Read Love Is Elected for Free Online Page B

live together." She shot an angry look at his handsome profile.
    Matt's mouth twisted in a grimace of sardonic amusement. "It will be a show all right," he conceded. "But if we start the opening act of our marriage by living in different cities, the press will treat it like a circus sideshow. You wouldn't want that would you?" he asked her with a derisive glint in his steely gray eyes.
    "I don't care about the press. I'm not sleeping with you," she insisted, continuing to stare stubbornly at him.
    "I've been told I'm a perfectly congenial bed-partner," he remarked as he swung the car smoothly around a sharp turn. "I don't snore, I don't hog the blankets. And I'm fun to snuggle with on a cold night," he teased. "But if you're determined to sleep alone, there are two guest bedrooms in my town house. You'd better lock your doors, though," he warned with a laugh, "because I've been known to sleepwalk."
    Kara tried to suppress the grin tugging at the corners of her mouth, but it broke out despite her efforts. She had to admit he was right. It would look suspicious if they started the marriage living apart.
    "All right," she grudgingly agreed. "But remember, I'm not sharing your bed!"
    "Okay," he said without emotion. "The spare bedroom is yours."
    Kara sighed. At least the ground rules were understood. Feeling less tense, she closed her eyes and leaned back against the deep upholstery. The day was not yet half over and already she was exhausted.
    Forty-five minutes later she awoke with a start. The Porsche had come to an abrupt stop in front of the aging brick town house in Georgetown where she shared a tiny apartment with Jill Sanders. The familiarity of her surroundings made the day's events seem even more bizarre. How was she going to explain Matt Jordan to her inquisitive roommate? she wondered nervously.
    As Kara climbed the narrow front steps while Matt locked the car door, she hurriedly tried to frame an explanation of the unannounced marriage. But before she could think of anything the varnished wood front door was flung open and Kara almost collided with a hastily exiting Jill.
    "Oh Kara, I've been hoping you'd come back before I left," her roommate declared breathlessly. "You've gotten a couple of phone messages and oh, by the way, you'll be glad to hear that Wayne stopped by. He said to tell you yesterday was all a mistake. He wants to have dinner with you tonight— to talk," she added, giving Kara a meaningful wink. "He'll be…" Jill stopped midsentence as she noticed the tall, commanding presence of Matt Jordan who had climbed the steps and laid a heavy, possessive hand on Kara's slim shoulder.
    "Oh," Jill gasped, putting her hand to her mouth. "I didn't realize…"
    "Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Matt Jordan, Kara's husband," he announced. "Kara and I were married yesterday and she won't be keeping that appointment with the gentleman you mentioned." His voice dripped with sarcasm as he eyed Kara's astonished roommate coldly.
    Jill's mouth dropped open while she searched vainly for a response. But all she could get out were flustered congratulations mixed with quizzical stares at her friend. Kara received Jill's confused congratulations woodenly. She didn't know what to say.
    "Well, I have to be going. I was on my way to a meeting," her friend stammered. She stared blankly at Kara for a moment and then leaned forward to give her a kiss on the cheek. Kara seized this opportunity to whisper in Jill's ear.
    "It's all right. I'll call you later and explain."
    But even as she said the words, Kara found herself wondering how she could possibly explain any of this.
    As soon as Jill disappeared down the brick-paved sidewalk, the newlyweds stepped inside Kara's tiny, neatly appointed apartment. Closing the door, Matt swept the living room with an appraising glance. Despite its small size it was elegantly and expensively furnished. On the floor a magnificent Chinese rug with gold and ivory design caught his eye. And around