Just Trust Me…

make? It wasn’t as if she would ever have his heart. Even if she managed to capture a small piece of it, he’d reclaim it pretty damn quick once he found out how she’d duped him. What had his exact words been? Oh, yeah. I didn’t care to be with a liar. It would be very smart of her not to forget that.

But damn it, she normally wasn’t a liar. Oh, sure, she wasn’t above uttering little white lies to spare someone’s feelings, but she’d never considered herself a dishonest person.

Until now.

Until Nelson, damn him, had put her in this untenable position which grew more unpalatable with each passing moment.

She pushed those thoughts aside, only to find them instantly replaced by a dozen questions regarding his former girlfriend. What did she look like, how long were they together, was she good in bed-the usual sort of info and details women wanted to know. She pressed her lips together and managed to suppress them. Whoever the woman was, she was an idiot, and out of the picture. Another thrill, followed by instant alarm, zoomed through her.

His grin flashed, but his eyes remained serious, searching hers. “At least my heart was free until you strolled along. I think I should call the police and have you arrested for stealing it.”

Her pulse jumped, part with happiness and part with trepidation-because she felt the exact same way. But unlike him, she knew whatever they might share here in Peru had a built-in expiration date, courtesy of La Fleur and her role as corporate spy.

Forcing a light tone, she smiled and said, “I’m not too worried about being hauled off in handcuffs. In your attempt to report me to the Spanish cops, you’d instead end up ordering cold beer for the entire police force.”

“Hey, I know how to say ‘hot food’ also.”

“Great. You’d buy the entire police force an entire meal.” She waggled her brows. “And I’d go free.”

His gaze dropped to her lips and heat raced through her. “And I’d find you.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.”

“What would you do once you found me?”

He brushed his mouth over hers, a featherlight touch that teased and tantalized and drew a sigh of pleasure from her. “Before or after I got you naked?” he whispered against her lips.

Oh, my. The mere thought of him getting her naked tightened her womb. Before she could answer, however, the bus pulled to a stop. Dust swirled around them and the driver turned and smiled.

“Welcome to Quoriwayrachina,” he said, the complicated name of the town where the tour began rolling off his tongue with a native’s ease.

Brett looked at her and smiled. “Here we are, at the beginning of our Big Adventure.”

She gazed at the mountains and lush vegetation and the groups of people standing nearby, readying what looked like tents. The beginning. Right. She just hoped she’d make it to the end of this adventure with all her body parts-including her heart-intact.

But one look at those intimidating mountains and then at the sexy man next to her and Kayla experienced some very serious doubts on both counts.

10

KAYLA STOOD next to Brett with the other nine people who comprised their group. Everyone went around and briefly introduced themselves. In addition to their guide, Paolo Trucero, there were Alberto and Miguel, Paolo’s younger brothers, who were serving as the porters, and their sister, Ana, the cook for the excursion. All of the siblings possessed dark hair, deep-brown eyes, and friendly smiles.

Eileen and Bill Carlson turned out to be high-school social studies teachers who’d embarked on this trek-which they called the trip of a lifetime-as a gift to themselves for seeing their twin sons graduate from college.

“We deserved a reward and a vacation,” Bill said with a laugh.

Another couple, Shawn Deavers and Ashley Laine, were newly minted college graduates from California taking a break before plunging into their new post-college lives. Dan Smith, a soft-spoken man traveling alone from Chicago, whom Kayla placed in his late fifties, rounded out the group.

“Bienvenidos, welcome,” Paolo said, addressing the group after collecting everyone’s tickets. “Today we begin our hike along the Camino del Inca, or Inca Trail. This footpath through the Andes will lead us directly to the gates of Machu Picchu, one of the most beautiful and enigmatic ancient sites and important archeological finds in the world. I want to congratulate all of you on choosing this adventure, for this trail is the most authentic and scenic way to see Machu Picchu, to understand the Incas’ extraordinary architectural achievement and their deep regard for nature.” His white grin flashed. “And you’ll have lifetime bragging rights against the gringos who take the train to the ruins.”

Everyone laughed and he continued, “As you already know, the journey will be arduous, especially given the high altitude, but I guarantee that by the time it’s over, you will not be the same. The mountain scenery, the exotic vegetation and animals, the Inca ruins, the dazzling cloud-forest vistas-they will all work their magic on you. We are fortunate that the high tourist season has not yet begun, so the trail will be less crowded, affording you the opportunity for the quiet contemplation this place inspires. I will provide commentary along the way, but please do not hesitate to ask either me, Alberto, Miguel or Ana any questions you may have. Their English is not fluent, but they know sufficient, like to yell, ‘Hey, that gringo tourist just fell off the cliff!’”

Kayla’s stomach dropped at his words, but again Paolo’s smile flashed.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “That hardly ever happens. Especially when we obey the first rule, which is…?”

“Stay on the trail,” everyone dutifully repeated.

“Excellent. I ask that you take a few minutes now to check that your gear is secure and that you have water and sunscreen handy. Then we’ll be on our way, first crossing the Rio Urubamba, then beginning our ascent.”

Knowing how her fair skin burned and freckled-the curse of redheads everywhere-Kayla slathered on another layer of sunscreen, then plopped on her floppy straw hat. She and Brett checked each other’s backpacks to make sure they were secure, then faced each other.

“Here’s to our Big Adventure and getting our lives back in balance,” she said with a smile, lifting her palm for a high five. “No change, no gain.”

He lightly slapped his hand against hers, then cupped her face between his hands. “Gotta tell ya, Kayla,” he said softly, his gaze serious on hers, his thumbs brushing lightly over her cheeks, “I’m feeling changed already. As if my Big Adventure started yesterday afternoon at that outdoor cafe. And it’s all your fault.”

“Is that a complaint?”

“Hell, no.”

A lump lodged in her throat. Because, in spite of her already sore butt and her trepidation about embarking on this way-outside-her-comfort-zone journey, she was happier than she’d been in a long time.

And it was all his fault.

Yet poking holes in that happiness was the knowledge that it would soon deflate, courtesy of her deception. Reality would hit once they returned to New York, so all she could do was live for the moment. And that’s what she intended to do.

That and pray she survived this four-day hike.

Damn. Why couldn’t Brett have decided to get his life back in balance on a tropical island adventure where the most strenuous thing anyone had to do was decide if they wanted a mai tai or a pina colada? A fancy hotel where “packing light” meant stylish sundresses and cute shoes and teeny bikinis folded in a Louis Vuitton carry-on bag. Definitely much more her style. As opposed to sleeping in a pitched tent and lugging a backpack. While she’d still be spying and deceiving the man, at least she’d be comfortable.

So much for glamour.

Sure, Brett had thought she was attractive yesterday, but no doubt his ardor would cool when after a few days