Hard Line - Pamela Clare Page 0,91

few positions open. There were other colleges searching for astronomy instructors, too, though she wanted a research position.

Let the future work itself out.

That was easier said than done when her heart was on the line.

She’d walked what felt like ten miles when she found her gate. She sat, tucked her carry-on beneath her seat, and pulled out her phone to check email.

A shadow fell over her.

“I’m sorry, but you’re not taking this flight.”

At the sound of his voice, she looked up—and Thor was standing right beside her.

For a moment, all she could do was stare, her heart pounding. “Thor?”

“Hey.”

With a squeal, she leaped to her feet, his strong arms enfolding her, his body hard against hers, his scent filling her head.

“Skat.” He drew back and claimed her mouth with his in a kiss that was deep, slow, passionate. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’ve missed you, too.” Then it hit her. “What are you doing here?”

He rested his hands on her hips in a way that was both casual and sexy. “I was just in Indonesia for a job, and I thought that you might want a few weeks of warm weather before you go home to winter in Chicago.”

She stared at him, astonished. “What about my luggage, my flight home?”

“I’ve got your new ticket home. Someone else can take your seat. We’ll just ask them to unload your bags.” He kissed her again, slower this time. “I reserved a room for us at a beach resort—and arranged a visit to the Mount John Observatory.”

She stared at him, her eyes filling with tears. “You did all of that for me?”

“I want some time alone with you, time away from the rest of the world before work separates us again.”

“I would love that.” She sniffed, smiling up at him. “Thank you. This is … incredible.”

“I love you, Samantha.” He wiped her tears away with his thumbs. “I should have told you before I left the station, but it was all so new. I wasn’t even sure what I was feeling. I’ve never felt this way before. I was a dumbass.”

Joy washed through Samantha, bright and iridescent, giving her heart wings. “I thought you’d never say those words.”

“I’m not sure I would have if I hadn’t met you.”

“Get a room!” someone called in a New Zealand accent.

Laughter.

“Good idea!” Thor called back. “Let’s get out of here.”

They went to the nearest ticket counter and arranged to have her bags unloaded and brought to customs. An hour later, she walked with Thor into the warm sunshine of Christchurch, where a rental car waited for them.

She blinked, squinted. “It’s so green!”

He chuckled. “That’s because you haven’t seen a single growing thing for almost nine months.”

“Longer than that. I left Chicago in February the first time, worked as a winter-over, came home in November, and then left again in February. I’ve been living in winter for two years.” Speaking of winter… “I’m going to need to buy some clothes. All I’ve got with me is cold-weather stuff.”

“We can buy whatever you need.” Thor smiled down at her, his fingers threading through hers. “But I don’t think you’re going to have much use for clothes.”

Anticipation trilled through her at the thought of what was to come. “I’m so happy to see you. I was so surprised when I heard your voice.”

“I thought I told you.” He stopped, turned her to face him, his gaze warm. “We’re not finished. In fact, we’re just getting started.”

Epilogue

August 15

Thor parked his SUV in the parking garage on campus, grabbed his suit jacket, and strode off toward the auditorium. The debriefing from their most recent mission had gone late, putting him behind, the sun low on the horizon. But this was Samantha’s first public lecture at the University of Colorado-Boulder, and he didn’t want to arrive late. He wouldn’t do anything to ruin this special day for her.

Damn, he was proud of her. She’d worked so hard to reach this moment, applying for a research professorship at CU while keeping up with her research and teaching at the University of Chicago. What she had achieved these past nine months—publishing four peer-reviewed journal articles and landing a prestigious full professorship—would have been a major accomplishment for any young scholar. But she’d done it while coping with the loss of her research partner and best friend.

Thor slipped on his jacket, straightened his tie, and took the stairs to the auditorium two at a time, people of all ages drifting toward the doors. He made his