Page 73 of Kissing Kayley
I couldn’t make this shit up.
We did manage to spend a night together in August, when Vic worked Elliot’s detail for a campaign event in Las Vegas. Leo made sure Vic had twelve hours to spend with me, and I’m not ashamed to admit we spent it fucking like bunnies in a hotel room on the Strip.
Opportunities to be together grew fewer the closer we got to November and the election. Fortunately, I kept busy at work researching and writing my book, teaching, and even planning a proposal for yet another book.
I could keep myself busy.
Leo wanted to fly me out for Election Night, but I was teaching. I convinced him to make it that weekend and tried to keep my hopes tightly wrapped.
Over the past several weeks, Vic had hinted he might have some big news for me.
I didn’t dare let excitement take hold inside me, however. Because I didn’t want to psych myself up that maybe he’d made a decision to retire just to be let down.
Vic stood waiting outside the White House when I arrived, and I happily threw myself out of the SUV and into his arms for a long, sweet kiss.
“Hi, baby,” he said, smiling.
“Hi, yourself, Sir.”
He grabbed my carryon from one of the agents and led me inside and to the elevator. Until January, this was still my brother’s home, so at least we could safely get our freak on in here. There were already plans for us all to gather here forThanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, the last ones they’d spend here as the residents.
I’d hoped to go straight to our room, but Leo, Jordan, and Elliot had other ideas, and I found myself in the dining room with them and Vic, sitting down to one of Jordan’s scrumptious home-cooked meals.
I managed to stay civil until dessert when I stood and reached for Vic’s hand. “Love you guys, but I have some time to make up for.”
Leo smirked. “Have fun storming the castle, kids.”
Vic stood. “See you in the morning.” He took the lead and we headed toward the room we usually used when here.
“Please tell me you’re off-duty until Sunday night?” I asked.
“Yep. Unless something gets nuked, I’m good.”
“Thank god.” With the door locked behind us, I was eager to climb my guy.
Except he caught my hands. “Hold up for a minute, baby. We need to talk.”
“Talk about what?” I asked, a sick feeling congealing in the pit of my stomach as I sat on the edge of the bed.
He leaned against the dresser. “Vice President Bardales asked me yesterday to take over as head of his detail.” He met my gaze. “Meaning he wants me as his lead agent on The Shift. In charge of all his details.”
I took a moment to breathe because even I knew this was… big. “What does that mean? You’re due for retirement. I thought you were eligible?”
“I am, but as long as I meet the physical requirements I can stay on active duty in the PPD and work The Shift until I’m fifty-seven.”
Of all the acronyms and code names I’d grown to hate during my brother’s new life, Presidential Protection Detail and The Shift had quickly topped that damned list.
Meaning six more years. Vic was fifty-one, a little older than me. “Meaning, what, you’d still be on active duty for one and a half terms with Bardales? If he wins reelection in four years, that is.”
“Ideally.”
I hated this.
Haaated it.
Because I alreadyknew.
It felt like someone else speaking the words. “Okay then,” I softly said. “Where do we go from here?”
