Salsa Heat Read Online Free PDF Page B

seemed more interested in food right then.
    Linden picked up the phone to dial room service. He ordered a pitcher of champagne mimosa, baked saltfish , two steaks, scrambled eggs, bacon, dumplings, and a fruit medley of sliced mangos, bananas, and green figs. He was famished, and there was enough food to feed a party of four.
    He removed his cell phone out of his briefcase and pressed the speed dial to call his parents’ home. The phone rang four times, and he was about to end the call when his father’s booming voice spoke into his ear.
    “Dad,” Linden said into the phone. He walked out of the bedroom into the living room because he wanted a little privacy.
    “Son, I read the contracts, and you couldn’t have negotiated a better deal for the company. I’m so proud of you!”
    “Thank you, Dad. I worked really hard on that deal.”
    “It shows. I was surprised when your mother mentioned that you decided to stay on in St. Lucia. Are you enjoying your vacation?” he asked.
    “I didn’t realize how much I needed a break until I landed on the island.”
    “It’s been fourteen months since you took over the day-to-day operation of running Stewart International. You deserve some down time, son.”
    “I climbed the Petit Piton Mountain, yesterday,” he stated with pride.
    “Be careful, son. I don’t want anything to happen to my only son. And, I won’t tell your mother what you’ve been up to.”
    “Please, don’t tell her. She’ll just worry.”
    “Tell me you won’t be climbing that second mountain.”
    Linden burst out laughing. “No, Dad, I’ve done all the mountain climbing I plan to do this trip.”
    “Great! When can we expect you back in Maryland?”
    “I’m returning on Saturday.”
    “Your mother and I expect you in Virginia for Sunday dinner.”
    “I’ll be there,” he said, pacing the living room. Shay was on his mind as well as the developing feeling he could no longer deny.
    “Dad, when you met Mom, how long before you knew you were in love with her?”
    “I fell in love with your mother the moment I gazed into her doe brown eyes and when she refused to go out on a date with me. I knew I had to have her. She was a challenge. It took only two months to capture her.”
    “Dad?”
    “You’ve met a woman?”
    He smiled at how attuned his father was to their conversation.
    “Linden will you wash my back?” Shay hollered from the bathroom.
    His eyes turned to the bedroom.
    “She’s with you, now?” his father asked, hearing her called out to his son.
    “I have to go, Dad.”
    “You have to tell me something ; otherwise your mother will blow up your cell phone, son.”
    “I’ve met a woman…”
    The knock on the suite’s door stopped him from saying more.
    “Linden, I need you!” Shay hollered, again.
    “Dad, I’ll talk to you when I get home.”
    Linden closed his cell phone, while opening the door to his suite.
    “Mr. Stewart, I have your room service.” Reggie said, smiling at the white man who tipped generously.
    “Reggie, how are you man?” Linden politely asked as he shook his hand. Linden charmed everyone he met, including the staff at the resort.
    “I’m doing well, and I have that package you requested.”
    Reggie slipped a small white envelope into his hand.
    “Thanks man! She’s going to love this,” he said, tucking the envelope into the pocket of his robe.
    “Where would you like me to set up, sir?” Reggie politely asked.
    “The usual location will be okay,” Linden said.
    Reggie, a tall, mahogany-colored young man wheeled in the rolling cart containing their meal into the suite. He was one of the kitchen staff, and Linden met him the very first day of his stay. Swiftly and efficiently, he set up the dining table besides the pool. He lit the candle centerpiece and put the final touch on the table when from the corner of his eyes, he glimpsed a caramel beauty.
    Shay sauntered out of the bedroom with her hair piled on top of her head, dripping wet.