“Doesn’t everyone?”
He stared above her head into the ballroom. “My security detail is staring at me, which means I will not have time for that drink after all.” He looked at her again. “However, I do have time to find out what you like in a man, if your list is as short as you implied.”
She stared at him. “Do you always do what your security men tell you?”
He smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Is that a challenge?”
She smiled back. “Only a question, Mr. Andal.”
“Please, call me Balthazar. And as much as I would love to take on your challenge, my men have a valid reason. I’m supposed to give a speech in a few minutes.” He leaned against a pillar and crossed his arms. “So tell me, Miss Haraldsdóttir …”
“Eva, please.”
“Eva.” He said her name in a deep, sensual voice that raised the hairs on the back of her neck. “The name suits you.”
She couldn’t help it, she laughed. “I’m glad you think so.”
“So talk to me, Eva—what do you look for in a man?”
Now that she actually thought about it, it took a few moments to sort out what she wanted to say. “Common interests,” she began. “I eat, sleep and breathe history. Not a lot of people do that, but if a man shows an interest, then I’m more likely to give him the benefit of the doubt.”
“How kind of you.” His chest shook with laughter. “What else?”
“A sense of humor. Also, the grace to laugh at himself when the occasion calls for it.”
He frowned. “Have you laughed at yourself, Eva?”
“A couple of times. It doesn’t happen too often, but I’m willing to admit when the joke’s on me.”
“Do you care to offer an example?”
She shrugged. “I used to be a know-it-all. Papa tried to instill patience in me, but it wasn’t working. I discovered a small pyramid hidden behind a dense wall of vines while we were in South America and insisted it was Mayan. Then I kidnapped a couple of Papa’s colleagues to help me dig it out so I could show off my find.” She giggled and put her hand over her mouth.
“What did you find?”
“Inside the pyramid was a small Mayan statue. I got all excited about my new find until Papa picked up the statue to look at it. When I asked him what Dynasty it came from, he kept a straight face and said ‘1950’.” Her giggles grew louder. “Sometimes I wish I had a picture of the look on my face. Papa said I actually looked pale. He showed me the statue—some cheap imitation with a ‘Made in the U.S.A.’ stamp on it and the year.”
Balthazar laughed out loud, his white teeth flashing in the semi-darkness.
“I’d never been so embarrassed. The team laughed at me, which hurt a lot, and I ran off. Papa found me crying in my tent and calmed me down. He said I had the makings of a great archeologist, but reminded me that teamwork was just as important. I’ll never forget that day. So anytime I started acting like a smartass, I think ‘Made in the U.S.A.’ and shut myself up fast.” She noticed Balthazar’s attention drift past her again. “Is your security team tapping their feet with impatience?”
He looked at her. “Yes, but I want to hear one more trait you find attractive in a man.”
She licked her lips, and as his gaze focused on her mouth, his eyes darkened to a deep bronze. Damn, but Mr. Andal was a handsome man. “Chemistry is important,” she said. “Most times, it doesn’t amount to much, but others…” She paused. “I remember watching a couple at a restaurant. They couldn’t stop caressing each other—their hands, arms, faces. They were in their own little world and didn’t care who saw it.” She sighed, wondering if she would ever discover a relationship like that. It felt as elusive as the artifacts she sought.
Balthazar leaned forward and stroked her shoulder with a finger. “Go on.”
She shivered, his skin electrifying her, and forced herself to look at his face. “There’s an awareness one can’t ignore, something that draws them together, no matter what’s going on around them. They only have eyes for each other, and to hell with everything else.”
His finger traced a small circle against her flesh. “Have you ever experienced such a connection, Eva?”
She shook her head; she couldn’t trust herself to speak. “I’ve only seen it, and it looks scary and exciting at the same time.”
“It is.” He moved closer. “And it’s all you ever want to think about.”
Eva caught her breath as his hand grasped her shoulder. “I must go,” he whispered. “And my guests are staring at us, which isn’t fair to you. However, perhaps we can continue our conversation when we next meet in Iceland?”