breath until he had her answer.
“Probably, but I have the right to refuse any post.”
“Would you really refuse? I’m not sure that would be a good career move, Heather.”
She stopped eating and stared at him. “Are you trying to get rid of me? If you are, I can always make it easy for you.”
“I’m trying not to be selfish. And on the chance that you appreciate my judgment, I’m being as truthful as I can be.”
An expression of pain spread across her face, and she briefly closed her eyes. “Oh, Judson, I’m so sorry. I do trust you, and I trust your judgment. I’m so used to—”
“It’s all right. I imagine that in the world you work in, you always have to watch your back.”
“Yes, indeed. And look what it’s doing to me,” she said as if she’d just realized it.
“How about dessert?” he said. “I think I’ll have a slice of sour lime pie,” he added, glad to be able to change the subject. “What would you like?”
“I can’t sit here and watch you eat it, so I’ll have the same.” Suddenly, she reached across the table and covered his hand with her own. “If you can be patient, we’ll get there.” The waiter took their orders, and refreshed their water, smiled at Heather, then left the table.
“Do you mean that?” he asked her once the waiter had gone.
“I didn’t plan to say it, but it’s the truth.” She smiled. “I’ll always tell you the truth, Judson, even if it makes me look bad, and I hope I can count on the same from you.”
He enveloped her hand with his own. “Of course you can. If you never believe anything else, believe that.”
The waiter brought their dessert, and they savored it without speaking. Later, while they sat sipping espresso, she looked at him and said, “I have to thank Scott for introducing me to you. He’s anxious to find out whether we get along and whether we will see each other.”
He imagined that the facial expression he thought was a grin was more feral than friendly. “Don’t tell him a thing,” he said. “Let him worry.”
“How could you? He means well.”
“Sure he does. Jails are full of well-meaning people. It isn’t often that I’m one up on Scott, so please humor me.”
He held her hand while they walked to his car, and it felt good.
Ten minutes later, he parked in front of her building, walked around and helped her in getting out of the car and accompanied her to her apartment. She gave him her door key without his asking. He opened the door.
“May I come in for a few minutes?”
She didn’t answer, but walked in and flicked on the light.
He didn’t want to sit down and talk. They had talked during dinner. He wanted her in his arms. When he remained near the door, she turned, walked back to him and smiled.
“What’s the matter? Do you want a hug or a kiss? Which is it?”
He’d never met a woman so lacking in guile. “Both,” he said and opened his arms. She went to him with arms raised and lips slightly parted. And the feel of her warm and womanly body as she held him to her almost made him dizzy. He bent his head, brushed her lips with his own and she pulled his tongue into her mouth. He couldn’t stifle the groan that erupted from deep inside of him, and with the rush of blood to his groin preparing him for a massive erection, he tried to step back from her. But she seemed oblivious to his movement. He lifted her and set her away from him. She stared at him, wide-eyed.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart,” he said, “but I don’t want to push you too far, too fast.”
She frowned, and then she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him. “I’ve never met a man like you. I am going to thank Scott for introducing us.”
“Are the two of you close friends?”
Her eyes twinkled. “We haven’t drunk each other’s blood, but we’ve pledged to be brother and sister.”
“How is it that you were never attracted to each other?”
“My dad asked me the same question. Scott and I would kill each other. Actually, we nearly did when we first began working together. We backed off because we had to cooperate, and after a short while we realized that we’re both too similar. So we began supporting each other, and it’s been great for both of us. What time will you leave for Hagerstown tomorrow? If you need to contact a newspaper, try the Herald-Mail first.”
“Thanks. I will.’
“Don’t get your hopes up too high, Judson, and don’t be disappointed if you come back empty-handed. This is just the first try. Remember you have my support.”
“And that means everything to me. I know it’s going to be a long, hard trek, but I’m prepared for it.”
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