“And yet, you do not trust me with the very document Professor Stockwell sent me to reclaim. High regard, indeed.”
“You know my feelings about the treasures you recover. I’ve made no secret of my position,” she said, reaching for him. “This matter should not divide us. After what we’ve shared—”
“After what we’ve shared, I thought you might show some trust in me. I can see now that I’ve been a fool.”
“Benedict, don’t be unfair. You know what you’ve done—how you’ve profited from every find, no matter how significant the artifact.” Her voice quaked, ever so slightly. “Surely I do not need to remind you.”
“I have never lied to you. And I do not intend to begin now.” He kept his tone flat, refusing to betray the emotion that coursed through him. “I gather Colton is on his way as we speak.”
She nodded. “He has requested that Stanwyck examine the document to determine the proper course of action.”
“Good enough, then. At least that much is settled. Stanwyck is certainly competent.” He turned from her. “It is high time I take my leave. You know how to contact me.”
She reached out to him, curving her hand over his forearm. “Please, do not be angry. I did not see an alternative.”
“You’ve proceeded in a manner you believed was correct. I cannot fault you for that. But by the same token, I see no reason to stay.”
“You are not being reasonable. I did not—”
“I understand your position. No matter how unpleasant the truth, I have been honest with you.” He walked to the door. “Before I leave, there’s just one more thing…”
With that, he drew her close. His arms wrapped around her as if with a will of their own. Melting against him, she offered the most precious of surrenders. Her soft, perfect curves pressed to his hardness. Blast it, he should not want her with this blinding intensity. He should not crave her touch with the fierce hunger of a starving man.
But he did. There wasn’t a damned thing he could do about it. Bringing his mouth down, he savored her kiss and indulged his taste for her. If Colton interrupted them, he would not give a damn.
A little moan escaped her. Alex arched her back, molding her body to his. Warm and pliant and giving. So damned delectable.
He would never get enough of her.
How the bloody hell could he leave her—again?
He loved her.
Such a damnable shame he could never be the man she wanted—the man she deserved.
If he’d held any doubts as to that fact, she’d dispelled them with her lack of trust. He had earned her dagger-sharp skepticism. God knew he had regrets. But he’d not lied to her. In that regard, his conscience was clear. He’d hurt her with his honesty. And in her eyes, perhaps that was the most unforgiveable sin of all.
Dropping his arms to his sides, he released her. Slowly, he headed to the door. “Goodbye, Alexandra.”
“Please, Benedict—don’t go.”
The heavy panel closed behind him with a soft snick of the latch. Bugger it, he had no place in London. No place in Alexandra’s life. Colton and his underlings would see to her safety. With any luck, he would draw the evil away from her. Whoever wanted him dead could bloody well pursue him to the Valley of the Kings. He didn’t give a damn what happened after he left. But he knew this much—in the morning, he would board a steamer bound for Rome, and from there, he’d head to Cairo. Stockwell had left behind ample documentation of his research. Map or no map, he would track down that tomb. He would find the lost treasure Stockwell had identified. And he would cast Alexandra’s high-and-mighty ideals where they belonged—straight into the rubbish.
…
“I’ll be runnin’ off to the market now. Is there anything you’d like me to pick up?”
Mrs. Thomas had entered the study quietly, with a sense of hesitation. Her question had been direct enough, but the concern in her tone hinted her suspicions as to what had happened before Benedict walked away.
Again.
The word echoed in Alex’s mind, but she shoved the thought aside. Sitting upright behind her desk, she met the housekeeper’s concerned eyes.
“No, thank you,” she replied. “There’s nothing I can think of to add to your usual order.”
“Very well,” Mrs. Thomas said. “Miss Alexandra, are you…well? You appear a bit tired.”
“I think the word you’re looking for is distressed,” Alex corrected gently. She saw no reason to deceive the housekeeper. Mrs. Thomas had known her for such a very long time, she seemed a part of the family.
