20. Jaclyn

Chapter 20

Jaclyn

O ver the last few days, Alex has spent his time either buried inside me or with his face between my legs, leaving little time for recreation. Not that I mind. If all we have is two weeks, I want to soak up every second with him—in and out of bed.

Our clock is ticking.

After the photoshoot I set up prior to this whole charade, we enjoyed a late lunch with some of the most delicious fish tacos I've ever had. We haven't seen much of the island, so at his suggestion, he drove us to one of the hiking trails, only for him to quickly discover that I am by no means a hiker. To appease me, he offered to take us on a scenic drive around the island to sightsee, and while it's not as relaxing as a day at the beach, I accepted.

Windows down and my ponytail whipping in the sea air, Alex keeps our hands joined. His eyes are trained on the road, which runs parallel with the ocean. He's so hard to read. So far, it's been the perfect, relaxing drive until he speaks the dreaded words, "Rapid fire."

Here we go.

"Gay marriage?"

Of all things to ask? "Which answer do you want?"

"Your opinion." His adorable dimple pops as he tries to hide his smirk. For a politician, he has the worst poker face. "What do you believe is the right answer?"

"This is a trap! Where are the hidden cameras?" I laugh, looking around.

"No trap." Alex squeezes my hand tighter and brings the back of it to his lips. "When you're on TV in a presidential debate, I want to know if I'm watching the real you."

"Wives of candidates don't debate," I deadpan.

"No, but after four to six years in the House, or maybe after the beginning of a second Senate term, you're going to run. I need to know who I'm voting for."

" What? " He's lost his mind.

"You've spent too long worrying about cherry blossoms; I want to know where you stand on important issues." There isn't a hint of teasing in his tone; he's genuinely curious.

I clear my throat dramatically. "It is my personal belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. A church should not be forced to perform marriages that go against their beliefs. However "—he briefly glances at me—"everyone in this world deserves to marry the person they love. So, it's not up to me or any state to stop two consenting adults from being legal spouses or to be wed by a religious entity that supports them."

"Is that your official answer?" He cocks an eyebrow, biting his lip and unable to hide his smile.

"No," I sigh and his face falls.

"Why not?"

I lower my head, eyes shut tight. Pulling my hand back from him, my stomach plummets to the floor. "You and I both know that in the end, I'll have to fall in line. If I can't find a safe way out of the marriage, I'll have to support whatever Chris supports." The car slows down, and I open my eyes as Alex pulls over. "Why are we stopping?"

We park in front of a small coffee shop, and he turns the ignition off. Hands gripping the steering wheel tight, he grumbles, "He's not going to support you running."

"Once he's done with his four or eight years as President, I'm sure I can convince him that a seat in the House, or maybe a governor of a small state, is perfectly acceptable," I counter.

"Are you okay with that?" Why does he think I can do more? "You're satisfied with not serving your country in a position you were born for?"

"I'm a hypocrite. I have no place in a position of power!" My hand flies to my mouth.

His nostrils flare. "Why?"

" You. Because I want you, " I want to scream, but I set my hands in my lap, with ankles crossed and posture straight—as I've always done. "To the country, I'm the loving wife of a senator. How can I say I support people marrying who they love when I'm in a loveless marriage myself?"

"You don't have to be." He turns his whole body to face me. "You don't have to stay married to him."

"No matter what angle I look at it, there's only one solution: I'll be Chris' wife when we return home." The thought of living with him has bile rising in my throat; Cara isn't the last woman he'll sleep with.

"I refuse to believe that's the only solution."

"Sometimes things are black and white."

"Fuck that." Alex cups the back of my neck and brings me in for a searing kiss that I feel all the way to my toes. I don't have an ounce of protest in me. Nothing about the two of us makes sense, and I'm just going to fall into an abyss of pain and heartbreak when these two weeks are over.

But I've never felt anything like this with anyone else.

I can't help giving in to Alex—he lets me set the pace, and tests me. I'm going to miss him so damn much. "You're unlike anyone I've ever sexperienced… experienced. "

He pulls back with a full laugh. "Oh, my sweet wife, you know damn well I'm both." I've stopped fighting it when he calls me that. As far as God is concerned, I'm Alex's. "I don't give a fuck if you go back to Chris in a few weeks. You're mine, Jaclyn." His growl and frankness give me pause. "I'll sneak around the White House if I have to, slide under the Resolute desk if I must, but you and I know this isn't over when we're back in Washington."

"The Resolute desk is in the Oval Office," I retort, hiding my smile.

"Where you will be sitting." He lets out a soft chuckle. "And I'll be feasting on you until you can't wait a moment longer for me to bend you over and fuck you. Hard and fast. Begging to come again. You know, as Queen Victoria intended when she gifted it to Hayes."

I can't help laughing at the ridiculous image he's painted, but the levity dies quickly in my chest. "If things were different, do you think you could handle being a First Gentleman? Not only has it never been done before, but I'm pretty sure your ego would get in the way."

It's a lie. All of it. If I was legally married to Alex, he would support me running for any seat or office I wanted. He would be the best First Gentleman that ever First Gentlemaned. Hell, he'd be the best husband that ever husbanded.

But that's not our reality. In no world should I entertain the idea of him being mine.

Except now .

These few weeks.

I yearn for it. Ache for it. I'm desperate for his love more than I've wanted anything in my life. I'm not naive, this isn't going to last. If we had more time, I would absolutely fall in love with him.

"I think I've proven otherwise, princess."

Shit, what were we talking about? His ego…

"That may be, but you weren't meant for the sidelines," I say carefully, knowing he'll fight me on this if I press further. Thankfully, he doesn't.

"I wish that we had more time, just the two of us." A cocky smirk tilts his lips. Is he a mind reader now? "I'm sure we'd fall madly in love with each other if we did."

"The wedding… The honeymoon… Do you know why I begged to come here?" He shakes his head and a small lie tumbles from my lips, "I chose a resort with private villas to get to know Chris better."

I never wanted to get to know him better, I wanted space after the wedding.

Continuing with the truth, I admit, "Instead, I'm falling for his brother. You have to see how wrong this is." A sigh pulls from my lungs, the next words coming out as a choked sob. "Even if you feel so right."

Alex brings me in for a sweet, gentle kiss, and I melt into him, not wanting to ever break apart. My heart begs to be closer to him, even with him sitting right in front of me. I'll never be able to step into the role of Chris' wife without wishing I was with Alex instead.

"Are you falling for me, princess? Have you forgotten you're sleeping with the enemy?" he whispers between kisses. "You make your own destiny, Madame President. "

If only he was right.