a year. It’s good to see old friends.” His gaze slowly trekked down her body then back up to lock onto her face. “I thought you would be in bed by now.”
Her heartbeat sped, and her throat closed against any words she would have said.
“I waited a while to give you time.”
“About this arrangement—"
His gaze sharpened on her, honing to a razor edge. “I think you’re the most stubborn woman I know. Are we going to go through the same argument we had earlier?”
Fighting the attraction she had toward him, she rose. “This is where I’m going to sleep.” She pointed at the small bed. “Alone.”
* * *
The corners of Guerrero’s mouth lifted in a lopsided grin that left his eyes cold. “We are two adults. I’m perfectly capable of sharing the bed without any carnal desires.” Liar, he thought, wrestling with the urge to sweep her into his arms as she stood defiantly in front of him, the size of the room making her so close he could reach out and touch her. “Aren’t you?”
Her eyes widened. She swallowed hard, started to say something, and then clamped her lips together. Stalking past him, she stopped by the bed and faced him. "I won't let you goad me into something I don't want. You can take the floor since this whole arrangement was your idea."
The defiant tilt of her head reminded him of Anna when they first met at the museum in the capital city. He shoved that memory away and shrugged. "You can't blame a guy for trying. I've never relished sleeping on a hard floor, but this won't be the first time.” Some of the tension left her body as she watched him walk to the chair and lift it. He took it to the door and propped it against the handle.
"Are you really expecting trouble?” Her gaze fastened onto the gun still at his waist.
"Let's just say I don't like surprises." He withdrew the pistol and placed it on the floor near the chair.
"ls that necessary?" she asked as she waved her hand at the gun.
His dark gaze pinned her with his unflinching regard. "I don't believe the people after you want to exchange recipes."
A shudder rippled down her body. Crossing her arms tightly over her chest, she lifted her chin. "That's too bad. I've got a particularly great recipe for chicken I just know they would love."
He chuckled. "You cook?"
"Yes. Why do you seem surprised?"
"Oh, I don't know. I just picture you either in a stuffy library researching your next dig or on a dig, making do with food from a can or package."
"During the rainy season I live a perfectly normal life, teaching at the university, writing papers, cooking, eating, sleeping. That's why all this seems," Tory gestured broadly, "unreal. My life is usually dull and routine."
"Dull and routine? Well, I'll do my best to make sure you get back to that dull, routine life." He smiled and winked at her.
"I must say I've taken that life for granted. I never appreciated its merits until I faced never seeing it again. Is your life always this—hectic?"
"Sometimes. I make it a habit never to plan too far into the future. Life has a way of rearranging your plans."
He knew that more than others. In one moment, his whole life fell apart when his wife was murdered. They had many plans for the future, and now none of them would be executed. A lump rose into his throat. The worse part was Anna’s killer also murdered their unborn child.
"Juan says you help people in trouble," she whispered, her voice raw.
Their conversation had provoked a memory in Guerrero that produced pain in him. He’d wanted a family—several children with Anna. That dream had shattered, and he had no plan to ever piece it back together. “When possible," he finally answered.
"That must be rewarding."
“I’ll do it for a fee.” Yet there were times he didn’t charge a person for his services. “I'm no hero, lady."
She flinched at the way he said lady and put a fist on her hip. "Would it be so hard for you to call me by my given name?"
“We have to be up early tomorrow. I suggest getting some sleep now."
Angry, she took a step then another until she was in front of him. “My name is Tory."
He clenched his jaw and stared down at her.
"I think after the last two days, first names are acceptable."
"Lady, you've hired me for a job. You take me