Page 68 of Troy Story
For the rest of the meal, the crew discussed the topic at length until Dr. Hughes declared it to be “a worthless piece of junk” and left in a huff. But the conversation continued without him, even during the afternoon lab session, to the point where Stuart desperately hoped the Germanswouldunearth something substantial. Otherwise, everyone would feel let down.
After dinner, the crew hung out in the common room, playing poker. Ever since TJ had emerged victorious from their last tournament, Emilia had been determined to beat him. So, she’d suggested a rematch but with higher stakes. Rather than join them, Stuart sought out Dusty, who had retreated to the library. She sat at one of the tables, humming while she sketched. Beside her was a thick tome entitledThe Illustrated History of the Medieval World.
Curious as to why she’d be researching that era, he pointed to the book. “What are you working on?”
She took out her earbuds and gave him her full attention. With a luminous smile, she held up a picture of two knights jousting on horseback. “Mort’s friend loved my illustrations so much he asked to see a few more. This time, he wants examples for the medieval time-travel book, so I’ve been drawing knights and princesses.”
As always, her talent blew him away. “That’s great. Can I peek at the rest?”
“Sure. They’re kind of rough. I’ve been so obsessed with the ancient world that I haven’t quite captured the feel of the medieval era. But it’s fun.”
He leafed through sketches of knights, castles, kings, and princesses. The last drawing was a cartoon depicting the two of them sharing a bottle of wine over dinner, no doubt inspired by Operation Aphrodite. “You weren’t going to send him this one, were you?”
“Nope. That’s just for me.”
“Considering how the evening turned out, it’s very G-rated.”
“I wasn’t about to draw us having sex.” She clasped her hands under her chin and flashed him a naughty smile. “Even though I’ve dreamed about it. A lot.”
When she looked at him like that, he was helpless to resist her. “Want a break? Why don’t you come outside with me?”
“I’d love to.” She stood and cocked her hip. “Tell me, Professor Carlson, what will it take to free me from Hughes’ trench? A few kisses? Or something more?”
He laughed. “You can offer all you want, but I’m not budging. I have to be fair.”
“Fine. Be that way. But he’s gotten even more unbearable. Today, he yelled at me for taking too long during one of my bathroom breaks, and he snapped at Clarissa for leaving early. He also treated Leo with total disrespect. I think it’s awesome the Germans found that fragment, but all he said was that it looked like garbage.”
“He was probably jealous. Only two weeks left, and we have yet to find his cemetery. He’s running out of chances to reclaim his glory.”
“I guess.” Dusty followed him out of the library, shutting off the lights as she left. “Did I tell you I caught him harassing Mehmet?”
“When did this happen?” For once, Stuart wanted to experience a day when his boss behaved like a mature adult.
“Yesterday morning when we first arrived at the site. Em and I were walking past Wagner’s trenches. The Germans weren’t there yet, but Hughes was standing next to Mehmet, totally laying into him. I felt sorry for the poor guy.”
“He was probably demanding access. What an asshole. Do you think I should say something to him about it?” After the success of Operation Strudel, Stuart had gained more confidence in asserting himself around Dr. Hughes.
“Probably not since he’ll know I’m the one that told you. I don’t need him hating me more than he already does. It’s gotta be killing him that Clarissa and I can hang with Wagner’s crew anytime we want, but he’s not welcome.” She grinned. “The power of strudel.”
“Well, it was damn good strudel.” Taking her hand, he led her outside to the picnic table under the olive trees.
Since they were alone, he had no qualms about pulling her onto his lap. After a full day of working together as colleagues, he relished the chance to drop the professional facade. She turned so she was straddling him and ran her fingers through his hair. Cradling his face in her hands, she pulled him closer and kissed him. Softly at first, then with more urgency, nipping at his bottom lip.
All the day’s tension ebbed away as he gloried in the taste of her lips, the delicate flicker of her tongue against his. He could sit for hours like this, enjoying her delicious kisses. But when she ground into him and his body reacted accordingly, he pulled away with a reluctant groan.
“Dusty, no. I won’t be able to walk back into the field house.”
Laughing, she eased off his lap but kept her hand resting on his thigh. “Only two weeks left. Then once we leave Troy, I’m all yours. You’re spending a few days in Istanbul, right?”
This was the perfect opportunity to share his surprise. “Yeah. I wanted to talk to you about that. I planned something for us there.”
“What is it? Does it involve a huge bed? Because we need to make up for lost time.”
“There might be a king bed involved…” He took out his phone, eager to show her pictures of the apartment he’d booked, but a gruff voice stopped him cold.
“Enjoying the evening?” Dr. Hughes strode past them on his way to the field house. Phone in hand, sweat dripping from his brow, he looked like he’d been out power walking while engaging in a late-night conversation.
Stuart flinched under the professor’s scrutiny, feeling like a kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “Um…yeah. It’s a pleasant night.”
