Free Mission Made For Two by C.R. Hill

roamed the grounds, w ith two inside on duty .  Diaz employed ten guards in all working in shifts.
    Lowering his arm, he set the binoculars on the seat and pulled his ball cap lower on his head.  He grabbed a couple of fishing poles and cast them out, setting them in the holders of the rented boat.  He looked like just another tourist.
    Sierra should be arriving anytime and he meant to keep a close eye on things. Her earrings had transmitters in them, so he’d be able to hear everything that was said as long as he didn’t get too far away from her.      
    He rubbed the tense muscles in his neck as he thought about last night. Damn it!  He shouldn’t let her get under his skin.  She was too good at it.
    Sleeping with her was a colossal mistake.  Personal feelings had no place in this business. Hadn’t he already learned that lesson once in his life?  But Sierra was a force like nothing he’d ever encountered. 
    He’d read her file not long after he’d come to work at USOI , his curiosity over the tall, exotic woman with the big brown eyes getting to him.  Plus, the fact Trent had done nothing but sing her praise to him . 
    Jake k new she’d been raised in foster care, and had joined the army right out of high school. The foster care probably explained some of her toug hness. He could almost imagine her as a young girl, all tough talk and piss, no doubt trying the patience of every adult in her vicinity.  A child shouldn’t have to grow up that way. 
    He shook his head.  Reaching inside the cooler he’d brought, he retrieved a bottle of water , unscrewed the top and took a long swig to cool him off. It wasn’t that hot out—mid eighties—but his body had been on fire ever since he’d left Sierra’s bed.
    The thought of Diaz pawing her put a kink in his gut.  And that was stupid. She was involved in this now by her own doing. This is what she’d set up and as much as he hated it, it would probably work . Diaz had a weakness for beautiful women.
    He’d k nown Diaz would head to town to gamble last night. He did it every Friday night he was on the island and rarely came home alone.  Every man liked the thrill of the chase, but Diaz wouldn’t chase too long before he’d take what he wanted.
    Thinking of Diaz hurting Sierra made him physically ill.  He wouldn’t let that happen. 
    Shit! She had him tied up into such a tight knot, he was having trouble thinking of anything else.  So many years of keeping his emotions in check.   Of keeping his personal feelings out of his missions.  
    Of working alone.
    All to be blown to hell by a feisty, smart-mouth…extremely incredible woman.   He still had images in his head of being in that South American warehouse, hearing her voice, then looking into those chocolate brown eyes.  Feeling the tenderness in her touch as she’d massaged the feeling back into his arms, then examined him and helped him to his feet .
    She was full of spit and fire , but beneath was a woman.  One who felt things, but fought like hell to hide it and didn’t like to admit weakness .   Not even a simple fear of snakes.  
    Diaz’s limo pulled in front of the estate.  Jake grabbed his binoculars.  Sierra stepped out. Her newly colored and cut blond hair pulled into a low ponytail. She wore a fitted red dress that bared a considerable amount of her gorgeou s legs. 
    Red.   She had to pick red.  Waving the cape in front of the bull.
    His gut clenched.  Hell, they’d better work fast.  If she managed to hold Diaz off even a day, she’d be lucky.
    And no way was that bastard getting to her.
    ~***~
    Sierra proceeded up the steps to Diaz’s house.   A short, burly guard met her at the door and allowed her entrance. She didn’t recognize him from last night as one of the body guards, but he apparently knew who she was . He took her overnight bag from her.  “ Señor Diaz is in his office.  I’ll show you.” 
    She smiled and hitched her purse farther up on her