Page 94 of Sleigh Bells and Snowstorms
My gasp wasn’t feigned. “Oh, Julian. This is incredible.”
“Isn’t it?”
“Where did you get it?”
“The UK. It took quite a bit of work to get my hands on it.”
“I’ve never seen anything like it. I love the red and green. It’s very Christmassy.”
“Oh.” He furrowed his brow like that had never occurred to him. “I suppose it is.”
If I’d been on a real date with him, I would have used that to ask about his lack of Christmas decorations. But I didn’t really care. Maybe he wasn’t planning to spend Christmas in Tilikum, so he hadn’t bothered to decorate. Or maybe he didn’t celebrate Christmas. None of it mattered to me.
And since he’d asked zero questions about me or my life, he didn’t know I was on strike. Therefore, needing to work in the morning was a valid excuse to leave.
“I almost hate to say this, but I should get home. I have to work early tomorrow.”
“Are you sure I can’t persuade you to have another glass of wine? Maybe a cocktail?”
“Tempting, but maybe another time.”
He hesitated, and I got the distinct impression he was sizing me up—deciding whether he was going to push harder for meto stay. A ripple of tension tightened my shoulders. I hoped he wouldn’t make it difficult to leave.
“Let her go, you prick,” Jensen whispered.
“Understandable,” he said, finally. “This was great. I hope we can do it again.”
I smiled. Not likely, Mr. Jewelry Thief.
To make it clear I wasn’t playing some sort of game and trying to get him to coax me into staying longer, I rose from my chair and went directly to the foyer. Without waiting for him to get my coat, I opened the closet door and took it off the hanger myself. He stepped in to help me slip it on, and I did my best not to shudder.
Something about him made my skin crawl. Maybe because the dinner conversation reminded me of my ex. He’d been excellent at talking about himself, too.
Julian walked me to the door, and when he stepped in for a kiss, I turned my cheek.No mouth kisses, thank you very much.Jensen seemed to be able to hear what had just happened. He growled in my ear again.
“Thanks again for dinner,” I said.
“Anytime. I’m looking forward to showing you more cuisines.”
I’m sure you are.
“I’ll call you,” he said.
“Sounds good. Have a nice evening.”
I walked outside, and my shoulders loosened as soon as I heard the large door close behind me.
“I’m out. Going to my car.”
“You were fucking magnificent.”
“Thanks.” I opened my car door, my heart racing again. I wanted past that gate. “Do you think he’s really going to let me go?”
“Seems so.”
“What if it’s a ruse? What if he knows why I was here?”
“I think you fooled him.”
