I meant to have this done before Valentine's Day as part of the challenge some of the other authors participated in, but I ended up a bit late. Thanks, V, for the lovely beta work! Warning - married smut ahead.

Sasha stared at her reflection in the mirror, running her hands over the smooth, red silk fabric of her dress before touching up her lipstick. Replacing the tube in her clutch, she retrieved her quarry and carefully folded it again and again until she could hide the tiny bundle in the palm of her left hand. Smirking at what she was about to do, she left the bathroom and traversed the long hallway that led into the opulent ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, all decked out for President Oliver's annual Valentine's Day party.

The country had come a long way in the last three years, as had Sasha herself. She and Tom had been married for just over two years, and she'd never been happier in her life. She'd never imagined that she could be so happy, not even when she and Tom had been together the first time around. They'd made mistakes back then, had hurt one another deeply, and when she'd walked away from him, if she were honest with herself, he had always remained in her heart. But now they were together again, stronger than they'd ever been, and with each click of her heels on the tile floor, she came closer and closer to the man who completed her. Spotting him across the room deep in conversation with Danny, Sasha knew the moment that Tom became aware of her presence. It was a small tell, and only someone who knew him intimately would have caught the lightning quick shift of his azure eyes in her direction. The majority of his focus remained on Danny and Kara, who'd just joined the two men. But Sasha knew that Tom was aware of her, and that knowledge blossomed heat in her belly. Sidling up to her husband, she deftly slipped her left hand and its contents inside Tom's pants pocket before gifting the younger couple with a welcoming smile.

"You look wonderful, Kara," Sasha told her friend. "I can hardly believe that you had a baby four weeks ago! How did you get back in shape so quickly?"

Kara rolled her eyes and smirked. "That's easy, it's chasing after Frankie. He's all boy, that one, and I think Olivia has already gotten used to nursing while I'm running around after her big brother."

"What kind of trouble has he gotten himself into this week?" Tom asked with a chuckle.

"Let's see," Danny began. "He decided to help by taking the trash out on Monday."

Tom and Sasha shared a confused glance before she said, "Well, that doesn't seem so bad. We consider ourselves lucky if Sam takes out the garbage, especially if we haven't had to remind him half a dozen times."

"Yes, but I'm sure that when Sam takes out the trash, he does it by removing the bag and carrying it out," Kara responded wryly. "Frankie decided that he'd take the trash out of the bag and carry it outside one piece at a time."

"Oh, no!" Sasha exclaimed as laughter bubbled out of her. "I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't laugh, but that's just too funny!"

"We can laugh about it now, but I promise you, when I caught him, neither of us was very happy," Danny said.

"Just wait until Olivia is making every step Frankie makes," Tom cautioned. "You two had better learn the fine art of 'divide and conquer.' It may well spare any lasting damage to your house, not to mention your sanity."

"Well, if you'll excuse me, I need to make the rounds a bit," Sasha explained before turning to Tom. She pressed a quick, chaste kiss on his lips, and as she pulled away, she patted his pocket gently, a naughty sparkle in her eyes the only clue that Tom had that his wife was up to something. "I'll see you later." Then, with a tiny wave of her fingers, she disappeared into the milling crowd.

Tom watched her for a moment before sliding his hand into his pocket. His fingers detected a foreign material, and it was only years of military training that prevented his shock from registering on his face and alerting his companions to his discovery. Were he to pull the object from his pocket, he knew without a doubt what he'd find. Earlier that morning, he'd taken a quick peek into the garment bag that had held Sasha's dress for the evening. He'd known going in that she'd have to get ready at her office and would be meeting him at the party. He relished his role as a stay-at-home dad more than he ever thought possible, and it fell to him to drop Ashley and Sam at the well-chaperoned party going on at the high school.

Sasha hadn't been willing to show him the dress she'd commandeered for the evening, and curiosity had gotten the better of him leading him to take a peek. To his delight, he'd found a beautiful silk dress in the perfect shade of red for his raven haired wife. He'd also seen a tiny, lace thong in the same shade.

His gaze settled on his incredibly brilliant, wickedly sexy wife as she meandered about the ballroom, chatting up friends and strangers alike, and he laughed to himself. For in his pocket, where she'd tucked it away only moments before, was Sasha's crimson thong.

Sasha felt Tom's gaze on her back, and she knew that he'd discovered his prize. Desire simmered within her, and she longed to look over her shoulder at her husband. But Sasha wouldn't give into that longing, not right away. Instead, she offered her full attention to Captain Hilary Lawton, one of the members of the newly arrived Canadian military envoy, in town all week for meetings with President Oliver and his cabinet. Sasha would be in on several of those meetings on Monday morning, and she hoped to make a bit of headway tonight in the interest of foreign relations.

The captain, who couldn't help but notice the incredibly handsome man staring intently in their direction, interrupted Sasha's discussion of training styles. "Pardon me, Captain Cooper, but there is a man over there who's been watching you for several moments. Are you acquainted with him, perhaps?"

Slowly, as though she had all the time in the world, Sasha turned and met Tom's gaze head on. Wilt a tilt of acknowledgement in his direction, she returned her attention to Captain Lawton. "Actually, I do. He's my husband." By then, Tom had reached them and placed his hand at the small of Sasha's back. "Captain Hilary Lawton, please allow me to introduce my husband, Thomas Chandler, former CNO of the US Navy. Tom, Captain Lawton is with the Royal Canadian Navy."

"Good lord," Captain Lawton murmured as she accepted Tom's outstretched hand. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Captain Chandler."

"Please, Captain Lawton, it's Tom now, just Tom, but if you don't mind, I need to steal my wife for a quick chat. Will you excuse us?"

"Certainly, have a wonderful evening, and I expect I'll see you at some point Monday, Captain Cooper."

"I look forward to it," Sasha responded with a genuine smile as she allowed Tom to lead her out of the ballroom, guiding her with nothing more than the faint touch of his hand at her back. Down the long hallway they went, until Tom directed her to the bank of elevators in the lobby. He didn't once look at her nor did he say a word. He only punched the "up" button and waited patiently for the doors to open. When they did, a gentle prod to her back propelled her forward and still Tom said nothing. He chose the 15th floor, and then his hand returned to its place at Sasha's back. His fingers danced softly against her and though the effects were muted by the fabric of her dress, she felt his touch in every cell in her body.

This is going to be a really, really good night, she thought and bit down on her lower lip to contain her smile. She'd already made her move; now she'd wait on Tom to finish the game. The elevator came to a stop on the fifteenth floor and when the doors opened, Tom led her once more – this time, by the hand – to the end of the hallway where he opened the door with a key card he pulled from his back pocket. Once inside, he used his body to press hers into the closed door. Lowering his head, his mouth ghosted over hers, caressing her skin with his breath and words, before moving down the column of her neck to the delicate shell of her ear.

"I believe I have something that belongs to you, sweetheart," he whispered and chuckled when she trembled. "But because I wouldn't want to make any undue…assumptions, I'd better make certain." Sliding one hand down over the curve of her hip, he wrapped it around her thigh and lifted her leg as high as he could in the confines of her dress. Their eyes locked, Tom's fingers crept deftly towards her center and the heat that he could already feel. When at last they touched bare, slick flesh, Sasha's eyes fell shut and the breath went out of her in a shaky sigh. He slowly pulled away, his fingers wet with her desire. Her eyes opened, and he brought his fingers to his lips. "God, Sash," he groaned. "You taste so good, baby."

Sasha only smiled before drawing Tom's head down and meeting his mouth in a bruising kiss. Sliding his tongue into her mouth, his hands went to the zipper at her back, drawing it open and letting it fall in a pool of red at her feet. She stood before him, nearly naked, a siren in a sheer crimson strapless bra and black stiletto heels. His hand traced the milky skin of her neck down to the tops of her breasts.

"You are so incredibly beautiful," he told her. The back of his hand brushed across her left nipple which was already hardened painfully. Lowering his head, he drew the puckered flesh into his mouth, worrying it through the fabric with his teeth before soothing it with his tongue.

"Tom, Tom, please," Sasha whimpered. Her hands fumbled with his belt before freeing his shirt tails and touching the warm skin of his abdomen. "I want you now." Tom's answer was a soft chuckle.

"Patience is a virtue, Sasha."

"I've never claimed to be very virtuous, Sailor," she warned before reaching into his pants and raking her nails gently over his hardening length. Tom rocked into her, suddenly breathless, as she lovingly stroked him. Reaching his hands behind her back, he removed her bra; then, he lifted her until he could thrust lightly into the heated cradle of her hips. Just when Sasha thought he'd take her right there against the door, Tom pulled away and set carefully on her feet. Backing up a few steps, he cast off the last of his clothing before crooking his finger at her in a come-hither motion. Smiling broadly in return, Sasha stepped out of her heels and ran to Tom, who caught her in his open arms. They fell back on the bed, Sasha on top, and she ground down slowly on his straining erection. The hot slick of her center nearly did him in right there, but there was so much more he longed to do before at last burying himself inside his wife's welcoming body. Sitting up, he took her face in his hands and kissed her deeply. One hand slipped down her body until he buried three fingers inside her. His other hand rested on her hip, guiding her as she began to move on his hand.

"That's it, Sasha, come on, baby, show me how much you've been wanting me, wanting this, all day long," he encouraged her.

Sasha whimpered in his arms, nearly reeling from the pleasure Tom was creating with his fingers. "All day," she gasped in reply. "No matter what I did today, I was picturing this in the back of my mind, thinking of when I'd slip my panties into your pocket and what you'd do when you found them. Oh, god, Tom, yes! Right there, right there, please, please don't stop!"

"I'm not gonna stop, baby," he assured her. "We're just getting started. Now, let go, Sash, come for me now, right now." He emphasized his gentle command with a flick of his thumb against her clit, and Sasha's body answered with a resounding climax. He held her close, placing sweet kisses on her brow and rocking her lightly against his hand until the flutters inside her stopped. Her head dropped heavily to his shoulder, but he only gave her a moment's rest before rolling her to her back and stretching out beside her. His kisses began again at her mouth and migrated southward to her breasts. Worshipping each in kind, he lovingly suckled her until she was writhing beside him, her thighs pressed tightly together in a desperate attempt to create friction where she needed it most. Stilling her movements with a strong hand on her alabaster thighs, he kissed the soft, smooth skin of her lower belly before spreading her legs to accommodate his body. He kissed her inner thighs, nuzzling into the wonderfully, wet warmth he found. Her scent, her taste, called to him on some primal level and no matter how many times he loved his wife like this, he was always eager to do it again.

His tongue stroked her slowly, lightly, dancing across her sensitive flesh, bringing her higher and higher with every languid lap. He circled the swollen bud of her clit before drawing it into the warmth of his mouth. His gentle suckling was driving her insane, but when he entered her with two fingers and pressed against that sweet, hidden spot within her, she cried out his name as she came in his mouth. He stayed right with her, drinking deeply of the evidence of her ecstasy, and when at last she came back to him, those blue topaz eyes hooded with passionate love for him, Tom slid between her splayed legs and thrust inside of her.

"Ah, Tom, yes!" She cried out for him, already flying towards her third orgasm with him thrusting forcefully inside her.

"Sasha, Sasha, you feel so good," he moaned, his face buried in the curve of her neck. Her nails scraped across his back, but the pain was sinfully sweet and drove him on. Sasha tilted her hips just enough, intensifying Tom's movements. She raised her hands to her breasts, fingers strumming her nipples.

"Yes, baby," Tom whispered fervently. "Show me how you touch yourself." His gaze met hers, his pupils blown black with need for his beautiful wife. Sasha plucked at her nipples, hard, once, and then came again, a tidal wave of pure pleasure that began deep in her womb and skyrocketed throughout her entire body. She convulsed around him, triggering his own release, and Tom cried out her name in broken supplication.

In the aftermath, Tom rolled so that Sasha was gathered to his chest, both of their hearts hammering in their chests. He pressed a kiss to her hair, and she snuggled closer, sighing in contentment.

"I love you, Sash, so much."

"I love you, too, Tom," she murmured, but he was already sliding into sleep. Pressing a kiss over his heart, she closed her eyes and followed her husband into sleep's embrace.