Page 172 of Risks of Temptation
"Isn't it?"
He stares at my lips. "You're impossible, ma belle."
"You still love me," I tease and steal a kiss.
"It won't be like our other dinners," he says.
"I'm aware of the difference."
"We will not be able to leave until the President's son does."
Silence fills the room, and my heart beats faster. "Our normal arrangement will not work then."
"I will make it work."
I shake my head. "No."
"I will not share you with any of them."
I lean into his ear. "I know what I'm going to wear."
He freezes.
I put my hand on his chest. "Under whatever dress you have sent here, of course."
"Oh?" He arches an eyebrow.
I suck lightly on his earlobe. "Do you know what I remember seeing during my presentation night?"
His heart thumps against my palm. He murmurs, "What?"
"Dark corners. People away from others."
He pulls my chin so I'm looking into his eyes. His voice is stern. "What are you asking me, Emilia?"
I know whenever he calls me Emilia, he is worried, or on the verge of being angry. He's now done it more than once during this conversation.
I pick my chin up. "To find the dark corner before others in the room find it first."
"I thought I made it clear I won't share you."
"You have. And that's what the dark corner is for."
"Em—"
I put my fingers over his lips. "Call me, your ma belle."
His jaw clenches.
"Do not think we can be in the room and not have a different outcome when we have to be there all night and into the morning."
He closes his eyes.
"A dark corner, my husband. We will arrive early. We will choose our spot. We will ignore the stage and focus on each other."
He opens his eyes, but his jaw twitches.
"It's the best solution. Think about it." I kiss him then step back.
