Madam President (40 page)

A million things ran through Lauren's mind at that moment, but the only thing she could think to say was, "That's the best damned pick up line I've ever heard." She took the rose and pressed the fragrant petals to her nose as she looked into Dev's eyes. "Hi," she said softly.

Effortlessly charmed, Dev smiled back. "Hi."

Dev fought the urge to nervously shove her hands into her pockets. "I believe we're supposed to drop your furry little companion off with my children. They told me they're supposed to dog sit tonight. For some reason they don't think that little... I mean, Gremlin, can spend anytime alone now."

Lauren grinned knowingly.

"I think there may even be a petition to officially adopt him in the works. Sorry, it's out of my hands now."

The biographer laughed. She'd resigned herself to losing Gremlin to Dev's kids months ago. Not that she could blame him. She snapped her fingers, and Grem jumped off the bed. But he walked over to her at a snail's pace, and when he looked at Dev and bared his crooked, little teeth, he couldn't even muster a growl.

Dev looked at the dog and pointed. "What's wrong with him? I should be fearing for the skin on my ankles right now."

Pale brows drew together. "I don't know. Ever since we came home from Ohio, Grem's been acting weird. Almost depressed." She held up the flower and smiled warmly. "Thanks. It's beautiful. You... um... you look beautiful."

"Thanks." Dev tried to act nonchalant, but knew her cheeks were tinged pink. "Just something I tossed on. You look," her own sigh interrupted her, "absolutely wonderful." Dev held out her hand and felt the warmth of Lauren's palm as she wrapped her fingers around the writer's. "Shall we?"

Gremlin followed slowly behind them as they moved down the hallway. The President glanced back at the midget canine and frowned. "I almost feel cheated because he didn't growl at me. And I didn't get to growl back.”
I’ve been practicing, beastie.
“If he doesn't seem any better the first of the week, let's call in a vet." She glanced back again. "Or maybe a little doggie therapist."

"I think a vet would be best. Somehow I just don't see Gremlin responding well to therapy." She looked back at the ugly little dog. "Isn't that right, Grem?"

He grumbled in response, his head hanging low.

As they entered the family room, Grem seemed to perk up a little. He trotted over to the kids who were playing Chutes and Ladders on the coffee table.

Lauren looked at Dev again and let out a slightly nervous breath. She had wondered if going out with a woman would be much different than dating a man. With Casey, she had determined they could both be equally disappointing. With Dev, however, she was looking forward to their evening with a heady mixture of excitement and arousal. "So where are we going, Madam President? Are you my partner for Chutes and Ladders?" she teased, pointing at the game. "Frankly, I could use the help. Aaron kicks my butt every time."

Dev chuckled. "No, let's leave the kiddie games to the kiddies, shall we?" She opened the door and ushered Lauren out. "I have something entirely different planned for us."

They walked down the hall and were greeted by smiling faces every few paces. "Wow. I don't believe this." Lauren smiled back, a little confused. "I didn't even know that agents had teeth! Does every member of the Secret Service know that we're on a date tonight?"

Dev looked embarrassed. "Umm, I may have mentioned it once."

"Once?"

"Maybe twice."

"Uh huh," Lauren drawled skeptically. "Twice?"

"Or a few hundred times."

"Lord."

Dev ducked a swat as they continued through a series of hallways, stopping outside the private theater. Dev looked down at Lauren and smiled. "You know that new movie that's coming out next week? The one by that director you're so wild about?"

"Yeah." Lauren sighed. She knew she probably wouldn't get a chance to see it while it was still in theaters.

Dev pulled the doors open and the lights automatically came up. "Well, since I happen to have a house with a theater, I thought you might enjoy a sneak preview. But if it totally stinks, you're not allowed to leak it to the press. The director would come kill me herself," Dev joked.

Lauren's jaw dropped. "You got a copy of the movie before it was released?" She instantly held up a hand. "Wait. You're the leader of the free world. Sometimes I forget." She gazed at Dev in pure adoration. "This is so sweet." Lauren gently pulled the taller women into a hug, still mindful of her shoulder. "Thank you."

Dev returned the embrace, not giving a damn about her shoulder. In her opinion, this was the best therapy she could get. "Well, it's the least I could do since I can't really take you out on a proper date." Very slowly she released Lauren and led her to the front of the room. "And what's a movie without dinner?" A blanket had been spread on the carpet, and various chafing-dishes had been set out on a low table.

Lauren hummed appreciatively; her belly grumbled when the spicy scent of hot tamales, Spanish rice and black beans invaded her senses. "I guess I'm just a little hungry," she admitted sheepishly.

Dev refrained from commenting about Lauren's grumbling stomach. "So, shall we eat and chat or would you like to just cut straight to the chase?" She closed her eyes and shook her head. "I mean, would you like to watch the movie first or have dinner or" She stopped, drawing a deep breath. "I'm babbling now. I'll just shut up and let you tell me what you want to do."

Lauren chuckled softly and took Dev's hand. "I do believe, Madam President," she drawled, "that you are even more nervous than I am." She regarded Dev seriously for a moment. "Why is that?"

"Umm... well." Dev moved them to the blanket and began fiddling with the food. She prepared a couple of small plates and poured two glasses of wine. "You see, I've not been a very God, this is awkward. I've only had one real experience with this whole dating thing" She sipped her wine, gesturing for Lauren to join her. "Samantha was the only woman in my life. And since she died, I haven't I mean there hasn't been anyone else" She finally stopped when she realized she sounded totally stupid.

Oh, Devlyn
. Lauren's gaze softened, her heart going out to her friend. They needed to have a talk about Samantha soon. But tonight was for them alone. "Don't be embarrassed by that. Maybe we can learn how to do this together." She looked into her wineglass. "I haven't been overly successful in the dating department myself. But... um..." The blonde woman lifted her head and looked into Devlyn's eyes. "I'm pretty sure we'll be able to muddle through if we really put our minds to it."

"I think we could muddle through anything if we put our minds to it." Dev leaned over and placed a delicate kiss on the smaller woman's cheek. She allowed her lips to linger for a moment before pulling away. "I think part of my nervousness comes from the fact that I've never been out with someone who already knows everything about me." She sipped her wine and closed her eyes tight. "Including some things I'm going to get my father for when he least expects it." She looked up again. "But if those didn't send you screaming into the night, then I'm damned lucky, and I'm really glad I met you."

Lauren suspected she'd barely scratched the surface of this complicated, sweet, beautiful woman. But she wasn't going to waste the chance. Her gaze dropped to Dev's lips as the urge to kiss the tall woman welled up within her. She leaned forward, smiling when Dev immediately leaned in to meet her. "I'm glad I met you too," she whispered, and let her lips brush lightly against the President's.

Sunday, July 4th

Dev hung up the phone, looking to the clock on the wall. "Do people not realize it's 3:00 A.M. here?" She looked to David who was slumped in the chair across from her desk.

"With all due respect, Madam President, they don't care."

"Ironic, isn't it? It's Independence Day here in the States, and I'm up in the middle of the night handling a possible missile crisis in China."

"And that's why you get the big bucks and the cool toys."

Dev snorted. "Yeah, right."

"Do we need to call in the Secretary of Defense?"

"No, not yet. But I suggest we haul the Chinese Ambassador's ass over here. His input will be very insightful."

"Lemme guess." David arched a rust-colored eyebrow and slid his tie completely off. "Just because you can?"

Dev picked up the phone. "Pretty much. If I can't sleep, no one can." She reached across her desk and picked up a picture of Lauren and the kids that had been taken when they went on vacation. "Tell you what, just for grins and giggles, get the Secretary of Defense over here too."

David pushed himself out of the chair. "Yes, ma'am. I'll get the latest intel from the situation room too."

*
 
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*

After several hours of tense negotiations, Dev had managed to get a satisfactory resolution to a problem that could have gotten completely out of hand with the simplest of missteps. "God, I need a shower and a nap. We've got the barbecue tonight and" Her eyes went wide. "Oh, shit!"

"What?"

"It's Lauren's birthday. I ordered breakfast and flowers delivered to her room with a note saying I'd be joining her," she glanced at the clock again, "an hour and a half ago. Aw, she's gonna kill me." Devlyn opened the top drawer of her desk and pulled out a brightly wrapped box. "Let's hope she likes this."

She bolted out of her office and headed for the residence, and a houseguest turned very potential girlfriend, who she was sure was going to be supremely annoyed. "I should never have had breakfast delivered so early! She hates getting up early!"

"It's okay, guys." David called off the alarmed Secret Service agents who saw Dev sprint past them. "She's just... she's late, she's late"
Awww... go ahead and say it.
"For a very important date."

A few minutes later she stood in front of Lauren's door, running her hand through her hair. She took a deep breath and held it as she knocked on the door. "God, please don't let her be mad."

Lauren opened her door, and pale brows lifted at the sight of a very disheveled Dev. She would have said something except for the fact that her mouth was full of an enormous bite of sweet roll. Instead, she grabbed Dev by the front of her shirt and tugged her into her room, kicking the door shut behind her.

"I'm soooo sorry," Dev began quickly. "I meant to be here when they woke you, but I had to deal with something that's kept me busy half the night. If I'd had time I would have called and told them not to do it. Or called you and told you to go back to bed or... umm... just called you, I guess."

Lauren waved a dismissive hand. "S'okay, Devlyn. Relax, I'm not angry." She motioned to the couch. "Can you stay for a minute?" She held out her roll, and Dev ducked her head and took a bite.

"Umm... are there more of these?"

Lauren nodded and motioned her to the couch as she went to retrieve the plate of rolls and a pot of coffee. "So, what happened?" She hunted quickly for a second cup. "If you can talk about it, that is."

"I helped deter World War III this morning, and I need a break. That's what happened." The dark-haired woman settled on the couch with a groan. She kicked long legs out in front of her. "Looks to me like they brought you a nice breakfast." Suddenly she remembered she had Lauren's birthday present. "Happy birthday!"

Lauren's face paled. "Oh, my God, Devlyn. Did you really stop World War III this morning?"

"Actually, pretty close." She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples. "I've been up all night."