In Too Deep by Kira Sinclair Page A

to choke it down. Knox watched her, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth as she picked at the bones.
    “Nautical archaeology. That’s a pretty narrow field. How’d you end up there?” he asked, filling the silence. Things between them had become considerably more comfortable since last night. She supposed they’d released some sexual tension...well, at least she had.
    It was Avery’s turn to study him. “Why do you want to know?”
    “Call it curiosity.”
    Was it possible he was feeling as off-kilter as she was, searching for solid ground, or was he trying to expose her true purpose?
    Either way, she didn’t see the harm in answering. Maybe they could end up friends, at least until she betrayed him and royally screwed his business.
    “I started out in anthropology. I’ve always been fascinated with people, cultures. My father is an archaeologist and most of my playgrounds contained ancient artifacts and dig quadrants instead of monkey bars and swing sets.”
    “Well, that explains a lot.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    Knox shook his head. “Down, killer. I just meant that you have an air about you. A sophistication that goes beyond the pearls and heels. It’s experience. Seeing the world, people and different cultures, and learning to appreciate the value they bring.”
    “You understand.”
    Knox tossed a bone into the fire. The flames flared and sizzled. “Admittedly, I’ve seen a different side of the world than you probably have.”
    “I wouldn’t count on that,” Avery mumbled under her breath, the unhappy memories too close to the surface not to be in the forefront of her mind.
    Knox gave her a questioning glance, but didn’t comment.
    “The effect is the same. Sometimes our lives can feel so small, our problems so huge, until we’re faced with desperate mothers, fathers broken because they can’t provide for their families, and children forced to take on responsibilities at eight or nine that no child should.”
    Avery nodded. He did understand.
    No, she hadn’t spent years of her life in war-torn countries as Knox had, but she’d seen enough poverty, starvation and oppression in the countries she had visited. It was always difficult for her to witness those things. As a teenager she’d felt powerless to do anything to help.
    “Although—” his tawny eyes glinted with mischief “—I will say that for someone interested in learning about people, you really have no idea how to interact with them.”
    Pulling her hand back, Avery aimed her own bone at Knox’s head. He didn’t even flinch, simply snatched it out of the air before it got anywhere close to him, cocked a single eyebrow at her and redirected it into the fire.
    “Nice aim, doc.”
    “Show-off,” she grumbled, although there wasn’t much heat behind the word. “Those who can’t do, teach. Those who can’t interact, study human civilizations in an attempt to understand others.”
    “And pay the bills.”
    Avery couldn’t stop the smile from tugging at her lips. “And pay the bills.”
    Avery shifted, crossing her legs in front of her and grabbing a handful of sand. The grains fell through her fingers, silky and sugary fine.
    “Believe it or not, I’m better than I used to be.” She studied him from beneath her lashes. “You seem to draw out the worst in me.”
    A grin flashed across his face—almost before it was there it was gone—leaving behind a banked heat.
    “I seem to remember bringing out the best in you last night.” Warmth climbed through her, pooling right between her thighs. Her breasts felt heavy and swollen and she wished she’d bothered to find her bra last night before tossing her tank back on, but it had been nearly impossible in the dark. Now, she knew the thin material would provide no barrier to the sharp points of her nipples.
    “At least, that’s what you said right before you fell asleep.”
    The grin he tossed her was impish and a little wicked. A combination of