MaeMy mouth dropped open. “I’m not lying. A trip to Israel requires more than two days’ notice. I want to use the trip to scout some stuff for our business. But in order to do that, I need to check our inventory and see what kind of money we have.” It all sounded like some great excuses to me. I hoped she was buying it.“I think you think I won’t be okay,” she said quietly. “I appreciate you thinking about me, but I’m really going to be okay. I’m so glad you took me from Mom and Dad. I don’t want to be a burden. If you cancel your trip, I’m going to feel like a burden. Then I’m going to feel bad and get sad and depressed. Then, I might just decide it’s better for me to go back home. You wouldn’t want all that to happen, would you?”I stared at her. “Wow. You are good. Really good. I didn’t think you had it in you.”She grinned. “Did it work?”“You sneaky little thing,” I teased.She giggled. “I want you to go. It isn’t every day you get the chance to go to Israel. You cannot pass thi

TysonMae sat down on the couch while I moved to the small bar to make a couple of mimosas. I carried her glass to her and sat down at the opposite end of the sofa. She sipped the drink and smiled. “Who would have thought the jock football player in high school that pretended to be a little on the dumb side would have all this one day?”I laughed. “I wasn’t pretending.”“Yeah, right. A double major? That isn’t easy. You’re smart. I always knew you were smart. You just liked to play dumb so no one would expect anything of you.”I shrugged. “It was easier. People looked at me and saw the big, dumb jock. It was easier to just go with it than try to convince them I did have a brain in my skull.”“The people from back then would be impressed and surprised by your success. You’ve made it. You made yourself into a very rich man, or at least you certainly present yourself as such.”I only smiled. I wasn’t going to give her the details. Not yet. I didn’t like to lead with that. “I rarely think

MaeI wasn’t sure if he was saying our room, like we were sharing a room or separate rooms. I stood out of the way, trying to take it all in. It was stunning. He was right. I couldn’t wait until morning when I could see the view of the Mediterranean Sea.“Ready?” he asked.I blinked and nodded. “I am.”We rode up in the elevator. Instead of the bellhop bringing our bags, Tyson insisted we carry them the rest of the way. He paused in front of a door and held a key out. “Yours.”“What?” I asked.“Your room. I’m right next door.”I smiled. I wasn’t sure if I was disappointed or relieved. “Thank you. Should I set my alarm for a particular time?”He shrugged. “You’re sure to be jet-lagged. Sleep in. Relax.”“No way. I want to see everything. What is your plan for tomorrow?”“We’ll go out to the dig in the morning,” he said.My eyes lit up. “I can’t believe I get to see a real archeological dig. This is truly the trip of a lifetime. Thank you so much.”“You’re welcome. Thank you for coming

TysonI wanted to roll my eyes. I didn’t. I took the offered bottle of water and quickly swallowed half of it.“Thank you for your kindness,” she said in a sweet voice.Samuel looked like he had won the lottery. I wondered if I got that same look when she gave me one of her exquisite smiles or showered me with attention. I hoped not. That was sappy. The guy looked like a lovesick puppy dog.“Are you ready to make a deal?” he asked, taking a seat behind the small desk that crowded the tiny trailer.“I’m interested in discussing a deal,” I said. “I’m not interested in the coins, but I like the other stuff. I understand selling each piece individually will be more of a burden for you, so I am willing to buy the lot.”That seemed to please him. “Great! I will give you a steep discount.” He tossed out a number and I almost choked with laughter.“Exactly what are you selling me?” I asked. “Does that include a claim on what you might find?”He scowled. “No, no. That is for the tools, statues

Mae“There is a restaurant here,” he said, his voice huskier than usual.I nodded and followed him. I could feel the tension between us. We had been doing the same dance for too long. Every sense was heightened. My skin felt too tight. His masculine smell and his voice were making me crazy.“Get a grip,” I muttered under my breath.He turned to look at me. “What?”My eyes widened when I realized I had actually said it aloud. “Nothing. I was talking to myself.”He nodded. “Okay.”Five minutes later, we were enjoying a light lunch. I watched people mill about the area. The massive space attracted locals and tourists of all ages. I needed to focus on them to keep my mind off Tyson. “Do you visit here every time you come?” I asked.“No. I stop in once in a while to see what’s new, but I don’t usually have the time.”I nodded. “Because you are always on the hunt for the next big thing.”“Yes. I try and make every trip count and will usually visit a number of my regular dealers before headi