[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

narrowly fitted, perfectly cut, bright malachite-colored pantsuit that would certainly stand out in a crowd.
Just like its beautiful owner, Lauren thought fondly.  I ll keep that in mind and aim for Armani.
 May I escort you to dinner? Devlyn bowed gallantly, causing Lauren to chuckle.
She was about to say  of course when she stopped. Lauren really didn t want to go this very second.
She wanted to play and she wanted something else, and both of those things, she decided, were worth
pushing herself a tiny bit beyond her normal comfort zone. Besides, it was something she suspected her
spouse would enjoy even more than she would. She gave Devlyn a sexy smile, and instead of answering
Dev s question, she posed one of her own.
 Do you know how badly my fingers are itching to get to the beautiful body beneath that suit you re
wearing? Her hand drifted down her own abdomen, her fingers suggestively dancing across cool silk.
Devlyn s mouth went as dry as the desert in less than a millisecond, and Lauren fought hard not to laugh
out loud at the stunned but totally interested expression.  Ummm  Dev swallowed and tried again, her
eyes riveted to Lauren s hand.  Ummm 
Luckily, Lauren wasn t really looking for a verbal response.  Devlyn?
Electric-blue eyes snapped up to meet Lauren s, their pupils already dilated.
 Do you know how much I love and want you, Devlyn? She let out a breathy sigh, and her hand
reached up to cup her own breast.  It makes me crazy sometimes.
Dev s hands went limp and, with twin thumps, the purses hit the floor.
A low groan bubbled up from Lauren s chest and she slowly licked her lips, giving her own breast a firm
squeeze.  I can t think of anything more divine than slowly undressing you, then kissing, another
Page 203
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
squeeze,  and licking, this time she pinched her nipple and wasn t sure whether it was her or Devlyn that
whimpered,  and wrapping my lips around 
Lauren s words were cut off by the impact of a flying body. Their mouths crushed together in a fiery
display of passion and raw want as loud, lusty moans filled the room. Long moments later, as a hot
tongue caressed her throbbing jugular, Devlyn fuzzily, but finally, figured out the allure of being
fashionably late.
* * *
Lauren took her place at the top of the executive grand staircase, which led into the State Dining Room,
and was greeted by two hundred pairs of expectant eyes. She smiled weakly at the crowd below, saying
a mental  thank you when Devlyn moved away from her security team to join her.
The President blinked a few times, moistening dry eyes.
 How late are we? Lauren managed to ask, without moving her lips.
Dev smiled down at the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and his wife. The man raised his glass in silent
tribute to Devlyn, and for a second the President just knew she had to be wearing a big old, lovesick,  I
just had fabulous sex with my equally fabulous wife smile on her face. She lifted her chin a little higher,
deciding that that was about the best reason to smile she could think of.  I don t care how late we are,
she murmured back. While it wasn t quite the truth  Devlyn was, and always would be, compulsive
about her responsibilities  just this once she was willing to cut herself a little slack.  Extra time and a
few stolen kisses with you is worth giving all the apologies in the world for, Lauren. It was time well
spent.
Dev turned her head and smiled at Lauren with so much heartfelt happiness and love that, for a moment,
Lauren s vision was blurred with unshed tears.
 Ready? Dev whispered.
 No.
 Perfect. But Devlyn stood her ground, allowing the dozens of photographs of them to be taken, all as
she surveyed the landscape of the room.
Lauren marveled at Devlyn s calm, powerful presence. The eyes that had been trained on her only a few
seconds before were all now firmly resting on one very presidential spot. Guts were sucked in, shoulders
thrown back, and conversations hushed all around the room the instant Devlyn took her place by
Lauren s side. It was more than protocol or manners; Devlyn was the kind of leader whose presence
alone commanded everyone s undivided attention.
The guests expressions ranged from envy to awe when they took in the sight of Devlyn and Lauren
standing together. Lauren felt a surge of pride for her partner, and a smile bloomed on her lips, despite
her own niggling apprehension.
Page 204
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
The music that had been playing stopped, and arm in arm they started walking, the Marine Honor Guard
leading the way. She felt Dev s hold on her hand tighten as they descended the stairs.
 Ladies and gentleman, and honored guests, a deep, disembodied voice announced.  The President of
the United States and Ms. Lauren Strayer.
While many women kept their maiden name after they married, never had Lauren felt so conspicuous
about doing so. Several nasty looks from some of the older guests below told her they would have much
rather heard  Mrs. Marlowe announced. She wondered briefly if they would have had collective
aneurysms had Devlyn taken the name Strayer upon their marriage. Heh.
The reception line loomed large and long before them and Lauren plastered on what she hoped would
be a permanent smile. Devlyn s, she noted, was wholly genuine, almost to the point of beaming. No
wonder she continuously works herself to the point of exhaustion. She loves this.
It took nearly 20 minutes to traverse the reception line, and when they reached the end Lauren couldn t
help but let out a long, relieved breath. She heard her spouse s chuckles from a few feet away.  Tell me
you re not glad, she said discreetly, her voice playful.
 Oh, I m glad. Devlyn steered her towards the large, formally set banquet table, knowing that they [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]