Page 48 of Incisive

That secret triad—Casey-Marie, Declan, and George—are standing on my other side, where they’re chatting with a senator and his wife. Casey-Marie’s remaining comfortably close to me tonight to give me a little cover since everyone knows George and Declan are married. It’s not like Casey-Marie and I could pretend to date because,duh, I’m her boss.

Still, every bit of radar chaff tossed in the air helps keep suspicion off me. And off Casey-Marie and her triad.

Casey-Marie slips closer and leans in. “Want me to have Stella dragged out of here? I’ll be happy to march over there, start shit, and have the detail yank her ass out by her hair. Maybe even taze her. That would be fun!”

My chief of staff knows how to make me laugh. “While that’s a tempting offer let’s not hand her a scandal to use against me.”

She lets out a melodramatic sigh despite her playful smirk. “Your call, Mister President.”

We will accomplish a lot with her as my chief of staff. Jordan outdid himself talking her into taking the job.

Even better? I can completely be myself around her. In private, of course. I don’t have to worry about her witnessing any slips between Jordan and Leo and myself, meaning one less stressor on my already overflowing plate.

I start to take another sip of my drink, realize it’s empty, and almost immediately Jordan appears at my side and puts a fresh drink in my hand. They’re very weak G&Ts because Jordan doesn’t want me to get sloppy. This is just enough to help keep me a little loose and so it looks like I’m enjoying myself.

“Thank you.” I meet Jordan’s gaze and give him a subtle head-tip, the safest cue when so many eyes are on me and I don’t know who can hear us.

Jordan returns it. “You’re welcome, Mister President.”

Tonight I only take drinks from him, or from Casey-Marie.

Or Leo, once he arrives.

Any of my detail would gladly get me a drink and watch as it’s prepared to ensure it’s safe but I’d rather not task them with such bullshit when I can avoid it. They’re highly trained agents, not my fricking butlers. They already have to do my grocery shopping and watch my food being prepared, if it’s not being cooked by us up in the residence.

“No word on Leo yet?” Casey-Marie asks.

“Not yet.” Which prompts me to glance around in case I missed his arrival.

Doubtful, because I know he’ll seek me out immediately.

“You’re adorable.”

“What do you mean?”

She hooks an arm around mine and turns her face so my shoulder will block anyone’s view of her mouth. “The way you pant after the two of them,” she whispers. I must have tensed or reacted in some noticeable way, because she chuckles. “No, you don’t give it away. If I didn’t already know I wouldn’t know. But as one poly person to another, I think it’s cute.”

I raise my glass like I’m going to sip but it’s to hide my mouth. “Why can’t I just enjoy tonight? Why do I feel like an imposter?”

She squeezes my arm. “Because you have a good heart and an even better soul, Mister President. Never forget that.”

Boy, I wish she was right about that.

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

NOW

Spendingan entire night with Leo is a rare treat Jordan and I can’t enjoy often enough. This morning I awaken long before my alarm to find Leo’s spooned around me from behind.

I don’t dare shift position because I don’t want to awaken him or Jordan but I can already tell the good kind of aches and pains will be evident all day.

Fuck my workout. I’d rather lie here with Leo. Jordan cleared my morning schedule to enable me to do exactly this because we both desperately need time with Leo.

Maybe my reticence to come out now is due more to my self-flagellation and self-imposed penance than it is fear. Why should I get to have everything I desire when good men died because of my selfish wants?

Behind me Leo shifts position, his arm tightening around my waist. “Go back to sleep, pet,” he rumbles in a sleep-thick voice. “It’s only four.”

“How’d you know I was awake?” I whisper.