I’m not sure where he’s going with this. “I can keep a secret.”
“This isn’t only about secrets. This is aboutlives. This is about you being close, in many ways, to the woman who will have access to our nation’s nuclear arsenal. And you’ll have to make a decision about staying here in DC or returning to Florida.”
Staying here is something that’s already crossed my mind during my frequent late-night wank sessions. That if miracles did happen, and hunky Leo Cruz happened to be into me, it would mean moving here permanently.
But to have him actuallysaythat catches me off-guard because I wonder how much I’ve been on his mind. “Staying here?”
“There will be a lot of positions to staff once she takes office. That’s not a quid pro quo, either. If you want to stay in DC and don’t want a relationship with me, I’d still see about finding you a job.”
“I…I honestly hadn’t thought quite that far ahead.” I mean I had but, again, I wasn’t certain he was into me.
He drops his hand and reaches for his fork, his tone returning to normal. “That’s why I want to cook dinner for you tomorrow.” He smiles. “Because I don’t play those kinds of games.”
I barely process the rest of dinner. My mind’s stuck on one thought—Leo really is into me.
When we finish, he picks up the check and refuses to let me chip in. Of course I don’t refuse when he offers to walk me up to my room.
I get the feeling he might notletme refuse, even if I wanted to.
Not because he’s being an asshole, but like he’s…protective? I get the distinct impression that’s not simply because he used to be Secret Service. It’s like he’s already staked a claim on me and it’s only a matter of time before he somehow marks me as his.
Or, maybe I’ve read too many romance books.
All the way up in the elevator, I summon my courage. I usually don’t have any trouble with that, but this is completely foreign territory to me.
And Leo is unlike any man I’ve ever met before.
I unlock my door, open it, and turn to him. “In case you weren’t sure, Iaminterested. I asked you. I don’t consider this sexual harassment or anything, if that’s a worry. I’d tell you if I thought it was. If I step over a line with you, tell me.”
The casual way he lounges against the door frame nearly does me in. “If you had, I already would have reeled you in. Protect my trust, and never lie to me. It’sthateasy.”
“Not that easy. It’s ‘complicated.’ You said so.”
He studies me. “A producer from FNB offers you a hundred grand, cash, to wear a wire and carry a hidden camera. What do you tell them?”
“What?”
“You’ll get outright offers. You’ll get people suddenly eager to be your friend, and you’ll have no clue why. Asking you little questions here and there, wanting favors. Being with me means you cannevertrust others. Not even people you’ve known for years. Everyone’s suspect.”
Yikes. I hadn’t considered that. “What about trusting you?”
“Besides me, and besides people Itellyou that you can trust. There are lives at stake, and considering she’s going to be Commander in Chief, that’s not an exaggeration.”
That’s when it all hits me, what he means.
“Aaannnndthereit is,” he says, sounding amused.
I study him. “It sounds like a very lonely life.”
Something dark flashes through in his brown eyes before he immediately schools his expression, like it’s force of habit. “It is. I also wouldn’t blame you if you run the other direction. But another hypothetical for you. You can’t tell people you’re dating the ‘president’s body man’ unless it’s someone I’ve told you is safe. There will be security clearance forms to think about, and you can’t lie on them. That’s why we need to talk. About alotof things. Because if we’re going to date, it’s not a one-time fling for me. If you’re looking for no-strings sex, I’m sorry, that’s not me, no matter how much I’m attracted to you.”
Leo is as lonely as I am—I see it in his eyes and hear it in his voice. He’s in pain in a different way than I am. I drop my voice to a whisper. “I know what loneliness looks like. I see it every time I look in the mirror.” I reach up and cup his cheek. “Maybe we can be a little less lonely together, Leo.” When my thumb brushes over his lips he kisses it while staring into my eyes.
I have a feeling if I said the word, even though he indicated he wants to take this slow, maybe he’d fuck me right now, on my bed, without hesitation.
I’ve never felt so naive in my dang life. Especially when he takes my hand in his and then kisses it, his gaze focused on mine.
There’s heat and passion and hunger darkly painted across his face, and I’ve never felt so turned on and terrified, all at the same time.
