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“You didn’t make me do anything.”
“Actually, I kinda did. I said I would just take your Jeep and go to the mangroves without you if you didn’t want to come.”
I chuckled. “I already added stubborn to the smart and sexy list.”
He chewed on the inside of his lip for a few moments. “Thank you for bringing me out here,” he said, meeting my gaze once more. “I know I cut into your time off, and having to babysit me mustn’t have been your idea of fun.”
“Are you kidding? I’ve had the best time! You’re forgettin’ that this is what I do. I’d be here regardless, if you were with me or not. Storm chaser, remember? And the company’s been great. I’ve really enjoyed having you here. Plus, the sex has been amazing.”
He blushed again and played with his fingers. “I just want you to know I’m grateful, that’s all.”
“You’re welcome. Maybe next time you come out here, one of us will remember condoms so we settle that ‘who’s a top’ argument once and for all.”
He laughed then. “I’ll try to remember.”
“I won’t forget, believe me.”
He scooted off the bed, collected the bowls, and took them to the sink. “Thank you again for dinner.”
I watched him as he began to wash up, then I walked over and leaned against the counter. “So, about tomorrow.”
“What about it?”
“We should pack up tonight, so in the morning we’ll have breakfast, load up the Jeep and we can go.”
He nodded solemnly. “Sounds good.”
I took the tea towel and began to dry. “So, where are you staying in Darwin?”
He glanced at me, confused. “I’m not.”
“Oh, it’s just that given we’re leaving here two days early,” I said. “I wondered if you had somewhere to stay. When’s your flight?”
He baulked. “Oh. I hadn’t thought of that.” He shook his head, mad at himself. “I’ll see if the airline can amend my booking. I’m sure I have a flexible ticket.” He grimaced. “I hope it is, at least.”
“You can stay with me,” I offered, aiming for casual, feeling anything but. “I’m still off work so I’m not expected to be anywhere. I can play tour guide in Darwin instead of here, if you want. My place is big enough. I have a spare room if you’re sick of sharing with me, and—” I waggled my eyebrows at him. “I have a decent supply of condoms and lube.”
His whole face went red, not even the tops of his ears were safe. He stared at the bubbles in the sink. “Oh, uh...”
He was considering it, I could tell. He didn’t want to say no, he just wasn’t sure if he should say yes. I had to strike while the iron was hot.
“And we should take your gear to the bureau office in Darwin.”
That made him look at me. “What for?”
“To check the data box and run your laptop, see if it survived the power surge. They’ll have the equipment to download your information. So you know what you’ve got before you get back to Melbourne.” I had no idea if that was what meteorologists in the field did, but it sounded good to me. “I dunno,” I added. “Is that what smart and sexy science guys do?”
He fought a smile. “Are you asking me to stay with you until my scheduled flight?”
He was absolutely staying.
“Damn right I am. More storms, more science-y stuff, and more sex. What’s not to like?”
He grinned then. “Okay.”
* * *
Packin’up the Jeep and locking up the bunker felt really final. Like we were leavin’ something behind. Not any physical thing, but maybe a part of myself.
