Chapter 17

 

They arrived in Cusco after dark, courtesy of Rachel’s private plane. The capital city of the Incan Empire was a study in red-brick Spanish architecture, built on grey Incan stone foundations. At night, it was lit up in gold, the streets filled with tourists and locals, the mood welcoming.

Julia pulled her cardigan tight around her as she stood on the balcony overlooking the courtyard of their hotel. The building was over five hundred years old and used to be a monastery. The sandstone walls, with its red tile roof so ubiquitous in Cusco, had been built on top of the foundations of an Incan palace. So much history in one spot, and it was nothing compared to the rest of the city. They were in the centre of a cultural capital, the belly button of the Incan world, the staging post of Spanish domination and now a must-see destination for the international traveller. All that history; all those expectations from visitors. She wondered if the locals crumpled under the weight of living there.

“Take another photo of that piece.”

Her grandmother’s voice wafted up the stairs from the living room area of their small suite, to the bedroom mezzanine. She was busy going over the mummy’s textiles with Elle. They were taking photos and scanning the information into Elle’s laptop, where they could look at the images in more detail. They didn’t want to miss a thing. All her grandmother had time to decode while they’d been in La Paz was their next destination—Cusco. Now the rest of the textiles had to be translated. And fast. Time was running out for Alice.

“Hey,” Ryan, their current bodyguard, interrupted the busy women. “You want to go down for dinner or order in?”

“In!” the two women shouted.

They’d flown through dinnertime and it was late, though Julia still didn’t have much of an appetite. Mainly, she was exhausted. She looked at the twin beds behind her with longing. Their soft, cool cotton sheets were calling to her. But with only a balcony rail between the bedroom area and the living area below it, there was no way she could get any sleep.

“Julia,” Ryan called. “What do you want to eat?”

Another problem—she hadn’t checked out the kitchens and wasn’t sure if their standards met hers. She was just too tired.

“Nothing,” she answered as she looked out over the flickering lights of the city to the darkness beyond, where she knew green hills surrounded them. “I think I’m going to take a walk down to the hotel chapel. I’ll pick up something on the way.”

“Stay inside the hotel. Don’t wander.” He thought about it for a second. “Maybe I should go with you.”

“It’s just down there.” Julia pointed. “You can watch me from here.”

“Okay, but if anything spooks you, come straight back.”

Julia let herself out of their room and followed the long corridor to the staircase leading down to the corner where the chapel was situated.

She crossed the courtyard, with its bubbling fountain and flagstone paving. All around her, the arched passageways of the building offered shaded spaces for guests to sit. Some of the arches were now part of the restaurant, and diners sat overlooking the courtyard as they ate. Julia could almost imagine monks scurrying about the place, tending gardens where the patio now stood, sheltering from the midday sun under the arches. It was like walking through history.

The chapel was small, but crammed full of gilt-framed paintings that ran from floor to ceiling. They came in all sizes, but were similar in style, having been painted five hundred years earlier. There were renditions of saints and Bible stories and church leaders. Julia sat in one of the wooden pews, her eyes towards the ornately carved pulpit, and wondered if it was wrong that the sacred space was now a meeting room for hotel guests.

“Is very pretty, no?”

Julia looked up to find a young woman dressed in the hotel uniform.

“Yes.” Julia smiled at her.

“It is very popular for weddings,” the woman said. “We have one booked this weekend. If you are still here, you might enjoy watching the ceremony. You will be able to see most of it from the courtyard.”

“I wonder what the monks would think of their chapel hosting weddings.” Julia was tired, and it loosened her tongue a little, allowing her to relax and chat with someone she’d only just met, rather than become tongue-tied and foolish looking.

“It’s the nature of things, isn’t it?” the woman said. “Before the building was a monastery, it was an Incan palace. In the basement, you can still see the stone walls they built.”

“There’s a basement?” Julia wondered if it was anything like the catacombs she’d longed to see in Lima.

The woman nodded. “We use only part of it for wine storage. I know the owners plan to develop the rest at some point. May I sit?”

Julia nodded, grateful for the diversion from her tense reason for visiting Peru. “Tell me about the history of the place,” she said. “If you have time.”

“I’d love to.” The woman held out a hand. “My name is Maria.”

And for the first time since coming to Peru, Julia felt like a normal person.

 

 

Joe found Julia in the chapel, talking to one of the staff. He stood in the shadow of the doorway for a moment, watching her. Although still shy, she was smiling and laughing with the young woman. He knew she was taking a moment out of the trouble that swirled around them. She deserved more than a moment. This situation was stressful for anyone, but for someone like Julia, who struggled when outside of her comfort zone and routine, it must have been hell.

He was so damn proud of her. In her eyes, she was weak and scared, but in his she was courageous. The fact she was there, helping her gran, dealing with everything that was happening, was a testimony to her courage. Joe couldn’t believe she was unable to see that for herself. Julia Collins was one of the bravest women he’d ever known.

He watched her stifle a yawn and noticed the darkening circles under her eyes. She was also exhausted. He pushed away from the door and sauntered towards her.

“I’d love to go to Sacred Valley,” Julia was telling the young woman. “I read about it, and it sounds fascinating.” The wistful tone in her voice broke his heart.

“I can arrange a tour for you,” the woman offered.

Julia shook her head. “Maybe next time. Our schedules are very full.”

“Si, next time.” The smile was genuine. Yet another person enamoured with Julia’s gentle heart.

“Hey, babe.” Joe rested a hand on her shoulder, and she didn’t pull away. In fact, she leaned into him a little. Yeah, she was tired. “I think it’s time to get some food and sleep. You about ready to go?”

“Yes.” She stood and smiled at the woman. “Thank you, Maria.”

“My pleasure.” The woman beamed and walked away.

“I swung past your suite,” Joe said as he took her hand and led her from the old church. “It’s full of people eating and staring at dead people. You won’t get any sleep there tonight.”

Her shoulders slumped. “I’ll go past reception and see if they have another room.”

“Or you could sleep in my room.” She tripped over nothing, and Joe smiled. “Just sleep, babe, I promise. You’re in no shape for anything else anyway.”

Julia considered him for a moment, the warm yellow glow from the garden lights glinting off her hair as it shifted in the breeze. His fingers itched to touch, but he didn’t.

“I need to stay away from you,” she whispered.

Joe fought back the tension that surged through his body. “Why’s that?”

“If I don’t, you’ll figure out how much of a freak I am.”

Yeah, he wasn’t going to let that go. He wrapped his arms around her and caressed her back. Her body softened against his instantly, showing him that her exhaustion had melted her defences.

“We’re all freaks, baby. Haven’t you figured that out yet?”

“Why are you so determined to convince yourself that my freaky personality is normal? It’s as though you don’t care about all my weird habits.”

“I don’t.” In fact, some of them were endearing.

Laughter rang up from the tables that spilled out into the courtyard. Soft music began to play. Nothing offensive. Elevator music.

“This is a strange place.” Julia turned her face towards the gently bubbling fountain, her tone wistful, as though she was whispering secrets in the dark.

“How’s that?” He nuzzled her temple, making her melt further into him.

“It was a palace for a king. Then it was a retreat for men who gave up everything to follow God. Now it’s a tourist attraction where rich people pay through the nose to spend the night. They have business meetings in the chapel, surrounded by painted icons in gilt frames depicting saints. We sleep on beds worth more than the yearly income of some of the locals, and we do it beneath five-hundred-year-old paintings of Jesus.”

Joe turned her in his arms as tenderness overwhelmed him. He cupped her cheek, revelling in her satin-smooth skin, and ran his thumb under her eye.

“You’re exhausted.”

“I’m okay.” She contradicted her own words by resting her forehead against his chest and turning boneless in his arms. Even standing, she was fighting sleep.

“Come on.” Joe tugged her back towards her suite. “Grab your toothbrush. You’re sleeping in my room tonight.”

“Joe…” She trailed off, obviously past fighting.

“I won’t take advantage of you like this. I promise, I’ll let you sleep.”

“I know you will.” She stood on tiptoe and he felt soft lips brush a kiss over his. The shock of her touch almost made him crumble.

Joe cupped her nape and pressed a kiss to her forehead before knocking on the door to her suite. Ryan let them in. The living area was a mess, food and paperwork everywhere. Elle and Patricia were poring over the mummy, while Ed and Ryan watched football on TV. Joe felt Julia cringe as she took in the chaotic sight.

“Get your things,” he said. “I’ll tell your gran you’ll be with me tonight.”

She nodded and headed for the stairs up to the mezzanine, slightly unsteady on her feet. As Joe filled Ryan and Patricia in on their new sleeping arrangements, Julia came back downstairs, her huge messenger bag across her body.

“Ready?”

“Yes. Take me to bed, Joe.” Her sleepy eyes went wide and her cheeks flushed pink. “I mean—”

“I know what you mean.” He was smiling when he placed his palm on the small of her back and led her out into the corridor.

“I got stuck on a fence today,” Julia said out of the blue, sounding more than a little bewildered.

“Yep, you did.” It was a sight he’d never forget—for more than one reason.

“Everyone saw my underwear.” Her brow puckered.

“Not everyone. And those who did better not mention it or they’ll have me to deal with.”

“Thanks, Joe.” With a smile, Julia leaned into him.

 

 

Joe kept his promise. It was hell.

Even though Julia hesitated when she realised there was only one bed in his room, she’d still headed on through to the bathroom and came out a few minutes later wearing pink satin pyjamas, consisting of a camisole top and matching sleep pants.

She’d smiled shyly when his eyebrows had gone up at the sleepwear. For a woman who liked to live in grey and beige shapeless clothes, her sleepwear was something else entirely. The dichotomy fascinated him—like everything else about her. Julia was a complex woman who would keep any man interested for the rest of his life.

Joe motioned to the snacks he’d had delivered while she’d been in the bathroom. “I know you don’t feel hungry, but have something small before you go to bed. You’ll sleep better.”

She nodded and headed for the tiny dining table set up by the window, overlooking the city. “What are these?”

“Bite-sized empanadas. They’re deep fried, stuffed with vegetables and have minimal spices.” He paused, wondering if he should tell her the rest, wondering if she’d be upset over his actions. He took the chance. “I asked what temperature they used for their oil before I ordered. I also asked about kitchen hygiene. They meet an international code. The manager said they haven’t had even a mild case of stomach upset since they opened. He also told me the temperature they wash dishes in. That’s okay, right?”

Her eyes shot to his, and she nodded. They stayed like that for a moment, lost in each other’s gaze. The air became thick between them.

Julia blinked and picked up a pastry. “Thank you.” She broke the spell holding them frozen in time. She nibbled at the pastry before gesturing to the food. “You having some?”

“Later.” He came over to sit at the table beside her. “I’ve got some emails to go over and I’ll eat while I do it. Unless it will bother you.” Joe’s room was a standard king; he had a tiny balcony and a bathroom, but no extra space to retreat to. Although the room was big enough that he shouldn’t disturb her while she slept.

“I could probably sleep standing. In fact, if I was still hanging from that fence, I could have slept there.”

He smiled at the memory. His heart had been in this throat at the sight of her hanging there. Every emotion had rushed through him one on top of another, making it hard to think straight. There was horror at her falling, terror that she’d be hurt, relief that she wasn’t and then pure, unadulterated lust at the sight of her curvy ass.

Yeah, best not to think about that.

They fell into a heavy silence, their thoughts loud enough to make the room vibrate.

“Gran snores,” Julia said suddenly, slicing through the thick air.

Joe’s eyes snapped to hers.

“Loudly,” she said. “And it’s impossible to wake her. Or to sleep through it.”

His lips twitched. He wanted to laugh. She was too damn cute. “Good you’re in here, then.”

“You don’t snore?”

He thought about that for a minute. Surely someone would have mentioned if he snored? “I don’t think so.”

“I’ll let you know if you do.”

Her eyes went wide again at the reminder they were about to share a bed. She reached for the coca leaf tea he’d ordered for her. Although Cusco was still at high altitude, it was nowhere near the height of La Paz, but he knew she liked the taste of the tea. She swayed in her seat, and she’d only managed to eat half her pastry. It was better than nothing.

“Go to bed,” Joe said.

Julia nodded and stood slowly, as though it was taking conscious effort to stay upright. “What side do you want?” Her voice trembled slightly as she pointed to the bed.

“Any side. I don’t care.”

“Okay.” She went to the left side, threw back the covers and climbed into bed.

A strange sense of rightness flooded through Joe’s veins at the sight of Julia in his bed. It was where she belonged.

“Night, Joe.” She faced the edge of the bed and closed her eyes.

Joe turned off the lights, all except for the lamp beside the table. “Night, baby.”

She was sound asleep within seconds. Joe sat going over emails about Carlos Esteban, while he polished off the rest of the food and watched over Julia. It was perfect.

An hour later, he stripped to his shorts and climbed into bed. As promised, he kept his hands to himself, content in the knowledge that Julia was beside him. She trusted him enough to share a bed, to sleep with him, and that was a gift he wouldn’t squander.

Baby steps, he reminded himself as he felt sleep take him. Baby steps.