Page 73 of The Science of Attraction

I cocked a brow. “You’re mistaking me for someone who does what he’s told.”

Jules said nothing, just returned the raised brow and waited.

I snorted and began unlacing my boots. “I’m only agreeing to this so that your ego doesn’t get bruised from me ignoring that bossy tone that apparently works with the rest of your team. There’s only one boss in this relationship and he doesn’t smell like a lanolin Slip ’N Slide.”

Jules snorted and I threw a couple more blankets over top of his rangy body. He held them up for me to join him and we got ourselves comfortable. An arm slipped under my shoulder, another snaked around my waist, and he rolled me to face him. I threw my leg overtop of his and sighed contentedly.

“It was nice of them to give us this time,” I whispered, like someone might hear us.

Jules whispered back. “It was. I hate not being open about us.” He pressed his soft lips to mine. “I didn’t realise just how amazing it would feel to be able to hold your hand or kiss you or do... other things to you without constantly looking over my shoulder or worrying someone might catch us.”

I played with the buttons of his shirt, searching for the hot skin hidden beneath. “Makes it feel more real somehow, right?” Just figured I’d throw it out there.

Jules’ expression grew serious, those intriguing flint-grey eyes lit orange in the glow of the fire. He cupped my cheek. “Itisreal.” He drew me close and kissed me again, his tongue sliding between my lips in a leisurely exploration. A soft moan escaped my lips and I went to deepen the kiss, but he pulled away. “Can we talk? I think maybe it’s time.”

I smiled, regretfully gave up on his buttons, and bunched the cushion under my head so I could see him better. “I was thinking the same thing earlier.”

Something like relief crossed his face and his fingertip traced the line of my cheekbone and down the side of my face to my jaw and across to my lips, his eyes carefully avoiding mine. “I like you, Liam. A lot.”

I grabbed hold of his hand, kissing the back of it. “I like you too, as it happens. A lot.”

“You do?” His gaze settled on mine and my breath caught at the depth of emotion residing there. “That’s good because I—” He hesitated. “—well, I’m not ready to say goodbye in just a couple of weeks, and I was wondering if you might feel... the same?”

And there it was.

His question lit up my heart and I pressed my lips to his. “I’m not ready to say goodbye, either.”

He blew out a long shuddering sigh and clasped me to him. “Thank Christ for that.”

I chuckled and slipped my arm around his waist, seeking and finding the hot skin I’d been craving under all those layers of clothing. “But it’s not as simple as just what we want, is it?”

He pressed kisses into my hair and whispered, “I’m going to talk to my father. I’m going to come out.”

I jerked back and he must’ve seen the shock on my face because he quickly added, “Not until after you’ve gone. I wouldn’t do that to you, Liam. He doesn’t need to know that we were, well,this, while you were here, only that I’m bisexual and that I’m interested in pursuing something with... you.”

I bit my lip. “You want topursueme? Why, Mister Lane. My heart’s all a flutter.”Unfortunately, completely true.

Jules nudged our noses together. “You know what I mean. I want to see you again, Liam. I want us to have a plan. I want to get to know you, your sister, your nephew, the whole lot. I probably sound like a crazy person and I get that you might not want all that, so now’s the time to say. I’ll take anything you’re prepared to give. I really think we might have something special going on here. What do you think?”

I blinked and drew breath, waiting for the other shoe to drop, but Jules’ expression said he was deadly serious. “Jesus, baby. Give me a minute.”

He fell quiet while I searched his face, not certain what I was looking for, but it wasn’t the calm, steady surety I found there. He’d really thought about what he was asking and the shock of that sent goosebumps quivering over my skin.

“We’ve barely known each other a month,” I rushed. “What about your father? What about the station? What if we don’t?—”

“I know all the risks, Liam.” He freed his hand and cupped my cheek. “I’ve done nothing but think aboutallof that since we started this. And I keep coming back to the same questions over and over. What if Idon’tsay anything? What if I don’t ask you? What if I never come out? What if I just let you go? What does that mean for me? What if I ignore all these feelings I have growing for you?”

Feelings for me?My pulse kicked up. “But what if we don’t work? You could lose everything.”

He shrugged. “That doesn’t alter the question for me. If you and I don’t work out, it could be another guy next year, or the year aft?—”

“Stop.” I slapped my hand over his mouth, not liking the idea of those options. He grinned against my palm and I huffed, “Yeah, yeah. Don’t get too full of yourself. In case you hadn’t guessed already, I’m not a natural sharer, and right now you’re mine. Make of that what you will.”

He peeled my hand away and kissed me. “I don’t share either. And right now, I don’t want to belong to anyone except you.”

I sighed and ran my fingertip over his lips. “And me, you. But you do get how crazy this is?”

He nodded. “I know. But there’s something you should know about me.”

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