Page 16 of Unleash You

“So, Mr. Congressman, how are you liking the life of a state representative?” Anabelle asked.

I reached for another bite to hide my initial shock. Did she really care?

“Please, call me Josh.”

“Thank you.” Anabelle scooted forward, and I had to work hard not to let my eyes roll into the back of my head.

“So far so good. It’s a lot of work, a bit of a learning curve, but I’m getting there.” He smiled at Birdie, who was beaming with pride.

“That’s great. Do you do any international work?”

And there it was. She thought Josh was her ticket to getting Charlie back. Why didn’t I think of that? At this point, if the corps hadn’t mounted a rescue op, it was because there were politics involved. We couldn’t turn the jungle upside down looking for someone who wasn’t supposed to be there to begin with.

“Not a great deal. What do you need? A visa to visit Cuba?” He leaned in. “I can help you there.”

Anabelle did a giggle sound I’d never heard come out of her mouth. Was she flirting with him? “I might take you up on that.”

Anabelle and Josh spent the rest of teatime sizing each other up. She was interested in how many ambassadors he knew, and in turn, he wanted to know how many acres Fox’s Bank consisted of. A fucking match made in heaven. Josh reached for a pastry and gently put it in his mouth. I immediately conjured his too soft hands on Anabelle, and his thin lips on her neck. I couldn’t stand it.

After what felt like hours, she excused herself to go to the powder room. I took the opportunity to get the hell out. If she wanted to get involved with a guy ten years her senior, that was her problem.

I rose to my feet. “I’m afraid I’m needed in the office. Josh, good to see you again.” I shook his soft hand. A stark contrast to mine.

As soon as Mom released me from her tight embrace, I made a beeline to the bathrooms. I got there just as Anabelle was leaving the women’s vanity area.

“You’re leaving?” she asked.

“Yes. I’m sure you and Josh have plenty to discuss.” I sounded bitter and petty. “Make wedding plans and whatnot.”

She furrowed her borrows at me. “I think he can help us. Don’t you?”

“You two make a lovely couple.”

“What are you talking about?”

I cradled her neck. “He doesn’t even see you.”

“What? You don’t think he could want me?”

“That’s not what I meant. Anyone with a pulse would.” I was making very little sense. “He’s too old for you.”

She sighed and pressed her body against mine. “I know that. Do you care?” She parted her lips slightly.

“Of course, I do. I promised I would look after you.”

“Right. Charlie’s little sister can’t be left to her own devices. If I marry the congressman, I would no longer be your problem.”

Jesus, I wanted to kiss her and bury my face in her soft hair. She felt so good in my arms. I brushed a thumb along her jaw. Her pulse throbbed under my touch. Could it be that after all this time, she was stillhung up on me? She had denied it in her letter to Charlie. But maybe...fuck. What the hell was I doing? I couldn’t mess with her head like this. She deserved so much better. She deserved a congressman.

I stuffed my hands in the pockets of my slacks. “You can marry whoever you want. I just think he’s too old for you. That’s all.”

“Thanks for the heads-up.” Her blue gaze bounced between my face and my chest. “Wesley—”

“You should get back.” I stepped away from her.

“Yes, but you and I need to talk about this.” Her voice was barely a whisper.

“There’s nothing to talk about.” That was a lie. Anabelle and I had a very long conversation pending. But not yet, not while she looked at me like that with a sparkle in her eyes.

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