Free Trading Secrets by Jayne Castle Page B

you’ve advanced a bit through the ranks during the past two years?”
    “I have.” Coyne’s expression was bland. “I have been given considerably more authority than I had the last time we worked together.”
    “Congratulations.”
    “I think it’s time you went back to work, August. And this time around you will be given the free hand and the authority you need to pursue your work properly. You will report only to me.”
    Matt swirled whiskey around in his glass and smiled down at the amber whirlpool the action created. For the rest of his life the color of whiskey was going to remind him of Sabrina’s hair. “I’m afraid I’m not available for employment at the moment, Coyne.”
    Coyne paused. “May I ask why not?”
    “Sure. I’m not available because I have other things to do. You see, Coyne, I think I’m in love.” Matt smiled whimsically and raised his glass in a careless salute to the other man before taking another swallow of whiskey. “Either that or I’m horny as hell. Amount to the same thing, doesn’t it?”
    ***
    On the morning of her third day in Acapulco, Sabrina sat lounging at the poolside bar, sipping a fruit punch and deciding that Javier Reyes was definitely one of Mexico’s national treasures. The man was blessed with sultry Spanish good looks, all liquid brown eyes, long black lashes, and a matador’s slimness. He had that marvelous Latin quality of being able to make a woman to whom he was talking believe that she was the only woman in the world. Charming. He also spoke excellent English, but that was probably because he managed the hotel in which she was staying.
    “Another punch, senorita?” he asked as she siphoned up the last through her straw.
    “Sounds great. Remember to tell the bartender to leave out the rum, though. It’s a bit early in the morning.” Sabrina smiled. She perched on a padded rattan stool, her bare leg swinging idly beneath the colorful yellow-and-green sundress she wore. Her hair was anchored in its usual casual knot and held with a huge, carved wooden comb that she had picked up in the local market. It was one of those ornaments that would look ridiculous outside of Acapulco and therefore made a perfect souvenir. Tendrils of hair were already fraying lightly around her shoulders. Javier appeared to be mildly fascinated by those fluttering wisps of hair.
    “You aren’t going to swim today?” Javier asked, indicating the huge pool that meandered in an architect’s version of a jungle stream through the thickly landscaped gardens of the hotel.
    “I don’t think so. At least not this morning. I went snorkeling yesterday.”
    “Perhaps you will try the para -sailing then, hmm? I enjoy it occasionally myself. I would be more than happy to show you how it’s done.”
    Sabrina glanced out over the bay, taking in the sight of the multicolored parachutes with waterskiers dangling beneath them. The skiers became airborne with the aid of fast boats, and once aloft the parachutes acted as sails. When the ski boats slowed, the chutes gently allowed the airborne skiers to descend. It was supposedly all very safe, but somehow it didn’t look like anything Sabrina wanted to try that morning.
    “I think that’s something I’ll have to work up to,” she decided. “When I’m back in Dallas I’ll practice on a mechanical bull.”
    “Mechanical bull?” Javier looked handsomely perplexed.
    “A little Texas invention which, for sheer creativity, is right up there with putting a set of horns on a Cadillac,” Sabrina explained.
    “I see.”
    He didn’t, but Sabrina excused him because he was so terribly attractive. “I think I’m just going to spend the day relaxing, Javier. This afternoon I’ll probably take a taxi to the market and do some more shopping.”
    Javier nodded pleasantly. “By all means. I will give you the names of the vendors I have found most reliable.”
    “You’re very helpful.”
    “It is my job,” he protested cheerfully, and