Page 48 of Sasha’s Secret

“I think that’ll do for today. I’ve seen enough.”

Scott straightened up and looked Rocco straight in the eye. “With respect, sir, I can do better. If you’ll give me a chance—”

“You did great, and you will do even better when I show you additional techniques you can’t find in a basic training manual.”

Scott sat back on his heels, his expression one of perceptive curiosity. “I know you’re ex-military, but were you in the British special forces?”

Without using his hands for leverage, Rocco stood in a single fluid movement. He approached Scott, offered him a hand, and helped him to his feet. “Yes.”

To Rocco’s surprise, a broad smile appeared on Scott’s face. “That makes me feel a hell of a lot better, sir—Rocco. Whatever you want to teach me, I can do it.”

Rocco lifted his chin in acknowledgement. “I know you can. Over the next week, if you can, I want you to report here, starting tomorrow. We can get your shifts changed to accommodate that. I’ll take you through those techniques I mentioned. I’m also going to set up a firing range—I don’t imagine I can show you much there, but I’d like an idea of how you handle a weapon.”

“You don’t need to set anything up. We already have an indoor range on site. Some of the guys like to practice before they go on shift or go home.”

That was interesting. Rocco couldn’t recall seeing a range on the plans, but then again, there’d been quite a few anonymous structures that could have functioned as one. “Thanks for that. When you were serving, were you ever assigned any close protection duties?”

“No, never—I was just an average grunt.”

“Nothing wrong with that. I’ll set you up with some basic close protection skills—enough for you to be 2IC when we escort Linzi to an event in Austin a week from tomorrow. I want someone there I know I can rely on.”

Scott was already standing ramrod straight, but at that comment, he was almost standing at attention. “You can rely on me… and I won’t say a word about this to the other guys.”

He was discreet as well—promising. Discretion was always a good quality for a bodyguard. “Good. That’s enough for today—can you be here same time tomorrow?”

“Sure can. I’m looking forward to working with you.”

“Same here, Scott. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Rocco let Scott leave ahead of him, then checked the gym to make sure they hadn’t left any obvious signs of it being used. This arrangement had to be kept as low-profile as possible. If Frank Schofield was as sketchy as both he and Sasha believed, then it cast doubt on the men he’d hired. Scott, being the latest recruit, was probably least likely to have been drawn into any shady activities, and the vibe Rocco was picking up from him seemed to bear that out.

A steady jog would take Rocco back to the main house in minutes. After another quick shower, he’d set to work on his to-do list, then take another look at the estate plans. He grinned to himself. He needed Sasha’s help to locate the shooting range, so he had an excellent excuse to tell her to get her sweet ass out of bed.

Maybe he’d switch those around. He’d been away from her for too long, and besides, looking in on her before he started work wouldn’t be that big a distraction, just a fix to see him keep him going until they could get together later.

Grinning like an idiot, he picked up his pace.

* * *

Sasha’s stomach growled, once again making known its displeasure with the lack of food. If Rocco came back and told her he’d had breakfast with Scott after all, she was going to kill him, and no jury would find her guilty. Homicide was entirely justifiable for the abhorrent crime of starving a woman to death. She’d give him another ten minutes, and if there was still no sign of him, she was going to make a start on her taste-of-heaven pancake recipe.

Saturday was definitely a yoga pants kind of day. She liked yoga pants—she liked them even more when Rocco peeled them off of her. Showered and dressed, she prepped the ingredients for her breakfast of choice, and in the interests of giving Rocco a fair chance—because her pancakes truly were the eighth wonder of the world and the only thing she could cook to perfection—she was going to call him to see if he was hungry.

He answered immediately. “Hey. You’ve woken up then?”

Desire skimmed through her body at the warm amusement in his voice. It wasn’t just his accent—there was a suggestive roughness to it that made all her lady bits snap to attention. “Of course, and I’m just about to make breakfast—pancakes. Want to join me?”

“Can you give me ten? I need to clean up, and I’m only just at the atrium now.”

Sasha sprinted for the door. If she timed this right, she could intercept him on his way past her apartment.

“You look just fine to me.”

Rocco slowed his pace as soon as he realized he wasn’t hearing her via his cell, and came to a halt right in front of her. As she drank in his appearance, Sasha’s hunger turned from food to sex. Would she ever not be starving for this man? Not when he looked so damn sexy in black sweats and a black tank. A casual jacket, also black, was slung carelessly over his shoulder. His hair was slicked to his forehead, evidence of physical exertion. When he looked her up and down, he didn't even try to hide his appreciation. “You look incredible.”

The husky compliment almost vaporized every shred of clothing she wore, and she didn't need to look to know her beading nipples were now outlined by the figure-hugging top she’d chosen to wear. “Thank you. So, can I tempt you to those pancakes?”

The look in his eyes spoke of temptation of a different kind. “Give me time for a quick shower and a change of clothes, and I’ll be right back.”