First Love (22 page)

Jordan sat up, completely naked. “You want me to meet your family? I thought they didn’t care for my family.”

“Please lay back down. When I see you like that, I can’t think about anything but touching you.”

Jordan grinned. She had come to realize that she had the power to excite Drew. That was an aphrodisiac. She snuggled next to Drew and pulled the covers up to her chin. “Is that better?”

“Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Absolutely.” Jordan became serious. “Until you, no one made me feel sexy or beautiful. You make me feel…I can’t explain it.” Jordan paused to find the right words. “You make me feel like I exist as a person. Someone desirable, someone deserving to be loved. That Jordan Thompson, the person, is real.”

“You are real, Jordan. You’re magnificent in so many ways. And yes, I want you to meet my parents. It will definitely take them some time to get used to the idea, but they love me unconditionally. And when they get to know you, they’ll love you the same way. They already know we’re friends.”

“Really? What did they say? What if they don’t like me?”

“Yes, really. My parents made sure to tell you that you’ll be welcomed at our ranch. You already have two big fans, besides me, plus David and Mark will be there. That’s half the people at the ranch.”

“Oh. Well, I can’t say I’m excited about meeting the rest of your family, but I already like Hayden and Greg.”

“Is that a yes?”

“Suppose your parents don’t like me?”

“Then we’ll spend the whole time in bed and you won’t have to see them at all.”

A look of horror filled Jordan’s face. “In your parents’ house?” She pulled the sheet over her head.

Drew laughed. “They’ll like you. When they see how much I love you, they’ll fall in love with you.”

Jordan jumped on top of her. “You’re terrible.”

Drew toppled Jordan back onto the bed. “I can show you terrible.” She began to kiss Jordan. Her mouth, her hands, her breasts, and every other part of her body.

Jordan responded readily to Drew’s touches, kisses, and lovemaking. There was no way she could hide how excited she was. Nor did she want to try.

*

The day before finals, Jordan gathered her courage and called her parents. “I’m spending break with Drew and some friends. Hope that’s okay.” She had never spent time away from her family except when she left for college. The University of Florida was far enough away for her to be away but close enough that her parents were easily reachable. It didn’t seem fair that her brother was allowed to go to California and she had to beg to go to Gainesville. She wasn’t complaining because she met Drew at UF.

“Your tutor seems like such a nice young lady. If you go anywhere outside of Gainesville, make sure your security knows in advance.”

Jordan felt guilty. She should tell her parents they weren’t staying in town, but she didn’t want to go through the clearance and investigation. Jordan had never lied to her parents. That made her feel even guiltier. “Mom, Drew has asked me to spend break with her and her family.” What would she do if her parents refused to let her go? “It would be great to have this break before my last year.”

“Dear, this is short notice to arrange your safety.”

“They live on a ranch. It’s not like they have neighbors or live in a bad neighborhood.”

“Jordan, I don’t know. I need to talk to your father.”

Panic was setting in. She was sure he would say no until the family had been vetted. “Mom, I can call every day. My agents will be with me and I’m sure they can secure the ranch.” She heard her mother hesitating. “Please. I’ve never had the chance to spend break with any of my friends.”

“Okay. But make sure we have telephone numbers in case we need to get in touch with you. A number other than your cell. So when will you be coming home?”

Jordan could never think of the White House or Camp David as home. “I’ll let you know as soon as I can.” She knew she was misleading her mother. “I love you, Mom. Talk to you in a couple of days.”

Okay, Jordan, Drew is taking you to meet her parents. When are you going to tell your parents?
She had no answer.

*

As part of her security, Jordan was able to arrange for a private plane and ground transportation. Drew had to call Hayden and warn him. “You’re what? You must be crazy or in love or both.” There was a silence then Hayden responded to his own statement. “No, this is too much. You and Jordan? OMG. Do her parents know? Of course not. This is rich.”

“Hayden, you’re not helping me. Besides, I vaguely remember you telling me that she was interested in me.”

“True, but you insisted the likelihood of anything happening was between zero and minus one.”

“Are you going to help or not?”

“What do you want? I can put together a couple of minor miracles but not a big one.”

“I want a few minutes to talk to the folks before they meet Jordan. We’ll be arriving in big, black SUVs with Jordan’s security detail. Hopefully, we’ll get there before any FBI or other Homeland Security from Cheyenne arrive. Can you keep Mom and Dad in the house until I get in and explain or divert security to the bunkhouse until we’re all there?”

“This is going to be interesting, but I will. I’d rather see the folks’ expressions. Mom, Dad, guess who’s coming to dinner? Too bad she likes girls.”

Drew growled at him and then told him to behave. She now needed to figure out how she was going to manage everything. They had handled the friendship, but what about a lover?

August

Hayden took the Secret Service agents to the empty bunkhouse and then led Jordan, David, and Mark on a short tour of the ranch. About fifteen minutes’ worth, Drew hoped.

“Mom, Dad, you told me I could bring anyone I wanted. David and Mark are here and so is Jordan.” Her parents looked at each other. “And her security team.”

“Jordan Thompson? The daughter of the president? Your friend, Jordan?”

Drew was grateful for the description. Hatchet made the situation untenable. “Yes, ma’am.” Drew fidgeted in the silence that followed.

Her mother pushed the hair out of Drew’s face. “You need a haircut.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Drew was getting nervous. Her mother was looking too closely at her.

“She is more than a friend. Isn’t she, dear?”

“Yes, Mom. She’s my lover.” Once again, her mother’s perceptiveness amazed her. “And she’s very nervous about meeting you.”

“Honey, if Jordan Thompson is that important to you and she makes you happy, then she’s welcomed here.” Her mother looked at her father. “Isn’t that true, dear?” Her father stood absolutely still, staring.

“Isn’t that true, dear?”

Her father’s words were only partially reassuring. “If she breaks your heart she’ll hear from me and every member of this family, and that’s a promise. Bring her in.” He stood with his arms crossed. His facial expression looked more as if he had just bitten into something sour.

“Chuck?” Her mother leaned against him.

“Okay! You’re a persistent woman.”

Drew could see her father relenting. She began to relax.

“Drew, honey, let Jordan know she’s welcome. But—”

“But,” her mother interrupted, “we’ll need to find out what she likes to eat. Isn’t that what you were going to say?”

Her father smiled. “It’s a good thing I love you all so much.” He then turned to Drew. “Bring her in. Might as well get introductions over.”

A few minutes later, she was bringing in her guests. She grabbed Jordan’s hand, hoping the physical contact would ease the nervousness.

“Mom, Dad, I want you to meet my roommate, Mark, his partner, David, and this beautiful woman is Jordan Thompson. Jordan, everyone, these are my parents, Charles and Marcia Hamilton.”

*

There were so many things about this moment that were awkward for Jordan. Meeting Drew’s parents and being identified as Drew’s girlfriend in front of those parents were tied for first. Literally being in a den of Democrats with strangely liberal views was a far second.

“Thank you for welcoming me into your home.” Jordan prayed that it was true.

Drew’s mother quickly hugged Mark and David and made them welcome. Then she came to stand in front of Jordan. “Jordan, it’s about time we met you.” She started to hug her until Jordan put out her hand. Mrs. Hamilton shook it. “Drew has talked about you so often, we feel we know you. Welcome.”

Jordan’s anxiety level couldn’t get any higher. She was grateful when Mrs. Hamilton took the proffered hand and smiled.

Charles Hamilton’s greeting was cooler. He simply said, “Hello, Jordan. I hope you enjoy your stay.”

“Thank you, sir, ma’am. I’m grateful you’ve welcomed me.”

“And dreaded meeting you.” Drew couldn’t keep the huge smile from spreading across her face. “I did warn her that we occasionally eat Republicans.”

“Only after we barbecue them,” Drew’s father added.

“We’re only kidding.” Drew rubbed her thumb over Jordan’s hand.

Jordan pulled her hand away. “Just tell me what I need to do to avoid being cooked.” She hoped humor could defuse the situation. Uncomfortable was too mild a word for what she was feeling. Drew holding her hand, the comments, even in jest, only added to her awareness that she was the daughter of the president of the United States. She should be able to defend her father. At the same time, she had failed to defend Drew. And now she realized how discomfiting Drew’s touching her was.

“Become a Democrat,” Drew’s father added.

Jordan faked a smile and tried to hide the trembling hands by shoving them into her pants pockets.

“Sorry, we all tease around here.”

Jordan’s response was a nervous nod.
How am I going to survive a whole week, especially with Mark and David leaving today for three days?

“Mom, Dad, Jordan has Secret Service agents and we put them up in the bunkhouse. I told them we’d let them know when dinner was ready.” Drew looked directly at her father. “They need to set up emergency communications and may need to upgrade our Internet service if that’s okay with you?”

“Hell’s bells,” her father bellowed. “You mean there’s something good I can say about that idiot in the White House?” He stopped as soon as Drew’s mother poked him in the ribs.

“Sorry, Jordan, bad habit.” He looked at Drew. “Go ahead and tell them to do whatever they need. Why don’t all you young folks come on in and make yourselves comfortable and I’ll run out and see what else they need? We’ve never had much security around here.” He looked at Drew and then Jordan. “Guess we’ll need it from now on.” He kissed Drew on the head as he walked by.

Jordan was on overload. At least he anticipated her being there in the future. That may be good. Still, she was trying to survive this moment.

“Well, how many agents are there?” Drew’s mother asked.

“Seven, ma’am,” Jordan answered. “The agent in charge and six others to work different shifts.”

“I guess we need to put a bigger pot of chili on the stove then.”

“May I help?” Jordan tentatively offered. At least cooking was familiar.

Drew’s mother smiled. “Of course, dear. I was going to ask you to join me, anyway. Come on, we have a big bunch to feed.”

“Mom,” Drew said, “Jordan is a hell of a cook.”

“When did you learn about cooking?” her mother asked.

“Never, but I certainly know about eating good food.”

Her mother laughed. “We are all well aware of your voracious appetite. Come on, Jordan. We may need another cow in the pot.”

*

“How did you learn to cook?” Marcia Hamilton asked Jordan.

“My mom is a great cook, and I was always around helping. I only know how to cook for large numbers, though.”

“Good, it looks like we’ll have a big crowd this week.” Marcia barely skipped a beat before getting into more personal details. “I can tell my daughter cares very much for you. She has never brought any girlfriend home.”

Jordan was futilely trying to not blush.

“We’ve suspected she’s had girlfriends, but you’re the first to meet her parents. That tells us you’re important.”

Jordan had no doubt that Drew’s mother was giving her advice and a warning. The advice was that she was very special to Drew. She already knew that. The warning was that she didn’t want to see her daughter hurt.

“Mrs. Hamilton, I can tell you that I deeply care about your daughter.”
How weak is that? “
She’s the best thing that has happened to me, and there’s no way I’m going to do anything to hurt her or lose her.”

Marcia Hamilton reached for her hand. “Thank you. Drew has a big heart. I will warn you though that Drew is very much like her father. She is very protective of those she loves. Now that includes you. Be aware that she will do anything to keep anyone from hurting you. That’s the Hamilton code. So if she seems determined or stubborn when it comes to you, be prepared.”

“I’ve learned that.” Jordan’s heart warmed when Drew’s mother smiled and squeezed her hand.

“So tell me, is she eating regularly or skipping meals? She looks like she’s lost some weight.”

Jordan lost the battle with the blush. She was aware of how often they had skipped meals for something more intimate. There was no way she could talk to Drew’s mother about that. “Things have been hectic.” She was a terrible liar and knew it.

Dinner was a loud, intense affair. Drew and her family often interrupted each other, telling stories or making comments. Even the agents who were off-duty found themselves laughing. In comparison, Jordan’s family meals were much more subdued. She sat quietly and listened and tried to absorb as much as possible. At least she didn’t need to participate.

“So, Jordan,” Hayden said, “how are classes going? When will you be done?”

“Classes are great. By going to school this summer and taking a full load, I can graduate in a year.”

“We’ll be finishing about the same time, then. We should have a combined graduation party next August.”