how much I need her.
No, the large erection in my pants is a total coincidence and nothing to do with anything.
I knock on the bathroom door. “Veronica, are you alright in there?” I call out.
There’s no response. I wait a moment, before pushing the door open and calling again. “Veronica, I just want to talk. Is everything okay?”
No response. I look around and then step inside. The stall doors are all open, and there’s no one here.
Shit. Shit shit shit. Where is she?
Veronica
I don’t know where I’m running to. But I have to get out of here.
I’m careful enough to climb out the bathroom window rather than use the front entrance. It’s a tough squeeze, but having a scraped knee is a lot better than the press catching me. The last thing we need is a series of headlines about how the President’s new fiancée runs away from him on dates and bolts into the outdoors.
But I simply couldn’t endure another moment of him. One more half-smile or risqué comment… one more brush of his hand against my leg…
He’d said he was going to seduce me. And as much as I hate it, he’d succeeded.
It’s not like I won’t go back. But god, do I need a breath of fresh air. Something to cool me down. Something to stop me thinking.
Nobody else has ever had this effect on me. Nobody else has been able to take me from the strong, capable woman that I’ve always been… and change me into little more than a blubbering mess. Nobody but President David Shepard.
With Trevor, I’ve always been the one in control. The one who knows what to do and what to say. I’ve never felt this helpless.
Across the street, there are a few more shops and behind that… a park. I set my course, striding confidently towards it. If there’s anywhere I’m going to be able to clear my head, it’s a park.
If nothing else, it’ll be pretty secluded in there. All I want is to be away from the prying eyes of photographers. Although going somewhere so isolated at night is against my instincts, the only feeling I embrace right now is my flight-or-fight. And I’ve definitely picked the former option.
The park is just as empty as I’d hoped. I turn down the first path the trail offers me, hoping to get deep into nature. To my delight, I find a little park bench along the way.
I’d expect places like this to be creepy at night, but now that I’m here… it’s oddly relaxing. Maybe it’s because of the Day From Hell I’ve had, but the chance to be so free and wild is just what I need.
I lie flat down on the bench, my back pressed to the wood.
President David Shepard is a mystery, and being around him only seems to grow more and more dangerous. Tonight might have been a well-crafted plan for him or another stage in his game, but for me…
The way he looked in that shirt.
The way his fingertips had felt on my inner thigh.
His husky voice. “Are you attracted to me?”
This isn’t a game. Not for me. Because as much I’m desperately fighting and pleading with myself, I’m catching feelings for him. Real feelings.
And that’s absolutely sure to make this whole thing a lot more complicated.
My phone buzzes in my bag. My heart sinks as I read the name. It’s from Stephanie. Veronica. Publishing an article on you and Trevor tomorrow. Just thought you might want to know so you can tell your side of the story too. Xx
Fuck. I shouldn’t have waited this long. Whatever Stephanie knows… well, even Trevor’s existence just doesn’t look good for me.
Can we talk about this? Are you in DC? Xx. The kisses on the end of the message I send back feel sickeningly fake.
Where are you? Xx. Her reply comes back lightning fast.
Taking a deep breath, I look at the GPS on my phone and send her the exact coordinates. I have to get this over with soon. And considering I have men in black suits breathing down my neck during every second of my day usually, this brief chance to be alone with her might be my only opportunity.
Eventually her reply comes. I’m in the area. We can meet. Xx
How long will you be? I shoot back.
I wait for her reply. It never comes. Impatiently, I tap on the wooden bench underneath me with my heels.
Who knows where Stephanie is? She could literally be anywhere. And maybe