“Far from it.” Another step.What the—?
“Then what am I doing here?”
He tilted his head and squinted those brilliant eyes at her from behind his thick, black-framed glasses.Oh please.He couldn’tpossiblybe surprised that she was confused. “Isn’t it obvious? We’re searching for Chimalli. Thought you might want in on this, you know, given that he was the subject of your dissertation. And rumor has it you’ve been searching for funding for the past few years...” His know-it-all voice trailed off.
She wasn’t buying the ole good-guy act. No, Dr. Ford Matthews hadn’t invited her out of the goodness of his heart because he thought shemight want in on this. Ford didn’t do anything for anyone but himself.
As he’d more than sufficiently demonstrated throughout their four years together in grad school. But it would be a cold day in hell—or, rather, the Mexican jungle—before Corrie got burned by him again. Chimalli or not, she couldn’t work with Ford.
And sheespeciallycouldn’t workforFord.
The realization brought her back to reality. “You know, I’m going to have to pass. I got what I needed—confirmation that this was too good to be true. I just wish you’d saved both of us the trouble by letting Calvin know it wasyouwho wanted me here so I could have declined in Berkeley.” She then turned to Ethan, placing her hand on his forearm. “Ethan, it was great seeing you. Let’s catch up when you get back to the States.”
With that, Corrie spun on her heel toward her things, calculating in her head whether she could afford a first-class seat, because, well, she deserved it after all this. She’d make up for the expense in free cocktails.
“Corrie—” Ford started, followed by an audible punch and a grunt. “I mean, Dr. Mejía, wait!”
She stopped in her tracks, never having heard such a tremor in Ford’s voice. What was that? Fear? Worry?
Was Ford Matthewspleading? The corner of her lip curled up.
“Calvin didn’t tell you it was me because I knew you wouldn’t come and... and...”
The words hung on the tip of his tongue, and the curl of her lip fell. Of course Ford wouldn’t ever admit to doing anything wrong. She took another step—
“I need you!” he blurted out.
A small, devilish smile formed on Corrie’s lips like the Grinch who stole Christmas. Those words were utterly delectable coming from him. “I’m sorry, what did you say?” she asked as she slowly turned, fighting to keep her smug smile to herself.
“You heard me,” he said, grinding his jaw and digging his fingers into his hips as he stood in front of her.
This timeshetook a few steps to close the gap. “No, I don’t think I did. Because the Ford MatthewsIknow would never ask for my help. Or at least he’d know not to,” she said, matching his stance with her hip cocked to the side and her hands placed on either side of her waist.
Ford’s nostrils flared and his broad chest filled as he took a deep breath. Corrie pictured tiptoeing her fingers up his tight torso with extreme delight. Oh, how it pained him to be the one needing help. Ethan grumbled something in his ear, but Corrie only caught the latter half. “Tell her, will you?” he said.
Ten seconds into their stare down, Ford finally gave in.
“Fine,” he growled, tossing his hands in the air. “I need you. Things started out great, and I thought I had it figured out, but we’re three months in and something isn’t right. I’m sure you know I wouldn’t have sent for you if I had any other options.”
He had a point. Ford despised Corrie as much as she despised him.
“So you’re desperate?”
He rolled his eyes. “Obviously. But you’re the only person in the world who has even a remote chance of being able to help, so here we are. Now, are you going to help me or not, because if we don’t hit the road soon, it’s going to be dark by the time we make it back.”
“What’s in it for me?” she asked.
“Fortune and glory not enough for you?” Ford said, crossing his arms.
Corrie started to open her mouth, ready to hurl another argument, but Ethan jumped in to stop her. “Why don’t you come for the night? In the morning we’ll show you the site, and then you can decide whether you want to stay.”
“We can’t show her where we’re going if she doesn’t agree to stay,” Ford protested under his breath.
“It will be fine,” Ethan reassured him. “She’s the only person I trust more than you, and she’s not going to steal anything. I promise. Right, Corrie?” he asked her.
“Of course not. I don’t take what’s not mine. Not likesomepeople,” she said, leaning into her words.
Ford glared as the words flowed from her pursed lips. Good. She hoped they stung.
