The revelation startled him. He considered. “Guess we have our own mutual admiration society.”
She rested her hand on his arm, sending his pulse racing. “You could say that. But it was always more. Much more, much deeper. With you I felt I could truly be myself. You made me come alive again, Jace.”
He’d always been a guy guided by instinct. Instinct kept him alive in the Army. He’d honed instinct on the whetstone of adrenaline and danger until it became a razor-sharp weapon that saved his sorry ass more than once.
Ironic how he used instinct to survive on the job, but in relationships, he never did. Maybe if he’d learned to listen to his gut, they’d have survived as well. Maybe if he’d told her back then how he’d felt, his pride in her, instead of yammering about all the charity work as a way of lashing out because she’d lectured him about motorcycles, they could have worked things out instead of parting in anger and grief.
Instinct urged him to act now. Jace unbuckled his seat belt and leaned forward, cupping her face in his hands.
Kara tilted her head up and closed her eyes. Oh, yeah.
The kiss was slow, a test, a sampling of feelings and wants. Her mouth, heaven. Her lips soft, warm and promising. Memories flooded back, the long kisses they’d shared, taking their time, never worrying about hurrying into bed to get to the final act. Never had he enjoyed kissing a woman as much as Kara because they connected on a deeper level.
Taking their time...
Jace broke off the kiss. “Much as I enjoy this, Kara, we have to get going if we’re going to make it to your uncle’s house by dark.”
She touched his face and his blood surged, his heart skipping a happy beat. Damn, she still did it to him.
“Long as we’re here, can I use the restroom and maybe you can grab us that coffee you promised?”
He grinned. “Cream, two artificial sweeteners.”
Kara dropped a kiss on his cheek. “Thanks. For this, for everything.”
Jace escorted her inside and went to the counter, ordering two coffees. When she emerged, he handed her one cup.
“Want anything else? Maybe some more breakfast?” He winked at her.
“Are you trying to fatten me up with junk food?”
“Maybe I’m thinking of those Sunday mornings when we’d lie in bed, and I’d serve you breakfast. Although not as greasy.”
She laughed.
They drank their coffee while Jace drove northward, fast enough to make good time, but not get pulled over.
For the next few hours, they talked. Caught up. Kara stuck to work discussions and movies and lighter topics.
Jace told her about a few cases with the FBI he had helped solve, cases that filled him with pride. Felt like he was getting to know her all over again, telling her about his current life.
“Why the FBI, Jace? It’s a noble move, considering you were on the fast track to making money.” Kara sighed and set her cup in the holder. “Not that making money is all that great. There’s more to life.”
“You have a successful business.”
“Yet it feels stifling at times. Superficial. But I didn’t know what else I could do, and couldn’t disappoint my parents, so I took over the business.”
“What do you want? Only you can discover your heart’s desire.”
“Do you know, no guy has ever asked me that?”
Kara stared out the window. “The social work I’ve done, the charities, it isn’t the committee work and being recognized, Jace. I like helping people and I enjoy working with kids who are adrift in life and need guidance. Direction. Giving Dylan a job, I saw him blossom. His stepfather stripped away from him every iota of self, and with the job Dylan felt more confident and empowered. I felt like I accomplished more with him than I ever did in selling estate items.”
He nodded. “So what do you want to do with your life, babe?”
“I’m good at what I do. I’m good at selling and buying and analyzing the value of items. I’d like to channel that into opportunities for others, especially teenagers with low self-esteem who need to be reminded of their own value. At-risk kids like Dylan.”
Admiration filled him. Then he pointed to a fast-food sign.
“Need a break?”
Making a face, she nodded. “Not that I’m fond of grease, but it’s faster.”
The restaurant was crowded when they went inside. Jace used his mobile app and grabbed their order. Kara stared longingly at an empty booth.
“Do we have time? For just a few minutes? I’d love a change of scenery from the car.”
“Sure.”
They ate lunch, Jace checking the window once in a while, while discussing the merits of mobile apps and ordering ahead versus chancing it in person.
“One time when I was in the Army on leave at a restaurant, the service was so slow by the time the waitress arrived to take my order, my leave was up.”
“Oh, that’s terrible. See? Always order ahead.”
They laughed as Jace helped her clean up the table and pitch their trash into a bin. But the laughter died as she stared out the window. Her hand trembled as she pointed.
“Jace...”
