I’ve never had a baby, but I imagine this is how it feels to place your own child in the care of strangers.

“Yeah, Kayla. That’s how it’s going to be for the next year,” I say, placing my phone on speaker as I bring a bottle of Pinot Noir and a glass to the living room. I sit down on the couch and pour myself a glass as Kayla replies.

“Are you sure? We never run things without you…” she says, and I notice the apprehension in her voice.

“I trust you. You’ll do fine,” I reply, although I feel my heart tightening inside my chest. My company has been my baby for so long, and it hurts to let go of it. Still, there’s no way around. It needs to be done and, besides, I’m leaving my most experienced operative in charge.

Kayla Combs came on board during my first months of operation, and she quickly became my right hand. Older than me by a few years, she’s in her early thirties now, she brought some experience to the table when it came to handling business. While I focused on getting shit done in the field, Kayla handled everything else while, at the same time, she provided live support whenever I needed her to. More than that, she also took to the field a few times, and she did great. If there’s anyone I trust to run things in my absence, it's Kayla.

“I sure hope so,” she sighs. “I did as you told me to. I cleaned all records of your involvement with the company, so hopefully nothing will lead back to you. The press will be digging for dirt, but I think we did a good job in covering our tracks.”

“Good. One less headache.” Raising the glass, I swirl the wine around and then take a sip, the strong flavor of oak and morning rain embracing my taste buds.

“But … I gotta ask. Are you sure of this…? I mean, he’s the President. That kind of title comes with some baggage.”

“I know, Kayla,” I sigh. “But this is too good of a chance to pass.” $50 million, a $20 million bonus, plus a diamond ring worth more than a few thousand? Yeah, that’s the definition of a chance too good to pass.

“Got it, boss. Alright … there’s nothing left but to wish you good luck. I’ll do my best to keep things running smoothly while you’re gone.”

“Thanks, Kayla. Best of luck to you too,” I finish, and then shut down my phone and lean back against the couch. I’ve finally tied up all loose ends with my operatives, and I’m ready to fully devote myself to this new mission. Which, truth be told, should be easier than anything else I’ve done; I mean, all I gotta do is pretend I’m head over heels with a guy. I don’t even have to bother with seducing him. It’s all for show.

I rest my phone on top of the coffee table but, the moment I do it, it starts to buzz again. Laying my already empty glass of wine by its side, I pick it up and read Tracy’s name on the screen.

“Hey,” I say, putting the phone against my ear.

“Hi, Ashley. I’m calling you to let you know that the President is taking you to dinner tonight. It’s going to be your first public appearance as a couple, so make sure that you’re ready to dazzle the press.”

“Oh, don’t worry. I’m always ready to dazzle,” I tell her.

“I sure hope so,” she chuckles. “We’re counting on you,” she finishes off and then ends the call.

Stretching, I go up to my feet and yawn lazily. I was looking forward to a quiet evening, but what is a girl to do? I guess you don’t get to earn millions of dollars by sitting on your ass.

I put the cork back on the bottle of Pinot Noir and then head toward my bedroom. My eyes fall over the engagement ring, sitting on the nightstand. God, that thing is ugly; it’s too large and too obvious. It just isn’t my style, not at all. But whatever, it’s not like I’ll have to wear that thing for too long.

If I’m not mistaken, Austin isn’t going to last one single month. Even if he impressed me with his little speech this afternoon, I know that it’s all a facade. He’s no different from any other man in DC, and I’ll be surprised if he lasts more than a month without ‘cheating’ on me. Not that I care; it’ll just make it easier for me to earn my money.

“Alright, let’s get ready,” I whisper to myself as I undress, throwing my dress and underwear on top of the bed. I step inside the bathroom and turn the water on; I test it with the back of my hand and, once it’s warm enough, I step inside the shower stall and throw my head back. I close my eyes and run my fingers through my hair as the warm water caresses my naked body, my muscles relaxing from the day’s stress.

I sure would prefer to have a date with my bottle of Pinot Noir this evening, but I guess I’ve got to try and be optimistic about the whole thing: as much of an asshole as Austin might be, at least he’s good looking. Some of my previous marks were men that I’d classify as an eyesore, so I’ll take Austin as an improvement.

Okay, sure, to say he’s an improvement is putting it lightly. Austin is probably the most handsome man I’ve ever met. To think that he holds the most powerful office in this country (and on this planet) is almost unbelievable; I mean, he’d look good playing the President on some Hollywood movie, but c’mon! How does a man like him end up leading this country?

I can’t say I’m surprised he has such a reputation. Powerful and handsome, he must turn all women’s panties into a wet mess whenever he enters a room. I know it because it happened to me. What? Don’t act all judgmental on me. Just because I don’t appreciate politicians, that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate their bodies. And Austin has exactly the kind of body I like to appreciate…

God, just thinking of it is enough to make me feel all tingly. Chomping on my lower lip, I place my hands over my breasts and give them a squeeze, feeling my nipples harden against the palm of my hands. I let one hand slide down and over my stomach, and then I hold my breath as I reach for my clit with two fingers. I press down on it, and electricity shoots up my spine as I do it.

I wonder how Austin looks under those tailored suits of his … I can already imagine cords of muscles moving under his arms and shoulders, his strong chest topping a wall of abs as hard as stone … I bet he has the kind of abs that women just can’t resist licking. And more than that, I bet he’s also hiding something pretty impressive between his legs. How do I know? Well, it’s just a woman’s guess.

I start rubbing my clit harder now, images of Austin’s naked body dancing behind my shut eyelids. Hmm, if he were here with me right now … I wouldn’t mind that, not at all. I can almost feel his hands running down my back as he soaps up my body, his cock growing harder as he presses his body against mine.

“Mm…” I moan softly, moving my two fingers fast and allowing pleasure to invade my bloodstream. Taking my other hand down to my pussy, I spread my inner folds wide and then slide my index finger inside my wetness. I let out another moan, and I feel my eyes rolling in their orbits as ecstasy builds up inside my body, ready to blow up anytime now.

Still with my eyes closed, I imagine that the warm water falling over my naked body is Austin’s embrace, and it’s like I can almost feel his hard cock pressed between my ass cheeks, desire making it pulse and throb almost too viciously.

Thinking of his cock does it for me.

I grit my teeth and hiss through them as an orgasm explodes inside me, unleashing a column of fire up my spine. I keep frozen in place as pleasure makes my muscles twitch and, only when pleasure has washed over me, do I finally take my hands out of my pussy.

“God,” I exhale, finally opening up my eyes and taking a deep breath. I can’t believe I just masturbated while thinking of Austin. I must be going crazy.

I finish washing up in a hurry and then step out of the shower wrapped in a large cotton towel. Tiptoeing into my closet, I look at all the dresses hanging from the rack and pick one that I think will fit the moment perfectly: it’s a sophisticated and yet sexy cocktail dress, more than enough to dazzle all the photo-hungry journalists. That will make them pay attention to me while, at the same time, I won’t be ruffling any feathers; it’s my job, after all, to take the heat off Austin.

Half an hour later and I’m ready to go. I take a spin in front of my full-body mirror, smiling as I see how perfectly the dress hugs the curves of my body. Satisfied, I start walking out of the room and, just by chance, I see the diamond ring shining in my nightstand.

God, I almost forgot to put the damn thing on.

Coming back to it, I pick it up from nightstand and slide it on my finger. Alright, I think to myself as I look at the tacky diamond on my finger, it’s show time.