He doesn’t break eye contact as he pushes himself in deep, and the almost purr of pleasure rumbling from his chest doesn’t go unnoticed. Trey slides his fingers through my hair, cradling both my cheeks with his palms as he kisses along each cheekbone.
“I love your freckles, did you know that? I love your natural beauty because it’s what’s inside that shines through. I love your crazy, your strange obsession with unicorns, and the man you make me want to be. I’ll never deserve you, Randi, but I promise every day I’ll do my best to make you happy.”
I try to respond, but his lips press against mine, cutting off the words. Our tongues dance in an unhurried, sensual way we haven’t had before now. Tonight, we’re untouched, uncensored or rushed. Just us and the beach and the ocean. The waves crash along the sandy shore, the only other sound along the beach except our sweat-slick skin moving as one and our moans of pure ecstasy.
I like it rough, but this, this I love.
Digging the back of my head into the sand, I squeeze my eyes shut. Flexing off the blanket, I urge him faster, chasing the orgasm I’m teetering on the edge of.
Taking my cue, he presses onto his elbows and shifts his angle and pace, immediately sending me into a spiral of erotic pleasure.
The world goes black, everything around me fuzzy. Somewhere around me, Trey grunts a curse, and a heavy weight crushes to my chest. Peeling my lids open, I smile up at the swinging lanterns and wrap my arms around his back. Stroking my fingertips up and down his spine, I relish our one moment alone.
Tomorrow, things will change, but tonight, we have only each other.
21
Trey
Not sure why I'm so shocked that Vlad chose this location or the time of day, but I am. Just because they’re Russian doesn’t mean they only come out at night and meet in dark alleys. I’m sure they won’t melt in the sun. Like I am this very moment.
I scan the small, empty park again, searching for any threats in the lush trees and bushes. The agency-issued sunglasses keep the brilliant overhead sun from attacking my vision, but nothing can stop the sweat from building beneath my T-shirt and sliding down my spine. At least we're not in our typical suit uniform today. I'd be a puddle of sweat and curses if we were.
Out of the corner of my eye, Randi's alternating bouncing knees draw my attention. She sits atop a stone picnic table, feet bobbing on the bench seat, middle fingernail between her nibbling teeth. I fight a grin as I sweep the area again, noting the other agents dotted around the perimeter of the park. Only Tank and I stand close to Randi, per her request. Tank wanted more, but with the sensitivity of the conversation to come, he settled for it being us and about ten guns hidden along our bodies, plus many, many more on the other guys keeping an eagle eye on the park.
I blow a slow breath through pinched lips, hoping that’ll help ease my growing agitation from the heat. In typical Randi fashion, she's decked out in leggings, Uggs, and a lightweight sweater when the rest of us are teetering on the edge of heat exhaustion. A few weeks ago, I made the mistake of calling her cold-blooded instead of cold-natured. I shake my head at the memory. I'll never do that again. That slip of the tongue earned me the cold shoulder for several hours.
She knew what I meant. I think.
After last night though, none of that seems to matter. The past distance, the times apart, and the longing seem like a trial we had to get through to be where we are now. Making love on the beach with the cool breeze coming off the crashing waves and her beautiful body beneath mine made our connection deeper. It wasn't the first time we've had sex, but it was the first time it was slow and sensual. Not a quickie in her room before Tank could catch us or in a darkened ballroom. No, last night was what intertwines souls. It molded us together, made us become one.
Love.
Soul-clenching, mind-numbing, breath-stealing love.
It's scary as hell. All love is, of course, but we have higher stakes. So many people are against us, as a couple and individually. It won't be easy, not that it ever has been, but somehow last night sealed our fate.
Together.
Forever.
No matter the cost.
The roaring of a revving engine snaps my thoughts back to the potential danger we're about to be surrounded with. In my earpiece one of the guys lets us know three black SUVs are approaching via the only road with access to this area. Seconds later, the three Suburbans appear over the crest of the hill the park is situated on. One after another they park. Several large fuckers step out of the SUVs wearing…
“What the hell?” I whisper at the same time Tank's shocked chuckle rumbles through the picnic area.
“Don't you dare make fun of them,” Randi says, though a lightness to her tone signals she's holding back her own laughter. “I think it’s cute.”
I shoot her a quick glare.
“Don’t get your holster in a twist. They’re not nearly as cute as you, Trouble.”
Satisfied by her response, I swing my attention back to the eight men all wearing stiff khaki shorts and varying bright Hawaiian shirts. I cringe at the bright glare bouncing off their white legs that somehow cuts through my state-of-the-art sunglasses.
Dressed in his own horrible ensemble, Vlad strides toward Randi, no smile on his harsh features. The bright and loud outfits are a complete contrast to the men wearing them. There are too many quips I could make about… well, everything encompassing the approaching men's attire, but I somehow manage to keep them to myself.
“Madam VP,” Vlad says as soon as he's close.
“It’s Randi, Vlad. You know that. This is our second secret meeting after all. I think we can drop the formalities.”
He dips his chin before saying a few words in Russian that disperses his men to various points around the small picnic area. Tank and I tense, muscles at the ready for anything, as Vlad climbs up the picnic table and sits beside Randi.
“Festive outfit,” she says, biting into her lower lip to hold back her smile.
Vlad tips his head back and laughs. “We wanted to blend in during our time on the island. But we might have taken it to the extreme. ”
Randi nods, still trying not to smile. “Maybe just a little. How long are you here for?”
He shrugs, the large floral print seeming to reflect the sun's rays. “Not sure. When you reached out to schedule this meetup, I had my team book the arrival flight but leave the return one open-ended. I needed the break.”
“Same,” she says with a sigh. Leaning back on her palms, she keeps her focus straight forward. “Thanks for coming, Vlad. I’m in a pickle.”
“In a pickle?”
She smiles. “It’s a figure of speech. It means I’m in a bind, or in a touchy spot.”
“Ah. And anytime, all you have to do is ask.” He pauses. “Your call came at an interesting time, I have to admit. Did you know another person from your office requested a meeting as well for after the new year?”
Randi's smile falls, her eyes narrowing on the man beside her. She looks so tiny beside him; all it would take is one move and he’d crush her.
“The president, I’m assuming.”
Vlad shakes his head. Placing his hands back along the stone surface next to hers, he leans back, mirroring her. Tank monitors the movement of his hands as I watch his face, trying to decipher his next move.
“No, your secretary of state.”
Shock morphs across her features. “Todd.” The scrunch of her nose as she says the name tells Vlad exactly how she feels about the man.
Vlad nods. “Says he wants to meet but has not disclosed as to why. I am not getting the impression his intent is honorable, however.”
Randi snorts, causing Vlad's bushy eyebrows to rise a fraction.
“He's an opportunist, I guess.” Randi scans the park like the bushes and trees hold the answer she's searching for. “He knows about our meeting in Chile somehow. Maybe he's trying to capitalize on our… whatever we are to use to his advantage.” Leaning forward
, she braces her elbows on her still bouncing knees. “It would be huge in the Americans’ eyes if he claimed to settle the rocky relations between our two countries.”
“Agreed.”
Tense silence passes between the two leaders.
“I am assuming you need the proof I offered at our last meeting.”
Randi nods, her dark hair shifting over her shoulders to form a dark curtain, keeping me from seeing her beautiful face. “I need evidence but can’t get it on my own.” Her backside shifts against the stone table as she turns to face Vlad. “I need your help, Vlad. You offered proof, offered friendship in our last meeting, and I'm taking you up on that offer now. I know what Kyle’s doing, but I can't prove it.”
“Your American courts will not accept any information you obtain from someone like me.”
I hold a breath at the tense pause from Randi. She knows what she's asking for isn't exactly legal, but what option do we have at this point?
“Can you help me?” she grits out. “I don't care how you get it, but I need something strong enough that will cause Kyle to step down immediately, on his own, not daring to risk the details being released to the public.”
“What information do you need?”
The way he says it, his apprehensive tone speaks volumes. It seems there's various dirty dealings Kyle is a part of, and Vlad is asking which one Randi wants him and his team to target.
“He's abusing power. Allowing certain companies to drill on federal land. We need proof that those companies can be tied directly to campaign supporters. Some kind of money trail proving he's offering kickbacks. And there’s something else.” She takes a deep breath and releases it slowly. Tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, she flicks a quick look at me. “Give us a minute, Trey.”
Unease and anger battle inside me, each fighting for the dominant emotion to direct my words and actions.
“No” is all I can get out between my clenched teeth.
“Trey, please.” When that doesn't work, she switches tactics. “Step back, Benson,” she says, her eyes bearing down into my own. “That's an order.”
Pursing my lips, I glance at Tank, who nods. Hurt slashes through the other emotions raging in my chest. Taking three steps back, I stare back at Randi, proving this is as far as I'm willing to go.
With a resigned sigh, she leans in close to Vlad, their low voices a gentle murmur not clear enough for me to catch a single word.
Vlad nods and stands.
“I will see what we can dig up.” Large hands slide down the hideous shirt, smoothing out the nonexistent wrinkles. “I will warn you, friend. What your president has already set in motion cannot be undone. But if he is out of office soon, maybe you can smooth relationships over before war can happen.”
“That's the second time you've mentioned that,” I interrupt, stepping back to Randi's side. I release a tense breath when she doesn't push me away.
Vlad nods, his gray eyes sliding to me. “The situation has escalated. The true reasons behind closed door meetings and secret alliances are coming to light.”
“What does that even mean?” Randi asks. “Stop talking in riddles, would you?”
Vlad smiles. Well, I think it's a smile. His lips twitch, at any rate. “Your president is an idiot.”
“Tell me something I don't know,” Randi mutters.
“He made promises, deals with certain players who were playing him the entire time. Birmingham was greedy, his sights only on one thing, and he was willing to do anything to get it.”
“The White House.”
“Yes. He did not see their true desires.”
“Money, right?” Randi questions.
“Yes.”
“That's what I'm asking about. The oil—”
Vlad laughs. “That is small money compared to what they are planning. You will have your work cut out for you, but I will help as much as I can.”
Randi's head falls forward. “What am I walking into, Vlad? Just tell me. If I'm successful in getting Kyle to step down, what's ahead of me?”
“There is great money during war. Panic causes prices to rise, demand to spike. That is just in commercial goods. Think about the companies who supply the metal, the gunpowder, the technology to your military. Do you not think they would benefit off the threat?”
“You're saying what Kyle thought he was doing was like a small fish in the big pond. He actually set in motion something much bigger than he ever expected.”
Vlad nods, his brows furrowing. “It will take some time to get the information you need. I hope you can end him before it—”
“Whoa there, friend.” Randi tosses her hands out in surrender. “I never said anything about ending him. Just presenting him with the information you'll give me, threatening to release it, and proving what a son of a bitch he is to everyone, then praying he resigns on his own.”
“That is a terrible plan.”
“So is 'ending' someone.”
“If they are dead, they cannot retaliate. Which your president will if you follow through with your plan. He will not take defeat like a man.”
“I know. I'm sending my daughter away. I'll add more protection to Mom's rehab center too. Those are the only ways he can really get back at me.” Nibbling on her thumbnail, she shakes her head like she's debating Vlad's words. “No, this is the best way. I can't take him out just because he might escalate things. This is the most legal option.” Her lips twitch upward. “My law professors would high-five me for the thick gray line I seem to like dancing on. They always said I saw things too black and white.”
“We agree to disagree, then.” Raising a hand, he motions for his team to gather close. “Give me some time to find the evidence you need. It is one thing to know what is going on and another having the information available to prove it.”
“Cool, yeah. Whenever you can would be great. No rush.” She tilts her head. “Nope, wait, there is a rush considering everything you've just exposed. If I can get this done before the idiot can shove us into a war that's all for money, that would be awesome.” Both her thumbs flick up before she tucks them under her thighs. A bright flush spreads across her cheeks.
I hold back my laugh. Fuck, she's so damn random. But I'd be lying if I said I didn't love it.
Vlad smiles—legit smiles—and nods.
“We will be in touch.” He starts to turn but pauses. “What should I do about the secretary of state?”
“Don't kill him!” Randi blurts.
This time a full-body laugh rumbles from Vlad, catching everyone off guard. I swear his security team thinks he's having a stroke by the way they rush to grab him. He simply shrugs their concern off.
“I meant should I meet with him or not. Which would you prefer?” He strokes a hand over his dark beard. “But if you want me to end—”
“No, please no. Um, the meeting? I don't know. I don't see the harm in it. I really don't care what people think about Todd or if they think he's the one fixing the tension between our countries.”
“But it is not him, it is you.”
She shrugs and pushes off the table. Standing on the bench seat, she stretches her arms up high. “Yeah, but I don't care if he gets the credit. I know we're the close ones.” With a quick hop, she lands on the soft dirt below. “How long are we thinking? For the information.”
Vlad raises a single shoulder. “Not sure, I will get someone on it today. What you are needing is specific, something that is indisputable, not just vague emails or conversations. You will need pictures, recordings, proof he now knows what he has stepped into and how it all started.”
“Yeah, it's a lot.” Walking toward Vlad, she extends her hand. After a quick shake, she steps back. “Thank you. For everything. I appreciate your help.”
The Russian’s facial expression morphs to more contemplative as he looks Randi over. “It is an honor, Madam VP. One day soon you will return the favor, I am sure.”
With that, he turns and strides toward the
SUVs they evacuated less than thirty minutes ago.
“I love the way they handle meetings,” I say, stepping to Randi's side. She angles her face up to mine with a questioning look. “In and out. Get what you need done, say what needs to be said, and bounce. If all politicians did that, maybe they'd get more done.”
She smirks and nods. Turning her attention to the retreating SUVs, she blows out a slow breath.
“I think that went well.”
“Agreed. Now, why did you ask me to step away?”
Instead of responding, Randi takes a cautious step to the side and starts to walk away. I follow close behind, having nothing to do with safety and everything to do with getting answers.
For a few steps, she says nothing, eyes to the ground watching the grass bend beneath her Uggs.
“If we're going to do this, you and me, us, we need to be honest with each other.” Reaching out, she takes my hand in hers, lacing our fingers together and giving a quick squeeze. “No more surprises, no more committing to things that affect this relationship without the other one's consent.” Hazel eyes slide to meet mine. “Okay?”
I nod, not understanding what she's getting at. Okay, yeah, I made a bad decision not telling her about the agreement I made with my parents for her to win the Senate and defeat the bill, but I thought we were past that misstep.
“Is there anything you want to tell me, Trey?”
I search her face, trying to figure out what she's referring to.
“Um, I guess Jessica's been more of a handful lately.” Randi's dark brows bolt up her forehead. “I'm not sure what's gotten into her, but it's fine. Nothing I can't handle and keep pushing back on.” I think back through the past few months. “My mother is pushing me to set a date for a true engagement party, one that will be thrown by her and Jessica's mother.” I feel the deep line form between my brows. “I snuck a cigarette last week.” Raising my shoulders, I press my lips together and give her my best “not sure what you're looking for” look.
A quick breeze sends her dark hair floating across her face. After tucking it behind her ear, she turns and starts walking again.
Power Switch: Power Play Series Book 3 Page 21