Hello! You guys are amazing! Thank you again! And here is something short but a little sexy just for you lovely readers! Happy reading!

(I do not own this Novela!)

Chapter 35

To disrupt the tension amongst themselves, the brothers ordered their employees to take the night off from their jobs. They were ordered to enjoy the night with a bonfire out in the fields. Manolo and Miguel were at ease and so were the rest of the employees.

Franco sat on a stump closer to Eva. He whipped out a bottle of whiskey from his jacket and began to pour himself a drink, his mood suddenly picking up at the peaceful sound of a strumming guitar. He saw Ruth following a merry Quintina to where the rest of the employees drank and played their music. He grinned to himself, relaxing even more as he took a sip of his whiskey.

"I'm very glad to have Ruth with us again." he commented, looking at Eva, who smiled back at him with contentment. "It's like having Libia back."

"Are you happy?" Eva asked him.

Franco smiled, putting the bottle down by his feet.

"Yes." he answered her, convincing himself that he was, even after all the mess he'd gone through. "Yes, but I'll be happier when all these problems end."

He looked behind his shoulder to see Juan laughing along with Oscar.

"When Juan finally marries Norma..." Franco went on, and then cast a glance at a tipsy Oscar. "When crazy Oscar fixes his situation with Jimena, and…"

Franco paused, his mind fixating on Sarita.

"And when I'm finally sure of my love for Sarita."

He took another sip of his drink, his heart humming softly on the young woman he almost lost. Who was he kidding? He knew he loved her, despite what had happened, he knew Sarita loved him too.

"Tell me something, Franco…" sighed Eva, eyeing him worriedly. "Are you no longer interested in Rosario Montes?"

Franco blanched for a second and then bowed his head.

"What can I say, Eva?" he answered, the dream he had of her now a complete void. "My thing with Rosario was a low point in my life, it was like a nightmare."

He had to admit it. His life had been a mess when he was with her. The constant worrying and heartbreaks he had with that woman was unbearable.

"And what I feel for Sarita…" he added, now smiling to himself, feeling a sense of warmth as looked into the distance. "She gives me peace."

He paused at his own words, Sarita's angelic face flooding his thoughts like a soft melody.

"She makes me feel good." he said, feeling a stir in his heart when realizing how long it's been since he hasn't seen her. He was missing her.

"I'm glad to hear that, Franco." Eva told him, smiling at him.

He returned her smile and told her not to worry about anything else, especially about him not ever seeing another woman, especially Rosario. Franco only has eyes for Sarita, and as the night went on he found himself craving that little, valiant and tempestuous woman more and more.

The next day, Franco finally listened to his brothers' advice and reported his attacks and the people responsible. The officer that took an interest in his case informed Franco and his brothers that Armando Navarro is currently in the hospital, suffering some serious lashes and beatings he'd received from other men.

It angered the brothers when the officer told them that Navarro could be excused from Franco's attacks because he wasn't present.

"Look, it wasn't the first time these assholes tried to kill me." glowered Franco. "They were almost successful, officer. And they were the same bastards. Two big guys that try to take every opportunity and they're very dangerous."

The officer regarded Franco's words as he wrote everything down in his notepad.

"We may have some clues on who they are." the officer told him. "And we're going to be after their trail. They happen to be very slippery and have managed to get away."

"Well it hasn't gone through your heads that those men work under Armando Navarro!" shouted Juan, who was becoming more anxious by each passing second. "He could have easily given them orders from that damn hospital bed!"

"Some time ago…" intervened Oscar, his face thoughtful but serious. "That bastard tried to kill my brother, so I'm convinced that those thugs do work for him. They even confused me for Franco!"

He cocked his head over at Franco who nodded in agreement, remembering that time Oscar was kidnapped by mistake along with Jimena.

"If there is enough evidence", said the officer rather calmly. "We can definitely prove that Navarro would be held responsible."

Franco felt himself shutting down. He knew Armando was behind all the attacks, but he couldn't prove it. It angered both him and his brothers to know that Armando would be free to go anywhere and do whatever he pleases, particularly sending his thugs to kill him at any given moment. What worried him the most was Sarita. She wasn't safe either. Remembering correctly, the two men carried two guns back at the restaurant. One was for him and the other was for her.

Franco swore under his breath, his heart pounding fast in his chest, realizing what dangers could be lurking at every corner.

The officer only warned him not to travel alone at night and advised him to immediately report back to the police in case of any emergency.

Later that day, Franco waited for Sarita at their usual spot by the boulder. It had been so long since he last saw her. He really missed her. Seeing her on her horse, galloping to where he sat, made his heart grow, knowing that his love for her was in fact true.

Once she was near him, Franco got to his feet and helped her off her horse, his hands glued on her waist as her feet reached the ground. He embraced her, inhaling her sweet scent and feeling her lithe and supple body against his.

He brought his lips to her cheek and kissed it, and felt more alight when his lips relished her softness.

He missed her.

He couldn't believe he was so close to losing her and not having the privilege of knowing how good she felt just being in his arms.

She smiled up at him and withdrew herself from his arms to settle down by a smaller boulder nearby. She leaned against it, her fingers twiddling around a long loose strand of grass she must've plucked from the ground. Franco followed her, his eyes hungrily admiring the three loose buttons on her pale yellow blouse, offering him a slight glimpse of her small but modest cleavage. Not to mention how well that blouse looked on her, especially since the bottom of it was tied in a knot, practically showing a sliver of her toned tummy. He tore his eyes from her attire and sat down across from her, his own hands mimicking hers.

She informed him of what had been happening at her house and Franco practically seethed when she found out that it had been Fernando Escandon that nearly severed their relationship in telling Rosario.

"The police have been notified and they're tracking down those thugs." he informed her.

She sighed in relief as she continued toying with the loose strand of grass.

"I'm glad to hear that, Franco." she tells him. "I really hope they locked them up. People like that shouldn't be out in the streets."

"Well, I'm mostly worried about you, Sara." He said, looking at her rather seriously. "You have to be careful with Fernando Escandon, now that he knows about us. I don't want you getting into more trouble."

"Don't worry." she assured him, her eyes twinkling adorably. "I know how to defend myself."

He knew she could, but considering the dangers they are facing now, there's no telling how far Escandon could go. Considering his friendship with Armando Navarro and Rosario Montes.

She smiled at him, averting her eyes from him to her busy hands.

"Plus, I have my sisters' support."

"Yes, but don't let your guard down." he cautioned her, regretfully wiping that radiant smile off her face. "Look, we don't know what this bastard is after, but can I ask you something?"

Sarita nodded, her bottom lip pouting adorably as her eyes twinkled. Franco tried to regain his serious composure. How tempting can she possibly get?

"Keep your eyes open." he advised her, his need to gather her in his arms becoming more unbearable.

"I will." she promised and averted her gaze from him again. "And now you promise me something."

"Whatever you want."

"Promise me you'll stay away from Rosario Montes." she told him, her eyes tender but serious. "Because I don't trust that woman."

Franco could tell there was a hint of sadness instilled in her voice. He still won't forget how confronting that woman nearly got the best of her. She shouldn't be worried and he was going to prove to her that she's everything he could ever hope for.

He smiled boyishly at her, standing up from where he sat and approached her. She meekly returned his smile when he grabbed her hand and gently pulled her to him. She giggled lightly when he took off her hat and tossed it to the ground.

"You have nothing to worry about, Sara." he softly told her, taking her face in his hands.

She smiled up at him, her hands resting on his sides. That adorable blush crept onto her cheeks and he caressed them as he bent his head down to hers. The feel of her lips against his ignited such a warmth throughout his body. She was incredibly pliant and soft when his mouth moved along with hers. He moaned into their kiss as soon as her arms wrapped around his neck, allowing herself to press up against him.

His hands traveled down from her reddened cheeks, down her delicate neck, and down the subtle curve of her back. His fingers found purchase on the soft skin below her pale yellow blouse. She sighed softly against his mouth when he began to lightly caress that new and undiscovered area.

"Damn, Sarita…" he moaned, drawing her fully against him, feeling himself going hard as his fingers continued to stroke the velvety flesh of her lower back.

Her skin was like silk and found himself needing her to drape herself around him.

The tips of his fingers began to trace lethargic patterns up her lower back, under her intrusive blouse. He felt her shiver against him and he bit forth a groan when her breasts pressed against his heaving chest. He deepened their kiss, wantonly envisioning himself ripping her blouse open so he could tease and taste her small round mounds, which were clearly begging for him as her hold tightened around him.

He was hard already.

He needed to possess her.

He constricted his embrace, bringing her closer to him. Sarita gasped and quickly pulled away when she felt how much he craved her.

He noticed her cheeks deepening into a darker pinkish hue and averted her eyes to somewhere in the distance.

"Franco…" she uttered, her breath in soft pants. "That's enough for now…"

Franco calmed himself and tried to gather his own breathing, mentally scolding himself for coming on too strong.

"You're right." he rasped, staring into her dazed eyes. "I'm sorry, that was too far."

She coyly bit her bottom lip as her eyes travelled to the straining bulge in the front of his jeans. She averted her eyes again, blushing harder at the effect she had on him.

Franco regained his composure and willed for her to come back into his embrace. Only this time, he managed to keep his desires at bay. It was still too soon. He didn't want to rush her into anything.

"I'm sorry." he told her, pressing his lips on her tinged cheeks. "We'll take our time, okay?"

She nodded, her little hands coming up to caress his face. He took them both and pressed small kisses on them, earning a smile from her.

"Especially when things can start to get better." he added, remembering that the two had to be more careful now that there are more enemies lurking around.

She agreed, pressing her lips onto his.

Once they were both situated...particularly Franco… the two decided to part ways.

Franco helped Sarita on her horse and watched her leave, his heart strumming harder than usual as he kept his promise to stay away from the woman that nearly drove them apart.

In due time, my dear Franco, in due time! We're getting there! At least he's learning! Now to work on 36! See you all soon!