Page 25 of True Valor
This time, the hair on the back of Nic’s necktwitched at every turn.Julie must have felt it too because shewhispered.He continually urged her to hurry, each time with thesame hushed response from her.What seemed like an eternity wasonly fifteen minutes.They backed out of the house emptyhanded.
Relief washed over Nic as they walked back tothe car.It was short-lived.The car coming toward them had a lightbar.Without thinking, he slipped his arm around Julie and pulledher to him.
“Cops,” he whispered against her ear beforehis lips sought hers.He didn’t have to make it look real.Shekissed him back, ferociously.
His mind and body instantly flew from theirimmediate situation, and the reason for the kiss, to the image andfeel of her body against his in the shower.Cursing his ownbetrayal, he reined himself in, peeking to see the car pass onby.
When the cruiser was far enough away, heforcefully pulled away and continued walking.
Nic checked and re-checked the rear-viewmirror as they drove out of town.Nothing.
“We’re not going back there, Julie.”
“No kidding.”Julie exhaled with a chuckle.“That was way too close for comfort.”
They were both giddy with relief.
“Nice adrenaline rush, though, wasn’t it?”she added.
“I can think of better.”Nic smiled.
“And the kiss was a nice touch.It wasacting, though.Right?”
Yeah, right, acting.
“Absolutely.”His voice held moredetermination than he felt.
“Good.”
“That’s funny coming from the girl thatcrawled into the shower with me.”
He didn’t really say that, did he?Dang.Hesnuck a glance in her direction.She turned away, but not before hesaw what he was afraid he’d see.Tears.
Damn it.She’d been so strong.In the lasttwenty-four hours she’d learned the graphic details of her family’sdeath, managed to get into the house twice and never once cried.And one careless comment from him…
She hadn’t been herself when she’d come tothe shower to be with him.And, even in those first days, she hadbeen hesitant to meet his gaze afterwards.And now, he’d thrown itin her face.
Damn it all.
She was trying so hard to not let him hear,trying so hard to be inconspicuous when she wiped the tearsaway.
“I didn’t...”
Julie interrupted with a raised hand.Shetook a deep breath.“I’m not a slut.”Her voice broke.
“I didn’t think you were.”
“How could you not?”Now she looked over athim, tears streaming down her face.
Hazard or no hazard, Nic eased the car to theshoulder of the highway.He would have pulled her to him but sheresisted, tugging stiffly away.
“Please don’t.”
“Look at me, then.”
Eventually she turned to face him.
“Julie, when that happened you were scaredand vulnerable.It wasn’t unusual for you to do what you did.Youare just now beginning to remember who you are, what makes you you.Believe me.I didn’t think you were a slut.”
