Lucien had been flirting with his housekeeper again…more successfully than usual. But then, she was more than a housekeeper to him now.
He had maneuvered himself to stand behind her so he could rub her arms like he had done so often before the bus. Before Adelaide.
"I think you should stick to medicine," she said.
"Maybe I should."
He gently turned her shoulders toward him so he could kiss her. BLOODY HELL, he thought as the phone rang just before their lips met.
"I'll get that," said Jean.
"No, no, no. You've got your hands full. I'll, um..."
Lucien was needed at the morgue. He hung up the phone and paused. It seemed he was always stuck between his rock, Jean, and the hard place that was his profession, but more importantly, his duty. Not just to himself or the community but to his father's legacy and to Jean, herself. He straightened his shoulders and walked back to the sunroom. Jean was surprised to see him again so soon.
"Jean, a body was found…"
She nodded. "Yes, I'd assumed."
"There is just one thing I need to do before I go."
He pulled her close and gently kissed her. When her hands moved to his shoulders, he was encouraged enough to deepen the kiss. Reluctantly, he moved his mouth to her forehead.
"I really do need to…"
"I know.
"But we can pick up where we left off when I get home?"
"I'd like that, Lucien."
He smiled and didn't stop smiling even as he entered the morgue.
"Alice! What have we got?"
"My, my! Lunch must have been a special occasion." She said. "You're still wearing some of it." She touched her lips.
Lucien had the grace to look sheepish as he wiped Jean's lipstick off his mouth.