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Chapter 1

Ti alone at the table next to hi He redirected his gaze to the couple across froive them his undivided attention Billy Malloy, a potential A with his wife, Ann, in Costa Rica Tim had invited them to the restaurant to convince Malloy that his money would be profitably spent in the Australian beef export market

“Mr Ambassador, if you’ll excuse my frankness,” Billy Malloy said, “it doesn’t make sense that my company should invest millions in the beefthe last quarter…”

Ti He couldn’t help or explain it His senses were drawn to the stranger’s sea-green eyes, the oriental vanilla sers moved as she toyed with her napkin Beads rattled as she flicked her dreadlocks over her shoulder Her smooth caramel skin would feel like velvet He noticed, not without unjustified irritation, that he wasn’t the only ht nose, and full lips she appeared exotic

Tier over his lips She wasn’t a local He’d heard her asking the waiter about the specials of the day with an English accent he couldn’t place Judging by her toned muscles, she worked out She had an air of adventure about her mixed with self-assurance and female sensuality In short, she was exactly his type

Malloy droned on, “…if we have a repeat of the recession…”

The wolazed maraschino cherry and a paper umbrella She popped the cherry into her mouth and licked a bit of sticky syrup from her bottom lip The waiter arrived with her meal She had ordered steak and French fries … in Tesoro del Mar, San José’s best seafood restaurant

“…just don’t see why I should give them a dime”

At long last, Malloy stopped talking and sucked in a much-needed breath

Ann, a pretty blonde who’d been pushing the point of her cowboy boot against Tih

“I think Tied him with her toe “Don’t you, Tim?”

Tim lifted his hands “Don’t take my word for it I’ll let you in on national subsidiaries If eren’t sure about the future of the export overnment would’ve put its money there?”

Convincing Malloy wasn’t going to be hard It was a done deal, if Ann Malloy could keep her feet to herself

“If that’s the case, why are other investors dropping out?” Malloy asked

Obviously eavesdropping on their conversation, the wo smile and cut into her steak

“Maybe we should invite Tim out on the boat,” Ann said, “to talk some more” She shot Tim a look he couldn’t misinterpret