The Billionaire Princess (14 page)

Either way when she returned to Washington their relationship would endure its first big test. Many couples, regardless of how long they'd been together, couldn't survive a long-distance relationship. The stress of not seeing each other combined with the already present stresses of life often proved too much even for the most dedicated couples. Not that close proximity guaranteed a successful relationship, but it did help. Right now neither had a choice. Either they try the long-distance thing or call it quits when she boarded the plane in a few days. And although she hadn't been considering a relationship with anyone a few weeks ago, she wasn't ready to give up on this one yet.

"Are you up for another movie?" Christopher's arm left her shoulder as he leaned forward to retrieve the remote control.

Immediately, she missed the physical contact. "Sure how about a Bogart or Sinatra film this time?" She could only handle Hitchcock in small amounts.

Christopher pulled up a list of movies stored in his library on the screen and opened the classics folder. "Tell me when you see something you like."

She read and dismissed half a dozen titles before something caught her eye. "Sabrina," she said, picking the original Bogart version.

Christopher threw her a “you're kidding me expression” but selected the movie. "Is this your way of sneaking in a romance movie?"

Sara clenched her teeth together to keep from smiling. "I don't know what you're talking about. This movie is a classic. They even remade it back in the nineties."

"The classics can be romantic films too.  Ever heard of Gone
With The Wind?" Tossing the remote down he settled his arm around her again. "The things I'll do for you," he said with exasperation before lowering his head and kissing her.

The slow leisurely kiss continued through the opening credits and Sara only pulled away when she heard the first lines of the movie.  “Maybe we should save this for later.  The movie started.”

“Or we can save the movie for later,” Christopher whispered in her ear, his warm breath a caress against her skin.

Her heart jolted and her pulse pounded at his suggestion.  “We could,” she answered in a silky voice.  Turning toward him she put her arms around his neck.  In response his arms encircled her waist, anchoring Sara against his body as his hands slipped under her shirt and caressed her back.  The gentle feel of his hands on her skin sent a warm shiver through her.  Jerking away suddenly, he reached for the hem of her shirt.  With a quick tug he pulled it up and over her head.  Placing both hands on her shoulders, his gaze focused on her face before moving downward.

When his hands moved across her skin toward her bra, she almost moaned.  Taking his time he traced the outline of her lacy bra before finally unhooking the clasp between her breasts.

“I think you like teasing me,” she said, her breathing uneven.

“You have no idea,” Christopher said just before his tongue darted out and licked her nipple.

In response Sara jumped as the intimate contact sent her desire into overdrive.  Christopher took his time teasing one nipple before changing and lavishing his attention on the other.  By the time he finished, Sara's whole body burned and tingled.

“Now might be a good time to go upstairs.”  Christopher picked up her T-shirt and handed it to her with a wicked smile on his face.  “The movie will still be here later.”

Sara pulled the shirt over her head.  If his sister wasn't currently staying with him, she'd suggest they not waste
anytime and stay right where they were.  “Let’s go.”

***

"During the movie last night I had a thought."

Sara's hand paused with her tea raised almost her mouth. The tone of his voice gave no indication of what kind of thought it had been. "About?"

"The senator's education initiative.
I think it could use a few more heavy hitters to endorse it."

Sara sipped her drink, enjoying the taste of the freshly brewed English breakfast tea. "It couldn't hurt.
Anyone in mind?"

Christopher reached for a scone and her eyes followed his every movement.
"Your sister Callie. She has the credentials as an educator and the public loves her. She's like a modern-day Cinderella in their eyes."

The hunger she'd felt moments ago died. His reasoning held merit. Everything he said was true. How could she possibly ask her though? While their relationship remained cordial they were far from friends. Hadn't she already explained to him about her relationship with Callie?

"I'm not sure, Christopher. She and I don't interact much except when we have to." Sara took another sip of her tea to wash away the bitterness in her mouth. So many times she'd wished to go back and change her initial meeting with Callie.

"Not even for something like this?" he asked, breaking his scone in half. "Think of how many children will benefit if this goes through." The easy-going attitude that she'd come to know disappeared. "It needs as many supporters as possible. If you ask her, I'm confident she'll do it."

If anyone else asked her, Callie would probably do it, Sara had little doubt. But if she asked the outcome didn't seem likely.

"Imagine the publicity it would get if both the president's daughters supported this."

He made a sound argument. Her father's approval rating was at an all-time high for a US president, and he had blown away the competition in the last election and political analysts already predicted he would win hands down in the next one. People liked him. "If you wanted me to ask Jake that would be one thing, but Callie…" Sara's voice trailed off. She considered telling him to ask her himself.

"Sara, you're both adults. I think she'll put aside any personal feelings for something this important. I'm suggesting you ask her to help, not to become best friends."

For a split second she thought she detected annoyance in his voice but then it disappeared, leaving her to wonder if she'd imagined it. Sara focused on her teacup, Christopher's words swirling around in her head. He might be right. The only way to find out was to ask her.

"I'll try, but I can't make any promises, Christopher." Her stomach knotted up at the thought of calling her half-sister. "Maybe I'll talk to Jake too."

Neither spoke much during breakfast. While Christopher polished off a full meal of eggs, fruit, and scones, she merely picked at the fruit—her appetite gone as she envisioned calling Callie. A face-to-face conversation was out. If Callie couldn't see her, she'd never know how uncomfortable Sara was. And she needed to do it soon for two reasons. If she waited too long it only gave her time to reconsider, and if Callie agreed, they could get the word out faster about her support.

For the remainder of the morning, Sara searched for the perfect wording. She knew Callie understood the importance of improving public school education. Callie had been a public school teacher in Massachusetts for several years before moving to New York and the private school where she now taught. But she didn't know if Callie could put aside her personal feelings toward her. During those first few months she treated Callie horribly. She didn't know if she'd be willing to help if the tables were reversed. She'd like to think so considering what was at stake, but an inkling of doubt remained.

In the end though all the careful consideration proved useless. By the time she came up with a speech and called, that night it wasn't Callie that answered the phone but Dylan.

“Callie's not home.  She had to attend an event at school,” Dylan said after she asked to speak with Callie.

“Oh, can you can pass along a message for me?” Sara's anxiety level dropped when Dylan told her Callie was gone.  “Christopher Hall and I hoped she would contribute her support for the Healy's Education Initiative.  It's due up for a vote soon.  I could send her all the details.”

“Is that the plan Healy worked on with Senator Kenny?” Dylan asked.

Sara didn't recall telling him about it before, but she was glad he already knew of it.  “Yes.  The senator pulled in Christopher as a supporter earlier this month.”

“Email her the specific details.  I can’t speak for her, but I think she'll do it based on what I already know about it.”

The lead weight on her shoulder slid off.  She had gotten out of asking Callie directly, and Dylan felt confident she'd do it.  Maybe if she was lucky they could communicate about the project through emails, and make things even easier.

Christopher glanced out the window at the crystal clear blue sky late Thursday afternoon, his lunch untouched on the table beside him.  He had to tell Jake this weekend about his relationship with Sara.  While he'd flown to DC several times over the past month and a half to see Sara, he’d never once stopped in Virginia to see his friend.  But he could no longer procrastinate.  This weekend Sara’s father had a surprise birthday bash planned for her mom at Cliff House in Newport and he expected the entire family to be there. Sara had told Christopher he could skip the party if he wanted, but going an entire weekend without seeing her wasn't an option for him.  Since their time in California they hadn't spent a weekend apart  He either flew out to see her, or Sara traveled to his place.

At least Jake already knew his friend was attending the party so when he showed up this afternoon it would be one less surprise for him.  He'd told Jake that Sara asked him to be her date for the evening after his most recent meeting with her and the senator in DC.  Since Jake assumed his sister was still unattached he hadn't questioned the statement. 

While not a complete lie, he'd struggled getting the words out when he'd told Jake the week before. Today his plan was to get Jake alone as soon as they got there and tell him the truth.  He'd already figured out what he planned to say.  So for now all he could do was wait.

"The plane is making its final approach, Mr. Hall," the flight attendant said.

Christopher looked up from the laptop screen and nodded. The hum of anticipation coursing through his body went into overdrive, canceling out the anxiety in his gut. It had only been a week since they'd been together, but he craved her presence like a man in the desert craved water. How she'd become so important to him in such a short time was beyond him. It felt as if they'd been together for years, not just six weeks. She knew his moods and listened without complaint when he vented. She remembered to have his favorite foods around when he visited her in DC, and she knew how to drive him insane with a simple touch.

Sex with her was incredible. He'd been with women before, but he hadn't known such ecstasy with any of them. Just the thought of what he had to look forward to tonight and his body began to throb. With a groan, he slammed his laptop closed trying to forget how he really wanted to spend the night. Before he could get her alone, he had to get through his conversation with Jake.

Christopher's jaw clenched at the thought of that conversation. Already their conversations lacked usual easy-going banter because of his guilt.  What would they be like after today?
I never should have waited this long.

While he didn't regret his relationship with Sara for a second, he did hate the strain it put on his friendship with Jake who was still unaware.  He thought of Jake as the brother he didn't have and the possibility of losing that friendship weighed heavily on him.

On the plus side they would only be in Newport with by her family for two nights. Saturday they'd head to Martha's Vineyard for the rest of the weekend.  He smiled at the thought as the jet touched down.

Damn, I'm a lucky SOB
. The moment he stepped off the plane and he caught sight of Sara's profile by a black Lincoln Town Car with tinted windows. Still dressed in the business suit she'd most likely worn to work, she talked on the phone glued to her ear oblivious that he was watching her. With her attention focused elsewhere, he took his time giving her the once-over starting at her feet. Slowly his eyes traveled up her bare legs. Legs that he knew for a fact were toned to perfection. His fingers tingled as he imagined running his hands up her calf to her thigh. His eyes continued the trek up to her waist where he knew he'd find a tiny birthmark a few inches from her navel. A tailored blazer covered her breasts but a picture of them was stored in his memory. Today, like most days, she had her blonde hair pulled up in some kind of fancy twist exposing her elegant neck. Later tonight he'd run his fingers through her hair and with any luck he'd find it draped across the pillow next to him in the morning.

He knew hoping for that was a bit of a long shot.  She'd already warned him they wouldn't be sharing a room during this visit.  Evidently her mother had some old-fashioned ideas about unmarried couples sleeping together in her house. But the way he saw it, what Mrs.
Sherbrooke didn't know wouldn't hurt her, so if they remained discreet they might still be able to spend the night together.  If not, he suspected he'd be taking a few ice-cold showers during his stay at the mansion.

Christopher got within two feet of her before she tossed her phone into her oversized shoulder bag and turned. He knew the very second she saw him because the lips he dreamed about kissing all week broke into a smile that lit up her entire face.  He skipped a verbal greeting and pulled her against him. Hungry to taste her, he captured her mouth with a kiss as she draped her arms over his shoulders. Unable to get enough of her, he used his lips and
tongue to coax open her mouth. When she opened for him he thrust his tongue inside, eager to taste her again. At the same time he slid his hands under her blazer. The fine silk of her shirt was soft under his hands, but he knew the skin it covered was even softer. He was about to grab a fistful of fabric and yank it out of her waistband, when he got a brief whiff of airplane fuel. Slowly, their surroundings came to mind. Kissing at an airport was one thing, ripping off clothes was entirely something else. Releasing the fabric, he dropped his hands from under the blazer and turned down the intensity of their kiss.