SWORN TO PROTECT by Diana Gardin

(June 4, 2017; Forever Yours eBook; $3.99; Rescue Ops Book 1)

 

To keep her safe, he’ll have to uncover all her secrets…

Rayne Alexander. A face I never thought I’d see again, and one I never could forget. Nine years ago, she left town–and me–without a backward glance. But now she’s back, with a haunted look in her eyes and a feisty attitude that didn’t exist when we were teenagers. Seeing this grown-up–and sexy–Rayne is something I wasn’t prepared for… and it’s bringing up feelings I’d thought I’d buried years ago.

Although I want to demand answers from Rayne, working on black ops at Night Eagle Security has taught me that it’s sometimes better to keep my mouth shut. So when I catch her hiding a photo of a little boy, I’m curious. When I see her jump as her phone rings, I’m concerned. But the second I notice a car following her home, I know she’s hiding something. Something dangerous. And while I may not know why she left or why she’s back, if there’s someone out there Rayne is afraid of, I’ll make damn sure that threat is eliminated.

 

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Excerpt

Even when I tell it not to, my body reacts to Rayne. Every time she pulls her lip between her teeth. Every time her midnight blue eyes meet mine and smolder with some unseen emotion. Every single time I see a peek of the perky breasts that were really nice in high school, but are just spectacular now.

And I’m having a more difficult time every day hiding the way my stomach clenches when she checks her phone with that look of fear on her face.

It’s at one of these times that I don’t fight the pull and stalk toward her desk.

Snatching the phone from her hand, I read the text that put the disturbed expression in her eyes.

“Jeremy! What the fuck?”

Ignoring her pissed-off shout, my eyes narrow and my teeth clamp shut when I read the words on her screen.

You can’t hide forever. I will find you. And I will take what’s mine.

Rage explodes inside me. Glancing around the lobby, where people are acting like they’re not listening to us, but who are clearly paying attention, I grasp her by the elbow and tow her and the phone down the hallway and into the lounge.

Tossing her phone onto a countertop, I spin her around until she’s pressed against the nearest wall. I cage her in with my arms, leaning forward while taking deep breaths to try and control my temper.

“Tell me about that text, Rayne. Tell me now.” The words are gritted out through my teeth.

“It’s none of your—”

“Dammit, Rayne! If you tell me it’s none of my business I’m probably gonna break something. I know that I shouldn’t care, shouldn’t want to know. But I do! Okay?

If someone is threatening you like this, then I need to know about it. I just do.”

She clamps her mouth shut, staring back at me with stubborn fear in her eyes.

While I’m watching, a lone tear escapes and rolls down her cheek. She’s too mulish to wipe it away, so it just keeps falling while I trace its track with my gaze.

“Fuck me.” The curse is muttered from me while I use a thumb to wipe the tear away.

“Rayne…I know it’s been a long time. You don’t know the man I am now. But there’s no way in hell I can watch you keep getting these texts—see the fear in your eyes when you read them—and not do something about it. You’re working in an office full of guys that can take out whoever this is. But you have to trust me enough to let me help you.”

She sniffs. “I don’t trust anyone, Jer.”

Jer. The nickname rocks me, sending me reeling into the past where her plump lips would utter that name on a sigh while I kissed the sweetest spot in the world—the hollow right above her collarbone.

Blinking, I shake off the image and dip my head a little. “I know. What I don’t know is why. What happened to you?”

Her mouth stays firmly closed.

“You think I’m gonna let this go, Rayne?”

She just stares up at me, a war going on in her eyes. It’s like she wants to tell me what’s happening, but something inside won’t let her. She doesn’t want me to get close.

I’m suddenly aware of the fact that we’re only inches apart. I can smell her. The fresh, slightly sweet scent of something floral washes over me, mixed with the hint of spice that is just Rayne.

“I just want to help you,” I whisper, before letting my thumb roam over her soft skin.

One hand is still braced against the wall while my thumb sweeps a path across her cheekbone, and even though I’m fighting the lust bubbling up inside me, my cock swells in my jeans. Taunting me. Forcing me to think about what she’d look like now if she were lying naked under me. All that gorgeous black hair splayed out on the pillows, my name falling from her lips while I please her.

Whether I’m willing to admit it or not, that’s still a deep, dark desire inside me.

Pleasing her. And I don’t want to just please her. No, I want to possess her, to own her.

Because a long time ago, I did. But she slipped through my fingers, and I was left wondering how the hell I lost her

 

 

About the Author

Diana Gardin is a wife of one and a mom of two. Writing is her second full time job to that, and she loves it! Diana writes contemporary romance in the Young Adult and New Adult categories. She’s also a former Elementary school teacher. She loves steak, sugar cookies, and Coke and hates working out.

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www.twitter.com/DianaLynnGardin

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ABANDONED by Rhonda Pollero

(June 4, 2017; Forever Yours eBook; $3.99; Finding Justice Book 2)

 

There is nothing more dangerous than desire…

Emma McKinley is a bright young lawyer with a very dark secret: She’s the daughter of an assassin.  Twenty years ago, her father shot and killed the president and Emma has been desperate to understand why ever since.  She’s changed her name, moved around…but the past keeps hunting her down.  First came an irresistible job offer, luring her back where the assassination occurred.  And now Emma is receiving mysterious newspaper clippings about the shooting as a terrible reminder—and a deadly threat…

Sheriff Conner Kavanaugh has been burned before.  But from the moment he meets Emma, there’s something about her he can’t resist.  Something is haunting her—that much is clear.  And as the threats against her mount, he’ll do anything to protect her and win her trust.  If the past doesn’t catch up to them first.

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Excerpt

A week had passed since Emma had last seen Conner. Well, that wasn’t exactly true: They’d passed one another at the courthouse a few times but he’d done little more than tip his hat in her direction.

Of course she couldn’t decipher a hat tip. Did that mean great kiss or that kiss was so bad I’ve decided to join the clergy? Still, she understood avoidance and Conner was definitely avoiding her. And she was returning the favor. Emma stayed late at the office every night, ensuring she’d miss Conner when he came to pick up Sam after her tutoring sessions.

She sighed heavily and went back to the pile of folders on her desk. Thanks to the long hours, she was completely caught up and was considering going out for a bite for dinner when she heard a noise.

Looking up, she saw Conner standing in her doorway. Hatless, he wore his uniform and a broad grin. “Evening,” he greeted her.

“Hi.” It suddenly seemed difficult for her to breathe normally, so the word came out sounding sultry and embarrassingly alluring.

His answer started with a sexy half-smile. “I’m here on a mission.”

“Mumm-humm.” She didn’t trust her voice. Not when he looked so good in his uniform. “I’m supposed to take you out to dinner.”

Blinking, she looked up at him. “What?”

“Jeanine told Mary that you rarely eat dinner. Mary told George—he’s the gardener for the Burkes—who told Stella, who told me.”

“I thought you didn’t get involved with gossip.”

“I’m making an exception this time. Grab your purse and let’s get out of here.”

“I have work to do,” she protested.

“You’re probably ahead of your workload. C’mon, Emma. Live dangerously.”

She took her purse and briefcase out of the bottom drawer of her desk, then took another minute to freshen her lipstick. “Stella’s or the rib place—which makes an amazing Cobb salad.”

He chuckled. “Who orders a salad from a rib joint?” He shifted his weight to one leg and leaned into the jam. “There’s a decent seafood place two counties over. Game?”

She tilted her head. “Are you asking me out on a date?”

“I never used the word ‘date.’”

“But what you described sure sounds like a date.”

He sighed. “Okay, yes. I’m inviting you to dinner.”

“See? Was that so hard?” Emma asked smugly. She stood and gathered her purse and her briefcase.

“Actually, yes.”

* * *

She went to pass him and he grabbed her arm. She looked up and their eyes locked. Then ever so slowly, he dipped his head and brushed his warm lips against hers. He could feel her tense at first, then relax as he deepened the kiss. It was a good thing he’d wrapped his arms around her because she relaxed in his grip.

He could feel the heat of her body through the thin fabric of her blouse; he could feel the contours of her waist before his hand moved lower and gave her firm butt a gentle squeeze. His tongue sparred with hers and he could taste her uneven breathing. Conner had expected a reaction, but not to this degree. Knowing how much she wanted him stroked his ego, among other things.

But then he allowed his past to creep in. His first wife, Lisa, had kept up the pretext of their marriage all while she was having an affair with her boss. He didn’t know enough about Emma to even think about trusting her yet.

He gently set her away and smiled down at her flustered face. “This could get addictive,” he said, reluctantly dropping his hands to his sides.

“Yes…well…What about dinner?” Emma glanced down at her wrist. “It’s after nine.”

“We can make it. Shrimpers stays open until eleven.”

“And no one will see us there?” she asked.

He shook his head and his smile broadened. “Don’t worry. No wagging tongues will know I took the new girl to dinner.”

“New girl?” she repeated, lips pursed.

He shrugged. “It’s not a terrible nickname.”

“What about calling me by my name?”

“What’s the fun in that? We’ll take my car,” he said as they approached the elevator.

“Won’t someone see us?”

“Most of Purdue rolls up for the night by nine.”

About the Author

After selling her first romantic suspense in 1993, Rhonda Pollero has penned more than 30 novels, won numerous awards and nominations, and landed on multiple bestseller lists, including USA Today, Bookscan, and Ingram’s Top 50 List.  She lives in south Florida with her family.

Social Media Links

www.rhondapollero.com

www.facebook.com/rhpollero

www.twitter.com/RhondaPollero

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Giveaway

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