Page 6 of Valor on the Move
There was no point in arguing. Even though Camila Castillo had eaten the food of hundreds of male chefs, cooking wasn’t a suitable interest for her son. Period. Rafa regretfully abandoned the cheese to the freezer and followed her out of the kitchen and down the hall, the only sound her high heels echoing on the polished floor. As she swept up the stairs, Brent grimaced sympathetically, and Rafa shot him a fleeting smile.
At the second floor landing, Rafa’s mother pressed a kiss to his cheek, undoubtedly leaving a red stain from her glossy lipstick.
“Get some sleep. This is your last summer in Washington, and we’re going to make it memorable. Be up early, all right? Wonderful.”
Head high and her back as straight as a ballerina’s, she was already walking toward the master bedroom as he answered, “Okay.”
His last summer in Washington.
After more than seven years, freedom was so close he could almost feel it like sunshine on his face. Next year he’d be a million miles away in Australia, learning to cook and finally dating men. The thought of actually being able to have sex sent a thrill zipping down his spine, followed by a sticky pang of longing that filled every pore.
Rafa took a deep breath. Soon. In the meantime, he just had to keep his head down. Seven years done, and only seven more months as the president’s son.
Piece of cake.
Chapter Two
“Ohhh, is it the hot one?”
Shane ignored Darnell as he stepped into his boxer-briefs and switched on his electric razor. Of course Darnell was nothing if not a persistent son of a bitch. Naked, he bounded off the bed and leaned against the bathroom doorway. At six-four, he filled it with muscles, and could put on a scowl that had intimidated more than one confession out of suspects in the box at MPDC. He’d been the youngest African-American detective on the force, and had crafted a rigid and effective professional persona. But right now, in Shane’s tiny bathroom at five a.m., he was in full gossip mode.
“Okay, I’ll take your silence as a no. Oh, oh, is it the athletic one? The swimmer at Berkeley? Matthew? He’s scrumptious. Did you see his abs at the Olympic trials last year? Yum.” Darnell frowned at the razor. “Too bad there’s no scruff allowed. It’s a good look on you.” He grinned. “Can still feel the beard burn down where the sun don’t shine. Shane Kendrick, the things you do with your mouth.”
Shane smirked. “Sorry, vacation’s over.” He lifted his chin and shaved his neck. Thanks to his newly receding hairline, he kept his dark hair shorn at his scalp. Not bald, but he trimmed it close. He’d prefer facial hair to balance it out a bit, but could only indulge on time off. It had been the best thing about the past week, which was supposed to be relaxation before his new assignment. As if he could relax before starting this detail. He breathed through the burst of nervous adrenaline.
“Well?”
“Well, what?”
Darnell raised his eyebrows. “Is it the swimmer or not?”
“Not.”
“Oh. It’s the other one.” Darnell visibly deflated and waved a dismissive hand. “Whatshisname. Beanpole.”
“Rafael.” Shane turned his face and made sure he got all the hair from his cheek. He rattled off the briefing info. “Twenty-one years old. Just finished his junior year at UVA. Major is American Studies—whatever the hell that is. Girlfriend is Ashleigh Hastings, daughter of very wealthy South Carolina dentists. Blonde with perky tits. Currently in Paris. Rafael spends most of his time studying in his dorm room at school. This summer he’s volunteering with his mother’s foundation—the Castillo Healthy Children’s Council.”
Darnell squeezed by to piss in the toilet. “Sounds like it’ll be a thrill a minute.”
“Sounds like.” But it was an important move up. Protecting a presidential child was a step closer to getting the POTUS detail. He’d paid his dues with field offices and a stint in rural Montana. The past year in DC he’d protected senators and visiting dignitaries. Now he was ready for the White House. If it meant trailing a boring kid, it was worth it.
Darnell nudged him over at the sink and splashed his face with water. He slapped Shane’s ass lightly and reached for a towel. “Thanks for the fuck. It was just what I needed last night.”
“Me too.” Shane grinned at him in the mirror. “Hope you’re not too sore.”
“Hurts so good. Next time I’ll return the favor and pound your lily-white ass for a change.” Darnell grinned back and turned to go. “Hey, you coming by to watch the Orioles game this weekend?”
“I’ll have to see what my schedule is. I’m going to be on call a lot more now. Also, you do realize it’s not even July yet? The Orioles are on top of the league right now, but it’s a little early to get excited.”
