Page 26 of Hit Man

“He’s not my type,” I tell them. “He seems like he’s ready to erupt with emotion at any given second.”Passionate. Expressive, even beneath the sheets.Stop it. Stop it right now. “I prefer a more stable kind of guy. Logical. A deep thinker.” I frown, thinking how I just described Howie. I mean, do I really want another Howie?

The insurance agent leans into me and nuzzles my ear. “Am I your type?”

Crap. That devil. This is his fault.

I set away from him and do my best to pretend I didn’t hear him. Everyone knows rejection hurts. Everyone also knows it’s bad luck to piss off an accountant. At this point in the evening, I’m needing all the luck I can get so as not to leave here empty-handed.

“Have you seen the waterfall from the outside?” I ask, waving frantically at the arch in the wall where the river pool exits from. There’s been no talk about netting beneath the surface; some foolish swimmer might get more of a dip in the pool than expected. Another safety hazard. Casa Bella is full of them.

“There’s a path leading down to the family garden but it’s steep to navigate.”

The accountant adds, “And it’s off-limits to guests.”

I frown. Strange, right? Not even minor details like tropical indigenous vegetation and a perfectly manicured lawn the size of a city block is overlooked at Casa Bella. Yet the main feature, the waterfall, is barely accessible?

“I don’t believe anyone actually swims in that,” the insurance agent comments, air-drawing the river pool’s meandering curves.

They certainly do. Naked.

“Amigos.”

I jump at the interruption, and inhale sharply, breathing in the faint orange-infused scent of him. Like fresh-squeeze orange juice laced with spicy, peppery notes, the kind that tickles your nose. A sharp, sexy, masculine fragrance. A cologne that screams alpha male at breakfast. Alpha malefordessert.

“Rumor has it Mendoza is breaking out the hundred-year-old brandy,” he tells my companions.

All three men snap to attention.

“He’s entertaining friends inside the conference room.”

“You coming?” the insurance man asks.

“Yes.” This is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for.

“No.”

My eyebrows arch. “Yes,” I hiss.

“Good luck,” the insurance man says, leaning into me. In a whisper, he adds, “Watch out for this one.” And with a quick pat on my arm, he grabs hold of his two companions and ushers them toward the hallway leading to the conference room.

I turn to follow them but Diego snatches hold of my arm.

Awkward. I really don’t want to create a scene. “Release my arm. Only a fool would pass on an opportunity to try one-hundred-year-old brandy.”

“You believe I’d let you go after I’ve found my way to you.”

I snort. “Hello. Now you can find your wayawayfrom me.”

“You’ve been watching me all night.”

“Um . . . no, I haven’t. So happens, I just noticed you.”

“Chavita, you have. How many times have I left this room?” He cocks his head and folds his arms across his body, clearly loving the challenge I’m presenting.

“Not nearly enough.”

“Not once.”

I roll my eyes. “So what’s your point?” I gaze up at him, then wish I didn’t.