Page 4 of Kissing Kayley

Years ago, we’d almost lost Leo to a work-related small plane crash that ended his career as a Secret Service agent. He’d been the only survivor. My parents and I had never liked his career choice, worried about the danger he might find himself in.

The possibility of that danger being a small-plane crash instead of getting shot had never crossed our minds. As I’d sat next to his bed in the hospital I’d thought for sure he was going to die, and cried countless tears until he was finally back on his feet again.

I damned sure didn’t want to lose him emotionally because he was marrying POTUS.

“It’s okay,” I muttered. “I know I need one. I don’t have to like it.”

“Is your detail okay?” he asked. “I can have personnel switched out if?—”

“They’refine, Leo. They—they’re fine. Everyone’s fine, okay? They’re nice. No complaints.”

Not aboutthem, anyway.

Just about my stupid brother-in-law to-be.

“He’s only in office four more years,” Leo said. “Then we’ll be civvies again and your detail can shrink as long as there aren’t any credible threats. Maybe one day we can even get rid of it altogether. But I won’t risk my family’s safety.”

Great. At least four more years where my already nonexistent dating life will crash even harder.

But I didn’t say that, either.

CHAPTER 2

Kayley

Several months later

It was a beautiful Monday morning in Montana. I kept a close eye on Leo asMarine Oneflew us over the breathtaking landscape to a small town just north of Yellowstone National Park to celebrate a belated honeymoon for him and Elliot.

My secret mission as a highly visible third wheel was to pretend to be “friendly” with Jordan to help throw people off the scent that the three of them were a throuple.

Great. I’ll get a reputation as a cougar and I’m not even fucking the kid.

Not even fuckinganyone.

At one point that first day, while we toured Mammoth Hot Springs, Leo leaned close and covered his mouth with his hand even though he spoke quietly.

“Thanks for doing this, Kay. We appreciate it.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever. You’re paying for this little jaunt so I guess I have no reason to complain.”

While I was supposed to act snuggly with Jordan while out and about, I couldn’t help how my gaze repeatedly landed on one of the special agents who was part of the advanced team and already in Yellowstone when we arrived. I didn’t recall seeing the guy before.

Dark brown hair with barely any gray at the temples, gorgeous blue eyes I only glimpsed when he took off his sunglasses indoors, tall and broad-shouldered, and…

Yum.

That night, I pulled Leo aside in the main lodge before we headed to our respective rooms.

“Who’s that snack?” I whispered.

“Who?” he asked, looking around.

“Be chill, dude. Standing by the fireplace. On the right.”

Leo shifted his stance to look. “That’s Belefonte. Worked The Shift with him. Rotates through VPOTUS and White House details. Also pulls frequent duty on the advance teams for POTUS. Good guy. Why?”

“Is he single?”