Interlude: First Noel (The Executive Office #1.5)

by Tal Bauer

For now, it was host to the Security Council of the United Nations, the five permanent member nations―the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, and China―and the ten nonpermanent member nations currently in rotation, along with their heads of state, their staff, and ambassadors. It was a smorgasbord of political power. A who’s who of countries, policy makers, and influencers. Some of them supported Jack and his relationship with Ethan. Others vehemently opposed him. Had railed against him in their countries. Had withheld their hands from him when he went in for a handshake, or turned away entirely, as if he wasn’t even there. Or worse. As if he was something disgusting. Heads turned, everyone staring as Jack strode onto the terrace surrounded by his detail. Eyes slid over him, their slick, hot slide shivering down his spine. God, he wished Ethan were there. He’d wanted him, desperately, at the G20 over Thanksgiving, but it would have been impossible to bring him along. Not with their commitment to keeping themselves low-key and Ethan wanting to rebuild his career in the Secret Service. If he had asked, though, would Ethan have accepted? He didn’t want to know. Didn’t want to face it if Ethan had turned him down. Or worse, if Ethan had said yes because he thought he had to. But, what would it feel like, having Ethan at his side, his acknowledged partner, during these events? It would feel better than winning the presidency; he was sure of it. All the other spou...