Undiscovered (Treasure Hunter Security Book 1) Read Online Free

don’t want to hurt you, but I do want to know why you’re following me.”
    When he shifted his weight, like he was going to spin around, she jabbed him harder.
    “I’ve already had someone punch me in the face and knock me out this week, so I’m not in a particularly good mood. You don’t want to test me.”
    ***
    She’d gotten the drop on him. Damn .
    Dec couldn’t believe it. Taken in by an archeologist. If Logan ever found out, Dec would never live it down.
    He weighed his options. Despite whatever weapon she was carrying—and despite the firm determination in her voice—he was fairly certain Dr. Rush wasn’t going to shoot him in the middle of a crowded Cairo market.
    Dec spun. He grabbed her wrist and heard her gasp. As he snatched the weapon, he got a glimpse of wide, green-gold eyes under blunt bangs. Then the little spitfire moved, bringing her knee up and aiming for his crotch.
    He wrapped his arms around her, spun, and pushed her through a wall of fabric. Somewhere nearby, a shopkeeper squawked. Dec kept going until he had her pressed up against a stone wall, his body pinning hers there so she couldn’t use her knee.
    She still fought, though, wriggling and twisting.
    “Stop, before you hurt yourself,” he growled.
    She kept fighting.
    “Dr. Rush, I’m not going to hurt you.”
    She stilled, her mutinous gaze meeting his. “Let me go.”
    He ignored her and lifted the tiny thing in his hand. His eyebrows shot upward, embarrassment flooding him. “Lipstick? You pretended you were going to shoot me with lipstick?”
    She sniffed. “It’s lip gloss. And I never said I was going to shoot you. I said I didn’t want to hurt you.” She frowned. “I’m rapidly thinking about changing my mind, though.”
    Dec shook his head with reluctant admiration. “Dr. Rush, you can try, but I don’t recommend it.”
    Her frown deepened, and he realized she had really full lips that were at odds with the rest of her face, with its sharp cheekbones and pointed chin. Pressed up against her, he felt tightly-packed curves and full breasts. His cock stirred and he cursed mentally.
    “Who are you?” she demanded.
    “Declan Ward. Treasure Hunter Security.”
    Her eyes widened. “The new security specialist.” She pushed at his chest.
    Dec stepped back, and for a second, missed the warmth of her.
    “Why the hell were you stalking me?” she snapped.
    “I was checking you out. It’s part of my job.”
    Now her eyebrows rose, disappearing under her bangs. “You think I have something to do with the theft of my artifacts?”
    Yep, she was smart. He saw the intelligence glittering in those fascinating hazel eyes of hers. Large flecks of gold glimmered against the deep green.
    Her voice rose. “You think I did this to myself?” She waved at her cheek.
    The ugly bruise made his gut harden. In the photo, he’d noted her clear, almost-translucent skin. Up close, on her right cheek, that skin was even more attractive. He could even make out the delicate blue veins beneath her skin. The skin of her left cheek, however, was marred by a bruise that was an ugly reminder that someone had hurt her.
    That Ian Anders had hurt her.
    “Look Mr. Ward, I don’t know who the hell you think you are.” She poked him in the center of his chest. “But I have dedicated my life to my career. To finding, safeguarding, and studying history and its artifacts. I am in charge of this dig, and I have a hell of a lot riding on it. I wouldn’t jeopardize the biggest opportunity of my career, not to mention my personal integrity, to sell off antiquities.”
    There was passion in Dr. Rush. He saw it burning in her eyes, heard it overflowing in her voice as she talked about her work.
    God, when had he felt anything like that? Most days, he felt nothing.
    Focus, Ward. “I’m doing my job, Dr. Rush. You want your artifacts back? You want to make sure no more go missing?”
    Her tight shoulders sagged. “Yes.”
    “Then I’m going to