Red, White and Sensual by Bec Botefuhr, Dawn Martens Page A

waist, resting my cheek against his firm chest and listening to his heart pounding. He wraps his arms around me and we stand like that for a long while, neither of us needing to speak. We know exactly what it is we feel right now, no words are needed.
    “Ready?” Marcus murmurs into my hair.
    “Yes, you?”
    He smiles. “I don’t need anything.”
    “Clothes?”
    “It’s a night, I’ll be fine.”
    I roll my eyes and Marcus leads me out the door. We pass Rose and another man on our way to the door.
    “Sir, will you be attending the dinner tonight?” Rose asks.
    Marcus shakes his head. “No, something has come up. Direct all my calls and if any conferences are needed, just send them through to my laptop, we’ll do it over that.”
    Rose gives him a dubious look, and then flicks her eyes to me and scrunches her nose up.
    “Wow, you look awful.”
    “Stomach bug, I wouldn’t come too close,” I say in a small voice.
    “Are you going back to campus?”
    Marcus answers for me. “No, I’m taking her home. She’s too sick to be her e and I don’t need her tomorrow.”
    “Oh,” Rose says, giving him a quick glare that I just catch. “Well, I hope you feel better. Marcus, what will you have me tell the President?”
    Marcus shrugs and takes my arm again, leading me away. “I’ll call him. Bye Rose.”
    “Good day, sir.”
    ~*~*~*~
    The drive home is quiet and peaceful. Marcus takes his own car, driving us instead of having us driven. He spends most of the trip on the phone, organizing things and making sure everything is covered. When we pull into my parents’ sleepy little town I feel my heart swell. I don’t get to see my parents and sister a lot anymore, not with school and study. Marcus smiles as he drives through the streets.
    “I love little seaside towns,” he says.
    “Me too, I always loved it here.”
    “I bet you miss it?”
    “I do,” I sigh.
    “How are you feeling now?” he asks.
    “A little better, I’m so sore though and still not ready to eat.”
    “I bet your mom makes the best soup.”
    I grin. “She sure does.”
    Marcus turns a few corners and then pulls up at my parents ’ large, white, three story home. I smile and put my hand over my chest. It’s been a while and oh, I’ve missed them.
    “How did you know where I live?” I ask, just having realized I never gave him directions.
    “I do have your addresses, Sierra, obviously that is something that is on the file that I have.”
    Right, of course. They wouldn’t put just anyone on with the Speaker of the house, I bet he did a full background check on me too. Fair enough I guess. I slip out of the car and smile up at the large home. So many fond memories I have that include this house and the squealing blonde girl rushing out. I grin and rush forward as fast as my aching body will allow. My sister throws her arms around my neck and we laugh as she spins me around.
    “ Sierra, what are you doing…oh god…”
    Her eyes flick towards Marcus who has just stepped out of the car looking like a dammed god. He smiles at my sister and she actually lets off a little squeal.
    “You brought Marcus Harrison to our house?” she cries, gripping her flushed cheeks.
    I laugh. “I’ve been sick and he decided to bring me home.”
    “Oh god, that’s so…romantic.”
    I scowl at her. “Ease up sis.”
    Marcus walks over, smiling. He extends his hand and my sister makes a strange sound in her throat before taking his hand and shaking it.
    “Marcus, I’m….it’s an honor…”
    “It’s lovely to meet you…?”
    “Jayelle.”
    “That’s a beautiful name.”
    Jayelle grins and shakes her head. “Oh…well…thanks.”
    I hear my name and spin to see my mother coming down the stairs. Tears prick my eyes as I rush towards her. When I reach her, I throw my arms around her neck and let the tears slide down my cheeks.
    “My baby, what’s wrong?”
    “I just missed you momma, I’ve been sick and I just wanted to be home.