“I’ve heard of the Copper Scroll,” Declan said. “But not a gold scroll.”
It was only as long as her palm, but perfectly formed. It was made with small hinges and they easily rolled out.
It was filled with hieroglyphs.
“I can’t leave it here,” she said.
“Got something to wrap it in?”
She nodded. “I have a pack in the main excavation area.”
“I’ll get it.”
Dec was back moments later with a backpack. Carefully, Layne lifted the scroll and together they settled it into the bag.
The shadows had really thickened and Dec knew that above, the sun would be setting soon. “All right, Rush, we keep the scroll between you and me and my team. Got it?”
She nodded.
“Good. Now, let’s get out of here.”
“The sarcophagus—?”
“I’ll work out how to close it up and don’t worry, my team and I will keep an eye on it tonight.”
They left the tomb and crossed over to the rope ladder. He gestured for her to go first. She planted a boot on the bottom rung and grabbed another one with her hand.
Then she paused. “Declan—”
His gaze met hers and for a beat, they stared at each other.
He wasn’t sure who moved first, her or him, but she was back in his arms, the kiss hot and just a little wild.
When she pulled back, she licked her lips, her gaze a little dazed.
Shit. Layne Rush was going to be a problem. One he knew he should steer clear of, but wasn’t going to.
“Climb the ladder, Rush.”
“Ladder. Right.” She grabbed the rope rung and climbed. Dec followed her up, and every time he glanced upward he was rewarded with a view of her spectacular ass flexing under her cargo trousers.
He drew in a breath.
She reached the top and pulled herself over. Dec cleared the last few rungs and climbed out. His team was waiting at the top.
“Nice of you to join us,” Logan drawled.
Dec barely resisted giving his friend the finger. “We need to talk.” Subtly, Dec tipped his head toward the hole. “Some new finds will need securing.”
Logan’s eyes widened a fraction. “Sure thing.” The man turned to Layne. “Doc, we’ve put the statue in the work tent.”
“The statue?”
Logan raised a brow. “Yeah, the stone one you were so excited about. The one that almost dropped on your head.”
“Oh, right.” She shook her head. “Right. I’ll take a look at it.” Then her shoulders sagged. “First, I need to deal with the scaffold mess—”
“Go, Rush.”
She glanced up at Declan.
“Go.” Dec jerked his head toward the work tent. He knew she was dying to get her hands on the scroll nestled in the bag on her shoulder. “I’ll deal with the scaffold.”
She looked torn. “You’re sure?”
His lips quirked. “You’ll have to thank me again.”
That snapped her spine straight, and for a second he thought she was going to be stubborn and decide to deal with the scaffold anyway.
Declan shook his head. “You know what? I’ll let you off this time.”
“Doc?” Piper Ross hurried over, followed by some other members of the team.
“Dr. Rush, the statue is amazing,” a young man said, waving his hands. “You need to see it.”
As her archeologists reached her, she shared one last look with Declan, then she turned and followed her team.
“You want to tell me what really happened down there?” Logan said, once Layne was out of earshot.
“Yeah. We found a tomb. Paintings, artifacts…and a gold sarcophagus. And a secret golden scroll.”
“Shit.” Logan stepped in front of him. “And you going to tell me why your hair is all messed up, and the lovely doctor had swollen lips like someone just kissed the hell out of her?”
Dec straightened, and saw Hale and Morgan grinning at him. “No idea what you’re talking about.”
Logan just raised a brow at him.
Dec turned away. “Come on, O’Connor. Instead of gossiping, how about we get to work?”
The sun was setting, turning the desert sands gold, orange, and red.
Dec stood near the edge of the camp, staring out at the sunset.
He figured the beautiful view should make his breath catch, or make him feel…something. Instead, he didn’t feel much at all.
He rubbed his belly, feeling the thick ridge of scar tissue through the cotton of his shirt. He’d gotten out, he’d survived. He had friends, family, and a really good business. One he enjoyed.
He should quit worrying because a sunset didn’t excite him.
Besides, one thing had really excited him—kissing Layne Rush.