Before he was aware of her movements, the blade sliced in his direction. He ducked to the side of the trail. The shiny metal sliced through a vine very close to where he’d been standing.
“Stop!” Tino grasped her hand clutching the knife. “Why are you hacking up the vines? They are not in your way.”
She rotated her thin shoulders. “Guess I just felt a need to take out frustrations.” She opened her fingers.
Tino grabbed the knife handle and placed an arm around her. Her body shook from exertion.
“I have never seen someone of your stature so strong and determined.” She must have braided her hair as they walked before she started slashing at the jungle. Her shiny brown braid draped over his arm. The reddish brown color reminded him of his favorite horse as a child. Maybe that was what drew him to her—the fond memories of his childhood full of love and hope. Something he believed he could never capture again. Not without his family.
“I learned early that strength and determination weren’t given to you, you had to develop them and then hang on to them when others tried to knock you down.” The steel in her words drew his gaze to her face.
“You sound as though you went through life alone, but you mentioned parents.” Sadness filled her eyes. He drew her closer, but his gaze remained fixed on her face.
“I have parents. Busy parents who gave me money and things, but they never gave themselves. It was up to me to learn to fight my battles and to depend on myself. If not for the food, clothing, and a place to live, I could’ve been an orphan for all the time I spent with my mother and father.”
“That makes you even stronger.” He leaned down to look under the brim of her hat. “You are a special person, Ezzabella. Do not let anyone ever tell you any different.” He couldn’t stop the path of his lips even if a wild animal or drug trafficker came upon them.
Once he delved past her lips, tasting of nasty DEET and salty sweat, he plunged into her sweet mouth. She opened to him willingly as her arms wrapped around his neck. Their tongues met, explored, and tangled. For all her innocence, her passionate body was ripe for the picking. She trembled in his arms and pushed tighter against him. Her hips moved against his growing desire in the age-old dance of passion.
If they weren’t in a jungle and he wasn’t the wrong man for her, he would have fulfilled her needs. Tino ran his fingers through her hair and held her head in his hands. Gently, he drew back, holding her head away from him when she leaned forward.
“No, pichón, this cannot go any farther. We have different paths to take. I want you to have no regrets. If we were to carry on as we both wish, you would one day look back and be unhappy.” His own desire burned hard and rigid in his pants.
Her fingers played with the hair at the nape of his neck. The delicious feeling of her finger pads skimming across his skin and her body pressed to his ratcheted his desire.
He groaned and drew his body away. “Do you even know what you do to me?”
“I believe you’re giving it away.” She glanced down at the bulge in his pants.
“Mi pichón, how can one so innocent be so wicked?” He liked her playfulness and her directness.
“I am a scientist. I report the facts as I see them.” She smiled and shifted away from him. “And I know for a fact your body likes my body.” She let out a light-hearted joyous laugh. “It has been proven, Darrell Rutley, that I am desirable.”
Jealousy, an emotion he had never experienced before over anything, ignited his gut and tightened his muscles. “Who is Darrell Rutley?” The question popped out before he could stop it. He did not want to learn any more about this woman. He did not want to care about her, her past, or her future.
“A man in grad school I liked. I was too young, too naïve. It was my first puppy-love crush.”
Her eyes lost the light of good humor and dulled. “He said no one would ever love me because I’m too bony and too smart.”
“He was intimidated by you and used words he knew would hurt.” Against his better judgment, Tino raised her face to his. “You, Ezzabella, are very desirable and your body and intelligence has everything to do with it.” He lowered his lips to hers and kissed her not with desire but with the honesty of his words. She had grown on him, in him, around him. In the two short days he’d known her, she had wheedled her way into his senses and it was going to be damn hard to walk away from her once he handed her over to Dr. Martin at the dig.
He withdrew slowly, kissed the tip of her nose, and smiled. “You are going to be hard to forget.” Tino pulled the knife out of the tree he’d sunk the blade in to hold it, took hold of her hand, and led her down the trail. His words echoed in his head as he moved closer and closer to their parting. Common sense told him to let go of her hand, work to get her to the dig, and then disappear from her life. Forever. His lonely self wanted to find a way to stay around the dig to keep an eye on her and spend more time with her. His need to achieve his life goal battled with his desire to experience what Isabella had to offer. His bitter self told him to dump her at the dig and continue to exact his revenge. He could always look her up when it was all over.
Isabella tugged her hand from his. He stopped. The small act of separation gave him a moment of what leaving her would be like. At the news of his family’s deaths, he’d been devastated. He’d clung to his abuela Juanita. Then his grandmother left him, too. In a short time, Isabella had filled the gap his family’s deaths had notched in his soul.
“I need a drink.” Isabella pulled a bag of water from her pack and guzzled. Her eyes met his through the clear plastic. She lowered the water. “Would you like a drink?”
“Where did you get this?” he asked, taking the offering.
“I collected rainwater.”
Her actions didn’t surprise him. Darrell what’s-his-name was right. She was one clever individual. The man had been an idiot to let her intelligence scare him. Though he himself was Venezuelan and preferred his women to think of him as the person who could take care of all their problems, he’d spent enough years in the United States to know a woman was sexy when she could take care of herself.
“That was quick thinking. With the afternoon rains this time of year, you should be able to keep a clean supply of water.” He handed the bag back to her and continued along the trail.
“Are you hungry?” she asked.
“I am fine.” He had learned to go without food for many hours when on a mission.
“I have nutrition bars.”
The words came out as a plea rather than an offering. Was she also grasping at ways to extend their time together? His growing infatuation for her was untimely, and he doubted she felt anything more for him than extracting data. When she had matter-of-factly said that this morning he had wanted to pull her into his arms and show her data. But he also saw the vulnerability in her eyes. She was using the data ploy to keep her distance. She had more or less said he was the first person since being shunned to kiss her. He didn’t want to be used as a way for her to explore her new found passion. Though it could be fun to teach her the ways of seduction… No, he must stay focused on the real reason he was in this part of Guatemala. Garza.
His mission was to find out where and what Paolo Garza’s new route to Mexico was along the Usumacinta River.
“I am fine. The trail is widening, we must be getting closer.” The din of voices and movement in front of them stopped his forward motion. If this wasn’t the trail to the dig, he didn’t want to put Isabella in danger. Cautiously, he parted the plants and peered through. The man he’d followed from the settlement stood beside another taller, more distinguished man, a compound of tents behind them. Their conversation registered in his ears as Isabella shoved past him.
“We made it!” She grasped his hand and led him toward the two men.
Chapter 9
“Isabella, I’m so happy you made it.” Virgil smiled like a doting parent. The realization that this man showed her more affection than her own parents stru
ck her with the same knee-buckling impact as Tino’s kisses. How she’d dreamed of a day when her own father would look at her this way.
After all she’d been through to get here; she wanted to feel the comfort of a parental embrace. She dropped Tino’s hand and hugged the one person who had always believed in her and championed her. His long, lean body was so like hers she’d often dreamed he was her father instead of Theodore Mumphrey. Theodore was tall, broad shouldered, and muscular. He’d played rugby in college and after.
“I can’t believe I’m here and helping you.” She leaned back and stared up into Virgil’s familiar face. His hair, as always, needed a clipping, but he was meticulously shaved, unlike Tino, with scratchy stubble on his face.
“The minute I saw this stone, I knew it was something special and you were the person to help me unwrap its mystery.” Virgil’s gaze traveled from her face past her shoulder. His brow furrowed and his eyes narrowed. “Who is this man? Where is Juan?”
Isabella shot a glance at Tino. His face remained blank, but sparks of anger darkened his narrowed eyes. If she didn’t know better, she’d believe he was jealous. The thought brought a pleasant warmth to her chest even as she berated herself for forming such a strong attachment in so short a time.
She held out her hand, but Tino didn’t take it. Why was he acting so aloof? “Tino Kosta, Dr. Virgil Martin, my mentor and family friend.” Isabella shifted to keep both men in view. “Virgil, Tino Kosta, my guide.”
“What did you do with Juan?” Virgil approached Tino like a lion stalking his prey.
Isabella moved to step between the men, but Tino placed a hand on her arm, drawing her behind him protectively.
“Juan, he had a family emergency, no? He ask me to guide the señorita.”
He responded in a semblance of illiterate native phraseology. Why did he do that around everyone but her? The way he peered at Virgil and didn’t back down contradicted the aloofness of his words.
Tino continued to stare. Virgil motioned for her to come to him. She was torn. Her loyalty to Virgil won out even as her heart cried out to Tino. She didn’t want him to think she took Virgil’s side over his. But Virgil was family, sort of, and Tino a mysterious stranger.
“Why didn’t Juan contact me about the change?” Virgil again motioned for her to join him.
“He did not have time.” Tino’s gaze didn’t leave Virgil’s face.
Isabella stepped toward Virgil. Tino glanced toward her and his jaw muscle twitched.
“As long as Isabella made it safe, that’s all that matters.” Virgil placed an arm around her shoulders. “Doctor Isabella Mumphrey, this is Professor Rupert Walsh, a colleague from Britain who has been instrumental in acquiring permission from the Guatemalan government to allow us to dig.”
She extended her hand to the other man who had witnessed the chest pounding between Virgil and Tino. He was of average build, perhaps in his mid-to-late fifties, judging by the small paunch hanging over his belt and the bald spot she noticed when he removed his hat.
“A pleasure, Dr. Mumphrey. Virgil hasn’t stopped spouting about your knowledge of Mesoamerican history and symbolism.” His soft, flabby hand didn’t grip hers in a firm handshake. His narrow set eyes above a large nose gave him a piggish quality.
“I’m sure he exaggerated. He’s a long time family friend.” Isabella couldn’t shake the unease this man’s touch roused. She dropped her hand and caught Tino studying the man. Why was he so interested in Professor Walsh?
She spun toward Virgil. “I discovered a piece of a stone in a house in the settlement. I’m wondering if it is part of what you found.” She pulled out her journal and flipped to the last pages where she’d meticulously copied the carvings.
Virgil stared at the renderings. His brow furrowed in thought as his finger traced one of the markings. His eyes sparkled when he looked up at her.
“The symbols do have a certain similarity and could well have been done by the same artist.” His voice cracked. “I told you when you were small you would solve any riddle if given the right information. I think we may have found your pieces.”
Her love and adoration for this man filled her heart.
“Do you really think so?”
Virgil took her by the elbow and led her toward the cluster of large and small tents setup in an open area to the side of a small hill. She noticed an opening or doorway into the hill, which had to be the “tell” or mound of dirt covering the Mayan structure being excavated. The largest tent proved to be the artifact tent housing all the extracted treasures of the past. Two medium-sized tents stood end to end with a stove pipe sticking out of one: the cook tent and mess tent. Smaller tents dotted the perimeter of the camp and one with a barrel above it stood off to the side.
“Señor Martin.”
Tino’s voice sent embarrassment scorching through her. She’d become so caught up in her examination of the camp she’d forgotten about him.
“Yes?” Virgil pivoted toward Tino, turning her as well.
“It is getting late, no?” Tino again phrased his words like a local.
“And?”
She heard and felt Virgil’s irritation. Isabella peered into the face of the man she’d admired her whole life. Yes, there it was, a slight tick in his temple. Why did Tino irritate him?
“You would give me permission to spend the night at the camp, sí?” Tino’s gaze didn’t waver from Virgil. His words were soft but his intent stare declared he would take nothing less than an invitation.
Virgil waved his hand. “You may spend the night. Find an empty tent.”
“I will pitch my own, gracias.”
Virgil dismissed Tino, but Isabella continued to watch him. Tino glanced at Walsh’s retreating back, then shot her a wink and a nod.
Why did this man act like two completely different people? It thrilled her he would spend the night at the camp. She wasn’t ready to part ways. He was a puzzle. One she wanted to piece together.
“Isabella.” Virgil’s command yanked her from her thoughts and she followed him.
At the opening of the artifact tent, three young women cautiously used small brushes on pieces of stone sitting on a makeshift table. Their hushed voices reminded her of the university library. More pottery, stones, and bones were layered in a box at the end of the work area.
Virgil stopped. “Annie, Jaycee, and Paula, this is Dr. Mumphrey. She’s here to decipher the markings on the large stone we found and possibly connect some of these pieces.” The women all looked up at Virgil with adoring eyes.
Isabella extended her hand to each of the women. “I’m pleased to meet you and honored Dr. Martin called me in.”
Annie and Paula returned the handshake and bathed her in genuine smiles. Jaycee returned the handshake with a hard squeeze and didn’t keep the glint of jealousy from sparking in her brown eyes. This one was out to claim Virgil. Isabella had witnessed it before at digs. There always seemed to be one undergraduate at a dig who was looking to score with the head archeologist. She’d have to warn Virgil. No doubt he hadn’t a clue.
“We’re all sharing a tent, but there’s enough room if you want to bunk with us,” Annie offered.
“Dr. Mumphrey will be staying in the tent next to mine.” Virgil’s comment brought titters from Annie and Paula and a glare from Jaycee.
“Thank you for the offer. It looks like Dr. Martin has my whereabouts settled.” Isabella wasn’t sure if she liked her tent next to Virgil. Why did he act as if they were an item in front of these women? The thought of anything physical beyond a fatherly peck and embrace curdled her stomach, which growled again from hunger.
“Ahh, it sounds like you still have a voracious appetite. Excuse us, ladies, while I find Isabella something to eat.” Virgil once again took her by the arm, signifying he dominated her. She didn’t like it. But out of respect she wouldn’t confront him until they were alone.
“Are those the only woman here?” she asked as she gently extricated her
arm from his grasp.
“No. Eunice Isakson is here also.”
“I’ve worked with Eunice before. She’s a fantastic lab technician.” Isabella was glad to hear she knew at least one of the other crew members. The woman was close to Virgil’s age, but she and Eunice had formed a bond on another dig.
“We are on a low budget. She’s also our artifact analyst, photographer, and cataloger.”
“I’ll be lucky to get a chat with her if she’s doing all of that. But I can help when I need a break from decoding.”
Virgil stopped and regarded her. A charismatic smile lit his face. “I was hoping you’d stick around and help out.”
“I can only stay a month. I have to return to the university with my share of the money.” She peered into Virgil’s frowning face. “I can’t let my department close.”
“What about your parents? Are they okay with your being in the jungle?” He placed a hand on her arm.
“You know them; they don’t really know or care where I am as long as they can do what they want.” She hadn’t meant for the words to come out so harsh. But she hadn’t told them about this trip or her need for the funding. Her whole life she’d fought her own battles and found her own answers.
“Isabella, they care for you in their own way. Neither one of them was cut out to be a parent. They’ve given you all they know how to give.”
“I know. I just…” She smiled up at him and couldn’t keep from lacing her arms around his waist. “Your kindness and affection have been my salvation.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I know. You’re the daughter I never stopped long enough to make.”
“Excuse me.” A female voice squeaked behind them.
Virgil eased out of her embrace and they swung around to face Jaycee. Laser beams of hatred pierced Isabella.
“What did you need, Jaycee?” Virgil asked, spinning Isabella toward the mess tent entrance.
The subtle hint propelled her feet into the tent. She didn’t want to be anywhere near Jaycee. The woman obviously took their embrace to mean something other than it did. Heat inside the tent, twice as stifling as the outside jungle air, took her breath away. The space needed cross ventilation.
9 Ways to Fall in Love Page 91
