Protecting Freedom

“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.

Chapter Seven

Washington

“The president is landing,” the voice in my ear says, and I give Honor one last kiss.

“We’ve got to go downstairs. Your dad is about to get here and I want to talk to Chad.”

“Okay,” she says as she straightens her spine. She has more courage than I gave her credit for.

Even after everything that’s happened to her she’s still ready to fight of us. For me. My heart swells with pride. She slips on her shoes and we walk hand in hand to our destiny.

When we get to the lower level I greet three secret service agents guarding the door. There are three more inside the room interrogating Chad. I’ll go in, but first I want to see the president and put his fears to rest. Or get ready for the fight of my life.

I would lay down my life to protect Honor, but if the President wants to cause trouble for us he can. He has the power right now to keep us apart, but I’ve known him for a long time. And I know that he’s recently fallen in love with July, so I’m hoping that in some way his heart has been softened.

We walk into the executive wing and to one of the offices the president uses. This time Honor is the one who paces while I go and take a seat on the couch. It’s one thing to be worried about something happening to her, it’s another to be worried I might lose her. The thought makes my legs weak and it becomes hard to breathe. Right now I need to sit down and conserve my energy in case I need to make an escape with her.