Tropical Safeguard (Men Of The Secret Service) Read Online Free PDF

how jade-green her eyes were and how her eyelashes seemed to
stretch for eternity. He’d noticed them from across the table earlier, but
hadn’t wanted to stare too much. Now, her eyes bore into him like lasers and in
turn he couldn’t look away if his life depended on it. He wondered if she wore
colored contacts, but judging by her lack of make-up, she was a natural beauty
all the way, a far cry from high-maintenance.
    “Agent, I think you’ve crossed a line
here. I don’t take kindly to strange men entering my room. This is extremely
unprofessional and I will be talking to Mr. Winters about it.” She stepped
closer to him, unintentionally blocking his way. For such a tiny person, she
commanded the space.
    Cole hung his head, embarrassed. “Listen,
I apologize, Miss. If it’s any consolation, we’re doing our job to keep you
safe and we also have to ensure Secretary Mitchell and Deputy Greenbaum’s
safety.” Looking up, Cole was hopeful that this would put her at ease. It
didn’t.
    “Safe from what? Killer birds? Man-eating
fish? We’re in Bermuda, agent. Mr. Winters has already put us through the
necessary hoops. We’ve had intensive criminal record checks; he’s crosschecked
our references, referrals, and previous employers. We’re a very trustworthy
group of people here. No masked murderers, gangsters, or plotters in your
midst. Now if you don’t mind, I’d like you to leave my room.”
    Cole raised his eyebrows. Yes, perhaps
her reaction was warranted, but man was she ever direct. Yet despite her
negative energy, she seemed cautious. He had the feeling she didn’t want to be
rude but her anger got the better of her.
    “What is your role here at the mansion?”
Cole took a chance in asking.
    “I’m Mrs. Winters’ Pilates instructor and
massage therapist. Why?”
    “I had to ask. Listen, we were just
following protocol and since you weren’t here to answer our knock, we took
matters into our own hands. I’m sorry if you feel invaded. Excuse me.” Cole
curtly walked around her and left, leaving the door ajar. She slammed her door
behind him like an exclamation point to his departure.
    Cole was still in shock over the feisty
woman’s overt bluntness when he found Agent Kensing.
    “Well, what’s the story there? She’s very
attractive.”  
    For some reason, the comment annoyed Cole
further. “No story, just a staff member. Moving on…”

 
 
 
 
    Chapter Three
    An island that
historically ran rampant with treasure-laden galleons and pirates, Bermuda now
held a civilized serenity that Katrina cherished. She could not have created
the perfect escape if she’d tried.
    Opening the double doors
onto her balcony, she walked out into the salty tropical air of the approaching
evening. This place was paradise on earth, this expansive room, the secluded
immaculately groomed property, and the quiet. It wasn’t just the environment,
it was the people in it too. They didn’t pry. Well, aside from the recent staff
additions. Thinking of her earlier encounter with Agent Nielsen sent her heart
plummeting. A nagging guilt began to fester in the pit of her stomach. Perhaps
she’d overreacted – something she normally didn’t do, but under circumstances
beyond her control she did often now. Her fuse had shortened to the point of
impatience, a trait she never would have used to describe herself before. Was
it self-preservation? The thought of a strange man in her room – her
space – was extremely unsettling. She’d come so far. No man would make
her feel vulnerable and exposed ever again. She wouldn’t let that happen, not
anymore. But still, there was something about the tall, rugged agent that
captured her imagination. Something tender, almost vulnerable in his
mannerisms. He seemed gentle, cautious even, yet he was all man. She sensed he
was a little out of his element with the other agent. And he was, after all,
just doing his job. Perhaps she’d been too hard on him – too hard on