Brant and Vernon were practically on top of them as they landed in the back seat of The Beast.

  “What the hell?” Sam asked as she rubbed her face where a red spot was visible.

  Brant stared at them, looking a little wild in the eyes. “Are you all right?”

  “Sam got hit by something, but she’s not cut.” Nick was extremely relieved to realize that.

  “I’m so sorry, ma’am,” Brant said. “Our officers will determine what was thrown and by whom.”

  The car was already moving to get them out of there when something hit the window with a loud thud and a splat.

  “I think that was a tomato,” Sam said.

  “Do you require medical attention, ma’am?”

  “No, not at all. I’m fine. Just a little rattled.”

  “I’m sorry, babe. Brant was right. We should’ve gone out the back.” When Nick thought of what might’ve happened, he felt sick.

  “You were both right,” Sam said. “The crowd was larger than expected, and you can’t hide from the people you represent.”

  Nick put an arm around her and drew her in close to him as their lead agents sat across from them, looking upset. “I’m sorry you got hurt.”

  “I’m fine.”

  What if they’d had a gun rather than a bunch of tomatoes? Nick realized his hands were shaking. There were no metal detectors when people showed up spontaneously.

  He told himself that everything was fine—this time.

  One thing he was certain of was that he’d be talking to Brant about increased security before he took Sam on another date in public.

  * * *

  Secret Service Agent John Brantley Jr. was seriously undone by the chaos outside the restaurant. The minute he had the first couple safely back at their rental home, he went to the house next door call his supervising agent.

  “What happened at the restaurant?” his boss barked.

  Brant wasn’t surprised that the word was already out. “Something was thrown from the back of the crowd. The first lady was hit in the face. She said she believed it was a tomato after another was thrown at the car.”

  “What the hell? Didn’t you secure the crowd?”

  “Of course we did, sir. But it grew exponentially while the first couple was inside the restaurant.”

  “Why weren’t they taken out a secondary exit?”

  “The president insisted on saying hello to the people who’d come out to see them.”

  “He’s not in charge in a situation like this, Brant. You are. You make the call about what he’s allowed to do and what he isn’t.”

  “Yes, sir. I’m aware of that. The plan was for them to give a quick wave on their way to the car, which was exactly what happened until the objects were thrown from the back of the gathering.”

  “I’ll need a written report on this incident.”

  “Yes, sir. I’ll have it to you right away.”

  “I’ve already received a call from the director. He’s not pleased.”

  “Nor are we, sir. We have several officers working to determine who threw the objects, and they’ll be charged accordingly.”

  “Keep me posted.”

  Before Brant could reply, the call ended. This was just great. The first time the president and first lady had gone out in public in months had turned into a fiasco, and it was all his fault. He should’ve insisted on using the back door. His boss was right about that. He couldn’t defer to the president at the cost of his safety or that of the first lady.

  “Wasn’t your fault, Brant,” Eric, one of the other agents on the president’s detail, said. “No one saw that coming from what seemed like a friendly crowd.”

  “If it’s not my fault, whose fault is it? No crowd is entirely friendly. That shouldn’t have happened.”

  “I understand, and I’d feel the same way. I just want you to know I think you do a brilliant job. We all do.”

  “Well, thanks, but I don’t feel too brilliant tonight.”

  “We’ll do better next time.”

  “Yes, we will.”

  Angst churned in his gut at the thought of something happening to POTUS or FLOTUS on his watch. They had been so very good to him from the first minute he’d started on the VPOTUS detail, and the president had gone to bat to keep Brant as his lead agent after he’d become president.

  Brant would willingly give his own life to keep them safe if it came to that.

  He prayed every day that it never came to that.

  * * *

  Next door, Nick held a cold compress to the area of Sam’s face where the tomato had struck her.

  “I really don’t need that,” she said.

  “I need it, so please let me.”

  She was reclined against his chest on the sofa.

  Their happy buzz had worn off quickly.

  “When I think about what could’ve happened…”

  “Don’t go there,” she said. “Everything is fine. It was just a tomato.”

  “When I looked back and saw something red on your face, I thought you’d been shot. I almost fainted.”

  “Oh God, Nick. I’m sorry.”

  He kissed the top of her head and continued to hold the compress against her cheek. “Don’t be. It wasn’t your fault.”

  “I don’t want this to discourage you from other outings. We were having such a good time until one stupid person ruined it.”

  “That’s what terrifies me,” he said. “That one stupid, deranged person could ruin everything—and not just a night out.”

  “As you like to tell me, we’re surrounded by the best security in the world. They did everything right by having the crowd held back from us and getting us quickly to safety.”

  “I hope there won’t be a big uproar over it.”

  “Let’s not think about it anymore. We’re both fine. The agents are fine. They’ll figure out who did it and slap a felony charge on them that’ll make them regret getting out of bed this morning. Let’s get back to enjoying our evening.” She gently removed his hand and the compress from her face. “I’m getting frostbite.”

  “Oh, sorry.”

  “It’s okay. Thanks for taking care of me.”

  “Always.”

  Nick’s phone rang. “It’s Scotty.”

  “He’s probably heard what happened.”

  Nick pressed the green button to take the call. “Hey, buddy.”

  “Are you guys okay? It’s all over the news that someone threw something at you outside the restaurant.”

  “We’re fine. A tomato hit Mom in the face, but she’s okay.”

  “Oh my God! What is wrong with people?”

  “Are we supposed to answer that question?” Sam asked.

  “I mean, really. Who throws tomatoes at the first couple?”

  Nick’s lips quivering with amusement at Scotty’s outrage. “People who don’t like us?”

  “I’m sorry, but that’s total bullshit. You can disagree without getting violent.”

  “You’re right.”

  “I’m just glad you guys are all right. It scared me to see the news.”

  “Sorry, buddy. We should’ve called you.”

  “I’m okay as long as you are.”

  “We are.”

  “All right, then.”

  “I read your essay. It’s very good.”

  “Really?”

  “Really.”

  “No typos?”

  “None that I saw. You made a compelling argument for the importance of access to voting for all citizens. You should consider posting it to your social media.”

  “No way.”

  “Way. You could be a voice for young people getting engaged in their government.”

  “Wow. I can’t believe you like it that much.”

  “I really do.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  “You got it. Now get to bed so you’re ready for school in the morning.”

  “Had to go and ruin it, didn’t you?”

  Sam and Nick laughed.

  “Peace out.”

  “Peace out.” The minute the call was ended, Nick’s expression became serious. “I hate that he was upset. That infuriates me.”

  “I know. Me, too. What can we do to get your mind off it?”

  “I can’t think of a single thing.”

  Sam smiled as she turned to face him.

  He ran a finger gently over the spot on her cheek, which didn’t hurt. It had stung when it first happened, but was fine now. “That anyone would dare to strike my favorite face in the whole world.”

  “It’s nothing compared to some of the things that’ve been done to this face.”

  Nick leaned forward and gently placed a kiss on the spot where the ice had been. “Chilly.”

  As he’d already removed his sweater, she unbuttoned his shirt and pressed her cold cheek to his chest.

  He gasped and buried his fingers in her hair.

  “I bought something new and slinky for this trip. You want to see it?”

  “Uh, yeah?”

  She laughed.

  “Have you been holding out on me?”

  “I didn’t want to show all my cards on the first or second day.” She kissed his chest. “I’ll be right back.”

  “I’ll be right here.”

  She went into the bedroom to change into the see-through gown she’d bought online and sent to Tracy’s house for delivery. Thankfully, her sister accepted the packages Sam sent there and never asked any questions. She wouldn’t dare buy something sexy and have it sent to the White House. The very thought of the mailroom receiving that package sent her into a fit of giggles.

  When the slinky gown was on, she went into the bathroom and applied some bright red lipstick and fluffed up her hair, summoning her inner siren—another thought that made her laugh. Did she have an inner siren?

  “Let’s find out, shall we?”

  She walked out to a dark room, lit only by the fire in the hearth, which cast a warm, cozy glow.

  Nick was sitting on the floor in front of the fire, on his phone, his expression serious. He’d removed everything but his boxer briefs. As she took in the sight of him in the firelight, she thought he resembled a Greek god. If the rest of the world could see him now…

  “Everything okay?” she asked.

  “Brant is very upset about what happened.”

  “I hate that for him. He’s so diligent.”

  “Yes, he—” Nick looked up at her, and whatever he was going to say died on his lips. His phone dropped to the floor with a soft thud. “Wow.”

  Sam loved his reaction. She’d wanted him thinking of nothing but her. Mission accomplished.

  He reached out a hand to her. “Bring that over here.”

  She took his hand and let him draw her down next to him on the soft rug in front of the fire. “I’m here, Mr. President. Now what?”

  “Let me take a good look at this goddess who’s appeared before me.”

  “You mean me?” she asked, batting her eyes at him.

  Smiling, he drew her closer. “No one else can dazzle me the way you do.” He kissed her neck and made her shiver. “But I would like to know how my first lady goes about acquiring such a scandalous garment without setting off an international incident in the White House mailroom.”

  “I had it sent to Tracy.”

  “Ah, good call.”

  “I thought you had enough problems to deal with without a mailroom scandal.”

  “You thought right, and let me just say that you chose a winner from wherever you got this sexy thing.”

  He ran his hand down her side, over skin and silk. “I look at you sometimes and wonder how in the world I got lucky enough to find you twice.”

  “I do the same thing. I used to dream about you after the first night we spent together. Whenever things were horrible with Stahl and Peter and then my dad’s awful injury, I would close my eyes and go visit you. You always made me feel better.”

  “Same, babe. I’d think of you and that one perfect night and wonder where you were and what you were doing and why you never called me back.”

  “Ugh. It still makes me so mad. I should’ve killed Peter myself.”

  “Nah, you look washed out in orange.”

  Sam laughed. “I never get tired of thinking about the first night we met, and even though the second time wasn’t under the best of circumstances, the first instant I saw you in John’s apartment, I knew that six years hadn’t changed anything.”

  “You’ve never told me that.”

  “I have, too.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Well, now you know.”

  He nuzzled her neck again. “You made me work awfully hard for it, if that’s the case.”

  “Because I was afraid of blowing up my career by sleeping with a witness right after a kid died on my watch.”

  “Semantics from my Samantha.”

  Sam moved so she was straddling his lap.

  With his hands on her ass, he pulled her in tight against him.

  “I want to tell you something else I’ve never confessed before.”

  “What’s that?”

  She could barely think with his lips skimming over her neck, which he knew was her kryptonite. “If it had come down to a choice—you or the career—I would’ve chosen you.”

  He pulled back so he could see her face. “No way.”

  “Yes way. I would’ve found something else to do. I already knew there was no one else like you. I wouldn’t have let you go again. No way.” She kissed his neck this time, adding some teeth that made him groan. “What we have now, the family we’ve created together, would’ve been worth any sacrifice.”

  “I’m glad it didn’t come to that.”

  “I am, too, but if it ever does, just know that I’d never hesitate to choose you.”

  “That makes me the luckiest guy who ever lived.”

  “And me the luckiest girl.”

  “You’re all woman, babe. And all mine.”

  As their lips came together, Sam was relieved they’d managed to recapture the magic they’d found earlier in the evening before things went sideways outside the restaurant.

  Somehow he managed to turn them so she was under him, reclined on the thick, cozy rug.

  “Hello there.” He kissed the spot where the tomato had hit. “How’re you feeling?”

  She put her arms and legs around him. “I’m feeling quite good, thank you.”

  The amazement she experienced when he joined their bodies was one she couldn’t easily describe in mere words. It was spiritual, magical, the one perfect thing in her life—and his. As he gazed down at her with his heart in his eyes, she thanked whatever god had brought him to her twice in one lifetime.

  She was startled out of the blissful state when the phone he always had to answer rang.

  “No,” he said. “Ignore it.”

  “You can’t.”

  “It can wait for one more minute. Look at me.”

  Sam tried to ignore the ringing phone and the spike of adrenaline that went through her at knowing he was needed for something urgent.

  “Samantha. Stay with me. It’ll keep.”

  “I’m trying.”

  “Ugh.” Realizing the moment had been lost, he withdrew from her and went to get the ringing phone. “Yes?”

  His terse one-word greeting made her smile as she took in the sight of him, naked, aroused and furious at the interruption.

  “What? When?”

  Sam sat up and reached for the blanket on the sofa, wrapping it around herself.

  “Yes, I’ll be right there.” He ended the call. “That was Terry. We’ve had a shooting at Fort Liberty. Two service members are dead and sixteen are wounded, some critically.”

  “Oh no.”

  “I’m sorry, love. I have to go next door to the mobile Situation Room.”

  “I understand. It’s no problem.”

  “Yes, it is, and I’ll make it up to you.”

  “It’s really not, Nick. Those poor families getting that news. They need you.”

  “At some point, I’ll have to make a statement. It’d be nice to have you with me if you’re willing.”

  “Of course I am. Just tell me when. I’ll be there.”

  He leaned down to kiss her. “I’m nominating you for wife of the year.”

  “Ha! I’ll lose in a landslide.”

  “The only vote that matters is mine, and you win every time. I’ll make it up to you.”

  “You bet you will. Go. People need you.”

  He groaned as he tore himself away from her and went to the bedroom to get dressed.

  Sam tightened the blanket around herself and gazed at the fire, her body still vibrating with unfulfilled desire. How often did an encounter with Nick leave her unfulfilled? Never.

  “I’ll be back as soon as I can,” Nick said when he emerged from the bedroom dressed in jeans and a sweater.

  “I’ll be here.”

  “Counting on it.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  When Nick opened the front door, Sam heard him talking to Brant. Did the agent ever sleep?

  Since she’d been left to her own devices, she checked the messages on her phone. One was from Avery Hill, asking her to call him when she got a chance. She sent him a text to see if he was still up.

  He replied that he was, and she called him.

  “Hey,” she said. “What’s up?”

  “Just heard about Fort Liberty. I don’t envy him things like this.”

  “Me either.”

  “I wanted to let you know that Nicoletta’s new lawyer, Collins Worthy, has been in touch with state and federal prosecutors about beginning plea discussions.”

  “Will she slither out of trouble once again?”

  “I’m not so sure. The racketeering charge is serious.”

  “If they deal with her,” Sam said, “people will think it’s because Nick intervened for her.”

  “I’m afraid that’s true.”

  “Even though he’s had nothing to do with it.”

  “Right. By all accounts, the attorney is very well respected. His goal is to get her free of these charges with probation, fines and community service.”