Oath of Honor

conversation into a great room with soaring ceilings and one entire

wall of glass that afforded a view of the island and ocean. The sliding

glass doors to the veranda were closed now, but in the summer the sea

breezes would fill the space. She glanced around, taking stock of the

guests. She was surprised to see—or rather, not see—many dignitaries

in attendance. Some of the quietly milling crowd was in uniform, but

many wore civilian clothes. She didn’t know much about the president’s

daughter, other than what most of the world knew—Blair Powell had

been by her father’s side on the campaign trail and, since his election,

often stood in for him at political events where an official presence

was required but the president himself was not needed. Blair was the

unofficial first lady of the nation, and the nation loved her.

She was also a lesbian, and today was her wedding day.

• 20 •

Oath Of hOnOr

chapter twO

Blair stepped into the hall with her father just as Cam and Cam’s

mother came out of the room opposite. Cam looked even

more handsome than ever—which was saying a lot. Blair’s stomach

tightened as their eyes met. She’d seen Cam just the night before when

they’d had a late-night supper with Tanner and Adrienne at Whitley

Manor. She and Cam had slept apart the night before the wedding,

agreeing the tradition added to the specialness of the occasion. Twelve

hours or twelve days made no difference—every time they met after

being apart, she was struck with the force of their connection. The air

around her came alive and her heart beat faster. Cam’s gaze held hers

for an instant, as firmly and certainly as a caress, before moving to her

father.“Sir.” Cam nodded to the president.

Blair’s father said, “Morning, Cameron,” and moved a few feet

away to greet Cam’s mother.

“Hello, darling,” Blair said softly, sliding her hand down Cam’s

arm to clasp her fingers. They were warm and strong, fitting hers

perfectly. Like Cam.

“Hi, baby,” Cam murmured, stepping close.

“Any second thoughts?” Blair asked playfully, but some tiny part

of her was still amazed Cam wanted her, body and soul, forever. Her

head might have little niggling insecurities. But her heart never did.

Cam always made her feel completely and totally loved.

“Not a one.” Cam answered with absolute conviction and gave

her a look that said she wanted to kiss her. For a fleeting second, Blair

• 21 •

RADCLYfFE

wondered if it wasn’t too late to elope. When Cam got that smoky look

in her eyes, all Blair wanted was Cam inside her. She supposed there

was no way off the island without being noticed, though, and tried

not to sigh in frustration. Cam’s eyes sparkled with amusement and a

promise. Blair smiled. Cam knew her too well.

“Okay—it was just a passing thought,” Blair said. “I really am

looking forward to this.”

“You look beautiful.” Cam lifted her hand to kiss her fingers.

“So do you.” Blair was surprised to hear her voice shaking. The

wedding was important for a lot of reasons, not all of them personal.

She loved Cam and wanted to say so to the whole world. She wanted

to wear Cam’s ring and put hers on Cam’s hand. But more was at stake

today than just their private celebration. Even today, she was not just

any woman. All her life she’d been her father’s daughter, and she

wouldn’t change that no matter how hard the public scrutiny had been

at times or how often she’d chafed under the restrictions. He was the

president of the United States and his daughter was about to marry

another woman—with his blessing. Their wedding was historic. Blair

squeezed Cam’s hand, putting everything but Cam from her mind. “Just

to be clear, I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

“I’m yours, forever. Count on it.”

“I do.”

“I do too,” Cam said.

“I’ll see you downstairs, then, and we can say it again for the

whole world to hear.” Blair released Cam’s hand and rejoined her

father. “Ready, Daddy?”

“Absolutely,” her father said.

Blair glanced back at Cam and raised her brow. “Commander?”

“Anything you say, Ms. Powell,” Cam called after her.

Her steps as light as her heart, Blair laughed.

v

“Wes!”

Wes spun around, caught sight of Emory Constantine hurrying

toward her, and opened her arms. “Hi, Em.”

“Hi yourself!” Emory’s arms went around her neck and warm lips

brushed her cheek. Emory hugged her hard.

• 22 •

Oath Of hOnOr

“It’s great to see you,” Wes said gruffly, her throat tightening.

Why was it so hard to keep in touch with the most important people

in her life? She hadn’t seen Emory for months, about as long as it had

been since she’d been home. She missed Emory like family. Emory

was family. Wes had acquaintances at work, colleagues she liked and

respected, people she talked with every day. But no one she shared

with. Emory, and her mother and her sisters, were the ones she trusted.

“You look beautiful.”

Wes stepped back, keeping Emory’s hands in hers. Emory’s