Page 3 of Accepted Precedent (Love & Politics #3)

Andrew

I ’ve been close with Evelyn for years. We became fast friends, and never once did either of us cross this line. There were a few times I considered it, but was too afraid of losing my best friend. In a matter of minutes, Mickey convinced her this is a good idea.

It’s not.

We’ve already taken it too far.

Mick brings Evie into the house over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry, swatting her bare ass every time she insists he let her go.

He sets her on the kitchen counter, and the word spills from my lips without a second thought, “Filibuster.” They both freeze, and all eyes are on me.

“I can’t do this. I thought I could, but I can’t.

If you two want to sleep together without me, no hard feelings—sex is just sex.

But Evie, you’re my best friend. I’m already struggling with what tomorrow looks like, and we haven’t done anything more than kiss.

” She hops off the counter and prowls toward me, not bothering to cover her pretty pink pussy.

The confidence she exudes is powerful and intimidating. “What are you doing?”

Evelyn doesn’t stop until her arms are wrapped around my middle. “I’m sorry, Andy.” I envelop her in mine and breathe in her sweet citrus and floral shampoo, kissing the top of her head. “I love you.”

“I love you too, babe,” I whisper, grateful she understands.

Mickey slides up behind me and kisses my neck as he massages my shoulders.

“As fun as it would be to have the two of you tonight, nothing is more important to me than your comfort. If you two get married, you’ll need to appear as if you’re in love while in public—but that’s just for show.

Here, in my home, there’s no performance.

Your friendship is too important, and honesty is necessary if this is going to work. ”

“He’s right,” she sighs against me. “I love you too much to ruin our friendship because of sex.”

“Both of you, upstairs,” Mick demands as he releases me. “Take a long, hot shower. Together or separately, your choice. I’ll be up in a minute.”

“I don’t have anything to wear,” Evie winces, searching for her jeans and shoes.

“I’ll take care of it,” he insists, and I slide Evelyn’s hand into mine to guide her upstairs.

After a few moments, I risk asking, “Will you stay the night with me?”

“Of course. I’m sorry we took things too far tonight.”

“If anyone should be apologizing, it’s me.

” I roughly rake my hand through my hair.

“I love Mick, and I was so caught up in the disappointment that we can’t be together for years, I wasn’t thinking straight.

” When Mickey wants something, I find myself blindly going along with it, but can’t bring myself to admit it out loud.

Evelyn stops us in our tracks and I skid to a stop. “We’re going to make you the next Senator of Maryland, and once you’re in office, we’ll get divorced and you two can be together.”

“It isn’t that simple; this isn’t a game of musical chairs. I’m also worried about how we want different things. He wants the American dream—a house with a white picket fence, a bunch of kids, a dog that terrorizes the mail courier…”

“And you don’t want that?”

“No,” I sigh, continuing to lead her to Mickey’s room. “You know I don’t want kids, but if I marry Mickey, he’ll probably convince me that we’re ready to be parents.”

“I know.” She smiles brightly. “But for what it’s worth, you’d be an amazing dad.”

“Thanks.”

While I appreciate the sentiment, I’d be lying if I agreed. I’d be an absent father with my work schedule, and Mickey would be responsible for ensuring our kids didn’t grow up to be assholes. He’d love every second of it, but in time, he might resent me for it. That’s a reality I want no part of.

Once inside, Evelyn’s eyes widen as she takes in Mickey’s room. “Holy shit,” she mutters, mostly to herself.

“Come on, let’s take a shower. Mick will be pissed if I don’t make sure you’re taken care of.

” I wink and help her out of her shirt. I’ve seen Evelyn naked no less than a hundred times, and while she has an incredible body, I don’t lust after her like I do Mickey.

There’s just never been a spark between us.

Mick makes me feel alive—there’s fire and passion—while Evie is like a warm blanket on a cold day.

Both are important to me in different ways.

“Oh, I’m sure Daddy will be just fine if you don’t.”

“He wasn’t joking about that earlier,” I warn.

“I figured as much. I think you were right to stop everything tonight; I don’t think he could’ve handled me,” she teases, turning on the shower.

She’s wrong, Mickey would break her like a wild horse, but I don’t correct her.

I strip out of my clothes, and as the water warms, she asks, “Do you always do what he wants?”

Her question takes me by surprise, but I shrug as indifferently as possible. “Most of the time.”

“I never took you for being submissive, but I can’t say I blame you. If I had someone like Mickey, I probably would be too.”

“You’re submissive, just in a different way. While I love pleasing him, I think you would get off on fighting anyone who wants you to submit. You’d ultimately give in and love every second of it.”

Steam fills the bathroom, and we step into the shower. She turns the knob, and I wince as the hot water pelts my back; how she can tolerate the heat is beyond me.

“Are you sure you want to marry me? You’d be giving up everything.

My being friends with a lobbyist is bad enough, but being married to one…

” I take a deep breath and blow it. “You’d have to quit, and it isn’t as if you can date anyone seriously.

It’ll be risky to sleep with anyone—everyone in Washington talks.

Maybe we should find a random woman to do it. ”

Evelyn wets her hair and insists, “I’m sure. It’s only for a few years, plus it’ll give me access to politicians and their wives, so when I do go back to work, I’ll have established relationships. We’ll make sure the marriage is portrayed as ending amicably, and no one will be the wiser. Win-win.”

“I still feel guilty about it.” I squirt a dollop of shampoo into my hands and lather it together, then begin washing her hair.

“Don’t,” she rushes out, and I freeze. “No, not that. It feels really good.” Offering a sweet smile, she clarifies, “Don’t feel guilty. This is my choice. It’ll allow you to still be with Mick—even if it’s just in secret—while also living your dream.”

I continue massaging the shampoo into her scalp and brushing it through to the ends. “What about your dreams?”

“It’s temporary, but I may need to add hair washing to the prenup.”

“I’ll be sure to tell the lawyers.”

For the first time since we left happy hour, things feel like they’re almost back to normal—like us —as if the car ride never happened.

“I don’t expect you to be celibate; you can sleep with other people so long as you’re quiet about it. We’ll need to draw up NDAs though.”

“I hate that you have to keep your relationship a secret,” she sighs, shutting her eyes and swallowing thickly.

I tilt her chin to look at me. “Mickey and his brother are two of the most powerful men in Washington. It would hurt everyone’s careers if anyone found out. I love him, but unless things change, there’s no way we’ll have a fairytale happily ever after.”

“How is it that everyone I know is shackled to political servitude?” Evie grumbles, helping me rinse her hair. “I know Ileah was seeing someone in secret, but is now marrying Tim.”

I still at the mention of Ileah’s situation. After one two many drinks, Mickey let it slip that his brother is in love with Ileah. If Ileah loves Finn, I’m no better than her—marrying for politics instead of love.

“Who’s next? Jaclyn?” Evie continues, and I grab the conditioner and finger-comb it through Evie’s thick auburn locks, ensuring the ends get extra attention.

“Back in college, she was close with Alex Blake. But because of her father’s aspirations to be President, she had to cut ties.

It’s only a matter of time before she’s married off to some billionaire or aspiring President.

And now I’m going to marry my best friend because America is full of assholes who don’t understand that who we love isn’t a choice. ”

“You should put that on a pillow,” I tease, but she’s right.

I could walk away from the chance to represent marginalized voices—be selfish and live out loud.

Except I’d hate myself for it. I was meant for more, and so was Evelyn.

If she makes this sacrifice for me, I’ll forever be indebted to her.

Hell, our whole country will owe her a thank you.

Once it’s all over, hopefully we’ll get our happily ever afters.

At the very least, I’ll ensure she gets hers.

“Well, since I’ll be quitting my job, I’ll have time for needlepoint.” While she says it in jest, my heart squeezes, and I can’t help pulling her closer. “Hey, I’m good, I promise! Just buy me any vibrator I add to my shopping cart, and we’ll call it even.”

There’s a knock on the open ensuite door. “I ordered pizza, it’ll be here in ten. Someone will bring it upstairs for you with plates when you’re done showering. Also, there are clothes laid out on the bed. I’ll be back in an hour.”

“Thanks, Daddy,” Evie teases, letting out a full laugh.

“Ten minutes, angel. Or when I return, I’ll bend you over and fuck that attitude right out of you.”

Without another word, Mick leaves and I whisper-shout to her, “What are you doing?”

“What?” She shrugs. “It’s not like he’ll actually do it. He’s your boyfriend.”

Except, she’s wrong, so very wrong. I wouldn’t put it past Mickey to teach her a lesson. I’ve learned the hard way—being edged for hours isn’t as fun as it sounds.

Evelyn and I make quick work of washing up, then hurry out of the shower.

Though his staff is discreet, I’d never want anyone to walk in on me with my cock hanging out.

Once we’re dressed, there’s a knock on the bedroom door and Aisling, the incredible woman who manages Mick’s staff, calls, “Mr. Adams, I have dinner ready for you and your guest. Would you prefer I leave it outside of the door?”

I open it and insist, “No, thank you. Would you like to have a slice with us?”

“Oh, no thank you, I already ate. Enjoy.”

Aisling offers me the pizza box, two glasses, and a bottle of red wine. As she walks away, I ask, “Are you ever going to call me Andrew?”

“Perhaps one day, but today is not that day, Mr. Adams. Please ring downstairs should you need anything else.”