NOTE: I want to thank MisterMagic25 for helping me out with this chapter. We will reach the beginning of Saints Row IV in the next two chapters, there's still one more thing I want to do. Let me know what you think! Enjoy!

Chapter 14: Our Independence Day

As Shaundi stood by the fountain in the backyard of The White House, she softly stared at The Washington Monument in the distance. It was lit up in red, white, and blue in honor of the day. The colors contrasted nicely with the dark-night sky as a full moon rested overhead. Bright light from the moon illuminated the dance floor set up on the grounds, while next to one hundred people danced to Aerosmith playing live on stage. Strings of lights hung above them, as well as in the trees and bushes of the yard, and casted a soft amber glow onto the patrons. Shaundi watched quietly tapping her foot, not in beat to the music, but to the feeling of anticipation inside of her. The gala had been going on for an hour and Ethan had yet to show. She grabbed the wrist of a man next to her and checked his watch for the time. She smiled, apologizing for invading his personal space, before taking a drink from the glass of champagne in her hand. Searching the crowd, she scanned for Ethan, hoping to see him before Kinzie walked up to her side wearing a long, red dress and matching high heels. Her hair was down in wavy curls that came to rest on her shoulders. She smiled nervously at Shaundi and twiddled her fingers.

"Wow, Kinzie you look amazing," said Shaundi, her eyes wide in surprise. "But, what are you doing here? I thought you weren't going to come?"

"I'm only here to answer questions for the press, that's all," Kinzie replied, firmly. She glanced at The Boss as he appeared on the back balcony of the house and quickly looked away before tucking a curl of hair behind her ear. "I found Oleg at the last minute and told him I changed my mind. He was really sweet about it."

"Where is he?"

"Getting me a drink. He said I seemed tense and could use one," said Kinzie, looking behind her at the bar. "What about you? I thought Ethan was going to come?"

"He is. He's just running a little late," said Shaundi, scanning the crowd again.

"Do you think tonight's the big night?"

"How do you mean?" asked Shaundi, confused by the question.

"You've been going out for a while, and judging the action Buzz has been getting lately, I'd say your patience is wearing thin."

"Kinzie, I swear, if you bugged my room..."

"Every room in the house is bugged, but I didn't listen in through the system," informed Kinzie. "And, it's hard not to hear what goes on in there, you get louder and louder by the day."

"Did anyone ever tell you that eavesdropping is a crime?" asked Shaundi, through clenched teeth.

"Not in Washington, administrations have been doing it for years."

"Yeah, and look where that got Nixon," said Shaundi, raising an eyebrow.

Kinzie shrugged her shoulders, brushing off her response, as Oleg walked up to her. He placed his big hand on her back before handing her a drink. She smiled in appreciation and took it from him.

"So, what are you ladies talking about?" he asked, his Russian accent overpowering his words.

"Just girl talk," said Shaundi, with a gentle wave of her hand.

"Oh, the most important kind of talk," said Oleg, turning to Kinzie. "Would you like to, how they say, 'cut a rug'? I'd love to see what a woman of your superior intellect can do on the dance floor."

"I don't know if..." Kinzie's words trailed off as she saw The Boss dancing with a buxom blonde who was generously grinding against him to the music. Kinzie pursed her lips together and furiously tossed her drink over her shoulder before grabbing Oleg's hand, answering him with a fierce "I'd love to."

Shaundi shook her head, showing a look of exasperation as Kinzie eagerly pulled Oleg's large body onto the dance floor. They stopped next to The Boss who was quick to catch a glimpse of Kinzie in her dress. He stopped to stare as she lifted it up, showing part of her thigh, in an effort to keep herself from tripping while she danced. Shaundi couldn't help but let out a small laugh at their expense, but hoped things would stay calm between them.

"H-Hello, Shaundi," said a quiet voice, almost in audible from the music playing. "You look very p-p-pretty tonight."

"Thank you," said Shaundi, turning toward them. She recognized them, but it took her a moment to remember who they were. It was Peter, the mousy young man she'd bumped into a few days before. "You're Peter, right?"

"Yeah!" said Peter with a smile, happy that she'd remembered his name. "Do you want to d-d-dance?"

"Oh, Peter, I'm sorry," she said, returning his smile with a more sympathetic one. "But, I'm actually waiting for someone."

"And, here I am," said Josh, walking up to her side. Shaundi rolled her eyes at the sound of his voice and tightened her jaw.

"For the love of God, Josh, go away," she told him, trying to avoid his lustful stare. He placed a finger on her bare shoulder and gently traced her arm downward. Shaundi tsk'd her teeth and slapped his hand away.

"Still resisting it I see," he said, leaning closer to her.

"Resisting what? The urge to knee your groin?"

"Your love for me," he corrected her. "Why do you continue to fight your true feelings?"

"Because if I didn't, they'd never find your body...we've been through this several times before."

"I find it hard to pay attention to your words, when your eyes tell me all I need to know. Let's stop this charade, I know you've been without the company of a man for far too long. I'm here to rescue you," said Josh, taking her hand in his. "Come my love, let us descend the steps of this fair house and find comfort in each other."

"Descend implies that we'd be walking down the steps, I think you mean 'ascend'," she told him. "Now, let of my hand before I break your fingers."

"I love it when you talk tough."

Shaundi rolled her eyes again and turned away from him to see one of her agents escorting Ethan onto the grounds. He was wearing a black tuxedo with a bright red bowtie. He had on a new pair of sunglasses, replacing the ones he'd broken the last time he was there. She smiled when she saw him and looked at Josh.

"Josh?" she asked, sweetly.

"Yes, my love?"

"Hold this," she said, shoving her glass of champagne toward him.

She walked to the edge of the dance floor and met up with Ethan. He smelled her perfume and smiled when she drew close to him.

"Hey there," she said, softly grazing his shoulder. She leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips.

"Hey yourself," he replied, when she pulled away from him. He kept a hand behind his back. "I'm sorry I'm late. I had a little trouble with my bowtie, I had to call my sister to help be my eyes. That took a while, but I still wanted to stop on the way to get this."

Ethan brought his hand from behind his back to hand her a single, deep-red rose. Shaundi grinned and gently took it from him before bringing the silky petals to her nose.

"You're forgiven," she said, placing a hand on his cheek. "You want something to drink?"

"I'm alright," he told her. "Maybe you could help me work up a thirst. You wanna dance?"

"Sure do."

Ethan held his hand out for her to take it. She tenderly intertwined her fingers with his and led him to the dance floor, just as Aerosmith transitioned into their song I Don't Want to Miss a Thing.

"The President a fan of Aerosmith?" asked Ethan, placing a hand on her hip, but keeping her other hand in his grasp.

"Yeah, are you?" Shaundi put her free hand on his shoulder as they started to sway to the beat of the song.

"I am, but I've never heard them live. They sound fantastic," he replied, taking a moment to listen to music. "Did I tell you I'm thinking of going solo?"

"Are things not going well with the band?" asked Shaundi, worried that she'd ruined their camaraderie with one another.

"I just feel it's time for a change," he said, reassuring her, having felt her worry. "Brian is married and starting a family, which is what he's wanted for a long time, and he wants to be there for his kids. And David...well, he's just David. It was only a matter of time before we went our separate ways. I'm actually thinking of putting out a jazz album, maybe becoming the next Kenny G."

"Does that mean you're going to grow your hair out?"

"Should I?"

"Please don't," said Shaundi, running her fingers through his short hair. He smiled and brought his hand to the small of her back, pulling her closer.

"Then it's settled, I won't."

Shaundi trailed her hand down to the back of his neck and pulled him down to her as the song ended. She closed her eyes and held in a breath, closing in on his lips. Before she could complete the kiss, a scream came from behind her. Shaundi opened her eyes and turned around to see The Boss stepping on the skirt of Kinzie's dress. It had ripped up the side revealing her milky-white leg.

"You did that on purpose!" screamed Kinzie.

"Like you haven't been elbowing me in the side and "accidentally" stepping on my heels the entire time! My fucking foot is raw, Kinzie!" he screamed back.

"Is everything alright?" asked The Boss' dance partner, the buxom blonde he'd been dancing with all night.

"But out, bimbo!" Kinzie yelled in her face.

"Hey, don't get mad at her just 'cause you're jealous," said The Boss, stepping between them. Kinzie's face turned red with anger.

"Jealous? JEALOUS?!" she screamed at the top of her lungs. "You, are a fucking asshole!"

Kinzie grabbed a drink from a nearby bus boy and threw it in The Boss' face before storming off the dance floor, holding her ripped dress together in her hand, unaware that she'd left Oleg alone. The Boss wiped the drink from his face and let out an angry breath.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?" he asked, chasing after her. "Kinzie, get back here!"

He ran past Shaundi, bumping into her, as he tried to catch up to Kinzie. Ethan caught her in his arms after she lost her balance and cocked his ear toward The Boss' quick footsteps.

"Is everything alright?" asked Ethan.

"Yes, everything is fine," said Shaundi, looking behind her at Oleg. He had an inquisitive look on his face as he stared in the direction Kinzie and The Boss had left. He shook his head and walked toward her and Ethan. "You okay, Oleg?"

"I knew I was only pawn," said Oleg, stopping next to her. "It was only matter of time before I lost a game of chess, I just thought I'd lose to someone...more appreciative of her charms."

"If you knew, why'd you ask her to be your date?"

"I admire her intellect and she is good company. She never gave me wrong impression and made sure to tell me her true intentions," he said, turning to her. "The heart wants, what the heart wants, Ms. Shaundi. Enjoy the party."

Oleg patted her on the back, being surprisingly gentle for his large stature, and walked away. Shaundi turned to Ethan and tenderly stared at him and how his white teeth showed from behind his soft lips. She gave Oleg's words some thought and lovingly grabbed his hand. She pulled him behind her as she walked toward the house.

"Where are we going?" asked Ethan.

"I have something for you. Come with me."

Shaundi led him up the stairs and into the house, weaving past the party goers, until they reached her bedroom. They entered the room and she shut the door behind them.

"Where are we?" Ethan asked, hearing the faint sound of Aerosmith outside.

"My bedroom," Shaundi replied, turning on her bedside lamp. "There's...um...there's something I want to give you."

She walked to her dresser and grabbed a brand new pair of sunglasses, with thin gold frames, and placed them in his hand.

"I felt bad about how you broke your other pair that last time you were here. I know you have others, but-"

"Thank you," he said, cutting her short. He caressed her hand for a moment before taking the glasses from her. He took his existing pair off and tossed them over his shoulder. Placing the new pair on, he smiled and pushed them up with his finger. "How do they look?"

"Very nice."

He continued to smile and stepped toward her, feeling for her hand, pulling her close to him. Shaundi ran her hands up his back as he wrapped his arm around her.

"Shaundi?" he asked, caressing her cheek.

"Yeah?"

"I...I really wish I could see you," he said, running his finger over her lips. "I've never wanted to see anyone more."

Shaundi let out a soft breath and placed her hand on his cheek, "You already can."

She pulled him to her and planted a passionate kiss on his lips, her body tingling from his touch. The kiss grew more intense as she pushed her tongue into his mouth and ran her hand along the inside of his jacket.

Ethan broke the kiss and traced her jaw line with his lips until finally resting on her neck. His tongue lightly lapped at her skin as she tilted her head back, gripping his hair in ecstasy. Shaundi's body grew hot with anticipation and relished every touch of his lips.

"Ethan, take me, please," she said, her voice filled with pleasure. He obeyed and lifting her dress, caressing her thigh, letting his hand come to a stop between her legs. Shaundi took in an unsteady breath as he started to massage her mound on the outside of her soaked panties. She began undoing his belt, feeling his erection, but stopped to moan when she felt his fingers enter her. The bliss from his touch overwhelmed her and caused her to stumble backward into her dresser.

"Holy fuck," she moaned, his pace quickening inside of her. She gripped the edge of her dresser and tilted her head back as his lips found her neck again. Ethan increased his pace, moving his fingers hard and fast, bringing her on verge of climax. She moved her hips against his hand, begging for more, and continued to expel moans in rhythm to his pace. As she neared her highest peak of pleasure, she grabbed his face and pulled him in for a hard kiss.

*KNOCK KNOCK*

Shaundi opened her eyes, it was morning and she was laying face down in bed. She sat up and felt the sticky-wet juices between her legs that had left her while dreaming. A dream, that's all it was. Ethan had come to her room the night before, but nothing happened after their kiss. The fireworks outside had gone off prematurely, causing a small fire to burn and several party goers to panic. Shaundi was forced to see to the matter, cutting their moment short.

*KNOCK KNOCK*

"Yeah, what is it?" asked Shaundi, wiping herself off with her bed sheets. She got out and opened the door to see one of her agents.

"Mam, I'm sorry to wake you."

"Is the president in trouble?" she asked.

"I'm afraid we lost him again."

"Kinzie, if you had something do with this, I'm going to kill you," she mumbled under her breath before turning back to her agent. "Give me a minute to get dressed."