dirt-smeared hand. Though seventeen years his junior, Ian’s experience in the field was nearly as vast as David’s own.
“David Kane,” David replied, barely managing to keep his voice steady.
Those twin dimples deepened as the man smiled wider, showing even, white teeth. “I’ve heard so much about you, Dr. Kane. I’m honored to finally meet you.”
David had heard about Ian, too, via rumors floating around the site, about how the handsome young archeologist had never talked about or been seen with a woman. Well, that certainly didn’t prove anything. David made it a point to be seen with lots of women, though they were merely acquaintances, and never any men who could be mistaken for anything but colleagues. But he had a discreet network of friends who wanted nothing more than an occasional tumble between the sheets. They weren’t openly gay or looking for long-term, either. It was an arrangement that worked well for all.
Only then did David realize his guide had left him alone with Ian, and he hadn’t even noticed she’d left. He’d been too captivated.
Oh. How was he supposed to carry on a conversation with someone so distracting? “Did you always want to be an archaeologist?” Oh, yeah. That was smooth. David fought not to roll his eyes at his lame attempt to get to know the guy. Ever since hearing his grandmother’s stories of lost civilizations as a child, David had wanted nothing more than learn all he could of the past, hold swords forged centuries ago, ornaments that had graced pharaohs’ necks. Unearth cities long since abandoned. But that didn’t mean everyone shared David’s passion. Too many times he’d observed the glazed eyes and nervous shuffling that marked a colleague’s attempt to escape. The running joke was: “Don’t ask David about digging unless you have at least three hours.”
Ian’s dimples framed his bright smile. Damn, those were adorable dimples, prominent enough not to be hidden by two-day or more beard growth. “Nah. I wanted to be the guy who left stuff for you to dig up.”
“Excuse me?”
“I wanted to be a pirate. Bury treasure on remote islands.”
“The pull of riches, huh?” Figured. No one so beautiful could possess the soul of a scholar.
Ian shrugged. “Not really. You know all those shipwrecks we studied about in college?”
David nodded.
“I wanted to sweep in and grab all the good stuff before those ships went down. Preserve it for posterity, you know?”
Shit. David was in trouble now. Young, gorgeous, and dedicated to history. He couldn’t have found a more perfect man if he’d taken applications for the position.
After three hours of debating the merits of planned excavations versus exploratory digging, David was a goner.
That night when he left the site he sought out one of his “friends” who, incidentally, had auburn hair and spoke English with an American accent.
The next day, David worked side by side with Dr. Lewis. Every shared glance, every word, stroked his libido. Could Ian be gay? Single? Looking for a little action?
No, no, no, no, no. Getting involved could ruin David’s untarnished career. Plus, he didn’t know if the rumors of the man’s sexuality were true. Better to keep his distance. His safe little world didn’t need any shaking up. But damned if those dimples didn’t turn his insides to mush, and that auburn hair called a siren song to his fingers.
How he longed to reach beneath the waistband of Ian’s pants and discover a treasure more precious than historical pottery fragments. When Ian brushed dirt from David’s face… David retreated to the far side of the dig and stayed there to hide a nearly painful erection. This couldn’t continue. How could he ask for reassignment without good reason?
Six weeks. He’d only committed six weeks for this dig. Surely lust for Ian wouldn’t kill him by then. By the second day on the site, after six quick visits, his red-haired friend with benefits started to get suspicious.
On the third day Ian cornered him. “Look, Dr. Kane, if you’ve got something to say to me then come out and say it to my face!” No dimples showed now, only righteous anger and blazing green eyes.
Fuck, the man was magnificent. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.” Liar.
Ian snorted. “You won’t come within three feet of me, and whenever I hand you something, you won’t even touch me. Is it because I’m gay?”
“You… you’re gay?” Part of David wanted to shout in joy, though he could never act on his newfound knowledge.
Those grass green eyes narrowed.