Page 14 of Dear John

Harsh breaths coated my slickened skin, followed quickly by his lips, kissing every inch of me as if he was saying a prayer. Drowsy and worn out, a smile touched my lips right before he kissed me again. The savage way in which he took me was now replaced with gentle touches.

“Would this be the most obvious time to say those three little words?” he murmured.

I smiled, resting my head on his shoulder. “Would it be cliché if I said them back?”

6

KAVANAUGH

I satup at the sound of buzzing. Moonlight shined brightly through the window, cascading over Isla’s naked body. Goosebumps peppered her skin and I slid the covers over her, tucking her in as I pressed a kiss to her lips.

The incessant buzzing that woke me up had started again. I got out of bed and pulled on my pants, then grabbed my phone and headed through the dark house, careful not to wake anyone. Riley had her door shut and all was quiet, which didn’t surprise me. Bowie had stopped taking pain medication a week ago and was exhausted by the end of the night.

I crept downstairs, sliding my finger across the screen as it buzzed again. I entered the code on the alarm and stepped outside before answering the senator.

“You know, it’s rude to call someone past nine o’clock.”

“Did I interrupt something?”

“Yes, I was sleeping.”

“Beside that woman, no doubt,” he huffed.

My body tensed at the way he spoke of Isla. The fact that he still cared who I was with didn’t bode well for either of us. I had no doubt the senator wasn’t through with his manipulations.

“If you have something to say, get it over with.”

“I need you tomorrow for an interview.”

“No, that wasn’t part of the deal.”

“Too bad. You were the one who set this in motion. You want awareness raised about veterans? This is how it happens. Olivia has already agreed to be there and?—”

“Wait, Olivia? Why the hell would you bring her into this?”

“Because she’s supposed to be your fiancée. This is the best way to bring attention to the bill you’re suggesting we pass.”

I shoved my fingers through my hair and cursed myself for getting into this position. “So, kill the bill. People do it all the time.”

“Unfortunately, this is gaining more support than I ever imagined. I need to go through with it, and everyone is requesting your presence.”

“Well, that’s too fucking bad. I didn’t sign up for anything further.”

He sighed heavily. “I was afraid you were going to do this.”

“You’re damn?—”

“I think you’ll find that the man you captured on your last job won’t be as useful as you hoped for.”

I gritted my teeth in anger. “You sent us to him.”

“I did, but unfortunately, while he was well aware of what was going on with The Syndicate, he won’t get you what you need to end this. There are bigger things at stake—walls that you won’t easily be able to break down. If you thought The Syndicate was your enemy, you have no idea what you’re really up against.”

“You’re telling me there’s someone else out there bigger than The Syndicate?”

“Someone? I don’t know if I would use that terminology.”

“Then why haven’t you done anything to stop it? I thought you were in this to make the country a better place,” I said sarcastically.

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