Page 19 of Nikolai
Man, that flexed biceps was something else.Huge, heavily veined.He could probably carry a water tanker.
“Nice thought, but no.I don’t really need for you to carry anything.However?—”
“Yeah, ask me anything.”He leaned even further forward, until their noses almost touched.“I want to help.”
“Well, as I said, a Roman villa has been discovered near the Campi Flegrei in a huge archeological park.It’s a real big find—an intact villa with one room beautifully frescoed.And there are documents in the villa.The owner was high up in Roman politics under the Emperor Caligula, and he left behind a sort of diary of political events.And it was clear he thought bad things were coming.A lot of important businessmen communicated with him, and he was giving advice.Most of the advice was—get out while you can.”
“Sounds good.”
“Yes.And I think I can anchor a segment of the book and the documentary on this Roman villa.”
“Sounds great,” Nick said, angling his head.“But?There’s got to be a but here.”
“Here’s the thing, and I’m going to sound like the world’s biggest wuss.There’s a work stoppage at the dig.Not a strike, that doesn’t sound good, so they don’t call it that, they call it a work stoppage.But it’s a strike and everyone is staying home.It’s been ongoing for a week and will last at least another two weeks.It’s a little eerie out there, completely on my own.I’d be really glad of some company.I know it sounds?—”
“God.Yes.”Nick’s smile was gone and he looked actually alarmed.She could see the whites of his eyes.“Yes, I’ll accompany you.Even if I didn’t want to—and I do—I would because you can’t go out to some empty countryside on your own.Someone who looks like you—” he stopped suddenly and bit his lips.
“Someone who looks like me?”Parker cocked her head.
“Sorry.Sorry, not sorry.”Nick took her hand again.“You know what I mean.And you know you’re extraordinarily beautiful.To a certain kind of man that makes you extra tasty prey.As if being alone in the countryside weren’t enough.You know I’m right.”
Parker wanted to be pissy about it, but she couldn’t because he was right.Everyone thought being attractive was this hugething,but it was often a burden, and it did make her a target.
“I’ll confess these past two days I did feel uncomfortable.And I’d be happy for the company.I’d feel safer, and I could concentrate on what I’m there to do instead of keeping an ear out for intruders.So thanks.And—would you mind driving?Neapolitan traffic just wears me down.”
“Fine.This is nothing compared to places I’ve driven, where traffic lanes are just a suggestion and everyone is armed.Happy to drive.”
She blew out a breath.“Actually, if you don’t mind, I could go over my notes during the drive.”
He smiled.
Just the sight of him there reassured her that she’d be able to make good use of her time.So big and so strong.Someone who had the personality to back up all that strength.Not a wuss.Parker had dated a few men with gym-honed muscles who’d melt at the first sign of trouble.
She was absolutely sure that Nick wouldn’t melt.He was like a rock—unmeltable, uncrackable.If she lived to be a hundred, she’d never forget how incredibly solid Nick had felt in the earthquake.
Ithadbeen a little creepy being out at the dig on her own.More than a little, actually.The dig itself was in an isolated part of the archeological park, several kilometers in length.There was one guard manning a guard hut at the entrance to the park, but he arrived late, left early, and had a lunch hour that lasted several hours.She was all alone.
And now she wouldn’t be anymore.
“Didn’t you say you had a couple more days doing your field work?”he asked.
“Well, yes, but I don’t want to monopolize your time.”
“Whoa.Not a problem.”His head reared back.“My time is yours.So tomorrow’s Friday, can you complete your work there with tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday?Because if you need Monday, too, I’d have to notify your Aunt Caroline.”
She shifted things in her head.It was definitely doable.“Yeah, I can.Particularly if I’m not worried about being bothered.”She owed him a warning.“It will be boring for you, though.You should know that.I’ll be taking photos and notes, and you’ll just be standing around.”
His eyes sharpened.“I’ll be far from bored, trust me on this.”
She smiled.“Well, I’ll be very happy to have you drive and sort of be my guard dog, believe me.And I’ll owe you, big time.If you are free for dinner tomorrow night, I’d like to invite you out.My treat.”
“Love to, it’s a date.But there’s no question of you paying.Just couldn’t do it.My mom would have my hide if she ever found out.”
She rolled her eyes.“Come on.Please?You’re going to be helping me.”
He sighed.“Ask me anything else, but not this.Again, my mother would kill me.”
The chances of Nick’s mother finding out who paid for what were infinitesimal.But Nick, though smiling, looked adamant.He was not going to give up on this.But she couldn’t just accept all that help and let him pay for dinner.It felt lopsided and put her deeply in his debt.
