Only His (Fool's Gold #6)(70)

She sipped her wine. The full-bodied taste rolled over her tongue. The man knew how to pick wine, she thought, remembering Tucker had other talents, as well.

“What does this mean for construction?” she asked.

“The mayor swears we’ll have our site fully back within two weeks. Even doubling that, a month isn’t bad. We can put off the parking lot and focus on the other end. One of the advantages of working on a hundred acres. The big question is going to be who owns the gold.”

“Did you get to see it?”

“A few pieces. There are carvings and statues, some jewelry. It’s a pretty big find. I don’t know anything about archaeology, but I’m pretty sure the people in khaki shorts are going to be happy.”

“The find will also be good for the town,” she said. “More tourists. We do love them and their dollars.”

“Sure. And here I thought life in a small town would be boring.”

“Never that.”

He studied her.

She sighed. “I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

“I can’t help it. You were hurt on my watch.” He picked up his wine. “How’s Cat?”

“I haven’t talked to her.”

“Do you want to?”

She raised her eyebrows. “Jealous?”

“Not completely. Just…dealing. It was my first live girl kiss.”

“Mine, too.” She shrugged. “I’m going to have to talk to her. I don’t think she’s genuinely interested in me. I think this is about her art. But I also don’t want to hurt her feelings.” She picked up her wine, then put it down.

“Oh, God,” she murmured, mentally putting the pieces together. “We’ve all kissed each other. It’s practically a threesome.”

Tucker leaned back in the booth and laughed. The sound rolled over her, making her smile. Being around Tucker always made her feel better, she thought. Today she found the whole “safe and protected” thing pretty appealing, but it was more than that. She liked how he treated her as an equal and accepted her as part of his team.

She handed him a menu. “Brace yourself. I’m in the mood for steak.”

“Go for it. You’ve earned it.”

The server appeared a minute or so later and took their orders. When they were alone again, Tucker poured her more wine.

“Do you know anything about Máa-zib history?” he asked. “I never knew they worked with gold.”

“I didn’t either. Most of the stories around here are about how they were a matriarchal society who didn’t have much interest in men.” She smiled. “Except for the business of getting pregnant.”

“A romantic bunch, then.” He took a sip of his wine. “My mother was the one with the most Máa-zib blood. If she ever talked about what she knew, Dad’s forgotten and no one in his family ever told him stories. I asked him a few years ago and he couldn’t remember her ever saying anything.”

“You were young when she died.”

“I don’t remember her at all,” he admitted. “There are a few vague images, but I suspect they come from my dad telling me about her, rather than me having memories of my own.”

“That must be difficult.”

“It’s all I know. I can’t miss what I never had.”

Probably true, she thought, but sad. “If she hadn’t died, would you and she have traveled with your dad? Or would you have been raised in one place?”

“I don’t know. I never thought about it.” He reached across the table and touched her hand. “I could have grown up in a place like Fool’s Gold.”

“There are worse fates.”

“I like it here. More than I thought I would. There’s a sense of community. Mayor Marsha can be a little rabid.”

She grinned. “She’s protective.”

“I’m glad she doesn’t carry a gun.”

The feel of his fingers brushing hers ignited nerve endings all over her body. Later, she thought. While she was sure Tucker would agree if she suggested they move the party upstairs, she found herself wanting to wait. Not only for the sense of anticipation, but because this was nice. Spending time with Tucker—like a regular couple.

As soon as the ideas formed in her mind, she reminded herself there was danger in thinking like that. They worked together, which was its own complication, and he didn’t believe in love. Not that they were at the love stage. Or even close to it.

Still, this was a good time to remind herself that getting involved would be stupid.

JO LAY ON HER SIDE, her body heavy with satisfaction, her mind quiet for once. Will stretched out beside her, facing her, his hand on her hip, his expression intense.

“I could get addicted to you,” she murmured.

“Good.”

Not good, she thought. Far from good. Falling for a man—she knew the danger. Still, now that she’d given in, she couldn’t convince herself to back off. Being with him was easy. Right. Talk about scaring the crap out of her…

Jake, her cat, jumped onto the bed. Being a typical feline, he ignored her and walked over to Will to be petted.

“Damn cat,” Will muttered, scratching behind the cat’s ears.

“You always say that, but you’re very good to him.”