In Too Deep by Sherryl Woods Page B

took it and a smile lit her dark, serious eyes.
    â€œBonita,” she said softly.
    As Cara left the camp, she felt the sting of tears in her eyes. It was as if she’d been touched by something pure and gentle, only to discover it was endangered—and by her. Even Rod seemed to have become caught up in the mystical mood. His expression was brooding and he was quiet as they walked toward the archaeological site. Finally he looked down at her. He reached out and took her hand in his and held it tightly.
    â€œHaving second thoughts, princess?”
    Cara nodded. “How are we ever supposed to know what’s right?”
    He ran a finger along her cheek. “I think you just have to do what’s in your heart.”
    Cara trembled at his touch. What was in her heart right now was need beyond anything she’d ever known before. She wanted this sometimes sensitive, sometimes impossible man to hold her and teach her everything there was to know about passion. It was as if the visit to the Lacandones had somehow awakened her to the importance of many things, including love. Like the rain forest, love came with no guarantees that it would last forever. It was up to the individual to treasure it and respect the gift while it was his. She raised her face to Rod’s, her eyes still shimmering with unshed tears.
    â€œDon’t look at me like that,” Rod whispered with raw urgency. “Not unless you mean for me to make love to you here and now.”
    She looked away, but the yearning built inside her, growing more powerful by far than the doubts. “I’m not sure what I want anymore.”
    The smile he gave her was rueful. “Not exactly the passionate declaration I was hoping for, princess, but you’re getting closer.”
    â€œThat’s what I’m afraid of,” she said and lapsed into silence.
    * * *
    It was late afternoon when they arrived at the archaeological site. The man who came to greet them was tall and distinguished, with touches of silver in his black hair. If he was disconcerted by their unexpected appearance, he hid it well.
    â€œSo, Señor Craig, you are back again,” he said enthusiastically. “I thought perhaps your work would be completed by now.”
    â€œThere have been some delays,” Rod told him. “But we will be finished soon. Señorita Scott wished to meet with you to discuss your feelings about the dam before we leave. Cara, this is Rafael Riva. He discovered this site and is in charge of the research.”
    â€œSeñorita, it is my pleasure,” Rafael said, bowing over her hand. She searched his expression for some sign of antipathy, but he seemed sincerely delighted to see them. “I appreciate your willingness to come all this way to talk with us.”
    Before Cara could respond, there was a whoop of delight from Rod and she turned just in time to see his face light up as he spotted a woman coming toward them. Slender, her midnight black hair flowing down her back, she walked with the regal bearing of a woman who was totally sure of herself. With a thoroughly unfamiliar sick feeling in the pit of her stomach, Cara watched as Rod swept the woman into an exuberant embrace and swung her around. She had no doubts at all that this was Maria Herrera.
    â€œThey are old friends,” Rafael said in a low voice, apparently reading Cara’s sudden attack of insecurity. “Do not seek out trouble where there is none.”
    She looked into kind eyes that danced with amusement. “You can be so certain?” she said dubiously. “They appear quite fond of each other.”
    â€œAs they are. But I know Maria well, señorita,” he said with conviction. “Her heart lies elsewhere. As for Señor Craig, his eyes light only for you. You have nothing to worry about.”
    Before she could respond, Rod was bringing Maria over and she found her hand clasped by cool, slender fingers.
    â€œSo,”