“Because it saves tons on our insurance, why do you think?”
Lucy tugged on Axel’s sleeve. “We should probably be getting back anyway, don’t you think?”
He nodded. “Yes. We probably should. But I want you to know that I truly hate to go.” He turned his whole body to stare into her luscious green eyes, trying to think of the right words to tell her how much he liked her and wanted to see her again.
A bit of bad boy attitude popped into his head. He wondered what would happen if hedidn’ttake her back to the airship. What if they got “lost” on the way back to the truck stop? What if he took her to all of his favorite places on Earth? What would the prestigious Duvall family do, fire her? That would be fine with him. Then she could stay here on Earth. He’d help her get a better job where she didn’t have to bow and scrape to rich people.
“I don’t want to leave either.” Her voice trembled with emotion. They stared at each other until Cam said, “You twoaregonna go back to the way station, right?”
“I suppose,” Axel said.
His brother cleared his throat. “Don’t make me come back out here and insist on providing an escort.”
“No worries. We’ll be right behind you.” He wanted to add,as if.
Cam retreated around the hill. Axel didn’t move until he heard an engine start up and a vehicle drive away. He took Lucy into his arms, kissing her gently.
When the kiss ended, she said, “I’ve memorized everything about this date. The tall trees, the clear water, the rock steps down into the pool, also the lovely smells and sounds of this perfect hidden space. But most of all I memorized you. I loved being with you today. And I want you to know that I especially loved all the kissing.”
“Me, too. I can’t wait until we are together again. When will that be, by the way?”
She didn’t answer. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again. As their lovely knee-weakening kiss took place, Axel took his own assessment of the area around him.
The birds chirped. The trees rustled in a gust of wind. The scent of wildflowers with a hint of skunk weed fought for attention on the breeze around and above them. The sound of a lone cicada meant dusk was coming, though not for a while. He was mindful that they needed to get back. Cam had been dispatched to ensure their immediate return. Her employers were looking for her and he didn’t want her to get into trouble, not really.
Axel almost made a pitch for her to quit her job and move to Earth, but didn’t want to spoil their lovely time with anything but kisses and the amazing quiet atmosphere here at the Hidden Hope Springs where he hoped they would come again very soon.
No matter what happened between them, Axel would never forget this day. He dearly looked forward to the next time they’d be together. He released her and the lovely kiss, which took an amazing amount of perseverance on his part.
They gathered up the blanket and the bundle of wet towels. Slowly, hand-in-hand, they walked back to his truck.
Once they were both seated, seat belts in place, he turned to her and said, “I want you to know that I have no regrets about bending the rules to come out here with you.”
Her face turned a lovely shade of rose. “Neither do I.”
Her statement was accompanied by a wide grin. He couldn’t help himself. He leaned over, straining against the tug of his seat belt to kiss her again.
After another long minute of lip-licking passion, he retreated back to his seat and put the truck in gear. Axel drove away from their idyllic swimming hole. He glanced at the dashboard clock, noted the time and mashed his foot down on the gas, making the trip back to the highway rather bumpy.
Lucy didn’t seem to mind. She reached up and held the grab handle, fingers tightening sporadically with each pothole he couldn’t avoid as they bounced their way toward the blacktop.
He didn’t know what to say on the return trip, so he remained quiet. Lucy seemed content to just look out the window and stare at the trees. When he got back to the truck stop, he parked in the same spot. He got out and walked around to help her out of the vehicle. She wrapped one arm around his neck and pulled him in for a final luscious kiss before he shut her door. He linked his fingers with hers, squeezing a couple of times, and enjoyed the softness of her hand.
They walked toward the door leading into the basement facility. Before they reached it, the door popped open, and a familiar figure filled the frame.
Director Patmore. Crap.
Lucy almost swallowed her tongue when she saw Director Patmore waiting at the door like she was some errant passenger late for a port of call deadline. She wasn’t late. But it was also true she shouldn’t have been out and about with Axel on Earth without special permission.
She wasn’t the least bit sorry. It was oddly exhilarating, being escorted back, knowing trouble likely awaited her. Even so, any forthcoming punishment had been worth the wonderful experience by the pool, and all that kissing with Axel.
Obviously, someone in her family—likely her mother—had been surprised when the purchases from the convenience store showed up without her. She hoped her family would think she was exploring the way station, but should have realized they knew her better than that. It wasn’t something she would typically do.
“Mr. Grey,” the director said, a thick layer of disdain in his tone.
“Director Patmore,” Axel said with a wide grin as if laughing at the man’s contempt.
