"Thank you," I replied. I felt my cheeks burn and I felt a little ashamed for having such wicked thoughts about her -- even at that moment -- sensing that underneath that robe she was naked and I yearned - ached to see her nakedness.

She leaned back as if my gaze was a little too intense to endure at such a short distance. "And you remind me a little of my Hernando. He was a honest, caring man. Brave and true to those he loved -- a man worthy of being loved." Rosalita stared at me now with a gaze so powerful, I shifted around a bit, trying to...