Shared by her Bodyguards: A Reverse Harem Romance

by Cassie Cole

  I put the phone to my ear. “Senator O’Hare speaking.”

  “Hey there, sugar,” came a deep, familiar voice.

  Anthony!

  I glanced at Megan and then lowered my voice. “How did you get my number?”

  “That’s not hard for Capitol Police.” There was a strange static noise in the background. Like a hairdryer blowing. “Just calling to say I miss you.”

  My stomach tingled. I missed him too, even though I just saw him yesterday in the Hill restroom. And even though I’d been with Ethan last night. “I miss you too,” I whispered. “Is that the only reason you called? I’m kind of busy right now.”

  “I also called to say you look good.”

  “I know you think I look good,” I said.

  “No,” he insisted. “I mean you look good right now. I like what they did to your hair.”

  I froze, then looked around. It took several seconds to realize the motorcycle that had passed us before was right in front of us.

  “Are you here? In Ohio?” I demanded.

  “Hopped on my bike the second I saw the event pop up on your events page,” Anthony said. I could hear the smile in his voice. “It was a pleasant six hour ride from D.C. Little cold, though.”

  I fought down the rising excitement at having him here. The Capitol Policeman who had a crush on me had followed me all the way to Ohio. At the drop of a hat. Like a sexy shadow.

  “Anthony!” I hissed. “I don’t have time for this.”

  The motorcycle up ahead slowed down, dropping back until our car caught up to it. He evened out his speed when he was right next to my window. It was a Japanese bike, not his police cruiser, and he wore padded motorcycle armor from head to toe. He turned his helmet to face me, though all I could see was the tinted glass.

  “I’ll leave you alone,” he said. “Just wanted to let you know I was here. Yeah, you’ve got that bodyguard and the Secret Service detail covering your ass, but a third set of eyes can’t hurt. I’ll be in the crowd during your speech looking for threats. Knock ‘em dead, sugar.”

  “Thank you,” I said, and meant it.

  Anthony’s motorcycle suddenly shot forward, racing up the highway.

  Megan glanced at me. “Was that a reporter?”

  I gave a start. “I don’t know who it was. Just a biker I guess, looking over at who was in our car…”

  Megan stared at me like I was speaking Greek. “On the phone. Was that a reporter on the phone?”

  “Oh.” I shook my head. “Just my cousin. He saw I was making a speech and wants to be there, but it’s too far of a drive up from New Alexandria.”

  “That’s nice,” Megan said dismissively before returning to her own phone call. “Goddamnit, Parker. Just send your best reporter to the event. Trust me, the Columbus Dispatch is going to want someone there. Have I ever steered you wrong?”

  I watched Anthony’s motorcycle shrink in the distance as we neared downtown Columbus.

  “Uh oh,” Luca said from the front seat.

  “What is it?”

  He held out his phone for me to see. “We have a major problem.”

  21

  Anthony

  I couldn’t get her out of my head.

  She was like an addiction. Or the aftertaste of a bite of chocolate cake lingering on your tongue, reminding me that I wanted more. Constantly occupying my attention.

  I was never the kind of guy to get too attached to women. Usually I went on a couple of dates, the woman tried to get closer to me, and then I broke things off. I liked it that way. Physical more than emotional. Things were simpler that way.

  But nothing about Elizabeth was simple.

  She was different. She wasn’t like any of the other women I’d been with. I wanted to be emotional with her. It’s like she’d opened the door to part of my soul which had never been touched, and now she was walking around dusting off all the furniture. Making herself at home.

  I craved Elizabeth. Being apart from her was so painful that I’d spent the last two nights watching her apartment from down the block, even though two other USCP officers were assigned to her protection. That’s why I accosted her in the restroom at the Capitol Building, just to taste her sweet sex even for a few minutes. It’s why I then lingered outside the Finance Committee door and listened to her grill that banker, just to hear her voice.

  It was why I’d gotten up at 6:00 in the morning to drive straight to Ohio on my bike.

  There was no thought involved. I was running on a combination of impulse and desire.

  I would find a way to get her alone again. And when I did, I would fuck the stress out of her until she was cool and relaxed.

  Until then, I would help protect her at the public speech at the Ohio Statehouse. Because I may not love Elizabeth yet, but I knew, deep down, that I was falling in love with her.

  And people in love did crazy, stupid things.

  I raced ahead on my motorcycle to get there ahead of everyone else.

  22

  Elizabeth

  “What problem?” I asked.

  Luca waved his phone. “The problem is Columbus PD are only sending nine officers to the event.”

  Megan’s mouth hung open. “So fucking what?”

  “I requested 14 from them,” Luca replied. “Minimum.”

  “Nine sounds like plenty,” Megan said, returning her attention to her phone.

  “For an event this size? Absolutely not,” Luca insisted. “Three to four officers operating the metal detectors at the entrance. Six more for general perimeter duty. Three at each entrance to the stage. Not to mention patrols inside the crowd itself, or on the roofs of surrounding buildings…”

  “You’re overreacting,” I said.

  “We need to postpone the event.” Luca twisted back around and began to make a phone call. “I’m going to speak with the Chief of Police and demand they put spotters on the roofs of the nearby buildings.”

  “Absolutely not!” Megan suddenly snapped. She grabbed Luca’s shoulder tightly. “There is no way we are postponing the event. We’ll lose a huge chunk of media coverage.”

  “You can’t sacrifice security for press time!” Luca said.

  “No,” Megan replied. “What we can’t sacrifice is political opportunity just because you’re paranoid. Columbus PD is in charge of security for the event. You’re in charge of protecting Senator O’Hare’s person. Focus on that, agent.”

  Luca looked like he wanted to argue more, but turned back around and stared out the window.

  The Ohio Statehouse was in downtown Columbus, two blocks from the Scioto River. The facade was beautiful Greek architecture, stone columns supporting a long, wide roof. A statue of William McKinley, the 25th President, stood high above the lawn.

  “Should we mention McKinley in the speech?” I asked. “I didn’t even think about him.”

  Megan shook her head. “Absolutely not. He was not a popular president. Also, he was successfully assassinated in office. Not quite the connection we want people making.”

  “Good point.”

  The streets on three sides of the Statehouse were blocked off with barricades and a large crowd of people was being funneled through the metal detectors into the fenced-off lawn area. There were so many people. At least a thousand. More than could fit into the lawn.

  That was a great sign. This event was going to get lots of attention.

  A podium stood at the top of the steps, positioned between two of the massive stone columns. Balloons and streamers were everywhere in varying shades of red, white, and blue. Curtains were erected on either side of the building, like a makeshift theater stage where crew and aides could wait without being seen by the crowd. And above the building was a long banner, currently covered with a sheet.

  “What do you think?” Megan handed me her phone. It showed a picture of the banner at the print shop. 2020 O’HARE, except the last zero and the O in my name blended together in offsetting colors.

  “
I love it,” I said, feeling a lump form in my throat. “It’s like I always dreamed.”

  “This isn’t a dream,” Megan said. “This is the real deal. Get your game face on.”

  We were allowed through security and then parked on the side of the Statehouse, then walked up to the stage behind the curtain. I peeked around the edge at the milling crowd, which had already filled the entire lawn and was crammed along the side streets outside the perimeter. There were thousands of people here.

  “Called in a few favors to let the crowd fill the streets,” Megan said with pride. “An overflowing crowd will look great in the photos.” She looked at her watch. “I’m heading down to the press box to watch. I want to be available for questions immediately after your speech. There’s going to be a lot of excitement!”

  I was going to be alone. I’d given hundreds of speeches before, but this one was on another level. The most important speech of my life.

  “It’s going to be weird not having you behind me,” I said. “Watching from behind the curtain, fist-pumping every time the crowd cheers.”

  “You don’t need me. You’ve got these two strapping men to keep you company.” She winked at Ethan, who grinned back at her. “Don’t forget that the confetti will shoot off once the speech is over. It’ll be loud. Don’t let it spook you. If you flinch, it will make you look jumpy and weak. The point of this public announcement is to show you’re not scared.”

  “You mean pretend I’m not scared?” I said with a nervous laugh. “Because I’m definitely a little scared.”

  Her smile softened. “Me too, Elizabeth.”

  We held each in a long hug. We’d come a long way together. And yet we were just getting started. When we pulled away, Megan had to wipe a tear from her eye.

  “Remember, project strength,” she said. “Stand right behind the podium, waving and smiling, until the mayor comes back out to join you. Then you’ll leave together. You’ve got this!”

  She walked away, leaving me feeling very alone.

  “Senator O’Hare,” Luca said with surprising formality, “I need to reiterate that I am unhappy with the level of security for this event. I am just one agent. I cannot guarantee your protection at an event this open.”

  I gave him a smile. “You look good wearing sunglasses. Like a real Secret Service Agent.”

  “Ma’am,” he said. “I’m serious.”

  “We’re past canceling the event. This is happening.”

  “It’s a bad idea,” he warned.

  “I appreciate your honesty. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to mentally prepare for my speech.”

  I turned away. Luca sighed, then approached Ethan.

  “Listen. I know we don’t get along, but we need to put that aside for her safety. Her speech is set to run about five minutes. If you hear any sort of gunshot, it’s crucial to first protect her with your body, keep her low, and then escort her out of the open. If I am incapacitated, it’s crucial to get the senator around the corner to the side street where the car is waiting. Don’t let yourself get blocked off.”

  I expected Ethan to say something sarcastic. He surprised me by nodding. “I’ll do my best.”

  I smiled. They were putting aside their petty annoyances for my protection. It gave me a warm tingling in my stomach, and made me feel less alone.

  Luca slipped behind the curtain to go around to the other side of the stage. I leaned out toward the podium, where the Columbus mayor was currently giving his speech to the crowd, warming them up before I went out. Going over my long history of public service for the great state of Ohio.

  “Nervous?” Ethan asked over my shoulder. He stood almost as close to me as someone possibly could without actually touching. I could feel his warm breath on the back of my neck.

  I snorted. “Why would I be nervous? It’s only the most important speech of my career. One misspoken word or awkward eye-twitch and everything goes down the drain. No reason to be nervous at all.”

  Ethan poked me with something. “This’ll help.”

  It was a metal flask, wrapped with fine leather. The initials E-J-J were stamped into the leather.

  “If this is supposed to be a gift, you got my initials wrong,” I said.

  “The flask is mine. The contents are for you. A little liquid courage before the most important speech of your career.”

  I unscrewed the cap and took a long pull without thinking. Fire ran down my throat, scouring everything it touched. But it warmed my belly, and it did make me feel a little more confident.

  “I never made fun of you for using your real name,” I whispered. “In the hotels.”

  He shrugged. “It made it feel more real to me. Though I never had that problem with you. It was always real with you, Elizabeth.”

  It would have been easy to kiss him then and there. But of course that would be disastrous. A senator making out with her bodyguard before announcing her presidency.

  But I did want to kiss him. I decided there would be much more time for that later, consequences be damned.

  “Now I just need to figure out your middle name,” I said. “I bet it’s Jacob. Ethan Jacob Jacobs. That silly name fits you.”

  His handsome face smirked. “Guess again.”

  “Ethan Jessica Jacobs?”

  He arched an eyebrow. “I don’t think I’m pretty enough for that.”

  “Don’t sell yourself so short.”

  He hesitated like he wanted to hug me, then gave me a reassuring pat on the shoulder. “You were made for this. It’ll be easy. Just be yourself. You hear that crowd? They love you.”

  He was right: the crowd was roaring right now. It was a weekday, and freezing outside, and yet thousands of people had come out here to see me. Their senator.

  Hopefully I can become their vice president, and beyond.

  The mayor reached the end of his speech, announcing my name. The crowd noise rose to a deafening level.

  I put on my best smile and strode toward the podium.

  23

  Ethan

  Elizabeth was incredible. She was so many things all at once: a savvy politician, a caring senator, an intelligent orator, a beautiful woman.

  While watching her walk onto the stage, I came to a realization that would forever change my life.

  I’m in love with her.

  It was stupid. Ridiculous. I’d stared into her eyes for scarcely more than a day. Spoken to her for two days.

  I’d been with her longer, though. I felt like I’d known her for years. And even though I had so much more to learn about her, I couldn’t wait to start.

  I took up my position at the edge of the curtain, opposite of Luca on the other side. I pulled my eyes off the gorgeous senator and began scanning the crowd for anything unusual.

  “That’s the Ohio welcome I’m used to!” Elizabeth said into the microphone, voice enhanced by the speakers all around. The sound echoed off the far buildings. “It always feels great coming home to the state I love.”

  Power was sexy. It was as true for women as it was for men. There were so many things I loved about Elizabeth, but I was quickly discovering that her power enhanced all of it. It made her beauty that much more beautiful, her intelligence even more sharp. Like a spotlight shone on an already breathtaking statue.

  What was going to happen to us? In about five minutes she would officially be running for president. She couldn’t keep fucking her bodyguard on the campaign trail. It was too risky.

  Granted, she was single. Maybe we could make things more official. I could be her boyfriend. Would having someone like that help or hurt her political chances?

  Does she want that?

  I still had this nagging fear that she only liked me physically. Just a man she paid to fuck her in a hotel room, and leave immediately after. Which brought up the most important point of all: my history as an escort would torpedo her chances. If we started dating publicly, it would come out. There was no way it could remain a secret under the magnifyi
ng glass of scrutiny that came from a presidential campaign. And that would sink her chances.

  While watching her give her speech before a roaring, adoring crowd, I came to a sad realization. I couldn’t be with her. Even if she wanted to be with me too, it was too risky. I couldn’t allow it to go on. It would threaten all of her dreams.

  I have to break things off for good.

  The realization made me sad, but I knew it was the only option. Even if it meant quitting this job and bringing in a different bodyguard. That way there wouldn’t even be the temptation for either of us.

  My scanning eyes locked onto someone in the crowd. Wearing all black. Was that…?

  Icy fingers gripped my heart and squeezed tight.

  Yes. I was certain it was them. And if they were here, Elizabeth was likely in danger.

  I tried to get Luca’s attention, but he was busy scanning the crowd. I had to take care of this myself.

  I slipped back behind the curtain and around the side. Down the steps leading away from the building, then around into the crowd by the front.

  “By now, many of you have heard the news,” Elizabeth was saying.

  Nobody in the crowd noticed me jostling past them. They were mesmerized by Elizabeth’s speech. She truly had a gift for oration. She held the crowd’s attention like she was announcing lottery numbers.

  One person up ahead wasn’t paying attention. A shady-looking guy who was moving through the crowd, not paying any attention to the senator behind the podium.

  “Yes, it’s true,” Elizabeth said. “Earlier this week, I was attacked.”

  The crowd gasped.

  “But it’s going to take a lot more than some harassment on my morning jog to stop this senator from representing the great state of Ohio!”

  The crowd roared. People raised signs and bounced up and down, blocking my view of the man I was pursuing.

  There. He’d turned right, and was moving toward the stage now.

  Toward Elizabeth.

  “And that is why I am here today, in front of all of you, on the steps of the Ohio Statehouse.”