Chapter 18

Trying to stifle a sigh at that mental image, Mac asked, "So you're dressed now?"

"No," AJ admitted with a sigh, "I was reaching for my towel when I dropped the phone."

"Oh," was all she could manage to say as she pictured him standing there talking to her in the nude.

His voice interrupted her erotic thoughts, "So, now that I've embarrassed myself for the day, I suppose I should tell you that I haven't talked to Sturgis yet."

With a grin Mac asked, "Would it help your embarrassment any to know that I've talked to you in the nude before?"

"What? I can assure you that has not happened! I don't run around in the nude and know that we've never talked like this before!" he insisted.

This time she couldn't hold back a chuckle at his outraged tone, "I'm sorry Sir, that wasn't what I meant at all. What I was trying to say was that it seems you have a knack for catching me in the nude whenever you have to call me at home. I'd just never mentioned it before now."

"Then heaven help the day when video phones become the norm! We could end up having charges brought against us just for answering the phone."

"I'm sure they would have a 'picture off' feature, but knowing my luck, I'd forget to turn it off!"

"Not that I'm sure it wouldn't be a lovely sight, I'm just not sure it's one that would be worth time in Leavenworth."

'Did he just say it would be lovely to see me naked?!' her lovesick side wanted to know. Before she would allow her thoughts to run away with her, Mac asked, "Well, since we've managed to exhaust that subject, could you let me know as soon as you do talk to Sturgis?"

"Hold on a moment Mac, my house phone is ringing. It might be him now."

"Alright," she answered.

Picking up the phone next to the bed, AJ wondered what had possessed him to tell Mac he was naked. He could have made up any excuse for dropping the phone or given no reason at all, and then for her to have told him he'd caught her that was with some of his calls, had thoroughly distracted him. It brought back memories of the attraction he'd felt for her the night he'd introduced Francesca to the staff. He and Mac had been here in this very room, and he'd almost kissed her.

Realizing what he'd been about to do, he'd managed to stop in time, but he'd always wondered at her reaction. She hadn't backed away. She hadn't pushed him away. She hadn't run screaming into the other room. No, instead she had leaned into him, and her lips had parted invitingly. It was almost as if she had wanted him to kiss her. Maybe she had felt something too? He really couldn't have been that far off base…could he?

"Hello? Sir? Are you there?" Sturgis' voice intruded on his thoughts.

"Oh, yes Sturgis. I am. Sorry about that. I have Mac on the other line in fact and we were wondering what plans had been made?"

"I'm taking the Burnett's to see Harm this morning and Mrs. Burnett asked if everyone might get together for lunch somewhere. After that she wanted to go by Harm's apartment and have everyone choose something they'd like to have to remember him by. She is planning to donate most of his clothes and furniture to charity and only take back a few personal items to California with them."

"That sounds like you have things well in hand. Any thoughts on where to go for lunch?"

"I think everyone likes Callisto's so I called and asked them for their private dining room. Can you and Mac be there at noon?"

"I can, let me ask Mac." Once he had done that, AJ reported, "We'll be there Sturgis."

"Good, I'll see both of you then."

AJ hung up the phone and turned back to his cell where Mac was waiting for him. His thoughts raced back to what he had been thinking before he spoke with Sturgis, but he knew that he would probably never have the answers to those questions, and that was probably for the best.

To be continued…..