Page 33 of Tempting the President

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Prologue

TWO YEARS AGO

“Who’s the cutest girl in town?” My voice echoed throughout the suite, which was the most expensive room in the hotel. Recently, they had developed a taste for the extravagant, my parents. The cost of the suite made me mentally wince, but my worries were wiped away when I saw Ashton’s chubby cheeks split into a grin.

Clapping his hands, he said with sparkling eyes, “You!”

I snatched him off his chair and brought him to my lap for a tight hug. Oh my God, I had the cutest baby brother in the world. I really, really did.

When I drew back, he quickly scrambled off my lap and climbed back up on his stool. It was taller than him, but Ashton had always been nimble and soon enough he was back up on the stool.

I watched him, happiness spreading inside me as my three-year-old brother wolfed down the two-pounder burger we had ordered for him. But still, I cautioned, “Slow down or you might choke.”

“I’m...not...” Ashton protested, his mouth so full with food he looked like a blowfish. The cutest blowfish on Earth.

When he was done chewing and swallowing, I handed him a bottle of water.

He made a face. “Soda please.”

I shook my head. Actually, our parentshadordered soda from room service, but that was them. They always gave in to whatever Ashton wanted, even if it was wrong for him.

“Water,” I told him. “Soda’s bad for you.”

Tears welled up in his big eyes, which were the same blue-violet shade as mine.

Goooooood.I had the cutest little brother in the world. And the most manipulative, too.

I covered my eyes. “No. Just water. You can have soda when it’s Saturday.”

Ashton didn’t answer.

I peeked at him and gasped. Why, the little sneak was already on his way to the fridge and about to get himself a soda.

“Stop it!” But I was laughing as I went after him.

Ashton chortled in laughter, the sound becoming high-pitched as he tried to hurry faster towards the fridge.

“Gotcha!” I lifted him up before he could reach for the handle.

“No fair!” But he was chortling, his chubby face red with exertion and excitement.

I dumped him back on the stool. “I’m serious.” I did my best to fight the grin trying to show up on my lips. “No soda.”

“You’re bad!”

“Yeah, I’m bad.” I made my eyes widen and glared down at him. “I’m the wicked evil witch and I eat little kids like you when they don’t do what I say.”

Ashton gasped. “Don’t be a witch!”

I snarled at him.

Ashton screamed.

Laughing, I hugged him to me. God, he was too, too, too cute. “I’m just joking. Now, finish your meal because after this, it’s time to go to bed.”