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"Why?"

That lovely playful sparkle I reood on , I can’t help it

His lips are curved too, but his stare is deathly serious "Because I can’t see any other wo next to me And because no one could do the job that you could"

My heart flips in ure this out You try the role on for size Letthis tiin to speculate"

"They can speculate all they like As acting first lady you sleep in the White House, you’re on the president’s ars, Charlotte I want to see you spread your wings and fly high, and I want to give you the platform to do it"

"I don’t see h"

"You’re a countess; your grace is innate"

"Stop flirting with hs, and I scowl, and then he reaches out "I’ll take this"--he leans over and pecks my lips--"as a yes" He sets his forehead on s, set them all in your room in the White House, and your new detail will pick you up to you here"

"I can’t move, Matthew--"

"Listen, I know you don’t want aevery day for four years I want you to be safe, and you’re safer with uhbors deserve a media circus and Secret Service around 24/7 "Well, see, that’s so I really don’t need, a detail--"

He interrupts me as he crosses the room to leave "We can talk more tomorrow Expect them early"

I watch hients behind him I stay back for bit until he disappears out the door--and, it seems, until that moment when I can finally breathe When I start to follow, he suddenly fills the doorway again

"I forgot so--wait a minute"

He pullsfir uele, twirl Taste Taste Oh god, his taste It’s divine ecstasy when he kissesas deep as he can go in the precious ulfed by both his warm hands as he drops his forehead on mine, his tone fierce

"This isn’t over yet"

"Matt--"

"It’s not over"