Chapter 25

Mac knew she was in trouble when her desire to feel his naked flesh under her hands had her reaching for his tie to undo it.

Kenneth knew he was on dangerous ground when his fingers repeatedly stroked over the clasp of her bra, even through her blouse, it would be so easy to undo it.

Both reluctantly parted, sharing embarrassed grins that they had let a simple kiss go so far.

"I'm sorry Sar…"

"Please forgive me…"

They both spoke at the same time and then stopped with a nervous laugh.

"Please don't…"

"I wasn't going…"

It happened again and he said, "You go first."

"I was going to say, 'please don't apologize'," she told him softly.

"And I was going to say, 'I wasn't going to apologize for kissing you, just for letting it get out of hand'," he offered with a smile.

"Oh!" she smiled back at him and said, "Good, because I'm not sorry it happened either."

Drawing her gently into his arms he told her, "I'm glad."

They nestled in each other's arms talking and sharing light kisses until twenty-four minutes later she said, "As much as I hate this to end this, it's the children's bedtime."

Kenneth twisted his arm to look at his watch and discovered she was right. "How did you know that? There's no clock around and I've never seen you wear a watch!"

"I don't know, for as long as I can remember it's just something I've always been able to do."

"That would be a useful ability! I don't suppose you can teach me?" he grinned as they rose from the couch.

"I doubt it. I don't know how I do it, so wouldn't have any idea of where to start."

"Oh well, I'll just have to admire your super power," he teased, then gave her a brief kiss and said, "I'll see you in the morning."

"Yes," she whispered, watching him leave.

Thursday, July 20, 2003

0800 EST

Hong Kong

Mac stopped in the security room for the overnight report only to find it in an uproar. Less than an hour earlier a death threat to the President had come in and the agents were busy tracking down any leads. Mac was quickly brought up to speed and then they talked over the degree of the threat. Was this enough to cancel the rest of his trip? It was decided that until they had more information not to call off the trip. Since they were going home the next day anyway, that seemed a safe bet unless the situation changed. Once she saw that everything that needed to be done was being done, she left instructions that she be informed of any discovery then left the room.

Entering the family dining room she relieved Kenneth's night guard and then greeted her charge, "Good morning Mr. President, something has come up and I need ten minutes of your time before your meetings start today."

His press secretary who had been briefing him on the day's agenda was already shaking her head negatively.

Seeing the look on Sarah's face and knowing this was something serious, he wiped his mouth on his napkin and rose saying, "Let's talk in my sitting room."

The two of them left together upsetting everyone in the room. His press secretary was upset that he'd left in the middle of their briefing, the twins were upset because Agent Mac hadn't even said hi to them, and Laurel was put out because her father was going off alone once again with Agent Mac. Even Nanny disapproved of the example Kenneth was setting for the children by not finishing his meal.

Unaware of the turmoil they'd left behind, Kenneth tried to lighten the serious mood when the got to the sitting room, "I'm guessing you didn't get me alone so you could kiss me?"

"As much as I like that idea, it wasn't my reason for getting you alone. There's been a threat against you. We've reviewed security and changed all travel routes for today, but consider it a low enough risk not to cancel the rest of the trip. If that changes during the day, I'll make sure you're informed."

"Against just me, or the children too?" he questioned.

"I wouldn't say 'just' you, but the children weren't mentioned. Still there will be an extra agent assigned to everyone today."

"Alright Sarah, I trust you to know what you're doing, just please make sure the children are safe."

"It's my job to make sure you're all safe," she told him.

"I know and I trust that you will." Then with a wicked grin, he asked, "How many of our ten minutes are left?"

To be continued…..