Carved in Stone Read Online Free Page B

truth. There was too much pride, too much honesty in her words.
    Too much pain.
    The fire left her eyes. Her shoulders slumped.
    Her long-fingered hands, so expressive in anger a moment before, fluttered uncertainly. She looked away and he noticed the rapid pulse against the dark column of her throat.
    “I’ll pack my things,” she said quietly, her naturally low voice roughened in defeat. “Will you please radio for the pilot to meet me at the landing site?”
    “No, wait.” He grabbed her arm as she rose to leave. He felt the strength of her taut muscles beneath the thick sweatshirt, and the quick spark of contact as she turned on him, impatiently brushing her long hair out of her eyes.
    “I’m sorry.” This time he hoped she believed his apology was sincere. “I really am. I’m still not positive you can do this job, but you’re right. You do have a contract. I want to believe that you’re telling me the truth. I guess I’ll find out soon enough if you aren’t qualified.” He paused, then looked away to gather his thoughts, to control the feelings that raged under her steady gaze.
    Gently he released his grip on her arm, then held his right hand out to her. “Let’s try this again, shall we?” He smiled, noting the subtle relaxation of her body, the slight shudder as she released the tension in her shoulders. God, he hoped he was right. It would be damned dangerous working with a partner he couldn’t trust.
    “I’m Nate Murdock, Ms. Martin, and I think we might be able to work together,” he said, trying to bury his doubts. “That is, if I can learn to keep my chauvinistic attitudes in check. What do you say?”
    She paused a moment, then the corners of her mouth twitched slightly and she firmly grasped his larger hand. Nathan wondered if she prepared this time, as he had, for the tiny spark that seemed to jump between them each time they touched.
    Tilting her head, she studied him for a moment. “Might? Why, Dr. Murdock, is that a bit of doubt I sense?”
    “Oh, it’s more than a bit, Ms. Martin. Definitely more than a bit. But we’re both professionals. I’m sure we can work around it.” He returned her smile, enjoying the feel of her strong, slender hand in his.
    He clasped her hand securely, aware for the first time of the calluses that marked her palm, the wiry strength of her fingers. Then he released his grasp and automatically rubbed his tingling hand against the rough fabric of his jeans.
    Alex rubbed the palm of her right hand with her left thumb, and once again a curious flash of vulnerability clouded her brilliant blue eyes. Nate realized she must feel the same frisson when they touched that he felt. It was unnerving, knowing she shared something with him that was so physical. So intimate.
    He saw her glance at her hands, a perplexed look on her face. Then she tilted her head to smile up at him, her expression once again confident and self-assured. “Call me Alex, Nate,” she said, emphasizing his first name, and her smile was genuine.
    The warmth of it unsettled Nathan even more than when she’d caught him earlier, stark naked at the creek.
     
     
    Anxious to return to the site, Nate had his gear packed and ready to go within the hour. He glanced at Alex. She almost had all her cameras and climbing gear ready, but that wasn’t what he focused on. No, it was her unique and indescribable beauty. There was no way he’d ever be able to erase the vision of her perfect body down by the creek, her dark skin a rich mocha shade made even more exotic by the brilliant blue of her eyes and the thick length of her dark, dark hair.
    He bit back a grin, remembering her audacity, the way she’d simply dropped that towel and effectively turned the tables on him. He had to give her points for that move. It had definitely gotten his attention.
    In fact, as he subtly adjusted the fit of his jeans he was reminded how it had kept his attention all morning long.
    But the naked beauty by the creek