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Grinding esture for her to precedeup to lay flat on her cheeks “Oh my lord” Her steps slow “This can’t be where I’m sleepin’”
If things were different, she’d be sleeping in my bed
I’d be fucking her in it
I’d never let her out
But things aren’t different She’s hteen-year-old stepsister and a non-platonic relationship with her would tank ain And maybe I’m idealistic, but this is a job I believe in I kick my ass every day of the week to make sure I keep my pro , my dream has been the White House Several people onon me to make that happen I can make a difference there And dammit, I have more willpower than this, don’t I?
Heart in my mouth, I watch Cate circle the apartment She inches toward the balcony door like a kitten on a ledge, her fingers crah,” she whispers shakily
“I wouldn’t bring you anywhere that isn’t safe” My voice resonates with that proer for her trust “You know that, don’t you, Cate?
She looks at me and nods solemnly As if she senses how much her answer means “I know, Tristan”
The way she whispersIt’s already tattooed oninup your suitcase And I’ve asked one of my assistants to leave soe” I search the entry table for what I’ it up “This is a phone with ra at all, or there’s so you don’t understand, call me I will always pick up Okay?”
Cate blinks “Are you leaving?”
“I have to leave,” I answer, barely recognizing in your lessons at noon tomorrow”
She nods, her gaze straying to the twinkling lights of Hartford stretching beyond the balcony “How long will I have to do the lessons?
Again, I struggle with the prospect of changing a single thing about her But if she’s going to be a visible member of the family, I want her to be prepared I wouldn’t be able to stand it if she was caught off guard by a question and ridiculed by the press “Long enough to make you comfortable”
I was struck by her astuteness on the drive over, when she asked if her mother missed her or wanted to avoid a scandal And I’ain when she asks, “Is it really me you want to make comfortable?” Before I can answer, she’s wandered into the bedroom and I don’t follow her there I can’t