Craved

Renee:

The thrill Renee got whenever she sank her trowel into a new patch of ground was almost better than sex. Unless that was sex with her new boss, Damon Cubin. Last night at the bar, she was sure he was going to take her somewhere private and kiss her until she forgot all her inhibitions.

But that had been a far-fetched fantasy. Why would handsome, intelligent Damon want her in any capacity other than professional? He’d shown how much he was into her by ignoring her half the night, after they’d had a tangible connection that charged the air between them, then picking up a random woman he met at the bar. And he brought that other woman here with everyone… moved her into his tent.

Now Renee was faced with reality and if she didn’t get her shit together, her dream job was on the line.

“Hey, hitting the ground early, aren’t you?” one of the guys on the dig asked. His hair was cut military-style and he had deep, brown eyes.

“Someone has to,” she said a little too eagerly, her gaze flicked to Damon’s tent wishing she could make him come out and do his freaking job.

“I hear you.” He sat a few feet away, dragging a stiff brush through the dirt. His tool belt was full of bright, shiny tools. “Got talked into coming from my boyfriend Michael as a bonding experience for us. I’m Gary.”

“Renee.” She glanced around, but only two women milled about as the sun stretched low on the horizon. “So where is he?”

“Sleeping.” He shook his head. “Drank way too much last night. I can drink beer forever and it not faze me. One shot of his fancy, expensive dessert wine and I was on the floor during his sister’s wedding. That didn’t go over too well.”

Renee chuckled. “Sorry. Sounds like it didn’t.”

“Nope, but Michael forgave me.” He winked. “After I promised never to drink anything but beer again.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

“Sure.” He flashed her a smile. “Relationships are all about compromise.”

Renee nodded and scooped out another bucket load from the archeological site. Her past relationships had gone nowhere. Was it because she was too hard-headed and didn’t bend like Gary had with Michael?

She wiped her brow. Her thoughts shifted back to Damon. His extensive knowledge of ancient Phrygian culture, almost as if he’d experienced it firsthand, drew her to him. Didn’t hurt that he was gorgeous as sin. Not to mention, he was the first archeologist to give her a chance as an assistant; for every other excavation, she amounted to nothing more than a volunteer. This was her chance to work with someone who valued her skills. Further her career and she could go full-time instead of cramming her passion into three short summer months when she wasn’t teaching.

“You look like you know what you’re doing.” Gary motioned with his chin.

“Yeah. Been doing this every summer since I was sixteen.” She dumped more soil in the shifter. “Other than that, I’m teaching.”

“Always wanted to do that.” He put his brush away and took out one of the small trowels. “Me and Michael are boring accountants.”

“Got a card?” she joked. “Might need some help on my taxes.”

“Anytime.” He smiled.

Gary was nice and easy to talk to. Why couldn’t Damon be polite like him? Instead of pushing her away when she’d felt the chemistry between them.

She exhaled, air seeping through her parted lips until her lungs screamed. The breathing exercise did little to take her mind off Damon. Let it go, Renee, he’s not interested.