Danger in the Desert
Page 14
Deke had hit the bathroom during her absence. He was back in bed, his shoulders braced against the headboard, but his hair glistened from a damp comb-through, and he’d scrubbed the sleep from his eyes. Wishing she’d had time to do the same, Jaci watched his gaze do a quick skim of her seminude body before locking on the mugs.
“Please tell me that’s coffee.”
“I thought you could use some.”
“You thought right, my luscious goddess.”
Preening, she handed him a mug. Luscious wasn’t a word she would ever apply to herself. But if Deke thought the adjective fit, why argue?
The goddess bit raised some uneasy questions, however. Like whether she might continue to figure as a player in an ancient legend. And whether some other nut group might decide to track down Ma’at’s supposed messenger.
“Not to worry,” Deke replied when she voiced the scary thought. “The scarab you found is ancient and is most likely made of malachite from King Solomon’s mines. But subsequent carbon dating pinned it to at least a century later than the one that would have been buried in Ma’at’s temple. Kahil and the director of the Cairo Museum will make sure the word gets out.”
Jaci hovered between relief and a thoroughly ridiculous disappointment. “Well, as nerve-racking as it was at times, I have to admit that little scarab added some spice in my otherwise humdrum life.”
“Too much spice,” Deke said with some feeling.
He set his mug on the nightstand and reached for hers. Her nerves danced at the brush of his fingers, then did a joyous somersault at the gruff note that came into his voice.
“Last night was the first night I’ve slept—really slept—since Kahil and I set you up as bait.”
“That worried you, did it?”
He combed his fingers through her hair. “Like you wouldn’t believe.”
“Try me,” Jaci said softly.
He gently tugged a hank of hair to bring her down to his level. “You want me to say it?”
“Well…yes.”
“Okay, here it is. I love you.”
Jaci waited. Five seconds. Ten. “That’s it?”
“Isn’t that enough?” he asked, honestly perplexed.
“It’s a start.”
“What more do you need?”
Not much, she thought ruefully. Just some idea of whether his love was the kind that would lead to something deeper. Like a commitment. Or an engagement. Or, gasp, marriage!
And if it did, which one of them would alter their life to accommodate the other? Where would they live? Would he expect her to sit home and twiddle her thumbs while he jetted off to parts unknown?
But he looked so perplexed that she had to smile.
“I don’t need anything more. I love you, too. Now kiss me. Quick. The kitchen won’t hold the cats for long.”
ISBN: 978-1-4268-7963-0
DANGER IN THE DESERT
Copyright © 2011 by Merline Lovelace
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Silhouette Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
For questions and comments about the quality of this book please contact us at Customer_eCare@Harlequin.ca.
® and TM are trademarks of Harlequin Books S.A., used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
Visit Silhouette Books at www.eHarlequin.com
*Code Name: Danger
** Holidays Abroad
†Time Raiders
Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13