Read Online Temptation Island by C.C. Soltry - Free Book Online Page B

housekeeper and motioned for her to reenter the house.  “Sunny likes to go outside and sunbathe in my hammock.  But I noticed it was curiously absent.  Would you happen to know anything about that Mrs. Carrins?”
    The middle-aged woman patted her grey streaked bun as she walked ahead of him in her usual practical white flats.  Marek had always thought they looked a lot like nurses orthopedic shoes.  Glancing over the shoulder of her flower printed top, Mrs. Carrins tsked, “Dat ting needed a good wash.  I took da dirty excuse for a hammock down and I’m goin’ da let it soak for a long while.  I won’t take no argument from you either, my boy.”
    Marek hid a grin and held up his hands in defeat.  With a false look of sheepishness he replied, “You won’t get an argument from me, but you might get one from Sunny.”
    Mrs. Carrins glared at the cat he still held and huffed, “Dat cat can just find another resting spot.” Turning her deep brown eyes back on him she continued, “Now, you got an appointment in about an hour.  Da lady already called while you were out to confirm dat she’d be here at two sharp.  Go an’ get cleaned up and dressed proper.  You look like you slept in your clothes.  You give dem ta me when you get out of dem now, ya hear me?”
    Mrs. Carrins, you have no idea.  If you did you’d probably twist my ear and scold me like a schoolboy.
    Hiding another grin behind his hand, Marek couldn’t dim the gleam of amusement in his eye.  The housekeeper turned with her hands on her ample hips and glared, but Marek wasn’t fooled.  He could see her lips twitching in an effort not to laugh.
    “Go on now, young man.  You got a business ta run and I don’ have time ta for a lecture.”  Shooing him away, the housekeeper made tsking sounds until he was out of sight.
    They’d known each other for years and Marek still got a kick out of ribbing her.  He’d been giving her a hard time since he was a teenager.  Some things never changed.
    And some things did.
    Marek headed up the stairs to shower and pour himself into his business attire.  He had a business to run. 
     
     
    Carm stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her waist.  Bending over she wound a towel around her hair turban style.  Tucking the loose end under the back, Carm patted it to make sure it would stay in place.  Satisfied it would she stepped out of the steamy bathroom and walked to the dresser. 
    Grabbing her bottle of lotion Carm sat on the bed and began smearing the fragrant cream over her body.  The scent of vanilla and coconut mingled in the air delighting her senses.  Inhaling deep, Carm rubbed her hands together to distribute the lotion evenly.
    At the moment Carm was avoiding thinking about anything.  Blocking out any unwanted thoughts or images she focused on the relaxing routine of getting dressed.
    With a yawn Carm stretched her arms high and rolled her head from side to side.  She really needed a massage to loosen her tight muscles.  Her gaze slid to the basket on the dresser and landed on the free gift massage.  As long as she didn’t have to have Marek along she definitely was going to go tomorrow.
    Carm swore under her breath.  She didn’t want to think about him.  She refused to think about him.
    With a frown Carm slid open the closet door and looked inside.  Before she’d left home Kate had helped her pick out an outfit to wear for the meeting.  Looking at it now, Carm felt her stomach give and uneasy jitter.
    Today was the big day.
    “I can do this.  I can handle this man.”  Carm mumbled aloud in the quiet room. 
    Releasing a breath on a whoosh of air her shaky hand reached out and clasped the hangers.  Yanking the suit from the rack Carm spun around and tossed in gently on the bed.  Sidestepping the bed in favor of the dresser she opened a drawer and pulled out a bra and panty set.
    She was a sucker for lingerie.  It was one of her weaknesses and on a