Page 118 of Indiscretion

“Protect my trust,” I say, “and never lie to me. It’sthateasy.”

“Not that easy. It’s ‘complicated.’ You said so.” He smiles.

“A producer from FNB offers you a hundred grand, cash, to wear a wire and carry a hidden camera,” I say. “What do you tell them?”

His eyes widen a little. “What?”

“You’ll get outright offers. You’ll get people suddenly wanting to be your friend, and you’ll have no clue why. Asking you little questions here and there, wanting favors. Being with me means you cannevertrust others. Not even people you’ve known for years. Everyone’s suspect.”

“What about trusting you?”

“Besides me, and besides people Itellyou that you can trust. There are lives at stake, and considering she’s going to be Commander in Chief, that’s not an exaggeration.” I see the moment the truth hits him and really sinks home. “Aaannnndthereit is.” I wonder if I’ve just sunk my chances with him because that’s a pretty heavy responsibility for anyone to bear, much less someone his age.

He stares up at me. “It sounds like a very lonely life.”

I slowly nod. “It is. I also wouldn’t blame you if you run the other direction. But another hypothetical for you.”

I drop my voice again. “You can’t tell people you’re dating the ‘president’s body man’ unless it’s someone I’ve told you is safe. There will be security clearance forms to think about, and you can’t lie on them. That’s why we need to talk. About alotof things. Because if we’re going to date, it’s not a one-time fling for me. If you’re looking for no-strings sex, I’m sorry, that’s not me, no matter how much I’m attracted to you.”

Did…

Did I just say that? TheD-word?Date?

Oh, shit. I did. More than once.

Fuck. Something about him totally does things to me that normally only Elliot has been able to do.

He edges closer to me and drops his voice to a whisper. “I know what loneliness looks like. I see it every time I look in the mirror.” He reaches up and cups my cheek. At the contact, a shiver rushes through me, sending blood to my cock and making me suck in a breath.

His eyes, though. Those gorgeous fucking eyes of his, staring up at me, and those beautiful, long, full eyelashes.

Oh, baby boy.

“Maybe we can be a little less lonely together, Leo.” His thumb brushes over my lips and I kiss it, staring into his eyes, my heart pounding.

I want to push him deeper inside his room and make love to him right now.

He’s sweet and good and dammit, I could have it all. Give Elliot the sadist, and finally have a loving relationship that doesn’t need to completely live in the darkness.

Couldn’t I?

I reach up, take his hand in mine, and feather my lips over his knuckles, watching him as I do. When he sucks in a breath at the contact, I see it.

He’s not nearly as brave as he’s trying to be.

“I’ll text you my address. Any food allergies?” Please don’t let him be some gluten-free, vegan, keto diet guy.

He smiles. “No allergies. As far as the menu goes, I trust you. Nothing thermonuclear hot. Can I bring anything?”

“Yourself, and a bottle of wine. Your choice what kind.” I kiss his hand one last time before releasing it with a gentle squeeze. I’m already planning the menu in my head. “Talking.”

He nods. “Talking. We do need to…talk.” He blushes.

I wonder what that’s for, but I’ll find out tomorrow.

It’s not only Elliot’s secrets I have to protect. Shae, Chris, and Kev are counting on me. I don’t want to sink her first hundred days because I fucked a cute grad student who couldn’t keep his mouth shut and talked to a WaPo reporter at a mixer.

Depending on how tomorrow night goes… I’ll still probably hold off sleeping with him until after the inauguration. That would be the safest thing, and allow us time to get to know each other.