Jules was confused. He'd kissed her! And she liked it. He'd broken through her defenses. That pretty little speech from a few weeks back was simply a defense mechanism. She'd hoped to keep him from encroaching on her space and her heart, but apparently it didn't work. He didn't listen. He felt like kissing her in front of the Royal York, and he had done so. Now what was she supposed to do? He'd accomplished one thing: she'd forgotten all about the day's fiasco of a security detail where she'd lost sight of the primary she was guarding.
She stared up at him, slightly confused and out of breath. "Sam, what are you thinking? I said I wanted to go home. Why'd you do that?"
"Because I wanted to. Because you needed it. Because we've been denying ourselves for so long. Take your pick," he responded.
She grabbed his arm and headed for the large black SUV that the Team drove. "Let's get out of here before someone comes out and sees us. I'll go with you to take the truck back to headquarters. Then we'll talk. I still need to walk."
Her plan made sense to Sam. It was what he wanted: more time with Jules tonight. Even if it was only a short ride back to headquarters to return the truck. Her Jeep was there as was his bike. She was so prickly where he was concerned. But the more she protested, the more he got the feeling she was protesting to herself as much as to him. He liked that idea.
Back at the Barn, they retreated to their respective changing rooms. Debrief would happen at the beginning of their next shift. It had been a long day. Ed was off to date night with his wife. Greg would be finalizing his report, and who knew what the others were doing. Sam was in his locker room hoping that Jules would not let the evening end here. Meanwhile Jules was trying to decide how she wanted the rest of the evening to go. She SHOULD insist that Sam go home-by himself. She should not spend any more time with him. But that kiss... She smiled softly to herself. It was everything she'd hoped a kiss from Sam could be. Demanding yet sensitive. He certainly knew how to kiss. Her lips still sizzled at the memory. If she were brutally honest with herself, she'd admit that she wanted more kisses from Sam.
They had often spent time together after a hot call decompressing, sometimes at The Goose with the Team and other times alone. She recalled one such evening spent sitting in the back of her Jeep over hot coffee laughing about Sam's ability-or rather his inability-at swimming. At such times, they'd shared a few details about their previous lives and had gotten to know each other fairly well. They were good friends. She almost didn't want to complete the thought that good friends quite often make good lovers.
As she shed her suit for more comfy clothes, she considered her options. Knowing what she should do and what she wanted to do gave her a lot to ponder. Should she insist they remain friends, or would she allow herself to move forward with the relationship? She knew what Sam wanted. His kiss tonight had shown her that.
Still undecided, she exited the dressing room and found Sam waiting for her. His pose was casual, but his face told a different story. He was worried that she'd blow him off. He took one look at her and knew what she'd decided even if she didn't.
"It's not what I want, but let's go home." He paused, "Let's go to our respective homes and think about this. I know you, Jules. You don't want to rush into anything, and I don't want to rush you either."
She let out the breath she was holding, not even realizing how much he could read from her face. He was right. She wasn't ready to move anything forward tonight. "Sounds like a plan. Shall we talk about this more tomorrow after shift?"
A startled Sam looked at her carefully. Jules was making the suggestion that they meet up after work? "Yeah," he smiled and spoke softly, "that'll work for me." Outwardly he was as calm as he could be, but inwardly he was rejoicing. Jules had suggested they meet again! It hadn't been his idea. Progress!
When they arrived at the car park, Jules looked at his bike and the dark night and made a suggestion, "Would you like to throw that bike into the back of the Jeep and let me give you a lift home?"
Uh, yeah, he thought. Too bad I don't live a long way from headquarters.