One Night with the Texan(19)

“I feel good about the grid I’m working now. It’s close to the cliffs and it looks like there may have been caves in that area at one time.”

“And that’s important?”

She nodded. “Ancient people often lived in caves. They were nature’s way of providing the best refuge against the elements, wild animals and other tribes. I scanned the cliff face with the binoculars but couldn’t see anything resembling an opening, even a small one.”

“I hope for your sake you find something soon.”

He must have seen the disbelief cross her face.

“No. I mean it. The temperature isn’t getting any cooler. I can’t believe they expect one person to pick her way through acres of land to find a piece of pottery or whatever it is you’re hoping to find. You’ve been here for almost two months. I know you have to be getting anxious to get back to your home.”

Tallie hoped he was a better negotiator over a conference table. He apparently didn’t know the definition of the word subtle.

“Most of the digs I’m assigned take six to eight months. The number-one requirement for an archeologist is patience. Nothing ever happens fast or on a schedule.”

“You must really love what you do.”

“I’d better, huh?” She grinned at him and he looked stunned, as though someone had held up a cream pie and threatened to smash it in his face. “The hope of what you’ll uncover in the next grid is such a rush. And once you start finding things, you just have to go for the next and the next. I guess to some people it’s addictive.”

“Are you addicted, Tallie?”

His question in that deep, raspy voice caught her by surprise and drew her gaze to his. It was almost as though he hadn’t meant to ask it out loud. He sat back in his chair, one arm resting on the other, and idly drew his thumb back and forth across his bottom lip while he waited for her answer. Her gaze dropped to the movement and his mouth. What would it be like to give herself to him completely now that they knew each other? Now that she knew who he was? What would he do? What wouldn’t he do?

A picture flashed in her mind of pure, red-hot passion, tangled sheets and Cole’s lips lingering a breath above hers as he moved deeper inside her. Tallie felt the singeing warmth flooding the area between her legs at the thought. The image became so clear, her stomach tightened in knots. Everything about him was so sexy. His handsome face alone would cause most women to feel the overwhelming need to be with him. He looked at a woman with those golden eyes and it made her want to toss any thought of saying no out the window. He was sex personified. All he needed to do was breathe.

Suddenly realizing what she was doing, she quickly looked away. Had he intended her to gaze at his lips? While the entire experience could not have lasted a full minute, her heart was beating out of her chest and her breathing was almost nonexistent. Laying her fork on the edge of her plate, she tried to control her eyes, not wanting to see if he was smiling or mocking her. Even though she didn’t know him well at all, the thought that it might be the latter would be hard to take.

She blotted the linen napkin against her mouth. “This was really delicious. And the bath was great. Thank you, Cole.”

“Stay, Tallie,” he said as she moved to get up from the table. “Stay here tonight. Sleep in a clean bed. No bugs, raccoons or skunks. No heat.” He dropped his napkin on the table and looked directly at her. “Unless you want there to be.”

Tallie swallowed hard and felt a blush roll up her neck and over her face. She knew what he was suggesting but she didn’t know if he was serious or teasing. And she didn’t know how to answer.

“I’d better get back to the site,” she said as she stood. “But, again, thanks for sharing your home. I feel much better.”

Cole rounded the table to stand in front of her. “Why do you insist on sleeping in that shack? You can’t possibly be resting well. No one could. Stay here, your choice of bedrooms, and drive to your dig each morning. It makes sense. It’s a big house, so neither of us will be tripping over the other.” He reached out and tilted her chin to meet his gaze. “It makes sense, Tallie.”

She saw a glimmer of passion in his amazing eyes. She’d seen that glimmer before. She wanted to stay. She wanted him. Clearly he was only too happy to oblige. He leaned over and placed his lips on hers. She didn’t move away. Encouraged, he encircled her with his arms and pulled her closer. She could feel his erection against her belly and that sent a stream of heat rushing to her core.

“I need you, Tallie,” he whispered against her ear. “God help me, I can’t stay away.” He advanced, pushing her against the wall, threading her fingers with his behind her back. “Give us a chance. This time, no games. We’ll both be up front. Make love to me.”

Cole knew exactly where to touch, how to kiss to make her entire world spin out of control in a way that was good and wild and exciting. He was temptation run amuck. And she craved it. She’d heard stories of hot, steamy sex, of the climax that made you feel you were flying up to the stars, but she had never felt that sense of completion until one sultry night in New Orleans. “I’m flattered, really. But I’d better get back to my dig.” She let go of his hands, breaking the physical tie between them.

“My intentions are not to flatter you. Take me off the damn pedestal, Tallie. I’m just a man. A man who wants you. Who needs you. You make me feel like no other woman ever has.”

It was hard to argue with a man who towered over her with a look on his face of pure sincerity and a voice to back it up. Tallie closed her eyes, inhaling the scent of pure male, and her body responded accordingly, leaving her wanting to ask only where he wanted her.

Her eyes fluttered open and she stepped away. She’d almost done it again: succumbed to him and his desire. He was merely taking advantage of a situation that had landed in his lap. She believed he meant no harm, but the man had a reputation with the ladies and in business circles she’d heard he could be ruthless. If she took him up on the offer, she would feel awkward to still be stuck with having to deal with him until the ninety days on the site were up.

Without any warning, the room began to spin. She reached out for something to steady herself and found Cole’s arm. “I... I think I’m going to—” Blackness surrounded her.





Ten

Tallie awakened on the sofa in the spacious den. A cool, damp cloth was being pressed against her forehead.

“Hey.” Cole’s voice called to her. “There you are.”

Tallie didn’t have time for small talk. Nausea was hitting hard and fast.

“Bathroom.” She sat up. “Where is...?”

Cole stood, clearly looking concerned. “Down that hall on the right.”

Tallie prayed she would make it in time as she lit out like a bottle rocket. When the worst was over, Cole stood ready to hand her a damp washcloth. Tallie dropped to the bathroom floor, too weak to move.

“Let’s get you to a place you can lie down.” Without another word, he scooped her up into his arms as though she weighed nothing.

“I’m so sorry I upset the dinner. I lost that great dinner.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

He laid her gently on a huge bed in one of the bedrooms. The en suite bath was close by.

“Thank you,” she said and closed her eyes. She couldn’t think about the embarrassment of what had happened. She would have to face that tomorrow.

She must have dozed. She awoke sometime later with a kind-looking, gray-haired man sitting in a chair next to the bed. Cole hovered in the doorway.

“Tallie, I am Dr. Jenkins,” the man introduced himself. “Can you tell me what happened?”

“We, uh, we had dinner. I stood up when we were finished and the room started spinning. Next thing I knew it was lights out. When I woke up I was exceedingly nauseous. I feel better now, though still a little queasy. It’s probably just a two-day bug or something. No reason to bother you.”

“You are most likely right about the virus, but since I’m already here, let’s find out, okay?” He smiled. He was so gentle and reassuring Tallie couldn’t help but agree. “Cole,” the doctor said without looking toward the door, “please close the door on your way out.”

The door was closed without any protest.

“Now, let’s start with your lungs. Can you sit forward and take some deep breaths?”

He checked her lungs, looked in her eyes and throat. “Have you been feeling sluggish?”

“No.”

“Any fever?”

“No. Not that I know of.”

“Any other stomach-related virus?”

“No.”

“Okay.” The doctor returned his instruments to his bag. “One last question,” he said. “Could you be pregnant?”

Tallie could feel the blood drain from her face. She should have anticipated the question. She had been with one man. And that man was no doubt standing on the other side of the door.

“I didn’t mean to upset you, my dear,” the doctor said, concern covering his face. “It’s definitely a personal question. I mention it only because all the symptoms you described fit. How about you come by the office tomorrow and we can run a test and be absolutely certain?”