Madame President - Tara Sue Me Page 0,85
rules about displays of affection, mandates on appropriate kiss length, or restrictions limiting touching to holding hands. To put it mildly, we are anything but boring.
It’s fun, having a private life that is so very private. A sentiment currently reflected in Navin’s eyes. I can’t stop my smile from growing, because I know exactly what he’s thinking. We haven’t been able to spend more than a handful of moments together due to the Inauguration and his crazy schedule. It probably won’t happen tonight, either. I have a feeling it’s going to be a long night.
“I know there are many things you can’t tell me,” Navin says. “But can you let it slide who thought nine balls were a good idea? Because I’d like to thank them and by thank them, I mean, kick them in the ass.”
“It was a group decision,” I tell him. I nod toward a woman standing alone by a pillar not far from the dance floor. “But my new White House Director of Communications, Sierra, is the one who put everything together.”
She worked as my campaign communications director, and she is fabulous.
Navin studies her. “I remember meeting her. I think I can take her.”
“I wouldn’t be so certain if I were you.” It’s easy to see why he might think otherwise. She’s petite. Maybe five feet and two inches, and no more than one hundred and ten pounds. “She’s a long term member at DC MMA club.”
“Shit.”
The music comes to an end and he walks me off the dance floor, glancing warily at Sierra. I have a small amount of time to speak and shake hands with people before we’re scheduled to leave.
As the night progresses, I find myself looking forward to the car rides to the other ball locations. For those few silent moments, Navin and I are alone. He likes to tease me, trying to slip a hand up my skirt, or whispering naughty thoughts in my ear and making my skin ripple with gooseflesh.
On the way to our sixth stop, he wordlessly takes my feet, and slips my shoes off. Though his massage is close to making my insides turn to jelly, I’m fully alert when he brings up my leak. “Do you wonder who it was and why they stopped?”
“Who?” I ask.
“The leak,” he says. “The one who gave the confidential information to the press? I’ve always wondered if it was the same person who sent the pictures?”
I suppose it’s not that odd for Navin to remember the leak tonight. If it had been the same person who sent the pictures, the first picture was sent right after my first inauguration.
“No,” I answer. “Whoever it was has stopped right after they gave those photos of us to David. I think maybe because I became so boring they gave up trying to find anything.”
“You’re probably right,” he says. “But even if they’re still here, they won’t be leaking anything about me. I’m leakproof. I have no more secrets.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely,” he says without thinking.
“Oh? How about whatever it is you don’t want me see in your front right pant pocket?”
He doesn’t even attempt to pretend he doesn’t know what I’m talking about, just gives a long sigh. “I should have known I couldn’t hide anything from you.”
He really should have, but I drop it for now. He reaches into his pocket. The Treasury is working on a new dime design, one featuring me. There have been a few prototypes created, but I haven’t seen one and I’m assuming that’s what he’s been hiding all evening.
But that wouldn’t explain why he’s sitting in the floor of the car.
“I hadn’t planned on doing this here,” he says, and I realize he’s not sitting and it’s not a dime he’s holding. He’s on one knee and holding the most exquisite diamond solitaire I’ve ever seen.
My hands fly to cover the gasp I can’t stop.
“Anna Elizabeth Fitzpatrick,” he says. “Twenty years ago, a young woman caught my eye, and as I got to know her, I could tell she was someone special. I’m not surprised people are talking about how you’ll rule the world during your second term. You’ve rocked mine since the second I saw you. I love you and it would be an honor to be known as your First Gentleman or we can wait, if you want. Will you marry me?”
Though the world is blurry from the tears filling my eyes, I manage to pull him up. “Yes,” I tell him, and seconds later, his lips claim mine in a kiss so fiery and raw it’s hard to catch my breath when he pulls back to slip the ring on my finger.
Keeping my eyes on his, I buzz the driver.
“Yes, Madame President?” Derrick, my driver, asks.
“I have a situation I need to take care of before our next stop,” I say. “Drive as slow as possible and inform Mr. Herdsman of our delay.”
“Yes, ma’am, Madame President,” he says and the connection drops.
“You are so bad,” Navin says, laughing. “I can’t believe you just did that.”
“Do you know what else I just did?”
“No, what?” he asks with concern in his eyes.
“I broke a campaign promise and I’m not even sorry.” I loop my arms over his neck and pull him where there’s only a sliver of space between our lips. “There will be a White House wedding. I love you and I’m not waiting four years to marry you.”
THE END
(Maybe)
Acknowledgments
Earlier this year, I had a crazy idea to write a romance about a single POTUS. While I was working out the plot, I stopped myself and thought, Why am I assuming the POTUS is a male? From that, MADAME PRESIDENT was born.
I had so much fun writing Anna and Navin, and to be honest, I’m not sure I’m finished with them or their world (or more than likely, that they’re not finished with me). But it doesn’t escape my attention that I have more than enough loose ends to tie up elsewhere and I don’t want to commit myself to anything at the moment. So maybe you’ll forgive me if I left a few things open here?
Many, many thanks to my incredible agent, Kimberly Brower and her entire team.
Undying gratitude to Kira Gold for her honest assessment of an early draft.
Thank you to all the early readers and reviewers, if I tried to name you all, I’d forget someone and I’d hate that.
I know this book is very different from anything else I’ve written, so thank you to all the readers who picked this up, just because. You don’t know how much I appreciate you.
Biggest thanks to Mr. Sue Me for all the reasons.
About the Author
NEW YORK TIMES/USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR
Even though she graduated with a degree in science, Tara knew she'd never be happy doing anything other than writing. Specifically, writing love stories.
She started with a racy BDSM story and found she was not quite prepared for the unforeseen impact it would have. Nonetheless, she continued and The Submissive Series novels would go on to be both New York Times and USA Today Bestsellers. One of those, THE MASTER, was a 2017 RITA finalist for Best Erotic Romance. Over one million copies of her books have been sold worldwide.
Visit her online at www.tarasueme.com
Also by Tara Sue Me
THE SUBMISSIVE SERIES:
The Submissive
The Dominant
The Training
The Chalet*
Seduced by Fire
The Enticement
The Collar
The Exhibitionist
The Master
The Exposure
The Claiming*
The Flirtation
Mentor’s Match
The Mentor & The Master*
Top Trouble
Nathaniel’s Gift*
RACK ACADEMY SERIES:
Master Professor
Headmaster
BACHELOR INTERNATIONAL:
American Asshole
THE DATE DUO:
The Date Dare
The Date Deal
WALL STREET ROYALS:
FOK
Big Swinging D
OTHERS:
Bucked
Her Last Hello
Altered Allies (currently unavailable)
*eNovella