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You don’t seem all that sinister.”
    “You aren’t afraid I’ll attack you?”
    “No.”
    He caught her gaze and smiled. “And if I did?”
    Mackenna bit into the sandwich. “You wouldn’t attack me.”
    He resumed munching on his sandwich, turning and looking up at the graceful fronds overhead. “True,” he conceded. “But seduction is another game altogether.”
    “That’s where you and I differ. Again,” she added drolly. “Seduction isn’t a game I play.”
    He raised one eyebrow. “Oh?”
    “Lovemaking is a sharing between two people.”
    “See, you’re just like any other woman, equating sex with love.”
    Mackenna sat up, twisting around to meet his mirthful blue eyes. “You didn’t hear what I said, Brock. I’m not equating love with sex. I’m saying that when two people agree to make love it should be a give-and-take experience, not a game or a contest. Nor should sex be used as a weapon.”
    He frowned. “You’re too damn smart,” he growled.
    She was beginning to feel the past slipping off her shoulders, freeing her. There was something magical in the way Brock affected her. She didn’t understand the chemistry, but it was there. And right now, she was thankful for it; it took her mind off her hidden grief.
    “How did we get on the subject of my sex life? I wanted to explore yours,” he muttered. “What does it take to get you to bed, Mackenna?”
    He had asked it in jest, but Mackenna knew he was only half teasing. She got to her feet. Dusting off her rear she looked down at him. “You really want to know, Brock?”
    He stood, towering over her. The look in his eyes was unfathomable as he studied her in silence. “That’s why I asked.”
    She wavered, feeling the power that emanated from his tense body. Her own body tingled, excited and yet apprehensive under the force of his serious gaze. She ran her tongue across her lower lip. “Honesty,” she murmured finally.
    “Well, we do share that. We certainly haven’t minced words.”
    Mackenna shook her head. “I mean honesty of feelings. I mean when you can trust another person with your emotions, your inner thoughts. Knowing he will respect them, knowing it’s safe to be vulnerable. Because he is willing to make himself vulnerable, too.”
    Brock gave her a long, hard look, but he said nothing. Quietly, they finished their lunch.
    Gathering up the bags and thermos, they headed for the road. Mackenna showed Brock around. Opening a terrain map, she pointed out the next five miles to be graded. The lush, green foliage of the jungle stretched out before them. The blue of the Indian Ocean lay off to their right.
    Kepi, her chief bulldozer driver, waved as she stepped off the newly graded roadbed. She raised her hand, feeling suddenly dizzy. It must be the sun, she thought, heading directly to the spot where Brock was standing. They moved back toward the truck, Mackenna’s pace slowing for the last few yards. A chill began deep in the center of her body and spread outward, making her cold. She frowned, slowing to a stop, trying to analyze her body’s confused signals. She heard the roar of the D-9 Cat, and the vibration sank into her bones. Something was wrong. She looked up, squinting as another wave of dizziness washed over her.
    Brock lifted his head and gave her a puzzled look. He set the clipboard down on the fender of the truck, his eyes never leaving her face. The Cat rumbled past. Mackenna forced herself to make it to the driver’s side of the pickup. Brock’s icy-blue gaze drilled into her as she sat heavily on the seat.
    “What’s wrong with you?” he demanded.
    She shook her head, closing her eyes for a moment. “I’m all right,” she murmured, unable to match the roughness in his tone. “Must be the heat….” Another chill shot through her body, and she leaned back, resting her head against the cab.
    “Hey, Mac!” Sully sang out, coming around to where she sat. He glanced up at Brock, then returned his