back. Did your father speak with you about–"
"I'm not going to talk to the press, Mom. I promise."
"Thank you," Sharon gave her a quick hug. "We'll talk in the morning?"
"Absolutely. Try and get some rest."
"We will. Thank you, Amber."
"Anytime. I love you."
"And I love you." Sharon pulled out her phone. "Alan, could you please take my daughter home? Yes, she'll meet you out back. Thank you." She then looked at Amber. "Okay, all set."
"Thanks Mom. Goodnight."
Amber walked out back and two minutes later was in the backseat of her mother's car. She pulled out her phone and texted Naomie. Can we talk?
It was nearly ten minutes before a reply came in. In the morning. Am currently about to get involved in something you do NOT want to visualize. Love you.
Amber grinned. She teased Naomie without mercy about being with Russ, but in her serious moments, could understand why Naomie would fall for him. Despite his age, he was still a handsome man. Strong, and well-built and he definitely had a power thing going for him – something in his eyes. Her father had it and it had served him well, in and out of politics.
Amber never imagined her Uncle Russ would fall in love, but then she never imagined Naomie would end up meeting him. It was strange how life led you in directions you never planned.
Like her, going to the event at the Smithsonian, an event she'd have done just about anything to skip out on. But she'd gone and because of it, was now seeing John. And she wanted to see a lot more of him. All of him. Repeatedly.
She blew out a breath. Cool your jets, girl. You've got a way to go before you can start thinking about all that.
That was true. She had things to accomplish before she was ready to really dive into what she wanted with John. And she wanted quite a lot.
Heritage Ranch, Texas
"You bought me a what?"
"A bed."
"I have a bed."
Russell looked toward the foot of the bed and pointed. Naomie looked as well and laughed. "I told you to try turning corner to corner."
"I want a bed I don’t have to turn all kinds of weird ways, so I got Cici to find me one and she told me last evening it's being delivered this afternoon."
"Well, then, you'll definitely have to sleep here tonight so we can break it in."
"You know I have a perfectly good bed at the main house. A very large and comfortable mattress, I might add. One that my feet don't have to hang off."
"Well, apparently you're going to have one like that here, so now you don't have to complain about us sleeping here."
Russell rolled her over onto her back and propped on his side w
ith one arm over her. "Will you please move to the main house?"
"No. I like it here. Here we have privacy. People knock if they want to come in. At the main house people are coming and going all the time and that's wonderful and family-friendly and I love it, but right now I want you all for myself. So, no. Let's play house here and pretend the rest of the world doesn't exist for a little while."
"You make a compelling case."
"Hmm, how compelling?" She turned to face him, running one hand from his chest, slowly downward.
"Very, compelling."
"Show me."
"Gladly."
Eagerly would have been a more apt word. Russell hadn't imagined that when he finally found the courage to have sex with Naomie it would turn back the clock for him. At least that's the way it felt. He didn't worry any more about whether he'd be able to rise to the occasion. These days, it was more of a problem to keep from rising.
Sometimes she got to him in the more inopportune moments and places and he had to resort to holding his hat or refrain from standing. Yet, he'd never complain. He felt like a young man again, and one who was madly in love.
He now realized that his family had been right about him all along. All of the other women in his life had been women he knew he could walk away from without feeling a loss. He'd chosen women he knew could never hurt him.
This was different, and a little terrifying if he were truly honest. Naomie possessed the power to end him. All she had to do was say she no longer wanted him. Didn't love him. That's all it would take to destroy him and for more than a year he'd let that fear stop him from allowing their relationship to move forward.
Now he accepted the danger because the time he had with her was worth any risk. He’d do whatever it took to make her happy, keep her safe and let her know that she was it for him. His one true love, as corny as that might sound.
Right now, she was the siren, the seductress, the gypsy witch who took his breath and carried him into a realm of pleasure he hadn't known existed. He might have a list of things to do a mile long, but for now those things could wait.
*****
"Naomie, I really think I'm falling for the man," Amber said. "And to be honest, it freaks me out."
"Because?"
"Because, you know…"
"Yes, I do. Because you don't yet trust him enough to be completely honest with him and you're scared if you are, he'll turn away."
"Something like that. What do I do?"
"Wow, you're asking the wrong person for advice on that. I just now found the man I want and every day expect someone to lower the boom on me for god knows what and screw it up."
"But you've been honest with Uncle Russ."
"Yes. At least as much as I can be."
"Shit. I don't know what to do."
"Then don't do anything until you know. Look, you haven't known him all that long so don't rush. If it's supposed to work out it will. At least I think that's what a friend told me when I confessed to having a huge case of lust for her Uncle."
Amber chuckled. "You're probably right. And hey, have you caught any of the news today? The shit is really hitting the fan."
"Yeah?"
"Oh hell, yeah. Miraculously, every member of Congress received an email with a slew of attachments. Banking records that show money from Petrov going into businesses owned by the President's son or the family. Add to that, transaction records showing the money that moved from Petrov to POTUS's son, came to Petrov via the Russian government."
"Wow, imagine that. I bet there's a large part of Congress screaming for blood."
"To say the least. According to my father, there's growing support to have Petrov basically deported and banned from entering the country again. And even more, to have all his American assets and bank accounts frozen.
"Petrov's off the rails enraged, threatening everything from a lawsuit against the government to Russian retaliation. It wouldn't take much to send him over the edge, I think. Which reminds me, when are you coming back?"
"I don't know that I am."
"Seriously? I thought–"
"I know. I thought I wanted revenge on him more than anything, but maybe this is enough. It gets your father out of a potential threat to his career and from the sound of things, Petrov isn't going to exactly be welcome in this country anymore, so maybe that's enough."
"And what are you not saying?"
"The obvious, I suppose. I love Russ, Amber. Down to my bones, through to my soul and all I really want is to be with him and see if we can't grab some of that happily-ever-after I've heard is the stuff of dreams."
"Then that's exactly what you should do. And I can handle–"
"No. Amber, no. We've done enough, gone as far as it's wise to go. I'm asking you to let it go. When the dust settles on what we've already put into play, step back. See if you and John are maybe people who could make happily-ever-after a reality and let it go. We've tempted fate enough."
"You're probably right. Okay, look I have to go, so I'll call you tomorrow."
"We are agreeing, aren't we?" Naomie wasn't sure if Amber was just placating her or actually committing to what Naomie asked.
"Yes, we are. Love you, girl."
"Love you more. Talk soon."
Naomie thought about her conversation with Amber as she made up the bed. Not only had Russ purchased a mattress, but a complete new bed, with fine quality Egyptian cotton sheets that were so smooth and soft she wanted to wallow in them, a thick new comforter and even new pillows.
She'd already washed the sheets and smiled as she thought about his feet hanging over the edge of the old mattress. Naomie hadn't lied about wanting them to sleep in the cottage. They had far more privacy and when they were in the cottage it felt like they were a real couple becoming accustomed to being together. As silly as it might sound, when she slept with him at the main house she always felt like an interloper, just some woman there for a night of pleasure. So far, he'd had no marriage or even long-term relationship that'd stuck and until she was sure they were going to be able to go the distance, she wasn't putting her shoes under his bed.
She was, however, going to stay here at Heritage and planned on telling Russ tonight. With that thought in mind, she went into the kitchen and started preparing dinner. It wasn't many nights she cooked, but today she felt like it and was making one of her mother's recipes, Chicken Ghiveci, or Romanian braised chicken.
On impulse she put her Bluetooth earphone back in place and called her mother. "Hey mom. What're you doing?"
"After texting you the recipe I had a yen for Chicken Ghiveci so I'm cooking. What about you?"
"The same. So tell me everything's that happened since we last talked."
"You mean since this morning or three days ago?"
Naomie chuckled. "Whichever."
"What's up Duck?"
"Nothing."
"Don't nothing me. Something's ruffled your feathers."
"Just a decision I had to make and I hope I chose wisely."
"Do you feel you did?"
"Yes."
"Then trust your instincts and your heart."
"And stay calm on the surface while paddling like hell underneath?"
"Absolutely," her mother laughed and talked about her day, the horses, the land and Naomie's father. Finally, she asked the question Naomie knew she'd wanted to for months.
"Are you in love with the man, Duck?"
"I am, mama. So much it scares me. I've never felt this way."
"Tell me."
"When I'm with him all the chaos in my mind calms. I don’t have three trains of thought going on. He puts out this– this force field or something and it envelops me and it's the only time I can hear the Universe, you know what I mean? Go deep inside or outside of myself and just be. He makes me feel so whole, and mama, he stirs my blood something fierce."
"How well I know that feeling. It makes me think of your father and I when we first met. He had a dramatic impact on me."
"And did you know he was the one? Was there something in you that screamed "mine" and filled you with such unwavering certainty that he was the one for you?"
"Yes, you've described it beautifully."
"But mama, what if… what if he suddenly changes his mind and doesn't want me anymore?"
"Then he wasn't the one."
"Easy for you to say."
"Indeed it is. When are you coming for a visit? It's been six months since I've seen your smiling face. Last time you came you brought those wonderful Texas ladies, Netta and Nellie Mae. Your dad and I still laugh over the fun we had."
"It was a good time. And it won't be long. I miss you mama."
"And I miss you. Now, I have to go and find your dad to tell him dinner is in half an hour."
"That's a little early for you guys to eat. Oh wait, I forgot. If you tell him half an hour he'll be on time in two hours, right?"
"Right you are. Hope your dinner is delicious. I love you."
"I love you. Bye."
"Already replacing me?"
Naomie turned at the sound of Russell's voice. "I didn't hear you come in."
"No shoes house," he looked down at his feet and wiggled his sock-covered toes. "I remembered."
"What a man," she hurried over. "Have I told you lately how spectacular you are?"
"No, I don't think so."
"Well, you are the most spectacular man I've ever met, Russell Walker and I love you."
"Enough to stay here in Texas?" He put a finger to her lips as she opened her mouth. "Before you say anything, I know you set out to help Rich, and I think that's already been accomplished. And I know you'd like to hurt Petrov more. So would I. But isn't it a waste of our time and energy to focus on revenge when we have so much more here?
"I love you, Naomie and I'd cheerfully put a gun to that bastard's head for you, but I won't give up my time with you for him because that makes him the winner and I swear to God that rankles me something fierce."
"You're absolutely right. I was going to wait until after dinner, but I might as well tell you now. I'm not going back to D.C. Not to hurt Petrov and not for any more Pentagon projects. I'm done with all that. I'm standing where I want to be and looking at what I want."
