His Red Carnation (Forbidden Blooms #1)

18. Callan

18

Callan

Feeling Sloane’s arms wrapped around me while she sat behind me on the Harley felt like home. I wanted to keep driving until we reached the backwoods of Canada, where we could start a new life together—one where no one knew her as the President’s daughter or me as the “hot bodyguard.”

Hiking with Sloane and being able to hold her hand in public filled me with so much joy. I’d never felt anything even close to what I felt for her, not even with the liar who almost ruined my life. I shook my head at the thought; she didn’t deserve a place in my mind. I knew I had to tell Sloane about her someday, but I didn’t want her to think that what I was accused of was true. I didn’t want her to have any doubt about me. Everything was just too perfect between us.

I knew it was stupid of me to fuck Sloane in public during our hike, but it was too fucking thrilling and my cock literally ached for her. She kept teasing me and she loved it—fuck, I loved it. I think she was starting to realize what power she had over me. A fucking eighteen-year-old would literally have me on my knees begging just to get a taste of her. I wouldn’t do this shit for anyone else. I realized she was it for me; if this didn’t work out, I didn’t want any other woman. I wanted to spend forever worshiping her. I wanted to die an old fucking man with Sloane on top of me.

We returned to the hotel late after cruising around the city, and I dreaded heading back to DC the next morning. We’d have to pretend we weren’t together, and I knew it was gonna fucking kill me. How was I supposed to wake up without her beside me every morning? After getting a taste of it for a few days, I never wanted to wake up alone again.

Maybe Sloane would want to stay with me. How fucking needy would that sound if I asked her to move in, even if it was just part-time? Ana knew about us, so there wouldn’t be much suspicion if she didn’t mention anything to Jake. I figured he was too busy being President to notice what was going on. But that thought brought an ache of guilt deep in my chest. What the fuck would happen when he inevitably found out? Maybe not this week or this year, but he would find out eventually, especially if Sloane and I became a real thing. Scratch that—we already were a real thing.

I didn’t want to think about it anymore. Jake was the only piece of this puzzle I wasn’t sure I could face. Scrutiny from strangers? Sure, I’d get over it. But from Jake? That would be a different story. It would be bad. It would be really fucking bad.

“Let’s postpone our flight back,” Sloane whispered as my eyes began to shut in the dark.

We were cuddled together in bed, and after the hike and multiple rounds of fucking that day, I felt completely spent. But her words perked me right up.

“Yeah? For how long?” I asked, curiosity igniting.

She sighed. “I don’t know. Let’s go out to the desert and do more fun stuff before we have to face the real world.”

I smiled. “Like south of here? The Mojave Desert?” It didn’t matter—I was already in.

“I don’t care. Anywhere. Wait, fuck ,” Sloane groaned. “There’s the state dinner on Friday. I told my dad I’d be there.”

I sighed. “Okay, we’ll go back, then we can plan another trip somewhere,” I said with a smile.

I heard her softly laugh. “UCLA next?”

I could easily picture us cruising down the Pacific Coast Highway on a Harley.

“Perfect.”

* * *

I was ready to go into full bodyguard mode at the airport, but luckily, I didn’t have to. Sloane and I were left unbothered the entire time, which allowed us the freedom to get handsy under the blanket in First Class again. She rested her head on my shoulder for half the flight, either reading or napping, and for the other half, we laughed together watching a goofy Adam Sandler movie. But as we got closer to DC, an uneasy feeling settled in. We’d be back in secret mode, and I fucking hated it.

Ana was quick to greet us when we returned.

“Well, hello you two.” She eyed us as we sat in the hallway near the piano, far apart from each other. It was killing me.

“Hey, Mom.” Sloane got up to give Ana a hug, and I could hear the sadness in her voice; she didn’t want to be there either.

“What’s with you two? Did you enjoy the Bay Area?” Ana asked, glancing between us.

Sloane nodded as she sat down on the couch opposite me. “Probably too much. We didn’t want to leave,” she replied, a small smile barely breaking through.

Ana sighed and nodded as she sat down next to her. “Daddy is taking the day off to have a family day before the state dinner tomorrow.” I felt a pang of jealousy towards Jake for some reason. It couldn’t possibly be because he was “Daddy” to Sloane too. I never heard her call him that. And how fucking weird would it be for me to get jealous over that ?

Sloane looked up at me, then back at Ana. “Callan doesn’t have to leave today, does he?” Her voice sounded desperate, and I felt the same way.

Ana looked over at me with sad eyes. “Of course not. He’s welcome. I mean, he’s family too, right? Maybe not in the way Daddy thinks,” she joked, turning to Sloane.

Neither of us laughed.

“ Ay, dios mio . Why are you two so tense right now?”

Sloane shook her head. “It’s hard to be here, being in secret, when we just spent the last few days together being so…free,” she explained quietly.

I couldn’t believe how honest she was with Ana.

“I understand. This must be difficult.” Ana nodded, her tone sympathetic. “Well, I think Daddy wanted to take us to Martha’s Vineyard. You two could have some time away there for a little bit.”

Hope and excitement surged in my chest, and Sloane’s demeanor brightened as she smiled.

“I think we could probably do that.” Sloane glanced at me, her eyes wide with anticipation.

“Okay.” Ana patted Sloane’s leg as she stood up. “Go pack an overnight bag. You too, Callan. I’ll go tell Daddy the plan.”

* * *

I never thought I’d be in Martha’s Vineyard with the love of my life, and I sure as fuck never imagined I’d be flying there on Air Force One with Jake, the President of the United States. It was still surreal to think about. We were stationed at Fort Story in Virginia, and he often got teased for being so straight-laced; he didn’t drink, he didn’t sleep around—he was a legit Boy Scout. I think the reason we became friends was that I was trying to stay sober, and he seemed like a good influence. He was a good guy, and now I was fucking his daughter.

I almost had a heart attack when he pulled me into a conference room on the plane. Who knew Air Force One was like a fucking mini White House? I sat on a swivel chair across from him, and he looked relaxed, one hand resting behind his chair while he crossed his legs.

“We haven’t had any time to chat, have we? It’s been so goddamn busy around here lately,” he began, the hint of grays in his hair catching the natural light as I observed him. I knew mine probably looked the same.

“No. I think it’s fair to say that when you’re the fucking President, Jake,” I joked.

He laughed and shrugged. “Yeah. I’m still not used to it. I don’t know if anyone ever gets used to it.”

“Well, you couldn’t tell. You’re doing great, man.” I felt tense, and I hated that I felt that way around him.

“How’s Sloane been? Giving you a hard time?” he asked, curiosity in his eyes.

I cleared my throat and looked away for a moment. “No, she’s a sweet girl. Fucking smart, isn’t she?” I tried my hardest to sound casual.

He chuckled. “Yeah. I don’t know where she gets it from.”

“Ana,” I answered with a grin.

“Yep, that has to be it. How did she like Berkeley? I heard it wasn’t her favorite.” He seemed eager for my answer.

I shrugged. “She got a lot of unwanted attention. But she seemed to like the area, though,” I admitted.

“I worry about her,” he blurted out. “I’ve already seen so much shit about her online now that she’s eighteen. People are sick, you know? I know she can handle herself—probably better than most—but she’s still my little girl. That’s why I’m glad you’re around.”

It felt like I’d just been punched in the stomach by a thousand bricks. I nodded and fell silent—what the fuck do I say to that?

“Yeah, man, I won’t let anything happen to her,” I finally said.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. Thank fucking God. But when Sloane walked in wearing tight leggings and a crop top, I felt like I was going to have another heart attack. I could barely look at her.

“Sorry, am I interrupting?” Sloane asked, glancing between the two of us.

“No, honey. Come in,” Jake replied.

She took the chair next to me, and I felt my cheeks burn red hot.

“Where’s your mom?” Jake asked casually, clearly unaware of how I was freaking the fuck out.

“She’s working on her laptop. I wanted to see if Callan could take me on a hike while we’re there. There’s so many good spots, right?” She turned to Jake, resting her elbows on the conference table.

“Yeah, that’s a great idea. You still climb, Callan?”

“Yeah, not so much anymore. When I can,” I answered.

“Callan could win Olympic medals, Sloane. He rock climbs, boxes…you still do Jiu-Jitsu?” Jake asked, his curiosity evident.

I nodded. “Mmhmm. All that stuff. Gotta stay in shape as an old man,” I joked, sneaking a glance at Sloane for just a moment.

She giggled, and my dick twitched. Fuck .

“You guys aren’t that old,” she argued, almost flirtatiously; I wasn’t sure if she realized it or not.

“We’ll have to get back in the ring sometime for a friendly match. But I’m afraid you’d still kick my ass,” Jake continued.

I chuckled softly. “Fuck yeah, I’d kick your ass, old man.”

Just then, the pilot announced we were descending, interrupting our conversation.

“Alright. Let’s get buckled up,” Jake said, standing up and prompting Sloane and me to do the same.

I let out a sigh of relief. Would it always be this hard to be in the same room with Sloane and Jake together? Jake tapped me on the shoulder and gave me a brotherly side hug.

“Thanks again for being here, Callan. It’s good to have you around again.”