LITMIR.BIZ

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a bit of a flirtatious attitude.

      I looked him directly in the eye with an air of confidence and said, “I assure you, sir, no harm will come to you while I’m on duty.”

      “That’s what I want to hear,” he said, wearing the perfect presidential smile and then patting my butt.

      My hand flew up, and I almost slapped his face, but thankfully stopped myself. If I didn’t want to get tossed from this assignment, I had better control myself, and quick. But I couldn’t just let this guy think he could get familiar.

      Before I could respond and think of a solution to my dilemma, I noticed Mrs. Stokes standing by the kitchen entrance with her arms folded. She was a beautiful older woman. Her freshly done updo, flawless jewelry, and stylish suit made me know she was certainly an upscale lady. And that all eyes, with the exception of maybe her husband’s, were going to be on her at the event. She turned her nose up at me as if I were a lowly servant, looking upset with her husband as well.

      “Well, I’m not interrupting anything, dear, am I?” she asked condescendingly.

      “No, sweetheart,” he said as he kissed her cheek. “Come and meet…,”

      She cut him off and said, “Not right now.” Then she ushered her husband away with a not-so-nice expression on her face as I overheard her grilling him about what she’d just witnessed.

      “How could you touch her inappropriately like that, Steven? I’m so tired of your disrespect for me,” she said in a hurt and angry tone.

      “Quit overreacting,” he said as he tugged his arm away from her. “Besides, the girl can hear you.”

      She turned, huffed, and said to me, “Go about your work.”

      As quickly as I could, I joined my team at the back of the house. I didn’t say a word to anyone about Reverend Stokes’s comment or overly friendly gesture, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it. My opinion of him and his perfect marriage had certainly taken a nosedive.

      After reading logs from the previous detail’s comments in Secret Service headquarters in the back room, we went through the house, checking exits, making sure all doors and windows were locked, and made sure the security cameras that could be viewed from the van were working properly. The only rooms without a camera were the bedrooms and bathrooms. The family had to have some degree of privacy.

      Moss and Sawyer set themselves up in the command post, while Agents Pitts and Regunfuss were stationed in the van to monitor the cameras. Hold and I got to rewalk the house for a final check to make sure everything was in order. He took the upstairs and I had the downstairs.

      As I walked past the dining area on my way to make sure the living room was secure, I heard Mrs. Stokes’s voice. “Your makeover is fabulous, darling.” I paused in the hallway, curious. “That Harvard look simply had to go. You’ve got to be trendier if you’re going to run for lieutenant governor. I’m sure you’d look great in leather.”

      I peeked into the room. What I saw made me stop. I’d seen the Stokes’s middle child on television, but seeing him in the flesh made me tremble. Sebastian was tall, over six feet, with an amazing physique. Even through his tailored suit, I could tell his arms and chest were chiseled.

      His head was shaved bald and his cheekbones popped. I didn’t know if the shaved look was new or if I overlooked it when I saw him on TV. Although I usually wasn’t crazy about that style, he wore it well and I was digging it. His mustache was neatly trimmed and his Rolex watch glistened in the light as he hugged his mother. I’d never seen a man show love to his mama. I nodded my approval. The brotha was fine.

      The call through my earpiece startled me, and I ducked back out into the hallway.

      “You need to take post next to the front door,” Moss commanded sharply. “The family is getting ready to exit the house.”

      “Yes, sir,” I said into the microphone hidden under my suit jacket.

      I turned around to head toward the foyer and ran smack into Sebastian Stokes. He reached out to stop me from falling, and I could smell his musky cologne. I quickly regained my composure and backed up a few feet.

      Sebastian smiled at me, a deep, sexy dimple appearing in his left cheek. Then he looked into the full-length mirror hanging on the wall between a set of gold sconces. He didn’t see that I noticed his look of concern.

      “Are you okay, miss?” he asked as I noticed him checking me out.

      “Yes, thank you,” I replied, tucking my mic back under the edge of my jacket.

      He couldn’t stop looking at me—I wasn’t taken aback by his stare. And though it appeared the Stokes men had similar taste in women, this member of the elite family wasn’t rude.

      He held out his hand and I gave him mine. “I’m staring. How rude. I’m Sebastian Stokes. I must say it intrigues me to see a beautiful Nubian queen in this role.”

      “Well, I’m really an FBI agent. I’m only helping the Secret Service out,” I said, without realizing I’d revealed more than anyone should know.

      “To be trained by both agencies sounds like you’re well equipped for this task. My dad’s a lucky man. Seeing someone go against what society thinks is the norm and succeed is impressive. Your name?”

      “Agent Ware,” I glanced away from his gaze to keep from showing how flattered I was by his remarks. I had worked hard to get where I was, and most folks resented it or acted as if I couldn’t handle it. To meet someone who appreciated it was refreshing.

      He kissed my hand. “Pleased to meet you.”

      Taking my hand away to retain professionalism, I asked, “So did I hear you’re running for lieutenant governor of Georgia?”

      “Yeah,” he said, not sounding terribly excited about it. “I’m a long shot, but being a member of the state house of representatives has made me want to give more. I have a plan to improve our education system, improve our health-care system, bring well-paying jobs to Georgia, preserve our natural resources, protect our seniors, and improve our transportation system.”

      “Impressive,” I said, really feeling his passion.

      “Will you vote for me?” he beamed in a coy way.

      “I kept hearing you say our. I’m not a Georgian. I live in D.C.”

      “Well, you would if you lived here, right?”

      With a small chuckle, I said, “For sure. You don’t seem like a dirty politician.”

      “Agent Ware, I assure you I’m not. I’d go up against my dad if he was wrong.”

      We both shared a laugh. Then a slight chill entered the hallway. I looked up and saw Mrs. Stokes standing at the end. “Sebastian, darling.” She’d appeared without warning, which was highly unusual since I considered myself well trained in detecting the slightest sound or movement. “What are you doing?” she asked her son pointedly.

      “Just talking to the lady.”

      “Lady?” Mrs. Stokes looked at me, her head tilted slightly and her lips curled as if she had just discovered an ugly black spider on her highly polished hardwood floor. “Come along, dear,” she said, turning her back to Sebastian as she proceeded down the hall. “Your father’s ready to leave.”

      At that moment I saw my detail leader, Agent Moss, striding down the hall.

      “Agent Ware, why aren’t you at your station?”

      I was surprised when Sebastian stepped in front of me and extended his hand for Agent Moss. “Oh sir, that’s my fault. I’m…”

      “Sebastian Stokes,” Agent Moss said in a nicer tone. “Good to meet you.”

      “I was introducing myself to Agent Ware and bombarding her with questions. My apologies if I detained her too long,”

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