Hawk and the Cougar
were late.
    “Where did you leave the cooler?” he asked. “We’ve got plenty of food and water left.”
    “The other side of the car,” she replied in a voice that, thankfully, didn’t crack. She fetched the cooler then crossed to the truck, where Hawk was retrieving a sleeping bag and blue jean jacket from behind the seat.
    “You really come prepared,” she said.
    “The desert gets down in the forties this time of year. Without a coat and water you can be in trouble before you know it.” He paused and looked over his shoulder at her. “We’ll be all right.”
    The knot in her stomach tightened when he pulled a rifle from behind the seat. Hawk shut the door and faced her.
    “Were you expecting trouble?” she asked.
    “I always keep a rifle on a dig. There’s not much danger with a big group like today, but I spend a lot of time on digs alone. Mountain lions can be aggressive.” He extended his hand in invitation. “The Toyota will be more comfortable than my truck. We can put the backseat down.”
    She entwined her fingers in his and he led her towards the Land Cruiser. The casual clasp of his fingers, warm and sure, sent a frisson of awareness through her. Had it been so long that any touch from a man was so noticeable? She had to get a grip. It would be easy to get carried away with a middle-aged fantasy that ended up making a fool of her—and getting her and Emma hurt. Hawk had made it clear that he wanted her, but he was grown up enough to put aside his sexual advances. They had to get through this night and get safely home tomorrow.
    Five minutes later, Hawk had the seat down and the sleeping bag spread out across the Toyota bed. He motioned Liz in, and she ignored the idea that he was watching her ass as she crawled inside.
    “Why leave us here like this?” she asked as he closed the door behind him.
    He scooted back to where she sat. “Another warning.”
    He stretched out kitty-corner on the sleeping bag and pulled her against his chest. The moon that lifted over the orange tinged horizon joined forces with the scent of earth and unique masculine smell that was him, and her pussy tightened. The arm wrapped around her lay heavy across her waist. A quiver radiated through her stomach. Liz willed herself not to melt against the muscled expanse pressed close to her breast.
    “This is low-key compared to last night’s warning,” she said, in a voice she prayed didn’t give away the desire that throbbed between her legs with every beat of her heart.
    He was silent, and she was sure he could feel her nipples hardening against his chest. How long before he caught scent of the moisture dampening her panties? How long could she resist?
    “I meant what I said. I’m not going to risk Emma’s relationship with you.”
    “I won’t change my mind about being her advisor,” he said.
    “What?” Liz shoved up onto an elbow so that they made eye contact in the dusky moonlight. “You’re going to be her advisor?”
    “She didn’t tell you?”
    Liz shook her head. And Emma wouldn’t. She would give up his support before hurting her. Liz hadn’t considered the possibility that Emma would find a professor willing to advise her so early in her education. Her throat tightened. Emma’s upset hadn’t just been teenage embarrassment. Had she already gone too far?
    “This is too big for me to jeopardise,” she said.
    “The only person who can jeopardise Emma is herself,” he said, “and that’s only if she doesn’t do the work. I can’t see her doing that.”
    “When things end between you and I—”
    “You’ve already made up your mind?” he cut in.
    “You have to admit, the chances of a long-term relationship between us are slim.”
    “I’ve seen worse odds.”
    Liz nodded. “Maybe, but I’m not willing to gamble with my daughter’s future.”
    He laughed. “You have nothing to say about it, sweetheart. It’s a done deal.”
    “What do you mean?” she demanded.
    “I’ve already

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