Page 173 of The Unlikely Pair
“So, interesting speech you just made in the House,” I begin.
Harry’s shoulders relax slightly, and he raises his eyebrows. “I’m surprised you were listening. I thought Conservative rhetoric bores you.”
I’m almost breathless with the love I feel for this man.
“This was one speech I found a few points of interest.” I clear my throat. “I’m the man you’re in love with, right? Otherwise, this could be a potentially awkward conversation.”
He rolls his eyes. “Of course it’s you.”
My heart thuds, and I can’t help the grin spreading over my face.
“I have to say that eye-roll isn’t quite up to the same standard as the other romantic declaration you’ve made today,” I say.
A smirk tugs at Harry’s lips. “I think publicly declaring my love in the Parliament of our country while surrendering my job as the leader of the Conservative Party and my chance to be the next prime minister is pretty hard to match, actually.”
I move closer to him because touching Harry is suddenly the most important thing in the world. I reach out, my fingers grazing the lapel of his perfectly tailored suit, the fabric soft beneath my touch.
“Oh, so that’s why you did it. To make sure I can never upstage you with any romantic gesture.”
Harry’s hand cups my cheek, his thumb brushing gently across my skin. “Yes, that was my total and primary motivation,” he says. “No other motivation whatsoever. It’s definitely not that being in love with you has changed me so profoundly that I simply cannot go back to my life without you in it.”
“Well, as a Conservative, you are all about simple concepts,” I reply breathlessly.
“I’m not actually a member of the Conservatives anymore, so you might need to change that particular script.”
I have to kiss him right now. I can’t go another moment without kissing him.
So, standing there in the middle of St Stephen’s Hall, I stretch up and kiss him.
It’s a kiss that contains every feeling we share for each other.
It’s a kiss that feels both like coming home and setting off on a thrilling adventure all at once.
When Harry withdraws, he rests his forehead on mine for a brief second.
“If you feel being with me, the former leader of the Conservatives, will damage your career, then I understand if you don’t want to be in a public relationship. I mean, I think people are probably going to guess your identity, but I didn’t say your name?—”
I pull back to give him the full force of my skeptical look. “Don’t be ridiculous, Harry. Of course we’re going to be together publicly. I don’t think there’s an option for us to be apart, is there?”
His forehead furrows. “Did you just call me ridiculous?”
“There’s a chance we might need to work on our sweet talk,” I concede.
“We should always aim to have relationship goals.”
Relationship goals. I’m in a relationship with Harry Matheson. I turn that concept over in my head, but I can’t generate any other response than absolute, unbridled joy.
It’s an all-encompassing, bright, bubbling happiness that threatens to burst from my chest. I decide it’s safer to let some of my feelings free via my mouth instead.
“I love you too, by the way. Just for the record.”
His eyes gleam with amusement. “I’m glad to have that on record.”
I have to swipe another quick kiss because I can now claim Harry’s lips freely, and I never want to waste an opportunity to kiss Harry.
That might become my new life motto, come to think of it.
“You know, you could always join the Labour Party,” I say mischievously when I pull away.
