in love with. Something that could never have been discussed reasonably, let alone joked about.
That Julia could make a joke of it was the other end of the spectrum, wasnât it? Maybe he should find that almost as offensive but, somehow, it wasnât.
She didnât know and, at this particular moment in time, it really didnât matter. How could it, in the wake of that astonishing kiss that had taken him somewhere heâd never been before? A place that held release rather than tension. A pleasure so pure it was paradise.
Relief was coursing through him as well. If he wanted to make something out of this new development in their relationship with each other it was going to be up to him. Julia wasnât bothered. She could laugh it off. Even better, any damage done by his behaviour tonight was repaired. They would be able to work together again without a barrier that would have been unbearable.
He could play this game. He could laugh it off too and make it go away.
âCome on, then,â he said, completely deadpan. âIâve got a full tank in my car and Gretna Green isnât that far away.â
Julia laughed. She turned away, shaking her head. âAre you kidding? I only listened to Sister Thereseâs rules, I didnât obey them.â She was walking away now, towards her small car, but her words floated back, still coated with laughter. âKisses donât make babies. Youâre safe, mate.â
Safe?
Safe ?
Who was she trying to kid?
Mac wasnât in a remotely safe place right now. What was worse, a part of him didnât think he wanted to be either. The part that wanted to go after Julia right now and grab her and take her in his arms for another kiss.
At least part of his head was still functioning sensibly. He wrenched open the heavy door of his vehicle, eager to shut himself into the temporary sanctuary.
Â
âHe what ?â
âKissed me. Come on, Annie. This line is so good you might as well be here sitting on the end of my bed. You heard just fine.â
âIâm justâ¦surprised.â
âYou and me both.â Juliaâs laugh was hollow. âActually, I have the horrible feeling it might have been me, kissing him .â
âWho made the first move?â
âHim. No, me. Oh, God, I donât know. I was worried about him after the job because heâd been so quiet and I kind of ambushed him in the car park. Andâ¦and it just kind of happened. The thing is, what am I going to do about it?â
âWhy do you have to do anything about it?â
âBecause heâs my partner. The last three months have been the best Iâve ever had and I donât want to spoil our working relationship. I might have already!â
âWhy? Was it a horrible kiss?â
âNoâ¦â Juliaâs sigh was heartfelt. âIt was even better than I thought it would be.â
âA ha !â Her sister pounced. âI knew you fancied him.â
âOf course I fancy him. Who wouldnât? Heâs gorgeous.â
âSo whatâs the problem? Youâre a big girl now, Jules. Go for it. Lord knows, a fling would do you the world of good. How long has it been? Two years?â
âNearly three.â
âSo this is the perfect opportunity.â
âWhy?â
âYouâve only got another three months there. More than long enough to find out if itâs a real possibility. An easy way out if itâs not. Life shouldnât be all work and no play, you know.â
âThatâs rich, coming from you.â Julia chuckled. Then she sighed. âIt wouldnât be just playing,â she said then. âAnd thatâs why I canât go there. Itâs just too scary.â
There was a short silence on the other end of the line. âYou wouldnât say that unless thereâs something really special about him. You think youâre going to fall in love with him
Tim Lahaye, Jerry B. Jenkins