pantyass European bodyguards.” He slammed the folder shut. “Hell, I’ve got to get shots, don’t I?”
“There’s a list in the back.”
Before Jason could complain any more, a familiar uneven footfall sounded in the hallway. Step, clunk, slide. Step, clunk, slide.
“You didn’t tell me the old man was here,” Jason said.
“I didn’t know. It’s Sunday.” His grandfather never came in on the weekend, although he still made regular appearances during the week.
“It’s Sunday, for God’s sake,” Gabriel Reese announced from the entrance to Sam’s office. “Why aren’t you all in church?”
Jason rose to his feet and nodded at the older man. “Afternoon, sir.”
“Jason. Is my grandson making you work on Sunday?”
“I volunteered.”
“Good man. I’m the one who told Sam about you. Did he ever tell you that?”
Jason grinned. “Yes, sir.”
Sam motioned to the second chair in front of his desk. “Have a seat, Gabriel. Do you want something to drink?”
“Whiskey, but don’t bother telling me it’s too early in the day. I’ll wait until I get home.” He braced his arms on his cane and slowly sank into the seat. “You’ve always been a good man in business, Samuel, but a real pain in the ass when it comes to my health.”
“I don’t want you dying on me.”
“I don’t plan to die on anyone,” Gabriel snapped. “I’ll be alone in my bed. That’s how men should die.”
Sam got up and crossed to the coffeepot on the small cart in the corner. He poured some in a mug, added generous amounts of sugar and cream, and carried it to his grandfather.
Gabriel took a sip, then eyed Jason, who had finally returned to his chair. “Heard you were going to Africa. Wish I were young enough to take your place.”
“Me, too,” Jason said glumly.
Sam grinned. “Jason’s concerned about the wildlife. Snakes, leeches. That sort of thing.”
Gabriel nodded solemnly. “Dry socks,” he announced. “That’s the key to a healthy safari. Oh, and plenty of bug spray.”
“Well, hell. Bugs. I didn’t think about them.” Jason eyed Sam. “I want a trip to Monaco when this is over.”
“We’ll have to see what we can do.”
Jason grunted, got to his feet, and said good-bye to both men. When he was gone, Sam leaned back in his chair.
“Elena’s sister called this morning,” Sam said. “She fell, broke her hip, and has to have surgery. Elena will have to go stay with her for a month or so.”
Gabriel shrugged. “What do I care? She’s your housekeeper.”
Sam ignored that. “I can get someone in to clean with no problem,” he told the older man. “Cooking is going to be more of an issue.”
Gabriel scowled. “I’ve been taking care of myself for over sixty years, Sonny. I can manage until my toes curl up.”
“I thought you might like to move in with me until she gets back.”
“Not even on a bet.”
Sam knew that the knee-jerk refusal didn’t mean his grandfather had made up his mind. “We could go cruising for chicks together.”
Gabriel’s scowl faded as the corner of his mouth twitched. “I’m too old for chicks.” His gaze narrowed. “But you’re not. You work too hard.”
“I learned that from you.”
Gabriel gave a snort. “Good answer, but there’s a difference. I had you to go home to. What do you have? Some mouthy housekeeper who doesn’t know her place? Soon you won’t even have her. You’re thirty-four.”
“I know.”
The old man scowled. “You need a woman. When are you going to get married again?”
“When you do,” he told his grandfather.
The old man chuckled. “There’s still some life left in me, Samuel. I just might find someone who strikes my fancy. Then what will you say?”
“Enjoy.”
Gabriel laughed, then pushed himself to his feet. “I’m going to head home. Don’t you work too late.”
Sam thought of Francesca’s promise to be at his place no later than five. Anticipation made him grin. “I won’t.”
This time when Francesca arrived at Sam’s place, the gate was wide open. One part nervous, three parts wild with excitement, she drove onto the property and parked in front of the impressive house.
When she’d turned off the engine, she reached for her oversize tote bag. Sam had asked her to spend the night, which meant dealing with logistics like a toothbrush and fresh undies for the morning. While she didn’t want to show up with a suitcase and scare the man-she’d already done that once in the past twenty-four hours-she didn’t want to be without her stuff.
“You should never have let your subscription to Cosmo lapse,” she told herself as she stepped out of her truck. “They always cover this sort of dilemma.”
She headed for the front door, which opened just before she knocked. Sam grinned.
“Hey, gorgeous.”
“Hey, yourself.”
They stared at each other. His hair was mused, his expression amused. His mouth curved in what Texans would have described as a shit-eating grin. He was a man who knew he was about to get lucky.
She took in the Hawaiian-print shirt, worn jeans, and bare feet, and thought he looked good enough to be a poster boy for sin. She wasn’t sure what he saw when he looked at her, but he liked it enough to pull her close and kiss her senseless.
“This time I really plan to feed you dinner,” he said when he released her. He kissed her again. “But it might be late.”
“Late works for me.”
He drew her into the house and shut the door behind her. “How about some wine?”
“Sure. Get me drunk. So typical.”
He chuckled, put his arm around her, and guided her to the kitchen.
“How was your day?” he asked as he opened a bottle of Marcelli Wines Merlot.
“Good. I drove up to see my family. We have a brunch every Sunday morning. It’s something of a command performance unless you’re out of town. They make me crazy, but I love them. What about you?”
He poured the wine. “I went to work. I don’t usually on Sunday, but I felt restless.” He raised his eyebrows. “Your fault, I believe.”
“Me? What did I do?”
“For one thing there’s that sound you make when you-”
“Okay, then,” she said, cutting him off. She’d been doing her best not to think about the wild abandon she’d displayed in Sam’s bed… and shower. She’d always thought of herself as sexually conservative and not very passionate. Apparently she’d been wrong.
She clutched her wineglass in both hands and mentioned something that had been bothering her. “I hope we didn’t disturb Elena. That would be really embarrassing for me.”
“Not to worry. Her room is downstairs at the opposite end of the house. There’s no way she could have heard. But if it makes you feel any better, she’s not going to be around for a while.”
“What happened?”
“Her sister fell and broke her hip. Elena flew out this morning to stay with her for about a month.” He shifted toward her. “So it’s just us. No adult supervision to be had.”
The closer Sam got, the more her heart raced, her breathing quickened, and before he even reached for her, she felt her muscles tensing in anticipation.
