“We’re good at it in this family. Fighting away the feelings,” she noted. It was true. We grew up in a strict military home. It wasn’t just strict though, it was violent, and as kids we saw more than any kid should see.
Dad would go on these alcohol binges, and in his drunken state he’d slap my mom around like she was worthless. Mom did everything for him until the day he died of a heart attack at forty-nine.
When my sister and I would cry, or anything, he’d tell us crying would amount to nothing. Instead, he showed us how to work out our emotions through anger. He took me to the boxing gym where I would fight my anger away. The funny part, most of the anger was toward him. My sister on the other hand, turned to drugs, and after years of going on and off, she finally told herself it was done. I was proud of her, and ready to take on what I needed to get her, and her children, through.
“You going to tell me what’s wrong?” Erica asked, still waiting. One thing about her, she wasn’t going to back down.
“You my therapist now?” I chuckled as I began to unwrap the tape from my hands.
“If I need to be. Come on Baby Bro, tell me what’s up? I suspect a girl is behind it. You always got the most pent up over girls,” she pointed out as she took a seat on an exercise bench.
Damn, had I really always been that obvious?
I shook my head, but sat down next to her.
“It is a girl.” Erica sounded happy. Dating wasn’t something I did often since my job kept me on the move, but when I did my family always got excited I might finally settle down.
“It is. She’s amazing, kind, intelligent, fiercely independent, and strong.” I could really go on and on about Kaitlyn. The number of adjectives to describe her was astounding.
“But. I know the but is coming,” Erica pointed out.
“But, she’s my subject.”
“President Marshall’s daughter?” Erica asked, her eyes wide. “She broke up with her fiancé last night. You punched him in the face, I saw the video online.”
“Yeah, that happened. Then I took her home and we finally gave in to months of physical attraction.”
“You had sex?” Erica was in awe.
“Yeah. I broke the rules, the codes of conduct specifically state that I cannot have a sexual relationship with my subject. I didn’t care in the moment, but this morning I realized how my actions could ruin my entire career.”
“Okay, stop it. You fucking sound like Dad. Yeah, yeah, your career. But…what about your heart? You obviously care about her. Maybe there is something there. Would you rather be miserable and be her guard, or be the man who holds her heart and makes her smile?” It was funny. I was the one lecturing Erica through the years when she’d relapse, but now she was lecturing me on lessons of love.
“I’d have to resign. What if it doesn’t work out? I’m without my dream job and what?”
“Maybe the two of you can keep it a secret for the time. Don’t jump, just stick your foot in a little bit.” She was making a bit of sense.
“I might not even get that chance,” I confessed.
“Oh no! Evan Christopher Stewards, what did you do?” Erica anxiously grilled me.
“This morning, I told her it was a mistake and left.” I felt stupid as fuck. It was exactly the reason I was down here punching the fuck out of that bag. I’d run away from her and all we could have had. I’d watched Michael break her, and then I did it too.
Erica shook her head at me.
“My brother is a dumbass,” she declared as she threw her hands in the air in defeat. “You’re going to have to come up with something to win her back if you want her. You better hope she is feeling forgiving.”
“Fuck, I don’t even know.”
“Flowers bro, and something she likes. You’ve been around her enough to know what she likes. Ease in and see how forgiving she is.”
“A girl like her, she likely won’t be too forgiving.”
“Then little bro, you’re screwed.” Erica stood and shrugged. “Just cop to being an idiot. Some of us girls like that. We love our men though, but that little bit of weakness you allow to peek through can be fucking sexy. Just sayin’? Loosen up, show her you can be her protector, and a teddy bear who is just as vulnerable as she is.”
Maybe my sister had a point. I wasn’t exactly sure, but I had a couple days off to figure it out. My boss already sent over paperwork to be filled out for punching that asshole in the nose. Fuck, I only hoped I’d broken it.
11
Kaitlyn
I wasn’t quite ready to face the world, but I had to. Monday came way too fast after barricading myself in my house all weekend to avoid the media. Michael had tried to reach out, but I’d ignored every single one of his calls and messages. Even a large bouquet of ‘I’m Sorry’ flowers had arrived at my door. I told my on-duty agents they could split them to take home to their girlfriends or wives.
Jessie and I decided to skip our morning coffee ritual. I’d gotten a heads up our Starbucks was surrounded with reporters. Instead, one of my agents braved Starbucks instead to get me my morning cup of coffee.
When my car arrived at the office, there was a swarm of reporters being held behind a barrier. I took a deep breath as the door was opened and exited the car with my bag and coffee in hand. I knew the drill — I’d been through the waves of media circuses before. Keeping forward, I didn’t give them a second look as I confidently strolled with my secret service guard, Colin, behind me.
My strides were long, yet sharp. Nothing about me was left to interpretation. I kept the determination on my face and didn’t give them a chance to see any of the pieces of my twice broken heart.
Once inside, I allowed the breath I’d held in, out. I stood in line with multiple sets of eyes on me as I went through security, just as everyone else did.
I knew what they were thinking. Some were thinking: “That poor girl,” while others smirked, “She had it coming.” I knew I’d been there before, knowing the thoughts of the gossip mill, but this time it was me, and as much as I liked to be the center of attention, this wasn’t the time for that.
Trish had even sent me a text telling me I could stay home if I needed some time off. No, I didn’t need time off. I needed to work. I wasn’t trippin’ on Michael. My head and heart were wrapped up in Evan.
The “Good Mornings” I received were quiet and less enthusiastic than normal. Nobody knew how to confront me. Even Trish’s Chief of Staff, that bitch Natalie, didn’t have much to say.
I was grateful for the silence of my office. There were no eyes watching me and no whispers. It was pure and simple silence in my little bubble. I’d asked this morning when Evan would be back after his weekend off. I didn’t know how to face him. I’d been some sort of floozy, throwing myself into his arms and sleeping with him as soon as I was free.
The connection I felt with him was unexplainable, but maybe he hadn’t felt it too. Maybe I just was imagining something that really wasn’t there. Was I a delusional idiot? It wouldn’t be the first time...obviously.
I sighed.
“Fuck,” I grunted as the remnants of my emotions began welling up again. I took a breath. Yeah, my heart was broken, but I wasn’t about to cry again. I was a badass woman who would move on. At least that was what I kept telling myself.
I set my focus on answering my work emails. It would give me a moment to myself before I had to actually deal with people.
A good thirty minutes passed easily before a knock came at my door. I let out an annoyed huff before giving the asshole at my door the time of day.
“Come in!” I called irritated. It wasn’t their fault I was irritated. I knew that, but it still worked its way into the tone of my voice.
The door opened and closed quickly before I glanced up from my monitor and into a set of eyes I hadn’t anticipated— Evan’s. The deep blue pierced mine, making my heart stop. I wasn’t ready to face him. Not just yet.
“Evan,” I said softly, before
I remembered who I was. I was powerful, and no amount of heartbreak was going to steal that power. “What can I do for you?” Every bit of strength I had in me was being thrown into my words. I wouldn’t be phased. I was a force. He, and everyone else, would know it.
“How are you?” He took a step in the direction of my desk, pausing uncertainly. I groaned in frustration. I didn’t need him pussyfooting around.
“You either want to say something to me or you don’t. I don’t have time for pleasantries. As you can see Agent Stewards, I have work to do. Can you make whatever you have to do quick? Or you can get back to guarding my office from the boogeyman.” I spat my words while my heart beat as fast as the ‘Flight of the Bumblebee’ in my chest. His mere presence sent me into a panic I wouldn’t allow him to see.
Evan smirked. It was as if he knew my game and wouldn’t be playing by the rules.
“Well then, Ms. Marshall.” His demeanor changed as he stepped directly in front of my desk, pressed his hands to it and stared directly into my eyes. “I’m here to tell you I was a dick. The biggest dick there ever was, and I’m sorry. Is that to the point enough for you?”
“Pretty damn close,” My heart smiled, but I kept my face neutral as we tangoed. “You’re an ass, you know that?”
“Yeah, I had some help figuring that out.” He stood and walked around my desk. “Kaitlyn, I felt like I took advantage of you after what had already happened and–”
“You didn’t. I swear it. Evan, I’ve been attracted to you for months, but I was engaged. I was finally free and went with what I felt, but then you left like it was just some drive-by. Like it didn’t amount to shit for you. You fucking hurt me.”
“I know and I’m so fucking sorry.” I could see the hurt in his eyes, but I didn’t want to forgive him yet. I couldn’t make it that easy. Could I? He took a deep breath. “I didn’t want to be the bad guy.”
“But you are.”
“I know.”
He bent his knees to be at my level. His eyes bore into mine and his hands took my face between them. I’d missed his touch. My body and heart were telling me to give in, but my head was another story. It was telling me giving in would show weakness, and I wasn’t one to be weak.
“You do something to me, Kaitlyn. I was taught to fight away emotions because they made you weak. I can’t keep fighting them away. I want to be weak with you, but I’m too damn scared of what that will mean for my life and job. You bring a lot with you, but fuck, I feel like… No, I know I’m ready to help you carry your baggage.” Never had a man made a confession like that to me.
“I want to be weak with you too,” I whispered.
He kissed me hard, unrelenting, and full of need. Raw. My hands gripped at the lapels of his suit jacket as I pulled him in closer. I needed him because he filled me in ways that Michael had never done; even after more than two years together. In mere moments, I was full of Evan.
“But–your–job?” I barely managed to sputter between sweet kisses. He trailed kisses down my neck as I leaned back in my chair. My breath hitched as his hand ventured under my skirt. “Evan, seriously.”
I nudged him away and peered directly into his eyes. I wanted him to love me. I saw it in his eyes, I knew he wanted to love me too, but there was one thing holding him back.
“I’m thinking right now we keep quiet. I’ll work something out. Somehow, I will make it so we can be together, and if we have to hide it for a bit then we will. But, only if it is okay with you?” He was making sense. I didn’t need a new —and very public— relationship directly after my breakup with Michael, and I didn’t want Evan to lose something he loved for me.
“Okay,” I said, content with his plan. I only wanted Evan, and if I had to have him in silence, I would.
“You know what I’d love to do right now?” Evan began to lean into me.
“What?”
“I’d love to fuck you right here in this office,” I saw the lust in his eyes as I peered through my long eyelashes and bit down hard on my bottom lip.
I couldn’t even begin to tell him how many days I’d daydreamed about him walking into my office and having his way with me. My cheeks warmed and I glanced away at the reminder of my deviant thoughts.
Evan chuckled at my bashfulness. Being bashful wasn’t in my nature, so instead, I countered it by standing. I swayed my hips as I stepped toward the door. I clicked the lock as soon as I reached it. Nobody was coming in.
I sashayed back to my desk, making sure I kept Evan’s eyes on me. I reached up behind my head, took the clip that held my hair neatly back, and let it loose, allowing my hair to fall down my back. My sweater slipped from my arms and I discarded it on a chair in front of my desk.
Rounding my desk, I stepped toward Evan and took his tie in my hands. I inched the fabric through my fingers and drew him closer to me. I allowed his lips to hover over mine.
“Is this what you wanted, Agent Stewards?” I asked my voice low and filled with heat. My lips brushed his before I took a couple steps back, bringing him with me.
Moving the keyboard out of my way, I sat on the edge of my desk, hiked my skirt up, and spread my legs.
“Tell me, is this what you wanted? To fuck me right here.”
I was heated beyond reason and it felt so good, inviting, and right. My hand slipped over the bulge in Evan’s pants, before I made lightening quick work of his belt. I’d had him in me before and I needed it again.
Evan reached under my skirt and grabbed my panties. He ripped them down my legs before he pressed the palms of his hands against my thighs and spread my legs wider.
“Are you wet?” his husky voice driving me just that much wilder.
“Yes,” I hissed as his fingers went in search of his answer. He slid one finger inside deep and with a quick come-hither motion nearly had me falling apart. I closed my eyes for a moment to regain control of my breathing and keep any noises from escaping me.
“Kait, I’m pretty sure you don’t have condoms in your office,” he pointed out.
“It’s fine,” I breathed, needy. “Birth control.”
“Thank God,” Evan proclaimed, though I didn’t think God would be too happy with us screwing in the office of a United States Congresswoman. I held in a snicker that was quickly replaced with a moan when Evan removed his finger, leaving me whimpering for his touch.
His finger was soon replaced by his dick, which was rock hard for me, and me alone. My legs wrapped around him as I brought him in closer. He rocked into me, his hands grabbed my ass for support. I wanted to scream his name, call him Daddy–the whole nine yards. Instead, I worked to keep my silence in the immense pleasure he was giving me.
I leaned my body into Evan’s. My lips pressed against his neck, leaving feather light kisses behind before he hit the spot. I tried to suppress it, but a yelp escaped my lips and echoed through my office.
My teeth found his neck and I bit down to keep from crying out again as my orgasm hit. My eyes were shut tight and I was seeing stars as Evan continued to pummel me. I was going to die a happy girl as an aftershock blew through me.
“Fuck,” I hissed through gritted teeth before Evan stilled.
“Kaitlyn,” he whispered in my ear over and over again as he came.
A moment later, he allowed me to move as he grabbed a tissue from the box on my desk. He covered his leaking cock with one before handing one to me to clean up my own mess.
“That was the hottest thing I’ve ever done,” I breathed as I continued to sit on my desk. I needed a few more moments before I could move. “Evan.”
“Hmm.”
“When did you first know?” I asked.
“Know what?”
“Know you wanted me and this?” I was anxious to know.
“The first time I was introduced to you in the White House. I didn’t know what it was, but you meant more to me than anyone I’d ever had the privilege of guarding. You?” He pulled up his pants. I took my panties and slid them up my l
egs as I hopped off my desk.
“That same day. I remember feeling so guilty because of Michael. Turns out I shouldn't have felt too guilty.” I shook my head as I thought of my failed relationship.
“I’m glad I have you now,” Evan pulled me close and planted a kiss on my lips.
“I’m glad too.” I grinned up at him. “So very glad.”
12
Kaitlyn
I turned over in bed and pulled myself closer to Evan. We’d practically barricaded ourselves in my bedroom. The scent of our love making floated through the air as I laid my head on his chest. Nothing was going to ruin the moments I shared with him. Absolutely nothing.
After three weeks together, I’d never been happier. Evan was the man I was meant to be with. We could talk about almost everything with no shame. Even politics weren’t off limits and we had the best intellectual conversations.
The only roadblock was our secret. I wanted to scream from the mountaintops how happy I was, but that would cost Evan his livelihood. He was the breadwinner for not just himself, but his sister and her children; I couldn’t do that to him. I cared for him too much to see him lose his career.
“I wish you didn’t have to leave,” I whined as I trailed my fingers down his chest.
“I’ll be back later. It’s just Chrissy’s first ballet recital and I have to go. That little girl will kill me if I don’t go.” I grinned at my boyfriend. He was such a good man. I loved the stories he told me about his nieces and nephews.
“Yeah, you better go. I don’t need you dead at the hands of a toddler,” I joked, leaving a kiss on his chest.
Evan pulled me up, bringing me face to face with him. He grinned before pulling my lips to his and kissed me with so much passion I damn near needed him again.
“What will you do while I’m gone?” he asked before he sat up.
Seduction in a Suit: An Office Romance Collection Page 62
