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Yes, I trust hi when I said you’reI have, baby"

"Ditto," I whisper and watch his eyes widen in surprise He pullsmy head to his chest, and I feel so loved This is not sexual at all, I feel cherished

Finally, I pull back and shten the mood "I don’t want to burn the chicken We’ve wasted enough food this week You go work and I’ll finish up dinner"

"Okay" He kisses my nose and ushers me out ahead of him

"I won’t be in the office this week" Nate strides into the kitchen, his face taut with frustration

"What’s up?" I ask and dish up our plates

"I have to go to New York Parker thinks I need to present this deal in person" He joinsin

"He’s probably right," I respond Parker is a partner in our New York branch, and knows his stuff The deal they’ve been working on for the past teeks is a tricky one

"Business trips don’t hold the same allure as they used to" I look up at hi down at his plate

"Hey," I take his hand and squeeze his fingers "This is part of the job You couldn’t have a irlfriend in this area, Nate I know this is part of who you are"

"I can’t take you with me I don’t need your help for the work, and it would raise eyebrows"

"I know" I shrug and keep eating, proud ofa calm expression on my face "When will you be back?"

"By Thursday I’"

"Okay Need a lift to the airport?"

"Thank you" God, he’s so serious today

"Don’t worry," I kick hiet home"

Chapter Fifteen

I’ve discovered that work is easier with Nate gone I’h the work day, and I’m already more at ease I don’t have to worry about anyone noticing anything different between us; a look or coy smile I pray to God no one can read my mind because I’d be escorted to the sideith all of s in a box in the blink of an eye if they could

Nate es to do for him from this end to send back to him via email and fax for his presentation in New York to all day today

He was really very cute thiswhen I dropped hiiddy that he didn’t want to leavealone for the next few nights doesn’t appeal to ot lucky with Nate; he doesn’t snore or hog the bed, and he’s a really good cuddler

Who would have thought?

But in the office, I feela very dry, professional email to my handso, expecting to receive an email back with more revisions and requests