Spotlight: The Rebel Queen by Jeana E. Mann

About the Book

“Shall we begin?” When spoken by my new husband, these three little words fill me with terror and anticipation.

In private, King Henry rules my body like he rules his country—with unrelenting control and passion. I crave his orders, his punishment, his commands. Outside the bedroom, we’re strangers caught in a web of lies and decadence.

Our marriage is a sham, a business arrangement devised to save my life and secure his crown. He doesn’t love me. He loves my body, controlling it, shaming it, worshipping it. To survive the dangers at court, I need to be smart, but it’s hard to think straight with a man like Henry between my legs.

Each night, he locks the bedroom door, determined to teach me a new lesson. Obedience, patience, trust. I lie awake in bed waiting for the sound of his footsteps and the latest installment in pleasure and pain. My heart pounds when the hinges creak and his broad shoulders block the door. I’m not ready, but I can’t wait to feel his hands on me. He shoves his bowtie in my mouth, binds my hands to the headboard, and whispers in my ear…

“Shall we begin?”

From USA Today bestselling author Jeana E. Mann comes this dark, contemporary romance filled with twists, turns, and unprecedented heat.

Excerpt

When his key clicks in the lock of the apartment door, my heart almost leaps out of my chest. I slip my hands into the fur-lined restraints. Anticipation heightens my awareness. The silk sheets are soft against my skin. They smell of his cologne and shower gel. I draw in his scent and try not to squirm. With each passing second, my mouth grows drier and the ache between my legs intensifies. I can hardly wait to see what he has in store for me tonight.

His light footsteps approach, sending my pulse rate higher. He doesn’t speak. He shrugs out of his jacket, loosens his tie, and sits in the elegant chair at the end of the bed. My skin prickles under the weight of his scrutiny. I’ve never been self-conscious about my body, but insecurity races through me. He’s the king. How many women has he had in his bed? If they’re anything like Lady Clayton, they’ve been the most beautiful women in the world. I tug on the restraints, wishing I could crawl beneath the sheets.

He drags a finger over his upper lip. “I’ve changed my mind.”

“What?” Mortification sends heat rushing into my face. Changed his mind? About me? About us? A knot clenches in my belly.

“I’ve always taken the lead in our lessons, but tonight, I’m giving you control.”

I slide my hands out of the restraints and sit up, clutching a pillow to cover my nudity, feeling vulnerable. “I don’t understand.”

“Take the reins, Everly.” He enunciates each word in his haughty British accent. “Show me how persuasive you can be. Make me want you.”

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About the Author

Jeana is a USA Today and Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author from Indiana. She gave up a career in the corporate world to write about sexy billionaires and alpha bad boys. With over twenty books and several awards beneath her belt, she’s never regretted her choice to live out her dream. She’s a free spirit, a wanderer at heart, and loves animals with a passion. When she’s not tripping over random objects, you’ll find her walking in the sunshine with her rambunctious dogs and dreaming about true love. 

You can follow Jeana here:

Website:http://jeanaemann.net

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/JeanaEMann

Twitter:https://www.twitter.com/JeanaEMann

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/JeanaEMann

Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Jeana-E.-Mann/e/B00HI4KQB4/ref

Bookbub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jeana-e-mann

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/jeana.e.mann/

Text Alerts:  Text the word “Jeana” without quotations to 21000

Giveaway

The author is giving away a GRAND PRIZE to one winner to include an Echo Dot and a signed set of books 1 and 2 and a $50 Amazon Gift Card (open international).

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Spotlight: The Game Changer by Jennifer Brown

Hollis and Daisy love 

podcasting about murder cases…

But can they solve one?

Hollis Bisbee used to be a big-city crime reporter. Now, she’s a small-town journalist, and she’s bored. She and a young mom, talented baker Daisy Mueller, start the Knock ‘Em Dead podcast—”Where murder and muffins meet!” It’s all fun, games, and baking tips until murder comes to Parkwood.

After a brutal homecoming game loss, the coach of the rival football team is the victim of a hit-and-run in the high school parking lot. The entire town is on edge, and the star quarterback—who happens to be the police chief’s son—may just look the guiltiest of all.

With Hollis’s investigative skills and Daisy’s famous muffins…and in spite of the charming rookie police officer tasked with keeping Hollis out of the way…the podcasting duo sets out to solve their first real case. 

This cozy mystery includes a killer free recipe for Daisy’s Cherry Chocolate Chunk Muffins.

Excerpt

THE GAME CHANGER 

JENNIFER BROWN B rooks was sitting in his car just on the other side of my car. As I expected him to be. I had a few minutes to kill while Daisy ran Brant home, so instead of getting into my car, I walked over to his and motioned for him to roll down his window. He did. 

“Still babysitting, I see?” “Be fair, now,” he said. “I stuck up for you.” “Yeah, you did,” I said. “Thank you for that.” He cupped his ear. “What was that? Did I just hear a thank-you? Say it again. I want to savor it.” This time I was sure—he was openly flirting, and I didn’t hate it. Okay, I liked it. A lot, actually. 

I put my hand on my hip. “Don’t press your luck. It was a rare moment of weakness.” I tried to sound tough, but my smile betrayed me. 

His mouth dropped open, still turned up mischievously at the corners. “And she admits weakness, too? Someone call the press.” 

I cocked my head to one side. “Very funny. I suppose I deserved that. I’ve been pretty hard on you.” 

He opened his car door, and I stepped back so he could get out. He towered over me; I had to shade my eyes when I looked up. “I didn’t take it personally. Truth be told, I like 

the way you stand up for yourself. And I like the way you go all-in when you’ve got a lead.” 

I cleared my throat. “Speaking of leads...” His eyebrows went up. “I can’t wait to hear where this is going.” 

“It’s going to River Fork. I’m pretty sure we cracked your case, Officer.” 

“Oh, did you, now? Let me guess. It was the captain of the high school chess team. Farley stole his knight.” 

“Good guess!” I slugged his arm lightly. “But no.” He ducked away from my punch playfully, but then looked at me more closely. “Wait. Are you being serious right now?” 

“The news is always serious.” “No, I mean it, Hollis, do you know something? Who is it?”“That, I’m not going to tell you.” 

“What? Yes, you are.” “I just want to check out the house, see if our theory has any merit, then we’ll talk.” 

“Talk now. You can’t withhold information from a police officer. Especially information about a murder case. It’s ob- struction of justice.” 

“Oh, come on, we both know you’re going to follow me there anyway. Besides, If I tell you, you’ll just tell Chief Henderson, and he’ll find a way to keep me out. ” 

He sighed in frustration. “I’ll call him after we get there, how about that?” 

“No way. What if I’m wrong? It’ll just make him even madder at me. And then he’ll have you casing my house twenty-four/seven.” 

“But what if you’re right, Hollis? This could be dan- gerous. You could be tipping someone off and they’ll bolt before I can arrest them.” 

I pulled my keys out of my purse. “I’m pretty sure about this. It will all make sense when you get there. I promise you that.” 

Daisy’s van pulled in on two wheels, spraying gravel everywhere. She practically jumped out while it was still moving. She’d changed clothes and was now wearing black yoga pants, a black long-sleeved shirt, a black jacket, and a black stocking cap that pushed the spikes of her hair so that they framed her face adorably. 

“What are you wearing?” I asked. “And how did you change so fast?” 

“Stakeout clothes,” she said. “And I’m a mother of four. I get precisely nine minutes a day to myself. I can do just about anything in two minutes or less.” 

“You look like you’re about to rob a bank.” “I bought these pants specifically for this purpose. Well, and because they hide cat hair.” 

“And to work out in?” I asked. She snorted a laugh. “Yeah, right, like I ever work out.” “We’re going to have to start,” I grumbled. “All those sweets are going to the wrong places.” Brooks ducked his head, and I was pretty sure I saw him blush. 

She clapped her hands twice. “Come on, now, let’s go get this woman!” 

“Woman?” Brooks said curiously. “But Evangeline—” “No, not Evangeline,” Daisy said, but I clapped my hand over her mouth. 

“Brooks is going to follow us there.” She grinned beneath my palm and I let up. “Of course. Don’t worry, Brooks, we’ll drive slowly so you can keep up.” With that, we both jumped in the car. I had it halfway out of the parking lot before Brooks could even get his door open. 

Get Your Copy Today: Amazon | Audible | B&N | iTunes | Walmart 

About the Author: 

Jennifer Brown is the author of acclaimed young adult novels, Hate List, Bitter End, Perfect Escape, Thousand Words, Torn Away, and the Shade Me series. Her debut novel, Hate List, received three starred reviews and was selected as an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, a VOYA “Perfect Ten,” and a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year. Bitter End received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and VOYA and is listed on the YALSA 2012 Best Fiction for Young Adults list.

Jennifer also writes middle grade novels — her debut novel, Life on Mars, was the winner of the 2017 William Allen White Children’s Book Award. She also writes women’s fiction under the name Jennifer Scott. Visit her at www.JenniferScottAuthor.comJennifer writes and lives in the Kansas City, Missouri area, with her husband and three children.

Jennifer is available for school visits, workshops, classroom and book club Skypes, and speaking engagements. Contact JenniferBrownYA@gmail.com to book her for your next event!

Connect with Jennifer:  Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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Spotlight: The Marriage of Miss Jane Austen Vol III by Collins Hemingway

The Stunning Finale to Jane Austen’s Saga

In the moving conclusion to “The Marriage of Miss Jane Austen,” Jane and her husband struggle with the serious illness of their son, confront a bitter relationship with the aristocratic family who were once their friends and face the horrific prospect of war when the British Army falters on the continent. The momentous events of the Napoleonic wars and the agonizing trials of their personal lives take Jane and Ashton to a decision that will decide their fate—and her future—once and for all.

Excerpt

Jane composed and dispatched the letter to Lovelace. There was no rudeness, despite the Lovelace family’s betrayal of their friendship, for Jane was a lady; but neither was there any amiable eloquence, only a plain statement of the issues. There was only the humane consideration of one horseman to another about his property: The mare, once the property of Jane’s husband but now possessed by Lovelace, had somehow escaped and found its way across two counties back to its native paddock. A hasty return to Lovelace would aggravate injuries suffered along the way and possibly lame the pregnant mare and endanger its offspring. Jane’s husband, Ashton, would provide for the horse until its recovery and delivery; and of course, the horse and foal would be sent in good health when they made their next deliveries to Lovelace’s regiment in the autumn. It was an aggravation that the rupture between the families did not cancel previous contracts between the men. The words about the injuries were not exaggerations; the more careful observations by the steward, Mr. Fletcher, revealed that the crack in the forehoof was deeper than Ashton could tell and inflammation was setting in. 

The response from Colonel Lovelace was neither an appreciative acceptance of their offer, nor a polite rejection and counterproposal of when a transfer might be effected. Rather, it took the form of a dusty skirmish, which came to Jane’s attention when she heard a commotion toward the barn and looked out the window in time to see a flailing body flip over the rail of the arena. By the time she reached the scene, Sawyer and two companions stood outside the fence, hurling imprecations but otherwise hesitant, while Mr. Fletcher and several of his men formed a resolute barrier to their advance. The mare walked agitatedly back and forth behind them, but not in a panic and apparently suffering no direct harm.

“Watch your language, Mr. Sawyer,” Jane said as she came up. “There is a lady present.” Sawyer was the overseer for the Lovelace estate, another man with whom they had had unpleasant dealings. 

He turned to her in anger and surprise. He had lost his hat and was covered in dust. Grains of sand sparkled on his forehead, and blood caulked around a split lip. “Your men are keeping me from my duty,” he said. 

“These men seem to be protecting our property from thieves,” Jane said. “What have you to say for yourself?”

“I’ve come for my property,” he replied, his natural arrogance swelling with the indignity of having been thrown over the fence. “I’ll summon the magistrate if need be.”

“My husband being the magistrate, I have no doubt he will welcome the call—and have you whipped for the bother.” Her sudden anger was for the horse and more—for what she had seen Sawyer do to the poor black servant months before. Responding to the flare in her eye, he took a grudging step back and spoke with more civility. 

“The mare is ours. I’m here to reclaim it, nothing more.” 

“And what do you intend to do with her?”

“That does not concern your lady.” 

“Your lady has every reason for concern. If any harm comes to that horse before its safe return, the Colonel will hold us responsible.”

“Not if you turn it over to me, ma’am.”

“So you and your men can drive it too hard for seventy miles?”—They had learned the regiment was stationed outside Stanmer, even farther than they had believed.—“So the horse is ruined, or loses the foal? My responsibility is not to you, Mr. Sawyer, but to the horse and the family who owns her. We will maintain the mare until proper steps are taken for her recovery.”

“I’m the proper steps. I’ve come in the Colonel’s name.” Sawyer uneasily rubbed his short hair—sand colored and sand filled—as if recognizing that his effort to take the horse, rather than ask for it, could well send him home empty-handed. The two men with him began to shift uncertainly as well—not only in response to Jane’s forcefulness but also to the other workers who had congregated behind them wielding all manner of farm implements. One of Sawyer’s men acted as if he had wandered in by accident and might wish to wander away. 

“If you had come with suitable authorization, you would have called at the house, announced your intentions, and produced documentation for your claims.”

“Ha!” Sawyer said, as if no honest man had to bother with such particulars. Looking around at the reinforcements, however, he added loud enough for all to hear: “I’ve a letter of reclamation from Colonel Lovelace.” 

“And that gives you the right to simply—invade—our estate and take whatever you fancy?”

“You know that mare belongs to us.”

“When Ashton and I arrived unannounced on your estate several years ago, you were pleased to hold us with your pistol until matters could be sorted out. We had as much right to be there then as you have to be here now. Very well, I shall accord you the same courtesy. Mr. Fletcher, lock these men in one of the stalls. Retrieve our weapons from the storeroom. If they attempt to escape—shoot them.” 

Buy on Amazon | Barnes and Noble

About the Author

Collins’ passion for literature, history, and science enable him to create complete, sharply drawn fictional characters fully engaged in their complex and often dangerous worlds. His fiction is shaped by the language of the heart and an abiding respect for courage in the face of adversity.

As a nonfiction book author, Collins has investigated topics as diverse as corporate culture and ethics; the Internet and mobile technology; the ins and outs of the retail trade; and the cognitive potential of the brain. Best known for the #1 best-selling book on business and technology, Business @ the Speed of Thought, which he co-authored with Bill Gates, he tackles challenging topics with clarity and insight, writing for the intelligent but nontechnical reader.

Born and raised in Arkansas, Collins has lived most of his adult life in the American Northwest, with a career that has spanned writing, high tech, and aviation. He has a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of Arkansas, Phi Beta Kappa; a master’s degree in English literature from the University of Oregon; and numerous technical certifications in computer technology.

For more information please visit Collins Hemingway’s website and blog. You can also find him on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, and Goodreads.

The Marriage of Miss Jane Austen Vol III

Spotlight: Glass Half Full by Katia Rose

Glass Half Full
Katia Rose
(Barflies, #2)
Publication date: January 8th 2020
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

You win some, you lose some.

Back at home with half a college degree after the fiasco of the century sent her packing, it’s safe to say that Renee Nyobé is losing some. She’s a hot mess, and not the cute kind. No, if hot messes had categories, hers would be ‘littering the stairs of the metro station with your sweaty underwear because you were too busy rushing to the job interview you’re already late for to zip up your yoga bag.’

A job—any job—is just what she needs to get her life back on track, and it might as well be at Montreal’s most famous dive bar, Taverne Toulouse.

Dylan Trottard is winning some. As Taverne Toulouse’s new manager, he’s got one rule for himself: don’t screw up. Following that rule gets a lot harder when the woman he’s spent the past three years trying to forget starts working behind the bar.

They were never supposed to want each other, and they sure as hell aren’t supposed to want each other now. She’s the girl that got away before he even had her, and he’s the guy she didn’t think would ever give her a second glance.

Now they can’t keep their eyes off one another, and the stakes are even higher than before. There’s a lot to lose, but as the pull between them gets harder and harder to ignore, Renee and Dylan start asking how much winning is worth.

Glass Half Full is part of the Barflies series, a set of standalone romantic comedies that chronicle the lives and loves of the staff at a Montreal dive bar.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

“I always wondered something,” she continues when it’s clear I can’t speak. “That night, did you…Were you…Did you want to kiss me?”

I wanted to do more than kiss her. I wanted to breathe her in. I wanted to inhale her.

“It would have been a bad idea,” I manage to get out through my clenched jaw. She’s staring up at me through those damn eyelashes, and all I can think about is her mouth, her neck, that inch of her gorgeous bare shoulders I can see before they meet with the edge of her coat.

“I’m glad you didn’t.”

Everything grinds to a halt.

Shit, shit, shit.

“I’m glad you didn’t,” she repeats, “because I wasn’t ready for you to kiss me then, not like I am now.”

Author Bio:

Katia Rose is not much of a Pina Colada person, but she does like getting caught in the rain. She prefers her romance served steamy with a side of smart, and is a sucker for quirky characters. A habit of jetting off to distant countries means she’s rarely in one place for very long, but she calls the frigid northland that is Canada home.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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Spotlight: Keystone by Katie Delahanty

When Ella Karman debuts on the Social Stock Exchange, she finds out life as a high profile “Influencer” isn’t what she expected. Everyone around her is consumed by their rankings, in creating the smoke and mirrors that make them the envy of the world.

But then Ella’s best friend betrays her, her rankings tank, and she loses—everything.

Leaving her old life behind, she joins Keystone, a secret school for thieves, where students are trained to seal everything analog and original because something—or someone—is changing history to suit their needs.

Partnered with the annoyingly hot—and utterly impossible—Garrett Alexander, who has plenty of his own secrets, Ella is forced to return to the Influencer world, while unraveling a conspiracy that began decades ago.

Exclusive Excerpt: 

“But doesn’t being a Disconnect mean no technology? How would anyone even know about me?” I ask.

“We may live off the grid, but it’s important we’re aware of what’s going on in the world. At Keystone, we’re a special legion of Disconnects. Our mission is to steal analog history—to preserve the truth—before corporations and the government can alter the past to benefit their personal futures. We’re in danger of entering a Digital Dark Age, where the only information available is digital. Tape recordings, printed books, films, photographs—proof of history—are decaying and becoming scarce. Digital information is easy to tamper with, and there are forces at work that want current society to reflect their version of the past.” Allard sips her tea before continuing.

“Often, we’re after priceless works that are protected by the latest technology, so we have to understand tech even though we don’t use it ourselves. We have internet access in the Crypt—that’s our code-breaking library—and the TMI-feed is likely a guilty pleasure for some of the girls. They watch the Networks—they have to. For your Initiation Heist, you’ll be asked to go under cover in Influencer society, and you’ll need to know how to fit in—and how to hide in plain sight.”

“Initiation Heist?” I almost choke on my tea, the cup rattling in my trembling hands at having to reenter society.

“It’s the final test before becoming a full-fledged Keystone member with access to our top-level secrets, but don’t worry,” Allard says. “You’ll have plenty of time to learn our ways—and you’ll participate in a heist as an assistant to an Initiate—before you’re asked to lead a heist the following year.”

“Lead a heist?” My eyes bulge. “Right.”

Order Your Copy Today: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Google Play | Kobo

About the Author 

Katie lives in Los Angeles with her husband, twin daughters, and son. Growing up in Pittsburgh, she loved old movies and playing dress up, but never considered telling stories of her own until she was asked to start a blog for the sleepwear company she worked for. Unsure what to say about lingerie, she wrote a fictional serial about a girl chasing her costume design dreams who fell in love with a rock star along the way. And that’s when Katie fell in love with storytelling. That blog became The Brightside Series and she’s been waking before dawn to write ever since.

Connect with the Author: Instagram | Bookstagram | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

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Spotlight: Stranded At Night by Rebekah Dodson

Stranded At Night
Rebekah Dodson
(California Express, #1)
Publication date: January 4th 2020
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

Two days after Christmas, two in the afternoon, two passengers must face the storm to prevail against the darkness.

Maggie Espinoza needs to get away from Portland, Oregon, from a blown out past and a bleak future. She figures taking the Express train to balmy Southern California to start over is just what she needs. Two days after Christmas while everyone is preparing for the New Year, she makes her escape during the worst blizzard the state has ever seen.

Jesse Cabot senses a darkness in fellow passenger Maggie when he sits next to her on the train.

Why is she so haunted and broken?

When the train suddenly stops in the middle of the blizzard weird things start to happen.

Random disappearances, an assault, a body in the snow.

It becomes clear it’s up to Jesse and Maggie to find the culprit or face the music on the stranded California Express.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

Jesse hoisted himself on top of a stack of suitcases and his legs swung under him. Maggie continually surprised him and had been strong this entire time, but he should have known this was coming. It was in her file, after all.

Why hadn’t he been prepared?

He flipped his phone out and lit up the flashlight, setting it upside down so he could see her better. The baggage car was pitch black otherwise and utterly freezing.

Exhaling heavily, Maggie leaned back against some backpacks and nearly slumped down. She clutched the shoulder strap of a bag until her knuckles turned white. She said nothing, but Jesse knew this would get worse before it got better. He waited.

He watched as Maggie’s panic erupted into rage. Her face purpled again, and she heaved for breath, but this time she was pacing up and down the far end of the car – away from the bodies.

“What did he do?” she asked the nearly empty car. “He was innocent!”

“Perhaps he saw something…” Jesse offered, but clammed up when she glared at him.

“He didn’t deserve it!” she shrieked. “Beth, oh God, his sister. What if she finds him? We have to go back… we have to…” she paused suddenly and fiddled with the pocket of her coat. She finally yanked out her vape pen and sucked heavily, exhaling an acrid plume of marijuana.

Jesse coughed and waved the vapor away from him.

“Feel better?” he asked her, mostly sarcastically. “And is now really the time to be getting high?”

She glared at him with a venomous look of ‘shut up.’ He could take a hint.

A few more puffs and she stilled, finally sinking to the floor and pulling her knees to her chest.

Jesse leapt down from his perch and finally rushed over to her, pulling her into his arms. He wasn’t sure if he should, but he didn’t know what else to do. He’d seen more than a few dead bodies in his time, but he wasn’t ready to divulge that to Maggie.

He should have known it would trigger her – most people wouldn’t be okay with seeing a freshly dead body, and why would she be any different?

She’d been okay with the bodies in the snow, with seeing the fatal gunshot wounds, but Damon had been different. He saw it in her face; she knew what killed him, just like she knew what killed Nick.

He also suspected he knew what was in that syringe, but the question really was, did she?

“Nick… Jay… Maurice… Damon…” the way she murmured the names of the dead pierced his heart.

He gulped hard, trying to hold her, knowing it wouldn’t, or rather shouldn’t, make a difference. He felt like an asshole because as she shook under his grasp, all he wanted to do was kiss her.

Distracting him, she clung to him and trembled through her panic attack, and he wondered again who had damaged her so much that she would react like this. While there were other people on the train were mostly blissfully unaware of all the carnage, Maggie seemed to be taking it worse than the others, and yet another murder – plus losing the engine car – was shaping up to be hell on earth. But something told him it wasn’t just about the body – whether it was his instinctive intuition, or his years of training, he didn’t know. But she was smart, capable, and curious – he needed her to help solve these murders, if they were going to get to the bottom of this and try to get rescued.

“Maggie?” He brushed her hair away from her face. “Are you all right?”

To his surprise, she reached up and braced against his shoulders and pushed him away.

Caught off guard, he stumbled backwards and tripped over a suitcase. Catching himself before it was too late, he stepped over it and landed on his feet.

“Who are you?” She screamed at him, wrapping her arms around her in the freezing cold emptiness of the baggage car.

“I told you I’m a—”

“Yeah, a builder from Haiti, and a tattoo artist; which is complete and utter bullshit.”

Jesse’s left eye twitched. Had she pegged him already? He’d clearly underestimated her.

She held up her hand. “One, you have a gun. Not a regular one people around these parts carry.”

“Everyone has a gun these days,” he tried to protest.

“Two, you are so formal when you talk – not like an idiot from California.”

“I’m not from here…”

“And that’s another thing. Your accent? Totally fake. And this?” She stalked forward and tried to snatch his sunglasses from his face. “What are you hiding behind this…”

He couldn’t have her uncovering at least one of his secrets, maybe the least deadly of them all. But she was in for a surprise if she thought she’d guessed everything. He side stepped her nimbly, and reaching out, snatched her arm and spun her around, pinning her hand behind her back and shoving her against the baggage. She yelped as he did, and his other hand pressed her face against the luggage. He was careful to only apply a gentle amount of pressure, so he didn’t hurt her.

“I’m not just a simple builder, but you’re not an art major, either,” he hissed into her ear.

He expected her to fight, to break free, maybe even take a swing at him – which she’d miss of course. He’d had a few years of training and was faster, smarter, and as a last resort, he had a weapon. She did not.

Instead, she froze, and all he could hear was her breath coming ragged again. Her spine stiffened, and he knew she was going right back into a panic attack.

Jesus Christ, who could have done this to her? he thought, and at her distress he immediately let her go and stepped back.

He expected her to collapse again, but instead, her eyes flashed at him as she turned around.

“I said don’t fucking touch me!” She launched herself at him, and the full force of her body slammed him to the cold, metal ground.

“What are you hiding?” she yelled, shaking his shoulder. “You have a gun … you can shoot… Are you a fucking cop? Who. Are. You?”

He let her straddle him with his arms pinned to his sides – better for now she didn’t know he could kill her in a dozen different ways if he wanted – but he certainly wasn’t expecting her to reach down and rip his sunglasses away and toss them into a corner. The gasp that rolled over her didn’t shock him, in fact, he should have anticipated it. Even his own boss at the agency was uncomfortable looking at him most days. He’d grown so accustomed to wearing his sunglasses everywhere they were like a second skin, now.

Maggie scrambled off him slowly and turned and slid to the ground, grasping the cold, metal floor beneath her. In the light from Jesse’s cellphone, her cold breath expelled in airy puffs. “Your eyes…”

Realizing she was smarter than he thought, just based on the fact she’d let him hold her a few minutes ago but then flipped at a moment’s notice, he waited. He knew well enough when an intelligent criminal was about to confess, and part of him was excited she was so close. It was either that, or she was just plain crazy. But in all his years he hadn’t been wrong about a case.

If only he didn’t want to protect her, to save her. He’d never fallen for a suspect, and he wanted to curse at these feelings she’d awoken in him. He hated himself for how he felt, but he couldn’t deny it.

Did she feel the same way?

He crawled over and sat next to her, pulling one knee to his chest.

“It’s called heterochromia iridium, in case you’re wondering,” he told her gently. “One blue, one brown. It’s hereditary, or so I’m told.”

“Who are you?” she asked again, looking at him. “No more lies.”

Author Bio:

Rebekah Dodson is a prolific author of over 30 romance, fantasy, and science fiction novels. Her works include the series Postcards from Paris, #1 bestselling Curse of Lanval series, Life After Us series, and several stand alone novels and short stories. She has been writing her whole life, with her first published work of historical fiction with 4H Clubs of America at the age of 12, and poetry at the age of 16 with the National Poetry Society. With an extensive academic background including education, history, psychology and English, she currently works as a college professor by day and a writer by night.

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