Page 111 of Accidentally, Scandalously Yours

“Well, Iama woman and as such I would reserve the right to change my mind at any time.”

“What would you choose for tonight?”

“It would be a toss-up between being able to see through your clothes or being able to make the women who insist on flirting with you disappear.”

That gets me his lips on mine and a kiss that makes my legs weak right before he says, “I would lend you my powers so you could have both at once. And while we’re at it, we’d make all the assholes who looked at you tonight disappear too.”

I bring one of my hands to his face, needing to touch it. “I wish we had more time like this.”

His eyes offer me an apology but they don’t need to. We both got us into this mess and now we both have to get us out of it.

Before he can verbalize the apology, I say, “I would marry you in Vegas again in a heartbeat, Bradford.”

He turns silent for a moment. “Senator Adler was indicted today.”

Oh.

I know what this means and now I know why I didn’t hear from Bradford today. The countdown to Governor Wakefield appointing someone to succeed Senator Adler is on. Bradford is under pressure now.We’reunder pressure now.

“Tell me what you need from me,” I say.

“Nothing that you’re not already doing.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “You didn’t really cancel our breakfast tomorrow, did you?”

“I did.”

“Jesus, Bradford. You’re on a countdown now. You should not be canceling things that might help you.”

“I’ve a mind to cancel everything Alan has on your schedule.”

My eyes go wide. “Why?”

“Because you’re dealing with enough other things at the moment. You don’t need all these breakfasts, lunches and dinners getting in your way.”

“What things?”

“You’re trying to find a job. And packing your life up to move in with me. And finding your way with your mom.”

“You worry too much about me.”

Determination steals across his face. “That’s my job now. Finally. Let me worry about you.”

The way he saysfinallyis everything. Ittellsme everything.

Bradford has wanted to be the one who gets to worry about me in the same way I wanted to be the one who knows if he smiled each day, and if not, why.

Please keep letting Bradford choose you.

His mom’s request comes back to me.

“I’ll let you worry about me if you’ll let me worry about you,” I say. “And also, is there such a thing as a voice that’s too sexy when it comes to politics?”

He frowns. “Who told you that?”

“No one. It was just something I was wondering.”

“Bullshit.” He looks pissed off now. “Alan and I will be having words, and if he ever says anything like that to you again, I want you to tell me.”

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