Summer Time Sweets by Alexa Riley

Chapter 6

Honor

Isearch my closet for a shirt, but I’m so frantic I can’t find one even though I’m surrounded by them. I stop what I’m doing and close my eyes. I take a deep breath to calm myself down.

“Get it together,” I tell myself.

Too much has just happened. I lost my virginity, Washington told me he loves me, and then we got caught right as he has to run out and chase down a threat. My brain can't slow down.

I should be worried about Washington and not that my dad is going to find out about the two of us, but the fear is one and the same. My eyes begin to water. He’ll take him from me; I know it.

I sniffle as I put on the nightshirt I was wearing and a new pair of panties.

I’ll fight my dad. It’s the only way. I won’t let him stand in the way of Washington and me. And I’m pretty sure Washington won’t stand for it either. I try to reassure myself that it will all be okay.

Being with Washington was the greatest moment of my life. For the first time I felt I was who I was supposed to be. I’m meant to be his. I felt it in the way he touched me, and when his mouth met mine my whole world came alive. I’m not losing that.

When I walk out of my closet I freeze. The air leaves my lungs and I’m unable to scream. Chad is standing there staring right at me, and I’m frozen still, panic rising within me.

“I’ve been looking for you. They don’t keep cameras in this wing of the White House.”

I try to process his words. It’s still hard to believe that Chad is a threat, but the crazy look in his eyes right now is giving me chills.

He takes a step towards me, and thankfully my body listens to my brain and I back up. I realize too late I’m stepping back into my closet and cornering myself with no escape.

“What are you doing, Chad?” I ask, trying to stall. I need time to think. Maybe I can reason with him. He doesn’t have a weapon on him, but I’m not much of a fighter. He’s not as big as Washington, but I’m small. It’s not like I could take him. One hit to my head and I’d probably go down.

“You know I’ve never had a problem getting a girl’s attention.” He looks me over with disgust on his face. “But you. You just wouldn’t take the bait. How many dates did I ask you on?” His eyes narrow.

Did he ask me on a date? I only remember him asking me to get coffee or something and I just ordered some from the kitchen. Why did we need to go out for it? Now I’m seeing that maybe I missed some of his advances.

“I’ve never dated before. I didn’t realize…” I try to reason with him. I don’t have to play dumb here, because I was. I had no idea he was into me.

“It would have made everything so much easier.” He shakes his head and tsks.

“Made what easier?” I try to sound casual, to make it seem as if we are only talking. Maybe he’ll calm down a little if I don’t look as uneasy. Even if my insides are screaming.

“All I needed was some information about your dad.”

“I don’t know his stuff. You think they tell me things?” My dad tries to shelter me from everything he can. Even the stuff that isn’t a big deal.

“I needed information about him and his new girlfriend.”

I didn't see that coming. I’m sure the shock shows on my face. I’m not like Washington. I can’t hide my emotions.

“July?” Is he for real? He wanted to know if my dad was sticking it to his secretary? I can’t wrap my mind around this. I thought this was about finding out some top secret document or something.

“You know how much they were going to pay me for that information? What I could do with that money?” He snaps the words and his anger rises. “Millions! You know what a photo would have gotten me? Do you?”

I’m guessing even more than that, but I keep that to myself. I think the question is probably rhetorical.

“I had everything. I was here and my software was ready to get it. Once I realized you weren't taking the bait I had to figure out how to do it without you. Then your dad suddenly leaves. Fucking leaves. It’s your fucking birthday. He was supposed to be here.” His voice begins to rise, but he checks himself and takes a breath. He must know that if he yells someone will hear us, which makes me wonder if I should scream. How long would it take someone to get here? I don’t know what Chad is capable of in that amount of time.

“But I did get a couple of pictures of you and the agent who was on you today. Those should have hit the news a while ago.” He smirks.

All the blood drains from my face as my heart really starts to pound.

“Is that it? You like them rough around the edges? I can be rough—” He goes to step towards me into the closet, but before he can someone slams into him.

It only takes a second for me to realize that Washington has just body slammed him.

Washington starts wailing on him, hitting him over and over. Two agents run over and try to pull Washington off him, but they can’t. One looks over at me and I’m pretty sure it’s the same one who busted us having sex. He looks at me and I know he’s asking me for some kind of help.

“Washington,” I call out. “I’m scared.”

His head snaps up and his eyes lock on mine. I take a step back from the look on his face. He’s gone completely savage and it makes me think this is what he probably looked like going into war.

He jumps up and Chad groans. Washington gives him a kick as he steps over him, but his eyes never leave me.

“Don’t back away from me,” he warns as he takes a step towards me. Then a whole new energy comes over him and suddenly he’s a predator ready to chase. I’m never going to run from him. Instead I launch myself into his arms.

“I knew you would come,” I say, burying my face in his neck. I kiss the exposed skin there and my mouth moves up his strong jaw and then to his lips.

When his mouth lands on mine, he takes over and the kiss is desperate and possessive. I’m lost in him as my hands run up his chest and I press my body harder against his. It isn’t until someone clears their throat that I remember we aren’t alone.

Washington loosens the grip he has on my ass and I slide down his body. “I told you to get dressed.”

I look down at myself. “I am.” I look down at the nightshirt. “Sort of.” I’m covered up at least, and that’s all that matters.

“Sir,” someone calls, and Washington turns around. I try to look around him, but he only pushes me back behind him. “He’s out cold. We’re going to take him downstairs.”

“I’ll be there soon. I want everyone out of here,” he tells the man. I wrap my arms around him from behind, resting my head on his back. I don’t want him to go anywhere. “I need a change of clothes. Leave them at the door.”

Washington waits a beat before he turns around in my arms. He leans down, cupping my face in his hands. “Are you okay? I’m so sorry. I should have never left your side.”

Regret shows in his eyes. “I’m fine. He didn't touch me.” I slide my hands up his chest and link my arms around his neck.

“I need a shower,” he tells me, and I nod.

He carries me into the bathroom and sits me down on the counter. It’s then I see the blood splattered on his shirt. He strips off his clothes and I marvel at the sight of his body. He still has the bandage over his stomach, but there’s no blood on it this time. I reach out and run my hands over his bare chest.

“Are you okay?” I ask as I trace around the bandage. He keeps picking me up like it’s nothing. I’m surprised it doesn't hurt.

“When I saw him in your room…” He shakes his head. “Everything went red. I wouldn't have stopped if you hadn’t been there.”

“It’s over.” I lean in and kiss his chest.

“Let me shower. Don’t move.”

“I could join you.” I go to scoot off the counter, but he stops me.

“Don’t move. I’m not risking your father walking in on me in the shower with his daughter. This scene right now is bad enough. I can’t have you out of my sight right now, so this will have to do.”

I nod in agreement. The reminder of my dad is a bucket of cold water to my sex drive. Crap. Washington walks into the shower and my eyes are glued to him through the glass.

“He said he released pictures of us,” I call out, and Washington’s eyes meet mine.

He doesn't respond and his non answer is all the answer I need. God, I bet the public is going nuts. And I can’t imagine what my dad must think. Still, I’d rather them focus on me than on my dad and July.

The shower shuts off and Washington steps out. He towels off and helps me down from the counter as if it’s too high for me to jump from. He holds me as we walk out, and I see the blood on my bedroom floor and wall.

“I’ll get it cleaned up.” He kisses the top of my head. “You need more clothes.” He smacks my ass. “I’m going to go grab my own.” He seems less tense, which puts me at ease.

I put on a pair of yoga pants, and Washington doesn’t say anything this time when he sees me. Instead, he walks over to me and picks me up.

“Stop! You’re going to hurt yourself,” I scold him. He goes back into the living room and sits down with me in his lap straddling him.

“It’s fine. I promise. After so long you don’t feel physical pain anymore. You get used to it.”

“I’m not going to lie. I’m glad you aren't doing that kind of work anymore.”

“Looks like I’ve got my hands full now anyway.” He squeezes my ass as I laugh.

“I love this. The two of us right now.” I lean in and kiss him. I never thought I’d have this. He told me he loves me, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted.

“I love it too, sweet pea.”

“That’s the best birthday gift I’ll ever get.”

“Challenge accepted.” He smiles at me.

“I love you too. You know that, right? I’ve—” Before I can finish he leans in and begins kissing me like he can’t stand it a second longer.

Our hands become frantic and I try to pull off his shirt, wanting to be skin on skin, but he releases my mouth with a loud groan.

“Stop, we can’t. This is going to be a fight already. Your dad…” He shakes his head, not knowing what to say next.

I’m breathing heavily. It’s so hard to stop, but I listen to him. I don’t want my dad any madder. I want him to like Washington.

“Don’t let them take you from me,” I whisper. “Please.”

“You saw what happens when someone stands between us.”

“If my dad already got word about us, I’m kind of shocked the agents haven't swarmed in here to take you. Or at least tried to.” I lean my head on his chest, tucking it under his chin.

He rubs my back and we sit there in silence for a while as we enjoy being together—something we’ve never got to do before. God, so much has happened today.

“I hate we didn't get to finish what we started.” I kiss his neck.

“Me too, but tonight is only our beginning.”

“Can I ask you something?” I shift a little, feeling shy. Something has been dancing around in the back of my mind.

“You can always ask me anything, sweet pea. We’ve spent enough years unable to talk to each other.” He gives me a small squeeze and I lean back to look at him.

“Have you ever been serious with a girl before? Said I love you?” I feel my cheeks warm asking him that. I don’t know why, but this is the shyest I’ve ever felt around him in this moment.

“Never. I didn't live a life before where I could have girlfriends. Nor did I ever want one. I didn't want anything else besides you from the moment I saw you.” His words warm me. “I’ve spent the last few years in my job staying alive and biding time until I could have you.” I close my eyes and lay my head back down on his chest.

“I’m yours,” I tell him. He can have all of me.

I don’t know why I needed to hear that, but I did. I think I hate the idea of him being with someone else while he wanted me. I’m glad I wasn't alone in that. We might not have been together physically all these years, but on some level we were.