Page 29 of Stuart Woods' Smolder

“Thirsty?”

Holly smiled. “It’s like you were reading my mind.”

Kate handed one to her and the other to Stone, then leaned in and hugged Holly.

“Where’s Will?” Holly asked.

“Giving Billy a bath. We won’t be eating until seven, so why don’t you settle in. I’m sure Stone wouldn’t mind showing you where you’re staying.”

He smiled. “It would be my pleasure.”

Less than a minute after they were alone, Stone and Holly were under the sheets, their clothes scattered across the floor.

Having been lovers for years, they instinctively knew what the other wanted. Their kisses and caresses and nibbles building each other’s pleasure to a shared crescendo, leaving them both gasping.

“God, I miss that,” Holly said as she rolled onto her back. “Maybe we should reconsider you moving into the White House. You wouldn’t mind being confined to the bedroom, would you? I could probably trot you out for a state dinner now and then.”

“You make it sound so attractive.”

“It would mean unlimited sex.”

“Sold!”

Holly nuzzled his shoulder. “Or we could just stay here.”

“Something tells me your absence would be noticed.”

She nudged his chest. “I have enough devil’s advocates in Washington. Your job is to agree with whatever I say.”

“My mistake. Let’s stay here.”

“That’s more like it.” She tilted her head so she could see him. “I have another idea, too.”

“You do?”

“This one I know you’ll like.”

She pulled him on top of her.

She was right. He did like it.

—

Dinner was carne asada, sautéed asparagus, frijoles de la olla, and homemade tortillas, served at the table by the pool. To complement this, Will uncorked a bottle of Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino.

It wasn’t until they’d finished, and Will had split the last of a second bottle among them, that Kate said, “I heard Sam talked to you.”

Holly smirked. “I was wondering when you were going to bring that up.”

“I take it that he also told you he’d already talked to us.”

“He did.”

“Don’t be upset with him for that,” Will said. “He just wanted advice.”

“I’m not upset. If I were him, I would have done the same.”

Kate picked up her glass. “Is he still planning to announce his departure next week?”

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