Fatal Scandal: Book Eight of the Fatal Series Read Free Page A

while Nick remained stubbornly silent.
    As they stepped into the living room, the Secret Service agents sprung into action, talking on radios and doing all the stuff they did every time Nick dared to leave the house. Before her eyes, his entire body went tense, letting her know how much he detested all the hoopla.
    Brant, the lead agent on his detail, waited by the front door. “Mr. Vice President, Mrs. Cappuano, we’re ready for you.”
    After Nick held her coat for her, Sam squeezed his arm and smiled up at him, hoping to defuse some of his tension by reminding him that at the end of the day, it was still about the two of them. “Let’s go have some fun.”
    He returned her smile and seemed to relax ever so slightly. “Let’s do it.”

Chapter Two
    Nick had secured the same K Street lounge where they’d held their promotion party last year. Except this time, it was just the two of them and his detail rather than the raucous crowd of friends and family that had joined them a year ago.
    “Are they closed tonight?” Sam asked.
    Nick gestured to a candlelit table set for two in the middle of the big room that usually served as a bustling nightclub. “For a private party of two.”
    “My husband must have some kind of cache to be able to shut down a hot spot like this on New Year’s Eve.”
    “Yes, he’s very powerful and influential,” he said with the self-deprecating grin she loved so much. “In truth, the only way the Secret Service would go for it was if we had the place to ourselves.” He shrugged. “So we have the place to ourselves.”
    She ran her hand down the length of his red silk tie and hooked her index finger under his belt. “Having the place completely to ourselves doesn’t totally suck.”
    “Don’t get any ideas. We’re not alone.”
    Though his detail had faded into the background, they were always there and always watching. Determined to ensure he had a good time tonight despite the prying eyes around them, Sam walked over to the table. He was right behind her, holding the chair for her. The moment they were seated, a waiter emerged from the kitchen.
    “Mr. Vice President, Mrs. Cappuano, it is indeed an honor to have you here tonight. I’m Mario, and I’ll be your waiter.”
    “Thank you, Mario,” Nick said. “I believe we need some champagne.”
    Sam nodded in agreement, and the waiter hustled off to get it. “Champagne makes me silly and uninhibited,” Sam reminded her husband.
    “Does it? I’d forgotten that.”
    Since he never forgot anything where she was concerned, she rolled her eyes to let him know she wasn’t buying it. “I think you’re just trying to make sure you get lucky later.”
    “Do I ever have any problem getting lucky?”
    “Are you calling me easy, Mr. VP?”
    “If the Louboutin fits...”
    Laughing, Sam said, “I can’t even deny these accusations.”
    “I love that you’re easy.” He kissed the back of her hand, sending shivers of sensation darting up her arm and straight to her nipples, which stood at attention. Naturally, he noticed, his hazel eyes heating with pleasure at the way she reacted to him. “You have no idea how much I count on the one thing in my life that’s always easy and effortless.”
    “You’re the only one who’s ever said that dealing with me is effortless.”
    “I love
dealing
with you, as you well know.”
    She loved when he looked at her the way he was now, as if the sun, the moon and the stars rose and set with her.
    The moment ended when Mario returned with their champagne, which was presented with flourish. “Please enjoy,” he said when he’d filled two crystal flutes. “I’ll be back with your appetizers momentarily.”
    “So we don’t have to order?” Sam asked when they were alone again.
    “All taken care of.”
    In her past life, before him, it would’ve made her crazy to have a man order for her. But when he did it, she felt cared for and maybe a bit coddled. Not that she’d ever admit as