Chapter Eight

 

The next week was a whirlwind, filled with meeting after meeting, and press conferences back to back. Adam had proved to be a powerful leader, not only efficient, but fair. Those who opposed his closed borders were finally sliding back toward his side once they saw him open them back up with fair and protective rules in place.

There were still a few groups that mocked him, challenged him, and did their best to smear his image, but that was part of the title.

“I’m really proud of you,” I said, sneaking into his office alone.

His Secret Servicemen were obliged to give me entry whenever I asked, something Adam insisted upon, even though they protested.

He moved toward me quickly, his arms consuming me, and his lips covering mine.

Our bodies fell into one another, both needing the connection we’d so desperately missed. “Maybe now things can get back to normal,” he said, pulling back just enough to stare into my eyes.

“Things will never be normal,” I said with a smile. “At least not for the next eight years,” I laughed.

Adam’s eyes widened and his lips curled into a bright smile. “Wow. You have a lot of faith in me, don’t you?” he asked playfully.

“Yes,” I said softly.

“I have faith in us,” he said.

I took a deep breath, and let out a soft sigh. “That’s what I want to talk to you about,” I said.

He dropped his hands from mine and took a step back. His eyes were filled with worry and a hint of irritation. “I thought we were over this,” he said.

“I’m not trying to run from you,” I said softly.

His eyes narrowed, but the irritation quickly left. “Like before?” he laughed nervously.

I’d never actually talked to him before; instead, I’d ended up in his bed. I knew I’d been paranoid, and had given him plenty of reason to think I was ready to bail on him again. But he needed to trust me right now, and just listen.

“I think the only way we can continue this is to be honest,” I said.

Adam took another step back and leaned against the antique wood of his large desk. Even stressed, he looked more powerful than any man I’d ever known. It wasn’t the power of the presidency; I knew that. Adam had always been a man I’d admired and looked up to, well before the thought of campaigning had even entered his mind.

“Honest?” he asked.

His hands pushed into the pockets of his trousers, and I knew it was to keep from showing telltale signs of anxiety, a trick I taught him.

“I think the people can handle the truth,” I said with a smile.

“About us?” he asked.

“Yes,” I replied.

“But you said that would destroy one of us, if not both,” he stated firmly.

“I did say that. But I was wrong,” I admitted.

“Were you wrong, or do you just want the attention?” he asked.

I was shocked. “The attention?” I snapped.

“You are amazing at what you do. You’ve never been wrong. I mean, just look at how well you pulled me from this last mess. Now you say you’re wrong, and I’m supposed to be okay with that?” he argued.

Anger rose in me like a fire. This is what he wanted, at least if it meant getting into my pants. Now, there was no need. He’d gotten what he wanted, and he didn’t have to flaunt me to the media, or explain me, or himself. It was easy. “You just want to keep me your secret lover?” I hissed.

“Wow. That was never my intention. You know that. You’re the one who insisted that no one could know,” he said, his voice firm and his tone filled with irritation. “You know I’d do anything for us to be together, that I have done anything,” he said.

“What have you done?” I asked.

“I brought you onto the campaign; I brought you on here. I followed your rules,” he scowled.

My blood boiled. “You brought me onto the campaign, to here?” I asked, my voice raising.

“Yes. I did. I wanted to be near you,” he said.

“So, it had nothing to do with my ability to clear your tainted reputation, to get you in the public eye, into their hearts, to clean up your messes and make you look invincible?” I asked, now yelling more than talking.

“Of course I brought you on because you were amazing, and I knew you could do amazing things. That doesn’t change the fact that I wanted to be near you,” he said softly.

“Okay, then let’s make it public,” I said firmly.

“It’s not that easy,” he insisted. “If we’d done that early on, sure. Now, it’s just complicated, and I can’t risk your career being tarnished by a scandal,” he added.

“I can handle myself, and my reputation. I think America would appreciate a love story, and some truth from the White House for once,” I said, fighting back the tear in my eye.

“I’m not sure that’s the PR genius I hired or the woman I’ve been making love to at night. I can’t take a risk on your career, on mine, based on what? A mood? A possibility that it could all work out? It’s just not the right time; you said so yourself just days ago,” he said.

The tear I fought won, rolling down my cheek and onto the floor. It was obvious Adam had been bluffing all along, not willing to really name us as a couple. I was too wrapped up in his power, his beautiful eyes, and his sensual touch to see it. He wanted me, all right: that part was true. He wanted me to be his dirty little secret.

“If that’s how you feel, then we have to end this now. I can’t be your dirty little secret any longer,” I snapped. “The truth will come out, it always does. So, it’s best I leave now before someone decides to start spreading rumors,” I insisted, turning to leave without even looking at him for one last goodbye.

I hated the feeling in my chest as I closed the door. My heart was breaking in two. I knew it was better to break it off now, before I fell any deeper, if that was even possible.