The friendship that launched a thousand adventures is about to embark on the greatest one of all…
Ever since Stuart Carlson and Dusty Danforth met as kids on a dig in Egypt, they’ve been best friends, supporting each other through heartaches, triumphs, and countless archaeological expeditions. So when Stuart gets hired to help run the American excavations at Troy, he asks Dusty to join him as the site illustrator.
For Dusty, the Troy project isn’t just another adventure. It’s the chance to tell Stuart how she really feels. After years of pining for him, she’s ready for more than friendship.
But soon after they arrive at the site in Turkey, they’re caught up in a feud with a group of German archaeologists. While both teams are eager to make a major find, Stuart’s boss is so determined to beat his rivals that he’s willing to break a few rules. Or laws.
As Stuart and Dusty work together to keep the dig on track, they give in to the passion that’s been simmering under the surface. But will their romance survive when their boss’s scheme puts the entire project in jeopardy?
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BWGKBFNT
B & N Nook Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/troy-story-carla-luna/1143099586
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id6445787375
UBL (Books2Read): https://books2read.com/u/bMN2k8
After spending years pining for Dusty, Stuart takes her out to dinner so he can confess his feelings. But he has a hard time controlling his jealousy over his rival, Kerim, who’s also interested in her.
- Dinner started off exactly as Stuart had hoped. He’d chosen a seaside restaurant where they could dine outside on a shaded patio. Their candlelit table provided a perfect view of the Aegean.Above them, a veranda adorned with twinkling fairy lights added to the ambiance. They ordered a bottle of dry red wine and a meze platter, heaped with toasted pita wedges, green olives, grilled vegetables, and four different dips.
Dusty’sinfectious smile and attentiveness suggested this was more to her than a dinner between friends. But so far, they’d kept the conversation light, talking about the dig and its quirky crewmembers. Though Stuart was hoping they’d reach a deeper level of intimacy, he enjoyed having time to build up to it.
Until she refilled her wineglass, took a sip, and nailed him with a flinty glare.“So... an honest answer. Why were you asking me about Kerim earlier?”
Caught off guard, he swallowed abruptly, almost choking on a piece of pita bread. As he cleared his throat, he struggled to explain, only to come up with a pathetic apology.“Sorry. It wasn’t any of my business.
”Her furrowed brow implied she wasn’t letting him off that easily.“We’ve been friends for too long to bullshit each other. You’ve never gotten judgy about my partners before. But today, you sounded accusatory. Why?
”Because I was jealous. But he couldn’t admit it until he knew whether she planned to hook up with Kerim. Otherwise, he’d be setting himself up for a huge dose of humiliation.
“I...I guess I was surprised. I knew you worked with him, but you never mentioned that you were more than just friends.
”Would you care if we’d been together?
”Rattled by her answer, he blurted out the first thing he could think of.
“He’s at least ten years older than you. I wouldn’t want you getting hurt.”
As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he wanted to take them back. He was now fulfilling the role ofDusty’sprotective older brother. A role he definitely didn’t want. And one she didn’t appreciate,from the scowl she gave him.
“He’s twelve years older, to be exact. That’s hardly an issue. Except maybe for you, now that you’re acting like my big brother.”
Her accusation sent his pulse racing.“I don’t know why you’re so surprised. You’re the one who told Clarissa you think of me that way. “What? All I told her was that we grew up together like a brother and sister. I didn’t imply I felt that way now.
”His frustration boiled over, eclipsing all rational thought.“Yet, somehow, that was what she inferred.
”Herhazeleyes flashed with anger.“Who cares what she thinks? What matters is howyoufeelabout me. Do you think of me as a sister?
”How had this conversation gone so badly off the rails? He had to stop dancing around the subjectand answer truthfully, no matter what it cost him. If he went all out and confessed his love forher, he might spook her, but at least he could admithow much he wanted her.
Hetopped up his wineglass and took a long drink.“No. Because it would be totally messed up tohave erotic fantasies about your little sister.”
The silence that followed was sudden and shocking. Like he’d thrown a hand grenade onto thetable and was waiting for the explosion. Around them, the world carried on like normal. Serversbustled about, glasses clinked, and laughter carried over from the other tables. But nothing wouldever be normal again, now that he’d told his best friend how he felt about her.
She drained her wine quickly. “Did you just admit you had dreams about banging me?”
He rubbed his hands over his face.Damn.He’d blown it, big-time.“Yes. I’m sorry if that was horribly inappropriate.”
Why didn’t you lead with that? Why ask me all these questions about Kerim?”
So, she wasn’t mad about the fantasies? Or was she? His head was spinning in confusion.“
Because I...wasn’t about to confess my feelings if you and he were...”He made a sweeping motion, too flustered to continue talking.“
If we were having sex? Is that what you’re trying to say?”A hint of a smile played at her lips.“
We’re not. We weren’t together before, and I had no intention of jumping into bed with him tonight. Or any night, for that matter.”
The tension eased from his shoulders. He set down his wineglass, suddenly aware he’d been clutching it in a death grip.
“Then why did you tell me he asked you to dinner?”Because I wanted to make you jealous.
”All traces of anger vanished from her face.“
Do you think you’re the only one harboring erotic fantasies about your best friend? Think again. I’ve been dreaming about you for years.”
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