More Than Paradise (14 page)

She glanced around, hoping their conversation wasn’t audible to her colleagues in the hangar. No one seemed to be paying any attention and the rain pounding on the tin roof was loud enough that it had probably drowned out their voices. Charlotte shufß ed along to the seat right next to Ash’s and lowered her voice just in case.

“Don’t waste your time. I’d never be interested in someone like you.”

Ash’s eyes wandered with sensual deliberation from Charlotte’s mouth to her throat and down to her breasts, leaving her skin prickling as if invisible Þ ngers had trailed across it. “You’ve thought about it,”

she concluded with a knowing look that infuriated Charlotte.

“Oh, now you’re psychic?” Charlotte was aware of a tender tension in her nipples. She tried hard to keep her expression immobile so she gave nothing away.

She’d never been a good liar, and the galling truth was she had thought far too often about having sex with Ash Evans ever since their awkward farewell. She’d even tried to Þ nd a phone number for her before heading off on the Kokoda trek. Fortunately, Ash had been impossible to track down and Charlotte had come to her senses after a week. Seeing Ash now only conÞ rmed what she already knew—that she was exactly the kind of person she could not allow into her life. A drinker.

Of course she was attracted to Ash. It was her pattern, a special

• 96 •

MORE THAN PARADISE

form of self-sabotage whereby she desired the women most likely to hurt her and least likely to be reliable, committed partners. The lesson she’d learned from Britt was that when it came to romance, she could not trust her own judgment. If she was strongly attracted to a woman it spelled only one thing—the woman was trouble.

Ash’s candid stare and her own tingling reaction was all the warning she needed. There was no way on earth she could afford to reveal any sign of interest. Ash was the type who wouldn’t need much encouragement. Charlotte was stunned by her bad luck. This expedition was the opportunity of a lifetime, and dealing with Ash Evans was one big hassle she didn’t need. Perhaps Miles could have her replaced immediately. Obviously Ash didn’t want the job. She would probably be pleased if her boss found someone else.

Charlotte cast a glance toward the helicopter where Miles was stroking his goatee and looking very serious as he discussed something with the men in uniform. Most males were susceptible to ß attery, and Miles had already shown he would grant her special treatment as the only woman on the team. Charlotte was reluctant to play on her gender, but if things got difÞ cult she would do whatever was necessary to get what she wanted. And what she wanted was results.

After she’d returned from the Kokoda Trail, she’d spent a day carefully studying the Sealy-Weiss brieÞ ng papers her new boss had presented her with as she departed. The focus of her research in the Fojas was intriguing. Sealy-Weiss had been conducting a phytochemical research project for the past two years, backed by Belton Pharmaceuticals. Recently, the research team had made a small but signiÞ cant breakthrough, isolating a powerful antifungal molecule found in the leaves of a Þ g species previously unknown. The specimens had been supplied by a couple of botanists who had been cataloguing ß ora in Papua New Guinea. The pair had purchased the leaves from West Papuan tribesmen who appeared to use them to treat leukemia.

Charlotte had been tasked with locating the species, most likely a hemiepiphytic
strangler vine. She was to take samples, identify host tree species, estimate numerical abundance distribution, and identify potential seed dispersers. Sealy-Weiss had presented their initial Þ ndings to Belton, who had become the expedition’s major sponsor in order to have the Sealy-Weiss representative obtain a larger sample and the necessary data. Early Þ ndings suggested that the molecule was even more potent than the resveratrol found in grapes and mulberries.

• 97 •

JENNIFER FULTON

In the body, an enzyme known as CYP1B1 had been found to convert resveratrol into a toxin that selectively destroyed cancer cells.

No one was pretending they’d found a magic bullet in any of the various phytochemical therapeutics already in use, but the Þ eld was seen by many as the one most likely to produce a wonder drug in the next decade and it was highly competitive. Although no credible scientist seriously believed that one plant compound would deliver the ultimate cancer cure the public dreamed of, Charlotte knew it remained a secret hope.

Researchers now envisioned the phasing out of traditional radiotherapy and chemotherapy and their replacement with a new generation of treatments that destroyed only the cancer cells. Everyone’s worst fear was that the world’s most promising biological resources would be destroyed by the timber industry before the holy grail plant could be identiÞ ed. The race to discover that plant was urgent and serious, and Charlotte was overwhelmed to have been chosen for a key role in that quest.

Her new employers were very clear that if she brought home a winner, billions of dollars and the well-being of countless people could be the eventual reward. The coup wouldn’t do her career any harm either. Sealy-Weiss’s ultimate aim would be to develop and patent a cell culture production technology that would yield high quantities and be more efÞ cient than harvesting from the original source. But in the meantime, they would need to Þ gure out how the species could be grown commercially. That meant replicating the critical environmental factors that created its unique biology. Charlotte’s observations as a botanist would be critical.

She allowed herself a small sigh of satisfaction. Thinking about the ramiÞ cations of her work put everything into perspective. She had more important things to worry about than a ß eeting attraction to a woman she would never see again once this assignment was completed.

Meantime, since they were going to be stuck with each other, a professional relationship was necessary. So far, she had not helped this cause by getting personal.

She shifted in her seat and forced herself to relax. Ash had just said something, a reply to the facetious remark about being psychic, no doubt. Charlotte had been so abstracted, she hadn’t listened.

“I’m sorry,” she said. “The rain’s very noisy. I didn’t hear you.”

• 98 •

MORE THAN PARADISE

“I said I don’t need to be psychic. People give themselves away and you’re no exception.”

Charlotte wasn’t going to be goaded into tit for tat. Trying for a conciliatory tone, she said, “I’m not going to argue with you anymore, Ash. You’re right. It’s none of my business what you do in your spare time and I apologize for my comments about your drinking.”

Ash’s eyes narrowed and her gaze sharpened. Doubt inÞ ltrated her expression.

“I was just thinking how silly I’m being,” Charlotte plunged on, hoping she came across as a distracted scientist muddling her way through an embarrassing situation. “I guess I was taken aback when you arrived. I had no idea our security arrangements were going to be so elaborate. The organizers never said anything about us being at risk.”

She wished she could read Ash’s thoughts, but her face gave nothing away and the cool intensity of her stare made Charlotte self-conscious.

“As I said before, it’s a good idea to hire security in this part of the world,” Ash reiterated tonelessly. “We’re not expecting any trouble, but if it happens, you’ll want us there.”

Charlotte nodded like she was accepting the wisdom of these pronouncements. “Well, I guess that means we’re going to be seeing quite a lot of each other. So I was thinking, perhaps we can agree to set our feelings aside and behave like grown-ups.”

“What feelings?”

Charlotte considered the comment. “Let’s be honest. I think it’s obvious that there’s some kind of transient chemical attraction going on between us. And since we both have jobs to do and that kind of thing can make working together awkward, I suggest we avoid getting personal with each other.”

Ash regarded her thoughtfully. “You’re saying you’re attracted to me and that makes you uncomfortable, so we should pretend it’s not happening?”

For some reason this placid rewording bothered her much more than it should have. Charlotte could feel her cheeks changing color.

Aggravated, she hissed, “It’s not just one-sided.”

“No. But only one of us seems to be concerned about it. Why is that, Charlotte?”

• 99 •

JENNIFER FULTON

“I have no idea what you mean. I am simply trying to preempt a problem. I think the next few days are going to be hard enough without some kind of…agenda.”

“I’m not sure what you have in your mind, but my only agenda is to get your team into the required zone, make sure you can survive, then get the hell out.”

“Then we have a common goal,” Charlotte said. “All I’m doing is making sure nothing gets in the way of it.”

“I see.” Ash studied her for a moment. “Answer me something.

The kind of attraction you’re talking about—how often does it happen for you?”

Never.
Charlotte immediately rejected the answer that popped into her head and considered the question rationally. She wasn’t normally intensely attracted to anyone, but her feelings for Ash had emerged out of an unusual set of circumstances. Somehow Ash had tripped a switch that connected with a part of herself buried since Britt.

Charlotte hated that inner self, with her unsafe cravings and unreliable instincts. Her life was successful and drama free because she kept that traitorous side of her personality under control. Hell would freeze over before she allowed a few wayward impulses to destroy everything she’d worked for, and that was exactly what could happen here. It didn’t help that Ash seemed able to look straight past the person she tried to be, and see the being she wanted to hide.

Disconcerted, she said stifß y, “You know what it’s like. There are always women one looks at twice. It passes.”

“I’ve found that acting on a sexual attraction pretty well guarantees it won’t last,” Ash said softly. “Just a thought.”

“Are you suggesting we sleep together so we can…I don’t know…

move beyond it?”

“Well, getting beyond it does seem to be your main aim.”

Suspicious of her velvety tone and the glitter in her stark blue eyes, Charlotte asked, “Do you think this is funny?”

“No.” Ash’s mouth twitched. “Maybe just a little. Jesus, Charlotte.

Chill. So, we’re attracted. Big deal. We’re two adults. No one can make us do anything we don’t want to do.”

Charlotte wished she’d kept her mouth shut. Ash obviously had an easy-come, easy-go approach that meant none of this was an issue for her. And maybe she had a point. Maybe Charlotte was taking it all way too seriously.

• 100 •

MORE THAN PARADISE

Angry that she’d revealed herself more than she wanted to, she said, “I’m glad you see things that way. I had a different impression that night in my hotel room, but perhaps I misunderstood.”

“What do you want me to say—that I desired you and if you’d felt the same way, we’d have spent the night together? What does it matter now? We’re here. We dodged that bullet, and if you’re worried that I’m going to hit on you when you’re supposed to be looking at spores or whatever, don’t be. You’re not my type.”

A hot little spear of anger embedded itself in Charlotte’s chest, constricting her breathing. “Really? What is your type?”

She could have kicked herself for asking. What did she care? She wished Ash wouldn’t even answer, but that was too much to hope for.

After chewing it over brieß y, she replied, “I was in Boston a month ago and I picked up two women. They weren’t brain surgeons but the three of us had some fun. So, I guess that’s my type. Dumb blondes who want to party.”

“The three of you?” Charlotte caught a ß ash of Dani Bush. Then she thought about Dani’s lover banging on the bathroom door that sordid night in Tamsin’s bedroom. She’d called a name. At the time Charlotte hadn’t paid much attention, but it came back to her now with a sickening thud.
Ashley.

Ash met her eyes unß inchingly. “I appreciate variety.”

Charlotte’s voice froze in her throat. There was something very deliberate in the way Ash was telling her about this threesome.
Surely
not.
The coincidence was completely improbable.

Ash seemed to read something into her silence. Without inß ection, she said, “Was it you that night, throwing Dani out of the house?”

Charlotte’s blood swamped her eardrums, drowning out the sound of the rain and the hum of voices elsewhere in the hangar. Ash had slept with that horrible little slut and her girlfriend?

“You were the Ashley in the bathroom?” she asked numbly.

“Yep.”

As Charlotte tried to gather herself, one of the security guards ran across the wet tarmac and dropped a backpack at Ash’s feet.

“This what you were waiting for, Major?”

“Yes, thanks, Tanner. Are you all set?”

“Fully loaded and ready to roll.”

“I’ll change and be with you in Þ ve.”

The guard saluted her and jogged back to the helicopter.

• 101 •

JENNIFER FULTON

Charlotte blinked, momentarily distracted by the interruption.

Since when did hired security staff get to dignify their work with military rank and salutes? “Major?” she queried sarcastically.

Ignoring her, Ash opened the pack and extracted a small pile of neatly folded clothing. Paying no attention to the men sheltering in the hangar, she stripped off her shirt and dropped it onto the chair next to Charlotte. Unable to stop herself, Charlotte stared at the beautifully formed body in front of her. Ash wore a black tank that made her shoulders seem even more muscular, if that were possible. She wasn’t weirdly bulky, just powerfully built and carrying no excess.

As she pulled on a clean shirt, the play of muscles across her chest and belly was visible through the skintight tank, a glimpse of her strength that made Charlotte’s mouth dry. She had a tattoo on one shoulder, a naturalistic design in dark jade. It looked like a rambling creeper, tendrils creeping toward her neck and down her arm. In the center was a small white ß ower with an inscription scrolling on either side along the ß eshy vine. Charlotte couldn’t make out the wording.