Page 69 of Protecting Love

“You’re there, and I’m here.”

“Just the way you wanted it,” she pointed out.

“It’s the way it’s got to be.”

“Nope. It doesn’t. You’re making it that way.”

“Paris.”

“No, no, no. You started this.”

“I believe it was you who kissed me first.”

There was a light laugh on the other end. He didn’t even have to try that hard to imagine the smirk she was sending him.

“I’m talking about this whole night. You started it touching me.”

“We needed to keep up the act.”

“How about you just drop the act right now,” she said firmly. “And try something a little different.”

“What’s that?”

“That you’re honest with not only me, but yourself. That you tell me you want me as much as I want you.”

Couldn’t get any clearer than that.

“I’ve got a job to do.”

“Me too. And there isn’t much to worry about other than my peace of mind and I’m positive it’s going to blow over soon. But you know, since you’re going to be so close to me, why can’t we use that time to our advantage?”

“I need to stay focused,” he argued.

“Please. That’s weak and you know it. I hope to hell you’re not in your head over what happened with your wife that you think the same could happen again. Not everyone is her. Not everyone is out to pull one over on you.”

He let out a snort. “You’d be surprised how many are like that.”

“Well, it’s not me. I’m not normally this... raw, but I’m opening up with you. Don’t make me regret it. If I can step out of my perfected shell, then so can you. I mean, you started it texting me the popcorn just now, so I’m thinking, maybe you’re not ready to let it go.”

She wasn’t wrong. On either account.

He started it up again. And he wasn’t ready to let it go.

“What is it you were thinking about besides that? Because something tells me I’m going to hear an earful.”

“Well, if I’m right, I win.”

One side of his lip lifted in a half laugh. Not that she could see it, nor hear it over the munching on his snack. “What do you win?”

“A date. A real date. Not one where you’re watching out for me. Or one where you’re pretending to be my date. But actually take me out.”

Shit. He hadn’t been on one of them in decades.

“Why?”

“You didn’t say no, so that’s something. And the reason is that tonight being overdressed while eating burgers and sandwiches in a half-filled deli with people of questionable lives was the most fun I’ve had in... way too long.”

She wanted honesty. “The same.”