Page 104 of Sweet Somethings

"True. So are you happy now that you got them together?"

"I am. But—"

"Another but?"

"I could be happier if you danced with me again."

"You've got it."

* * *

"I don't want this night to end," Juliette said as she walked out to her car with Roman. Most people had left the dance already. It was almost midnight, but she'd been reluctant to call it a night until the band had packed up their instruments and they'd been forced out of the hall.

Roman smiled at her. "Does it have to end? Just because the dance is over doesn't mean we have to go home." His finger ran down the side of her face. "We could take a walk, get coffee somewhere, go back to one of our places…"

She was tempted to say yes to any and all suggestions, but there was a logical part of her brain that was screaming caution. "It's too cold to walk, no place still open to get coffee, and I have to go to work in like four hours."

"Timing is everything," he drawled. "I'll say good night then."

She put her arms around his neck and pulled his head down for a kiss. His lips were hot in the cold night air, and her head spun from the rush of desire she felt for him. Kissing Roman was like quicksand. Every touch of his mouth took her deeper. She was never going to get out, but then again, she didn't really want to, not as long as he stayed with her.

But he wouldn't be with her…not forever.

The thought gave her strength to push him away.

He stared down at her with a serious gleam in his glittering eyes. "Juliette, we have a few hours until morning."

Her nerves tingled at the promise in his eyes. "I—I can't," she said. "It's not that I don't want to, Roman. But my work is so busy and your life is up in the air."

"I know," he said, a husky note in his voice. "I should get to bed, too. I want to get a good workout in tomorrow before my fitness tests on Monday."

"Fitness tests? I thought it was a physical."

"It's both. I'm flying to South Carolina, to the base at Parris Island, tomorrow night. The tests will start around ten in the morning on Monday. I'll be done by three and be back here around ten o'clock Monday night."

"I didn't realize you had to go somewhere else for the tests. What do they make you do?"

"Everything from running to pull-ups, agility and dexterity tests, rifle skills. The list goes on."

"Do you feel ready?"

"For everything but the results," he said soberly.

"I'm sure you'll do great. Will you let me know how it goes?"

"Yes, but I won't know anything official Monday. It will probably take a few days."

"Maybe you'll have a better idea, though."

"Maybe."

The mood had definitely changed with the turn in their conversation.

She took her keys out of her bag. "If I don't talk to you before Monday, good luck. I really do mean that." Her voice caught a little as a wave of emotions ran through her. "I want you to have everything you want."

"I know," he said, meeting her gaze. "I want the same for you."

She wished what they both wanted was the same thing, but it didn't appear that it was. She gave him a watery smile. "I'll talk to you later."

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