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“Mmm...Well I’m gonna check out the garden you want to come?” asked Logan as he shoved his hands in his jeans pockets.
“Sure,” replied Meghan.
They walked across the lab to a hermetically closed door. Logan punched a series of numbers on the control panel and the door clicked open. They went through and stepped into the most beautiful garden they had ever seen. There were all kinds of flowers and herbs everywhere. There was even a man-made waterfall in the back of the enclosed dome.
Meghan looked up at Logan and saw the surprise on his handsome face.
“Weren’t you expecting this?” she asked.
Logan looked down at her and she saw the pleasure at seeing the multitude of colorful flowers and plants.
“I know Mercury has research labs all over the world but I never expected something like this. This is a scientist’s dream! My God! Would you look at that?
There’s Feverfew, which is good for migraine and headaches. Chamomile: which has relaxant, anti-inflammatory properties. And here is some Calendula it has anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties.”
Meghan walked further inside the dome and touched and herb.
“Isn’t this Bilberry?”
“Yes,” replied Logan as he came and stood beside her. “It strengthens blood vessel walls, especially those of the eyes and reduces inflammation.”
“I see you’ve found the garden,” a voice said.
Meghan yelped and quickly spun around. Logan had recognized the voice and slowly turned to face his once upon a time pupil.
“Hello Jules. You’re late.”
“Yeah well, I had to get rid of a pesky bug that’s been following me around since I got to New Orleans.”
Logan stiffened and his eyes narrowed as he approached Julie.
“And does this pesky bug have a name?"
Julie avoided Logan’s gaze and turned to Meghan.
“Yes he’s got a name but I can take care of him. I lost him didn’t I?”
Meghan smiled, held out her hand and shook Julie’s.
“Hello Julie. It’s nice to see you again. I love the leather. Do you think I could get some like it?”
Julie nodded, “When this is over I’ll take you shopping in New York.”
At the mention of leather Logan noticed how Julie was dressed and smiled sardonically.
“Jake doesn’t know you’re riding that monster again does he?”
"What Jake doesn't know won't kill him." Julie retorted as she placed her helmet on the aluminum counter, pulling the band from her plait and loosening her hair. The relief of setting her hair free was immense and she sighed as she shrugged out of her jacket.
"But will it kill you?" she heard Logan mutter as he examined a sinister looking plant.
"Leave her alone Logan, we have other things to focus on. Is Julie fully aware of the situation and of how imperative it is that we get this done as quickly as possible?" Meghan asked, distracting him as she kicked of her shoes.
"Why are you taking your shoes off, will that achieve anything?" he asked, smiling slightly but wanting to know. He shook his head wondering at all the things he suddenly found himself wanting to know about this woman.
"I can't think straight with them on, they’re restrictive." She explained, pushing the shoes in question aside with her foot when she had a sudden image of Logan stepping backwards and tripping over them. She was sorely tempted to leave them where they were, however, when she saw him role his eyes heavenward at her words.
Julie cleared her throat hoping to gain some semblance of attention, as both Meghan and Logan seemed to be staring each other out for whatever reason. Julie decreed that there was little time for such childish pursuits and tapped her toe on the floor when they didn't look her way.
"Oh, right." Logan was suddenly fully focused, annoyed at himself for being distracted. "Most you know already, unfortunately we have very little time and an antidote to develop. The Tracers are on our tail and I'm not sure I can do this with what we have." He drew in a quick breath.
"What do you need?" Julie inserted sharply, picking her jacket back up. "Tell me and I'll get it as soon as I can."
"Chemicals and some basics, I have all the plants we need here and I can extract most everything from them but I don't have any sugar, the water isn't running and aspirin." He sighed. "I have a splitting headache, blocking out pain is great in theory but it takes practice and I haven't quite got there yet." He grabbed a pen and began writing down a list of chemicals he would need. "See if you can ring someone and get the gas turned on, and the water," he ordered as he handed her the list. She snatched it from his hand, grabbed her helmet and disappeared.
"That was efficient." Meghan noted.
Ryan was tired of chasing the woman. Didn't she ever stop? It seemed she didn't. At the point he picked up the chase she’d already switched her car for a bike and was hurtling down the street faster than was legal. In fact he was sure he could have booked her on numerous accounts of traffic violation had he wanted to. He wasn't even sure how he knew it was she, he just did, and so the second he saw her he began to run, until it became apparent that he wouldn't catch her. He stopped in the middle of the road and did his best to act as a lamppost. Unfortunately most of the drivers hooted and swerved. He would have commended them had he not been in need of a vehicle. He cursed himself for deciding he needed to take a walk.
It was at that point that he found himself dangerously close to a black motorcycle helmet. He jumped into action, whipping his badge from his pocket and reeling off a spiel that had always appealed to him, he commandeered it.
Seconds later he was racing just as fast as Julie had been down the same street he had seen her take. It wasn't long before he caught sight of her, dodging the traffic by veering down an alleyway, he resolved himself to following close behind her, adrenaline pumping through his veins. It had been a long while since he'd been on a motorcycle and it hadn't taken but a few seconds for it to get back in his blood.
He was to arrest her; it was something he had to do. He knew it was drastic but if it would give him answers, then he knew it had to be done. He didn't know if Mercury was an underground terrorist group or not but he did know that if there was even the tiniest doubt in his mind about it then it had to be alleviated and Lizzy was going to be the one to do it, even if he had to cuff her to his side to get the information. He revved the engine louder as he sped to close the gap between them.
Julie checked her mirror and saw another bike right behind her. She turned her head and looked back over her shoulder. The biker had on a black helmet and dark brown leather jacket. She turned back around just in time to veer left and miss the car in front of her. The biker had rattled her. Who was he? Why was he following her? She couldn’t go back to the hotel with this character tailing her. Up ahead she spotted an off ramp to the right, she swerved right and took the exit at high speed.
She zoomed into a restaurant parking lot and cut the engine. Still sitting on her ‘cycle she removed her helmet and swung one leg around until she was facing the parking lot entrance. She didn’t have long to wait.
The biker swung into the parking lot, drove in a circle around her than came to a stop along side. He sat there his black helmet still on but didn’t say a word. Julie could feel his eyes piercing her through the helmet. She looked at him and suddenly her intuition kicked in and she smiled.
“My, my, Detective Harrison. Who would have thought you knew how to ride so well.”
Behind the helmet Ryan’s eyebrows went up in surprise. He hadn’t thought she would recognize him. He slowly removed his helmet and put in his lap. Bending over a bit he laid his arm across it and looked over at her.
“You’re lucky I’m not arresting you for driving so recklessly,” said Ryan.
“Am I?” she replied softly.
“You’re just lucky I’m off duty right now, or I’d be hauling your butt to the precinct.”
"So apart from your need to protect the general public from my reckless behavior, did this little chase have a point? You were breaking more than a few laws yourself to keep up with me."
She had him in a corner; his pursuit had been a spur of the moment desire, a reaction to his frustration about her mysterious identity. There was no way short of fabricating charges to actually haul her pretty little behind downtown. Thinking quickly he was reduced to using a time-honored cliché.
"I thought it was you, and I wanted to ask you to dinner. I was rude earlier; there was no need for my behavior. As a peace offering will you eat with me?"
Julie fought the urge to laugh out loud. It was obvious that Ryan didn't often engage in this sort of pursuit. 'Let him stew' she thought, 'teach him a lesson for being so unprepared'. Reaching around behind her head she gave her hair a quick tug to pull it tight, the ponytail quickly fixed at the lab had slipped under her helmet. Ryan began to frown and just as he went to speak again she cut him off.
"Yes I'd love to eat with you. But Ryan it's the middle of the night, where will we go?"
She knew the only possible answer was fast food or his place. She knew he had too much of a cowboy's respect for women to suggest the fast food. In her mind it became a test, would he do it? How far was he willing to take this lie?
" We could eat at my place. You don’t have to worry about me poisoning you, I’m a good cook."
Repositioning herself on her bike Julie nodded her head. She had a brief flash of remorse; poor Logan was going to have to find another way to deal with his headache.
She laughed, that'd show him, he never should have bossed her around the way he had.
"I need to make a call and then you can take me wherever you want," she said her voice toneless as she flipped the cell phone open in her hand.
"Hey Leon." She smiled as she spoke and Ryan wondered if she would ever smile that way at him. "I don't really have much time but umm...listen I need a favor." She stepped back thinking the slight action might put a bit of distance between her and the detective. Unfortunately he took a step forward and she had nowhere else to go. She sent him a tiny smile, one that didn't reach her eyes and continued with the call.
"Logan needs gas and water at the location, see if you can get someone to switch them on ASAP." She listened for a moment at what Leon was asking.
"Yeah, I have a list here if I zap them to you maybe you could get them couriered over to him." She listened again and smiled. Ryan was becoming increasingly exasperated with that smile, maybe because it was so rare.
And then she laughed. Really laughed. He had never heard anything so natural from her before and it almost blew him away. This time it was he who took a step backwards, a small frown marring his brow.
"You're a darling Leon, has anyone ever told you that? I'll call you later okay?" she said as she flipped the cellular shut.
"Boyfriend?" Ryan raised his eyebrows knowing he had absolutely no right to ask but unable to restrain himself from doing so.
"Not your business," she replied.
Of course, he should have guessed the answer before he asked the question.
"So detective, are you taking me to dinner or not?"
Ryan nodded, “I have to stop at the station first to get my car. Follow me."
Julie acknowledged with a nod and they both turned on the ignition. They roared out of the parking lot and were on their way.
Meanwhile back at the lab Leon had managed to get the gas and water turned on so Meghan and Logan were sitting in the dining room eating Gumbo and drinking wine.
“When will you start working on the antidote?” asked Meghan.
“It’s too late to begin now, I’m tired and this headache isn’t going away.”
“Want me to make you some Feverfew tea for that?”
“No, I just need some sleep. I’ll start breaking down the sequence of chemicals of the Waxen serum in the morning,” said Logan.
“Why not just start working on the antidote?”
Logan shook his head, “I can’t. I have to first know what the chemicals are and neutralize each of the components before I can even begin mixing chemicals for the antidote.”
Meghan understood and nodded. She got up and took her plate and glass to the kitchen. Logan followed with his. Together they clean their dishes and put them away. When she looked at him she noticed the pained look in his eyes.
“Here, sit down,” she said as she pointed to a chair. She stepped up behind him and started messaging his neck and shoulders.
“Ohm...That feels so good,” mumbled Logan.
His neck and shoulder muscles were so tight but he now started to relax under her soft touch.
A few minutes passed and he said, “You have great hands. Where did you learn how to do this?”
Meghan felt a flutter in the pit of her stomach at the sound of his voice. His hot skin felt wonderful under her hands.
She cleared her throat, “My mother taught me.”
“Is your mother immortal too?”
Silence followed his question and she dropped her hands from him. Logan turned around in his seat to look at her. Meghan’s face was pale. He grabbed her hand and pulled her around to sit on his lap. He closed his arms around her and pushed her head on his shoulder.
“I’m sorry my question hurt you.”
Meghan started shaking and tears rolled down her cheeks. She wound her arms around his neck and cried.
“I miss her so much! It’s been so long since I’ve thought of her or talked about her,” she said.
“You can tell me,” said Logan as his hand ran down her hair.
“She died when I was 12 years old. She was a message therapist and at the time of her death she had been teaching me her craft.”
“How did she die?”
“She died of Cancer. My time may be very advance medically but we still haven’t found a way to eradicate Cancer.”
“When did you become immortal?”
“I was in a car accident that killed me when I was 27yrs old. I woke up and found this old man bending over me. His name was Boone Drake. He explained to me what I had become and offered me the opportunity to travel to the future with him. Since I had no ties to anyone here I accepted. He trained me in flight duty, combat, leadership and later became my Commander,” she explained to him.
“So how old are you?” he asked as he tightened his arms around her.
“How old do you think I am?” she asked teasingly.
"Well let's see, I know you look 27 because you told me. You traveled and trained for years, and then you went to war and from what you've said I think that's been going on a while. I don't know, this is hard... 50?"
She sighed. "You are so off the mark. If I tell you please don't get all funny about it. Promise me you won't."
Meghan's eyes pleaded with Logan's and he suddenly regretted asking. What if she was centuries old? Did he seem immature to her? What if she didn't want him because he was too young for her? Maybe her people had rules about age and relationships.
"Logan this is stupid, I knew you'd go weird on me." Meghan's tone changed from light-heartedness to one of tired reservation. She began pulling away from Logan, trying to get off his lap.
Logan clamped his arms around her waist; they were going to have to face this sooner or later.
"Sorry Meghan, I promise I won't overreact. If I'm going to be living and working with you I want to know who you are. Tell Me!"
Their eyes locked and she nodded.
Resigned, Meghan nodded, "I'm 147 years old and that includes my mortal life. I haven't had much of a luck to live though because over fifty years of that was training. Then I've been looking for you for well over two decades. Time is a strange thing when you can go anywhere in it, age doesn’t really matter any longer. In terms of life experience you've got more than me, I've been really sheltered."
She was explaining herself to his chest, afraid to look at his face and see his reaction. His fingers gently curled around her chin and he raised her face to his. Not a trace of anger or regret hinted on his features. Relief hit her like a physical entity, he didn't mind. She was amazed at how much it mattered to her.
Meghan's skin was super sensitive where he touched her face. She was acutely aware of how intimate her position on him was. Her breath caught as she saw his expression change. Why was she denying that she wanted him? He was so gentle, totally willing to accept her at face value. He was all she'd ever really wanted, someone to love her.
His thumb traced her jaw tenderly and Meghan relaxed into his body. Her hands slowly traveled into his soft hair, she pulled his head down and pressed her lips to his.
"Do you want this?" Meghan sat back to look at him, a tiny frown creasing her brow, her worries reinstated with the recognition of the strength of her own desire. Perhaps she wanted him too much and he wanted her not enough.
"How can you ask me that?" He smiled slightly leaning forward into her, but she pulled away again, needing to speak.
"Because suddenly I need you. I've never needed anyone in my life but I need you." He voice shook and she was too emotional to restrain herself. She put a hand to his cheek and absently rubbed the pad of her thumb across his skin. She drew in a deep breath and picked herself up, walking across the room, hating herself for saying too much.
He stood too, the strength of her withdrawal reverberating through his body. "Don't do this Meghan. Not because you think I don't understand. I know it's hard but it's not going to go away. I'm not going away," he said. His words were strong enough to break the barrier she had automatically erected about her. She turned to face him then, a million questions reflected in her eyes and yet she only asked one.
"You promise?"
"I promise." He smiled and she strode quickly across the room to kiss him, her lips burning his with desire he tasted on them. And she was everywhere, kissing his eyelids, his ears, and his jaw...almost as if she wanted to drink in everything that he was.
The lab came equipped with a makeshift bed, it was she who backed him up against it and it was she who tumbled across him as he fell backwards onto the mattress.
They lost themselves in their need, neither could have stopped for anything and it felt like the most natural thing in the world for them to love each other. Ryan was glad that Lizzy declined a ride in his car because halfway home it hit him that she'd pulled his strings like a master. He could see her in his mirror, leaning her bike into a corner then righting it again as though she was born in the saddle. She had no right to look so wonderful when he was mad at her it was distracting!
Earlier in the day she'd visited a suspect's house with him. All the time he was questioning, she'd quietly watched the suspect’s reactions. As he searched the rooms she'd calmly sat with the known rapist, and when he'd finished his fruitless search she'd walked out the door with him.
Before he’d got into the car she'd pulled his arm and crept around the house to a window. Following her pointed finger he saw that the bathroom cabinet had been pulled off the wall, and their man was checking out a bloody knife that had been in the void behind it.
Later at the station he asked how she'd known the man would go straight to the hidden weapon. He recalled her smiling and saying if she studied anyone for long enough she knew what they'd do. If she watched them for longer she could also get them to do what she wanted. Her expression had been serious, intense enough to rattle him. Then as if she knew it 'Lizzy' had kicked back in and she'd given a fake laugh. "Nah," she'd chuckled, "I'm pulling your leg, people are basically predictable, and you’re a detective you know that."
He wondered now if she really could get people to do whatever she wanted. Who was he kidding; she'd pulled him all the way.
Following Ryan's car Julie pulled her bike into the driveway of an airy wooden house complete with veranda. It was nice, better than she would have expected on a cop’s wages. Pity it was dark and she couldn't see the garden.
The interior was sparsely furnished, front door opening directly into the lounge. Ryan paused in the doorway and watched Lizzy as she paced the perimeter of the room. She looked wary, watching her reminded him of a caged animal.
"Can I take your jacket?"
He saw her hesitate, it struck him suddenly that she was probably armed and didn't want him to know. Slouching out of his jacket he made sure she saw his gun secure in his hip holster, she smiled.
"So it's going to be a I'll show you mine if you show me yours kind of situation is it? Well my good detective you might not always like getting what you wish for."
"I'm fully aware that Bureau staff are armed and I've seen weapons before. That said, Elizabeth Jayne Simpson may I have the honor of taking your jacket?" As she peeled the dark leather off, Ryan couldn't help but gasp in shock, she was more than just armed she was a one-woman army.
Under her left arm was a personalized SIG pro, not even available publicly yet. Strapped to her left upper-arm was a small dagger and tightly bound to her right side was what looked like a Palm-pilot. All her weapons were strapped on the left and his detective's mind noted she was right-handed.
Worse though, was the empty loops attached to the leather straps. Indicating what he saw before him was a stripped-down version of her usual arsenal.
When she offered him the jacket he reached for it automatically. In stunned silence walking to the hall closet, hanging his jacket in it's usual spot, then putting the second clothes hook to use.
Taking a deep breath he prepared to face Julie then turned. It took a second to register, he hadn't heard a sound but she was no longer in the room.
Julie had not gone far. The truth of it was that there was absolutely no way she would have even contemplated leaving so quickly. He had her favorite leather jacket in his closet and she wasn't about to go anywhere without it. She had however felt a need to explore his kitchen. Mainly because he was about to prepare food for her and she had a basic enough knowledge of men's kitchens to know that if they were spotless the man couldn't cook and if they were filthy he would probably poison her.
Ryan's kitchen was obviously used, pots were scratched and dented, the cutting board was marred by lacerations, and when she opened the fridge it was well stocked. She was almost shocked to find nothing green and fuzzy lurking anywhere in there. Almost shocked. Her last episode had been in fifth grade when Kyle Peterson had tried to look up her skirt. Of course she'd quickly recovered and delivered a very swift kick to his shin. She smiled at the memory, seeing Kyle at her tenth anniversary high school reunion and hearing that he was married and had five children all under the age of seven.
She may have been distracted by memories but Julie was the best. And while she was thinking of Kyle Peterson and his flock she was fully aware of the exact moment that Ryan walked into the room. She sensed it, not only because she was trained to do so but also because there was something about him that appealed to her subconscious.
And she hated that.
"Do you see anything you like?" he asked with one brow raised. She turned to face him, totally unflustered and perfectly collected. That frustrated him. She had been snooping through his kitchen and she was the one looking at him as if he should feel guilty. It didn't work; he straightened his back and took another step forward.
"You have nothing gross in your refrigerator," she pointed out as if it were a bad thing. He made a motion to close the door and she stepped aside as he did so. Unfortunately the next motion he made brought him a lot closer to her, and while she tried to go backward she found herself trapped between the counter and his body. Again she refused to be flustered, she was absolutely calm. She was always calm. Until his lips met hers and she found herself floundering, almost completely lost to him.
Kissing Ryan brought it all back, the lust, the love, and finally the betrayal. As much as she wanted to let herself fall into his arms she couldn't. Gently Ryan freed her hair. She felt him tangle his fingers in the silky mass pulling her closer to him.
The innocent action transported her back four years; to the warehouse apartment she'd shared with HIM. It was raining outside when she'd received the call, the operation was coming apart, her cover was compromised she had to get out right away. He'd walked into the room it was all right because he was a fellow agent, someone she trusted, and someone she loved.
'We've got to go, there's been a leak," she'd said, "they're sending someone after us. They want us dead."
"Wrong sweetheart, they want you dead."
He'd smiled a half-smile, pulled out his revolver and pointed it straight at her. She'd dived for cover; the bullet caught her thigh, burning white-hot through her body. As she lay there bleeding he'd stood above her.
"Why? I love you, why?"
"I know you love me, it makes this even better. I let you fall so deep you'd never suspect a thing. I don't love you, no one could love you Julie! It's sick what you do, and you do it so well, too well. Face it; your whole life no one's wanted you, who could? You're insane, and now I'm going to make sure that you never get a chance to destroy this operation. It's taken me years to get this organized and although you're great in bed, you aren't worth three million."
As he talked above her she'd pulled a pistol from under the couch, a hidden weapon in every room was a precaution she always took. He finished talking and bent to touch her face tenderly, mockingly, a final insult to the love she had given him. Reaching between them she pushed the barrel to his body and pulled the trigger and watched him fall. She knew that she was never going to love again.
Ryan deepened the kiss holding her tightly to him; she was like a dream, soft and warm in his arms. Suddenly she pulled away, pushing him so hard he almost fell.
"NO!"
Although he could hear anger, it was the blind terror in her voice that surprised him the most.
Ryan jumped around ready for action, he knew with a horror scream such as Lizzy's someone had to be behind him! His heart was racing he could feel the sweat beads already popping up on his body. Blocking Lizzy with his body he swiveled around, to his surprise no one was there. He looked back to her to see where her eyes were focused and found her eyes closed.
“Lizzy what is it? What's wrong? Did you see or hear something? Talk to me! Tell me!”
When her eyes slowly opened he could see no emotion there, she had already masked her fear. But she didn’t fool him, something was terribly wrong with this picture and he was going to find out!
Her small hand came up and pressed his chest. He felt himself step back to the snack bar. With a cool calm voice as nothing had happen she said, “Hey I thought we were going to have dinner? I’m starved!”
She opened the refrigerator once again and all Ryan could see was her back. He was stunned. What was up with her? He’d felt her melting in his arms just now. Was he mistaken over his own feelings?
No, it felt right and he wasn’t going to let her blow him off. He grabbed on to her arm and swung her back around to face him.
“Lizzy?”
Her eyes now showed some human form, confusion, sadness and Ryan could see she was scared for the first time since he met her.
“Lizzy did I offend you with my kiss?”
He held on to both her arms so he could see into her eyes. She didn't say anything; their eyes were locked on one another.
“Lizzy let me kiss you again. I really want to kiss you,” he didn’t wait for her to answer and his lips came down on hers.
With a sigh she allowed him to kiss her. His lips were pure silk. She felt her body fusing with his. His arms encircled her, pulling her even closer. Why was she doing this? Because, it felt so wonderful! She wanted it as much as Ryan did. ‘I need to pull away... yes pull away... just a minute more and I will! Just another minute... Never before have I been kissed like this! HMMM... how much better could it get?’
Ryan moved his lips ever so lightly back and forth, teasing gently with his tongue. His moist lips creating such a rush for her, feelings she hadn't felt in such a long time. A moan escaped him from deep in his throat and he knew if he didn't stop now, there would be no help in stopping him on going further.
Julie felt her world floating by her as she drifted higher she had to get her feet back on the ground before she lost all control.
“Ryan stop! I have no desire to kiss you!”
Ryan felt like he was just slammed in the chest and the air pulled out of his body. How confusing this woman is! What a tease!
“Oh I see it's your feelings for Leon! Sorry Lizzy I shouldn't have kissed you. Your right lets find something to eat.”
Ryan wasn't about to show his hurt emotions. Once long ago was enough for him and he learned his lesson well.
“So how about I whip you up a New Orleans treat?”
He'd play it cool. If that kiss didn't affect her then I sure wont let her see it affected me.
Ryan was an excellent chef. The food was delicious but Lizzy hardly touched her food. Pre-occupied with memories of the past and her conflicting feelings about Ryan, she was awakened out of her reverie by a tickling sensation at her feet. She peeked underneath the table and was surprised to find a cute puppy investigating her feet.
"What have we here? Who's your owner, little fellow?"
Lizzy couldn't resist herself and picked up the puppy. The puppy happily licked her face all over, causing Ryan to laugh and diffusing the tense situation caused by the earlier scene.
"This is Roger, my bloodhound. Come here boy."
Roger looked back and forth between the two adults and seeming to like Lizzy better, continued licking her.
"You little rascal, defecting to the enemy camp." Ryan gently scolded Roger and tried to lure him back with a steak.
Roger remained unmoved and unaffected. Lizzy, amused with both owner and puppy, displayed a genuine smile.
"Well little Roger I'm glad that you like me, I value faithful friends."
Ryan watched as the puppy stilled, face upturned, watching intently for her next words.
Lizzy curled her fingers around the pup's ear and Ryan got the distinct impression that for her and Roger he was no longer in the room. Her movements were tender, her voice soft and loving, the accent different from the one she'd used all day. Dark hair falling in waves and framing her face she lost the hard edge he associated with her and instead began to look like a lost child. Her dark eyes were sad when she continued.
"You already trust me don't you little man? It doesn’t matter who I am, what I've done or why I'm here. You just throw your little body in my arms and trust me with your life. Unconditional love."
Something in her last two words reverberated in Ryan, she longed for love like she'd never been given it. It was crazy but he wanted to give it to her, reaching across the table he touched her hand.
She pulled back, breaking the spell and gently placed Roger on the floor.
Julie could have kicked herself, in the last few hours she'd broken about every self-preservation rule she'd ever followed. Leon and Logan would be horrified at her behavior! It was the proximity to Ryan that was causing her carelessness. Her foolish little heart leapt at his touch but her mind knew that falling in love would kill her. Ryan was a man she could easily fall for, but he had too many questions.
Only one real option remained, putting as much distance between her and Ryan as was humanly possible for the remainder of her time in New Orleans. Taking one last look at Ryan she stood. It was better to leave now when it only hurt a little.
"I should get going now, thank you for dinner it was really good. I'll see myself out."
