A Taste of Liberty: Task Force 125 Book 2 by Lisa Pietsch, Kendra Egert Page B

today.
    “Who is Carlo?”
    “He's the houseman.  He does a bit of gardening and takes care of, well, whatever or whoever needs taking care of.”
    “I see.”  The domestic picture was beginning to clear up for Sarah.  She pulled the hotel key out of her purse and handed it to Carolina.  “Room Two-Twenty-Five.   The address is on the key.  Thank you.”
    Carolina waved toward the French doors and they opened. 
    Sarah watched the man who walked toward Carolina.  His scuffed boots made hardly a sound as he crossed the patio.  He wore a dark blue tee shirt and faded jeans.  The tee shirt was tight and showed off muscles that were worked hard.  His hair was dark brown and spikey , and he had a few days growth around his jaw line.  He took the term ruggedly handsome to new heights.  When he reached Carolina, he bent to kiss her on the lips.
    Carolina pulled away after a long minute and grinned.  “ Tesoro , this is Sarah.  She'll be staying with us for a while.”
    He looked Sarah over.  “ Incantato , signorina .”
    Sarah’s breath caught in her throat  when she looked in his eyes.  They were the most mesmerizing light blue she'd ever seen.  His tan only made them more spellbinding. 
    How beautiful!
    Carolina handed him Sarah's room key.  “Room Two-Twenty-Five.   Will you be a dear and get her things?”
    “ Si .”   He whispered.  “I'll put them in the room next to yours.”
    Sarah watched as he walked back into the house.  Apparently, his butt had been worked quite a bit because it looked fantastic in those jeans.
    Carolina's voice interrupted Sarah's wholly unwholesome thoughts.  “He's exquisite, isn't he?”
    Sarah turned back toward Carolina.  “Yes, very handsome.”
    Carolina took a drink of her wine.  “He likes you.  Your room connects to mine.”  She licked her lips as she leaned back on one elbow.  “You should join us tonight.”
    They definitely didn't put this in the list of job benefits.  It could be an interesting distraction.
    Carolina looked through the French doors Carlo had left open.  “Oh, it looks like your beefcake is leaving already.”  She stood.  “Shall we go say goodbye?”
    Sarah's stomach sank at the words.  The last thing she wanted to do right now was work.  The scent of roses wafted on the breeze and the waves washing over the beach whispered in the night.  She longed to be with Vince.  Instead, she followed Carolina into the villa where they found Vince and Victor shaking hands. 
    Victor glanced over at the two women and smiled like a cat about to eat two canaries.  “Well, Carolina?”
    “Carlo is getting her things.”  She wore a sly grin as she glanced at Sarah.  “She'll be staying in the room adjoining mine.”
    Victor sighed.  “ Mmm .   Perfect.”  He took Carolina's hand and spoke to Sarah.  “We'll be upstairs.  Join us when you’re done.”  He and Carolina made it to the first step before he turned around, almost as an afterthought.  “Vince, it was a pleasure doing business with you.”  He gave Carolina’s ass a quick slap, she giggled and they walked quickly upstairs.
    Sarah and Vince watched as Victor escorted Carolina up the stairs.  When they reached the landing, Vince turned and nodded toward the front door.
    Sarah followed him as he stepped out into the warm night.
    Vince awkwardly shoved his hands in his pockets and looked down at his shoes.  “Will you be alright?”
    She leaned in, took a deep breath of his aftershave and exhaled slowly as she looked into his eyes.  Those soft, velvety brown eyes that always made her yearn for him.  “I'll be fine.  Apparently, he prefers coke to women.”
    Vince shook his head.  “What a stupid, stupid man.”
    Vince reached out and ran his hand along her jawline and into her hair.  He pulled her swiftly into a kiss, and she gave herself up to him. 
    Oh, God.  This is all I want.  I don't give a damn if we end up poor as paupers.  I just want