by Harte, C. J.
Her life had been protected for so long that she hadn’t had to deal with real threats or even Brandan’s type of behavior. She didn’t want to think about it and never wanted to see him again. “I love you, Mom. I’ll call again on Thursday.”
She texted Drew. She needed to see her. No, I need her.
*
Drew spent the morning talking to her advisors and filling out paperwork. She planned to do an externship at the University of Wyoming Family Practice Clinic if she got it approved. By arranging the externship during spring, she could be around to help her parents with calving.
Her phone vibrated. Jordan wanted her to call. “Hi there. I’m missing you.”
“Could we have dinner tonight? I’m missing you.”
Drew smiled. Jordan’s voice was filled with longing. “Let me see if I can get some things taken care of, and I’ll be there as quick as I can.” She could hear the sigh of relief coming from the other end. “Are you okay?”
“I just need to see you. And talk to you.”
Once again, Drew let go of her panic. Please, Jordan, things will be okay. She tried to sound calm. “What’s up?”
“Nothing. I just wanted to talk to you.”
Relief was too mild a word for what she was feeling. “I’ll get there as quick I can. Miss you.” She needed to trust Jordan to be strong.
“Thank you.” Jordan paused. Drew wondered what was going on. “I love you.”
“Me, too.” Drew was relieved.
*
Jordan had been watching at the window for nearly thirty minutes. She couldn’t believe how much she missed Drew. She needed to calm down or she would end up putting another scar on her. Once Drew was well into the room and the door closed, she grabbed her.
“I missed you.” Jordan kissed her neck and then her ear. “Is this the way it is between all women? I can’t wait to get your clothes off and touch your body.” The smile on Drew’s face was worth the wait. “Please tell me you missed me.”
“I did.” Drew pulled Jordan close. “Let me show you.” She took Jordan’s hand and started toward the bedroom.
“Wait.” Jordan could barely contain her excitement. “Come see what I’ve done.” She led Drew into the dining room where the table was elegantly set with plates, silverware, candles, and glassware.
Drew could only stare in amazement. “It’s beautiful. You did this?”
“I wanted to have a quiet, romantic dinner with you.” She took Drew’s hands in hers. “You have made so many of my dreams come true and this is just another.”
The setting was amazing and the food smelled wonderful. Jordan was pleased.
Drew turned to Jordan. “No one outside my family has made me feel so loved. Thank you.” She kissed Jordan, a kiss filled with love and promise.
*
Dinner was not only delicious but incredibly sensual, especially with Jordan putting pieces of various foods in her mouth by hand. Drew thought she would have an orgasm more than once if she hadn’t focused on control. Dinner done, she had shown restraint long enough.
“You, my dear, are much too sexy for your own good. The only dessert I want now is you. But first, I want some music. Come help me find something to play.”
“What kind of music?”
The disappointed look on her face forced a smile. “Don’t worry. You’ll like what I’ve planned. I’ve been doing some practicing.” She opened her touch pad, found the song, and started it playing. “Ms. Thompson, may I have the pleasure of this dance?” Drew bowed then offered her hand.
A waltz began to play. Drew took Jordan’s hand. She smiled at the almost hesitant look on Jordan’s face. She listened to the music, counted to three, and led Jordan into the dance.
“You’ve been practicing. You make me so happy.”
“Then I’ll work to make each and every day better.”
She kissed Drew. “Then take me to bed and my night will be spectacular.”
*
Drew sat on the edge of the bed with Jordan on her lap. She began removing Jordan’s clothes piece by piece. She loved the softness of Jordan’s skin. The fullness of her hips and breasts. The gentle roundness of her stomach. The way she gave herself.
“You are amazing,” Drew said. She kissed between Jordan’s breasts as she slowly removed Jordan’s bra.
“Drew, please, this is torture. Let me finish getting undressed. And take your clothes off!”
“You are getting bossy.” Drew slid quickly out of her boots, jeans, and underwear. She stood and waited for Jordan to remove her shirt.
“I definitely like your shirts,” Jordan said. “I’ve fallen in love with snaps. And that you don’t wear a bra.”
“Sweetheart, it would be a waste of time. I’m afraid I am not as gifted as you. Hope you don’t mind.”
“Mind? You’re perfect.” Jordan ran her hands over Drew’s small, taut breasts. “This feels so incredible. The way you get so hard when I touch you.”
“I think we need to lie down because my knees won’t hold me up much longer.”
Jordan took Drew’s hand and pulled her down on the bed.
Drew rolled on top of her. Jordan closed her eyes as she released a groan of pleasure.
“Look at me,” Drew whispered. “You are so beautiful.”
“You make me feel beautiful.”
“You are beautiful.”
“Show me.” Jordan opened her legs and let Drew take her to such wonderful places.
*
Sometime during the night, Jordan asked Drew what she was doing during break. “We only have a week and I had planned to fly out to Wyoming.” She took a deep breath and plowed ahead. “Would you like to meet my family? David and Mark are also going with me. I thought we could all be together.”
Jordan sat up, completely naked. “You want me to meet your family? I thought they didn’t care for my family.”
“Please lay back down. When I see you like that, I can’t think about anything but touching you.”
Jordan grinned. She had come to realize that she had the power to excite Drew. That was an aphrodisiac. She snuggled next to Drew and pulled the covers up to her chin. “Is that better?”
“Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Absolutely.” Jordan became serious. “Until you, no one made me feel sexy or beautiful. You make me feel…I can’t explain it.” Jordan paused to find the right words. “You make me feel like I exist as a person. Someone desirable, someone deserving to be loved. That Jordan Thompson, the person, is real.”
“You are real, Jordan. You’re magnificent in so many ways. And yes, I want you to meet my parents. It will definitely take them some time to get used to the idea, but they love me unconditionally. And when they get to know you, they’ll love you the same way. They already know we’re friends.”
“Really? What did they say? What if they don’t like me?”
“Yes, really. My parents made sure to tell you that you’ll be welcomed at our ranch. You already have two big fans, besides me, plus David and Mark will be there. That’s half the people at the ranch.”
“Oh. Well, I can’t say I’m excited about meeting the rest of your family, but I already like Hayden and Greg.”
“Is that a yes?”
“Suppose your parents don’t like me?”
“Then we’ll spend the whole time in bed and you won’t have to see them at all.”
A look of horror filled Jordan’s face. “In your parents’ house?” She pulled the sheet over her head.
Drew laughed. “They’ll like you. When they see how much I love you, they’ll fall in love with you.”
Jordan jumped on top of her. “You’re terrible.”
Drew toppled Jordan back onto the bed. “I can show you terrible.” She began to kiss Jordan. Her mouth, her hands, her breasts, and every other part of her body.
Jordan responded readily to Drew’s touches, kisses, and lovemaking. There was no way she could hide how excited she was.
Nor did she want to try.
*
The day before finals, Jordan gathered her courage and called her parents. “I’m spending break with Drew and some friends. Hope that’s okay.” She had never spent time away from her family except when she left for college. The University of Florida was far enough away for her to be away but close enough that her parents were easily reachable. It didn’t seem fair that her brother was allowed to go to California and she had to beg to go to Gainesville. She wasn’t complaining because she met Drew at UF.
“Your tutor seems like such a nice young lady. If you go anywhere outside of Gainesville, make sure your security knows in advance.”
Jordan felt guilty. She should tell her parents they weren’t staying in town, but she didn’t want to go through the clearance and investigation. Jordan had never lied to her parents. That made her feel even guiltier. “Mom, Drew has asked me to spend break with her and her family.” What would she do if her parents refused to let her go? “It would be great to have this break before my last year.”
“Dear, this is short notice to arrange your safety.”
“They live on a ranch. It’s not like they have neighbors or live in a bad neighborhood.”
“Jordan, I don’t know. I need to talk to your father.”
Panic was setting in. She was sure he would say no until the family had been vetted. “Mom, I can call every day. My agents will be with me and I’m sure they can secure the ranch.” She heard her mother hesitating. “Please. I’ve never had the chance to spend break with any of my friends.”
“Okay. But make sure we have telephone numbers in case we need to get in touch with you. A number other than your cell. So when will you be coming home?”
Jordan could never think of the White House or Camp David as home. “I’ll let you know as soon as I can.” She knew she was misleading her mother. “I love you, Mom. Talk to you in a couple of days.”
Okay, Jordan, Drew is taking you to meet her parents. When are you going to tell your parents? She had no answer.
*
As part of her security, Jordan was able to arrange for a private plane and ground transportation. Drew had to call Hayden and warn him. “You’re what? You must be crazy or in love or both.” There was a silence then Hayden responded to his own statement. “No, this is too much. You and Jordan? OMG. Do her parents know? Of course not. This is rich.”
“Hayden, you’re not helping me. Besides, I vaguely remember you telling me that she was interested in me.”
“True, but you insisted the likelihood of anything happening was between zero and minus one.”
“Are you going to help or not?”
“What do you want? I can put together a couple of minor miracles but not a big one.”
“I want a few minutes to talk to the folks before they meet Jordan. We’ll be arriving in big, black SUVs with Jordan’s security detail. Hopefully, we’ll get there before any FBI or other Homeland Security from Cheyenne arrive. Can you keep Mom and Dad in the house until I get in and explain or divert security to the bunkhouse until we’re all there?”
“This is going to be interesting, but I will. I’d rather see the folks’ expressions. Mom, Dad, guess who’s coming to dinner? Too bad she likes girls.”
Drew growled at him and then told him to behave. She now needed to figure out how she was going to manage everything. They had handled the friendship, but what about a lover?
Chapter Twenty
August
Hayden took the Secret Service agents to the empty bunkhouse and then led Jordan, David, and Mark on a short tour of the ranch. About fifteen minutes’ worth, Drew hoped.
“Mom, Dad, you told me I could bring anyone I wanted. David and Mark are here and so is Jordan.” Her parents looked at each other. “And her security team.”
“Jordan Thompson? The daughter of the president? Your friend, Jordan?”
Drew was grateful for the description. Hatchet made the situation untenable. “Yes, ma’am.” Drew fidgeted in the silence that followed.
Her mother pushed the hair out of Drew’s face. “You need a haircut.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Drew was getting nervous. Her mother was looking too closely at her.
“She is more than a friend. Isn’t she, dear?”
“Yes, Mom. She’s my lover.” Once again, her mother’s perceptiveness amazed her. “And she’s very nervous about meeting you.”
“Honey, if Jordan Thompson is that important to you and she makes you happy, then she’s welcomed here.” Her mother looked at her father. “Isn’t that true, dear?” Her father stood absolutely still, staring.
“Isn’t that true, dear?”
Her father’s words were only partially reassuring. “If she breaks your heart she’ll hear from me and every member of this family, and that’s a promise. Bring her in.” He stood with his arms crossed. His facial expression looked more as if he had just bitten into something sour.
“Chuck?” Her mother leaned against him.
“Okay! You’re a persistent woman.”
Drew could see her father relenting. She began to relax.
“Drew, honey, let Jordan know she’s welcome. But—”
“But,” her mother interrupted, “we’ll need to find out what she likes to eat. Isn’t that what you were going to say?”
Her father smiled. “It’s a good thing I love you all so much.” He then turned to Drew. “Bring her in. Might as well get introductions over.”
A few minutes later, she was bringing in her guests. She grabbed Jordan’s hand, hoping the physical contact would ease the nervousness.
“Mom, Dad, I want you to meet my roommate, Mark, his partner, David, and this beautiful woman is Jordan Thompson. Jordan, everyone, these are my parents, Charles and Marcia Hamilton.”
*
There were so many things about this moment that were awkward for Jordan. Meeting Drew’s parents and being identified as Drew’s girlfriend in front of those parents were tied for first. Literally being in a den of Democrats with strangely liberal views was a far second.
“Thank you for welcoming me into your home.” Jordan prayed that it was true.
Drew’s mother quickly hugged Mark and David and made them welcome. Then she came to stand in front of Jordan. “Jordan, it’s about time we met you.” She started to hug her until Jordan put out her hand. Mrs. Hamilton shook it. “Drew has talked about you so often, we feel we know you. Welcome.”
Jordan’s anxiety level couldn’t get any higher. She was grateful when Mrs. Hamilton took the proffered hand and smiled.
Charles Hamilton’s greeting was cooler. He simply said, “Hello, Jordan. I hope you enjoy your stay.”
“Thank you, sir, ma’am. I’m grateful you’ve welcomed me.”
“And dreaded meeting you.” Drew couldn’t keep the huge smile from spreading across her face. “I did warn her that we occasionally eat Republicans.”
“Only after we barbecue them,” Drew’s father added.
“We’re only kidding.” Drew rubbed her thumb over Jordan’s hand.
Jordan pulled her hand away. “Just tell me what I need to do to avoid being cooked.” She hoped humor could defuse the situation. Uncomfortable was too mild a word for what she was feeling. Drew holding her hand, the comments, even in jest, only added to her awareness that she was the daughter of the president of the United States. She should be able to defend her father. At the same time, she had failed to defend Drew. And now she realized how discomfiting Drew’s touching her was.
“Become a Democrat,” Drew’s father added.
Jordan faked a smile and tried to hide the trembling hands by shoving them into her pants pockets.
“Sorry, we all tease around here.”
Jordan’s response was a nervous nod. How am I going to survive a whole week, especially with Mark and David leaving today for three days?
“Mom, Dad, Jordan has Secret Service agents and we put them up in the bunkhouse. I told them
we’d let them know when dinner was ready.” Drew looked directly at her father. “They need to set up emergency communications and may need to upgrade our Internet service if that’s okay with you?”
“Hell’s bells,” her father bellowed. “You mean there’s something good I can say about that idiot in the White House?” He stopped as soon as Drew’s mother poked him in the ribs.
“Sorry, Jordan, bad habit.” He looked at Drew. “Go ahead and tell them to do whatever they need. Why don’t all you young folks come on in and make yourselves comfortable and I’ll run out and see what else they need? We’ve never had much security around here.” He looked at Drew and then Jordan. “Guess we’ll need it from now on.” He kissed Drew on the head as he walked by.
Jordan was on overload. At least he anticipated her being there in the future. That may be good. Still, she was trying to survive this moment.
“Well, how many agents are there?” Drew’s mother asked.
“Seven, ma’am,” Jordan answered. “The agent in charge and six others to work different shifts.”
“I guess we need to put a bigger pot of chili on the stove then.”
“May I help?” Jordan tentatively offered. At least cooking was familiar.
Drew’s mother smiled. “Of course, dear. I was going to ask you to join me, anyway. Come on, we have a big bunch to feed.”
“Mom,” Drew said, “Jordan is a hell of a cook.”
“When did you learn about cooking?” her mother asked.
“Never, but I certainly know about eating good food.”
Her mother laughed. “We are all well aware of your voracious appetite. Come on, Jordan. We may need another cow in the pot.”
*