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that mean it was wrong? 
    No, was the answer that came to her in the weightless haze of their afterglow. 
    Her life of searching had finally come to an end.  Regardless of the unusual circumstances, they had found each other. 
    And nothing had ever felt more right.
    Mark pulled her close and kissed her with unbearable tenderness, and Julia ducked her head into the crook of his shoulder.
    “I’m glad you decided to drop in, today.” She teased, shaky and undone by emotion.
    “Me too.”
    He rested a palm against Julia’s chest, as her pounding heart eased back to a normal beat.
    “I’ve been searching for you.”
    She kissed the top of Mark’s head, silky strands brushing her cheek as her eyes drifted closed.
    “You’ve found me.”

 
    Chapter 5
    Julia woke the next morning pressed against Mark’s side.  It was tempting to feign sleep, to enjoy the feel of his skin next to hers and the strength of his arm around her.  But the warm sunshine was awakening her mind as well.
    Had they just lost themselves to the heat of passion?
    Was it too soon to talk of love the way they had the previous night?
    Would he take it all back, in the harsh light of day?
    Her body stiffened unwilling to believe it.  It was already too late.  Her heart had been his from the moment he had first looked into her eyes.  It felt right.  He felt right, and they felt right.
    Mark put a finger under her chin, turned her face up so his eyes met hers; mirrored Julia’s own thoughts. “I meant every word I said.  Even those I wanted to say, but couldn’t.”
    With a sweet crooked smile he pressed his lips to hers and sealed his promise with a gentle, languid, kiss.
    The cave felt cramped when Mark stood up.  He moved with the supple strength and grace of a jungle cat; taking up so much more space now that he was vertical.  He stretched out his left hand and pulled her close to his side.  She fitted like she’d been made for him, and he for her.  But after sharing so much emotion so openly, they were shy with each other.  Conscious of every breath; every shift and flex of the other’s body.  Yielding to the urge she stroked her fingers through the strands of hair hanging over his forehead.  She traced the laugh lines at the corner of his eye, down his jaw and over the shape of his lips; the lower fuller than the top.  He licked them where her touch had tickled and leaned in for a kiss.  Despite the arousing heat and the feel of his hands splayed across her back, pulling her closer, Julia’s annoyingly practical brain would not relinquish one conspicuous fact.
    He could not stay.
    Mark pulled back when he felt her focus shift.  Puzzled, he looked into her eyes and flinched at the distress he saw there.  She tried to turn from him.  But his large warm hands cupped her face and gently lifted her chin.  There was nowhere to hide.  A single tear welled and spilled down the curve of her cheek.  He caught it on the tip of his thumb and swept it away. 
    “Are you okay?”
    Julia shuddered, a ragged sigh escaping as she tried, yet again, to turn from the man who held her.
    “Please tell me.” He whispered, his own voice nothing more than a raw husk.
    “You have to go back, don’t you?”
    Mark said nothing; allowing his silence to answer what had been more statement than query.  He pressed her head into the crook of his shoulder, resting his cheek on top of her head, as she slid her hands up his back in an attempt to get closer.  He shuddered, hunching his shoulders and tightening his arms to protect the center of them with his body.
    It seemed inevitable, that even Mark’s strength, would not be enough to keep them in each other’s arms.
    The tension of the moment was shattered when Julia’s stomach gurgled, making them both laugh.
    “I could do with some food, too.” He stretched his shoulders before walking over to rummage the pockets of his vest.  After a moment he brandished two energy bars in a triumphant