“It depends on what the political atmosphere is like. After my reelection it will be time to start preparing for your mom’s reelection campaign to start and we’ll both be very busy.”
“Is there going to be a right time?” I felt defeated. It was like Michael was already putting it off.
“Baby, we’ll figure it out,” Michael insisted. “And you’ll be my wife. I promise you that. I didn’t put that ring on your finger for nothing.”
I sighed. “What are you doing this weekend?”
“Why do you ask?” Michael seemed curious.
“We can go to Vegas. Elope and call it a day.” I thought my idea was a fairly decent one with no frills. Just getting it done.
Michael chuckled at my suggestion. “Baby girl, you’re jumping ahead. It’s going to happen and it will be beautiful. Plus, I know your parents want you to do something big. Can you imagine taking away your mom’s chance to go dress shopping with you?”
He had something. My parents wouldn’t be happy, and my mom would cry for days knowing she never got to do all the traditional things with me.
“You’re right.”
He continued to caress my leg as we sat in near silence. I continued to eat while Michael kept me close. I loved him so much, and I did want the perfect day with him, but dammit I just wanted to marry him already.
Michael started to eat the food I’d brought for him when there was a knock at the door. His annoying chief of staff was there to inform him of another damned meeting.
“Sorry Kait, I’ll see you tonight though,” Michael said as I stood from his lap and closed my container of food. I watched as Michael went to a mirror that hung in his office. He ran a brush over his hair and checked out his face and teeth.
I gathered all my things, but before I could leave his office, Michael pulled me in close for a farewell kiss. It was deep and slow, just enough to keep me hanging until I saw him again.
“Love you,” I whispered as my lips brushed over his thick ones. I kissed him quickly before giving him a wave and leaving his office behind.
I froze in my steps.
To my surprise, my secret service detail had changed shifts on me and there was the man I couldn’t get off my mind, Evan. He looked considerably refreshed from the last time I had seen him.
“Evan.” It was the only thing I could say as Michael’s next appointment passed me and entered his office, closing the door behind them.
“Kaitlyn, how are you?” His voice was formal, as it should be. At least I didn’t have to remind him I was human.
“Good. We’re heading back to my office,” I told him as I started walking. I refused to look like a loser while standing around Michael’s employees.
Holding my head high, I passed Evan by. He was quick to open the door for me and I slipped from the busy office into the hall of Michael’s building. It was quiet except for the clicking of my high feels. I swayed my hips as I walked. A shiver ran down my spine at the feeling of Evan’s eyes piercing through me. I reveled in the fantasy of being his prey.
4
Evan
Damn, keeping my eyes off her round backside was a challenge. I almost felt like she knew what she was doing to me. She was moving her hips to hypnotize me and I was getting very sleepy.
Breaking the spell, I focused on my job. Kaitlyn was my responsibility and I wouldn’t fuck up. I took pride in my job and even though my assignment wasn’t the one I wanted, I was going to do it to the best of my ability.
“Hey girl!” Kaitlyn was answering her cell phone as she continued up the hall. I kept an eye out on our surroundings all while listening to her chat away with a friend. “I’m heading back to my office. Just left Michael. Oh shut-up, we don’t do that.”
She began to laugh and the sound was infectious. I was completely enamored with the way her jubilant giggles filled the air. We exited the building into the frigid air.
My head shot up at the quickening sound of shoes. It was the sound of running and I glanced up to see a young blonde woman sprinting in our direction. In a single stride I was in front of Kaitlyn and I had apprehended the young woman in a single grab. I pushed her to the ground and took her hands into my possession behind her back.
“What the hell are you doing?” Kaitlyn shouted over the blonde’s cries.
“Control, I’ve apprehended a threat to subject between Ms. Marshall’s building and the building of Mr. Ford. I’m requesting backup,” I called out into my mic for those on my team.
“Get off her,” Kaitlyn demanded.
“This woman was a direct threat.”
“This woman is my fucking assistant,” Kaitlyn growled and I instantly froze. Looking down at the woman I got a clearer look at her face, it was in fact the young woman I’d seen a photo of when familiarizing myself with those Kaitlyn spent the most time with. “Let her up and call off your backup.”
Releasing the woman’s hands, I rose from the ground and held out a hand to help her up. She took it and I pulled her to her unsteady feet. She had black streaks running down her face from the tears running through her mascara.
“God, why would you do that?” Kaitlyn spat as she began to straighten up her assistant’s clothing and used a tissue to wipe the tears from her face.
“Backup, stand down. Stand down,” I announced to those on the way to aid me. My first fuck up only a day into my new position. “I’m very sorry,” I said to the young woman whom Kaitlyn was comforting.
“Nina, are you okay?” Kaitlyn asked the poor whimpering girl, who sniffed and nodded.
“I was coming...because...there’s an... emergency in Baltimore.” Nina tried to regain her composure. “Trisha’s assistant has gone to her house to get her some things. Natalie is also getting ready to head out there and I ran off to get you. There was a gas explosion and fire at an office complex. The official death toll isn’t in, but it’s predicted to be quite high.”
My eyes scanned Kaitlyn’s face as she worked to come up with her plan. She barely flinched. She reminded me a lot of her mother who was someone able to make quick and precise decisions as Governor of California.
“I need to go home and pack a bag. I will return here to meet the car for the trip,” she announced to her assistant as well as me. “And you.” She turned to me. Her finger was outstretched as she approached me. “Keep your distance. I don’t need you making anything worse. You’ve already attacked Nina and I’m sick of you following too close. Let me live my fucking life.”
I knew apologizing would be a good move, but at the same time I knew it wouldn’t be helpful at all. Kaitlyn was furious. I could see it in her eyes. I gave her a nod.
Twenty-four hours in and the job was already taking an interesting turn. I walked off behind Kaitlyn while I made a call into control to get me in contact with the capital police officers that were in charge of the Congresswoman’s security. We would have to coordinate for the trip.
That fire had been far worse than originally thought. With the high heat of the fire, after our hour drive to Baltimore, the series of buildings was reduced to pure ashes. The fire was no longer actively burning, but the ashes smoldered so hot no one was allowed too close to the scene.
Kaitlyn accompanied the congresswoman as close to the site as possible as well as to meetings with the mayor and other city representatives. I wanted to hold Kaitlyn close the moment we got the approximate death toll of sixty-seven. I watched as she froze in time and her emotions were raw.
“Kaitlyn,” Congresswoman Trisha Villetti began through her own emotions she was still processing. “Can you write me a statement? I’d like to make a joint statement with the mayor and address the people of this district, this city, and the families of those lost, and injured.”
“Yes,” Kaitlyn answered quickly as she opened her laptop in the small office they were permitted to use at the city hall.
“I have a meeting with the first responders, I’m also going to visit those in the hospital, and after we will
have the press conference. I will call you if I think of anything special to include,” Trisha told Kaitlyn who nodded. She was already hard at work. I admired Kaitlyn’s strength and how she could work through such trauma.
The room emptied out and I was left alone with Kaitlyn who was working to form the perfect statement for the congresswoman. I watched as she worked. She sucked on her bottom lip as she typed. She would pause for a moment before she was back at it again.
The silence hung in the room for nearly fifteen minutes before she spoke.
“I hate these statements. I hate knowing someone lost a loved one. I could never imagine their pain, and trying to give them the right words. It’s hard.” She sat back in her chair and her head finally looked up. Wet mascara left stains down her face. She needed affection and reassurance.
I’d been instructed by Kaitlyn to keep my distance and I’d done so. My job was done, but I did what I could to not irritate Kaitlyn. Her hands went to her face and her soft cries quickly became sobs. I couldn’t keep my distance any longer and I sprinted across the room to the crying beauty.
My arms pulled her to my chest as she continued to let out her sympathetic emotions. I’d worked in DC for many years, and I’d worked under people who lacked any sort of empathy. Kaitlyn was the pure opposite with her emotions running over for people she’d never met.
“Shh, I’ve got you,” I whispered onto her hair to calm her as I ran my hand along her back.
Peering up at me, she gave me a soft smile of thanks. I used my fingers to wipe her tears away. The smoothness of her skin enticed me as I ran my fingers down her face and brought her near to me. My thumb slipped over her deliciously plump lips I could only imagine kissing and claiming in my dreams. I pulled her in closer just for the chance of tasting her.
The door to the office opened and Kaitlyn flung herself away from me. President Marshall stood in the door. Her eyes went from Kaitlyn to myself and a smile came to her lips. It was as if she knew what was about to happen between her daughter and myself. I’d known her only a day, and I was allowing her to jeopardize my job and livelihood.
What was wrong with me? Everything, but nothing.
“Mom,” Kaitlyn stood from her chair. You could physically feel the power as the President entered the room. I’d known the feeling of that power before, through my job, but it was so much stronger with Tracy Marshall. She was a powerful leader, and she portrayed it in the way she walked, and in the way she talked.
“I heard you were here writing a statement for the press conference,” Tracy remarked as she stepped in our direction. Respectfully, I moved out of her way and allowed her to step toward Kaitlyn’s computer. “May I?”
“Yeah, go ahead,” Kaitlyn offered.
I stole a glance at Kaitlyn, who stood biting her bottom lip as her mother read over the statement she’d written for the congresswoman. She shifted on her feet. She was honestly beautiful and that beauty scared me.
“This is the most beautiful thing I’ve read. Kaitlyn, this is perfection. My speech is chicken scratch compared to this symphony of words of comfort and sympathy.” Tracy was obviously in awe of her young daughter. “If I wasn’t trying so hard to distance my administration from the past one, I would give you a job right now in the White House. I think I raised a perfectly empathetic woman.”
“Coming from the President that is high praise, but coming from my mother–I feel incredibly accomplished,” Kaitlyn gushed proudly at her work. I saw the tears that sparked in the corner of her eyes. She turned to me and beamed. I gave her a smile back. I watched as her eyes fluttered away and her cheeks tinged ever so slightly.
And I knew then, she felt it too.
5
Kaitlyn
March had just arrived and I tried to avoid him as best I could. However, avoiding the person who was completely in charge of your safety was a difficult feat. Every time I saw Evan, I ached for everything I wanted from him and everything I knew he wanted to give me. I saw it in his eyes. No matter how strong those feelings were for either of us the fact remained, I was engaged and faithful.
Michael was out of town. He was back in California and I wished I could join him. The winter was coming to an end but it still raged on. The newest proof? A thick layer of snow on the ground.
My boots crunched as I exited the SUV. Though my mom was the leader of the free world, she still kept family traditions. These traditions included family dinners as often as we could make them happen. Mom had one rule, at least one Sunday a month we sat down for a family dinner .
I sprinted out of the cold and into the warmth. It would never get old, the awe of stepping into the home of the most powerful leader in the world, knowing she was my very own mother.
I took one last fleeting look at the SUV I’d disembarked. Evan stood chatting with his fellow members of the Secret Service. It was a night he was on duty. I thanked God Michael wasn’t around to see me squirm at Evan’s presence.
That one near kiss had put me on red alert. I tried to suppress how he made me feel, but the more I tried, the worse it got. My feelings had never been that strong for any man, not even Michael, and I considered him the love of my life.
“May I take your coat, Ms. Marshall?” I welcomed the sight of a familiar face greeting me once again.
“Yes. Thank you, Cassandra,” I smiled warmly at the woman I’d known for many years. She was a single mother who was paying her son’s way through college. She had worked in the California Governor's mansion and Mom brought her along to DC.
“No Michael tonight?” she looked around as I removed my thick winter coat.
“No, he’s back in California for a few days,” Michael was part of my family and would often join me for family dinners.
“I bet that’s nice for him. I’m tired of this cold.”
“You and me both.”
With a final thanks to Cassandra, I weaved through the beautiful halls. Everything was meticulously placed and kept in perfect condition. You’d never know many of the items and paintings were hundreds of years old.
When I entered the main residence, I could already hear Dad’s infectious laughter. He was strict, but he was also just as fun.
“What’s so funny?” I entered the dining room where everyone was already seated and waiting for me.
“Hi there, Bunny,” my dad used his silly nickname for me. “Wait, where’s Michael?”
“Still in California,” I made my way to his chair and he pulled me into a bear hug.
Once Dad let me go, I made my way to Mom, who gave me a dainty hug. She looked exhausted. It wasn’t hard to see how the presidency affected her physically. Her wrinkles looked more prominent, especially along her forehead. The specks of gray in her hair had become full streaks.
“I spent a week in France and the most asked question was about this wedding of yours,” Mom mentioned coyly.
“And what did you tell them?” I walked around to my little sister who was sitting with her cell phone, texting away. I ruffled her hair with my fingers playfully.
“Stop! I just got it done,” Kandace whined. I stuck my tongue at the teenager, who only rolled her eyes. She was definitely growing up, and no longer my little kid sister whom I could pick on.
I sat down in my normal seat and a glass of wine was placed in front of me. The staff knew me well. Though it was the weekend, I had so much work to do I spent my time holed up in my house.
“I told them you and Michael were working on the perfect date and any questions regarding my adult daughter and her fiancé should be directed to them.” Mom was no nonsense, she’d always been that way, and no buffoonery was going to get in the way of her job.
“And it’s true,” I stated.
“Have you and Michael pinned down a date?” Dad asked.
“No, I keep trying to talk to him about it, but he has all these plans. I have plans too and they involve being his wife. He’s been frustrating about it. It’s almost like he wants to put it off as l
ong as possible.” Michael had been frustrating me about wanting to get married sooner rather than later. “I don’t even know why he proposed so soon then.”
“Maybe it’s time to reassess what about the relationship is important to you.” Mom was thinking diplomatically. I was thinking about my heart.
A bowl of pasta was sat in front of me. It was just what I needed— comfort food.
“I love him, and I know he loves me. He just seems to love his politics more than me sometimes,” I sighed as I twirled my pasta onto my fork.
“Talk to him about it when he gets back. He just might be nervous,” Mom offered. Maybe he was. I didn’t know and couldn’t read his mind.
We ate dinner and talked about current events. Mom’s schedule was busy and there was a good chance I wouldn’t see her for a couple weeks. As stressed as she was, I saw how happy she was, too. Mom had achieved her dreams and it showed in everything she did.
I sat on the floor of the residence’s living room with a cup of hot chocolate. I was dreading heading back out into the cold to go home. Dad had turned on a movie and we sat around watching together. It was funny, doing normal family things when the rest of the world would assume otherwise. I took the last sip of my cocoa.
“I guess I have to go home,” I whined as I sat my empty mug on the coffee table.
“I’ll walk with you,” Mom offered.
I gave my dad and Kandace hugs before Mom and I left the residence behind. We strolled in almost silence.
“You know, some nights I just wander the halls. It still amazes me I’m here and I don’t want to take a moment of it for granted,” I turned to see a huge smile on her face. “How has it been for you? I know Kandace is having her ups and downs.”
“Same as Kandace, mostly positive though. Taking every day one at a time. I’m a little annoyed with the constant surveillance with the secret service. I’m never alone really,” I confessed.
Seduction in a Suit: An Office Romance Collection Page 58
