“You don’t still do coke now, do you?” she asks quietly.
“No. I barely did it back then. I was just a stupid kid, trying stuff out.”
She blows out a breath. “This is really nuts.”
“The drug stuff or president stuff?”
“President stuff.”
“Things are only as big as you make them.”
She stares up at me. “Your dad holds the access codes to nuclear bombs that could start World War Three. Or quite possibly end our world altogether.”
A chuckle escapes me. “I guess that is kind of big now that you mention it. Although I don’t think he has any plans to use those codes, if that helps.”
“Shut up.”
“So … Double D, are you still coming to Baltimore with me?”
She lets out a soft sigh. “Will you stop calling me Double D if I do?”
“Um …” I pretend to think it over. “No.”
“Figures.”
“But I’ll give you lots of orgasms to make up for it.” I run my knuckles down her cheek and brush my lips over hers.
“How many are we talking?” she whispers.
“So many that you’ll lose count.”
She lets out a sweet breath that I take inside of me. “Guess I’ll have to still come then.”
“Yes, you will.”
twenty-three
Dillon
I walk inside West’s apartment, pulling my smaller suitcase in behind me, him following me with his own case and my larger case. He travels a lot lighter than I do, and it’s a good thing I took a lot of things with me now that I’m having an extended holiday. In America. With West.
I can hardly believe I’m here! Someone, pinch me.
A few weeks ago, I was miserable and heartbroken, heading on my honeymoon alone. And now, I’m in America with a beautiful man who I get to have sex with.
I might also have a teeny-tiny crush on him. But it’ll be fine.
I’ll be fine.
I just need to enjoy this. Him. Here.
When I called Aunt Jenny to tell her, she thought I was winding her up at first, especially when I told her who West’s dad was. When I convinced her that I actually wasn’t, she got all concerned auntie on me. I mean, I’m in a different country with a man I’ve known for two weeks. Even though it feels like I’ve known West for so much longer.
I guess when you spend nearly all day, every day with someone for two weeks, it’s going to feel that way.
It’s like speed-dating on crack. I guess that’s why holiday romances can feel so intense between two people. Maybe that’s why West asked me to come here. He told me that he wasn’t ready to end what we’re doing, but it’s not like he said he wants anything more from me either. Not like that would be a possibility. He lives here, and I live in the UK. Long distance rarely, if ever, lasts. But that’s not what he wants anyway. He’s been clear from the start that relationships aren’t for him.
Anyway, after I reassured Aunt Jenny that West was a trustworthy guy—that being the president’s son, it wasn’t like he was a psycho killer—and I agreed to text her every day to check in and call often as well as give her West’s address, she chilled out and got excited on my behalf about my going to America.
Also, it’s not like I’ll be here forever. We haven’t actually discussed how long I’m staying for, but I figure we’ll just play it by ear.
I guess I’ll go home when we get sick of each other. Not that I imagine ever getting sick of West. But I’m sure I’ll start to drive him nuts after a while, especially as it’s his place I’m staying in and he is used to living alone.
The thought of going back home and not seeing West again causes an ache in my chest, which I squash down.
Focus on the now. The happy. I’m here with him, and everything is fabulous.
Although it was a little bit weird when we arrived at the airport and two Secret Service agents were waiting for us. Well, him. They drove us from the airport to West’s apartment building. I asked West if they just go home now, but he said no. Protection is twenty-four/seven—the guys work on rotation, two at a time—so they’ll hang around.
I didn’t know what hang around meant, and I didn’t bother to ask.
I’m just glad they’re not in the apartment with us because that would be weird.
“Your apartment is gorgeous.” I turn to him, smiling.
“Want the tour?”
“Duh.” I chuckle. “Of course I do.”
“Well, this is the living room, kitchen, and dining room.”
It’s all open plan. I’ve never seen an apartment this big. To be honest, you could fit both floors of my childhood home into this one room. It’s so light and airy with a high ceiling and light wooden floor. There’s a wall of windows with a gorgeous view of the city and glass doors that lead onto a large balcony. There’s a sleek, modern black kitchen with a center island, a dark wood dining table, and cream chairs. The biggest flat screen TV I have ever seen hangs on the wall, and sitting before it are a big U-shaped dark gray sofa with a cream rug and a dark wood coffee table.