Page 14 of Troy Story
Focus, damn it. Even if he couldn’t stave off the jealousy simmering inside him, he couldn’t allow it to affect his professionalism. He had too much at stake.
CHAPTERSIX
As Dr. Hughes led the group along the boardwalk, Dusty stopped to tie her hiking boots. She needed a minute to herself since Kerim’s appearance had thrown her off-kilter. When she’d met him in Bodrum two years ago, she’d swooned over his warm, approachable manner and his smoldering good looks. Though all she’d done with him was exchange flirtatious banter, she’d been tempted to take things further.
But now? As desirable as he was, she didn’t feel the same spark of attraction. Nor did she have any interest in pursuing him—not if she still had a chance with Stuart.
When she hustled to catch up with the others, Emilia stopped her. She’d lingered behind, clearly waiting to talk to her.
Dusty raised her eyebrows. “Yes? Something you wanted to ask me?”
Emilia gave her a sly smile. “That was quite the hug between you and Kerim. He’s, like, an eight on the archaeological hotness scale. Maybe even a nine.”
Dusty didn’t believe in objectifying anyone—male or female—but whenever she was around Em, she tended to revert to her teenage self. “I’ve seen him in a swimsuit. Definitely a nine. He’s like a cross between a hot lumberjack and a sexy professor.”
“Nice. Did you and he ever…?”
She shook her head quickly. “He was only in Bodrum for a couple of weeks.”
“That’s more than enough time.” Like Dusty, Emilia preferred short-term flings to lengthy relationships, and she’d experienced her share of shenanigans in the field.
“Honestly? I was seriously lusting after him until I found out he’s a Louisa Danforth fanboy. Heidolizesmy mother. So, sex with him might have been weird. But he took us out on his boat a few times, and we had a blast. If you want to go after him, you won’t have any competition from me.”
“Nope. After last year’s debacle, I’ve sworn off dig romances.”
Dusty nodded in sympathy. Last summer, while excavating in Italy, Emilia had gotten involved with a guy who’d claimed to be single. Once the season had ended, she’d learned he was engaged and had been using the dig as his “free pass” before settling down.
Seeing that Dr. Hughes had led the group to the ruins of a Roman amphitheater, she and Emilia hurried to catch up with them. They stood at the back, listening while he described his first few seasons at the site. Dusty had to give him credit—he was a fount of knowledge about Troy. But any trace of the charming speaker who’d once commanded the academic lecture circuit had vanished. Instead, he came across as boastful and arrogant.
Emilia leaned down and hissed in Dusty’s ear. “Speaking of archaeological hotness, Stuart’s looking good. A little more jacked than I remember. And that beard?Yes, please. Are you finally going to climb that tree?”
Dusty flushed. One night during their dig in Greece, she and Em had gotten drunk on ouzo and shared their deepest secrets. “We’re still just friends. Now that he’s single, I thought I had a chance, but he’s already got his eye on Clarissa.”
“Well, shit. Anyone else worth considering? How about TJ?”
“No, thank you. Although…” She snuck a peek at him. “Stuart’s not the only one who’s been lifting. TJ’s filled out nicely since I saw him last year.”
“He’s kind of cute, I’ll grant you that. Too bad he never shuts up.” Emilia rolled her eyes. “Did I tell youwhywe had to share a room in Istanbul? Because the idiot didn’t think to reserve two rooms.”
Dusty grinned. “Was there only one bed? If so, were you tempted?”
“Shut up. There were two beds, and no. Even if I’ve been feeling a little deprived in that aspect of my life, I’d never consider it. He never stops boasting. He’d probably claim that his last experience was somewhere hard-core, like the ruins of an ancient site.”
The thought made Dusty laugh. “Speaking of ruins…”
“Ladies!”
She froze in horror, suddenly aware everyone was staring at them. Kerim looked as though he was holding back his laughter, but Dr. Hughes nailed her with a murderous scowl. And Stuart had those grumpy frown lines on his forehead. Had all of them heard what she and Emilia had been talking about?
“Um…sorry,” she said. “We got sidetracked.”
“I certainly hope the two of you will behave professionally,” Dr. Hughes said. “Especially you, Miss Danforth. I know who your mother is.”
Yeah, and she hates you. But Dusty felt firmly chastised. “Sorry.”
She kept quiet, listening as he went on and on—not just about the site itself or the recent excavations, but also about his own triumphs, reminding them he’d once been a big name in the field. He’d published numerous books and articles about Troy, and he’d starred in a 2010 documentary entitledAncient Troy: Myth, Legend, and Reality. Not once did he mention anyone else on his team unless it was to disparage them for trying to steal his glory.
No wonder her mom couldn’t stand him. More than ever, Dusty was glad she’d come to Troy to support Stuart. Considering what a jerk his boss was, he needed all the help he could get.
