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Marshaling her thoughts, she began again “I’ a life that’s not defined by whose wife or fiancée I am I have received a couple of callbacks on some jobs I applied to Hopefully”

He started shaking his head and her words trailed off “Not necessary, I—”

“If youoff of you—”

Thunder danced in his eyes “Keep that delectable mouth closed, cara, or I know of a very enjoyable way now to do it for you Christian told me just last week that the charity the four of us runs needs a ood fit for it”

Clio blinked and stared “Are you serious?”

“Dio, bella! Why are you so doubtful about your own abilities? Where is the woe she had to rise to?”

Clio flinched More at the fact that she had no answer rather than from his tone

He clasped her cheeks and lifted her chin His gaze ash in tenderness The unexpected gentling of his mouth mocked her doubts “Yes, I’m serious I would never tease you about this, Clio

“Instead of turning your back on all those connections your na away from the powerful friends you have, instead of stubbornly refusing your new status as my wife, use them, bella

“Use them to further your career, use thees we had, use them to make whatever you want of yourself, Clio

“You’ve already conquered the hardest obstacle by staying the course on e started, by showing Jackson what you’re made of”

“But I swore toof myself, Stefan If I—”

“Nothing will come of all the resources and connections of your fah to channel them properly, Clio”

A lightness filling her, Clio wrapped her ar him so bad But he wouldn’t like it

“That is, after and if you ever find so on Jackson”