Cold Outside Warm Inside
"When is winter going to end? That damned groundhog didn't see his shadow a few weeks ago. What's with the weather being in the teens? It's freezing out there!" Fitz complained. He unwound the navy blue scarf from his neck and hung it up on the coat rack with his jacket. With the weather being chillier, Fitz had opted against wearing a suit today. He had on a pair of gray dress pants, a baby blue button up shirt, blue tie, and navy blue cardigan. He still looked professional without looking stuffy, and he was warm too.
"You sound like my grandmother." Huck said laughing. "So, it's cold. Bundle up. It's called winter for a reason."
"Shut up. I brought Starbucks. I even sprang for Ventis. Do you want it or not?"
"You make enough money to spring for ventis every day for the rest of our lives. Stop bitching." Huck chuckled and held out his hand. "What do we have on the schedule today?"
Fitz took a sip of his coffee and scowled. "Why do I even make out a schedule if half of us isn't even looking at it?"
"Because you're anal about organization and you operate better from a work schedule." Huck informed his friend.
Fitz threw his middle finger up at Huck. "I have a ten o'clock meeting in my office with William Swann."
"Guys an asshole." Huck stated. He didn't care if his comment was well received or not. Of course he also knew that the person he was making the comment to was currently screwing William Swann's wife, so he imagined Fitz's opinion pretty much matched his own. "That's my personal opinion of him. I'll be sure to keep the personal away from the professional when other people are here. I'm just telling you that I can't stand him."
"Tell me how you really feel, Huck." Fitz chuckled. He was a little surprised that his co-worker was freely sharing his personal feelings. Huck was a private guy most of the time and rarely spoke his mind about random people. Hearing his opinion on a political figure such as the First Gentleman was a bit of a shock. "He's not a bad guy. Not really. He just comes across as asshole-y."
Huck pretended to think about it for a minute. "Nope. That's not it. Not at all. Will Swann is the biggest asshole I've ever seen on television. What could he possibly want taken care of?"
Fitz appreciated his friend's willingness to change the subject. His opinion was that Will was an asshole too but saying it out loud didn't set a good tone for the office. And he didn't want to be that guy. The one who thinks the husband of the woman he is having sex with is an asshole. He cleared his throat and said, "I honestly don't know what he wants. It could be anything."
Huck didn't care if the president's husband wanted to kiss his ass. It wasn't happening. But he'd sit there and listen and be every bit the professional that he was every day. "Okay. What's happening after that?"
"My tailor is stopping by with my tux. It's my final fitting so I'll be ready for the White House banquet. You sure you don't want to.."
"Don't even bother finishing that sentence. I am not dressing up in a monkey suit just to go to a party and eat food I've never heard of before and hang out with a bunch of people I'll never seen again unless they are on my television. No thanks."
"That's what I thought." Fitz said with a grin. He started to head towards his own office and stopped as another question popped into his mind. "Where are you on the Henry situation? His parents are coming by here around five to..."
"Aren't you leaving the office at all today?" Huck asked. "I need some space from you for my own sanity."
"You're an asshole, Huck."
"Let me guess, it's too cold outside for your precious self to deal with so you're staying in all day to avoid it?" he chuckled at his own humor.
"First of all, my meeting with the president is at the White House, so I'll be gone for that. And what I was trying to tell you is that the Easterwoods are picking me up around five to take me to dinner for taking care of Henry's situation."
"But you're not taking care of it. I am. Why are they taking you out to eat?"
"They are taking me because I am an old friend of theirs. But you're right. You are taking care of it. Which is why they didn't invite you. They don't want to see you, meet you, or know what you have planned for their son. Besides, you wouldn't go anyways. Who are you kidding?" Fitz asked with a grin.
"There's that. I've got plans for after office hours. Plans that don't include kids or parents or uppity restaurants."
"That's a relief." Fitz said rolling his eyes. "Where are you on their situation?"
Huck informed Fitz of his plan while Fitz poured more coffee and half listened. He knew Huck would take care of the situation. The details were just a formality. Him asking for them was just what a boss does and they both knew it.
"Great." Fitz interrupted him halfway through. "Anyways, after I'm done with Liv..."
Huck wondered if that visit was personal or professional but didn't ask.
"...I have an appointment at the White House with Cyrus to discuss the Margaret Timmons matter. Apparently, the president is too busy to deal with it and Cyrus is taking over."
"I actually like Cyrus."
"You do?" Fitz asked in a surprised tone.
"Yea. He comes across as a jerk, and I think that might be part of his personality, but ultimately, it's just a protection mechanism. If you act like an asshole people tend to leave you alone." Huck explained.
"You think William Swann just acts like that as a protection mechanism too?" Fitz asked. He already had a good idea what his co-worker was going to say.
"Nope, that guy is an asshole through and through." Huck plainly stated. "Cyrus has ulterior motives. Will isn't that deep of a thinker. He's an idiot at best."
"I'm not going to share my thoughts on that."
Huck sat up straight in his chair. "You don't have to. If you agree with me just smile."
Fitz wasted no time and sent Huck his best smile. He clapped his hands together once and changed the topic of conversation by saying, "My plan is to wrap shit up by five so I won't have to cancel grabbing dinner with the Easterwoods and maybe sleep more than two or three hours at home tonight."
"Your high and lofty plans are so sad, man. But good luck." If his boss dated someone the two of them could talk about, Huck would send word to her to let her know that Fitz would be in the same building she worked in later on that afternoon. Instead, he was in love with the married president of the United States and wouldn't be getting laid anytime soon to stop being a grumpy ass. "Tell me you brought a jacket to wear instead of that Mr. Rogers sweater?"
"I'm supposed to take fashion advice from you? The man who wears t-shirts underneath flannel ones with jeans every day to work?"
"I can't have my reputation for working at this place being tarnished because you got kicked out of the White House on a dress code violation."
"Smartass" Fitz muttered as he made his way to his own office. Of course he had a suit jacket. He looked in the closet inside his office to make sure it was still there. It was. Huck was an asshole.
The tall somber faced men in suits quietly made their way into the foyer and began sweeping the area to make sure it was safe for the First Gentleman to enter. Secret Service were very good at their jobs, but they were super creepy and always looked ready to snap someone's neck for any reason at all. One of them spoke quietly into what appeared to be a wrist watch as his eyes stayed fixed on Huck.
Fitz didn't recognize any of the agents he knew who were on Olivia's detail, so he leaned on the doorframe of his office door and watched them without speaking. He noticed what appeared to be the lead agent staring Huck down as if he were a member of ISIS. "His name is Huck and he works for me. He'd been here for nine years. He's not a threat."
"Oh, I'm a threat..." Huck began.
"Shut up, Huck." Fitz replied mildly.
"A threat to your women. They can't resist my handsome face and charming personality."
"Shut up, Huck." Fitz echoed.
"You're just jealous because you don't have a woman." Huck teased.
"Is that so?" a deep voice asked from the front door. "Are you telling me the fixer can't fix his own personal life?"
Walked right into that one, Fitz thought. He plastered on a smile and began making his way towards Will. When he got there, he extended his right hand, chuckled, and said, "I'm afraid not. Good to see you, Will."
"You too, Fitz." Will leaned conspiratorially closer and added, "you know I could set you up with someone. I know a lot of women who would be happy to go out with a good looking, educated, gainfully employed guy like you."
Fitz was well aware of the kind of women the First Gentleman knew. None of them were the type of girl he wanted to date. Of course dating wasn't exactly what they did anyways. Fitz wanted no part of it. "Thanks, but I'm waiting for the right one to come along."
"Well, until she gets here, there's nothing wrong with having a little fun with the wrong ones. A man's got needs, and those needs have to be met. Am I right?" He jerked his elbow into Fitz's ribs repeatedly as he chuckled.
Huck gave the secret service agent a deadly glare until the man shifted his eyes to something else. The non threatening man silently watched the entire exchange between Will and Fitz go down in front of him. Will Swann was quite possibly the tackiest human being alive. He wondered how his boss was going to get out of this situation without coming across as ungrateful? He watched Fitz's eyes search the room for a possible escape. Some fixer he is. "He's got a date this afternoon." Huck informed the First Gentleman.
For a split second, Fitz's eyes went wide with shock before he quickly recovered and replaced the look with a charming smile. He was going to have to have a word with Huck about sharing his private information with anyone.
"Do you now?" Will asked with a knowing grin. "Who's the lucky lady?"
"As a gentleman, I never kiss and tell." Fitz replied smoothly. This subject needed to be changed as soon as possible. Bones could be broken. Death was even a possibility. Will could easily find out that Fitz had an appointment with Liv at noon. It would be on her schedule.
"So, you're planning on getting some sugar? Good for you, Fitz. Maybe you'll get a little more than that, and this day will be a whole lot better for you?"
Fitz thought of Olivia and the countless surfaces in the Oval Office he could have her on or up against. The grin that tugged on the edges of his mouth was a result of his vivid imagination of such things. What was he thinking? He had to stop filling his brain with how many ways he could have Olivia while her husband stood two feet away from him. In a bored tone he said, "maybe. Why don't you go get settled in the conference room while Huck and I grab some coffee? You want a cup?"
"Why not? Cream only. No sugar. I'm plenty sweet enough without it." Will said.
Huck and Fitz went to the coffee pot and as Huck poured Fitz lit into him. "What the hell was that all about? Are you insane? My appointment with the president is going to be on her schedule. That's something he could check if he wanted to. It wasn't smart to mention that to him."
It was interesting to Huck that of all the appointments Fitz had today, he chose his meeting with the president as the one for his fake date. Of course, he didn't mention that to him, but he found it very interesting anyways. And now to get himself out of the doghouse. "Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! I didn't mean the president! Are you crazy! Will wouldn't think your appointment with her is a date either. He knows your relationship with her is strictly a professional one. Your tailor is female. And a sexy one too."
"Miranda? She's not sexy!" Fitz sputtered.
"Dude, she is smokin' hot."
"Shut up! The problem with your explanation is that she is coming here this morning. I won't be seeing her this afternoon." Fitz made a mental note to arrange for Huck to get his eyes checked.
"So, if the subject is brought up again, just tell Will that she couldn't wait to see you until this afternoon and came by this morning. He's an idiot, remember? He'll believe the lie." Some days Fitz was hard work.
Fitz thought about it for a minute. "Yea, that could work. If he's still here rambling, it would be a great way to get rid of him too. Good thinking Huck. Thanks."
"That's what I get paid the big bucks for." Huck said dryly.
The three men sat at one end of the large mahogany table in the open conference room. Each had a mug of coffee near their hand and a serious expression. "Why don't you tell us why you're here?" Fitz said.
Later on, Fitz stood in the foyer outside of Cyrus' office. The day had gone from bad to worse. First, he had to endure Will rambling on and on about how he had accidentally gotten a woman pregnant from a one night stand. It had made him feel physically ill and had been difficult for Fitz to hear for so many reasons. Will should be at home trying to get his wife pregnant. Why was he having sex with strange women? Fitz wanted to lash out at him, but somewhere in the middle of Will's confession, at the core of it all, Fitz realized that he and Will were kind of the same. It was hard to admit to himself, but it was absolutely true. They were both spending time with people that could never be theirs.
His tailor had showed up right on time and Fitz had watched Will's eyes practically fall out of his head at the sight of her. Fitz took a real look at her for the first time to see what all the male fuss was about. She was a beautiful woman with thick, long, brown, wavy hair and blue eyes. She looked to be a size two and had amazing curves and legs for days. But she didn't do anything for Fitz. There wasn't a spark there. She was just another female in his life. Nothing special.
Will on the other hand seemed to need a minute. His secret service agents led the tall brunette towards the men in the conference room and ultimately left her with them at Fitz's nod. Fitz watched the president's husband's eyes slowly travel up and down Miranda's body appreciatively. "Are you Fitz's girl?" Will asked.
"I am." she stated firmly.
Huck's eyebrows went up but he remained quiet. This just got interesting.
"Miranda Lawler, this is William Swann. William, this is Miranda." Fitz said, introducing them.
"Nice to meet you, honey." Will said, still eyeing her body.
Huck wanted more than ever to kick Will's ass. He was such a pig.
Knowing what they had just discussed, Fitz felt the need to protect her from the disgusting predator in the room. Praying she wouldn't slap him, Fitz kissed her on the cheek and said, "is it ready?"
Miranda never missed a beat and stated, "of course it is" before handing him the hanger.
"What's in the garment bag?" Will asked.
"His tuxedo." Miranda replied politely. "For the banquet at the White House. He will be the most handsome man in attendance."
"Honey, you've never seen me in a tux." Will bragged.
"I don't need to. Fitz makes James Bond look like a child when he's in a tux. It is truly a sight to behold."
Huck cheered for Miranda at her quick comeback. She wasn't taking Will's shit.
"Stop it. You're embarrassing me." Fitz replied sheepishly. "Is there anything else you need, Mr. Swann? Miranda is also my tailor and I need to try this thing on one last time to make sure it fits properly." Fitz explained.
"Are you bringing her to the banquet?" Will asked. He hoped so. He would love to get the thin amazon in his arms for a dance, and maybe something else entirely while his wife shmoozed the guests.
Why hadn't Fitz thought of that ahead of time? He was stuck now and would have no choice but to bring Miranda along to the party. "Of course I am." he heard himself say.
"You'll have to save a dance for me." Will said, sending Miranda a lusty wink.
Once he was gone, and his secret service agents with him, Miranda loudly exclaimed, "Who the fuck was that guy and why is he so creepy?"
Huck laughed and held a hand up until she ultimately grinned and slapped it with her own. "You put the First Gentleman in his place perfectly. Marry me, Miranda!"
"I can't. Not until I'm done taking your ugly co-worker to the ball." she replied with a laugh of her own.
Fitz was grinning right along with them. "I'm really sorry you got sucked into that. Don't worry, I can make excuses for you to not attend."
"No thank you. I just got invited to a party at the White House. And while I may not think you are anything special, I have a good reason to go shopping for a gown and get my hair and make-up done. You are going to show me off properly, Mr. Grant." she informed him. "If I have to dance with a pig as payment, so be it."
"She is awesome! Can we keep her?" Huck asked still grinning.
Once Miranda had left the office, Fitz read an email from the president's Chief of Staff. It appeared that her schedule had gotten fuller and she had to cancel her meeting with him. Cyrus was still planning to see the fixer in his office at two. Fitz felt more than a little deflated at the idea of not seeing Olivia today, but he tried on his tux and did his best to put the disappointment out of his mind before heading to the White House.
"Mr. Beene will see you now." his secretary chirped.
Fitz got to his feet and opened the wooden door, striding in and shutting it behind him. "Hello, Cyrus."
"Mr. Grant. How good of you to come." Cyrus replied.
The two of them had been discussing Margaret Timmons for fifteen minutes when Cyrus' door was suddenly flung open. Both men turned their heads to see who had entered without an invitation and were greeted with the fiery eyes of the president. She had on a black pant suit with a pink blouse under her jacket. They got to their feet immediately. "Madam President." they said in surprised unison.
"What the hell is going on here?" she demanded.
Fitz knew Olivia's moods well enough to know that she was truly pissed off. When she was like that it was best to let her get it out of her system without making matters worse. She was the epitome of sexy when she was angry though, and he couldn't help but lick his lips as he watched his little temptress fume.
Cyrus scowled openly at his boss. "I'm sorry?"
"You should be! You moved my schedule around so that I wouldn't be able to meet with Mr. Grant today?"
"Well, I..." he began.
"You knew how important my meeting with him was, Cyrus! It was a personal matter that I wanted to deal with myself. What do you have to say for yourself?" she spat out.
Don't say anything Cy, Fitz silently warned.
"You can deal with personal matters when you are a civilian once again." he began.
Big mistake, Fitz thought. He tried to keep the desire he was feeling for her under control as he continued to watch the train wreck happening in front of him.
"As the president, you have important meetings to attend every day. Things that are not deemed important, such as children of your former neighbors, are relegated as unworthy of your time. Stay focused, madam president!" Cyrus would say whatever he had to, to get Olivia out of the room. He could feel the sexual tension radiating off of Mr. Grant like heat waves in the summertime.
Olivia put her hands on her hips and shot him an evil look. "If you want to remain my Chief of Staff and not be relegated to a civilian yourself, you will not touch my schedule again without discussing it with me beforehand. Am I clear, Mr. Beene?"
"Crystal." he replied flippantly.
"Perfect. Now, I know that the two of you have been talking about Margaret Timmons. And I know that you think I don't know that she has been leaking things to the media. I am well aware of that fact. I've been giving her false information for the past three days. She will crash and burn and ultimately be fired for all of it. Relax, I've got this."
Fitz was impressed and grinned to no one in particular.
"Now. If you don't mind, I'll be taking over your meeting, since you took mine. I have some things to take care of with Mr. Grant."
"Madam President..." Cyrus sputtered.
"You'd better get on top of a press release stating why Ms. Timmons was let go. That'll be all, Cyrus."
Fitz knew better than to argue and collected his things and quickly followed Olivia out of the room. They made their way through winding halls until they reached their destination; the Oval Office. On her way inside, Olivia told her secretary, "hold my calls for the next half hour please."
Once the door shut behind them Olivia turned around and launched herself at Fitz. He caught her in his arms without dropping her somehow even though he stumbled back a few steps. Olivia wasted no time and kissed him feverishly. His mouth caught up quick once the surprise was gone and he gave as good as he got. Gripping her hips tightly, Fitz groaned as her tongue slithered into his mouth. He sucked on it and pulled her even closer to him.
The two of them stumbled onto the yellow and blue sofa, never letting their lips part. She was straddling his lap and enjoying the feel of being on top of him when he remembered what they were doing and where. Fitz froze. Confused, Olivia looked down at him. "What's the matter?"
"We can't do this in here. There are cameras, Liv." he whispered.
There was a top of the line sound system in here too she thought with a smile. "Tom is on my detail tonight. He'll swipe it from the camera as if you were never in here. At least not until we start talking about the teenaged boys. But I don't want to talk at all right now. Take your pants off." She ordered.
Fitz held tightly to Olivia and got to his feet. Grinning at her he said, "someone's missed me. You must want it really bad huh?"
"You have no idea. Pants! Off! Now! We have about twenty minutes before Cyrus comes storming in here demanding to be a part of the conversation. Can you take care of business in fifteen, so we are dressed when that happens?"
He nipped her bottom lip. "Stop talking about Cyrus and unbuckle my belt." He felt her fingers tugging on his belt and went back to kissing her. "Mmmm, missed you" he mumbled between hungry kisses.
"Show me how much" Olivia demanded when she had his rock hard length free from the confines of his underwear.
Fitz dropped the president on her tiny little feet and took a seat on the sofa. Olivia anxiously tugged her dress pants and panties down, kicking one leg free from the material. The other pant leg was still inside out and clinging to her ankle. She wasted no time straddling Fitz's lap once more and impaling herself onto him all the way to the hilt. Both of them groaned loudly at the exquisite feeling of being joined with the person they loved most in the world.
His hands roughly left her hips and traveled up to the bottom button on her pink blouse. He began opening each button as Olivia rode him like a woman possessed. When all the buttons were undone, he reached behind her and effortlessly flicked the clasp of her bra open, letting it fall. Leaning forward with his mouth open, he latched onto her stiff nipple and began sucking hard. Olivia cried out, letting her head fall back, but continued to bounce up and down on his lap.
He wanted to suck on her neck until it left a mark. He wanted someone to know that she was his and that he was taking excellent care of her needs. But he knew he couldn't.
Olivia lifted her head and held Fitz close. This would be over soon and who knew when it would happen again? It had been too long since it had happened the last time. "I've missed you so much. I needed this. Needed you."
Her words made him slow down until they weren't moving any more. He looked at her in wonder. Her lips were swollen, her hair was in disarray, and her chest was on display for anyone to see. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever met, and he was so hopelessly in love with her. He looked into her eyes in the stillness of the moment, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I love you, Liv."
Remembering the cameras, he leaned closer, so they were skin to skin. He wished more than anything that he could take his time and tenderly make love to Olivia. But he'd settle for this. For now. He wondered if she would repeat the sentiment back to him?
Olivia knew that they were pushing it. Their time together was almost over this time. Parting with Fitz after having him in such an intimate way was always so difficult for her. There was nothing she loved to hear more than him telling her that he loved her. Her heart was bursting with happiness, and her body felt thoroughly used in the best possible way. She touched her lips with his in a soft sweet kiss. Pulling back from his mouth she whispered, "I love you too, Fitz. More than anything."
He lifted Olivia up, kissed her passionately, and laid her on her back before he began ramming into her with reckless abandon. She wrapped her legs tighter around his waist and chanted, "more, more, more!"
So, he gave her more. All of his feelings and frustrations and expectations he pounded into her, until finally, he felt her fingernails sink into his back. He knew he'd have eight perfect crescents in his back for the next few days, but it would be worth the battle marks. She clamped her lips together and tried so hard not to scream as her little body tensed up and she stopped breathing for a few delicious heart stopping seconds.
Having no choice but to follow her, Fitz kept at it for a few seconds longer until he too stilled all movement. He grunted, tightening his grip on her hips, knowing he would be leaving marks on her delicate skin and not caring. She was trying to even her breathing out to normal while Fitz crumpled like a felled tree on top of her. He felt her hand stroke his back while the other played in the curls at the back of his neck. Nothing felt more peaceful and he wished he could stay here with her like this for hours.
Lifting his head, he looked down at her. She had mascara streaked on one cheek and her lipstick was long gone. She would also have a hard time getting her hair to look like it had before they had arrived in the Oval. The president of the United States looked exactly like she should. Thoroughly fucked. He smiled at her before pecking her lips and telling her, "we've got to get up."
He held out a hand for her to take, which she did. "Do I look as bad as you do?" she asked with a grin.
"It had been a while. I'm so sorry for being too rough with you." he said.
"No. Don't apologize to me for what we do behind closed doors. Not ever." She got up on her tiptoes and kissed him. When his arms came around her waist, she never wanted to let him leave. "I'm going to go into the washroom and try to get myself together. You...You should do the same."
Fitz had gotten his clothes back on and ran his fingers through his hair. It felt like it looked decent. He wished Olivia would come out so he could go and check for sure.
The door to the Oval opened and Cyrus stepped inside. He looked around the room and said, "What did you do with the president? Mr. Grant?"
But Fitz couldn't comprehend the words coming out of Cyrus' mouth. He was frozen in place because he just realized that he hadn't stopped to put on a condom before he'd had sex with Olivia.