Cost of Honor

by Radclyffe

  “Maybe you can sneak her into the room for a midnight visit one of these nights.”

  “Wanna watch?”

  “Uh, no,” Oakes said, laughing.

  Tom Turner walked in and the aimless conversation throughout the room instantly disappeared.

  “Morning, everyone,” he said. He picked up one of the available coffees. “Latte?”

  “With almond milk,” Oakes informed him.

  “Excellent.” He leaned against one of the long tables they’d transported and set up. “Anything from the night shift?”

  The team leader shook her head. “All quiet, chief.”

  “Surveillance?”

  “Nothing out of the ordinary,” Warren said, then added with a totally fake air of uncertainty, “although, maybe something worth noting.”

  Tom’s eyebrows rose. “Such as?”

  “A new arrival, came in last night. We picked him up at the registration desk around midnight.” Again the slight hitch, as if trying to ratchet up the suspense. “Nikolai Rostof. Kind of a coincidence, huh?”

  Every muscle in Oakes’s body tensed. Had Ari known? How could she not? She hadn’t said anything, but then why should she?”

  Beside her, Evyn muttered, “Uh-oh. Warren’s got the scent.”

  “It’s a free country,” Turner said.

  “Yes, sir.” Warren, ever the Rottweiler, wouldn’t let go of the bone. “But his being here at the same time as the president, who’s stumping for the liberal candidate, does kind of feel a little connected, don’t you think?”

  “What I think,” Tom said, “is that it’s our business to know what’s going on in any environment in which the president will be making a personal appearance. Nikolai Rostof is not a person of interest, but I didn’t say we weren’t interested.”

  Warren’s eyes glinted.

  “So we’ll do our jobs and pay attention to who he sees,” Tom said. “But remember, he is, after all, the owner of the largest media network in the civilized world. And the president is news. It’s most likely he’s just here doing his job like the rest of us.”

  “And it’s just coincidence that his daughter is the president’s campaign manager and one of the closest people to him?” Warren said.

  Oakes ground her teeth. This had to come up sooner or later, and as much as she wanted to yank on Warren’s leash and tell her to back off, she couldn’t refute any of the concerns being put forward. Ari had to know her father’s activities would be scrutinized, and as a consequence, hers would be too. This was a battle Ari would have to fight on her own.

  What really had her stomach in a knot was wondering why Ari hadn’t mentioned anything when they’d had coffee less than an hour before.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Atlanta Marriott

  5:05 p.m.

  Just as Ari turned on the shower, a knock sounded on her hotel room door. She frowned. Couldn’t be room service, since she had dinner plans. Must be the maid. Smiling to herself, she wrapped a towel around her torso and padded into the lounge area of her suite.

  “I’m fine,” she called. “I won’t be needing any service tonight. Thank you.”

  “Ari, it’s Oakes.”

  “Oakes?” Ari took a step toward the door and stopped. She was wearing a towel. And they’d agreed to meet at a steakhouse a short walk from the hotel in two hours. So what was Oakes doing there now? “I’m not ready.”

  “Can we talk?”

  “Yes, of course. Wait just a minute.” She hurried into the bathroom, turned off the shower, shed her towel, and pulled on the complimentary hotel robe hanging behind the door. It covered her from neck to knees, and rather than keep Oakes waiting, she belted it securely around her waist. Good enough for a minute or two’s conversation. Oakes must need to change their plans—cancel? Disappointment rolled through her and she pushed it aside. This would happen—they were both busy. As to why Oakes hadn’t just texted—well, at least this was more personal.

  “Just a sec!” Ari released the security chain and opened the door partway, realizing as she did she’d never told Oakes her room number. But of course, anything a Secret Service agent wanted to know, they could find out. The thought was fleetingly disquieting.

  Oakes stood at the threshold, looking uncomfortable, even a little flustered. She still wore the clothes she’d had on that morning. She must’ve just gotten off shift.

  A knot of tension formed in Ari’s chest. This picture was not the one she’d been expecting.

  “Something’s wrong.” She stepped back, giving Oakes room so she could pass her without their bodies touching. A minute or two was not going to be long enough for whatever had brought Oakes unannounced to her door. “Come in. I think I’d better get dressed. Just give me a moment.”

  “I’m sorry about this, I just…” Oakes slid her hands into her pockets and looked over Ari’s shoulder, avoiding eye contact.

  Yes, something was definitely wrong.

  “It’s fine,” Ari said briskly, pulling on her professional armor. Whatever this was, it was more than personal. Unfortunately, mixing the professional with the personal was a bad idea, and she knew that. She’d let her attraction to Oakes, her fascination with her, interfere with her better judgment. In fact, she hadn’t been using any judgment at all. That would need to stop.

  She pulled a clean shirt and a pair of casual khaki pants from her closet and retreated to the bathroom. When she emerged, feeling a little less vulnerable, despite the fact that she was still barefoot and without underwear, Oakes hadn’t budged from the middle of the room.

  Ari indicated the sofa. “Why don’t you sit down.”

  She took the chair facing the sofa.

  “This is awkward,” Oakes said.

  “It doesn’t have to be,” Ari said. “Whatever’s on your mind, just say it. I assure you, whatever the problem, there will be a solution. Is there an issue with the president’s itinerary?”

  “This isn’t about the president,” Oakes said, “not directly at least.”

  “Then this is a personal visit?” That didn’t make any sense to her. What kind of problem could have arisen in less than twelve hours, something serious enough to bring Oakes to her door looking upset? They had a relationship, although without any kind of shape or form at this point. They hadn’t set any ground rules. They hadn’t even had a first date, although somehow that night in the diner had felt like one. She’d revealed more about herself than she had to anyone in a very, very long time. Perhaps that was the problem. Did Oakes want to back off, slow down?

  They’d only kissed, for goodness’ sake. Although she had mentioned wanting to go to bed with her. She might have made assumptions that were inaccurate—not like her, but then nothing about her feelings for Oakes Weaver were typical. Still, there was something between them. Something powerful and innate, instinctive. Undeniable.

  “It’s both. Hell, maybe it’s nothing.” Oakes ran a hand through her hair. “Damn it, I’m usually never at a loss for words.”

  “Is there something about our…seeing each other that’s causing a problem? I wasn’t aware that there was any rule against it. Our responsibilities bring us together, but neither of us answers to the other.” She laughed shortly. “I can’t imagine anyone thinks there’s any undue influence in either direction.”

  “No, and I’m not here…” Oakes blew out a breath. “It’s about your father.”

  Ari stiffened. That was not what she’d been expecting, but why hadn’t she? One thing her father was not, was invisible. Wherever he went, people noticed. “I see. What about him?”

  “He’s here, for one thing.”

  “Yes, he is. In room 2509 on the penthouse floor, but you probably already know that.”

  Oakes winced. “You didn’t mention your meeting with him when we had coffee this morning.”

  “No, I didn’t. I didn’t think it was germane. I still fail to see why it is of concern to you.” Ari crossed her legs and studied Oakes. “Is he
under investigation? Is that what this is about?”

  “If he is, I don’t have any knowledge of it.”

  “Am I?”

  Oakes shook her head. “Again, same answer.”

  “Would you tell me the truth?”

  Oakes flushed. “Yes, I would. I wouldn’t have come here if it compromised an ongoing investigation. I wouldn’t have planned to have dinner with you tonight if that was an issue.”

  “Then why are you here?”

  Oakes paced across the room, stood with her back to Ari, and looked out the window. “Because I couldn’t have dinner with you tonight and go to bed with you tonight without, I don’t know, making sure that our personal and professional lives won’t be at odds.”

  “And this is because I had breakfast with my father.” Ari had had a lifetime of being Nikolai Rostof’s daughter. She’d lost friends because of it—she’d cut people out of her life because they’d only wanted to be close to her to get close to him—and she’d reaped the benefits as well. She’d always been safe. And she’d known, to him, she was special. She hadn’t expected to lose a lover—one she hadn’t even been to bed with yet.

  “With Nikolai Rostof—a powerful man with ties so deep around the world I’m willing to bet you aren’t even aware of them all.”

  “You’re saying,” Ari said from behind Oakes, her tone so cold Oakes’s blood froze, “that you don’t trust me. That you think I’m, what, a spy?”

  Oakes spun around, took in the set of Ari’s stiff shoulders. She was making a mess of this.

  “I’m trying to say I never want you to feel I’m with you for any other reason than our personal feelings. Damn it, Ari. I never expected to want someone as much as I want you.”

  Ari stood and faced her. “You can walk away, Oakes.”

  “Is that what you want me to do?” Oakes winced. The words hit like a gut punch.

  “No,” Ari said swiftly. “It isn’t. But I don’t want to put you in a compromising position. I don’t want anything about us being involved to interfere with your duty or put you under any kind of suspicion.”

  “That’s for me to worry about and for me to deal with,” Oakes said.

  “I don’t want you to doubt whatever we may have.” Ari shook her head. “The president trusts me, or he wouldn’t have put me in this position. You know as well as I do that every investigative agency in this country has looked at my father and me for years. Assuming they are all competent, we couldn’t possibly have been vetted more thoroughly before I even took this job.”

  “There are still some people who wonder about your father,” Oakes said.

  “Are you one of them?”

  “No.”

  “My father made a personal visit this morning,” Ari said, “because I have been intentionally avoiding him since I took this new position. For exactly the reason that brought you over here tonight. He’s my father and I won’t deny him, but I’m trying to keep the personal at a distance from the professional.” She laughed ruefully. “I haven’t done a very good job of that, have I.”

  “You can’t do any more than you’ve done.” Oakes went to her, took her hand. Relief eased some of the knots in her insides when Ari didn’t jerk away. She wouldn’t have blamed her if she had. “I came here to say this one thing—I need you to know that when I’m with you, I’m not reporting to anyone about anything. And I won’t.”

  “I’m not asking you for that promise,” Ari said. “I would never ask you to compromise your ethics, and I certainly would never expect you to skirt a direct order in any way.” Ari put both hands flat against Oakes’s chest. “I believe you. Now believe this. I have never had any knowledge, or even suspicions, that my father has broken a law or engaged in criminal activity.”

  “I believe you.” Oakes met Ari’s gaze, let her look into her own eyes for the truth. “You or your father may come under some additional scrutiny while he’s here, possibly longer. You had to know that.”

  “Yes, I know that.” Ari took a breath. “What will you do if you’re ordered to investigate him? Or to use your association with me to do that?”

  “I’ll refuse.” Oakes had never been more certain in her life.

  “We could stop this right now,” Ari said softly. “Everything would be simpler.”

  “No, it wouldn’t. Not for me.” Oakes gripped the nape of her neck and kissed her. Nothing would be simpler, not now, not after she’d touched her, not after she’d already kissed her. “You’re under my skin, Ari Rostof. Deeper than that. I’m not walking away from you.”

  “I’m so glad.” Ari gripped her shirt, pressed against her, and closed her eyes. After a long moment, she whispered, “I heard they have excellent room service here.” Her voice was throaty, her breasts soft against Oakes’s chest. “I vote for canceling dinner reservations and having room service. A little bit later.”

  Oakes picked her up, provoking a startled half laugh from Ari, and turned toward the king-size bed in the adjoining room. “I like that idea.”

  Ari threaded her arms around Oakes’s neck. “I can’t believe you’re carrying me.”

  “One of the benefits of our training.”

  Oakes walked through to the bedroom and settled Ari on the bed. She leaned over her to unbutton Ari’s shirt, her fingers fumbling the buttons as the soft cotton parted. Ari wasn’t wearing anything under it, and the vision of Ari’s breasts suddenly eclipsed her awareness of every sensation other than the frantic beating of her heart. Oakes swallowed hard. “I really liked the robe, but this is pretty nice too.”

  “I was in a hurry,” Ari said, reaching up to tug Oakes’s shirt out of her trousers.

  “Your breasts are beautiful,” Oakes muttered, scooping her hand beneath Ari’s shirt to cradle one.

  Ari gasped. “Your hands feel so good on my skin.”

  Oakes bent her head and traced a slow circle around the deep rose nipple with her tongue. “May I?”

  “God, yes.” Ari pressed Oakes’s head closer to her breast, her shoulders arching, rubbing her nipple over Oakes’s lips. “Please, yes.”

  Groaning, Oakes drew her in, closing her lips in a gentle vise, teasing her with the tip of her tongue. Ari’s sharp cry of pleasure made her clit pound. Fuck. Heat flared in her center and she desperately wanted to entice Ari to cry out again. She worked another button free and cupped Ari’s other breast, rubbing her nipple with the pad of her thumb.

  Ari hissed and covered Oakes’s hand, squeezing Oakes’s fingers around her breast. “You could make me come like that.”

  “Give me a second, then,” Oakes muttered, pushing Ari’s shirt aside and kissing her opposite breast.

  Ari shoved her back so unexpectedly, Oakes cursed. “Hey!”

  “Not yet.” Ari laughed. “Get naked. Please.”

  Oakes toed off her shoes and shed her clothes, watching Ari watch her as she did. She took her time, enjoying the way Ari’s eyes moved over her body as she stripped off her shirt, pushed down her pants. When Ari ran a finger down the center of her abdomen, she shuddered. Right at that moment, she would have done any damn thing Ari told her to do—as long as she kept looking at her and touching her the way she was.

  “Take your time,” Ari said slowly. “I only get to see you for the first time once. I want plenty of opportunity to take it all in.”

  “This isn’t exactly how I pictured it,” Oakes said.

  “No?” Ari’s smile was slow and sensuous. “Let me guess. You pictured being totally in control, didn’t you?”

  “That’s one way of putting it.”

  Leaning forward, Ari eased her fingers under the waistband of Oakes’s briefs, the backs of her fingers setting fire to Oakes’s skin. “I like disrupting your pictures.”

  “You have a knack for it.”

  “Do I? Mm. I like that too.” Ari swung around until she was sitting on the side of the bed, her shirt parting down the center, her breasts exposed. She kissed Oakes’s middle and rubbed her cheek against he
r.

  Oakes’s skin ignited. Sweat trickled down the back of her neck. She wasn’t shy, but she’d never actually been the object of a woman’s scrutiny before, at least, none that she’d been so aware of. Everywhere that Ari’s gaze slid over her body, her skin tingled. She quickened, nerves and flesh ready to explode. Her thighs trembled so much she was sure Ari could see.

  “I’m pretty much at your command,” she said, her voice sounding as thick and slow and hot as her blood.

  Ari placed her palms on either side of Oakes’s navel and scratched lightly with her nails. The sensation was exquisite and Oakes closed her eyes. Another second and she’d be panting. God, she might even be begging. What the fuck was happening here? Oakes buried her fingers in Ari’s hair. “I could get off just looking down and watching you touch me.”

  Ari tilted her head, smiled again. “In a hurry?”

  “I am now.” Oakes lifted Ari to her feet and pushed her shirt down her arms and off. Pulling her close, she kissed her again, her breasts against Ari’s, her skin hot and tight. Ari’s hand skimmed down her back, under her briefs, and pushed them down. Oakes reached between them and unbuttoned Ari’s pants. “You’re making me a little crazy here.”

  “Something you need?” Ari said, kissing Oakes’s throat.

  “More of you.”

  Ari stepped away and shed the last of her clothing. “You should be careful what you ask for, because I can think of a lot of things I want to do to you.”

  “You’re not gonna get a chance if you keep that up.”

  Laughing, Ari wrapped an arm around Oakes’s waist and tugged her down onto the bed. Off-balance, Oakes nearly tumbled full-length on top of her and just managed to catch herself on her outstretched arms. Her hips settled between Ari’s as naturally as if they’d done this a thousand times before. But they hadn’t, and her flesh knew it. She caught her breath, vision tunneling, and teetered on the edge.