Choice Matters (Southern Heat Book 1) (13 page)

“I, along with some political advisors I’ve hired, wanted to
make sure I would get the committee seats that the late senator had or ones
equally important. Thus, our trip to Washington.”

“I guess this means you’re going to be moving, huh,
Cait
?”

“We haven’t decided, yet. We’ll know better after this trip.”

“I’ll make sure you’re taken care of,
Izzie
.
If you’d feel more comfortable moving, just say the word. I told Caitlyn it was
the least I can do, since you’ll be hounded, I’m sure, by the media once we go
public with our relationship and now this senate seat.”

“Thank you,
Apolo
. I appreciate
it. Just make sure you take very good care of Caitlyn here. Just a friendly
warning, of course.”

“Of course, and you don’t have to think about Caitlyn’s
happiness twice. I intend to see she’s quite spoiled.”

“Good, I’m glad we understand each other.”
Izzie
winked my way as she stood up. “If you two will
excuse me, I need to get to bed. I’m covering an extra shift in the morning.”

“You work too hard
Izzie
.” I
replied, hugging my friend before she slipped from the room.

Apolo
, still standing, turned to
me and enveloped me in his strong arms. We stood there silently for a few
moments. Until I felt his hand begin to wander.

“Choice?”

“
Hmmmm
? What?”

“Time for you to go home. I’ve got a lot to do to be ready
to leave tomorrow, and I won’t get it done if you stay much longer.”

“Caitlyn,” he pleaded. “Don’t be such a party pooper. If I
promise to be good, can we sit and talk for a while? I really don’t want to go
home to that huge house…alone.”

I blew out a breath. Boy, he was good. I had to give him
credit. “Sure, why not? We can talk for a bit. But only if you promise to keep
your hands to yourself. You know how I am when you even breathe on me.”

He chuckled. “Yes, I know. It drives you crazy, doesn’t it?”

I glared at him, hoping he got the idea I wasn’t fooling
around here. “See, that’s exactly what I mean. You have a one-track mind
sometimes,
Apolo
. Now, besides the obvious, what do
you want to talk about?”

I waited for the answer and was surprised at the serious
change in tone he took.

“Us. Our future. Like we did at the cabin. What are your
thoughts on the subject? What’s important to you in a marriage?”

“Honesty,
Apolo
. That’s number one
on my list. I don’t think two people can have a strong, successful marriage if
they’re not one-hundred percent honest with each other. And it doesn’t start
the day they get married, either. It has to start before, when they’re dating.
Without honesty and trust, it won’t work.”

He sat there, quiet. As though he were digesting every word
I’d just said. “Your parent’s weren’t honest with each other?”

“Not where my mother’s concerned. It was always about her.
As long as papa’s professional life opened the right doors and opportunities
for her, she was fine. But when he made the choice to return to Ireland for a
better position, all of a sudden she couldn’t support him. I don’t think she
ever had. What about you?”

“My parents are of the thinking that a couple keeps their
private feelings to themselves. I don’t know if you’d call it honesty, but
family integrity and value goes a long way in my house. You always support the
family, no matter what. At least that’s what they’ve done in certain cases.”

He was talking about his brother, Anthony. There was
something there. Something the family kept hush-hush. I didn’t know what it
was, but I knew deep down inside that there was more to Anthony Choice than
meets the eye. And it involved
Apolo
. It would
explain his disdain for his brother.

“What about children? We’ve never touched on that subject.”

“Something I’ve never really given much thought to, though I
should. Yes, of course I would want to have children at some point. You?”

“Yes, I’d love to have children. Especially with you. But I
think we should give it a few years. A couple needs to be comfortable in their
marriage first, because once you start having kids, all personal time is just
about out the door for the next twenty years.”

“Oh, I will never give up our personal time, Caitlyn. Not
for kids or anyone else.”

I giggled at the thought, so like him, his personality.
“Somehow, I believe you.”

He glanced down at his watch then at me. “Well, I suppose
I’ve kept you long enough. I’ll be the gentleman and say goodnight now.”

Chapter Six

Caitlyn

We were on our way to Washington before anyone knew we were
missing. Once we arrived, we were whisked away to the Watergate, where
Apolo
had a suite reserved for us.

Thursday afternoon, I accompanied
Apolo
as he made the rounds to various senate offices, meeting with the appropriate
members.

All of this fell right before the weekend of my mother’s
party. Knowing her as I did, she was probably already making plans to be sure
she was included in all the gala of her future son-in-law’s confirmation. Yes,
my mother probably did have things figured out far better than I did in that
department.

Later Thursday evening, as we returned to our suite to relax
before our evening out, I found three dresses hanging in the bedroom on a
portable rack. Confused, I turned and walked back out to the main salon.
Apolo
was on the phone with someone, business most likely.
He motioned for me to sit as he finished up.

“How did those dresses get here?”

“I knew you wouldn’t have time to shop, so I took the
liberty of having Renee make some calls on your behalf. I hope you don’t mind.”

“No, I was curious, that’s all. I suppose I’ll need to take
a day and do just that. Shop.”

“Yes, you will, especially once the governor makes his
announcement. Not that you don’t look nice anyway.”

“I understand,
Apolo
. Washington
is an entirely different beast, and I need to look better than any other woman
in town.”

“That’s my girl. I knew you’d understand.”

“So, how did the news go over at Choice Enterprises?” I
asked, as I moved from the armchair I had been sitting in to sliding my
derriere into his lap. I kissed him gently on the lips and studied his
handsome, tanned face.

“Quite well, from what Renee told me. I told her we would be
back in Atlanta Friday afternoon and would try to swing by the office, if time
permitted.”

“You do need to address the masses, or at least your
executive staff. This will change things a lot.”

“It will indeed. I’ll put the company in a trust most
likely. Like most politicians do. That way it can’t be said I’m prejudice, if
anything were to arise.”

“I’m sure you have the people in place, ready and waiting?”

“Yes, I do. I hope you’re ready to move here, Caitlyn.”

“If that’s what we decide, yes. We don’t have to make that
decision tonight.”

“I know. I just hate the thought of you being in Atlanta
working and me in Washington. I want you here with me.”

“We’ll work it out,
Apolo
. Do you
know where you’re going to stay,
er
, where we’re
going to stay?”

“My idea was that we could stay here and take our time
looking for something more permanent.”

“I like that idea. Why don’t we wait and see what next week
brings?”

“Agreed. Now then, Caitlyn,” he said shifting in his chair. “You
really need to get your fine ass out of my lap.”

Instead of moving, I covered his mouth with mine and began
to explore its depths. I could taste the beer he had just been drinking and smell
the musky scent of man. It was intoxicating. His hands explored, one hand
fondling a breast while the other wrapped around my waist.

I broke the kiss ever so slightly, our lips barely touching.
“I want more. Now. I want to taste you.”

“Caitlyn,” he groaned. His mouth overtook mine again in an
all-consuming, passionate kiss.

Finally, he released me, and I rose to my feet. He followed
my lead and began to unbutton his shirt. I grabbed his bulging erection through
the fabric of his slacks in one hand before I began unfastening them. I could
feel him gazing down at me as I pulled both his pants then his underwear over
his manhood and onto the floor.

“Sit,” I commanded, as I quickly removed the dress I had
been wearing. Standing only in my bra and panties, I kneeled down in front of
him, taking the weeping member gently in my hands.

Again, I heard him groan as I explored every vein and every
inch. Gently, I took his balls in one hand and squeezed while I ran a finger of
my other hand across the tip. As I did, more pre-cum escaped. Then, I lowered
my lips down over his huge, throbbing cock and began to taste and lick.

Finally, he pulled me off, stood up, and removed his shirt.
I stared up, not knowing if I’d done something to displease him. The look in
his eyes told me he was anything but mad. He ripped my thong off and barely was
able to unhook my bra.

“On the floor. Now. On your back.”

I did as he demanded, knowing what was about to happen.
Spreading my legs, I felt his tongue tasting every inch of skin, from my clit—that
was now on fire—to the folds leading to my pussy. Then, all of a sudden he
reversed us and I was on top. I felt his gentle nipping as I continued to suck
and tease his cock.

I knew he was coming close to release as he grabbed my ass
just as his salty, thick liquid hit the back of my mouth. I sucked until I was
satisfied he had no more to offer, and then I realized I was rocking my clit
over his tongue. The man did things to me no man had ever done before.

I heard a low, throaty laugh escape him. “Do you want more,
angel?”

“God, yes,
Apolo
.”

He guided me onto his lap, impaling me on his still hard
erection. I felt him get harder the more we moved together. His hands guided my
hips. “I want you to come now, angel. Feel me and come.” As the release began
to pulsate through my body, I barely remember him pushing me down onto his cock
as he came again inside me.

We sat in silence until our breathing returned to normal. I
rested my head on his shoulder as he sat stroking my hair. The two of us still
connected by something that had been meant as a mutual attraction was drawing
our emotions deeper into another plateau. I suddenly realized I was falling in
love with this man, and I was falling hard. I sensed he felt the same way, but
now was neither the time nor the place to discuss it.

Slowly, with his help, I lifted myself. “Come,” I whispered
in his ear. “We need to shower and get ready for dinner.”

He pulled me back down on top of him and covered his mouth
over mine in a soft, erotic kiss. “What are you doing to me, Caitlyn?”

“Trying to get us out of this position so we can take a
shower and get ready,” I teased. “If one of us doesn’t, we’ll be fucking each
other’s brains out in the next minute.” Now wasn’t the time for the
conversation I felt coming.

“Hmmm, I’d so much like to do that. But you’re right. We
need to get ready.”

Our quick trip to Washington was filled with non-stop
meetings, luncheons, and dinners.
Apolo
, pleased with
the results, phoned the governor the morning of our departure, Friday,
accepting the position. Citizen
Apolo
Choice would
soon become Senator Choice. The world was going to see the man in a new light,
no secrets, no mystery. Well, perhaps some mystery. There was a lot for the two
of us to discuss before the next session began.

Oh, and
Apolo
had gotten his wish,
one that I suggested. That he get a position on a committee overseeing
Americans with disabilities. Yes,
Apolo
had made it
known to the world in a press release that he was, and had been, disabled for
quite some time.

* * * *

To say my mother didn’t have her antenna out searching
Apolo
and me for any clues as to our relationship would be
an understatement.
Izzie
and I arrived together just
as we planned.
Apolo
came as scheduled ten minutes
behind us. He wouldn’t let my mother down, though he knew he would be in for a
game of twenty questions.

“
Izzie
, Caitlyn,” she greeted us
as she craned her neck around, obviously looking for
Apolo
.
“Where is he? You said he was coming.”

“Yes, he is Mother. He has a lot to do, but he will be here.”

“Well, what I want to know, young lady, is when the two of
you plan on getting married. He can’t just whisk you off to Washington with him
and the two of you live together. That is not accepted up there.”

“Give it a rest, Mother. That is none of anyone’s business.”

“I’ll not have my daughter the fodder of gossip, and that’s
exactly what you’ll be. Just mark my words.”

“Mother, this is
Apolo
Choice we’re
talking about. Not Bennie Carr from middle school. He can and does what he
wants, when he wants.”

“And what is this disability of his? Why has he kept
whatever it is a secret all these years?”

“Exactly for this reason. People like you who need something
to talk about. Trust me, it’s nothing. He’ll announce the exact nature of it
when he’s ready.”

“Come on, Caitlyn, why don’t we get a glass of wine and
mingle before
Apolo
shows up,”
Izzie
offered, trying to sooth an already tense situation. Mother meant well, it’s
just that she has an odd way of showing it at times. I knew it would send her
to the moon and back if
Apolo
and I were ever to
marry, but that remained a big if, and none of her concern.