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He studied her thoughtfully for a moment. “Have you been back since college?”
“Once.”
“To visit family?”
“Yeah, but they’re gone now, too. My brother is in Germany and my mom remarried.”
“So you have no reason to come back.”
“None. I like my life in New York.”
“Even during the winter?”
“Especially during the summer.”
He smiled. “Have you noticed many changes yet?”
“Traffic is horrible.”
“That’s an understatement. Where are you staying?”
“The Hilton.”
“The Flamingo Hilton?”
“No, I wanted to stay off the strip. In fact, if I’d made the reservation myself I would have stayed farther out.”
“This place has grown so much, any farther out would have to be Searchlight.”
“Funny.”
“You think I’m kidding?”
She took another sip of wine, thinking back on the harrowing taxi ride from the airport. The area had really grown in the five short years since she’d been back. An entire beltway had sprung up. She couldn’t help but wonder how or if Searchlight had been affected by this population explosion.
Were the trailers still there? Or had houses replaced them? Maybe there was even a high school there now, instead of the kids having to be bused over to Boulder City. Not that she was curious enough to make the fifty-mile trip to see for herself.
A wave of nostalgia took her by surprise. For years she hadn’t thought about the converted carport where her mother had supported them by cutting and perming the hair of half the women in Searchlight. Or the combination drugstore-diner-gas station where Karrie used to bag Mr. Donner’s trash every day to earn vanilla-and-chocolate-swirl ice-cream cones. Yet the images were all crystal clear.
The waitress brought their food and Rob immediately dug into his seafood lasagna. Not as hungry as she thought she was, Karrie eyed her shrimp and fettuccine with less enthusiasm than when she’d ordered it.
“Hey.”
She looked up at him.
“Something wrong with your dinner?”
“No.” She picked up a fork, not wanting to examine her sudden melancholy.
He hesitated, and then said, “Weird coming home again, huh?”
“Not really. All these people moving here.” She shook her head. “I totally don’t get it.”
“They come for the bright lights and excitement.” His teasing grin lifted her spirits and tightened her tummy.
“We have that and much more in Manhattan.”
“Have you seen some of the new resorts on the strip?” he asked, keeping her gaze locked to his.
“You offering a tour?”
“Yeah.”
She took a big bite of shrimp pasta. There was time enough tomorrow to talk about land and digs and Sanax. Tonight was hers, and she intended to use it in the best way possible. “I’m game,” she said, hoping like hell he understood that she wasn’t talking about a tour.
3
“I FEEL LIKE I’M AT A REAL BEACH instead of at a casino.”
“That’s the idea.” Rob smiled at the look of amazement on Karrie’s face as she watched the electronically generated waves crash to shore. The beach at Mandalay even had lifeguards on duty. The mega resort was one of the newer kids on the block, vying for business by making Las Vegas a family destination.
“Okay, I’m totally impressed.” She turned to look at him suddenly, her hazel eyes sparkling and golden, and he had the dangerous urge to haul her against him and kiss that wide lush mouth.
“You’re easy.”
“Hey, don’t get personal.”
Hell, pretty, great legs and a sense of humor. “Wait until you see the Shark Reef.”
“Would it still be open?” she asked, glancing at her watch and trying to stifle a yawn.
“I forgot you’re still on East Coast time.”
“No problem. I’m not ready to go to bed yet.”
It was an innocuous remark. Certainly not one that could conjure such an erotic scene in his head. Karrie, sprawled out on his bed, naked, her back arching off the mattress, her golden red hair spread out like wildfire.
He shoved away from the railing they looked over. “Why don’t I take you back to your hotel?”
“I have a better idea.” She turned to face him, light coming from behind him glistening off her glossy pink lips. “Why don’t I buy you a drink as thanks for showing me around tonight?”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I know.”
“Do you realize it’s after midnight your time?”
“I’m a pretty bright girl. I figured that out all by myself.”
“I don’t remember you being such a smart-ass.”
She laughed. “I’m surprised you remember me at all. You acted like you had on invisible blinders. Your attention went from the blackboard to the back of the room and didn’t stop anywhere in between unless someone raised their hand.”
“Right.”
“It’s true. Did you know we all suspected that you were gay?”
“We?”
“Some of the girls in the class.”
He hadn’t heard that one. “I’m not.”
“I know.” She turned away with a smug smile. And then frowned down at her feet. “I have got to get out of these heels.”
Was that a hint? It took that little to send him back to his earlier daydream. Even if she offered, he’d be a fool to entertain the idea of sleeping with her. Not until they made a deal about the dig. Although the ethics of the situation weren’t as black-and-white as getting involved with a student, it still wasn’t clear to him what kind of business relationship he and Karrie would have.
If it was true that Sanax was simply making sure they didn’t waste a public relations opportunity, and that they wouldn’t interfere with his plans, then there was no reason not to respond to Karrie’s unspoken yet clear invitation. At least he hoped the invitation was real, and not something he was conjuring because he wanted her so damn badly.
The problem was, she’d be gone tomorrow. Gone, with no intention of coming back to a city she loathed. It was tonight or never. “Come on,” he said. “Let’s head back to the car. If you still feel like a drink, there’s a bar along the way.”
She limped toward him and then reached for his arm. “Do you mind?”
He lifted his elbow, and she slipped her arm in his and the subtle scent of roses reached him. Heat from her body wrapped around him like steam from a sauna. She leaned toward him and her breast brushed his arm.
“You don’t have to walk that slowly,” she said, her warm breath close to his ear, and he realized that he’d practically stopped.
Few people milled around them. Although the casino was somewhat busy, it was a weeknight and very little activity extended as far as the beach area and the wedding chapel. Even the string of restaurants that led the way had largely emptied out.
He took a deep breath, her scent filling his nostrils, and then he steered them in the direction of the lobby, cursing himself for feeling stiff and awkward.
“Hey.” She stopped.
Reluctantly, he turned his head. He guessed her to be about five-eight with the heels, which brought her eye level with his chin. Her gaze lingered on the scar and then she looked up to meet his eyes.
“Is this weird for you?” she asked, her hazel eyes dark with concerned curiosity.
The strand of hair curling against her smooth cheek caught him by surprise. It looked so silky he had to fight the urge to touch it. Press it between his fingertips and feel how soft it was.
“Rob?”
He blinked at her, the sound of his name intimate on her lips.
Her tongue darted out to touch the corner of her mouth and he realized she was nervous. “I won’t call you Dr. Philips,” she said, obviously reading him correctly. “You aren’t my teacher anymore.”
“Of course.” He wasn’t sure where this was going. The male part of him had an obvious preference. Good thing they stood in the middle of the walkway.
As if on cue, a family of four headed toward them and Rob drew Karrie off to the side.
“I know it’s a term of respect and recognition, one you’ve earned, but I think my using it puts us back in our old roles.” She paused and audibly cleared her throat. “It creates distance,” she added, and then squinted at him, as if he were an errant child refusing to listen. “Am I making myself clear?”
He needed a second to ground himself. He had the feeling that if he answered her this second, his voice would crack like a fourteen-year-old’s. At least he hadn’t been imagining things. She wanted it. He wanted it. “Perfectly clear,” he said, grateful his voice remained steady and cool.
He reached for her, eliciting a startled gasp as she stumbled against him. She flattened her palms on his chest but swayed toward him, lifting her face, inviting his kiss.
Even as he lowered his mouth he knew it was a mistake. There was still unsettled business to work out, relationships to define. Things that mattered were at risk and here he was kissing the woman who could cause him all kinds of problems if this evening of delight turned to one of regret. But the attraction he felt was too potent, as if it had been dormant but simmering for the past six years.
He touched his lips gently to hers, giving her time to back off if this wasn’t what she wanted. He needn’t have worried. She was more than ready, opening her mouth to him and looping her arms around his neck, pressing her breasts against his chest.
He backed them into the evening shadows and ran his palms down either side of her waist, over her rounded hips. She tasted so damn fine, a mixture of sweetened coffee and mystery, and he forgot they stood in a public place until he heard shrill laughter from a group of passersby.
Raising his head, he saw that no one paid them any attention. A blond woman in her early thirties, obviously a little tipsy and leading her cohorts toward the pool area, was trying to balance a drink on her head.
Karrie glanced over her shoulder and watched the group disappear. She was feeling a little drunk herself even though she’d had only one drink and a glass of wine hours ago. Actually being with Dr. Rob Philips was making her heady. Him. In the flesh. Her perfect Man To Do. Her arms were around his neck. His hands cupped her hips. He’d just kissed her. The whole thing was totally unreal.
Like a dream.
A fantasy come true.
She drew in a deep breath before turning back to him. He slackened his hands as if he was going to release her but she pulled him down for another kiss instead.
His lips were warm and firm and then his tongue touched hers and she forgot where they were or that she was here as a representative for Sanax. Control slipped away and she didn’t care. She ran her palms down his chest, longing to reach the hardness that pressed against her belly.
She got to his waist and he broke the kiss. Grabbed her wrists firmly in his. “I don’t live too far from here,” he whispered, his lips pressed to her temple.
She slowly exhaled, trying to clear her head. Everything seemed fuzzy. She stepped back. He straightened and let his hands drop to his sides.
“Wow!” she said, her voice shaky.
“Yeah.” He pushed a hand through his hair, glanced around. “Look, I—”
She quickly put a silencing finger to his lips. “Don’t you dare ruin it.”
He stared at her for a moment, and then took her arm and they wordlessly headed toward the lobby. They passed a restaurant and a bar, and then he guided them away from the lobby and around the headless statue of Lenin, a route she recognized as leading toward the garage.
As they passed the Ice bar, she remembered that this was the last place they could stop before entering the elevators that would take them to the car. She slowed and touched his arm.
Before he even looked at her, she changed her mind. She was exhausted, fueled only by adrenaline and tantalizing memories. Oh, yeah, she still wanted him. But the idea of a Man To Do was more provocative than it was her style. Despite her past with Rob, she didn’t really know him. She’d been giddy from having him react to her in a way she’d dreamed about when she sat in his class, but was she really prepared to sleep with him on the cusp of this business deal?
It was a crying shame, but she’d better put the brakes on before things got completely out of hand. It was all too enticing, too easy, and that could only lead to trouble. Damn, but it would have been fine.
She smiled at him, reluctant to break the news. “To be honest, I was going to remind you about that drink I promised. But I think we should wait until tomorrow.”
“Sure.” He shrugged, trying to look nonchalant but his discomfort was clear. “No problem.”
“Yes, there is. You don’t understand. I know I’m just one of many students who passed through your classroom. But I had a real thing for you back then.” She hesitated when panic flickered in his eyes. Too much information, she decided. “I was young. Basically it was a stupid crush.” She sighed, shaking her head as she inched away. “I don’t know why I’m telling you all this. Probably because I’m so tired I can’t think straight.”
“Hey, wait.” He touched her arm and then kept abreast of her when she didn’t stop. “My fault,” he said. “I shouldn’t have come on to you.”
