* * *
Abby was working on the computer in the main office when a familiar voice reached her.
“Looks like you’re hard at it.” Clayton Reynolds stood in the doorway, blond hair gleaming like the gold her grandfather had left her. Abby hadn’t seen him since the reading of her grandfather’s will.
Dressed in beige slacks and a pale blue Izod knit that matched his eyes, Clay smiled and started toward her. At thirty-eight, he had the lean build of the tennis athlete he had been in college, where he’d earned a PhD in pre-Columbian history, specifically the Mayan civilization.
He and King had worked with UNESCO on a World Heritage project, which had led to their friendship. Clay had asked her out once, but Abby’s mother had been dying, and dating was the last thing on her mind.
She rose from her chair and went to greet him. “It’s good to see you, Clay. How did you know where to find me?”
He took her hands, leaned over, and brushed a kiss on her cheek. “The day they read King’s will, it was clear you meant to go after the treasure. King and I had discussed the map on several occasions. When word leaked out that Gage Logan was heading up a new expedition, I put two and two together.”
He gently squeezed her hands. “I didn’t get a chance to offer my condolences on King’s passing or acknowledge the wonderful gift he left the museum. I thought I’d see if I could find you and tell you in person.”
Abby smiled. “I appreciate your thoughtfulness, Clay. I miss my grandfather very much.”
“We all miss him, Abby.” He glanced around the office at the tables stacked with maps and files. “So how are things going? I spoke to King before he left Denver on his last trip. He mentioned he might be traveling across the border into Mexico. I assume you’re headed in that direction.”
Before she could respond, Gage’s heavy footfalls sounded as he crossed the room.
“Dangerous to make assumptions about other people’s business,” he said. “And you would be . . . ?”
Abby’s eyes widened at his tone. “Gage, this is Clayton Reynolds. He was a friend of King’s.”
“Reynolds, yes. Mayan culture, isn’t it?”
“That’s right.” Clay stuck out a hand, and the men shook.
“So what can we do for you?” Gage asked, clearly not happy to have an uninvited guest.
“I just came by to speak to Abby. I thought perhaps she might have time for lunch or at least a cup of coffee.”
“We’re on a tight schedule,” Gage said. “Maybe when we get back.”
Abby felt a trickle of irritation. She and Clay were friends. If Gage didn’t approve, that was just too bad.
Abby smiled. “I appreciate the offer, Clay, but as Gage says, we’re really swamped. I’ll give you a call if I get a spare moment.”
As tall as Gage, Clay was more than just attractive, though Abby had never had any real interest in him.
“I’ll look forward to it.” He smiled. “Well, then, good luck wherever you’re headed.” Abby thought that he would have pursued his invitation if Gage wasn’t making it more than clear that it was time for him to leave.
“I’ll walk you out,” Abby said, flicking Gage a disapproving glance. By the time she returned, she figured he would be back at work. Instead, she found him sitting in the chair at her desk.
“There’s something we need to discuss,” he said, rising. Setting a hand at her waist, he steered her into his office and firmly closed the door.
The next thing she knew, she was pinned between the door and a solid wall of muscle, Gage’s mouth coming down over hers. Warm, firm lips took control, softened, and sent a flood of heat out through her limbs. She gripped his shoulders to stay on her feet and gave in to the hot sensations.
Gage’s kisses gentled, turned coaxing. Moist lips traveled along her throat, nipping and tasting.
“I’ve been neglecting you lately,” Gage said softly, pushing the lock on the door as he used his teeth to nibble an earlobe. “Time to put work aside and remedy that.”
She could feel his heavy erection pulsing against her, tempting her with its fierce demands.
Gage’s big hand slid beneath the T-shirt she was wearing with a pair of yoga pants and sandals, unhooked her bra, and cupped a breast. Abby moaned as he teased her nipple into a rigid peak, arousing her until she was trembling.
Gage kissed her again, and she found herself clinging to his neck as he moved her backward, farther into the office. It barely registered that he had pulled the blinds on his windows.
