Page 88 of Powerless

Liam nods once and looks to Bennett. There’s an immediate change in Liam’s facial features. They go from relaxed when he addressed me, to tight and tense as he speaks with Bennett off to the side. I begin to pack up lunch, knowing Bennett will have to leave. I hold in my disappointment with not being able to spend any precious time with my husband. Bennett listens intently to whatever Liam is telling him. There’s a small discussion before Bennett’s shoulders slump forward and he lowers his head while nodding. Yep, I called it. Bennett turns and walks over toward me, while Liam backs away and waits for him. “Darling—”

“I know,” I say. “See, I already started packing up.”

“I’m sorry, I know you went to a lot of effort.”

I stop packing and walk over to him. Reaching for his hands, I give them a gentle squeeze. “It’s okay, I understand that you have work to do.”

He kisses me on the temple before taking a step backward. “I’m not sure what time I’ll be in tonight.”

“Take care of whatever you have to.”

Bennett blows me a kiss and turns to walk away with Liam and the Secret Service detail. I’m upset, but I already knew things like this would happen. The honeymoon period of taking office is certainly over. We’ve got all the time in the world to be together, just not right now.

Once packed, I head up to the residence and make myself a lunch plate. No use letting all this food go to waste. I take my plate into the library, pick out my favorite Jane Austin book, Pride and Prejudice, and curl up in the wing chair to enjoy the rest of the day.

9

BENNETT

My alarm starts screaming, and I’m tempted to turn it off and spend the day in bed with Kathryn. But, I don’t have the luxury of taking time away from the office. The world doesn’t stop just because I need a day to recoup.

Kathryn and I are both fully aware this is what we were getting ourselves into. The only thing I hate is that I feel like I’m neglecting Kathryn. I roll over and kiss her shoulder. “Hmm,” she murmurs in her sleep. She blinks several times at me. “What time is it?” she croaks as her eyes close again.

“It’s turned five.”

“I’m so tired,” she groans in a thick sleepy voice.

“Stay in bed, baby.”

She softly nods once. “I’m not feeling my best.”

I place my hand to her forehead, but she’s not feeling feverish. “You’re a bit pale,” I say as I lay my hand on her back, double-checking that her body temperature isn’t climbing. Her cheeks are pink, but generally, she looks washed out.

“I’m really tired,” she says in a soft voice.

I give her a kiss on the cheek and sweep her hair off of her face. “Stay in bed, I’ll come and check on you later in the day.”

“I’ll be fine, I just need to sleep, that’s all.”

I sit up on the side of the bed and rub my hand up and down her back. Maybe I should stay with her today in case she needs me. “I’ll get Jamie to push my meetings back, and I’ll stay with you today.”

Kathryn opens her eyes to look at me. She moves her body on the bed and reaches up to cup my cheek. “You have a country to run, and I just need to sleep. You can’t play hooky just because I’m tired.” Kathryn drops her hand and tucks it under the pillow. Yawning, her eyes easily close again. “Go, I’ll be fine. I’ll have a sleep in, and I’ll be back to my usual self by lunch.”

“I’ll send the doctor to check you over to make sure you’re okay.”

“I told you the other day it’s most likely my iron levels. I’ve started taking iron tablets again, and I should be okay in a few days. Let me sleep, and I’ll be perfect by tonight.”

Standing from the bed, I head into the bathroom and seriously debate with myself about whether I should work from the residence today. When I return to the bedroom, Kathryn is already asleep. I gently swipe my hand over her forehead again to double-check her temperature. Thankfully, she doesn’t feel hot, which means she’s not fighting a fever, yet...

I make a mental note to come up and check on her at midday, because if I’m being honest, I’m worried about her. I know we’re only eight days into my term in office, but the first week has been a struggle for Kathryn. I’ll speak with her tonight and make sure she hires a personal assistant. I know she’s been putting it off, but she needs one or she’s going to be constantly exhausted.

I stand and head over to the walk-in closet. Taking one of my suits off the clothes hanger, I prepare for the start of the day.

* * *

“Tell me today is nearly over?” I ask Liam as he rushes into my office. The day started with a dilemma and they keep coming at us, mounting, one after another.

“I’m afraid not, Mr. President. A tsunami has come up out of the South China Sea and has hit the Philippines.”

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