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Authors: Serena Yates
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money. She was, and still is, a very bright
scientist. I’ve always been happy to help and support her
because good glaciologists are very rare and we need to stick
together as much as we can. But our relationship was never
anything other than professional.”
“It looks to me like she may have missed that memo.”
Lance was sure the woman wanted more from Magnus than
a professional relationship. “Just look at the way she kept
peppering you with questions during dinner, not giving you
an opportunity to talk to anyone else. Not even your
parents.”
“But surely that was because she enjoyed talking to an
old mentor.” Magnus looked thoughtful, clearly trying to
figure it out. “And I must admit that I enjoyed talking to her
The Solstice Mistletoe Effect | Serena Yates
63
too. Grand Teton National Park is not all that advanced in
terms of the science they do. And I miss some of the more
theoretical aspects of my previous jobs.”
Lance had been afraid of that. His current job wasn’t
challenging enough for Magnus. Sooner or later, he’d want to
go back to his old life, and it looked like Sigrid might be the
one who’d make it possible for him. After all, she was still
working at Stockholm University, and from what Lance had
understood, she’d been asked to organize the university’s
next polar expedition. They could probably use someone with
Magnus’s level of experience. What a neat cover for the
woman to sneak into Magnus’s life! From what Lance had
seen last night, she definitely had Mr. Carstens’s support,
and Mrs. Carstens might not be far behind.
“So you don’t think the level of interest she showed was
a bit over the top for ‘an old mentor’?” Lance had to try and
get through to Magnus. God knew what Sigrid would do if
she thought Magnus was open to her advances.
“Not really, no.” Magnus cocked his head. “She’s always
been a bit intense. She even tried to get personal a few times.
But I ignored her, and while I never advertised that I’m gay, I
never hid it either. She’s not stupid, so I’m sure she got the
message that anything she tries with me won’t lead
anywhere.”
Lance was floored. How could Magnus think that
ignoring that woman was enough to make her understand,
never mind give up? Magnus was sure she’d gotten the
message? How was Lance supposed to fight his own lover’s
insensitivity to the woman’s wiliness?
The Solstice Mistletoe Effect | Serena Yates
64
LANCE was still mad at himself the next morning. He hadn’t
been able to make Magnus understand why Sigrid might be
a threat to their relationship. His lover had reassured Lance
again and again that he loved only him. Magnus had come
right out and said that assuming that Sigrid had “designs”
on him was not logical and lacked evidence. And since it was
correct that Lance didn’t have anything other than his own
feelings and impressions, they hadn’t gotten anywhere with
their discussion.
Lance hadn’t been ready to talk about his fear that
Magnus might get bored with his new life. But looking back
at it now, he wasn’t sure that bringing it up would have
changed anything. Magnus had been his infuriatingly logical
self, and Lance had failed to reach him.
When Magnus had finally started to seduce him, he’d
been too tempted and needy to resist. Making love had been
a very effective way to distract him from further discussions.
He’d needed the physical contact so much that he wasn’t
willing to give it up in favor of a discussion, no matter how
important it might be.
“Come on, we need to get going.” Magnus stood at the
front door, looking like a model from a glossy fashion
magazine in his linen suit. “Our taxi is here, and the dean
doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
“All right, just give me a minute.” Lance wanted to say a
proper goodbye to Jakob, who was going to stay with his
grandparents while Lance and Magnus visited
scientist. I’ve always been happy to help and support her
because good glaciologists are very rare and we need to stick
together as much as we can. But our relationship was never
anything other than professional.”
“It looks to me like she may have missed that memo.”
Lance was sure the woman wanted more from Magnus than
a professional relationship. “Just look at the way she kept
peppering you with questions during dinner, not giving you
an opportunity to talk to anyone else. Not even your
parents.”
“But surely that was because she enjoyed talking to an
old mentor.” Magnus looked thoughtful, clearly trying to
figure it out. “And I must admit that I enjoyed talking to her
The Solstice Mistletoe Effect | Serena Yates
63
too. Grand Teton National Park is not all that advanced in
terms of the science they do. And I miss some of the more
theoretical aspects of my previous jobs.”
Lance had been afraid of that. His current job wasn’t
challenging enough for Magnus. Sooner or later, he’d want to
go back to his old life, and it looked like Sigrid might be the
one who’d make it possible for him. After all, she was still
working at Stockholm University, and from what Lance had
understood, she’d been asked to organize the university’s
next polar expedition. They could probably use someone with
Magnus’s level of experience. What a neat cover for the
woman to sneak into Magnus’s life! From what Lance had
seen last night, she definitely had Mr. Carstens’s support,
and Mrs. Carstens might not be far behind.
“So you don’t think the level of interest she showed was
a bit over the top for ‘an old mentor’?” Lance had to try and
get through to Magnus. God knew what Sigrid would do if
she thought Magnus was open to her advances.
“Not really, no.” Magnus cocked his head. “She’s always
been a bit intense. She even tried to get personal a few times.
But I ignored her, and while I never advertised that I’m gay, I
never hid it either. She’s not stupid, so I’m sure she got the
message that anything she tries with me won’t lead
anywhere.”
Lance was floored. How could Magnus think that
ignoring that woman was enough to make her understand,
never mind give up? Magnus was sure she’d gotten the
message? How was Lance supposed to fight his own lover’s
insensitivity to the woman’s wiliness?
The Solstice Mistletoe Effect | Serena Yates
64
LANCE was still mad at himself the next morning. He hadn’t
been able to make Magnus understand why Sigrid might be
a threat to their relationship. His lover had reassured Lance
again and again that he loved only him. Magnus had come
right out and said that assuming that Sigrid had “designs”
on him was not logical and lacked evidence. And since it was
correct that Lance didn’t have anything other than his own
feelings and impressions, they hadn’t gotten anywhere with
their discussion.
Lance hadn’t been ready to talk about his fear that
Magnus might get bored with his new life. But looking back
at it now, he wasn’t sure that bringing it up would have
changed anything. Magnus had been his infuriatingly logical
self, and Lance had failed to reach him.
When Magnus had finally started to seduce him, he’d
been too tempted and needy to resist. Making love had been
a very effective way to distract him from further discussions.
He’d needed the physical contact so much that he wasn’t
willing to give it up in favor of a discussion, no matter how
important it might be.
“Come on, we need to get going.” Magnus stood at the
front door, looking like a model from a glossy fashion
magazine in his linen suit. “Our taxi is here, and the dean
doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
“All right, just give me a minute.” Lance wanted to say a
proper goodbye to Jakob, who was going to stay with his
grandparents while Lance and Magnus visited
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