Page 132 of Between the Lines

“We have the rules,” he agrees. “We’re also both adults. You can tell me what you need, Chaos. Anytime.”

“Even if it’ll make you upset,” I say, smiling a little. “You know what? I really like the car now.”

A smile curves on his lips. “Good. I like you driving it.”

“I really like living here, too. More than I thought I would.”

“There’s more comfort than you’re used to on your trips,” he says. “I just finished listening to the audiobook of your memoir on the Alaskan dog musher. The one who nearly got you killed.”

“A blizzard hit! We had to take shelter.”

“You spent a night in freezing temperatures, huddled under a tarp.” His voice is low. “None of that was safe.”

“Only until the storm passed. It was an adventure.” I lean forward. “It was afantasticadventure.”

“Mm-hmm. And you like adventures.”

“I do. Why do you insist on listening to all of my books?”

“Why wouldn’t I? I’m doing research.”

I look at him skeptically. “Research on me? I’m here. You can just ask me things.”

“Right. Because you’re always so forthcoming.”

“I promised you I would be. Weeks ago, and you promised me the same thing.”

“Do you feel like I’ve lived up to my side of the bargain?” he asks.

I look at him. This man, who was a mystery to me. Who still is, in so many ways, but one that is slowly unraveling in front of me like a spool of yarn. Inch by inch, and surprise after surprise.

He’s so much more than I thought he was. So much more than the story I expected to tell. I just had to learn how to read between the lines.

“Yes. I’m getting to know you more and more.”

“I’ll take you to where I grew up. The family house,” he says. “We can go later in the week.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

I stroke my thumb along his jaw. “Thank you. And... me? Do you feel like I’ve kept my part of the deal?”

His mouth widens into a wry smile. “Mostly, sweetheart. But there are still plenty of questions left. Things about your past I don’t know.”

“You know most of it. You’re reading every single one of the assignments I’ve done over the past few years.”

“Those are professional dealings. They don’t tell me what you felt. What your hopes and dreams have been.” He lifts both of his eyebrows. “You won’t tell me why you won’t let me go down on you.”

I roll my eyes. “That’s what you’re stuck on?”

“I feel like there’s something I’m missing there.”

“You’re such a man.”

His hands tighten on my waist. “Yes. Maybe. But tell me, and then you can ask me a sexual question. About anything, and I’ll answer.”

“Anything at all?”

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