Page 116 of Magnetic God

“I hate owing that bastard anything.”

“Well, he can’t be all bad. He hasn’t hurt you.”

He smiles. “Fucking hell, Angel. You always know just what to say to make me feel better when I’m supposed to be the one comforting you.”

“We’re a team, Brooks Henderson. We lift each other up.” I wiggle my eyebrows at him. “And speaking of lifting each other up, I’d like to ride your face again when we get home.”

“Is that so?”

I nod. “Mmmhmm. I quite enjoyed it.”

“Well, Angel, I can’t do that.”

Hurt spears me for a millisecond before I see the glint in his eyes. That hurt turns into a tidal wave of heat.

“Oh? Why not?”

“Because there’s a perfectly good bedroom on this jet where we can do it now.” He leans in, brushing his lips against mine. “Want to join the mile-high club?”

“Yes. Yes, I do.”

He pulls me to his feet. “Come on, Angel. Let’s go have some fun.”

I let him lead me and say, “Do you have your wrestling gear with you?”

“I do. Why?”

“I’d like a round with Brooks the Body McGruff, too. He caught my eye tonight at the match.”

Brooks laughs, pulling me into the bedroom.

“I love you, Angel. So fucking much.”

EPILOGUE

Grant

I’ve been back in DC for a few hours since the whole Miami ordeal, and I can’t stop thinking about what Hannah Henderson said.

I have to get married.

I see it clearly now, and my team just confirmed the news.

I say, “Say that again.”

Corbin clears his throat. “You’re behind in the polls, sir.”

“I heard that part. What did you say after that?”

Corbin glances at Somya. Oh, he’s going to make her say it?

Somya pushes her dark hair behind her ear. “Sir, it’s because you’re single. Senator Ryans is married and has been married for years.”

“And everyone in DC knows it’s a fucking sham.”

She doesn’t flinch at my outburst. “Sham or not, he’s managed to keep his extramarital affairs hidden, so, to the public, he appears more stable. We think you should consider an arranged marriage. Something where both parties understand what’s at stake and understand it’s just business.”

This isn’t the first time this has been suggested to me, but I’ve always been able to shut it down. For some reason, I get the feeling it will not be as easy this time. Because, to some extent, the polls are right. Americans think a married family man is to be trusted.

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