Passionate Choice

Chapter 4.7

   As soon as the truck stopped in front of the building, Selena walked out from under the trees where she had been sheltering from the sun's rays and went up to Keith as he came towards the telephone station.

   "I've been thinking about what you said to me about Ben and Heather being in some sort of conspiracy together to find treasure and not declare it," she whispered. She put out a hand and laid it on his arm. Her fingers curled in instant pleasure at the feel of silken hairs and the tending of hard muscle. "I'm sure Ben wouldn't be a party to anything underhand. I'm sure he wouldn't."

   He glanced down at her, his eyes narrow chips of blue ice. Then he looked at her hand. He took hold of it, lifted it from his arm and dropped as if it were something distasteful to him. "How do I know you're not in the conspiracy too," gibed nastily.

   "You'll just have to take my word that I'm not," she retorted, lifting her head proudly. "But please wait before telling John Claes of your suspicions. Please, Keith. I could swear Ben is honest, possibly too honest for his own good."

   "You're bound to defend him," he replied. "You're going to marry him."

   But that isn't why I'm defending him. He's honest, I'm sure he is. And he wouldn't damage his reputation as a professional archeologist by becoming involved in any conspiracy."

   "Wouldn't he?" His eyebrows went up in satirical surprise. "You'd be surprised what the thought of finding a treasure will do to a man. Gold for free has a way of warping the most honest person. OK, I won't say anything to John yet. But I have to phone him to find out if he's recovered from his flu, and if he can come out here and take over from me. The sooner the better for you and me, don't you think? Once John's here, I'll be able to leave and then you won't have to pretend you and I have never met before."

   He walked past her into the telephone station. Feeling suddenly listless, Selena climbed up into the front of the truck to sit and wait for him. Her holiday feeling, that up-soaring of spirits she had felt at the thought of spending a couple of hours with him had soon evaporated and now she felt depressed because he obviously didn't want to be alone with her. He was itching to leave Sanada, hoping that John Claes would be well enough to take over soon, in a day or two perhaps, and then it would be over, the excitement and strain of seeing him every day, of hearing his voice and of longing in the night to be alone with him again in the hopes of recapturing the delight they had once shared together.

   So far, Ben had said nothing to her about the possibility of her having met and known Keith before she had come to Sanada and as a result, she could only assume, with relief, that Heather hadn't overheard any part of the conversation between herself and Keith before they had parted that first night. And Keith had been very careful, keeping aloof from her, never speaking to her. But, then, perhaps he didn't want to be near her or speak to her. Perhaps he hadn't found it hard to pretend because he had another lover now, waiting for him in St. Thomas. Even though he had said there was no one on board his yacht, he hadn't denied he had company on his shake-down cruise. Yes, that must be the reason why he could be so aloof. He had another woman so he didn't want her. And she had Ben, didn't she? So why would she want Keith?