Page 3 of The Devil Goes to Washington

The thin child clutched her hand but faced Michael resolutely. He was small, barely to her waist, maybe five years old if he had to guess. As well dressed as Evelyn, he sported a sailor suit like Michael had worn as a child. A head of soft black curls like his mother. His big dark eyes were framed with lush, long lashes. Must be from the man-whore who wouldn’t claim it. The child would only be a minor inconvenience to the situation. It was unlikely he would have to see the boy often anyway.

“Am I supposed to call him ‘Dad’ now?” The small child whispered to his mother, loud enough for Michael to hear.

“I think you can ask him that. Be very kind and respectful to him, just like we talked about.”

“Hello, sir. I’m Micah. What name do you want me to use for you?” The little voice politely asked as he held his hand out to Michael.

“Hello, Micah. I suppose you can call me Michael.” He shook the boy’s hand and was surprised to find an already firm grip.

“Thank you, sir.”

“What is the first thing you are going to buy for your new room?”

“I am content with my bear.”

“Most kids would want a new electronic game or something.” he scowled at Evelyn before glancing back at Micah.

“Mama said we shouldn’t take advantage. We’re happy to have a roof over our heads and food on the table.” He may have been reciting what Evelyn had told him, but it made him suspicious about her intentions. She may be after more than she was already getting.

“Picture time!” Sabrina sang out, drawing the curtains open. Michael shielded his eyes from the blinding light filling the room.

“Couldn’t ask for a better background than the White House for these shots,” Blake commented with a smirk, escorting them to the window framing the view.

“Let’s get the whole family first,” Sabrina told Ethan, who was playing photographer from atop the table.

“Nice and close. Remember, you’re the happy Hardings now.” Evelyn and Micah plastered smiles on their faces. Michael placed an obliging hand on Micah’s shoulder.

“Maybe if you get closer? Try picking Micah up?” Ethan suggested, looking through the camera lens. Evelyn picked Micah up when Michael looked dubiously at him.

“I’m going to need you to put an arm around her and smile like you were just announced as a VP candidate.” Michael obliged Blake’s instructions.

“Um, that’s fine, I guess. Can we have the couple alone?” Clearly, Ethan wasn’t happy, but what did they expect when neither of them wanted to be there?

“Let’s try having you two look at each other.” Sabrina posed them with their hands on each other’s waists. It felt so good to touch her again. He itched to explore her.

“Michael, come on, man! You look like you’re in pain instead of ecstatic to have the love of your life back in your arms.” Blake didn’t realize how close he was to the truth, but that it was also the cause of his expression.

“We need to seal this with a kiss. Can’t send these to the press without that.” Sabrina insisted, in a sweet tone.

Evelyn, already playing the dutiful wife, tilted her head up. He studied her lips as he had done a thousand times. He meant to just brush his lips across hers, but the soft warmth called to him and begged more. His fingers wove through her hair, palms cradling her jaw, and pulled her closer. At her soft gasp, his tongue found hers and they dueled to explore the depths of each other. He wondered if he was the only one who forgot how to breathe in the effort to consume each other.

“Whew! Did it just get hot in here?” Ethan hollered, fanning his face with his free hand.

Michael ripped away from Evelyn, berating himself for losing control.

“I think that steamed up the windows down to the Capitol! You two are going to be the toast of the town when these pics hit the press.” Sabrina purred her enthusiasm for a job well done.

“If everything is in order, I need to get back to work.” Michael stormed out of the room.

Chapter 2

With her son comfortably asleep across the hall, she retired to the sitting area of her room. Lounging in the oversized teal chaise next to the large stone fireplace, she surveyed her new surroundings or rather her old love nest. The wall of thick curtains blocked out the world, lending a cozy warmth to the room that was bigger than the apartment she shared with her mother. In the morning, the room would fill with sunshine like a meadow on a summer day.

Her gaze kept being drawn to the large antique canopy bed on the other side of the room. In another lifetime she had spent hours there, learning every inch of Michael’s naked body and how each touch elicited a different, more alluring reaction. Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, she could almost smell him moving through the stages of his arousal. The increasing musk created an erotic air that made her yearn for him. Her hand slid down her thread-bare nightgown to her breast, squeezing her nipple at the memory of his strong muscular form trembling above her as he tried to hold back his release until he satisfied her.

“Hmm?” she purred into the phone. She hadn’t bothered looking at the ID when she felt the vibration against her leg.

“Hi, sweetie! Did I catch you at a bad time?” Her mom always seemed to know when she was needed, and being pulled out of her fantasy about the devil she just married was a necessary distraction.