Read Online Aegean Intrigue by Patricia Kiyono - Free Book Online

with the idea of a cooling dip. Another figure stood at the shore, wading through the gentle waves.
    Francie.
    He paused, considering the wisdom of putting himself near the person who created such angst in him. They were alone, on a secluded beach. The sun was setting. She was dressed in a flowing gauzy garment. Though it covered her, every curve of her body was evident.
    Drat .
    Before he could turn around and go back to the camp, she saw him. “Alex?”
    Double drat . Going back now would look silly.
    â€œI see you had the same idea I did.” Was it his imagination, or did his voice crack? It hadn’t done that since he was twelve. He matched his steps to hers, walking in the deeper water. Perhaps the cool waves would calm his racing heart. He noticed he didn’t have to shorten his natural stride, since her long legs ate up the distance as quickly as his own.
    â€œIt was a stressful day. The beach is calming. It must be the motion of the waves.”
    Alex merely grunted and nodded, unable to form a coherent response.
    â€œI was so frightened when the professor hurt himself. I’m not sure I could have borne it if he had been seriously hurt.”
    â€œI take it you’ve known him a long time.”
    She nodded. “All my life. He and Dad were colleagues. Then when Mom left and Dad went to work in the private sector, traveling all over the world, the professor was still here in Greece. I decided to do my doctoral work at the University of Athens because his was a familiar face.”
    A father figure, he thought, ignoring the relief. He had no business being jealous, and there was no point in examining the relationship in the first place. It had nothing to do with him. Focus on the prize, he told himself.
    â€œYou told the professor it was common for people to cut themselves while sharpening a trowel. Is that true?”
    â€œMore or less. He must have been very distracted, though. A man with as much experience as he has would go through the motions automatically. I thought it was odd, but didn’t say anything to him. He was upset enough as it was.”
    â€œYou handled him quite well. I know your presence helped him to stay calm.”
    She smiled at him. “Thanks. I know he’s helped to calm me down more than once.” When he merely raised his eyebrows at her, she admitted, “I—went through a rough time a few years ago, and neither of my parents was…available. If it weren’t for Professor Theo’s encouragement, I might be waiting tables for the rest of my life instead of finishing my PhD.”
    â€œThen the entire world of Classic Archaeology is indebted to him.”
    She laughed. “You’re jumping to conclusions.”
    They continued walking in silence. The waves lapped at their feet, moving in a smooth, calming rhythm. They reached the end of the estate, marked by a low stone fence. By mutual accord, they turned to walk back to the encampment. He thought briefly about her lost love, Leandros. Had they walked on moonlit sandy beaches like this?
    She raised such strong emotions in him, feelings that hadn’t surfaced in years, and at a pitch he had never felt. If he were to become involved with her, it would consume him, and he would expect nothing less from her. He would be very, very selfish. He clasped his hands behind his back to keep them to himself.
    But a moment later his arms were wrapped around her. She’d tripped on a piece of driftwood, and instinctively, he’d reached out to catch her before she fell. But the momentum sent them both sprawling on the sand. Alex held himself above her, hoping he hadn’t hurt her. But the wide brown eyes looking up into his, the thick tresses of dark hair spread out on a pillow of sand, and the full lips opened in surprise offered an invitation he couldn’t refuse.
    Oh no , he thought as his face lowered to hers.

Chapter Ten
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    Francie walked toward Professor