SECOND CHANCES

CHAPTER ONE

The turn and the gate came up on her quickly and she almost hit the guard as she locked up her breaks. Her makeup still burned her eyes and she couldn't catch her breath.

Kyle had one hand on his gun and the other on his flashlight as he shined it through the open driver's side window, "Annabeth?" Kyle motioned for them to open the gate and radioed to the in-house security to wake up the Governor Elect.

She pulled just inside the iron gates, put the car in park and got out barely able to stay on her feet. Kyle put his arm around her and helped her to the front door. It swung open wide as she reached it and a man she knew too well was standing there looking terrified, "Be, Be what is it?" Governor Elect Joshua Harrington-Armstrong lifted Annabeth up into his arms and carried her into the house. The guards shut the door behind them and pulled the car to the side of the house.

She wept against his shoulder as he carried her into the living room, "Be, tell me…tell me what's wrong."

Anna clung to him as she sat on the sofa next to him. Her breathing was erratic and tears rolled down her face. He left her long enough to grab a box of tissues and a bottle of whiskey and glass from the bar. She was quiet for a minute and he thought she had fallen asleep, but then she started weeping again. He sat the bottle down and poured her a tall glass and sat down and pulled her up onto his lap. He gently stroked her hair and felt her trembling all over.

"Josh," she whispered clinging to him again. "I'm…he's…so sorry to bother…"

Joshua put the glass up to her lips and she took a slow drink as he pushed her long auburn hair from her eyes, "Be, take a breath and tell me." She was shaking so much that Josh thought she might drop the glass. He pulled her against his chest, "It's alright. You can say it later. Shh…it's alright."

After a few minutes of weeping she looked up into his eyes still unable to speak. Josh was petrified at how pale she was. He gently wiped the tears and make-up from her cheeks. Then she did the last thing that he ever thought his ex-wife would do. She kissed him. For a second Josh was shocked, but then he kissed her back. Her kisses were as warm and welcoming as he remembered. His heart raced as he felt her touch. A touch he never thought he would feel again.

She pulled at the buttons on his pajama top and couldn't unfasten them so she ran her long slender fingers through his hair and held him close as her kisses became more demanding and Josh was more than responding to her. She was sucking on his tongue and he wanted more and more of her.

He had been sound asleep when his security had called and then he had been terrified for the woman he once loved. Now he was erect and pulsating more with each demanding kiss. Josh's mind was spinning because he wanted to give her what she needed and what his body obviously wanted. Every time he tried to talk and ask her if she was sure or what was going on she would kiss him again until he relaxed.

He wanted to talk, but she didn't. She wanted him and he was thrilled.

Josh pulled the pajama top over his head and Annabeth kissed his chest and stroked his neck as tears rolled down her cheeks. Josh slid them off the couch and down onto the carpet. He unbuttoned her blouse exposing her black lace bra to the dim light of the room. She reached up and started kissing him again as he unhooked her bra. Annabeth pulled at the string to his pajama bottoms. Josh didn't realize that he was trembling almost as much as she was.

Annabeth undressed him without a word as he slid off her skirt and her black lace thong. Before he could ask if she was sure, she had straddled him and he had slid easily into her. As easily as he had so many times the eight years they had been married.

Anna started to sway and move her body up and down as Josh moaned with pleasure. Her eyes were closed and Josh gave into the feelings of holding her again.

"Oh! Oh! Be!" He held her hips and moved with her. She had finally stopped crying as she opened her eyes and looked deep into his with a sadness that he couldn't even have imagined. Josh was afraid to say anything.

Josh stood up bringing her with him. He carried her upstairs to his bedroom and gently placed her in his bed as she started kissing him again. Her tongue was magic against his and he forgot about everything in that moment except how much he wanted her. He forgot about the past. About their bitter divorce and about the fact he was going to be governor.

She slid herself up the bed and Josh ran his hands down her perfect body and found that special spot he knew she had. Annabeth was so wet and willing and he knew how to satisfy her. He smiled when she moaned with pleasure and grasped the sheets. "Oh Josh!" it was the first clear thing she had said.

He slid up next to her and looked into her eyes, "Be, what can I do?"

Annabeth started to stroke him as she looked deep into his eyes. He was already so hard he thought he would burst. "I want you Josh," she whispered against his lips. She started to kiss him again and he pushed her legs apart and inserted himself again.

He tried to be gentle, but she was wild and kept moving her hips and driving him insane. Each time he slowed down she demanded more without saying a word. They climaxed together as she trembled and he collapsed on top of her. Josh didn't know what to say when in between her deep breaths she whispered, "He's dead Josh…he's dead."

Josh crawled in behind her pulling the sheets with him. He held her close as she cried herself to sleep. His mind was racing. He never would have guessed she would show up here in the middle of the night wanting this. He never could have imagined that his Anna would need him again…want him again, after he had hurt her so reprehensively.

It was morning when Josh felt her stir. She was resting on his chest and he had his arms wrapped around her. They were both still naked and clinging to each other. Josh gently pushed her hair from her eyes, those mesmerizing ice blue eyes.

"Good morning."

Anna looked into his eyes trying to get the energy to speak, "Josh…"

He gently touched her cheek, "Its Charles isn't it?"

Josh saw the tear run down her cheek, "He had a heart attack while he was driving to meet me for dinner…he was..."

Josh frowned and pulled her close, "It's alright. I'm here." They lay together quietly for another ten minutes and then she gently pushed away and went into the bathroom. Joshua pulled out another pair of pajama bottoms and put them on as he called downstairs to have his butler start breakfast for them. He went to the bathroom door to check on her and heard her throwing up.

When she came out of the bathroom she had rinsed with mouthwash and put on Josh's robe. He lightly touched her waist and looked into her lost eyes, "What can I do?"

Annabeth cleared her throat before she tried to speak, "Thank you for last night. I have to call the funeral home and make a lot of arrangements. I have to go."

Josh caught her hand as she tried to walk by him, "I have staff. I can help. You don't have to go through this alone."

"Thanks for everything I…I just need to go."

She pulled her hand away and started to walk out of the bedroom, "Be, your dad died last night. Let me help."

She turned around with tears in her eyes, "Josh, you are going to be governor and I'm your ex-wife. I have complications that I don't want to bring to your door. Thank you for last night. I wouldn't have made it without you." She gave him that little smile that he had loved so many years ago and headed downstairs to get her clothes.

When Annabeth reached the bottom of the stairs with Josh coming close behind she saw someone she never wanted to see again coming through the foyer. She walked passed Leon Walken without a word to get her clothes.

Leon stood at the bottom of the stairs with his judgment eyes waiting for Josh, "What the hell Mr. Governor Elect?"

"Leon, don't start." Josh wanted to try one more time to convince Anna to accept his help.

"The press is outside the gate." With that Josh stopped and turned around. Leon scowled, "You know better. Did she really almost take out the gate?"

"Leon, just stop. Charles died last night."

"And what? You are going to be governor and she has a boyfriend. And she was driving erratically, so you know what the head lines are going to be! Governor Elect Beds Ex-wife After Drunken Driving Escapade."

Joshua threw his hands up in the air because he couldn't deal with his chief of staff right this minute, but Annabeth had already slipped away. "Leon, go to the office. I will see you there." Leon attempted to say something else, but the look Joshua gave him made him stop and give out a loud sigh and storm out to his car.

While Josh was sitting in the sun room eating his breakfast and reading the newspaper Kyle, his head of security and best friend came in the room. Josh looked up waiting for him to speak.

"Boss, you know none of us gave those quotes or any other information to the vultures."

"I know. I assume they have someone camped out for just this purpose."

"Is there anything I can do?"

Josh snickered, "Well next time my ex-wife shows up here he middle of the night, could you please park her car in the garage so I don't have to get up to four hundred pictures of her car parked outside my house?"

Kyle nodded, "Is she alright?" Kyle had worked for Joshua for a long time and he had known Annabeth Braden Harrington-Armstrong for many years.

"Her dad had a heart attack on the way to meet her last night. He didn't make it."

"Is there anything we can do?"

Josh sipped his coffee, "I'll let you know."

Annabeth went to her office instead of her house because she was trying to avoid the press and her boyfriend. When she pulled her phone from her purse, which she had left in the car last night, there were three missed calls from Josh and fifteen missed calls from George, her boyfriend.

Anna's eyes were killing her and she felt like she was going to throw up again. She washed her face and drank a glass of water. Then she took two Tylenol and sat down to call the funeral home to make sure they had picked up her dad's body. She had lost her mom when she was eight and she had been very close to her dad. Her dad had taken her on a cruise when her divorce had become final. She wouldn't have made it if she didn't have Charles' shoulder to cry on.

Anna sat in her office chair and rested her head against her hands. She took a few deep breaths and was trying to decide what her next step would be. Then her phone started to ring again and she knew she was going to have to face the music.

She flipped open the phone as she closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, "George."

"Are you alright?"

She thought long and hard before she said anything and after a few deep breaths she said, "I don't know what I will do without him."

"Where are you?"

"At the office."

"Come home."

She brushed the tear from her cheek and opened her eyes, "I will. I have things I need to get done."

"The police have pushed back the press so you can get to the house."

He knows.

"I'll be there soon." Anna hung up the phone without saying anything else. She didn't know what she was going to say to her boyfriend or to the press or to Joshua for that matter because she had put him in a very awkward position. Anna had thought of doing something horrible last night and it scared her so much that she couldn't control her emotions. She couldn't stop her anxiety attack and before she knew it she was on the road to Josh's house.

She had only felt such pain one other time in her life. Her chest felt like it was being crushed and the overwhelming sadness was debilitating her.

Anna leaned against the wall in her office trying to keep herself from breaking down again. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't pull herself together. She couldn't make the pain stop. She couldn't breathe and her eyes burned with tears again.

After over twenty minutes trying to calm down she picked up her purse and made herself walk to her car. She wanted to hide, but there were too many things that needed to be done…and now there was no one but her to do them.

While she was driving home, she heard on the radio that the Governor Elect was going to make a statement in about half an hour. She pulled the car over and called his cell phone.

He answered before there was even a full ring, "Are you alright?"

"I wish people would stop asking me that. Of course I'm not alright."

"Be…"

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "What are you going to tell the press?"

"That my incredibly hot and sexy ex-wife showed up at my house last night so distraught that she couldn't see straight and I ripped off all her clothes and took advantage of her by fucking her brains out on the worst night of her life."

"Did Leon write that? Because I have to tell you it might need a little work."

"Be, let me help you with the arrangements."

Annabeth wiped a tear from her cheek, "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"I didn't know the press would be out there."

"I know you didn't. None of that matters. They already voted me in, they're stuck with me and I can handle this and Leon. I'm worried about you. I want to be here for you. Be…whatever you need…you don't have to do this alone."

"Josh, I need a favor."

"Another one?" he asked with an erotic growl.

Anna smiled and closed her eyes, "I'm going to lie to George."

"Ok, I don't know what you want me to say to that sweetheart because I think it goes without saying that I'm not going to tell him any different."

"Josh, I said some pretty awful things about you during your campaign."

Josh smiled, "I know. Leon has a list, but I won anyway."

"I'm sorry."

"Stop it. Call me if you need anything. Be, don't hesitate to call…please."

"Thank you Josh."

She thought he was going to hang up, but before he did he said, "Be, last night was incredible. Like old times."

She hung up the phone without saying anything. She fluffed her hair and put on some make-up and her large sun glasses before she pulled into her neighborhood. The police directed her through as the press took hundreds of pictures of her car. She pressed the automatic garage door open and pulled into the garage. Annabeth stayed in the car until the door had completely closed and then she took a deep breath and went to face the music.

George was sitting on the sofa watching the news waiting for the Governor Elect to come on and make his statement. His short auburn hair looked a little disheveled as though he hadn't showered or comb it while he was waiting for her to come home. He hopped up and hugged Anna when she came into the room, "I'm so sorry about Charles."

She didn't extend her arms to him, "I'm going to take a shower."

He looked down into her sad eyes, "Don't you want to see what the Governor Elect has to say?"

"I know what he's going to say. 'That his ex-wife was very upset over losing her father. Was unable to drive home and stopped to talk to him because of the years he had known her father and she fell asleep on the couch very distraught. And he let her sleep there because she was in no shape to drive home. The end.'" Without another word she went upstairs to shower.

The hot water ran down her back as she started to cry again. She slid down into the tub and curled her arms around her knees. Anna didn't know why she had turned to Josh last night. At one-time Josh and her dad were all she had in the world.

Annabeth sat on the porch swing drinking her coffee in her favorite fuzzy purple robe looking down over the hill at the garden she had planted with her dad. It was mid-July and everything was lush and beautiful. Anna smiled when strong arms came up behind her and gently rubbed her neck. Josh leaned down and kissed her cheek, "Good morning beautiful."

"Hey, don't you have breakfast with your dad and Leon this morning?"

Josh squeezed next to her and she rested her head on his shoulder. "I'll get there," he kissed her head, "They're not going anywhere and I would much rather be here with my incredible wife."

Josh kissed Anna gently. He knew if he kissed her the way he wanted that he would never make his meeting. Josh loved the way Anna looked in the morning all relaxed with her hair down and no make-up. He didn't mind that she was lawyer, but he didn't like her ravishing, silky long hair pinned to her head and those stupid ass business suits. He loved when she tasted like coffee and sat on the porch in that fuzzy robe. His wife was stunning and he often wondered how he was lucky enough to have someone like her love him with all her heart.

"I love you Be."

"I love you too," Anna lightly touched her husband's face. She loved him more than anything in the world and didn't know what she would ever do without him.

Josh smiled at the woman of his dreams, "Do you know what you mean to me?"

Annabeth rested her head on his shoulder and took his hand. She smiled, "I do…and you are my everything too Josh."

Anna sat in the shower thinking about when Josh's dad had died and he had taken over his House of Representative seat with Leon's help. After Rudolph Armstrong's death was when Josh started to change. He started to put his work first and had less and less time for Anna.

Annabeth turned off the water and started drying her hair with a large towel. She could hear the television on in the living room as she brushed her teeth. She was surprised when there was a light tap on the door and George gently pushed it open. Their eyes met in the mirror and Anna wiped her mouth and let George pull her close. She was so lost and she needed to try and pull herself together because she knew Leon would take care of Josh and any trouble she had caused him.

The hole in Anna's heart made it hard to breathe as she sat on the bed with her wet hair hanging in her face as George wrapped her in his muscular arms. He had been quiet for a long time as he held her. The phone had been constantly ringing, but neither of them made a move to answer it.

"Why don't we go away for a day or two? You can make the arrangements from anywhere," he said gently running his hand down her back.

Anna managed a small smile, "I'll think about it."

Annabeth spent the next hour talking to the funeral home and making all the arrangements. The viewing would be in three days and the funeral the following morning. She got on her laptop to look at the news feed about the statement Joshua had made to the press. She felt bad that she had put him in this position, not to mention herself.

George wanted to cancel his afternoon meetings and stay with her, but she made him go because his work was important and she knew he was going to miss time because of the viewing and the funeral. He was in the final stages of getting a free clinic for the hospital and that was too important. George is a driven no nonsense man who does what needs to get done to finish things that he starts, but mostly Anna had no energy to deal with anything else right now. She didn't feel like arguing with George about how she ended up at her ex-husband's mansion last night.

She tried to breathe and she wanted to open a bottle of wine, but she was afraid that once she started drinking that she wouldn't be able to stop.

Her phone chimed with a text message. She was surprised when it was from Joshua.

Please call me or I'm coming over there. I'm worried about you. -Josh

Before she responded she watched the statement he had put out. Leon had always been a master of spin. Leon's statement made the Governor Elect look like a hero because he put aside his political agenda and allowed someone who had been very vocal against the candidate access to his home in her time of need. According to what Leon had written Josh was practically a saint.

Annabeth hit speed dial twelve on her phone and it only took Josh half a ring to answer.

"Hey, Be."

"What are you doing? Haven't I caused you enough trouble?"

"Did I cause you any?"

"Don't worry about me. Leon will kill you if he finds out you call…"

"Let me worry about Leon. Be, I want to see you."

Anna closed her eyes and blew out a deep breath, "Joshua…"

"Be, you are going through one of the worst things a person can go through and you know that I know that. You were there for me. No matter what happened after, you were there for me when I needed you most and I know you would be again if I really needed it. I know I hurt you. I know I blew up our marriage. I know you may never forgive me, but I need to see you…please…please."

A tear ran down her face, the only time she had been able to breathe in the last fourteen hours was when she was in Josh's arms. Every other minute she felt like her chest was being crushed. She wanted the pain to go away. She wanted to be able to breathe. She wanted to be in his arms.

"The press is everywhere," she said with a deep sigh.

"Meet me at the cabin."

"When?"

"Now, I'm already here and Kyle is on the street behind your house waiting with an unmarked town car." Annabeth couldn't help but smile, she had forgotten the wild Josh who always got his way and wouldn't let anything stop him. Josh could tell she was hesitating, "Don't think Be...just go."

Annabeth closed her phone and jotted a note for George and out the back door she went. She made it through the neighbor's yard with ease and Kyle was waiting as promised. He nodded as she ducked into the car.

What the hell are you doing Annabeth Crystal Braden, are you nuts?

Anna leaned back on the comfort of the leather seats and thought about her dad. Charles had always loved Anna and he showed it. Anna was his only child and he spoiled her, but it didn't turn Annabeth into a brat. She was a perfect child who wanted to please her father no matter what.

Her life would never be the same. The emptiness with no light at the end is all she saw for her future. She felt hopeless and would do anything to make the pain stop…anything.

Kyle watched her in the mirror. She was pale and looked more lost then he had ever seen anyone. She stared out the window as tears rolled down her cheeks.

CHAPTER TWO

She didn't realize the car had stopped until Kyle opened the door for her. He offered her a hand and helped her out. Kyle could feel her hands trembling and see how defeated she looked.

"Thanks Kyle…for everything."

He smiled at her, "Annabeth, take the battery out of your cell phone."

She touched his arm and smiled, "I left it at the house."

Kyle nodded and walked with her to the door and opened it for her before he left. It had been years since Anna had been in the cabin at Harborview. Josh and she had spent their honeymoon here just months after Josh's dad had purchased it. They could have gone anywhere in the world, but all they needed back then was each other. It sat on a lake in a gated community so no press was allowed.

Josh had poured both of them a drink, but he left them sitting on the counter and raced to her small frame. Josh didn't know how she was still standing as much as she was shaking. He scooped her up and took her over to the couch. Josh held onto her as she clung to him and neither said a word.

Anna was drawing strength from him. She was trying not to think about her father, but that was all that filled her mind. She thought about the call from the emergency room and how she had raced their and was too late. His heart had stopped three times and they had brought him back twice, but the third time they couldn't. He had died ten minutes before she got there. Anna had collapsed on the floor and the doctor's had to put her on a stretcher and monitor her before they would let her leave the emergency room.

Tears streamed down her face. The shoulder of Josh's t-shirt was soaked, but she still hadn't said anything.

He stroked her hair and held her close, "You want a drink?"

She shook her head no into his chest. After a deep sigh her sad eyes looked up into his, "Josh…"

He couldn't help it; he cupped her chin and kissed her. His skin was on fire when she kissed him back. His body instantly responded to her. Josh promised himself he would stop if she asked him to. His mouth explored hers as he held her close. His heart was beating out of his chest to be able to kiss her again. She pulled her top over her head as she kissed him over and over.

Anna slipped her straps off her shoulders and Josh did the rest. Anna relaxed back on the sofa as he kissed her nipples and touched her soft white skin. Anna pulled his t-shirt over his head. Unlike last night in the dark she could see his incredible muscles and strong chest. Anna gently scratched her nails against his back. She could hear his breathing become more erratic.

Josh slid down and pulled off her jeans and her thong right along with her shoes. She was naked and glowing and looked up at him. For a second Josh thought she might say something, but she just stood up and took him by the hand.

As he followed her to the bedroom he thought how perfect her body still was with her long hair flowing down her back. Just before they reached the bed Josh scooped her up and tossed her on it. After discarding his clothes and not even attempting to hide his erection he jumped in next to her.

Annabeth kissed him gently running her fingers through his hair and looking into his eyes. Josh ran his fingers across that place he knew she loved to be touched and stroked and he started faster and faster as her breathing increased and she arched her back. Her eyes were closed and she was almost purring.

He moved faster and faster until he felt her explode over his fingers. He loved the tiny bead of sweat on her forehead as she pulled him close kissing him as passionately as he was kissing her. There was no hesitation and no doubt in her eyes. Josh inserted himself and watched her face. She smiled at him as she started to move with him.

He tried to make it slow and passionate, but she scraped her nails roughly down his back and then grabbed his hips. As she moaned with pleasure, she assisted him in pushing harder and faster and harder and faster. He was pounding her with everything he had and she finally did it she screamed his name.

"Oh! Oh! Josh! Josh!"

He climaxed with her screaming for him. Electricity shot through his body as he shook with the pleasure. He was going to pull out, but she started kissing him again. Her sad look had turned wild. She bit his lip hard.

"Ouch," he whispered.

"Fuck me Josh. I want you."

She started to touch him and kiss his chest and then she dug her nails into his back.

Josh didn't think he could love pain so much. She kept whispering Oh Josh Oh Josh do it. In his ear and he loved the feel of being inside her. If she wanted it rough then Josh would make it rough. He pulled out and flipped her over on her hands and knees. Her long hair draped down over her shoulders. Josh took her from behind hard and fast as he bit into her back gently at first, but the harder he pounded and the harder he bit the happier she sounded and the louder she called his name.

They were both wet and soaked with sweat. He cupped her breasts and squeezed them hard as he climaxed into her. With his last stroke he collapsed on top of her forcing them both to the bed. He could hear her breathing hard as he slowly pulled out.

Annabeth curled up on the pillow and Josh curled up behind her. He was still sticky and wet, but he pulled her close and kissed her shoulder. When she trembled he pulled the blanket up around them. He wrapped his arms around her tightly as his heart raced.

He whispered in her ear, "Dam girl…get some rest."

Josh locked his arms tightly around her and in a few minutes they were both sound asleep, exhausted from their wild love making. Josh didn't care about being governor or what Leon thought or even what George would think. He had been madly in love with this woman and she was broken and needed him. He was going to do whatever it would take to get her through this. He tried not to let his mind wander to the possibilities of getting her back as he nuzzled her neck and kissed her shoulder.

When Josh woke up Annabeth was still sound asleep. He silently slid from the bed and showered. His back burned as the soap hit the deep scratches. Josh used the landline to call Kyle and he delivered lunch for them along with ingredients for dinner. Kyle warned him that Leon was scouring the city for him.

After Josh set up the table and poured them both a glass of wine he went in to wake her. He slid under the covers with her in his sweat pants and kissed her naked shoulder.

"You smell so good," she whispered with her eyes still closed.

"That might be lunch."

She rolled over and kissed him gently on the lips, "You taste good."

"You ok?" he lightly stroked along her jaw line and looked into those blue eyes that could melt the heart of the strongest man.

"Can I have a little while longer without having to think?"

Josh kissed her long and slow as her naked body melted against him, "You can have all the time you need, but let's eat because I'm famished."

"I'm gonna shower."

Josh took her by the hand and led her into the bathroom, he turned on the hot shower and she gave him that join me look so he did. Josh had never heard the pleasure sounds that Annabeth made in the shower. He pounded her as water ran down their bodies. She screamed, "Harder! Harder!" as he fucked her against the shower wall.

When they were finished he left her to shower while he made the bed and placed a t-shirt on the bed for her to wear.

He had started eating when she joined him. Her hair was wet and she looked arresting in his t-shirt.

She took a sip of her wine and stared down into the glass, "He loved you…even after."

Josh touched her hand, "He was a great man, and he loved you so much."

She took another sip, "I don't want to cry anymore."

"I'm here sweetheart."

Annabeth looked at him with her sad eyes trying not to cry again, "Can I tell you something?"

Josh bit his lip as he frowned, "Anything."

She bit her lip as she wondered whether or not to tell him, "You have to promise no matter what to never repeat it…please don't use it against me."

"Wow, Be, you gonna tell me that you love me?" he smiled and that made her smile for a second. "I promise."

She swallowed hard and took a ragged breath, "When I left the hospital…I took the fourth street bridge…I closed my eyes and let go of the wheel."

Josh jumped from his chair and pulled her up into his arms. He knew there was more than she had been telling him. His heart was racing and he couldn't imagine if she would have killed herself. He whispered into her hair, "No more of that nonsense, you have too much to live for. Like the incredible amount of alimony I pay you." He laughed and that made her laugh, but he was worried...very worried about her.

After a few minutes Anna eased her grip and Josh let her sit back down at the table. He tried to hide the worry from his face.

Josh sat close enough to be able to rest his hand on her leg. Anna finished her wine and then nibbled at her lunch, "Have you spoken to Leon?"

Josh smiled, "No, I'm hiding from him."

"I bet he is freaking out."

"He will get over it. It isn't like he has much more hair to lose."

Anna laughed.

When they were finished eating Annabeth stood up and stood in front of Josh. He slid his chair back and she straddled him and looked deep into his eyes.

Josh smiled at her, "Do not say...I'm sorry...You're Governor Elect...This could cause trouble...Leon Leon Leon...or anything that even sounds like any of those words or phrases or I am going to tickle you until you pee yourself."

She lightly touched his face and looked deep into his caring eyes, "I just wanted to say thank you."

"Be, I know we were in a bad place for a long time and I know it was ninety-five percent my fault, but none of that matters now. I'm here for you in any capacity."

"Joshua," she shook her head and gave him a big hug.

Several times Josh wanted to ask her where George thought she was, but he really didn't care. She was there with him and she hadn't cried for almost an hour and that was what was important to him. Only in the most personal places in his mind had he ever imagined that Annabeth might need him again.

Josh took the blanket from the back of the sofa and they walked out onto the back porch. They curled up on the bench and Annabeth rested her head in Josh's lap. The breeze cooled her face and she relaxed and let the coolness run through her as she thought about the past.

Annabeth stood next to Joshua as the coffin with his father's body in it was lowered into the ground. She held his hand tight and she knew it was taking all he had not to cry behind his dark sun glasses.

"Josh."

Josh squeezed her hand, "I know."

"The press will be outside the house, maybe we should stay at a hotel tonight."

Joshua looked at his wife and took her other hand in his and smiled, "Can we go away?"

"Josh, we can do anything you need. I will be here for you until the end of time. You name it and we will do it."

Josh kissed her on the cheek and led her to the town car. Annabeth remembered that they had gone home and got their passports and packed and spent the next week in Mexico laughing and making love and being together. Josh spent a lot of time just holding her that week and drawing from her strength.

During that trip, Annabeth had gotten caught in an undertow and almost drown. Late at night she still remembered when Josh's strong arms wrapped around her and the rescue squad pulled them into the boat. She remembered how hard she was breathing and how scared she was.

She could barely get a breath, "You are crazy…you could have been killed…swept under…Josh, I hate think what you would risk for me."

The water dripped down from his hair onto her skin as he looked deep into her eyes, "Everything."

They had been so happy then...with each other anyway.

Josh stroked her long hair, "You sleeping?"

"No, just thinking."

"About?"

"Cupcakes, rainbows, marbles, bells, birds oh and shoes."

He mussed her hair, "You are too funny."

When they came inside Josh poured them each another glass of wine as Annabeth looked for the television remote.

Josh handed her the glass, "I hear we only get Turner Classic Movies, no channel with news or any sort of news coverage."

"You're a liar."

Josh gave his perfect smile, "Of course, I'm a politician."

They both laughed and Josh sat next to her on the sofa and found a movie to watch. It scared him to death that she even thought about hurting herself. He had made so many mistakes in his life, but letting Annabeth hurt herself would never be one of them. Now that he knew the whole truth, he would make sure she was safe…whether she liked it or not.

After the movie, while Josh was using the bathroom Anna routed through the fridge and the freezer. She was amazed when she found her two favorite ice creams that she liked to mix together in the freezer. She was leaning against the counter eating out of one the cartons when Josh walked in.

"Hey, that's mine."

"You hate ice cream," she said taking a big bite.

"No, I don't hate ice cream. There was just never any in the fridge because you ate it all." Josh took the spoon from her and licked the ice cream off and handed the spoon back.

She got that worried look on her face again, "Josh."

"Don't Josh me."

"You have to get to work, back to your life."

Josh took the spoon and ice cream carton from her and sat it on the counter and took her by the hand and pushed her gently against the fridge. His body was up against hers with his usually perfect blonde hair on his forehead and he looked right into her eyes, "Right now you are my life."

"I can't believe he's gone. I feel so alone."

Josh could see the tears welling up in her eyes, "You're not alone Be."

"Josh, I'm not your wife any more. You don't have to take care of me."

Josh kissed her lightly on the lips as she looked at his perfect chin, "You will always be my wife and I will always take care…"

Anna kissed him hard and wrapped her arms around his neck, "Thank you."

"Well if you really want to thank me," Josh said smiling and raising his eye brows up and down. He scooped her up into his arms and kissed her as he carried her into the bedroom.

George took a beer from the fridge and reread Annabeth's note again. Things had been strained between them for the last couple of months because George had proposed and Annabeth had said she wasn't ready to get married again. She had said she was just starting her new career after quitting the law firm and needed time.

It had hurt him, but he tried not to read too much into it. After the proposal she didn't smile as much as she used to. It was the little things that she stopped doing that made George wonder. She still had sex with him whenever he wanted. Whenever he proposed dinner or a function she would smile and agree. But, things were different.

George had wondered several times if he shouldn't just end things. He was an intelligent, handsome doctor and any woman should want to marry him and have his children. He had decided to give her some time and see if she would change her mind.

George was in love with her and longed to see that smile again.

He wanted to look passed her running to her ex-husband last night…the ex-husband that she was really vocal about hating. Not only him, but his views.

He didn't like that she wasn't home and that she had left her cell phone on the desk. Anna was his and he wouldn't stand around and let her ex-husband stick his nose in that no matter what she was going through.

He had taken care of Anna for two years. He was the one who had to deal with her lack of trust issues. He was the one who had built her back up after her ex-husband had knocked her down.

Annabeth never volunteered why she had divorced Joshua Harrington-Armstrong, but George had been able to put the pieces together over the years. A lot of the information was left out of the papers due to the Governor Elect's money. He decided he wasn't going to sit around the house waiting for her to get around to remembering who had been there for her the last few years so he grabbed his briefcase and went back to work.

Leon pounded his hand on the desk bringing Kyle away from the article he was reading, "Where is he?"

Kyle made his best perplexed voice, "Who?"

Leon was not amused, "Don't be a smart ass."

"He needed to get away from the press. I'm sure he will be in tomorrow."

Leon looked around the room to make sure no one was listening and leaned in and talked with a low voice, "Is he with her?"

"By her, do you mean the woman that he had promised to spend his life with? The woman who just lost the only family she had? The woman who was there for him when Rudolph died?"

"She isn't his wife any longer and he has a job to do and needs to think about his reputation."

Kyle smirked, "Oh Leon, you do that enough for both of you."

"He needs to be in here tonight or I'm going to report him missing."

Kyle didn't raise his voice, but Leon had never seen a more serious face in his life, "Don't threaten him Leon."

"He wouldn't be here if it wasn't for me and my hard work."

"No one disagrees with that, but don't push him too far…not about this…not about her."

"Oh Josh!" she screamed with pleasure. He squeezed her tight as he pumped her hard as he climaxed. Sweat ran down his back and Anna was soaked with it as she tried to catch her breath. Josh was going to pull it out when she touched his chest, "Not yet, let me feel you inside me. Don't take it away."

Still breathless, "I…wouldn't…dream of it." Josh gently rested his body down on hers, "It feels so good…to be inside you." Josh could feel her heart racing against his.

Anna whispered in his ear, "You remember that time in Cavo?"

Josh smiled, "You mean that woman in the bar?"

Anna smiled ear to ear, "Yeah, I mean that woman in the bar."

"We were so adventurous back then."

Anna stroked down his back as her breathing started to return to normal, "Remember how I undressed her…how big her nipples were?"

Josh closed his eyes and tried to catch his breath, "I remember how hard I got when you started sucking on them."

Anna could feel Josh getting hard again, "Remember how you bent me over the bed while I licking and fingering her?"

Josh got a huge smile on his face, "Oh yes."

Josh started to move in and out of her again.

Anna closed her eyes and moaned, "Remember…"

"I remember," he was kissing her and touching her again. "I remember every inch of your hot fucking body." Josh bit her shoulder and she moaned so he bit it a little harder and she purred.

Josh heard the phone ring once and then stop and then ring again. He knew that was the signal to answer from Kyle, but there was no way he was going to stop. Anna wrapped her legs around him tight and ran her nails down his chest.

Anna slapped him easy on the cheek, "Come on Josh, that all you got?" She smiled that evil smile he hadn't seen in years.

Josh slapped her across the face and then roughly flipped her over, "You sure?"

"Do it you pussy, be a man!"

Josh grabbed her cheeks and pushed them apart. He had never had anal sex with anyone, but his wife. He fingered her and took her juices to lube her ass. He inserted himself roughly and thoroughly making her scream with the pain at first as he pumped and she screamed his name. He bit hard on her back and grabbed her hair and pulled it tight until her ear was next to his mouth.

"You have been a very bad girl."

"Punish me!" Josh pushed her hard against the bed as he pumped and pumped and squeezed his nails into her cheeks. He slapped her cheeks and watched them dance as he was about to climax he reached around grabbing her nipples and squeezing them hard. "Oh! Josh! Josh!"

Josh tried to wipe it from his mind that in the good old days after she screamed his name that she would scream 'I love you!'He was more then spent as he collapsed on top of her. Her back and ass were red and she had teeth marks all over and not small ones. Neither of them could breathe and both were exhausted, but the sex was just as exciting as it had been for years between them. They trusted each other all those years. They knew what each other liked and how far they could press things.

They never need a safe word because they both knew where to draw that very thin line. Josh mind raced through all the incredible sex they had over the years and he couldn't help but smile.

His wife was a wild animal, just the way he liked it. He had always been sore after, but he was always ready the next time to do it all over again.

Josh pulled her hard against him. He was soaked with both their juices, but he didn't care. He wrapped his arms tightly around her and fell asleep as he was listening to his heart racing in his ears. He felt like he was twenty again. He felt like a newlywed again. He felt like he had never been happier.

It was dark when Josh woke up, the room was dark and cool and he was alone. He looked through the cabin, but she was gone. Josh showered and dressed with his mind spinning, but she was gone so he headed to the office. He wasn't surprised when Leon was still behind his desk hard at work.

To Josh's surprise Leon didn't pounce on him, he just nodded as Josh walked by. Kyle arrived just a few minutes later and pulled the office door closed as Josh motioned for him to sit.

CHAPTER THREE

Anna had walked down to the main gate and had them call a taxi for her. George wasn't at the house when she got there. She packed a bag and grabbed her laptop and cell phone with charger and left. The press had gone home for the evening so she was able to sneak out without being seen.

Now she was sitting in her dad's living room looking at pictures of them together and trying not to get the pictures wet. Her cell phone rang and she just barely heard it over her own thoughts.

"Hello."

"Annabeth, its Kyle."

"What's up?"

"I didn't want to startle you so I thought I would let you know that I was on the front porch. Could you please open the door?" Annabeth hung up the phone and walked over and opened the door. Kyle looked nice in his suit and overcoat carrying his overnight bag.

"Going somewhere?"

"Josh asked me to check on you."

"With a bag?"

"I can leave the bag in the car."

She pushed the door open and Kyle walked in and sat his bag behind the door, then pushed it closed and locked it. Anna took her seat and went back looking at the pictures.

She had so many pictures of her and her father. So many things they did together. There were pictures of every event, every birthday and Christmas, ever skinned knee and every hug. Annabeth had no doubt that her father loved her with all of his heart.

Annabeth couldn't imagine someone being a better father and she knew how lucky she was.

"Kyle, there are beers and soda in the fridge," she said still looking at the pictures and barely remembering that he was there.

Annabeth was deep in thought and not paying any attention to Kyle as he sat at the dining room table on his laptop. She was deep in thought about Charles when her phone chimed with a text message. It was George asking if she was alright and when she would be coming home. She texted back and then she picked up her phone and walked out on the porch.

Annabeth thought Josh sounded sad when he said, "Hey Be."

"Sorry I ran out."

"You're safe that's all that matters."

"So…I seem to have a baby sitter."

Josh had a serious tone, "Let him stay."

Annabeth sighed, "I was planning on it."

"I have some meetings tomorrow, but in the afternoon I would like to come and see you if that's alright with you."

Anna closed her eyes and leaned against the wall, "You were incredible today."

"You weren't so bad yourself. Just like old times."

Anna smiled, "Back sore?"

"A little, but it was worth it. I felt things today that I haven't felt in forever. Be, I want to be there for you if you will let me. I mean really be there."

"Call me in the morning when you get a minute."

"I'll be thinking about you tonight."

Annabeth smiled, "Good." She hung up and went back in the house. "Kyle, do you know anyone who can help me pack up the house?"

He held up his hands, "What am I chopped liver?"

"I mean men…with muscles and trucks." Kyle stuck his tongue out at her. "He has some boxes in the basement. Will you help me haul them up here?"

"Not tired?"

"Slept all day."

Kyle took a big drink of his beer and headed down into the basement. He had always respected Annabeth. Kyle had driven for Anna and Josh before he became head of Josh's security. She had always been good to him. Giving him thank you presents and bringing him out a plate and drinks whenever they attended a party and he waited with the other drivers. He was there for Joshua during the divorce and he was the only one who knew how much Josh still loved her. Kyle remembered that night that changed everything.

Sandy handed Joshua the folder with the lists he needed.

"You need anything else boss?"

Josh stretched his neck, "Yeah a chiropractor."

Sandy rubbed the muscles on his neck as Josh closed his eyes and gave into it, "Much better."

"Chris gave me your suit for tomorrow's event. I'm going to take it up for you."

"Sounds perfect," Josh said still enjoying the neck massage.

Sandy gently pulled her hands away, "See you up there."

Sandy took the suit and headed up to the suite.

Meanwhile, Annabeth had finished with her case and she had gone out for a celebratory drink downtown with her colleagues, but after two drinks she decided she would drive the forty-five minutes and surprise Josh.

Josh made a few phone calls and then headed up to his suite.

Anna walked into the room they were using at the Hilton and Kyle was sitting having coffee with some of the other staff members.

"Hey Kyle, where's my husband?"

Kyle looked around, "He must have gone up already. I'll ride up in the elevator with you. I need to get some sleep anyway." Kyle gave Annabeth his key to Josh's suite and headed next door to his own.

Josh walked in and flipped on the lights and his suit was draped over the chair at the phone desk. He undid his tie and walked into his bedroom.

"Hi," Sandy said lying naked and spread eagle on his bed. She was twenty-four and her body was completely waxed.

Josh held up his hands, "Whoa! Sandy, I'm married."

Sandy slinked off the bed and up to him laying her hands on his chest, "I'm just trying to be a full service assistant and help you get the knots out."

Sandy reached down and touched the front of Josh's pants.

"Sandy, don't."

"I won't tell," she said licking her lips.

Sandy reached up and grabbed a handful of hair and pulled Josh's lips down onto her own.

Neither of them heard the suite door open.

"Josh…" Annabeth couldn't believe her eyes. Her throat was dry and her heart broke. Her knees were shaking so badly she almost fell as she turned to run for the door.

"Annabeth, it isn't what it looks like!"

Josh grabbed her hand as she reached for the door and she turned and punched him square in the face. Kyle and Bradley came running to the suite to see what all the commotion was. Annabeth ran passed them as they stormed into the room to check on Josh.

Josh grabbed Kyle by the collar, "How could you let her up here?"

"How could I have known you would throw your perfect life away like it was nothing?"

Josh had tried to go after her, but she wouldn't talk to him or anyone that had anything to do with him. She filed for divorce the following Monday. Josh tried to fight it and tried several times to talk to her, but she wanted nothing to do with him. He had destroyed her. She had stuck by him through so many things and had loved him with all her heart and no one could say what would or wouldn't have happened in that room if Annabeth hadn't arrived, but it didn't matter...everything was gone...their love...their marriage...her trust.

Kyle wiped the sweat from his arms, "Ok, so that is eight boxes of books and four boxes of miscellaneous and three boxes of kitchenware. What time is it?"

Annabeth continued to wrap paper around Charles' knick knacks as she looked at her watch, "Two in the morning. Oh! Kyle I am so sorry. You should get some sleep."

"Alright if I take a shower?"

"Sure, you know where it is."

Kyle went up to shower and Anna put on her night clothes and walked out onto the porch and sat on the rocker and looked down the hill at the empty garden. The night was cool and the moon was bright in the sky. Annabeth had to decide whether or not she was going to sell the house.

She had loved every minute of her life with her dad. She would always remember his smile and had he looked at her with pride in his eyes. Charles always told her how much she looked like her mother.

Charles had always told her that she could do anything she wanted and be anything she wanted. He had told her he was proud of her so many times that she lost count. Anna fought hard to make him proud.

The breeze was cool against her legs. Then there was something cool against her neck. She reached her hand up and Kyle handed her a beer. He was wearing sweats and his tennis shoes and his gun. He sat on the edge of the porch at her feet looking down at the garden. "Annabeth, I'm sorry about Charles. He was one of the good ones."

"I know, we were all quit a team once upon a time."

"He moves into the governor's mansion on the nineteenth."

"Will he close up his house?"

"Yes, we have a team ready to get in there at the end of the month."

"We've been friends a long time Kyle."

"Yes we have, and I'm glad you still consider me a friend, after everything," he took a drink of his beer and patted her lightly on the knee.

"Do you have anything to say about me spending time with Josh?"

"No."

"He's risking a lot."

"He's already going to be governor."

"True, but he doesn't need to start his governorship with all this hanging over him."

Kyle turned around to face her. Looking up at her he said, "May I say something that is totally not my place?"

Anna thought for a second and bit her lip, "Go ahead."

He got a very strange and serious look on his face, "No matter what the press does or doesn't do, no matter what Leon says or does, no matter if the fucking world came to an end, the only thing Josh would care about is you not hurting yourself."

She swallowed hard, "He told you?"

"Annabeth, he's scared to death for you. And don't think you shouldn't have told him because you absolutely should have. You needed help and we are here to make sure you get everything you need. To make sure you are safe and that you know you can count on us. Having anything happen to you is what he doesn't need hanging over his head. Don't be pissed at him because he told me because I know he promised you, but Annabeth sometimes we need help. And sometimes we are just lucky enough to have people there ready and willing to help us."

Anna kicked him, "Drink your beer." She tried to play off what Kyle had said, but it lingered in her head and in her heart. "You take my room. I'm gonna take the couch, I want to leave his room alone for a while."

"I'm more than happy to take the couch or the floor."

"Don't be a gentleman, get your ass upstairs and get some sleep."

Kyle saluted her and went inside to get some sleep.

Josh slumped down on his couch with his tall glass of scotch. He was staring into the fireplace with heavy eyes and a heavy heart.

Josh danced Annabeth around the floor with her gown and her hair flowing freely. She was wearing the matching ear rings and necklace he had given her for their anniversary.

"You look stunning."

Anna batted her big eye lashes, "Rudolph would be so proud."

"You going to come and redecorate the office for me?"

"What's wrong, big dead animals all over the wall don't do it for ya?"

Josh squeezed her tight and whispered in her ear, "I think you know what does it for me."

"Everyone is staring at us."

"It's because you are the most beautiful woman in the room."

She leaned in as they danced, "You sure it isn't because they know how big your dick is?"

He smiled, "Have you been sharing with the masses?"

She kissed him lightly on the lips, "No, saving that to get you elected governor."

"Wow, don't even want to think of what you will be spreading when I run for president."

She whispered in his ear, "You just worry about what I will be spreading tonight."

"Hope you will still be wearing that stunning jewelry."

"And nothing else."

He kissed his wife, he loved her so much. Annabeth was so full of life and love. He remembered how she screwed his brains out in the limo on the way home that night. How her blue eyes met his with every stroke and bounce with love growing each second.

Annabeth never kept is a secret how much she loved her husband. She made sure Josh knew that she would do anything for him.

Josh sat the glass down and ran his hands roughly over his face and then went up to bed.

When Kyle came down in the morning, Anna was sleeping on the couch. She looked so peaceful he was extra quiet so he wouldn't wake her.

Anna felt someone lightly touching her hair. She opened her eyes startled that it might be Kyle.

She inhaled deep when she saw Josh's face. He was sitting on the floor next to the couch in his business suit with jacket off looking down at her, "Good morning."

Anna stretched her legs and smiled, "Good morning."

"I hear you put Kyle to work."

"That's what happens if you hang with me. I put you to work." Josh leaned down to kiss her. "Let me brush first."

Josh kissed her on the nose and assisted her up to her feet. He leaned on the wall outside the bathroom why she brushed her teeth and combed her hair. He was up early this morning and showered and checked in with Leon and then relieved Kyle so he could go to the gym.

"You stalking me, Mr. Governor Elect?" she asked coming out of the bathroom.

Josh pushed her up against the wall, "Now how about that kiss?"

Anna turned her head away from him and smiled, "Now you know you have to work harder for it than that." She blew him a kiss and walked into the living room. Josh grabbed her by the hand and pulled her hard against him. Anna slapped him hard in the face. In turn he slapped her back.

Anna kissed him hard and he pulled her close. She bit his lip.

"Ouch!"

"I said work for it." She pushed away and tried to escape by running into the laundry room. Josh grabbed her and roughly pulled her top over her head. He pushed her against the washer and kissed her hard and then pulled down her shorts and thong and tossed them aside.

Anna smiled at him and pushed him away. He charged her and lifted her up onto the washer and forced her legs apart.

"You will take it, take it all bitch." Josh dropped his pants and boxers. He was hard and ready and the more she feigned resistance the more he wanted her. He pulled her roughly to him and forced it in. Josh heard her inhale hard and then she smiled at him. That smile that no man could resist.

"Don't dish what you can't take," she said running her sharp nails down his chest.

Josh grabbed her hips and pulled her into the air and started pumping away as she screamed out. After he climaxed the first time he carried her into the living room and forced himself in again and again as she screamed with pleasure. He slapped her hard and she bit down on his arm. His heart was racing as he climaxed again and then she climaxed and started to tremble.

Then she started to cry.

Josh pulled out quickly. He was terrified as he pulled her into his arms, "Did I hurt you…Be, did I?"

She shook her head no as the tears ran down her face. He pulled her against him as she wept and clung to him. Anna had been using sex and Josh's company to keep her mind off her pain and now all of the sudden she was being crushed by it. She couldn't stop crying. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't think.

The more she struggled to breathe the harder it became until the world started to spin.

Anna could hear Josh on the phone as she lay on the pillowing trying to pull herself together, but unable to. She barely remembered a knock on the door and Josh wrapping her in a blanket and putting her head on his lap and telling her that everything was going to be fine.

The room was spinning as she hyperventilated and all she could see was Charles' lifeless body in the emergency room in that bed covered to the neck by that white sheet and his face was...so pale...so pale...Daddy!

Annabeth barely remembered the prick from the needle in her arm before she went quietly to sleep.

"She will sleep for several hours. I will leave some Xanax for her to take later. Don't let her mix it with any alcohol or any other medication. I can recommend a discreet therapist if she wants. You say he died two days ago?"

"Yes, and I'm afraid she could hurt herself."

"Joshua, be careful. Sometimes people need more help than friends can provide. Sometimes people need medical professionals. Don't get in over your head. Call me if you need anything."

"Thanks doc."

Josh's face was red as he looked down on the woman he loved. He had made so many mistakes. He knew he had been a total self absorbed prick. He knew that she was hurting. He knew that she needed something, but he didn't stop to think what it might be. Maybe she just needed to be held, or have someone listen while she talked about her father.

Josh knew he was to blame for this because the sex was incredible and it reminded him of old times…and it healed some of his pain and his scars.

He had meant to give her what she needed, but he had given her what he thought she needed and what he wanted. He was frightened for her.

Josh sat on the floor next to her. He gently pushed her hair out of her face as she slept soundly. She was gorgeous and he was a fool for letting anything come between them.

He remembered how she smiled on their wedding day and then frowned when he thought that he had promised forever and then made her a convenience when he had time in his busy schedule.

He kissed her cheek and whispered, "I love you Be…I am so sorry…for…everything."