His Lost Mate (A Steamy Paranormal Romance Novel) (9 page)

They scrambled down the overgrown structure. Backpacks beat against their backs in rhythm as they jogged along the dirt path. The leaves on the trees blew upside down to expose their light green underside and huge ferns flapped like flags on a flagpole against the steady wind. An eerie glow surrounded the forest and the scent of ozone charged the air.

Lauren felt a tickling sensation on her skin. Raising her arm, she noticed the tiny blonde hairs standing up.

Deven studied his arm too, then gave her a worried look.

“Static?” she asked.

He nodded. “We need to find cover before the sky opens up. We’re like walking lightning rods.”

From above their heads, a brilliant streak of lightning blazed a jagged trail through the black clouds.

“Hurry!” Deven shouted. “We can find cover in the Palace of Windows. It’s not far.”

A few large drops of rain splattered on the hard-packed dirt, leaving wet circles the size of quarters. The group raced up the small incline to a large two-story structure and ducked inside as the heavens opened and unleashed the monsoon.

Cracks of thunder ricocheted against the stone walls and echoed throughout the interconnecting rooms. Rivulets of water streamed in along the floor by the doorway and windows.

“Wicked storm.” Justin’s voice was barely audible over the drumming of rain on the roof.

“Wicked is right. I’m scared,” Kyle said, pretending fear.

Inside it was cool and damp. The downpour battered the ruins and the rainforest. As Lauren peeked out a small narrow window, she let out a long whistle. “Looks like we made it just in time.”

Deven walked up behind her, rested his hand against the wall next to her, and leaned over her shoulder to look out the window. “This looks more like a summer storm, not the type usually seen this time of year. Hope it doesn’t flood the excavation site.”

His warm breath teased the sensitive skin on the back of her neck. Did he always stand so close to people? Every nerve in her body sizzled with each breath that caressed her neck. She felt her body and soul reach out to him. She could go out of her mind with a man like Deven standing this close and not touching her. Did he realize the effect it had on her?

She studied him out of the corner of her eye. A slight twinge of pain struck when she noticed a long scar trailing from his eyebrow down past his temple. She wondered what type of injury had caused such a wound.

Her gaze drifted down toward his mouth—those full lips she was sure were capable of pleasuring a woman. The slight dent in the center of his chin made his mouth even more tempting. She sucked in air to regain her balance and composure. The rain on the roof quieted to a low pattering.

“Sounds like the storm’s passing.” She ducked under his arm, crossed the room and sat on a stone bench. Leaning against the wall, she closed her eyes.

“Are you doing?” Deven asked.

Lauren’s eyes popped open. “Oh, I’m fine. Much better, thanks.”

He looked at her skeptically.

“Really,” she added with a smile.

“I’m worried about you working all day in the sun.”

Annoyed, she jumped to her feet. “I’ll be fine. I’ll remember to drink plenty of water and wear a hat.” Lauren struggled to keep the desperation out of her voice. “What happened today was a fluke. I’m a lot tougher than I look.”

The sides of Deven’s mouth twitched into a slight smile. “If you feel lightheaded again, don’t wait to get out of the sun.”

Annoyance worked its way under her skin. Did he think she was frail? Well, she would prove him wrong. Lauren dug her flashlight out of her pack and disappeared into the connecting room. Deven followed her.

“So what was this place used for?” she asked.

“Possibly a residence for the ruler and his family.”

Each room had two doors and a narrow window. The rooms were connected like rail cars on a train and the windows looked out onto a grassy courtyard.

“I bet if you climb up to the roof, you’ll get a great view of the jungle,” she said, then groaned to herself. Being alone with him was making her ramble.

“You’re right. This is a popular spot to watch sunsets.” He held her gaze and her stomach fluttered. Deven checked his watch. “While there’s a break in the storm, we should make our way back and pick up Sylvia.”

The mention of the group bitch broke the spell. She nodded and turned to join the others.

* * *

Later that week, Lauren walked outside to the patio after dinner to unwind and enjoy the peaceful view of the lake. This had been her evening routine. Not many people used the patio and Lauren welcomed the quiet and private space.

Deven and Sylvia continued with their government meetings or phone calls most evenings. During the day, when not visiting Tikal, the field crew collected supplies and checked equipment to make sure everything was ready to go as soon as permission was granted to move to the camp. So she hadn’t had a chance to talk to Deven alone. She wanted to discuss her thesis and his experiences as an archaeologist. But while Sylvia continued to hover around him like a bee looking for a flower, Lauren couldn’t find a moment alone with him.

She wondered if Deven sensed her attraction to him. Something in his eyes made her think he felt something too. But he kept his distance. Maybe she was wrong.

She had no doubt that Sylvia had plans for Deven. She suspected it was more personal than professional. Lauren shrugged. It wasn’t her business and she was not competing with Sylvia. With Deven’s hunky, hot body, he would more likely be attracted to the classy, beautiful Sylvia than Lauren. Why torture herself?

With a bottle of
Dos Equis
in hand, she scuffed her feet across the cracked Spanish tile of the patio and admired the view that was like a surreal oil painting. Lake Peten-Itza shimmered with the reflecting light of the setting sun, illuminating the surrounding dense growth of ferns, bougainvillea and fig and palm trees with an orange glow.

Sunsets seemed to have the power to suspend time, to slow the rotation of the earth and create a peaceful hush that could silence one’s soul. Still her soul was troubled by the gruesome images on the Temple of the Two-Headed Snake. She knew that the ancient Maya practiced human sacrifice, but that was hundreds of years ago. Still, those images continued to invade her dreams.

She followed the winding stone walkway to the shoreline, hoping a quick walk by the lake would tire and relax her so she could sleep through the night. The Mayan shaman hadn’t returned to her room, but she was afraid that she’d awaken to see him standing by her bed again.

Along the shoreline, the water rippled with small waves that splashed rhythmically against the rocky beach. She started to follow the narrow trail that continued around the lake, it was getting dark and she didn’t have a flashlight.

Twinkling pinpoints illuminated the eastern sky, while streaks of carnelian and amethyst glowed in the west. She’d have to make it a short walk. They would probably move to the field camp in a few days and her stomach jumped thinking about exploring the jungle. She couldn’t wait.

Then chill bumps prickled her skin. Would the ghost follow her to the camp? She hoped that he would stay behind and continue haunting the hotel.

The sound of approaching footsteps startled her. Spinning around, she gripped the beer bottle by its neck and scanned the trail. Was it the ghost? She froze as she listened. Her gaze darted from side to side like a trapped animal. She considered hiding in the bushes, the growth was dense and the bougainvillea had sharp thorns that would tear her skin.

The trail around the lake was not an option. She would surely stumble or get lost in the dark.

A long shadow appeared across the path followed by the shape of a tall man. The shaman. She raised the empty beer bottle ready to throw it as a weapon.

“Lauren,” Deven shouted, stopping in mid-stride and raising his arms to block the bottle.

She let out a huge breath. “Deven, you startled me.” Lowering the beer bottle, she strolled over to the boulders and sat down. She pressed her hand to her chest. Her heart thundered against her breastbone. “I’d say I lost a few years.” She laughed nervously.

“Glad you didn’t take a swing at me with that beer bottle. So what are you doing out here in the dark alone?” Deven walked over and sat down next to her.

“I was taking a walk.”

He glanced out over the lake, then up at the star-filled sky. “Nice night but it’s not a good idea to walk around after dark by yourself.”

He held her gaze. A jolt of yearning seared her heart. This was the closest they’d been since they waited out the thunderstorm in the Palace of Windows.

Warm chills swam along her skin as his gaze searched her face, focusing on her mouth. Lauren unconsciously parted her lips. Each breath was a tiny gasp. As he continued to stroke her face with those sultry eyes, she imagined he would next draw her in his arms. Damn, she wanted to kiss him.

The weight of silence unsettled her. She shifted her position, crossed her ankles and rested her hands on her knees. She had to think of something to say, something to break the silence. “Deven, I’ve wanted to talk to you about my thesis.”

He nodded. “I’m sorry I haven’t gone over it with you. I’ve been so busy trying to get matters settled with the excavation so we can start digging.”

“I understand.” What if she wouldn’t have enough time to complete all the research? “How are negotiations going?”

“Good. We should hear something soon.”

She was trying to think what else she could talk to him about and take advantage of being alone with him. She wanted to know more about him. “Deven, I’m curious… Why did you move from the Netherlands to Boston?”

He smiled mischievously. She had the feeling he had expected a different question.

“I moved to Massachusetts as an exchange student during high school and continued on through college.”

“Must be a big adjustment going to a school in a foreign country.”

“Just like going to school in Guatemala?”

Lauren chuckled. “Well, this is only for a semester, not several years. Have you moved to the States? Permanently?” She hoped he had since Boston was closer to New Jersey than the Netherlands.

What were the chances that they would see each other after this semester? Lauren felt her heart turn to lead.

“I’m a permanent resident. I have a cottage on Cape Cod and when I teach at the college, I stay at an apartment in Boston.” He rested one arm on a raised knee and leaned his body closer to her.

She studied his face. “Do you miss your family?”

He nodded. “My sister Sarita lives in Massachusetts, and my parents still live in the Netherlands.”

“It must have been hard on your parents to see their children move to another country.”

Deven’s smile faded. She caught a flicker of sadness cross his face. “My parents are very supportive, but they sacrificed too much. They knew that Sarita and I both wanted to be archaeologists, so they helped us go to school in the states.” He lowered his eyes and hesitated a moment. “They sold their house and moved into a small apartment to pay for college.”

“They must be wonderful parents to make such a sacrifice for their children’s happiness. I admire them.”

“Yes, but they paid too high a price.” Deven sighed heavily. “They divorced when I finished school.”

“The strain of giving up their home was too much?”

“Partly. My father traveled frequently with his business. I think that was the main cause.”

“I’m sorry, Deven. Divorce is hard.”

“My sister and I have since helped my mother to purchase a home again. My father prefers the apartment because he still travels. We offered to bring them both to Boston, but they wouldn’t leave. They have relatives in the Netherlands and also in India. It would be harder to visit their families if they moved to the states.”

“India? How do you have relatives in India?” This man was full of surprises.

“My mother’s from India. My father manages a sugar company and once when he traveled to India for business, he contracted malaria. My mother was his nurse and they fell in love. Three months later, they married and then moved to the Netherlands.”

“That sounds romantic, like an old movie.”

“It is a romantic story, with a sad ending.” The sadness soon faded from his eyes as he watched her.

Lauren pulled her knees up close to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. She still gripped the beer bottle. Deven reached out and gently took it out of her hand. “Here, let me take that. Don’t want you swinging it at me,” he teased. He rested the bottle on the ground next to the rock.

She laughed. “Sorry.” Except for the chorus of peeping and croaking from frogs and insects, the night was quiet, peaceful and intoxicating. Waves of heat pulsed through her as he continued to search her face. She trembled.

He gently rubbed her arm. “Cold?” he whispered.

“No, I’m fine.” Her words were breathy. With her arms, she squeezed her legs tighter to stop her muscles from quivering and tilted her head back to stare at the expanse of brilliant stars. “Wow, what a sky.” She noticed Deven never looked up, only held her gaze. Was he aware of how flustered she felt?

“So what about you? I know you’re from New Jersey, have excellent grades and are anxious to finish your degree. Then what? What will you do after you graduate?”

“Mmmm, good question.” She nodded slowly as her fingers rapidly twisted her amber ring around her finger. Could he hear her heart drumming in her chest? Did he feel the heat rising between them? “I’d like to travel and work on other excavation sites for a while, then finish my doctorate.”

“I noticed a five-year break on your transcript. Why did you leave and then come back?”

Lauren drew in a long breath and let it out slowly. She hesitated, not sure how much she should share with him.

“I’m sorry, Lauren, I didn’t mean to overstep—”

“No, that’s fine. I don’t mind. You told me about your family.” She could not meet his gaze, so she stared off into the darkness. “I quit school to support my husband while he finished medical school. Five years later on the day of his graduation, he asked for a divorce.”