Free The Cartel by A. K. Alexander Page B

after dinner eased through his body, warming him.
     
    As he went over the evening's events, there was a knock at the door. When he opened it, there stood one of the island princesses who’d danced for them earlier. Her sensuous beauty sent the blood rushing through his veins.
     
    "Señor Espinoza, I'm so glad we could spend some time together," she said in a soft voice tinged with an exotic accent.
     
    "Please call me Antonio. I'm pleased you could join me. Would you like a drink?"
     
    "No thank you, Señor."
     
    He poured her a brandy anyway. The implication was subtle, but the message was clear: he was in control, and if he wanted her to have a drink, then she would have one. As they savored their brandies, Antonio walked across the room and turned on the stereo. Frank Sinatra was humming in his smooth voice.
     
    When Antonio turned around, the green-eyed beauty was loosening her pale yellow chiffon skirt. "No, no.” He approached her, setting his glass down on the coffee table. He took her by the hand and led her into the bedroom, where he began his seduction. He pulled her close, kissing her lightly on the neck; her scent brought back old memories. His mind wandered as the smell of jasmine filled his nostrils, traveling directly to his brain. Marta had smelled so similar. His mind tried to deceive him, telling him this was Marta he was making love to, but his heart knew the truth.
     
    Even though the island princess succumbed to each request, his heart still ached for the one woman who would always hold his heart, the woman who had given life to his only son. Had it been possible, he would have gone to her. But that could not be. His loyalty to his wife and daughters was fierce. He also knew from Marta’s letters that she had no wish to ever see him again.
     

CHAPTER NINE
     
    Marta finished cleaning the windows inside the Beverly Hills mansion she took a bus to daily, making them look as though you could walk through them. Her work was hard, but she felt fortunate to have a job. Elisa was home taking care of Alejandro. She wished she could be home with her baby but she knew that she had to earn a living and make a good life for her son.
     
    "Marta, how are you?" Mr. Johnson, the owner of the home, asked, startling her. She hadn’t heard him come up behind her.
     
    "Fine, sir," she replied.
     
    "I see your night school is paying off."
     
    "Yes, I like it very much."
     
    "Uh huh. Say, is my wife around?"
     
    "No, sir. She’s shopping."
     
    "Of course, I might have known. As you can see, I'm on my way to the golf course," he replied, motioning to his golf bag sitting in the entryway. "Do you like golf?"
     
    "I don't know," Marta answered, feeling a little nervous talking to the man of the house. After all, he never spoke to her when his wife was around.
     
    Mr. Johnson walked closer to her. Smelling his cologne, she wondered if he’d bathed in it—strong and too sweet for a man’s cologne. Mr. Johnson was a pleasant looking man with salt and pepper hair, and very tall. His square jaw and high cheekbones reminded her a little of Antonio.
     
    He brushed against her shoulder. "You are a very pretty young woman, Marta. I’ve noticed you often, cleaning around the house."
     
    "Thank you, sir, but I really must get back to the cleaning."
     
    He waved his hand through the air. "All work and no play…” He arched his eyebrows. “Visit with me. Certainly, you can spare a few minutes. Remember, I am the guy who pays your bills."
     
    "That would be nice, but please, sir, I need to get back to work. My bus leaves in only two hours and I still have so much left to do."
     
    "Now, Marta you wouldn't want to upset me would you?" Mr. Johnson pressed his large hand down hard on her shoulder.
     
    "You’re hurting me," she whispered through trembling lips.
     
    "I don't want to do anything to hurt you. In fact, you'll like what I want to do with you."
     
    "Please. No. Your wife is coming home soon." Marta