Free JR by HP Page A

after working long hours on involved research projects. He had a reputation for burning the midnight oil when motivated.
    She had often wondered what compelled him. What was he searching for?
    Plenty of women called him at the office hoping to occupy his free time but none of them could distract him from work for long. It didn’t make sense to her. The man had to care for something other than the pursuit of science.
    She noticed a small bathroom including a shower off to the side. In addition to the bed and utilitarian desk, a dorm fridge and a television occupied most of the remaining space. The room should have been cramped. The king-sized bed hogged one whole wall. But, instead, a cozy atmosphere permeated the room.
    Kurt crossed to the bed. The mattress dipped when he settled beside her. The motion forced her to brush against his side as he stroked errant curls off her face. She soaked in the intimacy of the moment even though she knew it contained no romantic significance for him. His renowned expertise as a lover was only exceeded by his reputation for never involving his heart in his affairs.
    “You’re all I could have hoped for.”
    “Thank you, Doctor.” Her pulse hammered until she looked away, afraid he might discern her desperate wish for his words to be personal instead of professional. Suddenly, she sat altogether too close to him. Unsure of how to proceed, she began to fidget. Should she get up and leave? Where were her clothes?
    Sensing her awkward restlessness, he asked, “Would you like to take a shower? I left your things in the bathroom.”
    Rebecca nodded then rose, taking the comforter with her to shield her body from view. When she shut herself inside the compact, tiled restroom, leaning against the door, she wondered what she’d gotten herself into.
    What cost would this experience come at?
    She rushed through a shower then threw on her clothes, driven by the urge to escape any possible emotional pitfalls. As she reentered Kurt’s study, her mind hoped he’d be gone already while her heart yearned for him to be waiting, to provide reassurance their professional relationship remained intact.
    He looked up from his notes, re-dressed in the clothes he’d worn earlier.
    Damn. So much for getting away while he changed. He must have guessed she would bolt but didn’t intend to give her the chance. His muscled body infringed on her personal space when he stood, placed his hand in the small of her back then escorted her into the hallway through yet another door.
    Rebecca thanked every divine presence she could conjure when they avoided the laboratory. She couldn’t stand the reminder of what they’d experienced together while pretending it didn’t affect her outside of the experiment. She assumed he would show her to the door but, as he handed over her purse, she realized he also prepared to leave. How long had she slept?
    “I’m sorry if I kept you later than you intended, Dr. Foster.”
    “Out here it’s Kurt, remember?” Opening the front door, he ushered her onto the sidewalk and locked up the office. A beautiful night, warm and cloudless, allowed a handful of the brightest stars to shine through the haze created by the city lights.

    “Wow, I must have been out for a while.” She spoke to herself yet he heard.
    “I would have stayed with you all night but, I have to confess, I’m craving a nice dinner out.” As if on cue, his stomach rumbled. She couldn’t stifle a giggle as he rubbed a hand over his ripped abdomen.
    Since when did she giggle? Then again, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so relaxed.
    “Have dinner with me. I know you work late after classes but it’s past even your dedicated hours. I should’ve gotten you up earlier but I got into my observations and you appeared to be sleeping well.” Kurt reached out to brush his thumbs under her eyes, tracing the pronounced shadows, more visible after having washed off her concealing makeup.
    Somehow, the