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Chapter 15

Malcolm listened intently to what Tom was telling him. A conference in America. He could escape this madness here for an entire week and a part of him wanted to pack his bags immediately and board the first plane available. He would finally be among adults.

"That sounds great actually," Malcolm replied, "Who else is coming? Not that idiot cunt Ollie Reeder, I hope?"

"No one," the Prime Minister said instantly, "It's an entirely confidential meeting. Just you and I are going."

"But I can bring my intern, right? I know Clara would really profit from a chance like this," he said hopefully.

Tom laughed. "I'm glad you and your intern get alone. To be quite honest, I had my doubts at the beginning, but I'm afraid she will have to stay here. Give her the week off. I'm sure she will enjoy taking a little break from politics."

Malcolm's heart sank. A week without Clara. Fuck, he'd miss her. It had only been hours since they had last kissed and he was already missing the taste of her lips. An entire week would be torture.

"That's a shame, she would have been of more help than any of the other idiots you employ." He hesitated and thought that maybe it was time to ask the Prime Minister the question that had been on his mind for quite some time now. Ever since Clara had really started working for him.

"Listen, Tom, about Clara," Malcolm paused.

"What about her?"

He took a deep breath, thinking of a good way to phrase what he was about to ask the Prime Minister. If he said one false word he could just fuel Ollie's rumours further.

"You know I was really fucking against the idea of her being my intern, but I've changed my mind. Clara has proven herself more than useful to me and I hope that, given we win the next election, there's a job for her somewhere."

He heard Tom laugh on the other end of the line. "Oh, I'm sure of that. She could be your personal assistant. How about that?"

"Tom, I have a personal assistant already. But she could be yours," Malcolm suggested hopefully. Clara would excel at it, Malcolm was sure of that, and above all she would be in London. Close to him.

There was a silence at the other end of the phone, but Malcolm was determined to wait for his answer.

"I am sure there is a job for her somewhere, yes. How long until she finishes her degree?"

"About six months," he explained.

"And she really is that good?" Tom asked as if he was still in doubt.

"Tom, are you doubting me? I'm telling you, the girl fucking knows what she's doing - unlike some other people I don't want to name. She's got a knack for words and is excellent in a crisis."

"If she does her job so well, then why don't you fire Sam and keep her?"

Because I can't employ her and fuck her at the same time, Malcolm thought. "It just wouldn't be right," he said instead and finally it seemed to have convinced the Prime Minister.

"Fine," he agreed, "We will find something for her. After all, I do hate writing my speeches."

"Pleased to hear that," Malcolm said and after exchanging a few more details about America Malcolm ended the phone call.

He had found Clara a job, if she wanted it, and he would be going to America for a week. However the fact that he wouldn't be able to take Clara kind of dampened his joy about it..

Clara could feel that something was up, or maybe it was really just the awkwardness of the recent developments between them, but Malcolm was acting differently and when they finally left their work day behind and stepped through the door inside his house, she simply couldn't take it any longer.

"Okay," she said determinedly, putting her arms akimbo, "Out with it! What's bothering you?"

"I'm flying to America tomorrow," Malcolm admitted, dropping his briefcase on the table before he looked at her. If Clara wasn't too much mistaken she would have thought he looked apologetic.

"So?" Clara frowned at him, "Isn't that good or at least exciting?"

"It would be," Malcolm stepped forward and placed his hands around her waist, "If I could take you with me. Unfortunately, I can't."

Malcolm pressed his hips against hers and Clara noticed that how eager he seemed to take their clothes off once more. And she had to admit: spending the whole day with him at the office without being able to touch him had made her very much determined to drag him back into the bedroom as soon as they were home.

"Oh," she uttered, looking up at him, "Well, won't be for too long, will it?"

"I will be a week," he admitted, "But you can go home in the meantime. Take the time off while I'm away, see your family."

She chuckled. "Wow, that's really considerate of you."

Malcolm shrugged. "It was the Prime Minister's idea."

Clara leaned forward and nudged him gently before getting a surprise when Malcolm bent down and placed a kiss on her lips.

"I'm serious," Malcolm insisted when they parted lips again, "Go home. There's nothing to do here for you while I'm away."

Clara pursed her lips at him. "Well, I could help out at DoSAC?" she suggested.

Suddenly Malcolm's arms were gone from her waist and he took a step back, glaring at her. "What? So Ollie Reeder can stare at your tits all day? Nope, out of the fucking question. They're mine to stare at."

She laughed at him in earnest now. "I was joking, you know? Gosh, you're adorable when you're jealous."

Before Clara knew what was happening Malcolm had picked her up in his arms and set her down on the table next to them before crashing their lips together in a passionate kiss that robbed Clara of her breath. She moaned into his mouth when his hips rubbed against her crotch before he pulled away.

"Don't tease me," he said in a playfully threatening manner.

Clara smiled at him in reply. "Wouldn't dream of it," she said with a smirk, "So, what do you say? Quick dinner and then bedroom?"

Malcolm pecked her on the lips. "Very quick dinner."