Choice Matters (Southern Heat Book 1)

by Jamie Salisbury

  “Yes, I am, but don’t go thinking I am the way I am because of some hidden family secret. You know…about how I was secretly abused, and now I’ve turned into this dominant, testosterone-charged man…because it ain’t there.” He spoke in rapid-fire succession. Then, he instantly calmed and continued, “Tell me—your father is back in his native Ireland. You were born there. Why exactly did he return, and by himself? If it’s not too painful to talk about.”

  “No, not at all. It is what it is. He worked quite closely with the government trying to bring American businesses to Ireland. As his contract was winding down, one of the world’s largest software giant’s approached him with a job offer. He would’ve been a fool to turn it down.”

  “I suppose…”

  “Anyway, my mother refused to return to Dublin. My brother and I were both grown. I became an American citizen once I turned twenty-one and never batted an eye.”

  “When was the last time you saw your father?” He wiped his hands on a paper towel from a roll strategically placed on every table.

  “I saw him last summer. Spent three weeks in Ireland with him. He seems content and at peace with his decision to return.”

  “Perhaps we’ll make the time to go see him before long, if you’d like.”

  “Yes, I would. Very much so, thank you.”

  “I may not be very good at relationships, the few that I’ve had, but I do know how important family is.”

  “Word of advice, Choice, before we change the subject? Break my heart, and I’ll hunt you down like prey, rip out your cold, black heart, and stomp on it. Or I’ll simply sic my mother on you. Either way, I don’t think the end result would be pretty.”

  He raised his empty bottle in a mock salute. “Point taken, Ms. White. Now, if you’re finished, I think we should head back. This rain isn’t letting up and the road on the property can get interesting to maneuver.”

  “I’m ready whenever you are.” I set my drink down and finished wiping my fingers before standing.

  Apolo reached across the table and took one of my hands. “What you said just now, Caitlyn? I’d never intentionally hurt you. Never. Not knowing I’d have to face your mother.” He laughed, helping me from the table.

  I knew he wasn’t playing with me. His personal relationships were few and far between, so when he invested his being into them, he did so one-hundred percent…but he still hadn’t shared what had happened to him. I knew not to push him.

  We headed back toward his fishing cabin, the rain still as relentless as it had been all day. It was also causing the daylight to fade faster than normal. He finally broke our comfortable silence. “We’ll be heading to Washington on Wednesday. My handlers are trying to get a couple more meetings set for Thursday. If they’re confirmed, we’ll leave Wednesday afternoon.”

  I nodded. “Handlers? I would have taken you for doing it all on your own.”

  “Not in Washington, Caitlyn. There are those, believe it or not, who are more adept at how things work in the political arena than I.”

  “Whatever is decided just let me know. I’ll be ready.”

  “This is all very premature, right now. I’m merely feeling folks out, testing the waters before any decisions are made.”

  He maneuvered the SUV in front of the cabin once more. The rain was never ending. I grabbed my purse and prepared to run as soon as he opened my door. Luckily, there was enough of a covered stoop to allow us some shelter as he unlocked the door.

  Inside, we both removed our shoes, which were covered in mud despite the gravel Apolo had recently had lain. I pulled off my socks and headed to the bedroom to deposit them along with my purse.

  Returning to the comfortable living room, I noticed Apolo with a bottle of Grey Goose. He lifted it toward me. “Care for a drink? A glass of wine, perhaps?”

  “A glass of wine, if you don’t mind.”

  “I forgot to bring brandy or scotch to restock the bar. I believe I was distracted at the thought of bringing you here.”

  “I’m glad you did. I’m going to hate having to go back tomorrow.” I accepted the Cabernet from him and sat back in one of the recliners.

  He stood, leaning against the small cabinet that served as his bar. “I’m going to have to drop you off at your place, you know. For more than one reason.”

  “It’s only for overnight.”

  “You’ll be okay, then, going to work on your own, pretending everything is the same? Once we go to Washington, everything will change, Caitlyn. I know this is happening extremely fast, but I want you to understand that.”

  “I’ll be fine. I’ll need to at least let Izzie know we’re coming out, as it were, so she isn’t hit like a deer in the headlights. And so she can, of course, deal with my mother while we’re away.”

  “I’ll have Jacob make sure she’s okay. I don’t want you to worry.”

  “Oh, I’m not worried about Izzie. It’s Don who worries me. I don’t trust him, Apolo. There’s something off about him. I haven’t been able to put my finger on it, yet.”

  “Don is the last person for you to worry about. I have him handled, should he step out of line.”

  I giggled. “What are you going to do—send him to Siberia or something?”

  “No, not Siberia, although that is a tempting idea. Don’t give him a second thought, Caitlyn. Come in Monday and Tuesday and do your job as you usually do.”

  “Enjoy the calm before the storm?”

  “Exactly.”

  He sauntered across the room and covered my mouth with his.

  * * * *

  Wednesday and our impending trip to Washington couldn’t arrive quick enough. Don did his usual snooping, hearing through the rumor mills that Apolo was headed to the nation’s capital later in the week. He strolled into my office Tuesday afternoon as I was powering my computer down and packing what items I would take with me to work on while Apolo was in his meetings.

  “Accompanying the boss to Washington?” he snarked.

  “Not that it’s any of your business, but yes, Don, I am.”

  “I don’t know of any reason for him to take you along. You’re supposed to be his second in command, which means you should be here running his business while he’s in Washington. Unless, of course, he has other uses for you.”

  The man in question arrived on the scene. “Like the lady said, Don, it’s none of your business. Word of warning, let me catch you harassing my Executive Vice President in any way, and you’ll find yourself out on the curb so fast, it’ll make your head spin! Now, you need to leave. Oh, and by the way, just in case you have any questions while we’re out of town, Henry Scott will be in charge.”

  The two men glared at each other. Apolo was the obvious dominate, alpha male in this confrontation, and although clearly angry, he never raised his voice. The only change I noted was his face darkening and a twitch on one side. I could have sworn I caught a whiff of testosterone in the air as the two men sized the other up.

  Don knew better than to cross the line any further than he already had. He turned on his heel without another word and walked out of my office.

  I sat on the edge of my desk, watching him leave. Apolo closed the door and stood by the frame for a moment. I was sure he was trying to appraise the situation and what I was feeling.

  “That man,” I announced, “is trouble. I don’t trust him any farther than I can throw him.”

  “I told you not to worry about him. Consider him handled. I have a project I’m going to involve him in. One I know he’s been eyeing. He’ll be so busy that he won’t have time to scheme and plot against you.”

  And then he was in my space, standing right in front of me. There was the faint smell of male muskiness about him. One of the things I enjoyed. His hand rested on my shoulder lightly before he moved to my cheek, where he tilted my face up to meet his as his mouth covered mine. The man could kiss, well, that and more things than I could think of sitting here with his tongue seducing me.

 
“Dinner tonight?” he asked, his mouth inches from mine.

  “I, um, really should spend some time with Izzie. But if you wouldn’t mind eating some of our feeble attempts at lasagna, I could be easily talked into you joining us.” I gently touched my lips to his as I finished. A way to entice him. “Besides, I think we owe her that much. Her life’s going to change too, you know, as soon as you make it clear we’re a couple. She doesn’t deserve to read about it in the paper or over the internet.”

  “Point taken and agreed, Ms. White. What time should I be there?”

  “Will seven work?”

  “Absolutely. It’ll also give us some time…”

  “Don’t push it, bud. You’re going to have me all to yourself in Washington, remember?”

  He laughed that deep-throated, masculine laugh I’d come to love. “Touché! And what about your mother—do you want to call her ahead of the fact and warn her?”

  “Hell, no! Let her find out like the rest of the world. On the news or internet or plain old gossip. It’ll make things much more dramatic for her that way.”

  He laughed once again. “That’s what I love about you, Caitlyn. You’re full of fire.”

  “Well, like I told you, my mother is the drama queen. This way will make it so much more fun for her.”

  “Dinner at seven, then, with you and Izzie. I look forward to it.”

  “As do I, Mr. Choice. Just remember to be a good boy and behave? Just this once?”

  He chuckled as he turned and walked out the door.

  * * * *

  Promptly at seven, Apolo appeared at my door. Dressed in jeans and a casual, short sleeve shirt he sauntered in carrying a bottle of Chianti. His scent and whatever else he was wearing about sent me spiraling toward orgasm as he passed in front of me. I shut the front door and followed him into the living room.

  “Izzie’s running a little late, but she should be here shortly.” I said taking the wine from his strong, masculine hands. He held onto it for just a second longer.

  “Long enough for us to go in your bedroom…”

  “Don’t even go there, Apolo. You can play nice for a while. I’ve seen you do it,” I chided, leaning up and kissing him on the cheek.

  “But, Caitlyn, I need you. Especially after this afternoon.”

  “Down boy. Would you like a glass of wine instead?”

  He sighed, kissing me lightly on the lips, but not before copping a feel of my ass. The man was incorrigible. “That would be nice since you’re putting me in detention for the evening.”

  “Thank you. I’ll make it up to you. I promise.”

  “I’ll remind you of that when we’re in our suite in Washington.”

  Apolo followed like a love sick puppy dog when I headed into the kitchen, shaking my head. Passing him back the bottle and corkscrew, I pointed to three wine glasses already on the counter. While he was tending to that task, I put the garlic bread in the oven to bake.

  He passed me a glass and followed me back into the living room. We were just about to sit down when Izzie came through the door. Apolo immediately stood upon seeing her. A gentleman, one of the things I loved about him. Well, in my top ten, perhaps. He had manners a woman would be proud of.

  The two acknowledged each other.

  “Can I get you a glass of wine, Izzie? Caitlyn and I just opened a bottle of Chianti.”

  “I would love one.”

  I passed her my fresh, untouched glass. “Here. No cooties. I haven’t even taken a drink.”

  “I certainly hope not. I’d hate to catch whatever it is the two of you have,” she giggled, taking the glass and heading toward her bedroom. “I’ll just grab a quick shower.” She winked my way and disappeared into the darkened room.

  Over dinner, I was reminded that Izzie was never one to hide her feelings or views. Not even Apolo Choice intimidated her. “So you’re taking my bestie up to Washington with you for…what? To conform to their beliefs?”

  It drew a hearty laugh from Apolo, who quickly responded. “The last thing I do is conform to other’s beliefs. However, sometimes you have to make sacrifices in order to win over the old guard.”

  “Always the politician, huh, Apolo? You ought to do quite well up there.”

  “Izzie, it’s more about public relations.” I added, shaking my head as I picked up my wine glass and took a long swallow.

  “I know the way the world works if you want to get ahead in it. Even in my job, it’s all about politics or positioning yourself. You never have said what position you’re eyeing, Apolo. Must be important if you haven’t even told Caitlyn.”

  “I won’t tell anyone, including Caitlyn, until a few more things fall into place. Seeing as they have…I suppose now’s the appropriate time to let you both in on what it is.”

  “And?” I eyed him and Izzie both.

  “Do you remember the senate seat left vacant a month or so ago by the passing of its occupant? Well, the governor has asked me to fill the remaining two years of the term. After that, I either put my hat in the ring for reelection, or come home to business as usual.”

  “Oh, wow,” I heard myself blurt out. “ That’s a prime seat if you’re into politics.”

  “Why all the hush-hush, then, Apolo, if the governor has already decided on you?”

  “I, along with some political advisors I’ve hired, wanted to make sure I would get the committee seats that the late senator had or ones equally important. Thus, our trip to Washington.”

  “I guess this means you’re going to be moving, huh, Cait?”

  “We haven’t decided, yet. We’ll know better after this trip.”

  “I’ll make sure you’re taken care of, Izzie. If you’d feel more comfortable moving, just say the word. I told Caitlyn it was the least I can do, since you’ll be hounded, I’m sure, by the media once we go public with our relationship and now this senate seat.”

  “Thank you, Apolo. I appreciate it. Just make sure you take very good care of Caitlyn here. Just a friendly warning, of course.”

  “Of course, and you don’t have to think about Caitlyn’s happiness twice. I intend to see she’s quite spoiled.”

  “Good, I’m glad we understand each other.” Izzie winked my way as she stood up. “If you two will excuse me, I need to get to bed. I’m covering an extra shift in the morning.”

  “You work too hard Izzie.” I replied, hugging my friend before she slipped from the room.

  Apolo, still standing, turned to me and enveloped me in his strong arms. We stood there silently for a few moments. Until I felt his hand begin to wander.

  “Choice?”

  “Hmmmm? What?”

  “Time for you to go home. I’ve got a lot to do to be ready to leave tomorrow, and I won’t get it done if you stay much longer.”

  “Caitlyn,” he pleaded. “Don’t be such a party pooper. If I promise to be good, can we sit and talk for a while? I really don’t want to go home to that huge house…alone.”

  I blew out a breath. Boy, he was good. I had to give him credit. “Sure, why not? We can talk for a bit. But only if you promise to keep your hands to yourself. You know how I am when you even breathe on me.”

  He chuckled. “Yes, I know. It drives you crazy, doesn’t it?”

  I glared at him, hoping he got the idea I wasn’t fooling around here. “See, that’s exactly what I mean. You have a one-track mind sometimes, Apolo. Now, besides the obvious, what do you want to talk about?”

  I waited for the answer and was surprised at the serious change in tone he took.

  “Us. Our future. Like we did at the cabin. What are your thoughts on the subject? What’s important to you in a marriage?”

  “Honesty, Apolo. That’s number one on my list. I don’t think two people can have a strong, successful marriage if they’re not one-hundred percent honest with each other. And it doesn’t start the day they get married, either. It has to start before, when they’re dating. Without honesty and trust, it won’t work.”


  He sat there, quiet. As though he were digesting every word I’d just said. “Your parent’s weren’t honest with each other?”

  “Not where my mother’s concerned. It was always about her. As long as papa’s professional life opened the right doors and opportunities for her, she was fine. But when he made the choice to return to Ireland for a better position, all of a sudden she couldn’t support him. I don’t think she ever had. What about you?”

  “My parents are of the thinking that a couple keeps their private feelings to themselves. I don’t know if you’d call it honesty, but family integrity and value goes a long way in my house. You always support the family, no matter what. At least that’s what they’ve done in certain cases.”

  He was talking about his brother, Anthony. There was something there. Something the family kept hush-hush. I didn’t know what it was, but I knew deep down inside that there was more to Anthony Choice than meets the eye. And it involved Apolo. It would explain his disdain for his brother.

  “What about children? We’ve never touched on that subject.”

  “Something I’ve never really given much thought to, though I should. Yes, of course I would want to have children at some point. You?”

  “Yes, I’d love to have children. Especially with you. But I think we should give it a few years. A couple needs to be comfortable in their marriage first, because once you start having kids, all personal time is just about out the door for the next twenty years.”

  “Oh, I will never give up our personal time, Caitlyn. Not for kids or anyone else.”

  I giggled at the thought, so like him, his personality. “Somehow, I believe you.”

  He glanced down at his watch then at me. “Well, I suppose I’ve kept you long enough. I’ll be the gentleman and say goodnight now.”

  Chapter Six

  Caitlyn

  We were on our way to Washington before anyone knew we were missing. Once we arrived, we were whisked away to the Watergate, where Apolo had a suite reserved for us.