Ruby Rhapsody: Perverted Passions

"This is insane." Katt thought, and sidestepped, avoiding him without retreating altogether. His body beckoned to her irresistibly. In her own best interest, she stood rigidly erect, and remembered her resolve to behave herself once in camp.

She glanced around. "This is hardly a place to make anything, even a cat purr, Mr. Hunter."

"Beal is my surname. Just call me Hunter."

"Well, Mr. Hunter Beal. Out here all cats are predatory. They're quite wild you know."

"Not all. You are the one exception. You, I will make purr," he replied with a devastating grin.

"Surely, you have another, more significant reason for being here?

Surely you aren't an archaeologist," she said a little testily, and in a defensive gesture, folded her arms across her chest.

His soft, intimate laugh sent titillating shivers down her spine. "Why are you afraid of me?"

She was afraid of what he could do to her. One touch, one kiss and she would forget that she was Ted's wife, which would cause untold pain and scandal. Manner crisp, she scoffed, "Hardly that! I can call Sandor any time and have you thrown out of camp."

"Professor MacNeil would not look kindly on an assistant who ruffles the feathers of his major backer."

"Professor MacNeil's grant is from the university."

"Is that so?"

"Yes!"

He shook his shaggy head. "The professor had a small grant from the university, which he used up months ago. He's running on my time now."

Frowning, Katt gazed at him and sensed he was telling the truth. But why hadn't Ted told her? No wonder he had been putting in such long hours. He had been trying to unearth something which would merit further financial support-from Hunter Beal, who seemed to be standing far too close to her. It struck her that this man she had been verbally fencing with was, in effect, her husband's boss-and therefore hers as well.

Oh, hell, and she had talked to him so… When he found out who she really was… Damn! What a mess and she'd been in camp less than an hour.

"Well, Mr. Beal, since you are paying the bills, I'd best get to work."

She turned to the table and picked up the skullbone of some Dravidian tribesman with shaky fingers.

"Show me what you have there," he said coming up behind her, arms around her, hands braced on the table edge. He leaned over her, pressing the devastating length of his body against her back.

Katt choked back a cry, half-alarmed, half-electrified, as his hard male cock pressed between her buttocks in a perfect fit. She fought to restrain her involuntary reaction to press back against him. A war of emotions raged in her.

Katt was so disconcerted, cross at him for putting her in this position with her husband working close at hand. But then he didn't know Ted was her husband. Her mind was a crazy mixture of hope and fear. She breathed in shallow, quick gasps.

It was necessary to rebuff his advances, even though she wanted to melt against him as he nibbled her ear-lobe.

"Get away!" Her voice cracked, wavered. "My husband will see you!"

He withdrew his arms slowly, but his hands tightened on her arms, bringing her around to face him. He tucked a wayward strand of blonde hair behind her ear before letting her go.

Katt flattened her sweaty palms against her thighs.

There was a glint of the devil in Hunter's eyes. "Which Indian is your husband?"

This hadn't turned out at all like she expected. Katt managed a tremulous smile, but there was no satisfaction in telling him who her husband was. None at all.

"My name is Katt MacNeil."

He shot her a twisted smile. "The professor's daughter?"

She couldn't tell if he was serious or being sarcastic.

"Ted is my husband."

His surprised reaction, as her words registered, was too natural to be faked. Hunter Beal was taken aback.

"I'm sorry that I didn't tell you right off."

He seemed to give himself a mental shake. "Serves me right. Jumping to conclusions does not always make for happy landings, especially in this case."

Relief flooded her. He was being a good sport about it!

Hunter made a slight gesture with his right hand. "To put it simply, I found you too attractive, too fresh and sexy and alive to be Ted's wife. My feelings on that haven't changed. Ted is a devoted man-to his work."

Her thoughts shot in three or four fantastic directions at once. He was telling her what the score was. He wanted to carry on an affair right beneath her husband's nose! What a dreadful, irresistible idea! There was every possibility that Ted would find out.

But if she refused… her mind reflected on the past two years of long, horny nights she'd spent alone. Those nights could be spent in the arms of this man, making love. How long could she get-sleeping with Ted's backer? No matter what she did or said, it was either a halo or a noose.

"I'll have my cook prepare a special 'welcome home' dinner in your honour tonight. I'll call for you and Ted at seven." Hunter turned and abruptly left the tent.

"He knows as well as I do that Ted will never leave the dig for any dinner, in my honour or not," she muttered and wondered what she should do. There were four heads on her shoulders, each screaming a different answer.

One thought played over and over in her mind. Hunter would be a devastating lover.

Later, Katt strolled across the sand to tell Ted that his benefactor expected them to dine with him that evening.

"You met Beal, then? Good man. Can't leave tonight. You go, Katt. Give my regrets to Beal. He'll understand."

It was no more than Katt had expected. She reminded her husband that it was not good form to ignore a dinner invitation from Hunter Beal. Even as much as Ted cared about finances, he remained adamant.

"Keep him happy for me, Katt. You can do it."

What was Ted saying? Did he expect her to sleep with Beal? Surely he had not meant it as she had taken it. How could her husband not realize that Hunter Beal was a handsome, virile man and that she was a lovestarved woman? In disgust, Katt had Sandor drive her back to their hut.

She washed her hair, bathed and perfumed her body automatically, refusing to let herself think.

The harsh, bright sky had gone twilight purple by the time Hunter arrived. He had taken a cottage on the edge of Jakhanur, less than half an hour's drive from camp. It was as primitive as theirs. Cramped but cozy. The sitting room, bright with lamplight, was neat and tidy. One corner had been reserved for a desk and bookshelves. Through the doorway, Katt could see a small, square table covered by a spotless white cloth and set with two places. An Indian servant moved in and out of her line of vision.

Hunter had been so sure that Ted wouldn't come that he hadn't even bothered having a place set for him at table.

"How long are you going to be staying in India?" she asked casually.

"Long enough."

Hunter's eyes were half shut as he watched her from beneath long, sooty lashes.

With a wide-eyed curious look, she asked, "For what?"

"For you," he answered quietly and advanced until she was pressed against the wall. Hunter did not touch her with his hands. The pressure of his body was enough to compel her to respond.

"I'm not a one-night stand." Long, lonely nights loomed menacingly before her. His vigorous, hard cock felt so immense and exciting pressing against her stomach.

"Did I say you were?"

"You implied…"

"No such thing. Tell me, isn't spending one night in rapture worth more than three dozen in tortuous need?"

Her mind and every fibre of her being screamed, "Yes!" But Katt remained silent. Giving herself to Sandor had been different. The Indian was unassuming, safe. This man posed a threat… to her sanity.

"I…" Katt got no further before his hungry mouth came down to smother any denial she was about to make. His kiss sent the juices in her snatch swirling. The involuntary jolt of her bush against his leg gave her away.