Read Choked (Devoured #3) for Free Online

coaster.
    “Can you believe the French President?” Madeline
asked.
    “About what?”
    “You didn’t hear?”
    “No.”
    “He’s been having an affair.”
    “Oh.” Kirk picked up his drink again and leaned back
against the couch.
    “You would think that he would have his hands full
enough trying to run a country.”
    “You would.”
    “Cheated with some show business tart.”
    “Tart?”
    “Sorry, that’s the word they used in the article. I
thought it was weird, too. She’s like forty.”
    “Oh.”
    “But it’s not her fault. It’s his. Do you even know
what he looks like?”
    “Vaguely.”
    “I mean, it’s a complete abuse of power.”
    “You don’t think she’s to blame at all?”
    “Of course she’s to blame,” Madeline said. “For
having no self-respect and no respect for her country. But as far as the actual
affair even happening, it’s totally his fault.”
    Kirk took a sip of his whiskey and let it soak on
his tongue.
    “I think it’s pathetic,” she continued. “I’m pissed
about it, and I’m not even French!”
    Kirk shrugged. “He’s just a typical politician,
honey.”
    “At least they don’t have kids together.”
    “Mmm.”
    “But it still sets a terrible example.”
    “I thought that was pretty normal in France?”
     Madeline sighed. “It is, supposedly, but I don’t get
why.”
    “Maybe the French women don’t mind.”
    She blew air out of her mouth. “I don’t believe that
for a second.”
    “Maybe they have affairs of their own.”
    “Maybe. But if they do I’m sure it’s only because
they think they’ll get some kind of satisfaction out of it.”
    “Maybe they do.”
    “I know I wouldn’t tolerate it. Even if you were the
president.”
    Good to know ,
Kirk thought. Shit .
    “Especially if you were the President.”
    “Did they break up?”
    “I don’t think so. I think she left him.” Madeline turned
the newspaper page over. “Like any self-respecting woman would do.”
    Kirk put his drink down. “ Good for her.”  
    She scanned the page, looking for another story to
discuss.
    Kirk cleared his throat. “You know, I’m always
surprised to hear about how many couples get through that kind of thing and
come out with a stronger relationship.”
    “You are?”
    “Yeah.”
    “How many?”
    “I don’t know.”
    “Can you give me an example of someone?”
    Kirk shrugged. “Lots of couples who used to come
talk to my dad. He would counsel them on their marriage. I know a lot of them
ended up staying together.”
    “Right.” Madeline rested her head back against the
head rest. “Maybe after years of bitterness and not being able to trust each
other.”
    Kirk swallowed.
    “Or they just stayed together for the tax breaks or
the kids.”
    “You don’t think those are good reasons?”
    She looked at him like he’d just turned into a
troll. “No, Kirk. Seriously? I believe in marriage.”
    “Well, just excuse me for being devil’s advocate here,
but presumably that means you believe in ‘for better or for worse’ and ‘till
death do us part.’”
    “Of course I do. But marriage is a vow, a personal
commitment.” Madeline rotated her ankles in circles. “I’m sure there are lots
of people that can sleep peacefully at night knowing they’re lying next to
someone who can’t even keep the most basic, straightforward promise that there
is, but they’re just better people than me, I guess.”
    “I thought you didn’t believe in divorce?”
    “I don’t,” she said. “I know what you’re thinking,
but it’s not a contradiction. Or at least, I’ll never be in a situation where I
have to look like a hypocrite. So I figure I can say what I want.”
    Kirk put his elbows on his knees.
    “Right?”
    “Right. Of course not.”
    “Kirk.”
    “What?”
    “Would you do me a big favor?”
    “Anything.”
    “Will you get me a Klondike bar?”
    “Coming right up.” 
    As Kirk walked to the kitchen, he wondered what he
would do