“All the news stations are running this story,” Claudette said.
The press secretary burst through the door.
“I know, Kaitlin,” I assured her.
“They’re even picking this up out of the country, sir,” Kaitlin said.
I turned to Ray. “How many votes are we off on this bill?”
“Three—and one being Carlton.”
“Okay, push harder on the other two and let me think of something with Carlton.”
Ray nodded in response. He kissed Claudette on the cheek and walked out.
“Kaitlin, put out a statement saying that my time with Miss Jones was just that, a moment in the past,” I instructed her.
“Yes, sir,” Kaitlin replied.
“Also, that we are looking forward to getting back to the work that the American people voted for us to do.”
“What are you thinking?” Claudette took a seat on the couch.
“I’m thinking it’s time to stop playing Mr. Nice Guy.”
Chapter 12: Sebastian
“MR. PRESIDENT, WE HAVE to stop meeting like this,” Penelope said as she slid into the back of the presidential limo.
“Thank you for meeting me, Penelope.”
“Of course.”
“You have what I need?”
“I do, and I hope you stick to keeping my business away from the prying eyes of your colleagues.”
“That won’t be a problem.”
“I gave you information last time, but this is a little deeper,” Penelope explained and pulled out a yellow manila envelope.
“What do you have?”
“Enough that you won’t have to keep dealing with your ex or Carlton for much longer.”
“Did you tell Laila that we were meeting?” I questioned.
Her head cocked to the side. “No, should I have?”
“I just want to make sure we keep this from her to protect her as much as possible.”
“I agree,” Penelope said. I scanned over the documents, and my eyes narrowed in confusion. “When I got them, I was just as shocked as you,” she said.
“They’ve been working together?”
“For some time—and probably sleeping together.”
“This was all a setup from the beginning?”
“It looks that way.”
“This goes back to before I became president.” The photos showed me out with Delilah for drinks, and her meeting up with Carlton. There were even photos of Deliah and Carlton together, and time stamps of phone calls and transcripts.
“What do you plan on doing?” Penelope queried.
“Nothing, right now.”
“Don’t wait too long. Obviously, they want you out of office and are using Laila to bring you down.”
I tossed the photos aside. I leaned back and ran a hand over my head.
“Have you talked to her today?” Penelope brought me out of my daze.
“No. I had an interview, and then this blew up.”
“Prepare her, before someone else does.”
“I will.” I tapped on the partition, and the door opened to let Penelope out. I glanced back at the stack of photos. Delilah had probably been lying to Laila during her therapy sessions this whole time, as well. The car started, and I called to check in on Laila.
“Hello,” she said.
“Where are you?” I asked.
“At the gym,” she responded, sounding out of breath.
“How was work?” I questioned.
“It was quiet. Why do you sound like that?”
“I sound like myself.”
“Mmmm...”
“I want to see you.”
“Meet me at the loft,” she stated.
“Okay,” I said and hung up. I pressed the button to lower the partition, and Tony glanced through the rearview mirror. “Tony, run by the loft.”
“Yes, sir.”
I checked the time on my watch. I needed to be back at the White House in an hour to make some phone calls and see the progress that the team had made on drumming up votes.
30 minutes later, we pulled up to the loft that I’d rented, and I stepped out and ran inside. I spotted Laila walking out of the shower with a towel wrapped around her body. I hooked my arms around her waist and pulled her close. I kicked the door closed and took her mouth with mine, devouring her sweet lips. I clamored to gets us onto the couch. She pushed me back, and I was surprised by the force. She dropped to her knees in front of me.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
She unbuckled my pants, gripped my dick, spat on the top, and started to jerk it.
“Fuck!” I cried out as I felt her warm mouth take me down to my base. My head dipped back, and I almost fell over onto the couch, but I gripped her shoulders to keep myself upright as she caressed my balls. There was something about Laila that I couldn’t explain, but she had me wrapped around her finger, and I couldn't believe how fast I had fallen in love. My chest rose and fell as I tried to catch my breath. The tingling in my dick told me that I was close, and I needed to be inside of her. “Baby, hold up.” I tapped her on the shoulder, not wanting to spill my seed in her mouth.
She shook her head. “This is about you.” Laila popped my dick out of her mouth and leaned up to kiss me on the lips.
I removed the towel from around her naked body and squeezed her soft melons. “You're gonna drive me crazy.”
“Good. That’s my job,” she said and went back to stroking my dick. Precum seeped out, and she licked across the head. Suddenly, her head bobbed up and down as she gripped me around my thighs and pulled me in tight. She sucked every last drop, and I spilled down her throat, then fell back against the couch. “Feel better?” she asked.
All I could do was nod as my eyes started to drift closed. “Where have you been all my life?”
She smiled and bent down to kiss me on the lips. “Waiting for you,” she responded, lifted herself off the couch, and walked out of the living room. I started to stand, but she came back with a towel and wiped me off. I pulled my pants back up and kissed the top of her forehead. She stood on her tiptoes and lifted her arms around my neck, staring into my eyes. “Whatever’s bothering you, I hope you figure it out.”
“I just did,” I answered and brushed a kiss against her lips and cheek. I stepped out of her arms and went back to the White House.
They may have started this game, but I would be the one to finish it.
Chapter 13: Laila
I OPENED THE DOOR OF my office and dropped the 20 file-folders on my desk. I heard a knock at my door. I glanced up and saw Dr. Broderick, one of the leading therapists at Bayview Medical Center. He was an older gentleman in his late 50s, and he reminded me of my Dad: straightforward and never sugar-coating things.
“Dr. Broderick, what are you doing here?”
“Dr. Daniels, I wanted to talk with you for a moment.”
“Please, have a seat.”
“A few of the doctors here are worried about the privacy of our clients.”
“I’m sorry, what are you talking about?” I questioned. I sat in my chair and leaned forward with my arms on the desk.
“We’ve noticed your relationship with the president all over the media.”
“I’m sorry, but that’s not my fault.”
“Technically, your past is the problem, and we’ve wondered if you're going to address it at some point.”
“Dr. Broderick, I'm going to stop you right there, and let's end this conversation.”
“I didn’t want to do this, but you're impeding the work that we do here.”
“I never asked to be hounded and prodded in the media.”
“You should have thought about that before you slept with the president.”
“I'd like you to leave my office, please.”
“All we ask is that you take into consideration how this is interrupting everyone’s work,” he argued and left.
I flopped down in my chair in a huff and ran a
hand through my hair. “Your past is the problem,” I repeated his words. I opened my phone and called my parents.
“Hi, sweetie,” Mom said.
“Hi,” I answered dryly.
“What’s the matter?”
“I just had a heated conversation with one of the doctors at my job.”
“About what?” she asked.
“I guess they’ve been getting complaints and hearing gossip about me and Sebastian.”
“What does he want you to do about it?”
“I think I'll leave.”
“You’ve been wanting to open your own practice.”
“I know, but what if I’m not good enough to handle the load like that?”
“You’re good at what you do. Remember that and never let someone dictate how you see yourself.”
“I guess you're right.”
“I know I’m right.”
“What are you cooking for dinner?” I asked.
“Pork chops, greens, cabbage, and cheesecake.”
“That sounds amazing.”
“It will be, so if you want to feel better, come to dinner tonight.”
“I wish, but I have too much work to do. Raincheck for next time,” I said and ended the call.
I logged into my bank account and checked over my business expenses, then made a few notes for myself. I wanted to take the leap and put in the research and time. Dr. Broderick was giving me the push that I needed, because he wasn’t just talking about himself. About 10 doctors used Bayview for clients, plus nurses, secretaries, and a handful of cleaning staff. I wondered if anyone had sold me out to the press for a quick buck.
I continued to handle paperwork and see clients for the rest of the day, until I had to head out to meet up with my friends for dinner. Sebastian was having dinner with his father, so I’d stay at my place tonight instead.
Chapter 14: Sebastian
I CALLED MY PARENTS over to hang out today since my time has been limited with distractions from traveling back and forth dealing with political rivals, events at the White House, and keeping things with Laila on track. As time went on, I didn't want her feeling like she was last on my list of priorities. I didn't fight this long to prove that I wanted her in my life and by my side to have her thinking she wasn’t a priority in my life.
My father and I just had dinner, and we were sitting and talking about my plans for Carlton and Delilah. My mother was home and wasn’t up to coming to the residence.
“You want another shot, Pops?” I asked him.
“Sure.”
“What do you think?”
“I think you’re set; just be careful. Carlton is sneaky.”
“I know; that’s why I wanted to run it by you first.”
“He used all his cards up in Congress; there’s no telling how many bridges he burned.”
“Once I take him down, I can breathe a little better.”
“I agree—and maybe settle down and have some grandbabies for your mother,” he joked.
I smirked at his comment. “I’m working on it.”
“Your mother and I are going on vacation for a little while. Everything in the media is getting to her.”
“You need me to prepare everything for you?” I asked.
“No, you’re good, son. Just take care of yourself.”
“Laila doesn’t know about this.”
Don’t keep secrets from her; it never works out for either party.”
“I’ll tell her in due time.”
“Son, if she’s the one for you, then she’ll understand what steps you had to take to protect her.”
I sat back in my chair, thinking over his words as I swirled the glass of liquor in my hand.
“Be honest with me. Do you think I made a mistake with bringing her into my world, I mean this?” I waved my hand around the room.
“What do you mean?”
“We come from different worlds, but I can’t let her go.”
“Then you have your answer. When your mother and I met, I knew I could never see my life without her. I did everything to always keep her in my presence.”
“Like what?”
He sighed, took another sip of his drink.
“I used to purposely forget things like keys, or my wallet, a sweater in her car or place just to talk to her and be around her.” he chuckled with a far-off look in his eye.
“Did she figure out what you were doing?” I questioned.
He shrugged his shoulders.
“Probably, but by that time, I was fully invested in making her my wife.”
“What about other women or men that she dated?”
He grunted, waved off my comment.
“Your mother took my breath away when I first saw her, and no other woman could compare. I’d be damned if I’d let her slip through my fingers.”
“Yeah, I’m the same way with Laila. I had to have her in my life, and seeing Carlton with his arms around her for the first time, triggered something in me.
“Like what?”
“I can’t explain it, but she was meant for me, and no one else could compare. Over time, I’d see her again, and I knew it was fate telling me to make her mine.”
“Then you have your answer.”
We clinked glasses. I drained my scotch, and we continued to discuss Laila and talk over the policies I had in mind to propose to Congress.
Later that evening, after he left, I stayed up in bed, going through paperwork to keep my mind off of my love life and the craziness. By the second paragraph, I needed to hear her voice. I thought about what Dad said about leaving things around my mom to get her attention and remembered how I would call Laila sometimes to talk about random things like her in college and her favorite foods growing up. Just hearing the laugh in her voice or her taunting me when she discussed some random guy asking her out during that time. I always complained that I didn’t want to hear about some motherfucker from her past. But we both knew it was about me needing to keep her on the phone as long as possible because it brought me peace during a hectic day of running the world. She’s my peace.
Chapter 15: Laila
One Month Later
I WAS BACK AT THE OFFICE, filing paperwork and making notes that I needed to type up. I was close to having the money saved up for my own practice, away from Bayview, and soon, I could hire more staff and officially be away from the building’s gossip and drama. Everyone knew my business, and I hated to be the laughingstock of anyone's joke. The low mutters and smirks whenever I walked past were starting to get to me and becoming a distraction. I even found myself limiting my time with my clients.
The Lincoln Town Car pulled up to the back of the mall, and I stepped out, wearing black shades, an off-the-shoulder black jumpsuit, and normal heels. Tony shut the passenger door, and I followed as he opened the door to the mall, and I stepped inside. I felt so out of place, having a security team around me, following everywhere I went. But our relationship had brought out so much interest that people kept wanting to know more about me and my family.
I glanced around at the perfume displays, reaching over and picking up the Ralph Lauren cologne for men. It smelled woodsy, sexy, and outrageously expensive. I peeked over at the price, and it read $55. I picked up the bottle and headed to the register.
“Hello, will this be all?” the cashier asked, picking up the cologne and keying in the price.
“This is it.” I pulled out my credit card and passed it to her. As she bagged my item, my cell phone vibrated, and I saw a text from Cristin.
Cristin: Here in front of Victoria’s Secret.
Me: In the perfume department. Coming soon.
I took the receipt from the cashier, thanked her, and grabbed my bag. When I got to Victoria’s Secret, I saw Cristin on the phone. I approached and reached over to give her a hug.
“What did you get?” she asked.
“Something for a friend,” I said.
“A friend or a man?”
“Wh
at are you getting from here?” I questioned, changing the subject and gesturing to Victoria’s Secret. Tony stood outside the store as we strolled inside. The store wasn’t crowded, so it was easy to talk and maneuver without being interrupted.
Cristin held a dress up to her neck and stared at her reflection in the mirror, checking each angle from left to right.
I lifted the sleeve, checking the price. “It’s cute; get it.” I turned to pick up a pair of t-shirts to sleep in, and a few bras.
Cristin shoved another dress in a different color in front of me. I glanced over and nodded that it was cute, then turned to walk over to the display for a wrap dress. That was when I noticed Carlton and Delilah, standing together and talking. My brows dipped in confusion; I’d never expected that they would know each other.
“What do you think of this?” Cristin asked.
“Take it,” I mumbled, ignoring whatever the question was as I tried to move closer to the front without being seen to hear what Delilah and Carlton were talking about.
Delilah’s hands were waving in Carlton’s face.
“What are you looking at?” Cristin asked.
“Shush,” I said, turning my head and pushing her away, so they wouldn’t catch on.
“Who are you hiding from?” Cristin asked.
“That’s Carlton and Sebastian’s ex, Delilah, talking.”
“Wait—where?” She tried to look around me.
I pushed her head back. “Stop staring.”
“I want to see.” She dipped her head low, pretending to scratch the side of her face. I giggled at her attempt to be incognito. “He stormed off. Oh, shit!”
“What?” I asked. I turned right when Delilah’s hard glare caught us, and she stomped toward us. “I’m not in the mood for her shit,” I said.
Mutual Agreement(A Presidential Romance) Page 10
