“Why is that?”
“Because I don’t think he’s who he claims to be.”
“Like there’s something shady about him?”
“Not shady, at least not in a criminal sense. I don’t know. Maybe I’m just becoming delirious from the heat.” Quint fanned his shirt. “How much longer are we going to roast by the fire before heading to our tent?”
“You’re waiting for me?”
“Of course.”
She smiled and stood, tugging him up with her. “Then let’s go. We have a big day tomorrow.”
“Why big?” He put his arm around her and pulled her closer, brushing her temple with a soft kiss. “What do you have planned for us besides lots of sweating, boss lady?”
“A little digging here and there. Maybe some snake wrangling. Another visit inside of the bat-house.”
Quint groaned. “What is with this fetish you have for tight, hot, claustrophobic spaces?”
She leaned into him as they strolled along in the dark. “After tomorrow, I’m thinking of giving up. Heading home.”
He stopped them both, turning her to face him, hands on hershoulders as he stared down at her. “Seriously?”
“Yes.”
“What about your job?”
“I’ll take what we have and tell INAH if they want to continue with the discovery phase, we’ll have to come back with more resources and a bigger crew later.”
“What about Fernel? Does he have any say in closing up shop early?”
She hadn’t even considered the geoarchaeologist in her decision making. “I don’t think he’s in any shape to say or do much at the moment.”
She’d talked to Teodoro earlier about Dr. Fernel’s current state. He’d said the swelling was mostly down, thankfully, but had recommended another day of rest before allowing the poor guy to return to the site. María had taken food to Dr. Fernel in his tent for an early supper, so Angélica hadn’t seen him since this morning.
“Besides,” she added, “the heat and storms are increasing, so it might be a good time to walk away for now.”
“Ahh.” He pulled her close and rested his chin on her crown. “Tonight I’m going to dream about sipping ice-cold drinks under the moonlight on the beach with a cool breeze blowing in from the ocean.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed his neck, nipping once or twice at his salty-sweet skin. Damn, she really wished her dad wasn’t snoring away in their tent. She could really use a few moments alone in the dark with Quint to find her happy place.
“I like that dream,” she whispered, running her nails down his back. “Can I join you there?”
He chuckled, low and rakishly. “Only if you’re nearly naked, and you leave your mother’s locket somewhere else.”
“Deal.” She reached down and squeezed his sexy buns before leaning back to smile up at him. “You want to swing by the mess tent with me for a drink of water before we call it a night?”
“Okay, but first …” he started and then kissed her, keeping it light with a few soft touches here and there.
“Quint,” she breathed between his butterfly kisses, “stop messing around and do it right.”
“Yes, boss lady.”
He cupped her face and got serious about it, with nips and licks mixed in just the way she liked it. In no time, he’d heated her to a rapid boil. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing everything she had against him and then some.
When he pulled back, she moaned in complaint.
“I know, I want more, too, but we can’t.” He turned her toward the mess tent. “Lead the way, siren, before we give your mother a show that will turn her ghostly cheeks bright red.”
