“Look at the slut, shopping for new clothes to try and steal more men!” Delilah barked.
“Who are you talking to?” Cristin said.
“Not you,” Delilah spat, getting in my face.
“Girl, you need to find something better to do with your life,” Cristin said.
“That’s what you should be telling your friend. Sebastian could have been married with kids if she would have kept her legs closed,” Delilah replied.
“Delilah, your delusional ass needs to find a new therapist, because you need more help than I can give you,” I said.
“Repeat that—she’s your client, and Sebastian’s ex-girlfriend?” Cristin said with wide eyes.
“Fiance,” Delilah spat.
“No, you two had a casual fling two years ago; I’ve been seeing her for a few months as a client, and I didn’t know it was him that she was talking about,” I explained.
“Is there a problem?” A store employee walked over to us. Our loud voices probably had the entire store glued in and ready to blast it all over the gossip blogs and news media.
“No, we're leaving.” I grabbed Cristin’s hand and marched out of the store.
Tony was talking into his cell phone.
“I think you should really look into a restraining order,” Cristin told me.
We hopped back into the car and left the mall. I peered out the window, thinking about Carlton and Delilah at the mall together. As far as I knew, they had never met; maybe I was thinking too hard about it, or something bigger was going on, and they were trying to destroy Sebastian by using me. The car dipped in and out of traffic as Tony took us back home.
“I just want this to be over,” I muttered.
“Are you regretting everything with Sebastian?” Cristin asked.
I felt a splitting headache coming on, and I wasn’t in the mood to carry on a conversation about my love again. “I need a drink.”
“You want to come back to my place?
“No. I’ll be fine.” My phone buzzed, and I answered without looking.
“Laila Daniels, would you like to make a statement on your relationship with the president?” the caller asked.
“Who is this?” I asked.
“This is Jacob Livingston with Political Beat News magazine,” he said.
“No, I don't! And lose my number!” I shouted, ending the call.
“News outlet?” Cristin asked.
“Political Beat News. Ugh...” I groaned and tossed my phone back into my purse as we pulled up to her place. She leaned over for a hug, then stepped out of the car.
“I’ll call you later,” I said.
“Don’t think too hard on this, Laila. Sebastian loves you,” Cristin remarked, tapping the car door handle as it pulled away.
I sat back in my seat, staring at the ceiling and thinking over her words. Sebastian and I were getting to a better place, but if I let Delilah or Carlton continue to manipulate the situation, I’d never be happy.
ONCE I GOT HOME, I showered and ate, then took a nap. When I woke up, I decided to get some work done and watch a movie.
Sebastian walked inside and removed his suit coat. “What’s this?”
A pile of papers was spread across the bed. I was wearing my reading glasses and hair bonnet since I hadn’t been expecting him to come over. “Work. I didn't know you were coming over.”
“Tony told me you had a busy day.” He kicked off his shoes and sat on the edge of the bed. He grabbed my legs and placed them in his lap.
“It’s nothing.”
“You want talk to about it?” Sebastian massaged my feet.
“No.” I moved the papers off my lap and crawled over to him. I sat in his lap. “How was saving the world today?” I rubbed a hand over his head.
He pulled my bottom lip into his mouth. “I forgot you’re good at changing the subject.”
I crashed my lips against his, and he gripped my warm body against his hard chest. He ran a hand across my butt and smacked it, then gripped each cheek. I hooked my legs around his waist.
“What are you working on?” he asked.
“Client files and getting things organized.”
“Have you eaten?” Sebastian moved me to the bed and stood, removing his shirt and pants.
I stared as he got undressed, admiring the man before me. “I did when I first got home.”
“I brought some food with me. Let me eat, and then you can tell me about your day.”
He never went a day without wanting to know if something was upsetting me, and now I felt the urge to keep what I’d seen a secret. My life had brought enough harm to his career, and if leaving out what I’d seen today would help avoid any more drama, then I’d do it.
Sebastian left the room, and I stayed back, gathering my paperwork to put it away and prepare for bed once he was finished eating.
Chapter 16: Laila
I’D STAYED AT THE LOFT last night and decided to head to work from there. I hadn’t intended to have a last-minute sex session in the limo beforehand, but we couldn’t keep our eyes off each other while we got dressed. I was wearing an off-the-shoulder, low-cut dress with a split down the side.
I couldn’t believe he was having me in the back of a limo. We were driving to an event, where he would give a speech on civic duty, and there we were, pulling off each other’s clothes.
His hands trailed down my arms and across my stomach, causing a shiver up my spine. Sebastian hovered over my sex with his mouth and lifted his eyes to me. A mischievous look fell on his face. “Is she ready?” he asked, sinking his tongue into my entrance.
“Sebastian!” I reached out to grab the back of his head and push him away. He yanked my hand away and twirled his tongue in circles around his favorite place. The warmth from his touch against my body, cause a spark of arousal to my clit as I clung to his forearms. Sebastian squeezed my hips as the car continued to drive around the block.
“We're going to be late,” I whispered.
He growled and started to unbuckle his pants. I pulled back and gazed down as his hands pushed my panties to the side. “I don’t care,” Sebastian told me, lining his erection up with my entrance and pushing the tip of his dick into my sex. I lifted my left leg around his hip and arched off the seat as we both trembled from the electricity between us. Sebastian started to move in and out at a slow pace, causing a soft gasp to leave my lips.
He was everything I needed and wanted. “This is insane....”
“You’re so beautiful, baby,” Sebastian mumbled, capturing my lips.
I closed my eyes and tried to control my moaning. A few seconds later, I was lost in the bliss that only he could give me. “Yes... shit, Sebastian.”
“Fuck!” Sebastian groaned, thrusting harder and faster.
I felt his balls hitting my ass. I reached out and grabbed the back of his neck. I cried out in ecstasy, “I feel you, baby!”
“Shit, you’re wet as fuck, Laila.” He grabbed my dress and pulled it down, popping my tits out and grasping them both. He sucked from right to left. His penetration was so deep, I could barely catch my breath.
His phone rang, interrupting us.
“The phone, Sebastian,” I moaned, massaging the back of his neck.
“Damn it, it's probably Claudette.” Sebastian kissed up my chest to my lips. His thrusts increased as my climax came, and I released my juices on the car seat and his pants.
I giggled, knowing we would not make the event tonight. “Answer, because we need to go back and change.” I watched as he zipped his pants and pecked me on the lips. I grabbed my purse and pulled out a package of wet wipes to clean myself up. “Here.” I passed him a few wipes.
“Sorry, Claudette; we're going to be late,” Sebastian said into the phone. “I spilled something on my tuxedo.” He winked at me.
A few seconds later, the call dropped, and I looked over at him. “What did she say?” I asked.
“She’s going to keep the reporters at bay f
or another 30 minutes.” Sebastian pushed the partition down. “Tony, take us back to the loft, so we can change.”
“Copy that, sir,” Tony responded and put on his turn signal at the corner to head back home.
AN HOUR LATER, WE ARRIVED at the Hand-Holding Civic Fundraiser. The photographers on the red carpet were taking pictures. Flashes went off, and I smiled, trying to stay in the back, while Sebastian answered questions from the reporters. I still felt awkward—even though I had given an interview a few weeks ago.
He thanked them and walked back over to me. He grasped my hand, and we headed inside. “You okay?” Sebastian questioned, placing his hand on my lower back.
“I’m fine; don’t worry.”
Claudette showed us to our table. Everything was decorated with the purple-and-gold colors of the organization. They helped support civic engagement at the state and federal levels. The owner and founder was giving Sebastian an award tonight for his continued support in getting people involved. Ray was there, shaking hands with other members of Congress and state government.
I wasn’t looking forward to seeing Carlton tonight if he showed up. We hadn’t ended things well the last time we talked because of the fallout he’d set up with Delilah. Sebastian was still pissed about her coming to see me at my office.
“You look nervous.” Claudette laughed and gave me a glass of champagne.
“Thanks. I am.”
“Just remember, it won’t be forever,” Claudette reminded me.
The announcer came onstage, and the music from the band stopped. The stage was made of glass, and there was a backdrop with a large picture of Sebastian from another event with a microphone in his hand.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming to our third annual celebration,” said Michelle Lofton, the founder of the organization. The crowd started clapping, and she began to introduce the event.
“Are his parents coming tonight?” I inquired.
“No, they flew out of town on vacation. It was preplanned,” Claudette remarked.
“Everything okay over here?” Sebastian asked, walking up to our table.
“Everything’s fine. I don’t bite, Sebastian,” Claudette told him.
“Just checking,” Sebastian mentioned.
“We might have trouble,” Ray said, motioning with his head toward the back of the room. I noticed Delilah, glaring at us.
“How did she get invited?” Claudette asked.
“I don’t know, but she needs to be thrown out if she can’t control herself,” Sebastian replied.
I took another sip of champagne. “I can control myself if she can,” I responded and sat back in the chair, rubbing up and down my arms.
“We are here today to celebrate the accomplishments of our president, Sebastian Hunter,” Michelle said, reading off the teleprompter.
“I’ll go talk to her,” Claudette said, standing.
Sebastian caught her by the elbow. “Ignore her for now. Reporters are here,” Sebastian said.
“Yes, sir,” Claudette answered and sat back down.
I shifted and crossed my arms, sitting back and listening as Michelle read off everything that Sebastian had done in the community to help organize voter registration.
“Next to come to the stage is Kelly Louis.” Michelle stepped to the side as Kelly stepped out in her ballgown, about to sing her latest song. She was a famous older jazz musician who Sebastian told me about.
The band started up, and the waiters came around and placed meals at everyone’s table as she performed. I continued to talk with Ray and Claudette, as Sebastian talked across the table to the other senators sitting with us.
“Thank you,” I said to the waitstaff. The menu was baked salmon with steamed vegetables. I wasn’t really hungry because we’d eaten before we left tonight.
Kelly finished singing, and I clapped as Sebastian stood, and Tony and his security detail followed him toward the stage. Kelly shook hands with Sebastian, then Michelle introduced him on stage.
“Thank you, everyone,” Sebastian said.
“We love you, Mr. President!” someone screamed from the back. The crowd laughed.
“Thank you. And I want to say thank you to Michelle and the organization for all you do. This means a lot, and I want to encourage everyone to continue their support,” Sebastian mentioned.
“I see you sucked your way to the top,” Delilah said.
The table went silent. I turned in my seat.
“Delilah, this is not the place,” Claudette replied.
“Claudette, I expected better from you!” Delilah spat, interrupting Sebastian’s speech.
“Delilah, like I said last time, I didn’t know he was the guy you were talking about,” I explained for the millionth time.
“That's a lie!”
“Ma’am, we need you to come with us,” a security guard told her.
“I’m not leaving; I have an invite,” she argued.
“We need you to come with us,” he told her, grabbing her by the arm and walking her out as flashbulbs from the photographers went off. I shook my head, knowing the drama this would bring, and that it would make Sebastian the bad guy again.
He continued his speech for another five minutes, and then stepped down and came back to sit at the table. Another performer got onstage, and we listened as they performed an old-school Sam Cooke song.
AN HOUR LATER, WE MADE it back to the loft. I went to the bathroom to remove my dress and turn the shower on as Sebastian stood at the door, watching me. “What?” I removed one earring and put it on the counter.
“Thank you for taking this leap with me. I know it wasn’t easy.” Sebastian stepped into the bathroom and wrapped his arms around my waist. He stared at our reflection in the mirror.
I leaned my head against his chest. “You’re welcome.” I pulled the other earring out and removed my necklace.
“You looked beautiful tonight—even when you tried to hide from the reporters,” he joked.
“I’ll never get used to the spotlight.” I placed my hands atop his.
He pressed a kiss on my shoulder. “Take your shower before I ravish you here on the counter,” Sebastian said.
“I could use some company.” I turned around in his arms and stood on my tiptoes. I sucked on his bottom lip.
He palmed my ass and loudly slapped both cheeks. “I have a few calls to make first. Take your shower.”
I nodded and released him as he walked out of the room and smiled at me.
An hour later, I was snuggled up on his chest as I fell asleep after a long day of being an official couple in public.
Chapter 17: Sebastian
THE NEXT DAY, I HAD Carlton come to the White House. He didn’t know I had Delilah waiting for me in another office. After her little interruption at the dinner the other night, I needed to finally remind them why I was the president.
Joanne stepped in with Carlton behind her, and I nodded for her to let him inside. I stood up and extended a hand to shake.
“You summoned me?” Carlton asked.
“I did.”
“What’s this about?” he questioned.
“This is about you, thinking you're invisible.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” Carlton remarked. I chuckled, reaching down to grab a stack of pictures. I pushed them into his hands. They had been taken by a reporter, and they showed him meeting with Delilah.
“So?” Carlton complained and tossed them on the table.
“Carlton, do you think I’m stupid?”
“Sebastian,” Carlton said.
“I suggest you rethink how you address me.”
“Mr. President, I was meeting with a friend for lunch,” Carlton said.
“A friend whom I happened to have spent time with.” I lifted the photos off the table and scanned them with my eyes, staring at how long they’d been meeting together.
“You're dating my ex,” Carlton told me.
“First off, she was
never yours. Second, this has to do with you trying to destroy the great work our administration is doing.”
“How big of an ego do you have that you think I would waste my time on you?” Carlton spat.
“The same size ego that you have. Penelope didn’t want to give me your name, but when you went after her friend, things changed.” I dropped the pictures on my desk and stood behind my chair with my hands on the back.
“What do you want?” he asked, glaring at me.
“End things with Delilah and push the bill I put forth.”
“If I don’t?” he questioned.
“I can make the investigation on your involvement with the company disappear.”
“Just like that?”
“I’m the president; you help me, and I’ll help you,” I said.
“Laila,” Carlton mentioned.
I clenched the top of the chair, biting down on my bottom lip. “She’s off-limits.”
“You win again, basically,” Carlton said.
“It’s not a competition, Carlton.”
“Fine, but I want it done today, and I want the community to make a statement,” Carlton announced.
“As soon as you give a yes vote, I can have them put out a statement.”
He rose from the couch, holding his jacket. I extended my hand for a shake. Carlton nodded, grabbed my hand, and left.
I stalked to Claudette’s office and opened the door to see Delilah, waiting with Claudette. “Can you give us a minute?” I asked Claudette.
She jumped up and walked out of the room.
“I knew you’d change your mind,” Delilah said and tried to wrap her arms around my waist.
I stepped back, putting space between us. “Delilah, we’ve been over for two years.”
“No, you wanted to end things, and I never agreed.”
“That’s not true. I don’t understand why you’re back.”
“Sebastian, we were good together,” Delilah argued.
“All we had was sex.”
“Because you wouldn’t try for more.” Delilah rolled her eyes.
“I’m sorry, but I’ve moved on.”
Mutual Agreement(A Presidential Romance) Page 11