“Because I requested that he come alone. Don’t worry, I’ll explain everything later,” I said.
The Secret Service opened the front door of the White House, and I got inside the waiting car.
“Fine, but I want a full report,” Claudette complained and narrowed her eyes in frustration.
“Okay, boss,” I chortled and shut the door of the motorcade. Claudette had always believed in me since all of us were in college at Harvard.
I hadn’t gotten Laila out of my mind since the moment we’d met. I even went so far as to call Elliot to see if he knew anything about her and if she was involved with Carlton seriously.
The driver pulled off onto the road with Tony, my Head of Security, giving out commands. 20 minutes later, we ended up at Ray and Claudette’s home on 29th Street. I stepped out of the vehicle, and the front door opened. I went upstairs and shook hands with Ray.
“Mr. President, you know this is crazy,” Ray said, stepping to the side and allowing me to enter, then closing the door behind me.
“It’s only crazy because I’m the president. Any regular guy would ask a friend for help getting a woman’s number.”
Ray grabbed a folder off the dining room table and passed it over to me. I opened it and saw photos of Laila and Carlton, and another one with an older woman. I scanned the attached paperwork, and I saw a name in bold that I wasn’t expecting to see.
“Yeah, an escort,” Ray blurted out.
“Penelope’s Exclusive Dates,” I mumbled.
“You're stepping into something that will blow up badly,” Ray remarked, lifting another file-folder and handing it to me.
“How long?” I asked.
“From what my contacts say, she was an escort a few years back.”
“I don’t care,” I said and slammed the folder closed.
“Sebastian, I’m not only your friend, but your congressman, and my advice is to leave this woman alone,” Ray said.
“Ray, how long have we known each other?” I asked.
He rolled his eyes and sighed. “Over 12 years,” Ray answered.
“So, you know I’ve always done what I want, on my own terms.”
“Yeah, like a stubborn, arrogant asshole—”
I raised my hand to cut him off. “That’s President Stubborn, Arrogant Asshole to you.”
“You might scare everyone else, Sebastian, but like you said, I’ve known you longer and will tell you the truth.”
“And the truth is...?”
“For the past two months, you’ve slipped and haven’t been present in meetings.”
“I need to see her one time, and then I’ll get back to being focused,” I replied.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea. Even though she’s working as a therapist now, she worked as an escort before,” Ray informed me.
A knock came at the door. Tony stepped inside. “Mr. President, Claudette said you’re needed back at the White House,” Tony stated, holding up his cell.
“Thanks, Tony. I’ll be out in a second.”
“Listen, your focus needs to be on governing,” Ray continued. “The media doesn’t need to be distracted from what we're building.”
“Set up a meeting with her,” I told him, reaching for the door, while holding the file-folder.
“You're not going to let this go, are you?” Ray asked.
“No,” I responded and walked out of the house.
I headed back downstairs to the car. A group of onlookers spotted me as they rode their bikes across the street. “Mr. President! We love you!” they yelled.
I waved, ducking into the car.
Tony closed the door and slid into the front seat. He drove us back toward the White House. The police cars drove alongside us as the traffic stopped to allow us through.
“Tony,” I began.
“Yes, sir,” he replied.
“Can I trust you?” I questioned.
“Of course, Mr. President.”
“Good.”
I sat back in the car and read over Laila’s file. I wondered what had made her choose the escort life and work at Penelope’s Exclusive Dates. It was well known around D.C., and the police were trying to find a way to shut the place down, but they always came up empty.
The car arrived back at the White House, and Claudette was standing outside with a hard glare on her face as I got out of the car.
“You had lunch at my house with Ray,” Claudette said.
“I was hoping Ray wouldn’t tell you that.”
“We don't keep secrets from each other, Sebastian.”
“I had him find some information for me.”
“About what?” She stood next to my desk and waited for an answer.
I didn’t like keeping things from her, but until I knew for sure what I had in mind for Laila, I would keep it to myself. Claudette would more than likely try to talk me out of my plans. If it made her job easier, she would want me to settle down, get married, and have kids in a week. I hadn’t dated since I became president. Before hitting the campaign trail, I was a former lawyer, working long hours, and dating was mostly limited to one woman who understood my lifestyle. Now, I was the president and leading the American people. When I signed up, I made a commitment to serve. That was until I bumped into Laila Daniels. Something about her made me want to find out more.
One Month Later
IT TOOK A FULL MONTH to find out how to get her alone with me, plus how to avoid the media’s attention and get security in place without knowing who they would be keeping hidden.
Laila wasn’t too happy about me forcing this meeting. When she showed up at the Rainbow restaurant with Tony, I wanted to kiss her pouty lips. “Why am I here?” she asked, standing next to the chair and holding her clutch purse.
“Have a seat,” I said, jumping up to pull her chair out.
“Mr. President, why am I here?” Laila asked, crossing her arms and glaring at me.
“I’ll tell you once you sit down.”
“Do you know who I am?” Laila asked, hovering over the table and tapping it with her finger.
“I do, and I don’t care. Now, have a seat,” I demanded.
She took a seat, clasped her hands together, and leaned over the table.
I lifted the bottle of wine and poured some first into her glass, then mine. “Do you like red wine?” I asked, raising the glass toward her.
“Sebastian.”
“Say it again.”
“What?”
“Say my name again.”
“Not until you tell me why I’m here,” Laila muttered.
“You're here because I couldn’t get you off my mind.”
“That was almost three months ago,” she stated and leaned back in her chair.
“Be honest with me—did you really not vote for me?” I asked.
She shot me a crooked grin. “I didn’t, and this little date is not helping your case for reelection when it comes up.”
“Then I’ll have to work harder at proving my worthiness in other ways.”
“How old are you?” Laila questioned, lifting the glass and taking a sip.
“I’m Thirty-seven, and you?” I asked—even though I already knew everything about her, down to her blood type.
“Thirty-two, which you probably already know, since you're the president,” Laila answered, wrapping her hand around the wine glass and tipping it toward me.
“I have a proposition for you.”
“I was wondering how long it would take for you to make a request.” She cocked her head to the side and smirked.
“Penelope is constantly under investigation. Why did you continue working there?” I questioned.
“The security and money,” Laila mentioned.
Ray’s personal chef and owner of the restaurant, Jeffrey, brought out two plates with our prepared meals. I’d had him close the place for tonight, and he didn’t know who the guest would be. Ray followed him and placed an envelope in his hand after he finish
ed.
“Mr. President,” Jeffrey said, placing the food on the table.
“Aren’t you a congressman?” Laila questioned, pointing at Ray as she picked up her napkin to put it in her lap.
“I am.” Ray narrowed his eyes at me. I knew he wasn’t getting along with Claudette about my little situation. He’d told me they’d gotten into arguments.
“Shouldn’t you have talked him out of this little date?” Laila leaned against the table with her palm cupping her cheek.
“Believe me, I tried, but Sebastian does what he wants to do,” Ray complained, standing with his hands deep in his pockets.
“So, you agree it’s a date?” I asked.
“I’m not agreeing to anything, Mr. President,” Laila said. Her ravioli smelled good. She lifted her fork and dove into the meal.
I appreciated the feisty, strong-willed attitude that Laila presented. Unlike other women, who fell at my feet when they were in my presence, Laila wouldn’t be swayed so easily. “Thanks, Ray. You can leave us.”
He nodded and walked back to the kitchen.
I grabbed a glass of wine and stared at the beauty before me.
“You stare any harder, and I might have to call your Secret Service to check up on you,” Laila joked.
I smiled at her comment. I moved the yellow envelope toward her.
“What’s this?” Laila pointed at it with her fork.
“A contract.”
Her eyes widened in curiosity. “A contract for what?” Laila put the fork down and wiped her mouth with her napkin.
I pushed it across the table toward her to read. “I would like to see you exclusively; no other men while you’re under contract.”
“You’re kidding, right?” Laila asked, flipping through the five-page document. It was mostly NDA paperwork, that would need to be filled out and sent back to me.
“I never kid about what I want, Laila.”
“Why me?” Laila queried, dropping the papers back down and taking a bite of her pasta.
“Honestly, from the moment I bumped into you; I can’t think of anything else.”
“You run the free world. How has that been working out for you?” Laila teased, wiping the sides of her mouth with her napkin.
If she only knew from the moment our eyes connected, she was going to be mine, and anyone who got in the way would be dealt with accordingly. “Not good because I’m distracted.” I ran my tongue across my teeth and grinned.
“Let me guess—turning you down will only cause more distraction for you.” Laila picked up the contract again and scanned over everything.
“You’ll be well compensated for your time.”
“It’s not about the money,” Laila said.
“Tell me what I need to do to get you to sign.”
“Not be the President of the United States,” she responded, throwing her napkin on the table.
“I’m discreet, Laila; the only people who know about you are already here.”
She looked toward the door to the kitchen, where Ray had gone. “What do I get out of this, besides money and sex?” Laila inquired.
“You get friendship.”
She chuckled at my statement and started to stand.
I reached over and grasped her hand, pulling her around the table to sit on my lap. “What can I do to make you comfortable with this arrangement?”
Laila stared into my eyes as I ran my palm up her back, making small circles. “I have rules,” she said.
“Okay.”
“We never go out in public. I want double what you're paying. No falling in love; this is strictly sex. And I get to pick the times,” she demanded.
I shook my head. “I can agree on the payment, to not go out in public, and to not fall in love, as long as you are not dating anyone else. But I choose the times and places.”
“No, I have work, and I’m not going to be exclusive with you,” Laila insisted and tried to stand again.
I pressed a kiss to her cheek that trailed to the side of her ear. “I won’t interfere with your work, but I don’t want you with anyone else.”
“Let me guess—Carlton?” She laughed, folding her arms across her chest.
“Not just Carlton. But I can’t help but feel like I’m not alone in this.” I trailed a finger down her chin.
“You're the most eligible bachelor in the world. Why me?” Laila crossed her legs.
I stared at her sexy thigh, sticking out of her dress. “You intrigue me.”I said.
“And that’s worth $500,000?” she asked.
I buried my face in her neck. “Worth every penny,” I said.
“My gut is telling me this will turn into a disaster,” Laila mentioned.
I released her, so she could stand. “I’m not looking for just sex; I want to know everything about you.”
“You already have a file on my life, and my medical records,” Laila snapped, holding the folder up.
“I want to know everything, in your own words.”
She sighed and rubbed her temple. “Mr. President, this is crazy.”
“I know.”
“Then why do this?” Laila asked.
“Because I want you.”
“I’m not looking for love or marriage,” Laila stated.
“Neither am I.”
“Then find some other woman to occupy your time, so you don’t end up with the headline of ‘A Former Escort and the President Getting Cozy’,” Laila explained.
I laughed at her comment and stood, closing the space between us. The perfume she was wearing was driving me crazy; it smelled like vanilla. “Sign the papers or don’t. But just know that I’ve enjoyed meeting you and hope we’ll meet again,” I said. I kissed the top of her forehead and walked to the front door to leave.
Tony held the car door open, and I climbed in. He walked around to the passenger side and waited for Ray to come out. Five minutes later, Laila walked out and headed to the car that I’d had Ray provide to take her home in if she didn’t decide to come with me. Ray marched right out once her car pulled off. He opened the door, jumped in, and sat opposite me. He held up the envelope. I took it out of his hands and opened it to see that she had signed.
“She said either she’s crazy, or you’re too stupid to know this is a bad idea,” Ray quoted.
I smirked. “She really signed it.”
“She did—and make sure you stick to the rules,” Ray stated.
I started to pull out my phone and call her, but Ray held his hand up to stop me.
“I need to talk with Penelope first,” I said.
“That’s already been arranged,” Ray said.
“You told her?” I slid the papers back into the envelope and folded them up, then placed them in my briefcase.
“My people did, and she wasn’t too happy. Laila hasn’t worked for her in a while, but Penelope’s very protective of her girls,” Ray explained.
I groaned, knowing Penelope might try to do something underhanded to keep her name and business in the clear.
“The rules say you call, and she shows up,” Ray continued. “But let me remind you, Mr. President, this is not a good idea.”
“When have I ever had a bad idea, Ray?” I tapped on the partition for Tony to start the car, as Ray shook his head in annoyance.
Chapter 2: Sebastian
Present Day
TONY WAS OUTSIDE THE loft door, and the driver was downstairs with two more security personnel. I’d told Claudette that unless it was an emergency, I wasn’t to be interrupted.
I opened the loft door and leaned against it, peering at Laila, sitting on the couch, wearing a black trench coat. Was she out on a date? I thought. I dropped my wallet and cell on the side table, next to the door. I gritted my teeth as we stared at each other. “Why do you fight me on this?”
“I told you last time, we shouldn’t continue doing this.” Laila jumped up and tried to walk around me to leave.
I caught her around the waist and nudged
her against the door, putting all my weight flush against her and using one hand to hold both of hers above her head. “So, why did you come here?” I moved my leg between her thighs, maneuvering my free hand down to lift her chin, so she had to give me her undivided attention. I lowered my head to close the space between our lips. I glanced up at her eyes as she tried to ignore the sexual tension between us. “Can I kiss you?” I asked.
She shook her head. “You don’t deserve a kiss.” Laila looked around the room to avoid eye contact.
A smile tugged at my lips. “What do you think I deserve, then?” I rubbed a hand across her breasts, leaned down, and kissed alongside her chin, then down to her chest.
“Sebastian...” Laila whimpered in my arms.
“I missed you.” I eased up a little and sucked on her neck; hopefully, I’d leave a mark.
“This is the last time. We’ve done this for over a year.” Laila squirmed in my arms.
“So, we should make it worthwhile, then,” I responded, pulling away and dropping her hands.
She wrapped her arms around my neck. I gripped her plump, round ass and lifted her into my arms. She clasped her legs around my waist. We stumbled to the back of the loft, while I stuck my tongue down her throat. We fumbled into the bedroom, and I lowered her to her feet to undress. I removed my coat and tossed it on the chair, along with my shoes. She took off her trench coat and started to bend down, but I stopped her.
“Leave those on.” I pointed at her heels.
She looked down. “What?” she asked.
“Leave your heels on,” I said, removing my tie and shirt.
The coat dropped to the floor and seeing her soft curves and glowing brown skin took my breath away. She’d gone out in public wearing only a black lingerie set. Her full breasts peeked through the sheer bra, and her thong was swallowed by her plump ass. I smacked both cheeks as she spun around in front of me. She was like a living doll with her pouty lips, curvy figure, long legs, and sexy smile. I loved staring into her dark brown eyes. She was like a book that I wanted to continue reading, and I’d never get tired of picking up again.
“Shit,” I hissed in amazement.
“Making it worth your while,” Laila commented, reaching out to unbuckle my pants. They dropped to the floor, and she lowered herself along with them. She gripped my large member in her hand and teased the tip with her tongue. Often, I would start our oral session, but today, she was taking control.
Mutual Agreement(A Presidential Romance) Page 2
