Page 44 of Outback Hearts

Amelia nodded, her heart pounding.

Jake led her through the crowd, out the side door, onto the quiet verandah away from the main party. The night air was cool, stars brilliant overhead, the noise from inside muffled.

They stood facing each other in the dim light, both breathing fast, the tension finally too much to ignore.

‘This is crazy,’ Jake said. ‘Three weeks of wanting you, watching you, teaching you, and trying to pretend there’s nothing between us. I can’t do it anymore, Amelia. Even if we have to wait to actually be together, I need you to know—’

‘I know,’ Amelia said. ‘I feel the same way.’

‘Let me say it,’ Jake insisted. ‘I need to tell you. I’m falling for you. Have been since that first day when you climbed into that building without hesitation and looked at the structure like it was a puzzle you wanted to solve. Every day since, it’s gotten stronger. The way you learn, the way you lead, the way you see the world—you’re remarkable, Amelia. And I know we have to wait, I know we need to be professional until the project’s done, but I needed you to know. Tonight. Before I lose my nerve.’

Amelia felt happy tears threatening. ‘Jake—’

‘You don’t have to say anything back,’ Jake said quickly. ‘No pressure. I just needed you to know.’

‘Listen to me, Jake,’ Amelia said, stepping close. ‘I’m trying to tell you I feel the same way. More than the same way. I think I started falling for you when you caught me on the scaffold that first week. Or maybe even when you praised my work that first day. Or possibly when you looked at me like I was capable of things I didn’t think I could do. You give me confidence, Jake. You make me believe I can do anything. Be anything.’

They stood inches apart, breathing fast, the air between them electric.

‘We’re still waiting,’ Jake said, but his voice was uncertain now, his resolve clearly weakening.

But neither of them moved away.

‘One kiss,’ Amelia whispered. ‘Just one.’

‘That’s a terrible idea,’ Jake said.

‘Probably.’

‘One kiss will make everything harder.’

‘I know.’

Jake made a sound somewhere between a laugh and a groan. For a long moment, they looked at each other, the tension unbearable. Then his hand came up, cupping her cheek gently.

‘One kiss,’ he said. ‘To seal the promise. When the project’s done and dusted, we do this for real.’

‘One kiss,’ Amelia agreed, her voice barely audible.

Jake leaned in slowly, giving her time to pull away. Amelia didn’t pull away. She rose on her toes, meeting him halfway.

Their lips met softly at first, tentative, testing. Then Jake’s other hand slid into her hair, Amelia’s hands gripped his shirt, and the kiss deepened into something real and honest and breathtaking.

It was everything Amelia had imagined and more—Jake tasted like whisky and want, his mouth moving against hers with barely controlled intensity. One kiss became two, became three, became a conversation without words about everything they were feeling and everything they wanted.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Jake rested his forehead against hers.

‘That was supposed to make waiting easier,’ he said, sounding dazed.

‘Did it?’ Amelia asked.

‘God, no. That made it infinitely harder.’

Amelia laughed breathlessly. ‘Good. Serves you right for being so noble about professional boundaries.’

‘You’re enjoying this,’ Jake accused, but he was smiling.

‘Maybe a little.’