Page 24 of Falling for the Recluse

“What?” I ask.

“I just don’t like the idea of you here all by yourself.” She puts her other foot on my lap. “Everyone wants to be alone sometimes, but we’re also social creatures. Life is about being with other people, having relationships, andloving. Even penguins are rarely alone—they live with their families and colonies. And within those groups, they stay together in pairs. They need each other.”

“Is that what you’re going to write your paper about?” I pull off her thick sock and massage her bare foot. “Penguin monogamy?”

“Maybe.” She pushes her toes against my stomach again, her heel resting on my groin. No surprise that even her foot makes my dick twitch.

She lifts an eyebrow and shifts, running her foot back and forth on my erection. “Foot fetish, Dr. Stark?”

“Josie fetish, Ms. Bennett.” I press my lips against her big toe. “What’s on your agenda for tomorrow?”

She frowns slightly. “I was planning to start tagging some of the penguins, but I didn’t intend for you to spend all your time at the colony with me. I know you won’t let me go alone, so I’ll do some data analysis from here tomorrow so you can get some of your own work done. What research project are you working on?”

“I’m doing a geophysical surveying of the Castille glacier,” I explain. “I’ve been tracking the glacier’s movements and analyzing the chemical properties of the ice. Next year, I’ll need a team to help with drilling so I can take water samples.”

“Where is the glacier?”

“Across the bay.”

“Will you take me there?”

I rub her foot without responding, even though I already know the answer. Of course I’ll take her to the glacier. I’ll do anything to give her what she wants.

I feel her studying me again. I know what’s coming.

“Why do you spend so much of your time alone?” she asks. “Why don’t you work for a science foundation or teach at Harvard? You’re one of the most renowned scientists in the world as it is, so if you collaborated more and mentored students, you’d have an even bigger impact. Both in the community and on the research.”

“I’m not interested in being famous.”

“News flash. You already are. And think of the discoveries you could make in glaciology if you were more accessible. Climate change, the environment, geological processes—”

“I know what glaciology is about.” I set her foot back on the floor and stand. “And it’s not your job to tell me how to advance my career.”

I turn to leave, but not before the flash of hurt in her eyes stabs me in the heart. Clenching my fists, I stride back to the workroom and pull up my reports on the computer. Less than a minute later, her soft footsteps pad behind me.

“Gavin, I’m sorry.” She settles her hand on my shoulder. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”

I exhale slowly and drag my hands down my face. “I’m not offended. But this is my life. It’s not going to change. Neither am I.”

She hesitates, tightening her grip on me. “I never wantyouto change. I love you exactly the way you are. Oh.”

My heart slams against my chest. I turn to look at her. She has her hand over her mouth, her eyes wide.

“I didn’t mean…um.” She presses her hands to her cheeks, which are bright pink. “Well, I guess I…oh, dear.”

I swallow past a sudden constriction in my throat. Feels like my response is trying to shove its way upward.

I look out the window. It’s almost midnight, but the sun hovers on the horizon, throwing gold light over the ice sheets, water, and mountains. I’ve seen this view hundreds of times. I will always love its stark, cold beauty.

But it’s nothing compared to Josie’s warmth and heat. She could melt the whole damn continent with her fire.

“I would kill for you, Josie.” My voice is rough. “I meant what I said. You’re all I can see, practically all I can think about. But my Ice Prick reputation is not that undeserved.”

“Oh, please.” She sits on my lap and slides her arm around my shoulders. “We’ve been through this before. I’ve discovered the real you under your icy exterior, and I’m not about to let you retreat now.”

She puts her hand on my cheek, turning my head so she can look at me. I want to drown in her blue eyes.

“I love you, Gavin Stark,” she says again. “Yes, you’re like a glacier. It takes a lot of work and drilling to get past your walls of ice, but underneath, you’re incredibly beautiful. You’re filled with light and color.”

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